‘Grill’ the Angaras on Apeco, lawmakers told

MANILA, August 20, 2011—A group of fishefolks has asked lawmakers to probe Senator Edgardo “Edong” Angara and his son, Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara and the family’s involvement in pushing for the approval of the multi-million Apeco project in Aurora.

The fishers’ group, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) told lawmakers to “grill” the Angaras about the issue of Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Free Ports Authority (Apeco) as the P332.5 million (US$7,804,270.10) proposed funding for the project is being heard at the Philippine Congress.

Budget deliberation for Apeco is set on August 22.

Pamalakaya vice chair Salvador France said in a statement that the project, being anti-people and environmentally degrading, should be shelved by the lawmakers.

France said, Pamalakaya and the umbrella organization Resist Apeco! Defend Aurora Movement will extensively and intensively lobby for the scrapping of the project and will push for a probe regarding what they call “Angara clan scheme”.

“Let the Angaras explain to the people why they are pursuing the project despite the wholesale rejection of Apeco [by some groups and lawmakers] during the committee hearing. However, they should not be allowed to speak and cast their vote once Congress in plenary puts this controversial issue to vote and approval,” France said.

Earlier, the aforementioned groups sent a letter to House Committee for Appropriations chair Cavite (1st District) Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya and the other members of the Committee, humbly asking the solon to reconsider the disapproval of the Apeco budget in the spirit of “objectivity, fairness and justice.”

The groups opined that the approval of the P332.5 million funds for the creation of Apeco will only legitimize land-grabbing and the abuse of marine resources in the Aurora province, thus endangering the livelihood, food and housing security, and the environment of the people in Aurora and the other affected areas.

It will also undermine the security and safety of the people, as the Panlalawigang Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Aurora (PAMANA) had already reported harassments, allegedly perpetrated by the elements of the Bravo Coy of the 48th Infantry Battalion as some residents refuse to give up their lands for the project.

In case of land-grabbing in the area, some of the farmers and fisherfolks that would be affected by the reclamation are beneficiaries of the Commonwealth Government’s land reform program.

According to some reports that reached this reporter, as the project pushes through, there would be a massive cancellation of Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) and Integrated Social Forestry Certificates, issued by the past regimes.

Aside from Pamalakaya and the Resist Apeco! Defend Aurora Movement other lobbyists against Apeco are the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL), the faith-based group Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), the Government Employees for Genuine Land Reform, Katribu Party list and the PAMANA.

Meanwhile, the Angaras had defended the project saying that it would benefit their constituents in Aurora as it would provide more job opportunities for them. The Apeco,http://www.aurorapacific.com.ph/ said that the project proponents envision “a globally competitive, technologically advanced economic zone in the Pacific Northeast Sea Board working towards a renowned business community characterized by unified perspectives on green revolution and world-class innovation” and take as its mission to “foster national socio-economic growth and foreign business relations through the advancement of an innovative, eco-friendly and cost-efficient economic zone capable of withstanding the demands of today’s global market.”

Earlier this year, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III had already appointed former Labor chief Bienvenido Laguesma as board director of the controversial Apeco. Another appointee for the grandiose development project is Roberto Mathay, a businessman. (Noel Sales Barcelona)

PCSO 2004 and 2007 intelligence funds still unliquidated

MANILA, August 19, 2011-Senator Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee revealed that the intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) last 2004 and 2007 remained unliquidated.

Drilon who is deliberating the proposed P1.816 trillion national budget for 2012 said that the documents pertaining to the use of the intelligence funds could have been concealed by the previous PCSO board, with the Commission on Audit (COA) admitting they have yet to liquidate a still undetermined amount due to lack of records.

“We suspect that the intelligence funds were used by the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the 2004 and 2007 elections,” Drilon said.

COA chairperson Maria Gracia Pulido-Tan told the Finance committee yesterday that the former PCSO board has not submitted a liquidation of the state-run charity agency’s intelligence funds, even a certification which is the current practice of government agencies in liquidating confidential and intelligence funds.

