Wednesday, September 26, 2012

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 27): Entire family arrested at police checkpoint in Basilan city

Nixon Alonzo, executive director of Basilan Human Rights Action Network (Bahran), said members of the Bataa family were entering Lamitan City when the vehicle they were riding was flagged down by SAF men at a checkpoint near Claret High School past 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The Bataas are from the village of Kaddayan in Akbar town, said Alonzo..... Supt. Edgar Danao, CIDG chief for Western Mindanao, confirmed that a man, whom he did not identify, had been arrested in Lamitan on suspicion of being an Abu Sayyaf bandit.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/278026/entire-family-arrested-at-police-checkpoint-in-basilan-city
From the Philippine Daily  Inquirer (Sep 27): Military saddened by death of MILF commander Solaiman

Col. Prudencio Asto, speaking for the 6th Infantry Battalion, said even if it was an MILF leader, Solaiman, more popularly known as Commander Adan, preferred diplomacy in settling causes of violence in the war-torn province. Adan died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday, the MILF has confirmed. “He was a peacemaker revolutionary, who preferred peaceful means of settling long-standing family feuds in Maguindanao,” Asto said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/278358/military-saddened-by-death-of-milf-commander-solaiman
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 27): Rebel leader killed in Bicol

Joint military intelligence operatives from the Regional Public Safety Battalion in Bicol killed a rebel team leader while patrolling to secure an area against insurgency on Thursday. Regional Police Information Officer, Renato Bataller, said a certain Antonio Perelonia, who is known as "Ka Eddie" was killed in the five-minute encounter that took place around 6:10 am Thursday in Barangay Uma Uma here.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=457852
From the National Democratic Front Website (Sep 25): Remember martial law, persevere in the correct and just revolutionary struggle

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines - Eastern Visayas today joins the Filipino people in remembering the martial law proclamation of the Marcos fascist dictatorship forty years ago. “The dictator Marcos imposed martial law to monopolize power over the reactionary ruling system that was then in the throes of crisis,” said NDFP-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago Salas. (Excerpt from statement issued by Eastern Visayas NDF)

http://ndfp.net/joom15/index.php/media-releases-mainmenu-53/statements-mainmenu-71/1520-remember-martial-law-persevere-in-the-correct-and-just-revolutionary-struggle.html
From the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Sep 27): EU Ambassador unveils peace murals, reiterates support to GPH – MILF Peace Process

His Excellency Ambassador Guy Ledoux of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines led the unveiling of peace murals at Awang Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao yesterday. The peace murals were the winning paintings of elementary pupils from conflict affected communities in Maguindanao during the Let’s Paint for Peace Competition sponsored by the EU in collaboration with the International Monitoring Team (IMT), Department of Education (Dep-Ed) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Negotiating Panels.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2857:eu-ambassador-unveils-peace-murals-reiterates-support-to-gph--milf-peace-process&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
Posted to the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) Website (Sep 22): ANAD supports move to disqualify Maoist terrorist pseudo party-list groups

The pro-democracy ALLIANCE FOR NATIONALISM AND DEMOCRACY (ANAD) Partylist strongly supports the move by some well-meaning pro-democracy organizations and individuals asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct an investigation on the partylist groups: Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and Katribu; and to cancel their respective registration and accreditation if the Comelec finds and determines that the these groups and their respective nominees are not qualified.

http://www.anadpartylist.org/20120922/anad-supports-move-to-disqualify-maoist-terrorist-pseudo-party-list-groups.html
Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front (pro-Misuari) Website (Sep 23): Myth and Reality of  'Business Partners' and 'Ambassadors of Peace' Under Philippine Colonialism

Now that the bloody Philippines-Bangsamoro war in war-ravaged Mindanao has been raging for more than forty years and more human killings and wanton destruction are forthcoming, Philippine colonialism under President Benigno S. Aquino III has given it a new face to distinguish it from the ugly Marcosian 'New Society' (Bagong Lipunan) carnage outlook. Under the political cliche 'Straight Pathway' (Matuwid na Daan) brand of governance, the surreal political mirage is prime-timed with the introduction of 'business partners' and 'ambassadors of peace' as new commercial components to end presumably the longest war in Southeast Asia second only to the Vietnamese-American war in the past.....

