A representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Photos taken during the release of BJMP Personnel NPA Prisoners of War Jail Inspector Murphy Bomoway Todyog, Jail Warden Erico Dacillo Llamasares , Special Jail Officer 2 (SJ02) Rogelio Begontes , and Jail Officer 1 (JOI) Rolando Delta Bajoyo, Jr. in Magpet, North Cotabato last October 8.

GPH Fails to Release JASIG-Protected Individuals and Delays Resumption of Formal Talks on October 31

Fidel Agcaoili
Member and Spokesperson
NDF-Negotiating Panel
October 11, 2011
 

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is eager to resume formal talks with the Government of the Philippines (GPH) to address the roots of the armed conflict and forge agreements on basic social, economic and political reforms in order to pave the way for a just and lasting peace in the Philippines.
 

But the GPH has once more failed to comply with its obligations under the Oslo Joint Statements of January and February 2011 to release most if not all of the 17 JASIG-protected individuals (before June 2011 to the present), on or before the deadline of 10 October to allow participants of both the GPH and the NDFP to prepare for their participation in the peace negotiations in Oslo starting 31 October.
 

The Royal Norwegian Government, the third party facilitator in the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations, has expected the GPH to comply with its obligations on or before 10 October to enable the RNG to prepare the next round of formal talks in Oslo.
 

By failing to perform its obligation, the GPH has made impossible the resumption of formal talks on 31 October in Oslo. It has practically sabotaged the agreement to hold a new round of formal talks from 31 October to 12 November 2011.
 

Sincere in its desire to continue the peace negotiations, the NDFP is patient and willing to wait from day to day for the GPH to comply with its obligations. It is the responsibility and shame of the GPH that the schedule of formal talks will be delayed from day to day and possibly ad infinitum because obviously the GPH is not interested in pursuing the peace negotiations with the NDFP.
 

The GPH only wants to talk about peace negotiations but not to really negotiate seriously and to forge agreements on basic social, economic and political reforms. It merely wants pacification and capitulation of the revolutionary movement in compliance with the US-dictated Oplan Bayanihan, a brutal counterrevolutionary campaign masquerading as a peace and development program.
 

But the revolutionary movement has long been prepared for this policy of deception by the GPH. The NPA has time and again shown its capabilities for advancing the armed revolution of the people. The crisis of the ruling system of big landlords and compradors continues to worsen and fuel the anger and resistance of the Filipino people. The revolutionary movement is in a good position to defend and protect the people from the ravages of the ruling classes and their imperialist masters. #

Photos and captions below are from the Facebook page of Rolivel Elusfa

NPA releases 4 BJMP prisoners of war
By Rolivel Elusfa (Albums) · Updated on Saturday ·
Taken at Somewhere in the hinterlands of North Cotabato
 

AFP: a master in double talk
Rubi Del Mundo
Spokesperson
NDF-Southern Mindanao
October 11, 2011

Reeling from frustration over the inutility of its rescue operations, the Eastern Mindanao Command of the AFP has fast-tracked the craft it has mastered: double talk.
 

In the heels of the National Democratic Front and the Southern Mindanao Party Regional Committee-CPP announcements of the order of release of the four Prisoners of War from the PNP/BJMP, the two 75th IB-4th ID intelligence officers and Mayor Henry Dano, EastMinCom spokesperson Col. Leopoldo Galon, Jr. reacted in ways meant to undermine the public’s positive response to the exercise of revolutionary political authority by the people’s democratic goverment. And in the process, he issues self-contradictory and in fact, silly pronouncements that reek with conceit.
First, he explains that the EastMin Com is ready to heed the calls of the GPH local crisis management committees if its respective heads, Mayor Rodito Rapisura of Kitaotao, Bukidnon and Gov. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, would relay a request for a Suspension of Military Operations. In saying this, he deliberately ignores the fact that these GPH local officials, including Bukidnon Vice Governor Jose Zubiri, have already issued earlier calls for a SOMO.
But when these very same GPH local officials made another round of appeals for a SOMO/SOPO as an affirmative response to the NDF and SMRPC-CPP political decision to release the NPA detainees,

Col. Galon suddenly sang a different and discordant tune.
 

