Sunday, October 21, 2012

Military says Kato’s group on the run

From the Manila Standard Today (Oct 22): Military says Kato’s group on the run

THE operations to hunt down and neutralize the bandits in Mindanao will buttress a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the military said Sunday. Armed Forces Chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa said the military will support police operations against groups such as the breakaway Bangamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which engaged MILF forces in a shootout on Saturday. “The BIFF was already flushed out of Camp Omar [in Maguindanao] and we are hunting this group, especially [their leader,] Umbra Kato,” Dellosa said. “They are on the run....”

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/10/22/military-says-katos-group-on-the-run/

Misuari on Bangsamoro territory: “five tiny provinces”

From MindaNews (Oct 22): Misuari on Bangsamoro territory: “five tiny provinces”

From a makeshift stage at the Crocodile Park here, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari, introduced by the emcee as “President of the Bangsamoro Republik,” rattled off his achievements in the Bangsamoro struggle in an introduction of himself written in third person and read by him for 16 minutes and in the next 30 minutes criticized the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro as a product of a “tripartite conspiracy” that reduced the Bangsamoro homeland to “five tiny provinces hardly the size of the Cotabato (Empire) of yore....” Crowd estimates varied from 3,000 to 10,000 but a Manila-based photographer used to covering rallies told MindaNews, “mga 1,500 to 2,000 lang.” A number of the men in the crowd wore mostly new camouflage pants and black shirts of different designs and initials. They gathered in front of the stage when the emcee ordered “formation na” at 2:15 p.m. Misuari, he said, was nearing the Park…. “The conspiracy in Malacanang Palace that afternoon of October 15 and the signing was like signing figuratively, their own death sentence,” Misuari said. MILF chair Al Haj Murad and the MIF he said, were “duped and ensnared” and had “fallen along the way, ending up joining traitors to their cause.” He said the MILF leaders had become “pure and simple puppets and pawns” of the  Philippines and Malasian “colonial powers....”
 

Misuari calls peace deal a 'conspiracy'

From Rapper (Oct 21): Misuari calls peace deal a 'conspiracy'

Addressing an estimated 7,000 members and supporters of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who gathered in Davao City on Sunday, October 21, Nur Misuari declared that the Framework Agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is a conspiracy between both sides that must be blocked. Misuari, the MNLF chair who in the early 1970s founded the erstwhile secessionist MNLF, said the present talks between the Aquino administration and the MILF aim to emasculate the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement that were signed by the MNLF with the Philippine government. The Tripoli pact was signed with the Marcos government, while the 1996 peace agreement was with the Ramos government. “This is an attempt to downgrade the peace treaties,” Misuari said. The senior Moro leader added that the Framework Agreement is another “recipe for tragedy and war,” but did not elaborate....

MORO LEADER. MNLF chair Nur Misuari in an October 21, 2012 meeting with supporters. Photo by Karlos Manlupig

MNLF chair Nur Misuari in an October 21, 2012 meeting with supporters.
Photo by Karlos Manlupig

Photo by Karlos Manlupig

Photo by Karlos Manlupig

Photos by Karlos Manlupi

http://www.rappler.com/nation/14592-misuari-calls-peace-deal-a-conspiracy

Army donates armchairs to a Madrasah in Lanao del Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 21): Army donates armchairs to a Madrasah in Lanao del Sur

The 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade of the Philippine Army donated armchairs to a Madrasah (Arabic school) in the municipality of Bacolod-Kalawi, this province, as a gesture of support to Islamic leaders’ vision to strengthen the religious foundation of the Maranao children. The Haribon Brigade turned over the armchairs to Aleem Abu Ali J. Cali, president of Mahad Al Irshad Al Islamie, in a simple ceremony held October 13 at the said school.... The donation of armchairs is in line with the Internal Peace and Development Program “Bayanihan” to strengthen the soldiers’ engagement with the locals. The Haribon Brigade has donated so far around 600 armchairs to around 10 Madrasahs in the province. These armchairs were produced using logs confiscated from unlawful logging operations in the province. (103rd Bde CMO/APB-PIA 10)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1521350713621