 
From the Philippine Information Agency: Phl, US to conduct joint civic action projects in Palawan

Armed forces of the Philippines and the United States will conduct joint humanitarian and civic action activities in Palawan as part of the Philippine-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) 2012 on October 8-18. During the meeting of the Palawan Communicators Network, Lt. Col. Neil Anthony Estrella, spokesperson and public information officer of the Western Command, said participants in these projects will be divided between two selected barangays in the city – Macarascas and Tagburos, where activities would include school building construction/improvement, distribution of school supplies, and medical/dental care.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=711348472646
Posted to the U.S. Embassy Manila Website (Sep 25): Annual Amphibious Landing Exercise to Open October 8

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces from U.S. Pacific Command will participate in Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013 (PHIBLEX 13) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines from Oct 8-18, 2012. PHIBLEX 13 is a regularly scheduled exercise hosted annually by the Republic of the Philippines. PHIBLEX 13 is the 29th iteration in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security by ensuring interoperability and readiness of Philippine and U.S. forces.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/phiblex2014.html
From the Philippine Star (Sep 26): Gov't urges NPA to surrender perpetrators of Davao City bombing


The government said today that "justice will remain unserved" for the 50-odd civilians injured in the recent grenade bombing in Davao unless the New People's Army (NPA) surrenders the perpetrators of the crime to face the bar of justice. "The grenade attack is in violation of international humanitarian law and Philippine law," Padilla said, reiterating the position of the Philippine government that the suspects behind the bombing should face criminal charges before the court.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=853233&publicationSubCategoryId=200
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 26): Philippines, US Marines to conduct war games in Subic Freeport

The Philippines and United States military will jointly conduct the annual amphibious landing exercise (Phiblex) in this Freeport starting on October 8, this year.  Phiblex is conducted annually to serve as a venue for joint and combined training not only for the Marine Corps of the Philippines and the United States, but for the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy’s Air Group and Special Operation Group as well.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=457544
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 26): Army disarm powerful IED in Maguindanao

Alert civilians helped prevent a powerful explosion of an improvised bomb when they immediately alerted soldiers in Maguindanao, the Army said. Col. Prudencio Asto, chief of public affairs office of the 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division, said the IED fashioned from 105 mm mortars with mobile phone as trigger mechanism was put inside a sack and left unattended at a roadside in Barangay Macasampen, Guindulungan, Maguindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=457536
From the Sun Star (Sep 27): Hackers attack government websites: Reactions on social media

In protest of the newly signed anti-cybercrime law in the country, “Anonymous Philippines” hacked Wednesday night the following websites:
 

The hackers describe themselves in these words: "We are Anonymous, We are legion, We don't forgive, We don't forget, United as one, Divided by zero, Expect us."
 
From the Sun Star (Sep 26): Filipino marines shift from terror to sea disputes

Philippine officials said more than 100 marines have left southern Sulu province, where they helped battle al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants for years, to a western province to help reinforce the country's claims in disputed South China Sea territories. Officials said a significant military force of about 5,000 will remain in Sulu to deal with lingering Abu Sayyaf threats. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the shift is part of a plan for the military to gradually shift from an anti-insurgency role to territorial defense.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/09/26/filipino-marines-shift-terror-sea-disputes-244943
From the Philippine Star (Sep 26): MNLF reiterates support to peace efforts in Mindanao

The chairman of the MNLF’s largest and most politically-active group, Cotabato City Vice-Mayor Muslimin Sema, said that the Moro National Liberation Front will campaign for its favored candidates in the 2013 polls by supporting the government’s separate peace efforts with the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). 