In a clear case of double speak, he quickly forgets and contradicts his previous statement by stating that they can’t implement a SOMO unless their higher headquarters tell them.
He further finds an excuse that a SOMO can’t be had in towns outside of Surigao del Sur because the LGUs demanded uninterrupted military operations.
 

Second, he offers an infantile and silly suggestion: that in lieu of formal process which ensure the safe and orderly release of the six POWs and Mayor Dano, for the custodial units to just leave the NPA detainees in any barangay road and let them find their way towards the nearest town center.
At the very least, we can only say that we respect his right to publicly display his ignorance, infantility and stupidity.
 

And third, he states that military offensive operations will continue unless a SOMO is ordered. But when it became clear that the NPA custodial units are able to undertake safe and orderly release procedures through the intercession of reasonable GPH local officials, religious groups and peace advocates sans any clear and official SOMO/SOPO declaration, the EastMinCom claims otherwise. In the end, the AFP was left out in the sidelines, exposed as a den of liars consumed in their fascist arrogance. In fact two days before the release, the 4th ID and 10th ID deployed more troops in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, Compostela in Compostela Valley province and in Cateel, Davao Oriental. And even as Malacanang spokesperson Edwin Lacierda confided that they were still conferring with AFP ground commanders, the release was already undertaken.

Still discontented with his illogic, Col. Galon hurriedly composes an implausible postscript: that the releases were a cover-up to the bad press earned from the punitive actions against the environmentally destructive large-scale mining operations in Surigao.
 

He stretches his wild mind further: thanking the NPA for giving the AFP free time away from combat and pursuit operations because he imagines that the NPA was forced to concentrate in guarding the NPA detainees!
 

While at it, Col.Galon bares his bothered brain, now unable to recall that the NDF and CPP release decisions (Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 respectively) came before the Surigao mining sanctions (Oct.3), and he easily forgets too that it was the EastMinCom who just recently received a scathing rebuke from their own commander-in-chief for incompetence in the aftermath of the NPA actions. Indeed, since confusion springs from agony, it would be unfair to expect clear thinking from Col. Galon’s distressed mind.
 

Public disinformation and duplicity are matters of policy for the AFP. The tale about the supposed “abduction” by the NPA of tribal leaders Datu Lorenzo Pendio and Marcelino Gumatao of Paquibato district, Davao City reveals tons about AFP program.
 

When Datu Gumatao told the truth, that he stayed with his relatives in Brgy. Malabog, Paquibato and was not taken by the NPA, the AFP mouthpiece, Col. Galon, 10th ID spokesperson Lt. Col. Leopoldo Paniza and 10th ID Civil Military Battallion Commander Major Jake Obligado are all suddenly silent. Datu Gumatao himself exposed the AFP story as a mere fabrication to justify a 10th ID-AFP instigated “pangayaw” or tribal vengeance to lay the grounds for the intrusion of mining companies in Paquibato and divert attention from protests against AFP militarization of civilian communities.
For certain, they are still devising ways to conjure another fraud to add to its pile of fiction in a vain try to save face. But the truth can’t be hidden from the masses.
 

Indeed, the truth-just cause-will set the people free. And the deceitful and the unjust will be placed in the dustbin.#
 

(Sgd.) Rubi Del Mundo
Spokesperson
NDF-Southern Mindanao

The lady-head of the custodial unit turns over the release papers  to Atty. Persida V. Acosta, chief of the Public Attorney's Office in Manila, and LGU representative Makilala Mayor Rudy Cauagdan for scrutiny. Acosta would later say that the four BJMP  personnel were declared by the NPA as prisoners of war so they could be accorded their rights under the International  Humanitarian Law

Teary-eyed for leaving the elements of the custodial unit whom they call "kasama" and said to have given them all their needs, treated them like real brothers, provided their needs. "They would make us eat first before they take their own food," says one of
the captives The POWs sign their respective release paper

The guerrillas and the community that took care of the captives.