“There are no records on file for 2004 and 2007. Interestingly, these were election years. They did not submit reports for 2004 and 2007,” said Pulido-Tan, referring to the previous PCSO board headed by ex-general Manager Rosario Uriarte, who was figured prominently in the illegal disbursement of PCSO intelligence funds.

“After a Senate hearing, it was uncovered that P150 million has been released by the former PCSO board to the former President a few months before the 2010 presidential elections,” Drilon said.

It was bared during a previous Senate inquiry on the PCSO’s intelligence funds that a total of P325 million, excluding the P150 million released during the 2010 elections, has been released by the former PCSO board from 2008-2010.

Uriarte, who served PCSO from 2003-2010, was given the sole authority to disburse intelligence funds which came from PCSO’s public relations funds. She eventually admitted that she issued and encashed the checks with respect to intelligence funds.  

Drilon said that they do not even know how much was appropriated for 2004 and 2007 because that has to be checked with PCSO; thus, there is a need for COA to submit the corporate operating budget of the PCSO for the years involved for the purpose of identifying how much has been allocated by the state firm as intelligence funds. (Jason de Asis)

40 feet landmark unveiled in Baler in its 402nd township occasion

The 40 feet tall skyline monument at Baler, Aurora.

BALER, Aurora, August 19, 2011-A 40-feet-tall monument that towers over this capital town’s skyline will be unveiled today symbolic of its emergence from a once-sleepy municipality into a bustling and flourishing model for rural development.

The unveiling of the landmark at the municipal plaza near the historic Baler Church was the main highlight on the occasion of this town’s 402^nd anniversary coinciding with the 133^rd birth anniversary of the late Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, along with Representative Juan Edgardo J. Angara, Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Baler Mayor Arthur J. Angara will lead the inauguration of the elegant, upward-facing structure called “Baler 400” marking the celebration of the town’s quadricentennial two (2) years ago.

Constructed last year and which was finished last June, the monument was designed by internationally acclaimed artist Luis Lee Jr., more popularly known as Junyee.

Lee also designed the seven-meter high monument, known as  “Open Doors,” at the 65-hectare Holocaust Memorial Park in Rishon, LeZion, the fourth largest city of Israel south of Tel Aviv. It is one of only two monuments in Israel, the other was designed by an Israeli sculptor.

The “Open Doors” monument was inaugurated on June 21, 1999,  70 years after Quezon allotted in 1939 some 10,000 visas and safe haven to Jews fleeing Nazi Europe. Some 1,200 Jews made it to Manila for which Quezon and the Filipino nation were honored for their “open door policy.”

International artist Luis "Junyee" Lee Jr. posing at
Cafe de Rosa, Baler, Aurora.

Lee explained that the Baler structure consists of four symbolic pillars, each representing 100 years of the town, which – from the base to the tip – are interconnected by 100 stainless horizontal bars. The four pillars represent the continuous rise of the town from its humble beginnings into one rich in history and culture and an emerging model for rural development.

Lee said that the bars, which glow and glitter during daytime, are like candles to the town’s quadricentennial cake. The platform of the monument is made of Vigan tiles symbolizing the town’s kayumanggi race enriched by its Spanish heritage.

Angara-Castillo said that in its entirety, the monument is a symbol of the town’s inner strength and bright future.   

Retired police general Francisco Zubia Jr., chairman of the Baler Festejos 2011, said this year’s anniversary rites, which carry the theme : “Bukang Liwayway ng Kaunlaran at Pag-asa dahil sa Mamamayang Nagkakaisa (Sunrise of Progress and Hope because of a United Citizenry),”  kicked off last August 14 with a series of activities such as skateboarding, streetdancing and soccer competitions; tourism and trade fair, bikathon, cultural presentation, variety show, farmers’ day, historical and painting contests, fireworks display, the “Komedya de Baler” and “Baler got Talent.”


Located 232 kilometers north of Manila on the shore of a horseshoe-shaped coastal valley overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this town is a treasure trove of cultural heritage not only as Quezon’s birthplace but also for being the last bastion of Spanish forces during the Spanish Revolution. It is  the center of festivities for the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day which is celebrated every 30^th of June.

The old Kinagunasan (township) was wiped out when a “tsunami” struck on December 27, 1735, killing 500 families.

