AFP sets stage for race to 1M trees in Climate Change

CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – In an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change and solving the problem of high gaseous emissions in National Capital Region (NCR), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through its Civil Relations Services (CRS), conducted the soft launching of the “Race to 1,000,000 Seedlings” today (December 7) at the Climate Change Summit in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo’s AFP Theater. The “Race to 1,000,000 Seedlings” will be formally launched on January 2016.

Lieutenant Colonel Marlowe Patria, Group Commander of 7th Civil Relations Group (CRG), said that the effort of the AFP as lead convenor was to encourage people to participate in the creation of one million seedlings that would be planted in available spots around NCR.

Aside from this, the Race for 1,000,000 Seedlings is also meant to instill in the minds of participants that they are making a difference with every seed they plant and grow. He said this is the most important objective of the project since it seeks the result of turning every participant into an advocate of environmental protection and preservation.
“We want the advocacy to start from every home where the awareness for us to mitigate the effects of climate change will be instilled not only on the elders but more importantly to the youngsters who shall carry on the advocacy to future generations,” Brigadier General Joselito Kakilala, Commander of CRS AFP, said.
“We would like to make the participants remember every time they pot a seed or plant a seedling that everyone should pitch in what they can in helping preserve our environment,” he said
.

He explained that NCR was chosen as the target area of the project since it is the region which experiences most pollution in the Philippines owing to its large volume of vehicles which emits huge amounts of pollutants every day.

“This project also aims for participants to make it a habit to always save the seeds of fruits they eat. We look forward to a future when every resident living in NCR would always plant seeds of fruits they eat and reusing plastic bags as polybags,” he said.

Patria explained that the project will involve encouraging individuals to take part in creating seedlings from fruit seeds in their homes in a span of six months. He said the project will employ the use of social media, particularly Facebook, in spreading the word and gathering participants who would share their experiences through videos and photographs.

After six months, when a million seedlings were already created by participants in their homes or gathered in Camp Aguinaldo, the participants and stakeholders will proceed to plant these seedlings in vacant lots or areas specified by DENR.

From the sixth month onwards, the project will then shift to monitoring of the planted seedlings to ensure that there will be one million live trees added to NCR’s already thinning tree cover. The six months of the project, referred to as the first phase, will last until July of 2016. The next six months after that, referred to as the second phase, will be used for tree planting and growing.

He added that the AFP has already tapped partners and stakeholders, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government agencies, to ensure the success of the project. Among partners tapped for the project are Rappler, Teach Peace Build Peace Organization, HERO Foundation, Assumption School, Smart Telecommunications, Sagip Kalikasan Foundation, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and many others.

To represent the participation of the Filipino youth, Dingdong Dantes, National Youth Commissioner graced the event. His presence signified the full support of the youth through the ‪#‎nowPH‬ campaign which also seeks to spread awareness on climate change.

‪#‎RaceTo1MSeedlings‬
‪#‎CombatingClimateChange‬
‪#‎TeamAFP‬
‪#‎KawalPH‬
‪#‎SupportOurTroops‬
‪#‎SaluteOurSoldiers‬
‪#‎AFPCares‬

Source: PAOAFP

Army and the Ilonggos unite for the benefit of fallen and injured soldiers’ dependents

ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Army through the 3^rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division and the Ilonggos united once again for a cause that would benefit the dependents of those fallen and injured soldiers.

Embarked on its 4^th year, the Heroes Run 2015 with the theme “Maging Bayani sa Ating mga Bayani (Be a Hero to Our Heroes) was held here at 5:00a.m. Today November 29 with the aim of supporting the education of the sons and daughters left behind by our fallen soldiers or even the injured ones who risked their lives in order to fulfill their duty and service to our nation.   

596 running enthusiasts composed of students, teachers, government workers, soldiers, police personnel and private individuals paid their attention to the call of social responsibility and participated on this fund raising activity of the Philippine Army in partnership with the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI)-Philippine Army Chapter.

“This is to let our soldiers know that their dependents are not left behind. It would inspire more our soldiers and at the same time make the people appreciate the sacrifices of our soldiers who are serving our country and securing our land,” said Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mutiangpili, Acting Commander of 3^rd Infantry Division.

This year’s event was conducted with three (3) simultaneous gun starts, in Manila, in Iloilo which is now on its second year for Visayas Leg and for the first time, the Mindanao Leg was launched in Davao.

