The President’s instructions under a State of Lawless Violence

President Duterte inspecting the Davao City night market -scene of the bombing Sept. 2 bombing.

President Duterte inspecting the Davao City night market -scene of the bombing Sept. 2 bombing.


We condemn the bombing at the Davao night market bombing last Friday which killed 14 people and injured more than 70.

We pray for strength for the families of those who died and were injured. We pray for justice for the victims and that includes all of the Filipino people.

Authorities are still investigating who are the perpetrators. Nothing definite yet except that the explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

There are as many speculations as there are spokesmen. Early reports said the terrorist group, the Abu Sayyaf, had claimed responsibility only to be denied later.

The military is on the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf after 15 soldiers were killed in an encounter in Sulu following beheadings by the group of their captives. The ASG is reportedly linked with the dreaded Middle East-based Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Press Secretary Martin Andanar raised the possibility of the involvement of drug lords, who could be feeling the heat of Duterte’s intensified anti-illegal drug campaign.

“It’s either a reprisal of the terrorists from Jolo, Sulu due to the government’s operations, and the war against terrorism there. The second possibility could be the reprisal of the drug lords,” he said.

Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, the Southern Mindanao police director, said they are not ruling out the involvement of “disgruntled vendors” in the night market.

Immediately, President Duterte has declared a state of lawless violence nationwide.

The declaration is anchored on the Constitution’s Article VII Section 18 provision which states, “The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law…”

The President said it is not martial law nor is he suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

In his early Saturday press conference, he asked everybody to stay calm.

He said there will be higher military and police visibility and checkpoints will be set up. He has authorized searches by security forces.

Here’s what you should do when you approach a checkpoint, the President said:

“Maghinto kayo sa mga checkpoints. If you see a sign there that there are soldiers flashing their lights, turn off your headlight, switch on to your lights inside your cars, because I am authorizing them to search. So, if you do not have anything to hide, I am suggesting that you be liberal enough to understand us, because they are trying to cope up with a crisis now. “

The checkpoint in Las Pinas yielded a prime catch early morning yesterday.

An AUV (Asian Utility Vehicle) accelerated though the checkpoint set up the corner of Real Street and Naga Street. When the police gave chase they were fired upon by the men in the vehicle.

News reports said “The gunmen were finally stopped and killed at the Barangay Pulang Lupa Uno-section of the C5 Extension. “
Inside the vehicle were guns and packets of shabu and a dead body whose face and hands were wrapped in packaging tape. There was also a ready-made sign identifying the dead as a drug dealer.

Here’s another advice from the President: “You can go anywhere, but be sure, if you are—if the hairs on your nape stand up, there’s something that’s afoot, then maybe just get out as soon as possible.”

Be alert. Be vigilant. And pray.

Duterte does a delicate balancing act

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Last Monday, July 25, in his first State- of-the- Nation- Address, President Duterte was applauded when he declared a unilateral ceasefire in the armed conflict with the communist rebels.

He said: “To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF effective immediately. And call on our Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly.”

Before the week ended, he withdrew that headline grabbing announcement. At 7 p.m. of Saturday, July 30, Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella read the President’s statement:

“Let me now announce that I am hereby ordering for the immediate lifting of the unilateral ceasefire that I ordered last July 25 against the communist rebels.

“Correspondingly, I am ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to also withdraw the operational guidelines they issued in pursuance to that ceasefire declaration.”

In a statement issued Sunday, the CPP said it was set to issue reciprocal ceasefire declaration at around 8 p.m. also on Saturday.

ose Ma. Sison. Fromjosemariasison.org

ose Ma. Sison. Fromjosemariasison.org

“It was quite capricious for the GRP President to have imposed such ultimatums of a few hours or several days for the CPP to act in accordance with his whims. It was quite disconcerting that the GRP President would impose such an inflexible ultimatum on the CPP. Despite his anti-crime bravado, it would seem he has shown the drug lords and protectors of criminal syndicates more flexibility and accommodation,” the Party said.

The CPP reiterated the advice of its founder, Jose Ma. Sison to Duterte, “ to exercise a little more prudence and display more measured temperament as a way of appreciating the situation from a broader historical perspective in order to avoid such impulsive acts as imposing ultimatums by the hour on a conflict that has spanned nearly fifty years.”