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=853050
From MindaNews (Sep 26): GPH, MILF reset talks but remain optimistic

The government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels have rescheduled their September 25 to 28 talks to early October, upon the request of the government. But both expressed optimism that the framework agreement, the first of a series of agreements, would be signed soon.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/09/26/gph-milf-reset-talks-but-remain-optimistic/
From the Philippine Star (Sep 26): Abu Sayyaf member nabbed in Zambo City


An Abu Sayyaf member, tagged in the kidnapping and beheading of plantation workers 11 years ago, was captured by Air Force intelligence members in a coastal village in Zamboanga City, a security official said. The suspect identified as a certain Abu Bandam alias Bayaw was captured Tuesday about 6:45 p.m. by elements of the 3rd Air Division intelligence unit at Barangay Recodo.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=853069
From the MILF Website (Sep 26): ARMM election not a factor in GPH-MILF peace negotiation
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has never been a factor in the 16-year GPH-MILF peace negotiation. We don’t mind if the election in this administrative region pushes through or not. It is government affair.” This was the statement of Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF Secretariat, in reaction to a statement attributed to MILF Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar that the MILF has asked the government to postpone the election.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2856%3Aarmm-election-not-a-factor-in-gph-milf-peace-negotiation&catid=31%3Ageneral&Itemid=41


Posted to ABS-CBN (Sep 25): MILF commander dies of cardiac arrest
Von Alhaq, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the armed wing of the MILF, said Musanip Sulaiman, alias “Commander Adan” of the MILF’s 106th base command, died at the Tamundong Hospital in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/25/12/milf-commander-dies-cardiac-arrest


Posted to Rappler (Sep 25): Al-Qaeda's black flag seized in ASG camp
Philippine police discovered a black flag in an Abu Sayyaf camp in Zamboanga City last week, the same black flag that has appeared in violent Muslim protests around the world. The black flag taps into a secret motivation of al-Qaeda: a “narrative that convinces them that they’re part of a divine plan, ” according to former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Ali Soufan in his book "The Black Banners: The Inside Story of 9/11 and the War Against al-Qaeda."

http://www.rappler.com/nation/13051-al-qaeda


From the Sun Star-Manila (Sep 25): US-Philippines to hold joint military exercise in October

Close to 4,000 personnel from the United States and Philippine armed forces will be participating in an annual joint military exercise next month, the US embassy said. The embassy said members of the US Armed Forces from its Pacific Command will participate in the Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013 (PHIBLEX 13) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on October 8 to 12.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/09/25/us-philippines-hold-joint-military-exercise-october-244745


From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25): Army, LGU Damulog beef up info drive on winning peace
The local government of Damulog, Bukidnon and the Information Support Affairs Team of the Army’s 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion conducted a six-day information drive and medical mission. The activity is primarily to pre-empt insurgent activities and heal psychological and emotional distress of affected communities. It was formally opened with a short program, followed by the medical mission, information drive (Pulong-pulong) and film showing.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1461348471783



From the Philippine Star (Sep 24): AFP revamp: New commanders assigned to military posts
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday named senior military officers to four key field positions, triggering a major revamp in the command leadership of the Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine Navy (PN).

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=852362


From ABS-CBN (Sep 24): Moro rebels aim for peace plan
MILF plans to sign a roadmap for peace this year, their chief negotiator said. "We can see the light at the end of the tunnel and believe we are 85 percent sure it will be signed by the end of the year," MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal told AFP on Sunday, referring to the roadmap both sides have been working on.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/24/12/moro-rebels-aim-peace-plan


Posted to the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Sep 23): Hunt for Sayyaf leader starts
Police operations against the Abu Sayyaf leader who was injured but escaped a government raid was launched Saturday. Khair Mundos managed to escape when the government troops overran the Abu Sayyaf bandits’ training camp in Sitio Dulian, Calabasa village, 55 kilometers east of Zamboanga City on Thursday. The government raid resulted in the death of four Abu Sayyaf members and a bandit's wife, and wounding of four other people, including Mundos. One of the four slain bandits was Termije Ajijul, a right hand of Mundos. Ajijul’s wife, Sitti Raja Salvin, was also killed.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2012/09/23/hunt-sayyaf-leader-starts-244357


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