By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has defended Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio following new calls for her resignation from the Cabinet.
“I don’t see the reason behind that,” Marcos remarked when asked to respond to suggestions to remove Duterte-Carpio as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
He stated his intention to meet with Vice President Duterte to discuss important matters.
When questioned about assuring the Vice President of retaining her post, the Chief Executive emphasized that he didn’t find it necessary.
“She doesn’t need my assurance. She knows that,” he affirmed.
Marcos further asserted that the Vice President would remain as Education Secretary.
“Any cabinet secretaries not fulfilling their duties will be replaced,” he said. “All other matters are not up for discussion. If one can no longer perform due to illness or incompetence, they will be replaced. But that’s not the case with Inday Sara,” he added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — “Unahin natin ang Pilipinas.”
This was the terse declaration of Vice President Sara Duterte to the call of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos who said the country’s second-highest official should apologize for being caught on camera laughing in a rally where former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as “bangag,” or in English, intoxicated.
The First Lady stressed that there’s no chance for her relationship with VP Sara to be mended unless the latter apologizes.
“Mga kababayan, bilang tao, karapatan ni Unang Ginang Liza Marcos na makaramdam ng sama ng loob at galit. Subalit ang kanyang personal na damdamin ay walang kinalaman sa aking mandato bilang isang opisyal ng pamahalaan,” the Vice President said in a video statement uploaded online Monday (22 April 2024).
Last week, the First Lady said VP Duterte is a “bad shot” for her after attending a supposed prayer rally in Davao City where the President was derided as “bangag” by FPRRD.
Instead of apologizing, VP Sara said everyone should be focused on addressing the country’s problems on rising prices of basic goods, hunger, as well as the supposed proliferation of illegal drugs.
The feisty VP said she will have a private meeting with PBBM to discuss the next steps that need to be taken to move on.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday (April 22, 2024) said that the sentiments of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos do not affect her mandate.
Duterte-Carpio was reacting to the statement of the First Lady, saying that her relationship with the former has soured.
“Mga kababayan, bilang tao, karapatan ni Unang Ginang Liza Marcos na makaramdam ng sama ng loob at galit,” Duterte-Carpio said.
“Subalit ang kanyang personal na damdamin ay walang kinalaman sa aking mandato bilang isang opisyal ng pamahalaan,” she added.
The Vice President also said that she would have a private conversation with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding the matter.
“Upang makausad tayo, iiwan na natin sa isang pribadong pag-uusap sa pagitan lamang namin ni Pangulong “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang mga susunod na hakbang.”
Earlier, the First Lady said that she was hurt after former president Rodrigo Duterte’s statement, calling the President “bangag” (intoxicated).
“When she went to Davao, [Rodrigo] Duterte said o ‘bangag, bangag di ba.’ Imagine a former president calling ano bangag. Wow ‘yung 6 years why would you call ano bangag di ba and then the camera panned on her (VP Sara) tumatawa,” she said during a political gathering.
“Bad shot na ‘yan (VP Sara) sa akin, unless she says sorry or whatever. She crossed the line,” the First said in an exclusive interview with Ka Tunying (Anthony Taberna).
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Concerned that the extreme heat will adversely affect the students, the Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that over 7,000 schools suspended face-to-face classes due to extreme heat as Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said that there was no need for schools to implement make-up classes for the disrupted face-to-face classes.
On Friday (12 April 2024), Maharlika NuMedia learned that more than 7,000 schools in different parts of the country have suspended in-person classes and shifted to alternative delivery modes due to the threat of extreme hot weather brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.
The DepEd said a total of 7,080 of the 47,678 schools in the country (14.8%) announced suspensions of face-to-face classes.
It revealed that most of the affected schools are in Central Luzon with 1,903, followed by Central Visayas with 870 and Western Visayas with 862.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), 311 schools suspended face-to-face classes.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio encouraged Filipino Muslims to embrace humility, forgiveness, deepen their faith, and uphold the teachings of the Quran as she joined them in their celebration.
