Death toll in fighting between govt troops and Abu Sayyaf in Sulu rises to 45

Major File on Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command.

Heavy gun battle between government troops and Daesh-linked militants has resumed a day after the military suffered 15 deaths Monday in Sulu in the southern Philippines, according to the military officials.

In a news briefing Tuesday afternoon, Western Mindanao Command spokesman Major Filemon Tan Jr. said since the intensified military offensives were launched from August 26, to date in Sulu, casualties on the Abu Sayyaf group have reached a total of 30 to include their leaders.

"The number of killed Abu Sayyaf bandits is already 30 while 11 others injured. On the government side, we suffered 15 killed in action and 29 others wounded," Tan told defense reporters in a press briefing at Camp Navarro, Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City.

"So the total number of deaths on both sides is 45 and 40 others
including our troops and Abu Sayyaf were injured since Friday
fighting," Tan said

He said during the National Heroes Day on Monday, August 29, fifteen of their Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comrades were immortalized as heroes.

"Our forces fought gallantly, the firefight was intense and our troops sacrificed their lives to give the next generation the peace and security they truly deserve," Tan said.

"We will mourn the loss of our brothers, but it will not dampen the fighting spirit of our troops. The momentum is in our side and we will continue this fight until we accomplish the mission," he added.

The regional Army spokesman said whoever block the way of troops or help the Abu Sayyaf, will be dealt more severely.

"What you see is just the tip of the iceberg, more troops, more
equipment and more firepower will be committed to destroy the Abu Sayyaf. It is just a matter of time," said Tan.

He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is appealing to the
Filipino people to pray for their troops.

Meanwhile, the Commander, Joint Task Force Sulu, Brigadier General Arnel de la Vega, said in a statement that intense fighting is on going in Sulu since 1:50pm of 29 August 2016.

He said Army soldiers of the 21st Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Presco Lobos are battling heavily armed terrorist Abu Sayyaf under sub-leader Jamiri Jawong Jauhari in Sitio Kugan, Barangay Bakung, Patikul, Sulu.

"In this fierce on going armed encounter, two ASG members were killed and a number of them severely wounded as they withdrew southeast,"Lobos said.

The security forces meanwhile suffered zero casualty, he added.

Tan said the soldiers grieve for their fallen comrades last Monday, but instead of waning, the soldiers pressed on in the fight. The ultimate sacrifice and acts of gallantry become their driving force to hit back once.

Tan said the total Abu Sayyaf fighters in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are placed at 481.

The military, however, does not have exact figures on the group's
sympathizers, supporters or operatives recruited through dubious means.

The Abu Sayyaf beheaded two Canadians and a Filipino teenager this year.

Just early this month, two of the seven Indonesian sailors kidnapped from a tugboat off Tawi-Tawi escaped captivity but there was speculation the Abu Sayyaf freed them after their families paid their ransoms.

Aside from remaining Indonesian captives, three Malaysians sailors, a Dutch bird watcher, a Norwegian and some Filipinos are still being held by the Daesh-affiliated group. MGPI News

Hundreds benefit from medical
outreach in 3 towns in Basilan

Scene during the Children of War Basilan Association's medical and dental outreach mission at the municipal hall in Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan Province Tuesday, August 23, 2016. Photo courtesy of Mirasol Monteza/RMN

More than 500 children and their parents from the municipalities of Ungkaya Pukan, Al- Barka and Tipo-Tipo have benefited from the medical and dental mission sponsored by the Save The Children of War Basilan Association.

The community outreach activity was made possible through the efforts of Dr. Arlyn Jawad-Jumao-as, the association's founding president, together with Dr. Alfonso Bravo, Lamitan District Hospital Administrator, Dr. Rhoda Delgado, and Dr. Christlen Delgado, dentist.

It was conducted at the municipal hall in Tipo-Tipo town on Tuesday, wherein both parents and their children received free medicines after the free consultation made by the four physicians.

"Nakakadurog ng puso habang tinitingnan ko ang mga bata na nangangailangan ng medical attention pero hindi sila nabibigyan ng pagkakataon because of the peace and order problem," Jumao-as said.

It was learned from a health worker (volunteer) who declined to be named that there are still many internally displaced persons at an evacuation center.

"Sad to say din po na hindi natapos ang medical mission at marami pa ang nakapila because of the encounter yesterday (Tuesday) in Tuburan," she said.