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Sison didn’t hide his irritation towards his former student,”Masyadong butangero yang si Duterte at gusto niya ay gulo agad….kung ayaw niya ng katahimikan eh di huwag…”

Cooler heads are now trying to manage the situation. Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza issued a statement giving the government’s version of what went wrong.

Dureza said the day after the President announced and unilateral ceasefire and expecting the NDF to “respond accordingly,” the Left’s umbrella organization “instead of issuing its expected declaration said they could not do so as yet as they were waiting for the precise written orders on the ceasefire. In immediate response, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and subsequently the Philippine National Police issued their respective policy guidance in writing on how they would carry on with a ceasefire in place. Copies thereof were sent immediately to the NDF in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Yet in spite of this, there was still no declaration from them.”

Sison, in a statement, said, “The Central Committee of the CPP has to study these defective issuances of the AFP and PNP and also find out whether current political prisoners shall be released through general amnesty.

“President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords. It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study tbe implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the CPP unilateral ceasefire order to the NPA.”

Dureza related that something happened on July 27 that made Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire shaky: “The following day, July 27 a firefight happened between the NPAs and elements of the AFP civilian auxiliary in Davao del Norte resulting to the death of a civilian auxiliary force member and the wounding of 3 others. The President then called on the CPP/NPA/NDF again to explain why this happened in the midst of his ceasefire declaration.”

 Four-year-old Allih Hachaso, son of Police Officer 3 Eric Hachaso, gives President Duterte a snappy salute duting the latter’s visit at  Camp Nakar, Lucena City July 28. Photo by Toto Lozano, PPD


Four-year-old Allih Hachaso, son of Police Officer 3 Eric Hachaso, gives President Duterte a snappy salute duting the latter’s visit at Camp Nakar, Lucena City July 28. Photo by Toto Lozano, PPD


It must be noted that Duterte has been making the rounds of military camps since the third week of July explaining his policy of giving the Left a major role in his government while telling them of the increase of benefits that they will be receiving upon his orders.

The President is doing a delicate balancing act. He knows what happened during the administration of Corazon Aquino who had to repel several coup attempts fueled by the military’s resentment of her “Leftist” advisers.

On Thursday, July 28, he went to Camp Nakar in Lucena, the base of the Armed Forces’ Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM). Philippine National Police officials assigned in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON) joined the soldiers.

From Camp Nakar, he proceeded to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, and headquarters of the Philippine Army’s Second Infantry Division.
In Camp Nakar, he explained: “ Meron tayong development sa ating bayan. I know that it is a… Medyo resistant kayo to accept it because of the historical — ‘yung sakit. Maraming namatay sa inyo, pero bagamat marami ring namatay sa mga komunista. But as President, I have to seek peace for our country. Not only with the communist insurgency but doon rin sa Muslim insurgency.

“Mahirap tanggapin na mukhang ang labas niyan is patawaran nang lahat. Alam ko medyo hindi madali tanggapin ‘yan. But, as a President and Commander-in-Chief, I have to think of the Republic of the Philippines and the whole of the people in this country. Hindi pwede na estudyante pa ako pati hanggang ngayon nagpapatayan; and we continue to lose men, good men, mga sundalo pati pulis, until now.”

He assured the soldiers that he will support them the way he supported his policemen in Davao.

“I never allowed any police officer or the ordinary patrol man to go to prison for performing the duty. I would like to reiterate now that policy and to include the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines na basta magtrabaho lang kayo, in accordance with your mandate wala kayong problema. Wala talaga ikaw problema because I will be there. Sinabi ko sa SONA — to be with you.

“I will protect you and I will answer for the things that I ordered na gawin mo. Sinabi ko ito ‘yan, gawain mo ‘yan, at ika’y nagkakaroon ng kaso, masabit ka, wala ka talagang problem. Forget about the problem because I will answer for you personally and officially.”

That’s why on Friday, when he went to the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, he made sure he condoled with the widow of the slain CAFGU Panggong S. Komanod.

The New People's Army. From PWRC.

The New People’s Army. From PWRC.

That’s where he announced the final deadline of 5 o’clock July 30 for the CPP/NPA/NDF to reciprocate with a ceasefire declaration.
Dureza said, “It is very clear that the President walked the extra mile for peace. And no doubt, he will still continue to do so at any given opportunity.”