The running event was composed of 21km, 10km, 5km and 3km races which started in front of SM City Iloilo through the Sen. Benigno Aquino Ave. and the Iloilo Circumferential Road 1 and back to the starting point as the finish line.

Top three (3) male and female runners for each event race were given the medal awards and gift packs while all 21km finishers were given the 4^th Heroes Run shirt. The top 50 finishers for each event race were also given the 4^th Heroes Run dog tags.

The proceeds of the 4^th Heroes Run 2015 will go to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO), the office that provides education assistance to dependents of military personnel, mostly battle casualties in partnership with educational, government, socio-civic and financial institutions.

The 3ID leadership thanked the sponsors of the 4^th Heroes Run 2015 in Iloilo City which include the Air Materiel Wing Savings and Loan Association, Incorporated (AMWSLAI), Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFCPIC), Aces Credit Development Incorporated (ACDI), PYT Stop, Yakult, Globe Telecom, Pepsi and Hon. Ramona Go, Mayor of San Enrique, Iloilo.

Likewise, the 3ID also extended its appreciation to the local government unit of Iloilo City headed by its Mayor, Hon. Jed Patrick Mabilog for the support to the event.

It can be recalled that on November 23, 2014, the 3^rd Heroes Run was first launched in Iloilo City where almost 500 running enthusiasts from the military, the police, the academe, student, public and private sectors gathered, united and altogether ran for, ran with and ran because they are living heroes.

Source: 3^rd INFANTRY (SPEARHEAD) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY, DPAO

On the Neutralization of Known Criminal Terrorists in Sultan Kudarat

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hereby confirms the encounter that transpired early morning yesterday (26 November) at Palembang, Sultan Kudarat between troops from the 6^th Marine Battalion and 1^st Marine Brigade under the Joint Task Force Central of Western Mindanao Command (JTFC-WESMINCOM) and rouge elements led by Muhammad Jaafar Maguid, aka “Tokboy”, a known criminal and terrorist bomber.

The law enforcement operation was jointly conducted with Philippine National Police (PNP) counterparts to serve existing warrants of arrest issued by our courts for these criminals at large who have been linked to cattle-rustling and extortion activities employing bombing and scare tactics.

Following this encounter, eight cadavers were recovered as well as assorted high-powered firearms, various materials for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), assorted radios, documents of high intelligence values, and several pieces of ISIS flags. The identities of those killed in the encounter are still being verified. No casualty was reported on the side of the government troops.

This group recently posted videos of themselves on the internet expressing their support to extremist groups which was seen as their attempt to gain attention.

The lawless group is also known to be Ansar Khalifah Philippine (AKP). The AKP claims affiliation with the ISIS and other extremist groups, but have no known verified and confirmed links to the said groups.

The military, through the JTFC, continues to assist the conduct of law enforcement operations to contain lawless elements operating in Sultan Kudarat.

Source: AFPPAO

Thousands Stage Protest over NPA Admission of Crime

TRUE VOICE OF THE LUMADS 

TRUE VOICE OF THE LUMADS 

#‎STOPLUMADKILLINGS‪

#‎JUSTICEFORLUMADS ‪

#‎JUSTICEFORMAYOROTAZA

‪#‎STOPLUMADEXPLOITATION
‪#‎STOPLUMADMANIPULATION
‪#‎NOTOCOMMUNISM
‪#‎NOTOCPPNPANDF

BANCASI, Butuan City – The City of Butuan was filled with sadness, anguish and pain when thousand Lumads from different tribes in Caraga and people from different walks of life staged indignation march and rally at 1pm today, October 27, 2015, days after the NPA admitted the crime of brutally killing Mayor Dario Otaza and his son Daryl.

“Hustisya! Hustisya! Para kang Mayor Otaza, sa iyang anak og sa tanang Lumad nga gipatay sa mga NPA(Justice! Justice! For Mayor Otaza, his son and to all Lumad killed by the NPA). Kami ang tinuod nga Lumad, dungga kami. Dungga ang amoang tinuod nga kahimtang sa mapahimuslanon og madaogdaogong NPA. Ihunong na ninyo (NPA) ang pag patay og pag pangilad sa mga Lumad. (We are the legitimate Lumads, hear our voice. Hear our cry over NPA’s tyranny and oppression. NPA, stop killing and deceiving Lumads).” Cried by thousand protesters filled with anger over NPA Lumad killings.