The volunteer added a military official who spearheaded the security forces securing the area ordered to immediately stop the said outreach activity for security reason.

Save The Children of War Basilan Association aims to reach out those family from far flung and remote areas of Basilan who are always affected by the conflict between the government troops and Abu Sayyaf militants.

The association's outreach activity Tuesday which was supported by JCI Lamitan, Tipo-tipo Municipal Health workers, 19th Special Forces company (4SFBn) led by Capt. Dexter Dantog, company commander also conducted free haircut, feeding activities and school supplies distribution.

This forthcoming October 4, the association will be having its founding anniversary with the theme: "Festival of Peace," to be celebrated in Basilan. MGPI News

On issue of involving Misuari in Bangsamoro peace process

Mayor Beng: It is not for me to say
whether it's welcome or unwelcome

Mayor Isabelle "Beng" Climaco-Salazar of Zamboanga city with one of his legal officers receives a Philippine Airlines toy token from the Manila-based PAL representatives who announced their cabin crew hiring during a press conference at City Hall Monday, August 22, 2016. 

Reacting on the issue welcoming Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari in renewed peace efforts for Mindanao, Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salaza on Monday said it is not for her to say whether it is welcome or unwelcome.

"There has been a case filed by the local government unit and as far as the city government of Zamboanga city is concerned we will continue to appeal for justice especially for all the victims of the siege," the mayor told local reporters.

But Climaco, one of the signatories to the charges of rebellion and crimes against humanity versus Misuari, said they are also bound to the higher authority which is the Department of Justice (DOJ) to institute whatever legal actions that they may have with regards to the case.

The mayor's comments were in reaction to the earlier reports saying that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim that their group has no problem with Misuari being part of the peace talks with the Philippine government.

Murad was quoted as saying by media that the inclusion of Misuari in the peace talks is part of the process of converging two peace agreements, especially as the MILF and the MNLF have a similar goal “That is self-governance for the Bangsamoro."

Murad made the statement during the start of the two-day meeting between the MILF and the Philippine government in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last week to discuss the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Meanwhile, Climaco in an interview after her regular press conference at city hall Monday reiterated that "we have to await the Department of Justice on what legal measures they will do to lift the arrest order against Misuari.

"Kita (We), we can only speak on the part of complainants and I am one of those signatories but until the DOJ can provide that legal enactment, the situation remains as is," the mayor said.

"But looking at the situation of where we are now, as what I have said in the past, there has been neglect from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process because they have segregated Nur Misuari, and so claro (clear) that he is recognized by the international bodies," she added.

In fact, Climaco said when she talked with Misuari, "his demand was we must implement the peace process. And I said it is not within me because I am just a local chief executive and from that we must take note of what was stated because he is still the duly recognize representative."

It may be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit in Sulu last August 12 said that he is okay with the idea of involving Misuari in an inclusive Bangsamoro peace process. The president also said he does not want the MNLF founder to be detained despite of a pending warrant of arrest.

Duterte said if something happens to Misuari under the government custody, the state could mean deterioration of any peace efforts, specifically with the Tausugs.

Misuari is facing charges of inciting rebellion and crimes against humanity in relation to the Zamboanga siege in 2013, a crisis that ended with some 200 casualties and displaced tens of thousands of families. MGPI News

President Duterte names 57 politicians, 7 judges, 93 police involved in illegal drugs​

President Rodrigo Duterte has named fifty-seven politicians, seven members of the judiciary and ninety-three law enforcers which he said were allegedly involved in illegal drugs during his visit
​at ​the wake of soldiers who were killed in the clash with communist insurgents at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City on early Sunday morning

Included in the president's list narco-personalities
​​by GMA News online on Scribd were 7 incumbent mayors, 6 former mayors, in Luzon; 8 incumbent mayors, 6 former mayors, two congressmen in Visayas; 27 incumbent mayors, 1 ex-mayor, 1 vice mayor, 1 congressman, and 1 ex-provincial board member in Mindanao; 1 former vice mayor in Palawan, 7 judges; and 93 both high-ranking and low-ranking police officers.

Duterte, however, said the involvement of those listed in the illegal drug trade "might be true or it might not be true," adding that the alleged narco-officials had rights under the Constitution, that they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise, and that they would have their day in court.