A government physician checks the state of health of the POWs before they are turned over to the government and civilian
negotiators. Except for one who was diagnosed with high blood pressure, the physician said "their vital signs are normal and they
are healthy." The rise of the blood pressure of one "could have been caused by excitement with the release, the military operation
or all the attention that they have been given."

Thanking God, the BHB (Bagong Hukbong Bayan) and all the people who worked hard to effect their release.

x

GPH Mayor Dano’s two military intelligence escorts issue apology

Rubi Del Mundo
Spokesperson
NDF-Southern Mindanao
October 05, 2011

The National Democratic Front Southern Mindanao released the audio messages of Cpl. Alrey Desamparado and Pfc. Alan Saban, military intelligence operatives and escorts of GPH Mayor Henry Dano. The two, detained along with Mayor Dano by the New People’s Army-Southern Mindanao, issued an apology directed to the masses, revolutionary movement, and the NPA in relation to their counter-revolutionary intelligence operations. The two also pledged to quit from AFP military service and return to civilian life should they be released from NPA custody.
[Audio clips: Alan P. Saban | Cpl. Alrey V. Desamparado ]
 

Following is a transcript:
 

Ako po si Alan P. Saban, 8464 Infantry Philippine Army, 6th ID-Philippine Army. Naassign po ako sa unit ng 75th IB, 6th ID, Infantry Philippine Army. Inaamin ko na myembro ako ng Battallion S2 ng 75th IB at aktibo sa gawaing paniktik laban sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan at anti-insurgency na kampanya ng AFP. Isa akong SIGENT ng 75th Infantry Battalion, S2 naka-assign dati sa Maramag, hanggang sa dumating kami ng Surigao del Sur. Nang dumating kami ng Surigao del Sur, doon kami na-assign kay Mayor Henry Dano na bilang isang mayor ng Lingig, Surigao del Sur. Nag-establish kami ng mga asset para magmonitor sa area ng Lingig at kung ano pa yung mga activities ng mga intel work.
 

Ngayon, taos puso akong humihingi ng tawad sa demokratikong gobyerno sa katawhan, Bagong Hukbong Bayan at sa masa. Nangako ako na hindi na ako sasali sa anumang gawain ng paniktik laban sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa ilalim ng AFP, PNP at sa lahat ng ahensya ng armadong pwersa ng Government of the Philippines at pinapangako ko rin na matigil ako bilang isang sundalo. Kung ano man yung mga activities ng AFP, hindi na ako sasali. Humihingi ako ng kapatawaran sa inyo na sana makalaya kami sa lalong madaling panahon dahil gusto na namin makita ang aming pamilya lalo na ang aking mga anak, asawa, mama, aking mga kapatid, buong pamilya ko. ‘Yun lang po salamat.*
Ako si Cpl. Alrey V. Desamparado, 832272, Infantry Philippine Army ng 75th Infantry Marauder Battallion, 6th ID- Philippine Army. Natalaga bilang isang Battallion S2. Nadakip noong August 6, 2011 sa Municipality of Lingig, Surigao del Sur.
 

Ang pagkadakip sa amin ay ok naman at saka ‘yong pagtrato bilang prisoners of war, ok na man at saka sa mga imbestigasyon sa amin, ok na man, binigyan naman kami ng pre-trial. Sinabi naman naming lahat kung ano yung nalalaman namin bilang isang sundalo. At saka sa mga imbestigasyon, yung proseso, yung mga nalalaman namin sinasabi naman namin at patas naman yung laban.
 