Several stories accounted for the origin of the name Baler, the most popular of which was believed to have come from the word “Balod,” a large Paloma Montes (mountain dove) that abounded in the place.

Baler, to historians, was a place where pigeons came home to roost or a place to come home to. And that no matter where Balerianos go in their search for glory and fortune, they would always hope of coming back.

Baler has emerged into a progressive municipality housing a public market, a fish port, sports complex, people’s center, a P130-million integrated rice processing complex, a polytechnic college, and other institutions of higher learning from a depressed town. (Jason de Asis) 

Aurora NPA says four soldiers slain in a clash

DITEKI, San Luis, Aurora, August 19, 2011-Amid increased sightings of armed rebels some 17 months since this province was declared insurgency-free by local officials, police and the army, Ka Rowena Servante, spokesperson of Domingo Erlano Command (DEC) of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Aurora claimed that four (4) soldiers including the intelligence officer of the 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion, Philippine Army were killed in two separate battles which the military denied.

“The soldiers were waylaid down in two consecutive encounters last August 12 and 13 in Barangay Diteki, San Luis town,” the statement said, saying that the first encounter took place at around 11:15 pm when the NPA band, led by a certain Gregorio Torres Alias Ka Lenny/Jake figured in a firefight with 20 soldiers who occupied the Diteki barangay hall.

Servante said it has ambushed a truckload of soldiers who were trying to reinforce their fellow troops in Diteki last August 13 at around 9:10 am. It was reported that one of those killed was Army 1^st Lieutenant Dennis Moreno, 48^th IB intelligence officer when a bomb was hurled by the rebels.

The skirmish caused the truck to lose control while a V-150 armored personnel carrier which Ltc Kurt Decapia, 48^th IB commanding officer was on board retreated to Diteki.

Servante said as an offshoot of the twin incidents, the military arrested five (5) civilians, identified as Arman Arevalo, Arthur Friginal, Ulot Mariano and a couple Nene Genes and Udit Wegan. They said that they were forced to admit that they knew the operations and were released in the afternoon.

The DEC said that these latest incidents were the third and fourth NPA-initiated clash with government troops in the province since last month which belied the latter’s claims that it crushed the backbone of the insurgency in the province. On the other hand, it only showed that the NPAs are very much alive and going strong in Aurora.

The DEC also vowed to launch more armed offensives against the military in the province.

Decapia said that the rebel groups’ claims of army fatalities were a brazen lie. Obviously, it was a black propaganda to make it appear that they are recovering lost ground.

He added that the August 13 incident lasted for only a fleeting five seconds and no one was hurt nor killed, saying what exploded were only blasting caps.

Decapia presented Moreno to the media to belie claims he was shot dead by the rebels, who he estimated to be around seven (7) to ten (10) armed guerillas. The twin incidents only demonstrated the rebels’ desire to recover its base in the province, which used to be its training camp. “It was an act of desperation. They want to show they are still here when in fact and in truth, their presence here is negligible,” he said.

He also denied the NPA’s claim that they arrested the five civilians, explaining they – who were rebel returnees - were merely invited to the camp to shed light in the incident. “We have invited them because we have reports that the NPAs are communicating and trying to win them back even if they don’t want to rejoin them,” Decapia said. (Jason de Asis)

Church gears protest over RH bill inclusion as priority measure

MANILA, August 18, 2011— Catholics are planning to hold a series of protest rallies in Bataan province after the Aquino administration included the reproductive health (RH) among its 13 priority measures.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos they will also hold series of forums and seminars in different barangays about the negative effects of the proposed birth control measure.

He said they will likewise hold a dialogue with all local officials of Bataan to gather support in their fight against the RH bill.

“With this bill included in the 13 priority bills of President Aquino, we will have a diocesan-wide campaign against RH bill even if we have to go to Malacañang,” Santos told Church-run Radyo Veritas.

“We will definitely hold conferences, seminars and marches against the RH bill,” he said, adding that their goal is to protect the sanctity of human life and the family.

Bataan 1st District Rep. Herminia Roman and Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia said they will support the planned protests in Bataan against the bill.