Philippine rebels says new clash unrelated to pact

From the Associated Press (Oct 21): Philippine rebels says new clash unrelated to pact

The largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines says a new clash between some of its fighters and a breakaway faction was sparked by a clan feud and is unrelated to a recently signed peace pact opposed by the faction. Dozens of gunmen from the main Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement clashed Thursday in a village in Mamasapano town in southern Maguindanao province, killing two combatants and wounding four others. A spokesman of the main rebel group, Von al Haq, said Sunday it is taking steps to pacify the warring rebels and prevent an escalation. The main group signed a preliminary peace pact with the government on Oct. 15. The breakaway rebels ignored the accord and vowed to continue fighting.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jptb2KGAFGvH4WORHeLyXT4S22ZA?docId=c3d41dc52d984c4ca2efc1b7d0b08ebc

Misuari: MNLF keeping options for armed struggle open

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 21): Misuari: MNLF keeping options for armed struggle open

Moro leader Nur Misuari told his followers here, on Sunday, that armed struggle would remain an option for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to advance the cause of the Bangsamoro even if it had signed a deal with the government in 1996. “Armed struggle as an option is always there. But we are committed to our peace advocacy,” he said.  Arriving in hauler trucks and cars, some 7,000 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in neatly pressed fatigue uniforms and supporters, including women in their colorful hijabs, and children, gathered at the Crocodile Park here Sunday for a summit called for by Misuari.... Amid chants of “Allahu Akbar (God is Great),” Misuari addressed his followers – who came from various Mindanao areas – and repeatedly declared the framework agreement as “unacceptable and could trigger a bigger war in Mindanao.” “Of course we can not accept it. It would be another recipe for war,” Misuari said, adding that it was a conspiracy to dilute the gains of the 1996 peace pact signed by the MNLF with the Ramos administration, as the crowd roared in approval anew....

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/293208/misuari-mnlf-keeping-options-for-armed-struggle-open

US warships carrying nukes, fishers claim

From the Business Mirror (Oct 21): US warships carrying nukes, fishers claim

U.S. warships visiting Philippine ports must be assumed to carry nuclear weapons. This view was aired over the weekend by the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), noting that the US policy of neither confirming nor denying that such ships carry nuclear armaments must be taken to mean that they have those weapons. Pamalakaya noted that some countries generally opposed to nuclear weapons do not allow any US nuclear warship to dock at their ports. There is no sense for US aircraft carriers and other ships to carry ballistic missiles armed with conventional warheads, Pamalakaya argued. “But President Aquino and top officials of the administration are ignoring this highly strong probability,” the group added....  “The Aquino administration, as usual, wants to make it appear as regular port call but that is not the real score. The real score is that the US is preparing the country as staging ground or launching pad for nuclear attack against entities or nations that would challenge its dominance as a global policeman,” Pamalakaya National Chairman Fernando Hicap said. Pamalakaya scoffed at the participation of US sailors in community projects here and noted that the professional exchanges that the government talks about will involve the current territorial dispute between the Philippines and China. Earlier, Hicap charged Mr. Aquino of violating the Constitution by allowing US military forces to use the Subic International Airport. “The Subic International Airport is just a name. In real life, it is a US military facility operating on a regular basis to accommodate increasing numbers of American troops gearing for wars of aggression in different parts of the globe,” Hicap said....
 