The peace talks will resume on August 20-27 in Oslo, Norway.

The CPP statement mentioned about the President re-issuing a ceasefire declaration “simultaneously with a similar unilateral declaration by the CPP and NPA on August 20.”

Duterte does a delicate balancing act

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Last Monday, July 25, in his first State- of-the- Nation- Address, President Duterte was applauded when he declared a unilateral ceasefire in the armed conflict with the communist rebels.

He said: “To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF effective immediately. And call on our Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly.”

Before the week ended, he withdrew that headline grabbing announcement. At 7 p.m. of Saturday, July 30, Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella read the President’s statement:

“Let me now announce that I am hereby ordering for the immediate lifting of the unilateral ceasefire that I ordered last July 25 against the communist rebels.

“Correspondingly, I am ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to also withdraw the operational guidelines they issued in pursuance to that ceasefire declaration.”

In a statement issued Sunday, the CPP said it was set to issue reciprocal ceasefire declaration at around 8 p.m. also on Saturday.

ose Ma. Sison. Fromjosemariasison.org

ose Ma. Sison. Fromjosemariasison.org

“It was quite capricious for the GRP President to have imposed such ultimatums of a few hours or several days for the CPP to act in accordance with his whims. It was quite disconcerting that the GRP President would impose such an inflexible ultimatum on the CPP. Despite his anti-crime bravado, it would seem he has shown the drug lords and protectors of criminal syndicates more flexibility and accommodation,” the Party said.

The CPP reiterated the advice of its founder, Jose Ma. Sison to Duterte, “ to exercise a little more prudence and display more measured temperament as a way of appreciating the situation from a broader historical perspective in order to avoid such impulsive acts as imposing ultimatums by the hour on a conflict that has spanned nearly fifty years.”

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Sison didn’t hide his irritation towards his former student,”Masyadong butangero yang si Duterte at gusto niya ay gulo agad….kung ayaw niya ng katahimikan eh di huwag…”

Cooler heads are now trying to manage the situation. Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza issued a statement giving the government’s version of what went wrong.

Dureza said the day after the President announced and unilateral ceasefire and expecting the NDF to “respond accordingly,” the Left’s umbrella organization “instead of issuing its expected declaration said they could not do so as yet as they were waiting for the precise written orders on the ceasefire. In immediate response, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and subsequently the Philippine National Police issued their respective policy guidance in writing on how they would carry on with a ceasefire in place. Copies thereof were sent immediately to the NDF in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Yet in spite of this, there was still no declaration from them.”

Sison, in a statement, said, “The Central Committee of the CPP has to study these defective issuances of the AFP and PNP and also find out whether current political prisoners shall be released through general amnesty.

“President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords. It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study tbe implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the CPP unilateral ceasefire order to the NPA.”

Dureza related that something happened on July 27 that made Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire shaky: “The following day, July 27 a firefight happened between the NPAs and elements of the AFP civilian auxiliary in Davao del Norte resulting to the death of a civilian auxiliary force member and the wounding of 3 others. The President then called on the CPP/NPA/NDF again to explain why this happened in the midst of his ceasefire declaration.”

 Four-year-old Allih Hachaso, son of Police Officer 3 Eric Hachaso, gives President Duterte a snappy salute duting the latter’s visit at  Camp Nakar, Lucena City July 28. Photo by Toto Lozano, PPD


Four-year-old Allih Hachaso, son of Police Officer 3 Eric Hachaso, gives President Duterte a snappy salute duting the latter’s visit at Camp Nakar, Lucena City July 28. Photo by Toto Lozano, PPD


It must be noted that Duterte has been making the rounds of military camps since the third week of July explaining his policy of giving the Left a major role in his government while telling them of the increase of benefits that they will be receiving upon his orders.

The President is doing a delicate balancing act. He knows what happened during the administration of Corazon Aquino who had to repel several coup attempts fueled by the military’s resentment of her “Leftist” advisers.

On Thursday, July 28, he went to Camp Nakar in Lucena, the base of the Armed Forces’ Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM). Philippine National Police officials assigned in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON) joined the soldiers.