An official of Manila’s Roman Catholic Church is also dismayed over the Aquino’s decision to prioritize the passage of the RH bill.

Fr. Joel Jason, head of Family and Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of Manila, said the Aquino government should learn from other countries who are now suffering the negative impact of said legislation.

Jason cited, for instance, Canada’s aging population and now posing a problem, as is the case for almost every other developed nation in the world that adopted population control measure.

One problem, he said, is that more people leaving the work force than entering it, a factor which poses major challenges for employers.

That is likely to happen also in the Philippines, he said, if a “contraceptive mentality” would develop in the country.

Jason said the Archdiocese of Manila will further strengthen its education campaign why lay faithful should oppose the RH bill. [CBCPNews]

CCP ‘Kulo’: Upholds artistic freedom and respects religious belief

Sitting (left) Senator Edgardo J.Angara. 

MANILA, August 18, 2011-In the midst of the controversial “Kulo” exhibit, Senator Edgardo J. Angara recommended that there is no need for a second public hearing as the dialogue adequately heard all stakeholders, advising those involve to uphold the artistic freedom and at the same time respect religious belief.

“We are now evaluating the testimonies and position papers of all resource persons regarding two aspects: The role of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) as a public institution, and the freedom of artistic expression and respect of religious icons.

The Senate committee on education, arts and culture committee on public information chaired by Angara and Senator Gregorio “Gringo Honasan II concluded that there is no need for a second public hearing in the senate.

“The recent hearing was meant a venue for sober and respectful discourse, and not for prosecution. It already shed light on this controversy and informed the public about the different stories behind the issue. No matter how controversial the issues, the dialogues were conducted in an atmosphere of respect, wit and insight,” Angara said.

“The committee believed that we have already pursued all lines of inquiry – legal, moral, artistic and administrative processes – even if the artist, Mideo Cruz, was not present himself, because it is not really the artist who is the subject of the inquiry,” Angara added.

The inquiry was in relation to a group exhibition held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that included the installation “Politeisimo” by artist Mideo Cruz which allegedly juxtaposed certain religious images in a sacrilegious way.

CCP Chair Emily A. Abrera and President Raul M. Sunico attended the hearing along with Board of Trustees Flor Rosario-Braid, Arsenio Lizaso, Isabel CaroWilson, Zenaida Tantoco, Cristina Turalba, Antonio Yap and Carolyn Espiritu.

Other stakeholders present were National Commission for Culture and the Arts chair Prof. Felipe M. de Leon; Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines; Vice Rector Pablo T. Tiong of the University of Sto. Tomas; former UP College of Law Dean Raul Pangalangan; Constitutional professor Atty. Florin Hilbay; National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose; National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Imao; Prof. Cecilia dela Paz, chair of the UP Department of Art Studies; and Manolo Dayrit, chair of the Ang Kapatiran Party which have filed a complaint with the Ombudsman against CCP officials.

Angara said new legislation may not be necessary, but he urged the CCP to review, to rethink its administrative policies on selecting artworks and performances for public exhibition. F. Sionil Jose contended that Cruz’s work was not the best example of good art.

“As the best known public exhibition hall of the country, the public expects nothing less than the highest standards,” said Angara.

He also called for calm amid the growing tension, saying: “I would rather let the power of public opinion be the judge and measure of the performance of artists. I do not believe we have to impose sanctions and criminalize bad judgment of cultural administrators and artists.

“It is not fair to bring down an entire institution just because one artist's work appears offensive. The CCP’s purpose is larger than that, in the same way the freedom of expression transcends this single incident,” Angara added.

Prior to this, the senate inquiry was triggered by Senator  Jinggoy Estrada in his privilege speech denouncing the Kulo exhibit and asking CCP board members who approved the exhibit to resign for having allowed a publicly-funded institution to offend the sensibilities of the majority Catholics.

The senate committee issued subpoena to Mideo Cruz, whose installation art on religious images “Poleteismo” had sparked protests. (Jason de Asis)

Nueva Ecija solon files house bill creating the Central Luzon railways body

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija, August 17, 2011-To ensure faster and safer transport service and accelerate trade and commerce in the region and all provinces in northern Luzon, Second district Congressman Joseph Gilbert F. Violago filed House Bill 5062, entitled “An Act Creating the Central Luzon Railways Corporation” whose main office is in this city and with branch offices in Tarlac City and Angeles City.