The president was reading the list out loud because "my mouth, walang (there's no) ‘due process’ dito (here)." He said he was making the list public because it was his sworn duty to inform the public of the state of the country.

The president also made it clear that if anyone was mistakenly included in the list, he would take full responsibility for the mistake and that the fault was entirely his.

Meanwhile, Duterte said that soldiers and police officers assigned to provide security for alleged narco-politicians were to report to their mother units within 24 hours.

The narco-cops included the list were likewise ordered to report to the Philippine National Police headquarters within 24 hours.

Also, firearm permits issued to officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs were canceled. The weapons were to surrendered to the PNP in 24 hours.

During his speech in Davao City, the President ordered policemen and soldiers assigned to the alleged narco-politicians to report back to their superiors within 24 hours.

He also ordered the policemen he identified as involved in the drug trade to report to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame within 24 hours.

For the judges allegedly involved in illegal drugs, he ordered them to report to the Supreme Court within 24 hours as well. Hader Glang

Below is the Presidential Communications Office's full transcript of a speech wherein Duterte bared his long list of alleged "narco-officials."

SPEECH OF PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE DURING HIS VISIT TO THE BATTLE CASUALTIES

​Ngayon ‘pag ganito, if the talks fail, meron tayong usapan, I would insist you include the landmine issues or else no talks at all. Then we fight for another 45 years. Walang problema, mag-recruit ako ng isang milyong Pilipino. Fight.

In the 45 years, ano ang nakita ninyo sa pamilya ninyo? Nakita mo ‘yung anak ninyong lumaki? Have you elected a single leader here in Davao? Manalo lang kasi na-ticket. And yet I carry BAYAN, kasi pareho ang damdamin natin. The problem is armed struggle. I can be a communist party member but I will never go to war.

Iyong armadong pakigbisog ang problema eh. Now, I am not trying to na -- to understand me. I am saying now: Stop the landmines or you tell the leaders at itong gobyerno ko, get out from the talks. Alam mo bakit? I am now invoking the Geneva Conventions. It is part of the international law not only of the Philippines but around the world.

Either you stop it or we stop talking. Fight na lang, another 45 years. But makakababa ba kayo kung mamatay ang mga tatay mo, nanay mo? Kayo ba ‘pag birthday ng mga anak niyo, nakakababa kayo doon sa ano? Is that the life that you really need? Iyong mga leader ninyo hindi naman nananalo. So anong gusto ninyo?

Either you stop it now or I am ordering the government panel to come home. At para ‘yung gastos nila eh ‘di ibigay ko na lang sa sundalo. ‘Sige, magbili kayo ng isang barkong explosives diyan, paputukin natin itong…’

I am not pleading this time. That’s an ultimatum. I hear another explosion killing people -- not only soldiers -- killing people, no talks, pasensiya na. Adre, iyan talaga ang buhay, kung hindi tayo magkaintindihan eh ‘di… Good. Hindi naman nauubusan ng pera ang gobyerno. Hindi naman talaga ninyo kayang tumbahin. Bukas…

The Defense department is asking for 20 more thousand troops. Tiningnan ko ‘yung budget wala akong pera. Pero iyan ang gusto ninyo, ibigay ko sa Defense department ‘yung gusto nila additional 20,000. Huwag na ‘yung mga -- mga pagkain diyan, medisina, huwag na ‘yan. Dito muna sundalo kasi may giyera tayo. For peace, kansela mo ‘yan, we sacrifice the hungry and the poor para may panlaban tayo, patayan… Iyan ang gusto ninyo, eh ‘di sige. Hindi naman ako mahirap kausapin eh. Kapag iyan ang gusto mo, my God.

Now, I am reading now the personalities in the Philippines. It might be true, it might not be true. But then iyong sinasabi ninyong due process, isa ‘yan. Baka sakali maidemanda itong mga taong ito, administrative or criminal, then they should have due process, presumption of innocence. Lahat iyan sa Constitution ibigay ko ‘yan.

But my mouth is -- walang due process dito. Iyong due process has nothing to do with my mouth. Walang proceedings dito, walang abugado. Ako’y nagsasalita po sa taumbayan at malaman po ninyo anong katotohanan sa ating buhay dito sa Pilipinas. Ako po’y kaisa-isang Presidente na gumagawa nito.

