News Article from People's Tonight by Mamer Bañez

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News Article from People's Journal by Mamer Bañez

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THOUSANDS JOINED THE PEACE RALLY IN DILASAG TOWN FOR AN INSURGENCY FREE AURORA

BALER, AURORA – Thousands gathered in the streets of Dilasag, Aurora during the peace rally yesterday afternoon on December 18, 2009 declaring that the municipality is already cleared from the influence of the Communist Terrorist. Participants coming from various peace advocate groups, religious sector, and the bulk of the studentry actively gave their full support to the government’s campaign to end Communist Insurgency by year 2010 and vehemently clamoured that the NPA bandits has no more place in Aurora.

The peace rally was organized by the Local Government of Dilasag spearheaded by their Mayor, Hon. Victor B. Briones, who is the primary instrument for making the town free from the clutches of the NPA bandits. A field mass was conducted before the main event that started at 2 o’clock in the afternoon led by Fr. Joselito Cruz, Parish priest of Dilasag. The Grand Peace Rally started around 4 o’clock followed by the signing of Memorandum of Agreement on a joint declaration of an insurgency free municipality and intensifying the cooperation in ISO campaign signed by the Local Government of Aurora led by Hon. Victor B. Briones, Mayor of Dilasag, Dilasag Police Office led by PI Marlo M Dangarang, Chief of Police of Dilasag, and 48th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion represented by 1LT JOVER M TUTANES (INF) PA, Commanding Officer of Alpha Company. LTC ESCARCHA said that the people of Dilasag are proud because they are the first one who conducted a grand peace rally in Northern Aurora, which is formerly known for being a lair of communist terrorist due to its strategic location and the enemy’s establishment to infuse fear in the people. There are about two arson and sabotage incidents perpetrated by the terrorist NPA bandits early this year in Northern Aurora that inflicted an estimated cost of 10 Million worth of damages that the people intensely condemned. Historically, most of the ambushes perpetrated by the terrorist NPA bandits against the government forces were also conducted in Northern Aurora especially in Dilasag area. Ironically, these bandits pretended to be strong during that time but cannot deny the fact that they were already devastated and demoralized and one primary reason was that the people no longer believe in their senseless cause. Mayor Briones said that the people volunteered to join the fight against insurgency because they are tired of being afraid and voiceless.

LTC ESCARCHA said that the peace rally craze in the Province of Aurora would go on as long as the people realize that they are the part of the campaign to end insurgency even without firearms. The voice of the people is mightier than any kinds of weapon because it will destroy the enemy’s will to fight and they will eventually succumb. Peace Rally is also a warning for the Communist Terrorist not to make any attempt to recover the Province because they will end up dead just like what happened in San Luis, Aurora when a group of NPA bandits dared to cross the area which resulted to the death of their comrade. “Listen to the voice of the people, there is no reason to fight anymore. Come back to the mainstream society and live a normal life again”, LTC ESCARCHA added.

FORMER COMMUNIST HOTBED IN NORTHERN AURORA PREPARES FOR A GRAND PEACE RALLY

BALER, AURORA – The former communist hotbed in Northern Aurora, municipality of Dilasag, is being prepared by the citizenry for the upcoming grand peace rally scheduled on December 18, 2009, tomorrow, declaring that the municipality is already insurgency free after decades of Communist oppression. After the Aurorans witnessed the successful Peace Rally in Dipaculao, Aurora last November 27, 2009, the peace rally craze became a phenomenal event and became the talk of the town in the eight municipalities of Aurora. The people of Dilasag are proud because they are the 1st municipal in Northern Aurora to declare Insurgency Free.

LTC ESCARCHA said that the Peace Rally in Dilasag will be more exciting compared to the town of Dipaculao and the people are hoping that they will be heard in the entire province and the whole country as well. “This time, it is purely the people’s initiative to hold this kind of event especially in all the preparations and we are glad that the advocacy for peace made the Aurorans realized that they have the power to defeat that communist menace”, LTC ESCARCHA added. Recently, the unit was able to locate two separate arms cache in Northern Aurora collecting ten (10) M16 Rifles and two (2) Claymore mines which the NPA bandits buried and hopelessly abandoned due to leadership crisis, demoralization and lack of support from their former mass bases. During the first quarter of this year, there are about more or less sixty (60) regular Communist Terrorist belonging to the North Platoon APCOM now downgraded and became SPP (Sangay ng Partido sa Platun) Norte operating in Northern Aurora and dramatically declined in the last quarter to only six (6) regular members who already fled to nearby Province. One significant factor for their mass surrender was the involvement of the populace in the anti insurgency campaign especially in the town of Dilasag where the local government of Dilasag led by their Mayor, Hon. Victor B. Briones, stood up against the NPA Bandits through information drive to the citizens.