From Camp Nakar, he proceeded to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, and headquarters of the Philippine Army’s Second Infantry Division.
In Camp Nakar, he explained: “ Meron tayong development sa ating bayan. I know that it is a… Medyo resistant kayo to accept it because of the historical — ‘yung sakit. Maraming namatay sa inyo, pero bagamat marami ring namatay sa mga komunista. But as President, I have to seek peace for our country. Not only with the communist insurgency but doon rin sa Muslim insurgency.

“Mahirap tanggapin na mukhang ang labas niyan is patawaran nang lahat. Alam ko medyo hindi madali tanggapin ‘yan. But, as a President and Commander-in-Chief, I have to think of the Republic of the Philippines and the whole of the people in this country. Hindi pwede na estudyante pa ako pati hanggang ngayon nagpapatayan; and we continue to lose men, good men, mga sundalo pati pulis, until now.”

He assured the soldiers that he will support them the way he supported his policemen in Davao.

“I never allowed any police officer or the ordinary patrol man to go to prison for performing the duty. I would like to reiterate now that policy and to include the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines na basta magtrabaho lang kayo, in accordance with your mandate wala kayong problema. Wala talaga ikaw problema because I will be there. Sinabi ko sa SONA — to be with you.

“I will protect you and I will answer for the things that I ordered na gawin mo. Sinabi ko ito ‘yan, gawain mo ‘yan, at ika’y nagkakaroon ng kaso, masabit ka, wala ka talagang problem. Forget about the problem because I will answer for you personally and officially.”

That’s why on Friday, when he went to the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, he made sure he condoled with the widow of the slain CAFGU Panggong S. Komanod.

The New People's Army. From PWRC.

The New People’s Army. From PWRC.

That’s where he announced the final deadline of 5 o’clock July 30 for the CPP/NPA/NDF to reciprocate with a ceasefire declaration.
Dureza said, “It is very clear that the President walked the extra mile for peace. And no doubt, he will still continue to do so at any given opportunity.”

The peace talks will resume on August 20-27 in Oslo, Norway.

The CPP statement mentioned about the President re-issuing a ceasefire declaration “simultaneously with a similar unilateral declaration by the CPP and NPA on August 20.”

Centerlaw voices alarm over Duterte’s acceptance of kangaroo court

Policemen released by NPA to Duterte. Photo from Bulatlat.

Policemen released by NPA to Duterte. Photo from Bulatlat.

Centerlaw, a non-government organization dedicated to the promotion of the Rule of Law in the Philippines and Asia, reminded President-Elect Rodrigo Duterte that as president of the Philippines, which he will be in 23 days, he is legally bound to ensure that every one within Philippine sovereignty is accorded due process of law.

Centerlaw expressed grave concern over the statement of Duterte that he is leaving the fate of General Generoso, Davao Oriental police Chief Inspector Arnold Ognachen to his captors, the New People’s Army.

Duterte, which has included the Communist Party of the Philippines in his government, had worked for the release of policemen captured by the CPP’s armed group before the May elections. He had also called for the release of Ognachen, who was captured when the NPA recently raided the Davao Oriental police station.

But in his press conference last Thursday, Duterte said an NPA commander told him that they seized drug from Ognachen adding the rebel leaders would not lie to him.

Duterte is waging war against illegal drugs. “”I said I’d be harsh. I’m sorry for that guy,” he said.

He said he told the NPA commander, “You have a kangaroo court…. Sentence him to 20 years of hard labor.”

Romel R. Bagares, Centerlaw executive director, noted the double irony of Duterte referring to the NPA’s justice system as “kangaroo courts.”

“Because that is exactly what they are – tribunals that make a mockery of even just a modicum of justice,” he said.

Bagares said, Duterte, who is a lawyer and a former prosecutor, “ should know that we now have Republic Act 9851, the International Humanitarian Law Act, which penalizes as a war crime all executions without a judgment of a regularly constituted court that afforded all judicial guarantees generally recognized as indispensable.”

The International Humanitarian Law Act, passed in 2010, embodies the country’s commitment to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court.

Bagares recalled that in a series of official reports on summary executions and extrajudicial killings in the Philippines from 2007 to 2010, then UN special rapporteur Philip Alston called on the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front to put an end to the NPA’s so-called ‘people’s “courts”, because these violate fair trial standards set by international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Bagares said “Common article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which applies to all combatants in the Philippines, prohibits the passing sentences without a judgment by a regularly constituted court, ‘affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.’”