In her Eid al-Fitr message, Duterte-Carpio also expressed gratitude for their dedication and faith, which serve as inspiration to others.
“Nawa’y patuloy nating isabuhay ang mga aral ng Qur’an at ni Propetang Muhammad, at itaguyod ang kabutihan sa ating kapwa,” she stated.
“Sa kabila ng ating pagkakaiba, ang pagkakaisa, paggalang, at pagmamahal sa ating bansa ay napakahalaga,” the Vice President emphasized.
Filipino Muslims celebrate Eid’l Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, on Wednesday (April 10, 2024).
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared this day a holiday to “the entire Filipino nation to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently affected by the confidential funds controversy and her silence on China’s aggressive acts in the West Philippine Sea, Vice President Sara Duterte is now overtaken by veteran hard-hitting journalist and now Senator Raffy Tulfo as the top presidential contender for 2028.
This was revealed on Sunday (31 March 2024) based on a Pulse Asia survey showing Tulfo ahead by a hairline one percent over VP Sara who is also the concurrent Education Secretary.
Results of the poll conducted from March 6 to 10, 2024 showed that 35% of the respondents will vote for “idol” Tulfo as president if the 2028 elections were to be held during the survey period.
Inday Sara — as the Vice President is popularly known — was the choice for president of 34% of respondents.
Trailing behind in the presidential survey was former Vice President Leni Robredo with 11%, followed by Senator Imee Marcos with 5%, former senator Manny Pacquiao with 3%, and Senators Robinhood Padilla and Risa Hontiveros, who got 2% and 1%, respectively.
Also mentioned by the respondents as potential presidential candidates they will likely vote in 2028 were: House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, President Rodrigo Duterte, and former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that the decline of Inday Sara’s popularity could be attributed to the controversy generated by her proposed P650 million total of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) which were eventually realigned by the House of Representatives under Romualdez’s leadership and her continued silence on the aggressive acts of China in the West Philippine Sea.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio emphasized that she did not intend to issue an official statement on the anniversary of the EDSA Revolution last Sunday (25 February 2024) and consequently removed a previous post on her social media page.
“What I stated in 2017 regarding the February 25 EDSA anniversary has remained unchanged. My stance remains consistent today,” Duterte-Carpio stated.
“I did not plan to release a statement this year, just as I didn’t last year. Therefore, I have taken down the EDSA anniversary post from my social media page,” she elaborated.
The Vice President expressed her hope that her clarification would “put the matter to rest.”
Duterte-Carpio urged Filipinos to continue embodying the EDSA spirit and advocating for what is just in her now-deleted post.
“As we commemorate this significant occasion, let us reflect on the lessons of EDSA—the potency of unity, the resilience of the Filipino character, and the imperative of standing up for righteousness,” she remarked.
“Happy EDSA anniversary to all Filipinos; may we persist in upholding the essence of EDSA in all our endeavors,” she concluded.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Three days after she issued a statement extolling the spirit of the EDSA People Power Revolution only to be mysteriously deleted later, Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday (27 Feb 2024) explained that she did not intend to issue one for the 38th anniversary of the mass uprising that ended the 20-year regime of the first Marcos administration.
“I did not intend to issue a statement this year as I did not the previous year. Because of this, I removed the EDSA anniversary post from my social media page,” VP Duterte said in a statement.
She also underscored that her 2017 position on the EDSA revolution anniversary remains as is.
“What I said in 2017 regarding the February 25 EDSA anniversary has never changed. My position remains the same today,” Inday Sara — as the Vice President is popularly known — quipped.
It can be recalled that the then-Davao City mayor Sara Duterte stated in 2017 that: “I find it hard to understand why this bloodless revolution has become the standard definition of freedom for our country and this standard is forced down our throats by a certain group of individuals who think they are better than everyone else.”
But in a now-deleted post on the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, VP Sara urged Filipinos to continue upholding the EDSA spirit and to stand up for what is right.