Alam mo bakit? Kailangan malaman ng tao kung ano ang nangyayari sa bayan natin. It is very important for people to know the state of things or conditions in this country. That is my sworn duty.

Hindi ninyo ako mapigilan and I am not afraid sabihin ninyo na, “ikulong ako ‘pagka -- ” fine. Wala akong drama diyan. At sabihin ko sa inyo totoo, I can… Pwede kong iwanan ito, ang presidency, wala akong sabihin mo na hangal-hangal ako diyan sa adjuration ng tao. Ayokong magpakita nga sa Maynila because it would cause traffic. I am finished, I am done. Wala akong honor na hahabulin sa buhay ko. Presidente na ako. Hindi ako makikipagkompetensiya diyan sa politiko. Trabaho ko is to take care of the Filipino, period.

Now, there are things that are really reaching crisis and it is not even epidemic. Kayo, it’s pandemic. You know, two years ago sabi ng PDEA three million addicts, noon iyon, two, three years ago I remember. Sabi nila 92 percent of the barangays in the Metro Manila are contaminated with drug use. Noong mayor ako, ako ‘yung binubugbog ng human rights issue. Hindi ako nakinig sa inyo kasi may trabaho ako eh at alam ko talagang nagka… It was really spreading like wildfire and I was scared for my country kasi Pilipino ako.

Ngayon, Presidente ako, I have to worry sa lahat ng mga anak ninyo. Why? Because kung two million iyon, two years or three years ago, incremental, ibig sabihin tumubo talaga iyan. Maraming na-contaminate naman kasi ‘yung natamaan maghanap ng biktima iyon para suporta niya. Iyon namang isa -- and it’s a vicious cycle -- it is almost an internecine affair amongst -- sa ating Pilipino.

So, ito, droga. I said, sorry, meron ditong tumawag sa akin. But you know, if there is a rule, a law, either you enforce it or none at all. Iyong mga kaibigan kung hindi ko basahin kasi kilala kita, ang pinakamabuti kong magawa para sa bayan, mag-resign. Ganun ako katali, mahiya naman ako sa kumpare ko eh nakatulong naman ito sa pagka-Presidente ko, well and good, at mabayaran kita sa anumang paraan. Mabuhay ka, kung sabihin mo may naghurumintado diyan, tawagan mo ako harapin natin dalawa. Pero not this one because this is not personal to me.

Hindi ko kayo kalaban, wala akong sama ng loob sa inyo pero galit na ako ngayon. Kasali ka na. Someday magkikita tayo.

I will start with judges: Judge Mupas of Dasmariñas, Cavite; Judge Reyes, only known, Baguio City; Judge Savilo RTC Branch 13, Iloilo City; Judge Casiple, Kalibo, Aklan; Judge Rene Gonzales, MTC, blanko dito; Judge Natividad, RTC Calbayog City; Judge Ezekiel Dagala, MTC, Dapa Siargao.

Mayor: Reynaldo Flores, Naquilian, La Union; Dante Garcia, Tubao, La Union; Martin de Guzman, Bauang, La Union; Marjorie April Salazar, Lasam, Cagayan; Goto Violago, San Rafael, Bulacan; Marino Morales, Mabalacat, Pampanga; Felix Castillo, Langiden, Abra.

Ex-mayor: Eufronio Derigel, Agoo, La Union; Jesus Celeste, “Boying” alias, Bolinao, Pangasinan; Jose “Pepe” Miranda, Santiago City, Isabela; Vicente Amante, San Pablo City, Laguna; Ryan Dolor, Bauan, Batangas.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Trinidad, El Nido, Palawan

In the Visayas: Alex Sentina, Calinog, Iloilo; Julius Ronald Pacificador, Hamtic, Antique; Jed Mabilog, I think he is the mayor, Iloilo City; Wilfredo Salangutin Bietbeta, Carles, Iloilo; Marciano Malones, Maasin, Iloilo… Sabi ko noon eh and I was campaigning actually, lahat ng tao doon, lahat ng tao, “Mayor, kung maaari tulungan mo kami, ‘way ko sintimiyento sa inyo ah, way ko utang, TY ka bang nagpangayo sa akon?’ Nandoon ako sa Iloilo many times, almost desperate mayor and droga. So we will just pray, just pray that I will win and maybe in the fullness of God’s time, I will take care of this problem. Ito, I am sorry, kaibigan tayo pero: Marciano Malones, Maasin Iloilo.