Armed Forces major revamp starts

From the Business Mirror (Oct 21): Armed Forces major revamp starts

A MEMBER of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matapat” Class 1979 is being eyed to occupy the top position of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces (Isafp) following the promotion of the unit’s current commander. Maj. Gen. Samuel Narbuada was strongly recommended to the Isafp post,” a senior officer, who was privy to the new wave of reshuffle of commanders, said. This is the second time Narbuada was recommended to the position since 2011. He was a former Armed Forces assistant deputy chief of Staff for Intelligence (J-2). Narbuada is currently the inspector general of the Army. If President Aquino approves the recommendation, Narbuada will replace current Isafp chief, Maj. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo of PMA “Mapitagan” Class 1980, who was appointed as the new commander of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division based at Camp Siongco in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.... The other new assignments are Col. Buenaventura Pascual, commander of Task Force Zamboanga, who was reassigned as commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade. He will be replacing Col. Lysander Suerte, who will be appointed as assistant commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry “Spearhead” Division. Col. Rafael Valencia, the current chief of the Army Resource Management Office, will assume command of the 802nd Infantry Brigade; Col. Amadeo Azul, chief of staff of 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, was reassigned as commander of 101st Infantry Brigade; and Col. Glorioso Miranda, commander of 1002nd Infantry Brigade, will become the assistant commandant and dean of academics of the Armed Forces Command and General Staff College.
 

Top level revamp set after retirement of 2 AFP senior officers

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 21): Top level revamp set after retirement of 2 AFP senior officers

The retirement of two senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including its number two man, has triggered a top-level revamp in the military organization. AFP chief of staff General Jessie Dellosa said on Sunday that President Benigno Aquino III has approved the designation of Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes as the new AFP vice chief of staff, replacing Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, who left the military service on Oct. 19, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56....  Major Gen. Rey Ardo, head of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, has been designated to take over Coballes’ post at the Western Mindanao Command. In turn, Ardo will be replaced by Major Gen. Ceasar Ronnie Ordoyo, the current chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP, at the 6th ID. Meanwhile, Major Gen. Raul Dimatatac has been named vice commander of the Philippine Air Force, succeeding Major Gen. Renato Lorenzo Sanchez, who is set to retire on Oct. 26. Dimatatac’s post as Chief of Air Staff has been given to Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Ona, the current deputy commander of the 3rd Air DivisionBrig. Gen. Edgar Fallorina was tasked to assume Ona’s positition and will be replaced as commander of the 520th Air Base Wing by Col. John Oliviamor Estabillo. Nine other senior AFP officers were also given new assignments by the President, Dellosa said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/293190/top-level-revamp-set-after-retirement-of-2-afp-senior-officers

MNLF officials blast framework agreement at Davao gathering

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 21): MNLF officials blast framework agreement at Davao gathering

Arriving in hauler trucks and cars, some 7,000 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in neatly pressed fatigue uniforms and supporters gathered at the Crocodile Park here Sunday for a summit called for by their leader, Nur Misuari. Misuari had earlier said the summit would become a venue for the MNLF as an organization to discuss the Framework Agreement the government has recently signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which he criticized as illegal and could actually trigger a bigger war in Mindanao. While waiting for Misuari’s arrivals, MNLF officials and members took turns in lambasting the peace deal. One speaker said what dismayed him more was the fact the framework agreement diluted the gains of the 1996 peace pact the MNLF by dissolving the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/293176/mnlf-officials-blast-framework-agreement-at-davao-gathering

Military ready to subdue Misuari threat to sabotage PH-MILF peace pact - Dellosa

From InterAksyon (Oct 21): Military ready to subdue Misuari threat to sabotage PH-MILF peace pact - Dellosa

The military is prepared to subdue any attempt from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to sabotage the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa said.... “That’s his claim, that he has a big force. But, actually, that’s not the reality on the ground. But if ever he has that force and if they are a threat then the Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to neutralize them,” Dellosa said.
Meanwhile, intelligence sources said the military is closely monitoring some MNLF personalities who were allegedly contacting leaders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) enticing them to join their ranks....
 