LTC ESCARCHA said that the real essence of peace rally is not just a clamor for peace and prosperity but the power of persuasion of the people of Dilasag for the remaining NPA to return to the mainstream society. “We are hoping that this Christmas season, they will return to their families safe and secured and everybody will be happy” LTC ESCARCHA added.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT FELT AT ARMY CAMP AFTER SUCCESSFUL MASS BLOOD DONATION AND PROVINCIAL AIRSOFT CHALLENGE IN AURORA

BALER, AURORA – Hundreds of participants attended the Mass Blood Donation activity and Provincial Air Soft Challenge at 48IB Headquarters on December 12, 2009 yesterday which made it a very successful first time event ever hosted by this unit. Various sectoral groups, fraternities and other brotherhood organizations brought their own streamers and banners like a parading warriors ready for a battle. There are about two hundred (200) participants in both events and the volunteers of Philippine National Red Cross, Aurora Chapter collected around twenty-five thousand and six hundred and fifty (25,650) cc of blood from the qualified donors.

The program proper of “DUGO KO, BUHAY MO” Mass Blood Donation Activity started at around 9 o’clock AM and the present Guest of Honor and Speaker was Mr. Alex Ocampo, Provincial Administrator and representative of Hon. Bellaflor Angara Castillo, Governor of Aurora. The Director of Philippine National Red Cross, Aurora Chapter, Mr. Sherwin Nakar, also delivered his message to all the participants regarding the essence of giving and sharing blood to those unfortunate people who are in need of blood donors. While the program was still going on, the Air Soft players on the other hand were busy preparing their weapons, shields and other protective gears and finally met each other at the playing site. The President of the Aurora Air Soft Team, Michael Trajano, also expressed that the First Provincial Air Soft Challenge hosted by this unit will entice other players to join the group and eventually the proposed fund raising activities for the victims of previous typhoon in the Northern Aurora will materialize.
One of the highlights of the event was the conduct of “Boodle Fight” for lunch prepared by the unit which added closeness and camaraderie among the participants. Both activities successfully ended in the afternoon.

LTC ESCARCHA said that the just concluded activities left a pervasive Christmas spirit which seems to stay and glisten inside the camp. “The soldiers are one with the people and together they made a difference. If only our brothers and sisters who are still hiding in the mountains could see what is happening here, they might realize that they are missing a lot of wonderful things that they should experience especially with their families. It’s not too late for them to go back to the mainstream society. The essence of Christmas will make them realize that they are still persons who needed love and compassion from the people who longed for their return. ” LTC ESCARCHA said.

BLACK PROPAGANDA LAUNCHED BY THE COMMUNIST TERRORIST AS THEIR LAST RESORT TO RECOVER THE PROVINCE OF AURORA

BALER, AURORA – The massive disinformation campaign of the Communist Terrorist was launched in the town of Dingalan after the successful encounter by Government forces belonging to the 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion against the NPA bandits at the vicinity of Sitio Alasanay, Barangay Dimanayat, San Luis, Aurora at about 2:30 last December 3, 2009 wherein one terrorist was killed due to the information given by a concern citizen while government soldiers did not suffer any casualty.

LTC ESCARCHA said that there was a report that after the encounter in San Luis, a massive disinformation campaign started in the town of Dingalan when a certain Roland Corpuz, a member of the Dumagat Tribe and a resident of Brgy Ibona, Dingalan, Aurora, a neighboring town of San Luis was taken last December 4, 2009 by Father Pete Montallana and brought him to Manila to an undisclosed location then on December 07, 2009, Jun Jun Acleto and Ricky Torres (both Dumagats) were taken by a certain Ronilo Pronto and brought to Cabanatuan and transported to the location of Father Pete. All of the three (3) Dumagats are with Father Pete Montallana as of December 11, 2009. The Barangay Chairman, Ederlito Cumitang of Brgy Ibona, Dingalan and the leader of Senior Citizen in the same village, Berito Borreo are infuriated by the action of Father Pete Montallana because their constituents were taken from their barangay without their knowledge.

48IB WILL LAUNCH ITS FIRST MASS BLOOD DONATION ACTIVITY AND PROVINCIAL AIRSOFT CHALLENGE IN AURORA

BALER, AURORA – The officers and men of the 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion are now preparing for the first mass blood donation activity and Provincial Air Soft challenge to be held at 48IB Headquarters, Brgy Calabuanan, Baler, Aurora tomorrow on December 12, 2009 at 8 o’clock AM. The mass blood donation activity will be having a theme, “DUGO KO, BUHAY MO” in cooperation with Philippine National Red Cross Aurora Chapter, PNP Aurora, Munting Samahan ng Kristiyano, K of C, Family in Life, PGBI, GRII, Tau Gamma Phi Bikers Club, 307^th AU, CDC, RCDG ARESCOM, Bayanihan Security System Federation, Aurora Chapter, JPAG, BATARIS and other NGO’s and members of the local government units who are willing to be part of this big event. On the other hand, the Provincial Air Soft challenge to be hosted by this unit together with the Aurora Air Soft Team led by their president, Mr. Michael Trajano, will also take place tomorrow in the vicinity of the camp in order to attract more players from the Province and eventually unite with this existing group. This game will be the start to promote fund raising activities to help the typhoon victims in Northern Aurora and teams coming from Nueva Ecija will also join the challenge.    