The proposed creation of a railways corporation in Central Luzon seeks the construction of a two-phased railway networks encompassing the region within a 10-year period. Phase 1 covers this city, Science City of Muñoz and Guimba town, Victoria town and Tarlac city while Phase 2 will pass through Tarlac City to Capas to its last station at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

“The corporation will own and operate the railway system, tramlines and other forms of land transportation, vessels and pipelines for transporting passengers, mails and property from San Jose City to Tarlac up to Clark,” Violago said.

The firm will have an authorized capital stock of P1 billion divided into P10 million shares at par value of P100 which will be fully subscribed by the national government. Some 40 percent of the P1 billion or P400 million will be initially paid-up and the balance will be paid from a continuing annual appropriation of not less than P200 million.

Under the measure, the allocation of five percent of the proceeds from the value-added tax for 10 years for its future expansion covering the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan and Zambales which will be administered by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC); however, the corporation will not be subject to the authority and supervision of the Land Transportation Office and the Philippine National Railways.           

Under the bill’s explanatory note, it observed that the PNP used to operate a 479-kilometer railway system from La Union up to the Bicol Region with its North Main Line serving the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and La Union and Batangas on the South Main Line. However, due to neglect and mismanagement, this was drastically reduced and buses became the most favored mode of mass transport.

He noted that the Northrail project will partly replace the North Main Line but due to numerous legal, technical and administrative problems, and anomalies, a cloud of doubt hangs on the project.

In pushing for a railways corporation for the region, Violago said that the system may utilize either the McArthur Highway in the western side or the Maharlika Highway, also known as the Pan-Philippine Highway in the eastern side where no goods or passengers reach Manila without having to pass either route.

“Just imagine its potentials when connecting trains from Pangasinan leading to La Union will link up with this proposed railway system to complete an ideal rail transport network that would usher industrialization and agricultural boom,” Violago said.

“With a simultaneous rehabilitation and revitalization of the Bicol railway network, the country would have achieved an integrated modern and efficient railway leading to all of Luzon’s airports and seaports, carrying thousands of people and goods daily with Central Luzon serving as the primary dynamo and model,” he added.

Violago furthered that one-stop central depots for grains and other agricultural products could also be developed in Tarlac City, San Jose City and Clark which will considerably reduce the cost of transporting goods to Manila and ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila. (Jason de Asis)

Cordillera universities lauded info drive of the AFP

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, August 17, 2011-School authorities of prestigious universities here in the Cordillera Region lauded the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the recent information drive with the 1^st year college students at Saint Louis University (SLU) in Baguio City and Benguet State University (BSU).     

LTC Rosendo Armas, AFP Civil Relation Service Chief said that the activity aims to increase awareness among the students on the role of the youth towards peace and development.

“The students are encouraged to report to the authorities any monitored criminal and illegal activities that may deter peace and order in their community. Our youth are the hope of the nation where they play a vital role in the development of the country,” Armas said.

He added that school authorities were alarmed by the reported infiltration of militant groups in some colleges and universities recruiting students to join protest actions, rallies in the streets and eventually go on “immersion” to remote areas where they are armed with high-powered firearms and explosives. “The parents and relatives of the students are now worried in the art of deception being carried out by these unscrupulous groups enticing them to join the armed revolution,” he said.

Agnes Lopez Reaňo, a former member of the NPA revealed that she was then a victim of these protesters, explaining that she did not want it to happen when she was still a college student.

“I am now helping and assisting the AFP in conducting information drive to enlighten the students on the form of deception that these groups employ in attracting student victims.

Reaňo said that she experienced joining rallies in the streets, mass protest actions and even in actual operations against government troops. Prior her being a full-fledged NPA member, she was indoctrinated on various books of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

She testified the purging activities of the NPA where the members whom they suspected as government spy were killed and buried in mass graves.

“These inhumane acts of the NPA had prompted me to depart from the group and decided to surrender to the AFP. I am very thankful to the AFP for being responsible and true to help former rebels like me,” Reaňo said.