Michael Rama, the former mayor of Cebu City; Hector Ong, Laoang, Northern Samar; Rolando Espinosa, alam mo hinahanap kita hanggang ngayon, nauna ka lang kay Bato. Lahat kayong local officials at this point mag-ano muna ako ha -- Beda Cañamaque, Basay, Negros Oriental; ex-mayor Madeleine Ong, Laoang, Northern Samar.

Dito muna ako. All policemen, PNP personnel assigned as security guards, security personnel ng mayor I have mentioned, you are hereby relieved of your duty and immediately report to your mother unit. Wala na itong… Tatanggalin ko ‘yung operational authority over them. 24 hours, lahat military police, nakadikit diyan sa mga itong mga ito, I give you 24 hours to report to your mother unit or I will whack you and dismiss you from the service.

Vice Mayor Francis Ansing Amboy, Maasin, Iloilo; Fralz Sabalones, San Fernando, Cebu, who ran for mayor but actually maybe lost; Attorney Antonio Pesina of Iloilo City; Erwin Tongtong Plagata, Iloilo City, the most “shabulized” [is that the word?] shabulized, is there such a word “shabulized”? Wala akong personal sa kanila ha. Iloilo.

Congressman -- ex-congressman JC Rahman Nava, Guimaras; Congressman Party-list Jeffrey Celis, Panay chapter, leader ko pa. Iyan oh, Panay chapter, bwisit. Wa bay ibang trabaho diyan? Baka may bakante sa inyo?

Mindanao: Abubakar Abdul Karim Afdal, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur; Gamar Ahay Janihim, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte; David Navarro, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur; Bobby Alingan, Kolambugan, Davao del Norte; Yusufa Munder Bobong Ramin, Iligan City Lanao del Norte; Jessie Aguilera, Alegria Surigao del Norte; Fahad Salik, Marawi City; Muhammad Ali Abinal, 'yung nag-surrender -- sino 'yung kasama niya? dalawa sila; Jamal Dadayan, Buadipuso-Buntong, Lanao del Sur; Sabdullah Macabago; Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur; Muslim Aline Macadatu, Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur; Rasul Sangki, Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Maguindanao; Montaser Sabal, Talitay, Maguindanao; Vicman Montawal, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao, pati 'yung sarili ninyong bayan; Samsudin Dimaukom, Datu-Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao; Norodin Salasal, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao; ex-mayor Benahar Tulawie, Talipao Sulu; Reynaldo Parojinog alias Andong, the mayor of Ozamis City; Nova Princess Parojinog Chavez, used to be the wife of I think Colangco, 'yung poster boy doon sa -- pablondie-blondie pa ang buhok -- hindi naman tisoy. Alam mo maski saan kayo magpunta aabangan ko kayo. Maski wala na ako sa presidency, habang may baril ako. Gusto ninyo gisingin ninyo ako para... Ito sabi niya hindi, maybe I believe you as a personal friend. He is the -- kasama namin sa Kausa sa -- but I am sorry because your name appears here. Omar Solitario Ali, Marawi City, he used to be the...I said alam mo magkaibigan tayo ng iba 'non, Rama of Cebu, either I read all or I read not. I cannot, you know, play. Sa trabaho kong ito I cannot. Kailangan basahin ko itong lahat nandito, galing sa military pati sa police. Lahat nandito or hindi ko basahin.

Abdul Wahab Sabal, vice mayor ito, Talitay, Maguindanao; Otto Montawal, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao; Nida Dimagkon, Datu-Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao; Arafat Salic, Marawi City; Rasmiyah Macabago, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur; Congressman Guillermo Romarate Jr., second district, Surigao del Norte; former second vice district -- board member -- Ricardo Parojinog Ardot, so iba itong si ano, kapatid siguro ito.

Iyan ang order ko sa pulis, 'yang Davao. Ngayon, Presidente ako ganun. Bakit maghintay ka pa na ang ilabas diyan, "Sir apple lang ito, gutom ako." That ain’t that way. Illegal? No, of course not. Human rights...