Said rally also dubbed as “Anti-Violence Assembly” in Butuan City, is their (Lumads) way of airing their real situation over the Maoist-Terrorist NPA.

Ralliests walked over the heart of Butuan City and went to Guingona Park, the area for them to voice out their anguish over the NPA atrocities and the call to end violence.

Datu Payad Sangkuan Rey Cervantes, chair of Caraga Regional Council for the Indigenous People and president of Sulong Katutubo, have been very emotional during his speech. He felt so much pain for the loss of his dear friend Mayor Otaza whom he considered as their icon for peace and democracy for freeing his town of insurgency menace.

Datu Payad said, “Mayor, kung asa man ka karon, salamat sa tanan! Giluwas nimo ang imong mga tawo sa kamot sa mga nagharing NPA. Among lauman nga magpadayon ang imong paghatag ug maayong kaugmaon sa imong Katawhan.” (Mayor, wherever you are right now, thank you for everything! You freed your people on the hands of the NPA. We promise that your dream of giving better future for your people will continue).

Meanwhile, five other tribal leaders from different tribal affiliation including a former NPA commander, Julieto Canoy, who has been with the armed struggle for 31 years, also denounced NPA atrocities. They described the NPA’s kangaroo court as brutal and inhumane. They said in ‘bisaya’ language that the NPA reasons don’t give them permission to kill. Only God knows when to take lives. They (NPA) should face the law.

The activity ended after offering a solemn prayer and lighting of candle in memory of all Lumads killed by the NPA. 

Credit: 4DPAO / MCAG

Lumads Secure School after Receiving Arson Threats by NPA

RADICALIZATION. Children are being radicalized by volunteer teachers inside community learning centers like 'Salugpungan' which are located in the hinterlands of Talaingod, Davao del Norte. The CPP-NPA-NDF through its front organizations like MISFI, is also running similar schools in nearby provinces of Bukidnon and the CARAGA Region.

 CHILD WARRIORS. Young children are recruited into the New People's Army through the community learning centers which are established inside the ancestral domain. DEPED has not given any accreditation to MISFI or ALCADEV which are operating IP schools inside the ancestral domain. The Tribal Council and the village officials of White Kulaman have closed down the Father Tentorio Memorial School operated by MISFI because it has not accreditation from DEPED and it also failed to get authorization from the Tribal Council in accordance to the provisions of Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA).

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – After receiving arson threat from the NPA,  lumad (indigenous people) residents of Brgy White Kulaman in Kitaotao, Bukidnon are securing the premises of the school building that was closed down by village officials on Friday (October 23).

Hon. Felipe Cabugnason, the village chief, said that he is working closely with the Tribal Council in safeguarding the former MISFI school due to monitored threats from the NPA.

"We will protect this facility from possible arson. They had burned down houses in nearby village of Malinao in the past and blamed this atrocity to us and the military," said Cabugnason. 

Cabugnason said that on Oct 25 (Sunday), they spotted 5 suspicious looking persons in the peripheries of Dao sub- village, prompting the lumads to secure the building which operated as a school without DEPED authorization. 

The building was constructed by Lumads in 2013 after being convinced that MISFI organizers will secure a permit from DEPED. 

“No request for accreditation was submitted to DEPED in the past two years. We decided to close it because we found out that the children had been radicalized,” said Cabugnason who coordinated with DEPED for its closure on Friday (Oct 23). 

He also said that the volunteer teachers also don't have any official documents to show that the pupils have finished their studies there, demoralizing some of the students who used to attend classes there. 

"They started with about 70 students two years ago. Last week, they are down to 25 students, some of whom are residents of Kibawe town which is far away from this place," he added.

Col Jesse Alvarez, Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade said: “The military will thwart any attempt by the NPA to burn down the school by conducting security operations in the area.” 

Meanwhile, at 3pm today (October 26), DEPED Region 10 officials led by Mr Jesnar Torres visited the former MISFI school to ascertain media reports that the local residents had razed it to the ground. 

"The buildings are still intact during our visit. The villagers want to use the building for official purposes," said Montejo, the Principal of White Kulaman Integrated School.

DEPED has assured the local officials that children who were previously enrolled in the illegally-operated school will be accepted at the White Kulaman Integrated School.   

(Report from 4th ID Public Affairs Office)