“Moreover, the 1977 Additional Protocol provides that the court must be independent and impartial, and the accused shall have the right to be at the trial and present a defense, among other guarantees.”

Bagares further said:”In fact, the Bill of Rights of our 1987 Charter – under which he will swear his oath of office as President – likewise prohibits the deprivation of life without due process of law.

The NDF, of which the CPP and the NPA are members, is a coalition of 16 groups waging a so-called protracted people’s war for national democracy in the Philippines for more than four decades now.

News reports said when the NPA got Ongachen, they also captured two other persons and seized seven shotguns, 12 rifles, two 9mm pistols and three undetermined types of firearms.

Outgoing Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said they respect the president-elect’s pronouncements but they will have to rescue Ongachen.

“It is our responsibility to rescue our people if they are kidnapped,” Marquez said.

Why did Aquino float the ‘baseless alternative truth’?

Aquino belies his own alternative truth in a Malacanang presentation.Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacanang Photo Bureau.

Aquino belies his own alternative truth in a Malacanang presentation.Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacanang Photo Bureau.


A week after he floated an “alternative version” to the killing of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli “Marwan”bin Hir last January which also cost the lives of 63 people, 44 of them members of the elite Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police, President Aquino yesterday belied it saying it was “baseless.”

In a televised presentation, Aquino said: “It is clear from the presentation today: the SAF were there; we can no longer doubt that it was the SAF who took Marwan’s finger. This also means: All the other accounts about the alternative narrative are baseless, and consequently have no relevance.”

But it was he who floated what he now says are “baseless” alternative narrative.
He did it during a meeting with Inquirer editors and reporters last week.

Inquirer quoted him as saying,” Do I have closure? I still have quite a number of questions, and there are various agencies of government tasked to ferret out the truth of exactly what happened in its entirety. There is an alternative version of events that happened there, which is undergoing very intense scrutiny.”

This was his reply when asked if he had closure on the Mamasapano tragedy, that defined the incompetence and immaturity of his presidency together with the 2010 Rizal Park hostage-taking.

The Commander-in-chief  was not there.

The Commander-in-chief was not there.

In his presentation yesterday, perhaps to justify his 360- degree turn, Aquino explained, “When the idea of an alternative narrative was presented to us and when we returned to the evidence, we could not dismiss it outright. This alternative version is the complete opposite of the first account of the encounter. It is our responsibility to investigate and to uncover the complete truth, so that the conclusions we arrive at will be correct and just. In doing this, we will ensure that this tragedy does not happen again. That is why we immediately ordered the various agencies of government to scrutinize other angles that present alternative narratives.”

Reliable sources said there was no serious re-investigation of the tragedy.
What happened, they said, was Aquino could not get over the findings of the PNP Board of Inquiry headed by Police Director Benjamin Magalong and the Senate Commmitee on Public Order headed by Se. Grace Poe that put the blame on him for breaking the chain- of- command and taking a direct hand in the operation through his best friend, suspended Police Chief Alan Purisima.

Many times, the source said, in the middle of a discussion the President would blurt out something about being informed of the Marwan operation almost midnight.

“He needed something to alleviate his guilt and to salve his conscience,” the source said.

He had tried to run away from it in various occasions like going to a car plant inauguration instead of attending the arrival honors at the Villamor Air base for the slain SAF troopers and deleting the names of the two SAF members from the list of those that would be honored last PNP Day.

In his last State-of-the –Nation Address, he cited as accomplishment the killing of Marwan but did not give credit to SAF.

Police Director Benjamin Magalong and former PNP officer-in-charge Leonardo Espina during a congressional hearing of the Mamasapano tragedy.

Police Director Benjamin Magalong and former PNP officer-in-charge Leonardo Espina during a congressional hearing of the Mamasapano tragedy.

His “alternative truth”, however, backfired and rekindled animosity towards him by those who sympathized with the SAF.

The source said all the officials of agencies Aquino consulted to try to come out with a version that would downgrade the role of SAF advised him against it and warned him of its implications in the 2016 elections.

Magalong told lawmakers during a budget hearing that he was willing to resign if it’s proven that he was wrong in concluding that Marwan was killed by SAF troopers.

Told yesterday of the President’s about-face statement, Magalong said, “Hindi na pala ako magre-resign (So I don’t need to resign).”