Ngayon, itong mga NGO, you’ve been repeating this kind of sloganeering that a, you know, a drug addict -- addiction is a disease, is an ailment. Sakit iyan. Hindi dapat patayin, dapat igamot.

Okay itong six... Saan ba opisina ninyo? Itong 600,000 ibigay ko sa inyo bukas. Sabihin ko doon mga, 'i-deliver ninyo ‘yan.' Sino ‘yun? Iyong NGO. Hala sige, ipagamot mo.

Sabi mo sakit ‘yan. Sige, ibigay mo. Kayo na ang bahala. Human rights? United Nations? Come here, you lecture dito.

Instead of kayong mga NGO mag -- you go around lecturing ‘yung shabu -- let alone ‘yung salvaging, salvaging... Huwag kayong pumasok diyan kayong mga anak. Kayo naghihintay lang 'pag may matumba, 'ah human rights violation'. Ako, I guaranteed, they will not go to prison, period.

In the performance of duty itong mga ‘to, they will not... Not one of them will go to prison. Hanggang Presidente ako, wala ‘yung... I will allow a police officer or a soldier or an officer of the Armed Forces, in the performance of their duties, kasuhan ninyo, I would like to say now: They will never go to prison. Not under my watch.

Ngayon, itong mga pulis na kidnapper, itong mga nag-lasing or spraying the armalite and killing civilians, well I’m sorry, kasali ’yan doon sa -- basura ka sa akin tingin ko.

Do not pray for any deliverance from me. PO2 Michael Cortez Barile Police Station; SPO1 Jen dela Victoria PS5 Cebu CPO; SPO1 Onel Nabua, Barile Police Station; PO2 Jomar Ibañez, Lapu-Lapu Police Station; PO3 Ryan Martus Kiamco, Cebu Provincial Office.

PNP officers Mindanao: PCI Ibrahim Jabiran, Zamboanga CPO, PCI Perfecto Abrasaldo Awi Jr., Misamis Oriental; Police Inspector Roy Sinujales Montes, Iligan PRO; Police Superintendent Ricardo Gando Pulot alias "Dugan", chief of police Quezon, Bukidnon; Police Inspector Martin Plaza former Panabo Chief Intel.

Kaya kayo naka-600,000. Ito ‘yan sila. Non-police, non-commissioned officer: PO1 Pier Dizo, ‘yun aide ko command si Dilo o baka mapalitan nila ito maaresto ko 'yan si Dilo, kawawa naman. ‘Yung isang aide ko, ‘yung counterpart niya sa Maynila. PO3 Omar... Ito Zamboaga del Sur 'yan ha si Dizo. PO1 Omar Juani Zamboanga City Public Safety; Rommel Mansul, PRO 9, walang -- nako bakit itong report na ito? PO3 Daryl Page, Tabasan Municipal Station; SPO1 Totong Joe Valdez, 9th RNG; SPO1 Rodrigo, mabuti na lang hindi Duterte, malapit na ako madisgrasya dito. Babarilin ako sa likod na walang — nakaka-cap na ang mga baril niyan eh. Naghahanap lang 'yan ng excuse para --- patay 'yan.

SPO4 Rodrigo Ramos, Bukidnon PRO; SPO1 Reynaldo dela Victoria, CDO; SPO3 Emilio Mendoza-Lozaria, PP5 Iligan City; Marlo Espinosa Bukidnon; Police SPO3 Richie Mat, CIDG Mati, Davao Oriental, ano siguro ito ’yung Davaoeño?

SPO3 Rosell Iliviera, CIDG Tagum, Davao del Norte; PO3 Jessie Balabag, Region 11. Ikaw bakit ka nakatawa diyan? Ikaw ha. PO3 Felomeno Toronia, Digos Police Station; PO1 Glenn Alicarte, PRO12, walang address; PO1 Philip Pantarolia, Tacurong City Police Office; SPO1 Gerry dela Rosa SCPPO, is that complete? PO3 Bebot Ruiz, GSCPO; Police -- PO3 Estelito Solanio-Malongon, MPS Sarangani; PO1 Jerebel Ocsio, PRO RMN.