LTC ESCARCHA said that due to the increasing number of people who are requesting for blood donor, members of the Philippine National Red Cross, Aurora Chapter led by their Director, Mr. Sherwin Nakar, and the officers of this unit, came up with a better solution to address this problem which is to include the rest of the community to be part of this bloodletting campaign to help our fellow Aurorans who are in need. There are about five hundred (500) blood donors committed to participate for tomorrow’s event. The Governor of Aurora, Hon. Bellaflor Angara Castillo, will be the guest of honor and speaker and the well-loved and respected Baler Parish Priest, Fr. Nilvon Villanueva is also invited to lead the invocation tomorrow. “There were about ten thousand (10,000 cc) of blood donated by the soldiers this year and we are saddened by the situation that not all request were granted due to limited personnel and unavailability of blood type needed by the requesting party. That is the reason why we really pursue this mass blood donation activity.” LTC ESCARCHA added.

While the mass bloodletting starts tomorrow, the participants of the Air Soft Teams will finally meet in the battle ground for a challenge. “Most of the members of the Air Soft Teams come from the business sector of this Province and this is a very good start to gain their full support in our Insurgency Free Aurora Campaign and encourage them not to give in to the extortion activities of the NPA bandits because majority of the bandit’s funds come from their extortion activities targeting contractors and businessmen.” LTC ESCARCHA said.

“Christmas Day is fast approaching and it is nice to prepare activities that make other people’s lives meaningful and happy. I only wish that this coming Christmas Day, our brothers and sisters who are still there in the mountains to come down and be one with us. Your family and the rest of the people of Aurora are waiting for your return.” LTC ESCARCHA said.    

News from Philippine Star by Manny Galvez

NPA rebel slain while crossing Aurora 

By Manny Galvez (The Philippine Star) Updated December 06, 2009 12:00 AM

BALER, Aurora, Philippines – Government operatives from the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion shot dead a communist New People’s Army rebel following an encounter in San Luis, Aurora Friday afternoon, the military reported yesterday . 

Lt. Col. Elias Escarcha, 48th IB battalion commander, said the encounter was sprung at around 2:30 p.m. Friday when the government troops chanced upon the rebels in Sitio Alasanay, Barangay Dimanayat, San Luis.

The rebels fired at the soldiers who were responding to a civilian who reported that some unidentified armed men believed to be NPA rebels were sowing terror in Dimanayat.

The still unidentified rebel was killed on-the-spot in the exchange of gunfire that ensued. No casualty was reported on the government side.

Escarcha said that the rebels may have come from an adjacent province who tried to penetrate Aurora to discredit the military’s claim that the province is now insurgency-free. He said this was borne by the fact that the slain rebel could not be positively identified by residents of the village. 

“Clearly, this is an attempt to disprove the fact that Aurora is becoming insurgency-free owing to the successful campaign we have launched against them,” he said.

Escarcha said that the campaign against insurgency in the province continues to gain ground because of the support of villagers who provide the military the needed background information. “The people have rallied behind the soldiers and the citizens of San Luis have been very cooperative,” he said.

Recovered from the slain rebel were one M-16 rifle, one bandolier with two long magazines, several rounds of ammunition and assorted personal belongings.

REMNANTS OF NPA BANDITS SUFFERED ONE FATALITY AS THEY ENTERED AURORA PROVINCE

BALER, AURORA – Government forces belonging to the 48^th Infantry “Guardians” led by LT MORENO  clashed anew with NPA bandits  at the vicinity of Sitio Alasanay, Barangay Dimanayat, San Luis, Aurora at about 2:30 in the afternoon yesterday. The soldiers were fired upon by the rebels while responding to the report of a civilian that some unidentified armed men believed to be communist rebels were terrorizing their village.  One   (1) terrorist was killed while the government soldiers did not suffer any casualty. Recovered from the slain communist were one (1) M16 Rifle, one (1) bandoleer with two (2) long magazines, fifty (50) rounds ammunition and assorted personal belongings. The cadaver was turned-over to San Luis Police Station.

 

LTC ESCARCHA said that the group of NPA bandits encountered by the soldiers probably came from nearby provinces and were not residents of Aurora as the slain terrorist could not be identified by villagers. “This group attempted to enter the Province of Aurora to discredit the Insurgency-Free Aurora Campaign  that we successfully launched and facilitated to cover up their setbacks and obvious defeat. They will certainly fail because the people were behind their soldiers. The citizens of San Luis town are very cooperative to the troops because of the kind of relationship we earlier established making them feel that we are the true defenders of the Aurorans against these communist oppressors.”, said LTC ESCARCHA