Inaamin ko ang lahat ng aking kasalanan bilang isang intel operative. Itinilaga, nilagay kami kay Mayor para dagdag sa aming kaalaman o pag-eespiya sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan, pagrerekrut ng mga sibilyan assets. Binigyan kami ng listahan ng mga myembro ng GF 20, para maneutralize ang any insurgency na kampanya ng Armed Forces of the Philippines. Inaamin ko na ang mga nagawa kong kasalanan gaya ng pag-iespiya laban sa New People’s Army at humingi ako ng tawad sa mga masa at mga kasalanan ng pagrekrut ng mga sibilyan assets, sa pagtalaga sa amin bilang VIP security kay mayor. Aside sa vip, binigyan pa kami ng ibang task bilang intel operative at ang pakikipagsabwatan kay Umali laban sa GF 20, at yung bigay sa amin na limang listahan ng mga tao na myembro ng GF 20.
Humihingi po ako ng tawad sa mga masa, sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan, at sa rebolusyonaryong gobyerno, sa aking mga nagawang kasalanan. Pinapangako ko po, na hindi na po ako sasali, sa ano mang kampanya ng AFP, katulad ng counter-insurgency laban sa New People’s Army. At pinapangako ko rin po na hinding-hindi na po ako magseserbisyo kung makakalabas na po ako dito. Yun lang po at maraming salamat.
 

[English translations of the transcripts:]
 

I am Alan P. Saban, 8464 Infantry Philippine Army, 6th Id, Philippine Army. I was assigned to the 75th IB unit of the 6th ID, Infantry Philippine Army. I admit to being a member of the Battallion S2 of the 75th IB and I was active in intelligence work targeting the revolutionary movement and in the anti-insurgency campaign of the AFP. I am SIGENT (signal intelligence) member of the 75th Infantry Battallion, S2, assigned formerly in Maramag town, until I was transferred to Surigao del Sur, where I was tasked to be an escort to Mayor Henry Dano, mayor of Lingig, Surigao del Sur. We tapped assets to monitor the area of Lingig and to do other intelligence activities.
 

Now, I humbly ask for forgiveness to the People’s Democratic Government, New People’s Army and to the masses. I promise not to join in any intelligence activities against the revolutionary movement under the AFP, PNP and other agencies of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippines. I also vow to quit being a soldier. I will not join in whatever activities of the AFP. I ask for your forgiveness so that we will soon be released. We wish to see our family, especially my children, my wife, my mother, my siblings. Thank you.*
 

I am Cpl. Alrey V. Desamparado, 832272, Infantry Philippine Army ng 75th Infantry Marauder Battallion, 6th ID, Philippine Army. I was assigned as a Battallion S2. I was arrested last August 6, 2011 in Lingig, Surigao del Sur. The arrest was ok, and as prisoners of war, we were treated well. The investigation that we underwent was alright. We were subjected to a pre-trial. We gave whatever information we had, being active soldiers. The investigation, the process, it was a fair trial.
 

I admit to the offenses that I committed being an intelligence operative. I was assigned to the mayor to extract additional information or to spy on the revolutionary movement, to recruit civilian assets. We were given lists of members of GF (Guerilla Front) 20, to neutralize the insurgency, the campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I admit to the misdeeds like spying against the New People’s Army, and I ask for the forgiveness of the masses, in my offenses involving the recruitment of civilian assets, as I pursued my task being a VIP security to the Mayor. Aside from being assigned to the mayor, I was also assigned as intel operative to connive with Umali against GF 20, including the five lists containing members of the GF 20 that were given to us.
 

I apologize to the masses, to the New People’s Army, to the revolutionary government, for my offenses. I promise that I will never join in any campaign of the AFP, like the counter-insurgency campaign against the New People’s Army. I also promise to resign from service should I be given the chance to be released from custody. Thank you.#

• GPH Mayor Dano’s two military intelligence escorts issue apology

• NDF-SMR will comply with NDFP order of release to subject to a SOMO/SOPO in North Cotabato, Bukidnon, & Davao City

• GPH Mayor Dano issues apology

• GPH Mayor Dano’s private armed group is responsible for murder, serious human rights, IHL violations

• NDF releases video clips, photos of Four PNP/BJMP Prisoners of War

• Audio messages, pictures of NPA captives GPH Mayor Dano,military escorts reveal NPA’s lenient treatment, call for GPH principal Aquino’s SOMO

• GPH is accountable for putting to risk the safety of NPA captives by launching full-scale military offensives

• GPH in a state of denial of the raging civil war and the existence of two governments in the country; Legal and judicial processes of the People's Democratic Government are applicable to GPH Mayor