I am sorry for my country. I grieve for the agony and suffering of the Republic of the Philippines. SPO1 Billones Ernesto, NCR; JS1 Montemayor Lito, Roxas District, Jail Aparri district; PO1 Vicente Reynaldo Celis, NCR; PG Saet Drexel, MIMAROPA; SPO1 Tubil Felix, Region 3; SPO3 Angeles Nicolas Ponce, Region 3; SPO2 Erseni Rod Marinduque, BFP; FO1 Reynaldo Valencia, Claveria Police Station; SSergeant Vic dela Cruz, MIMAROPA; Brigadier General Leoncio Daniega, NCR; SPO3 Gerry Mendoza, NCR; Reymante Dayto, Region 5; Reymar Dayto, Region 5.

Visayas: Zamora Renato Gumaro, Region 6; J1 Alan Coca Manatad, Region 7; SPO3 Christie Cielo Tingad, Region 7.

Mindanao, this is last. Meron tayong problema dito, RSAD Casimiro Castro, CAFGU 38IB 6thInfantry Division ARMM; PFC RSAD Phillip Miro 40IB 6th Infantry Division ARMM; Corporal Cusinan Lopez Llamad Loi, 52 Brigade ARMM; PFC Mamadali Ipad, 64IB 6th Infantry Division ARMM; Yasin Abolgalib, Bobong Yasim Buboy, walang ano; JO1 Cobacho Alfredo Galis; FO1 Ablaca Nicolas Ponce, ARMM; FO3 Ibañez Ricardo Villariz, Region 9; Marine Corporal Alfrenz Gurias Abedin, Western Mindanao; Jimmy Manlangit, Region 12.

This is a... Others are doing re-validation again. Alam mo kasi hindi ma... I could be wrong. I could be wrong pero 'pag ito kasi it has undergone a process. So any mistake of the military and the police dito, ako ‘yun nagkasala.

I ordered the listing, I ordered the validation. I’m the one reading it, and I am the sole person responsible for this. Now I am ordering those mentioned here, I said, report to your Chief PNP 24 hours.

You are hereby relieved of your — whatever your position there. Umalis kayo diyan mag-report kayo. I said, I’ll be harsh. Lahat ng mga mayors dito na-mention, I’m ordering the PNP chief, tanggalin ‘yung police supervision and cancel any and all private arms na naka-lisensiya sa kanila. There are all cancelled.

Go out to the naked... Go out naked to the world and show your -- kalokohan ninyo. Lahat military police 'pag ikaw assigned sa security, go back to your mother unit immediately. Tapos ‘yung cancellation of the firearms licenses and permits sa lahat ng ni-mention na ito, are ordered cancelled as of tonight.

Lahat kayong judge whatever, you report to the Supreme Court. Police, you report to PNP Chief. And sa Army, you are report to the Chief of Staff, General Visaya -- 24 hours lahat. You do not do that, I will order the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the entire PNP to hunt for you. MGP News

Clashes erupt between AFP troops, NPA
rebels 2 days after Duterte lifted truce

Clashes brokeout between between government troops and communist rebels, killing one of them in Surigao del Norte in the troubled southern Philippines barely two days after the lifting of unilateral ceasefire by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla told reporters in Manila that a suspected member of the New People's Army was killed in a clash with Army troops in Malimano town Surigao del Norte province in the northern part of Mindanao at past 8 a.m. on ​Monday.

"The clashes that broke out were the first recorded fighting between government forces and communist rebels after President Rodrigo Duterte called off the unilateral ceasefire last Saturday," GMA News quoted Padilla as saying in the press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

According to Padilla, the five-minute clashes between the communist rebels and the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion resulted in the death of one rebel and recovery of an AK-47 automatic rifle, two improvised explosive devices, assorted ammunition, magazines and food.

"There were no casualties recorded on the government side," he said, adding that police and military troops were responding to NPA extortion complaints before the clashes started near the Malimono City Hall.

Padilla said the rebels were supposed to pick up cash and supplies from the residents of Barangay (village) San Isidro and Binucayan but this was foiled by the state forces.

1st Lt. Ken Enciso, commander of the 30IB Bravo Company, was quoted as saying that during their dialogue with residents, they have learned that several sari-sari stores have closed due to extortion activity of NPAs.

Also 30IB Commander Lt. Col. Rico Amaro said the military as well as the police will not tolerate any extortion activities and called on members of the NPA to live peaceful lives.

