Army implements delinquency report system

The Philippine Army (PA) in its efforts to avoid the backlog of cases brought about by minor offenses committed by its soldiers, facilitate the immediate disposition of these cases, and encourage discipline among its members, implemented the Delinquency Report (DR) system effective on January 29, 2009. The DR system is applicable to all active Army personnel assigned to all Philippine Army units from platoon level to the Headquarters Philippine Army.

The offenses which are covered by this DR system are minor offenses such as failure to greet or salute, not wearing of Identification Cards or (ID), smoking in unauthorized areas inside camp, late during formations or activities, wearing incomplete uniform in public places, chewing gum while walking in public, violation of minor traffic rules, and various security violations among others. Offenses not listed in the said directive are not subject to the DR system; however, it will fall under the discretion of the commanding officer to charge the offender any of those offenses falling under Article of War 105.

The following are authorized to issue DRs: all PA officers against subordinates, unit commanders, unit sergeant majors, military police personnel of the PA, military personnel assigned with the Provost Marshall/Division Provost Marshall, and guards/sentinels in duty. The first DR incurred by an erring personnel shall serve as a warning, which he shall immediately correct and report to the reporting/awarding authority. The second DR with the same or different nature of offense incurred within a period of three months shall be punished by any or all of the following: withholding of privileges for 30 days, hard labor without confinement for 15 days; the third DR incurred within the period of three months shall be punished with the same as in the second offense and to add admonition; the fourth to be punished by the same to include reprimand; and the fifth DR shall be punished by demotion for enlisted personnel and reprimand in the case of officers.

The DR system recognizes the collective effort of all military personnel in enforcing discipline in the Army and encourages the participation of commanders of lower units in its implementation. Army Chief Lt. Gen. Victor S. Ibrado said, “We shall ensure that the Army soldier imbibes and lives by the basic tenets of military discipline for I believe that best weapon against insurgency is a disciplined soldier.” #

NPA terrorist killed in Samar clash; 2 NPA camps found

An unidentified New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist was killed in an hour clash between the Army troops and 25 fully armed NPA terrorists under unknown leader at 4 p.m. on February 8 in Brgys. Can-vais, Motiong and Sto. Niño and Anagasi, Paranas all of Western Samar.

The operation involved members of the Army’s 83rd Division Reconnaissance Company of 62nd Infantry Battalion and 14th Infantry Battalion under 1Lt. Roel B. Burac.

Troops recovered an M16 rifle with three magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition. No casualty was reported on the government side.

Also in Samar, a newly abandoned NPA camp was found by the combined troops of Charlie company, 34th Infantry Battalion under 1Lt. Fabian A. Ranit Jr., and Headquarters Service Company of 34th IB under SSg. Frederick Bacuetes at 9 a.m. on February 8 in Brgy. Cristina, Jiabong.

Troops found a US Garand rifle wrapped in a laminated sack, an improvised anti-personnel landmine, a Mimeographing machine, and subversive documents.

Likewise in Quezon, while pursuing NPA terrorists who have taken three PNP personnel as hostages, combined operating troops of the Army’s 22nd Division Reconnaissance Company under Lt. Valera, 16th Infantry Battalion under 2Lt. Lopez, and 16th Infantry Battalion led by Cpl. Dela Cruz found a suspected training and satellite camp of the NPA terrorists at 11:30 a.m. on February 8 at Sitio Sari, Brgy. Lumutan, Gen. Nakar.

The camp is about a hectare in size. It has 22 bunkers, 30 meters running trenches, a six-stair bleacher and a comfort room. Army troops believed that the camp had been abandoned for a month.

Troops continued searching the area for possible camp discovery. #

6 NPA terrorists apprehended; 3 others surrendered to the Army troops

Six New People’s Army terrorists were apprehended; while three others surrendered to the Army troops in six separate incidents in the provinces of Cebu, Zamboanga, Agusan, Pampanga, and Capiz.

In Cebu, a certain Ramo Patriarca alias Willy/ Duro/ Aking/ Robert was apprehended by virtue of an arrest warrant by the combined Army Intelligence operating units, 802nd Brigade, 302nd Brigade, 78th Infantry Battalion and Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) at 12 noon on February 5.

Reports reaching the Army Chief Lt. Gen. Victor S. Ibrado disclosed that Patriarca is the Finance Officer/ Head, Taxation Bureau/ Secretary, Negros Island Committee and Deputy Secretary of KSRB in Brgy. Casili, Consolacion, Cebu.

Troops recovered two hand grenades, a caliber .45 pistol, personal belongings, a mobile phone, financial records, and a wallet containing P11,200.00 cash.

In Pampanga, four suspected NPA terrorists were apprehended by the members of the 71st Division Reconnaissance Company, 7th Infantry Division under 2Lt. Onofre in Brgy. Villa Maria, Porac at 3:10 p.m. on February 4.

They were identified as Robert Dela Cruz, Orlan Felijun, Jimmy Dela Cruz and Rodrigo Santos. Initial investigation revealed that Robert Dela Cruz and Orlan Felijun were really NPA terrorists operating in the area. Troops were able to confiscate 19 rounds of caliber 30 M1 Garand rifle.

At about 5:45 p.m. that day, troops also recovered a caliber .22, two homemade Shotguns, 41 rounds of ammunition for Caliber 30 and an empty clip for Garand rifle in three separate houses in Brgy. Diaz, Porac, Pampanga.

In Zamboanga del Norte, a suspected NPA terrorist identified as Rindo Tumas alias Joe was apprehended by the members of the scout platoon of 53rd Infantry Battalion under 2Lt. Constantino at 3:45 p.m. on February 6 at Sitio Gigang, Canuyan, Bayog.

Another in Zamboanga del Sur, a certain Welito Catas Bracero alias Dexter voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s Intelligence operatives in 1st Infantry Division in Brgy. Tubod, Lakewood at 1 p.m. on February 4.

Bracero’s surrender was through the effort of his cousin, Jomar Mig Catas alias Dagsa, a former member of FC “Sendong”, Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) who surrendered to the 53rd IB troops last year.

In Agusan del Sur, a certain Michael Madayan alias Eugene, 24 voluntarily surrendered without firearms to 1Lt. Isagani Villasis, commanding officer of Charlie Company, 26th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division at 2 p.m. on February 5.

Madayan is the former team leader of Baking Squad, SOCOM 2, Front Committee (FC) 3, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). He was accompanied by Hon. Johnny Doromol, a barangay councilor in Agusan.

In Capiz, a certain Pelejeo Castor y Ortiz, 24 voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s Intelligence operatives of 3rd Infantry Division in Brgy. Abangay, Tapaz, Capiz at 8:30 p.m. on February 7. Ortiz is an active member of Team 1, Limbaong Platoon of CFC, KRP.

All surrenderors are now undergoing custodial debriefing.

The Philippine Army assures active NPA terrorists who want to lay down their arms and join the mainstream society that help will be extended to them. However for those who continue to sow terror, they will be relentlessly pursued. The Social Integration Program (SIP) of the government awaits those who will take the path of peace.

The SIP offers opportunity for rebel returnees (RR) to return to their families and communities and avail themselves of a comprehensive package which include initial financial assistance, livelihood training to go with a provision for initial capital, and remuneration for firearms surrendered. As much as P120,000 or more may be made available to them depending on the number and type of firearms surrendered. SIP ensures that the RR is secured and fully reintegrated back to society. It also capitalizes on the desire of would-be RRs to live normal lives in the comfort of their families, away from harm’s way and difficulties of living in the mountains. #