“On this day, we commemorate the brave souls who stood united on the streets of Edsa, fighting for democracy and freedom. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us remember the lessons of EDSA—the power of unity, the strength of the Filipino spirit, and the importance of standing up for what is right,” she said in the message that has since been deleted.
Many citizens can only react to VP Duterte’s apparent inconsistency: “Ano ba yan, Inday?”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Just like a very smart poker player, Vice President Sara Duterte keeps her cards close to her chest regarding her plans for the 2025 midterm elections or 2028 presidential polls.
On Monday (12 February 2024), she said her plans for the next elections are still “unpredictable” as of this time.
“Ang sinasabi ko lagi ay ang pulitika ay parang buhay lang iyan, hindi mo alam kung anong mangyayari bukas,” she told reporters.
It can be recalled that in a speech at an event in Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City in January, Inday Sara — as the Vice President is popularly known — announced that she would run for public office in 2025.
She cited her reason that her brothers, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, had already indicated they might not run for office again.
Now the feisty Vice President neither confirmed nor denied what her plans are in the 2025 midterm elections.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that VP Duterte is adopting her old man’s playbook, referring to former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who kept everyone guessing if he would run or not for president in 2016 until the 11th hour.
With that tack, he was able to capture the national imagination or gain mass appeal that the foul-mouthed Davao City mayor eventually ran and captured the highest position of the land.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — Trust and performance ratings of Marcos and Duterte have shown a significant rebound in the fourth quarter, as reported by OCTA Research Tuesday (06 Feb 2024).
According to the latest Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from December 10 to 14, 2023, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. saw a notable increase in trust, with a 76 percent rating, marking a three-percentage point rise from the previous quarter. Only eight percent expressed distrust, with 17 percent remaining undecided.
Marcos’s trust ratings surged across various regions, including the National Capital Region (NCR), Balanced Luzon, and Visayas, although there was a slight decline in Mindanao. Notably, he experienced a remarkable 16 percent increase in trust within the ABC class.
Similarly, Vice President Sara Duterte’s trust rating climbed to 77 percent, a modest increase from the 75 percent recorded in the third quarter. With only five percent expressing distrust and 18 percent undecided, her trust ratings exhibited positive growth in Balanced Luzon and Mindanao, albeit showing a slight decrease in NCR and the Visayas.
SP Zubiri
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s trust ratings rose by two percentage points to 59 percent, while Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez saw a four percentage point increase to 64 percent. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s trust rating also showed a slight increase, reaching 23 percent from the previous survey.
In terms of performance, Marcos’s rating surged by six percentage points to 71 percent, bolstered by gains in the Visayas, Balanced Luzon, and NCR. Similarly, Duterte’s performance rating increased by five percentage points to 75 percent, driven by improvements in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Zubiri’s performance rating saw a slight uptick to 60 percent, while Romualdez’s rating climbed by four percentage points to 65 percent. However, Gesmundo’s performance rating experienced a slight decline to 18 percent, with 71 percent of respondents remaining undecided.
The survey, which involved 1,200 respondents, carries a margin of error of plus or minus three percent nationwide.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that the UniTeam remains despite the criticisms that the President is getting from the father of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
When asked about his relationship with the Vice President given the attacks made against him by her family, the President said their relationship remains the same.
“Well, it’s exactly the same because she has – of that nature. And, wala naman siyang sinasabi na ganyang klase. So, hindi naman nagbabago,” Marcos said.
The President also emphasized that his “UniTeam” with Vice President Duterte is still intact.
I believe so because if you remember ‘Uniteam’ is not just one party or two parties or three parties. It’s the unification of all political, hopefully, all political forces in the Philippines to come together for the good country,” the Chief Executive said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — It’s not rocket science not to be able to comprehend that Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Zimmerman Duterte wanted President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to resign so that his sister Vice President Sara Duterte could take over the country’s top post.
This, in essence, was former Akbayan party-list Rep. Barry Gutierrez was driving at when he questioned on Tuesday Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense that her younger brother only made the “resign PBBM” dare out of “brotherly love.”