"We will continue to reach out with our NPA brothers and sisters and convince them to live a peaceful life. We, however, will not tolerate criminal acts; together with the PNP and the vigilance of our community, through prompt reporting of concerned citizens, we can prevent future extortion activities of this group," Amaro said.

The military did not identify the victim, but the body will be turned over to a civilian authority before it is returned to its family for a decent burial, according to media reports.

The latest firefight between government forces and communist guerrillas was the second since Duterte declared a truce last July 25 during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), a move that could put an end to a five-decade communist insurgency.

A few days after declaring a truce with the CPP, the NPA ambushed government troops in Davao del Norte which left one government militiaman dead and three others injured.

On Saturday night, Duterte ordered police and military forces to resume all operations against the NPA after the deadline for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to explain the ambush carried out by the NPA on government troops in Davao del Norte last week expired.

Despite this development, Duterte said he is still interested in pursuing peace talks with the communist rebel group after he revoked a unilateral ceasefire and ordered government forces to resume all operations against the Maoist insurgents.

"We are hoping that we can just talk. Maybe we did not understand each other," GMA News quoted Duterte as saying in a short statement delivered before new appointed officials took oath inside Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace on Monday

"Best way really is to talk again and maybe find out if it's reachable or beyond our reach. I hope we can proceed with the talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines," he said.

On Sunday, at a meeting with members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and their families, the President said he offered to talk peace with every rebel group in the country so he could save lives.

"I am trying to save lives. I hit the ground running and offered peace to everybody, to the communists, to the [Moro Islamic Liberation Front]...I cannot go into [that] with the Abu Sayyaf. Those are the enemies that have to be destroyed," he was quoted as saying by ABS-CBN.

"We are spending billions and I hate to, you know, sign a paper nung mayor ako to buy bullets just to kill a Filipino," he said.

Instead of condemning the CPP for not immediately reciprocating the government's declaration of a unilateral ceasefire, Duterte explained that he understands the communist rebellion because he comes from a poor background.

"Ito namang mga komunista, kaibigan kami (This communists, we are friends). They are socialist but they are Communist Party of the Philippines. I am just socialist in my dimension kasi anak ako ng mahirap (because I am a son of poor). I hate government and anyone oppressing the people," he said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza issued a similar statement “Let's wait and see. But so far, as of the moment, there is no supervening factor that will affect the upcoming talks in Oslo on August 20," according to an ABS-CBN report.

Dureza said the government will consult all sectors and military regarding the planned ceasefire of the CCP-NPA.

During an impromptu speech before the oath-taking of Malacañang appointees Monday, Duterte said: "I believe that as a nation, as people, as citizens of this country and knowing fully well the cost of fighting with each other... It's all a despicable thought to me but I hope that we can proceed with talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines."

The president stressed that he wants to have talks with the whole CPP community and not just with their founding chairman Joma Sison.

Duterte said he only wants the country to attain peace before he steps down at the end of his term in 2022 so he declared ceasefire and pulled out the soldiers, only to get ambushed.

"Ako pa ang namatayan, kami pa ngayon ang kontrabida? (I have lost life (I am bereaved), now we are still the villain?)," he asked in tagalog.

Sison, chief political consultant of the NDFP, earlier described Duterte a "very volatile" leader who rushes to decisions after lifting the ceasefire last weekend.

"Ayaw ni Duterte ng ceasefire, ayaw na rin niya ng peace negotiations, bahala siya! Pinakaayaw ng kilos rebolusyonaryo yung nambu-bully (Duterte doesn't want the ceasefire, he does not also want peace negotiations, it's up to him! The revolutionary movement does no really want who bully," ABS-CBN quoted Sison as saying.

The CPP said in a statement that it would issue a unilateral ceasefire declaration with the government on the resumption of peace talks in Oslo, Norway on August 20.

Duterte is also set to meet with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Mindanao for peace talks.

The president will meet with MNLF founder Nur Misuari in a few days to give rebel leaders safe conduct passes.

However, the president stressed that he will not hold talks with terrorist group Abu Sayyaf which he described as criminals.

"We will be going for the framework regarding the two factions (MILF and MNLF) but I'm very sorry to say that there will be no talks about these things with Abu Sayyaf. I will not deal with criminals. I will not deal (with) persons of extreme brutality. There is no redeeming factor or reason for me to sit down and talk with criminals," Duterte said. MGP News