“My crusade now is to continue helping the AFP in giving enlightenment to the youth sector so that their bright future will not be destroyed by these kinds of organization,” She ended. (Jason de Asis)

Statement at the Senate Hearing Regarding the Problem at the CCP Art Exhibition

Honorable Members of the Senate:

We thank you most deeply for inviting us to help you craft better legislation on the matter concerning the Art Exhibition at the Cultural Center in the Philippines. The particular exhibit in question has been the subject of widespread condemnation especially by our lay Catholic faithful and by other Christian denominations.

1. Our position is simple and straightforward. This position has to do with the moral limits of the freedom of expression. What the legal limits may be we do not presume to suggest, although we also believe that what is legal should first of all be moral.

2. We hold that no human freedom is absolute. Human freedom is a gift of God and has corresponding responsibilities to (a) the moral law of God; (b) to the rights of others; and (c) to the common good. These responsibilities are the triple test for the just exercise of human freedom.

3. When the exercise of human freedom defies the moral law of God or violates the rights of others or militates against the common good of all, the act would be objectively unjust or immoral.

4. In the particular case of some of the art installations exhibited recently at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the exercise of human freedom for the sake of art is subject to moral criteria. To be just or moral, the artistic expression of human freedom must respect the religious symbols of various religions, especially those that are most sacred to them, whether the religion be Islam or Christianity or Hinduism or Buddhism. Disrespecting them by artistic portrayal would be a form of objective desecration of religious symbols. This is especially true for visual art which is a powerful instrument of public discourse. Ars pro gratia artis (art for the sake of art), therefore, has moral limitations.

5. In the same way that we condemn sinful acts but do not condemn the sinner, we condemn such artistic portrayal as objectively immoral; but we do not necessarily condemn the person of the artist who may not be aware of the objective immorality of his action.

We respectfully suggest that the crafting of a law that covers freedom of expression through art include the corresponding responsibilities for the exercise of human freedom.

Once again we express our profound thanks to you for inviting us to this forum and for the privilege of being of some help to your work of legislating for the common good.

For and in behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines,

Most Rev. JOSE S. PALMA, DD
Archbishop of Cebu and
Vice-President, CBCP
16 August 2011

Villagers blamed rebels who conducted two offensives to army troopers

The people of Diteki listening to their Brgy. Officials.

DITEKI, San Luis, Aurora, August 16, 2011-The local officials together with the hundreds of villagers gathered in Diteki basketball court blaming the two tactical offensives conducted by the rebels against the 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion, Philippine Army Tuesday afternoon.

Barangay Captain Maria Fe Rios said that she denounced the harassment and ambush conducted by the rebels to the army troopers in her barangay, lamenting that the whole villagers are now affected and worried for their safety.

Rios called the attention of Domingo Erlano Command (DEC) of the New People’s Army (NPA) and requested to stop their plan of combat operation with the army after she received information that another tactical offensive will be conducted by the rebels anytime. “After twenty-one (21) years, it happened again in my peaceful barangay,” she said.

“We want the army to stay here because they help us in the development of the barangay. Kasama namin ang army sa mga proyekto dito sa Barangay. Rebels should be out and if they are here, I urged them not to stay here for peaceful means,” Rios said.

At stage, the brgy. officials of Diteki.

Rios added that the rebel returnees (RR) here seemed to be not true to their pledge due to some informations that these RR were reported getting in touch with the guerillas.

Barangay Councilor Paleiro “Pale” Magno, married, 43 years old said that the statement of Domingo Erlano Command was not true. “No one was killed in action in the army and neither was there any casualty in the government side,” Magno said, saying that Ka Rowena Servante, spokesman of the NPA statement was a total lie.

Angelina Marigmen revealing  the recruiters of NPA
in front of Diteki villagers.

Angelina Marigmen of Purok 1 here revealed that there were forty (40) active rebels in the barangay, most of them were students from Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT). She said that these rebels were recruited by a certain Mayeth Corpuz and Regino Sindac.