“Excuse me po, pero huwag natin kalimutan na kapag nasunod ang kapatid mo, ikaw bigla ang Presidente. Wow lang, diba?” said Gutierrez in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Under the rules of succession in the 1987 Constitution, the vice president will take over if the president resigns.
“Hindi yan ‘brotherly love’ kundi ‘blatant self-interest’,” Gutierrez pointed out.
In a rally last Sunday (January 28), Baste called on Marcos Jr. to resign, expressing dismay with his alleged laziness and uncaring leadership.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Like a sore thumb, Vice President Sara Duterte’s stay in the Cabinet of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is no longer tenable.
This is according to Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares who, on Monday (29 Jan 2024), said VP Sara should resign following the word war between PBBM and former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“It’s her choice, and it’s President Marcos’ choice. Ang sinasabi ko lang naman, how can you maintain your position in the Cabinet after your father and your brother called your principal (out) for being a drug addict and at the same time dapat mag-resign,” Colmenares said.
On Sunday (January 28) in a Davao City rally, FPRRD assailed Marcos Jr. and accused him of being a drug user while Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte spewed expletives at the President and dared him to resign.
However, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the President was “never on our watch list.”
On Monday, Marcos Jr. shot back, saying the elder Duterte’s tirade may have been prompted by the effects of fentanyl, a powerful painkiller that Duterte admitted in 2016 he used to take for a motorcycling injury.
“Para sa akin, the Vice President cannot continue to be a part of the Cabinet ni President Marcos… Hindi na yan tenable na mag-stay ka pa dyan. What will you do in Cabinet meetings? Puwede ba yun, wala nang tiwala sayo ang buong gabinete?” Colmenares stressed.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio vowed to join the kick off Bagong Pilipinas in Quirino Granstand on Sunday 28 Jan 2024) together with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Kaisa ang buong Department of Education sa pagsusulong ng 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda ng Marcos administration para sa pagbabago ng buhay ng mga Pilipino,” Duterte-Carpio said.
She said that she has attended the prayer rally of different sectors in Davao City against supposed people’s initiative for Charter change.
“Mahalagang makita at maintindihan natin ang panganib na nakaamba sa atin oras na tuluyan nating isinuko ang ating Saligang Batas sa kamay ng mga taong may personal at politikal na interes,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Davao Third District Councilor Conrado Baluran earlier said that over 50,000 individuals were expected to attend the prayer rally.
“Together with the calling for every Filipino people to participate in this greater cause for a nationwide campaign, Davao City will remain resilient and will not just stand aside as an observer but shall take part continuously striving to unite for one nation, one strong opposition,” Baluran said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Short of saying that it’s all intrigue, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday (26 Jan 2024) said Vice President Sara Duterte should not listen to “marites,” including a “female senator,” apparently referring to his cousin Senator Imee Marcos.
“Kung nakikinig siya (VP Duterte) sa mga marites, or kung kaninong senadora diyan, that’s up to her, but maski paano may pinagsamahan din kami dati,” Romualdez quipped.
The leader of the 316-member House of Representatives maintained that he fully supports the Vice President and Education Secretary despite an alleged rift between the former UniTeam allies.
“On my part, I have not attacked any ally of this administration… I respect the vice president as my vice president, as my secretary of education. She has my full support. I don’t know what I have said or done to attack her,” Romualdez stressed.
Rumors on the alleged rift surfaced during the budget season when the House of Representatives stripped the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) of a combined P650 million in proposed confidential funds in the 2024 national budget.
The beneficiaries of the House’s realignment of the confidential funds from OVP and DepEdP include the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (P300 million), the National Security Council (P100 million), and the Philippine Coast Guard (P200 million).
“I wish her nothing but all the best. I respect her and sa totoo lang po nami-miss ko siya kasi dati parati kami magkasama,” Romualdez pointed out.
The Speaker from Leyte served as Inday Sara’s campaign manager during the 2022 election.
Last January 16, Sen. Marcos admitted her rift with Romualdez, which she said stemmed from her decision to side with the Dutertes in the tiff with the House of Representatives.