“I am ready to die anytime because of this revelation. The duo continued recruiting our fellow villagers here. Bullshit, particularly the one who said that I am an NPA. I am not afraid even they abduct me,” she said.

Erlinda Sudario, of legal age said that her son Lee Sudario, Alias Ka Lee was a member for almost 3 years operating here in Aurora since Lee decided to join the armed revolution last September 2, 2008.

“We did not see each other anymore since my son joined the rebels and if I will be given the chance to see Lee, I will do my best to convince him to return in the fold of the law in order to have a peaceful life,” Sudario cried out, lamenting that she doesn’t know what to do (Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko).

“I miss my son very much that’s why I always pray for him. I want him to be with me, I’m old and he should turn his back to armed revolution,” she said.

LTC Kurt Decapia speaking in front of Diteki villagers.

LTC Kurt Decapia lauded the villagers of Diteki for supporting his soldiers. He said that the army are here to serve the masses. He promised that he will not allow any terrorist act in the entire province.

Decapia revealed that prior to the two (2) tactical offensives by the rebels, they already know the plan of the NPA due to the early reports from the former rebels in Diteki that the guerilla will conduct offensive during that night and the following day.

“The rebels were surprised because our soldiers were already in a position waiting for their attack and that’s the reason why they failed. This manifested that the people of Aurora do not want their ideology anymore,” Decapia said.

It could be remembered that last Friday at around 11:20 to 12:30 in the evening, more or less ten (10) rebels harassed the army detachment. At around 9:10 in the morning Saturday, two (2) NPA put detonated explosives along the highway near the bridge of Diteki while on their way back towards the battalion headquarters. Only one detonated explosives blasted. There was no reported casualty in the government side. (Jason de Asis) 

Top army survives with rebels ambush in Aurora

Brgy. Diteki, San Luis, Aurora NPA ambush site.

DITEKI, San Luis, Aurora, August 15, 2011-A night after the attacked in a military detachment manned by 20 soldiers here Friday night, the New People’s Army (NPA) continued tactical offensive where they ambushed the commander of the Army’s 48^th infantry battalion V150 truck and his convoy.

Lt. Col Kurt Decapia said that the statement released to local media by Ka Rowena Servante, spokesperson of the NPA’s Domingo Erlano Command (DEC) in Aurora was purely a black propaganda, claiming that one of his men 1st Lt. Dennis Moreno whom she identified as the intelligence officer of the 48th IB, was killed after the NPA ambushed his convoy here at about 9:10 in the morning last August 13, 2011.

Photo show soldiers who are clearing the area.

“No one was hurt or killed during the ambush,” Decapia said, saying that the rebels offensive lasted for only five (5) seconds, then the two (2) rebels proceeded in unknown direction,” Decapia said.

Decapia showed to the media 1^st lt. Moreno as a proof that he is alive and unhurt and even him; however, he confirmed the two (2) harassment and ambush conducted by the rebels.

Decapia and Servante confirmed that last Friday, the NPA attacked a barangay hall being used as detachment by some 20 soldiers also from the 48th IB here.

Servante said that at about 9:10 in the morning Saturday, the NPA blasted explosives as a convoy of the 48th IB passed by in Diteki allegedly blowing up a truck boarded by Moreno where the blast was followed by a rain of bullets from the ambushers.

The statement of Servante was veheminently denied by Decapia, explaining that he was there inside the V150 armored personnel carrier together with his another truck convoy. “I heard explosion and it did not cause any injury. The super lolo firecracker was even more powerful,” Decapia claimed.

“It was no bearing, only one (1) detonating explosive blasted the other one did not explode. No one was hurt with my soldiers,” he said.

The place which blasted by NPA using detonating
 explosive devise.

Decapia insisted that they already know the plan of the rebels as it was reported to them by the former rebels who he did not mention the names to protect his informants.

“The rebels were surprised when they harassed our detachment. My soldiers were on the position waiting for them that’s why they failed. We have also received sightings in the place of ambush that’s why I personally proceeded in the area,” Decapia explained.

“The people of Aurora do not want them anymore. That is the reason they always failed. The supports of the villagers in Aurora are still in the government side. The rebels are wicked and purely bandits,” he ended. (Jason de Asis)