“Si Speaker, alam ko may tampo sa akin mula pa October. Bakit ako kumakampi sa mga Duterte? Sabi ko hindi ako kumakampi. Sa akin lang kasamahan natin ‘yan, kaalyado natin ‘yan. Higit sa lahat, kaibigan na wala namang ginagawang masama, bakit natin aawayin?” the lady senator from Ilocos Norte said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — It’s just a text or phone call away between BFF (best friends forever), but it’s seemingly not the case between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte with regards to the latter’s 2025 election plans.
On Wednesday, the feisty Vice President said she has yet to discuss her election plans with PBBM.
“Hindi pa po kami nakakapag-usap ni President Marcos about elections,” Duterte said when asked by reporters in a chance interview.
The Vice President said this in reaction to her 2022 UniTeam running mate’s statement that she is “testing the waters” when it comes to her political plans.
Inday Sara — monicker of the Vice President — recently announced in a Davao City event that she’s running for an elective position in next year’s midterm elections after hearing that his brothers Davao City 1st district Representative Paolo “Pulong” Zimmerman Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte would no longer run.
However, she did not reveal what position she would be running for.
Duterte was at the Esteban Abada Elementary School in Quezon City for the launch of the School Mental Health Program and School-Based Feeding Program for 2024.
There have been rumors that the UniTeam no longer exists and that the camps of PBBM and Inday Sara are cutthroat with each other.
Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV even warned that PBBM is in a “perilous situation” as long as Inday Sara remains Vice President.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In an unexpected political twist, Vice President Sara Duterte has announced that she will run for an elective post in 2025 fueling speculations that she may run for senator and wrest the Senate presidency while former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will return to his old post as Davao City mayor.
This developed as her siblings Davao City’s 1st district Representative Paolo “Pulong” Zimmerman Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte declared that they won’t run for any position in the 2025 midterm elections.
“Narinig ko na ang aking kapatid na sina Mayor Baste at Congressman Pulong, na nagsabi na hindi na tatakbo sa susunod na eleksyon. Kaya narito ako ngayon para mangampanya sa inyo dahil tatakbo ako sa susunod na eleksyon,” Inday Sara revealed in a recent gathering in Davao City.
However, she stopped short in baring what elective position she is aiming for in 2025.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that Inday Sara could be gunning for a Senate seat and then will maneuver to become Senate President in preparation for the Senate becoming an impeachment court in the event of an impeachment case against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr.
If Marcos Jr is convicted and then there’s no more Vice President, Inday Sara as Senate President will take over as acting President by way of succession.
On the other hand, FPRRD may opt to run for Davao City mayor which it could serve as his fortress and he will be untouchable by the International Criminal Court (ICC) even if convicted of his “crimes against humanity” due to the 30,000 victims of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in the course of the campaign against illegal drugs during his six-year presidency.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Mincing no words, Vice President Sara Duterte has assailed those purportedly involved in buying signatures for Charter change (Cha-Cha) via the People’s Initiative (PI).
Inday Sara — the monicker of the Vice President — stressed that these self-serving individuals, whom she did not name, are exploiting poor Filipinos, disrespecting their decision-making, and disregarding the welfare of the nation.
“Mga kababayan, ang isinasagawang pera kapalit ng pirma para sa People’s Initiative’ ay patuloy na nangyayari araw-araw sa siyudad ng Davao at sa iba pang bahagi ng bansa. Isa itong repleksyon ng pagkahilig ng mga politiko na bumili ng boto tuwing eleksyon. Ito ay pagsasamantala sa kahirapan ng ating mga mamamayan at kawalan ng respeto sa kanilang karapatan na magdesisyon nang malaya, walang takot, o impluwensya gamit ang salapi,” the young Duterte said.
Earlier, Liberal Party (LP) president and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman raised concern that certain politicians were buying voters’ signatures to falsely show there was a People’s Initiative or PI for Cha-Cha.
Presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos also claimed that around P20 million was being offered to local politicians to gather the signatures needed to push Cha-Cha via PI.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Firing the first shot this new year, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro has lambasted the Department of Education (DepEd) headed by Vice President Sara Duterte for constructing only 2,201 classrooms in 2023.
The House Deputy Minority Leader pointed out that this falls far short of the 165,000 needed and missing the target of 5,000 to 6,000.
“Disyembre 31 na pero 2,201 lang ang nagawa, ni wala sa kalahati ng sarili nilang target tapos may gana pang ipagmalaki na magandang accomplishment daw ito, napakababa naman ng standard ng Kalihim ng DepEd at napakalayo sa bilis nyang gastusin ng P125 milyon ng illegal confidential fund sa loob lamang ng 11 araw noong 2022,” Castro said on Sunday, December 31, 2023.
The national democrat lawmaker was referring to the P125 million confidential funds spent by the Office of the Vice President in the last 11 days of 2022.
“As it is, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vow to prioritize the construction of new classrooms and DepEd Secretary VP Sara Duterte’s recognition of the enormity of shortage in school infrastructure and facilities in her Basic Education Report 2023 appear to be insincere as they failed to demonstrate their firm resolve to cut down the classroom shortage significantly,” Castro hammered on.
She underscored the need to construct 50,000 annually to improve the learning conditions in public schools.
“It had been done and it can be done again if only the current administration were sincere in addressing the classroom crisis as well as the bigger learning crisis,” the ACT Teachers party-list representative stressed.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — As the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is poised to observe its 55th foundation anniversary on December 26 this year, Vice President Sara Duterte has reiterated her strong resolve to wipe out with military might the Maoist insurgency and thumbed down again any form of peace talks.
In a statement issued Thursday night (December 21), Duterte recognized the “heroism” of Army Sgt. Jernell Ramillano who died during an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) on December 17.
He was reportedly killed during a clash between 2ID troopers and an NPA band in Balayan, Batangas.
Six rebels also died in the fighting.
Lt. Col. Hector Estolas, 2nd ID public affairs chief, said a certain Kyrie/Vince, a vice platoon leader of the SPP Kawing of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Sub-Regional Military Area 4C, was critically wounded and was abandoned by his comrades.
He eventually died.
Two M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, a shotgun, 13 cellphones, and a laptop computer were among the items left behind by fleeing rebels.
2ID commander Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong praised Ramillano for his bravery and heroism.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) which, for nearly 55 years now, has been advocating what it calls the “protracted people’s war” formulated by Mao Zedong in China by “encircling the cities from the countrysides.”
Ambushcades have been the norm of attack by the Maoist rebels ever since.
Inday Sara — as the VP is fondly called — said Ramillano was just one of the victims of the “heinous crime” committed by communist rebels.
She also related the story of the mother of another soldier, Army 1Lt Jaren Relota, who was killed while fighting the NPA in Davao City in 2018.
“Paulit-ulit na sumasagi sa aking isipan ang tanong ng ina ni Jaren na nagsasabing, ‘Inday Sara, ilang anak pa ba namin ang mamamatay dahil sa mga teroristang NPA,” Duterte recalled.
She stressed that the communists were out to destroy the government and lead the country to war, poverty, and injustice.
She once again described the recent agreement between the Marcos Jr. administration and communist groups as an “agreement with the devil.”
On Friday, December 22, the military reported that soldiers from the Army 2nd Infantry Division on Tuesday thwarted a plan by communist rebels to launch attacks during the Christmas season following the recovery of anti-personnel mines during a brief clash in Tagkawayan, Quezon last Tuesday (December 18).
Reports said troops from the 85th Infantry Battalion chanced upon a 10-man NPA group in Barangay Manato Central, Tagkawayan.
After a 10-minute firefight, the rebels withdrew, leaving behind four anti-personnel mines, a bandolier with four magazines and ammunition, four backpacks, and subversive documents.
Capulong said the rebels were members of the Platun Reymark of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee under Sany Broncano Alias Tau.
(IAmigo/MNM)