Palace open to Misuari's reax on framework agreement

From Rappler (Oct 21): Palace open to Misuari's reax on framework agreement

Malacanang is not joining some political figures who are calling on Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) founding chairman Nur Misuari to support the peace framework agreement. Deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte instead said in a radio interview on Sunday, October 21, that the government peace panel is open to the opinion of Misuari on this matter.... "If I remember correctly, the peace panel---at least the government peace panel---has always been open to hearing the thoughts of Mr. Misuari and his particular statement on this matter," Valte said....

http://www.rappler.com/nation/14582-palace-open-to-misuari-s-reax-on-framework-agreement,-says-valte

PH-Aussie naval exercises to start Oct. 22

From Rappler (Oct 21): PH-Aussie naval exercises to start Oct. 22

The 12th joint marine exercises between with Philippine and Australian navies will commence Monday, October 22, focusing on anti-terrorism, disaster response, and human and drug trafficking. "Lumbas 2012," the 12th annual Maritime Training Activity (MTA) involving the Philippine Navy and the Royal Australian Navy, will start Monday aboard the HMAS Sydney in Manila's South Harbor. An estimated 300 personnel from both groups will be involved in the 5-day activity, including members of the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The training will also have activities on maritime security, surveillance and interdiction....

http://www.rappler.com/nation/14575-ph-aussie-naval-exercises-to-start-monday

Coballes named AFP vice chief of staff

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 21): Coballes named AFP vice chief of staff

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Sunday the appointment of Lt. Gen. Noel A. Coballes as the new vice chief of staff replacing Lt. Gen. Reynaldo M. Mapagu, who retired on Oct. 19. Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos Jr., the military's spokesperson, said Coballes, formerly the head of the Western Mindanao Command, will formally assume his new job on Monday, Oct. 22.... Coballes is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Mapitagan Class of 1980. He was earlier appointed as Western Mindanao Command chief last January and prior to that, he was the 1st Infantry Division commander. Further back, he was also the commanding officer of the First Scout Rangers Regiment, 1003rd Infantry Brigade, 105th Infantry Brigade, and Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent commander in East Timor. His field experience produced for him two Distinguished Conduct Stars, the second highest military honor given to officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP....

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=464409

RPM-M/RWP-M: On the Peace Framework Signing between the GPH and the MILF

Posted to the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Mindanao (RPM-M)/Revolutionary Workers Party-Mindanao (RWP-M) Website (Oct 20): On the Peace Framework Signing between the GPH and the MILF

Official Statement of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa – Mindanao (RPM-M) on the Peace Framework Signing between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 15 October 2012: The Revolutionary Workers Party – Mindanao (RPM-M) would like to congratulate the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in reaching this historic moment in its quest for the National Liberation of its people. The signing of the framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro can be a new phase of our long quest for achieving genuine peace in Mindanao through our consistent and legitimate struggle as validated in what we achieved in the negotiating table....

http://www.grenzeloos.org/jl/?p=428

CPP: Xstrata-SMI employs the 27th IB-AFP in waging ethnocide

Posted to the CPP Website (Oct 20): Xstrata-SMI employs the 27th IB-AFP in waging ethnocide

The NDF-FSMR resiliently denounces, in its utmost expression, the 27th IB’s execution of a B’laan family in Brgy. Kimlawis, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. This recent massacre of Lumads by the 27th IB involving women and children is yet another discernible terrorist exploit of the AFP shrouded by the so-called “peace and development operations” framework of Pnoy’s Oplan Bayanihan. Early morning on October 18, elements of the 27th IB Alpha Coy patrolled the civilian community in Purok 1, Sitio Alyong, Brgy. Kimlawis apparently in the hunt for armed men sighted in the area. This led to the strafing of Lumad leader Daguil Capeon’s family household, killing his wife Jovy Malid-Capeon and their 2 minor children, and wounded a woman. This criminal doing attests the AFP’s unremitting violation of the human rights ang the GPH’s neglect and breach of the CARHRIHL....

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/xstrata-smi-employs-the-27th-ib-afp-in-waging-ethnocide

MILF: Please, don’t annotate!

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Oct 15-31): Please, don’t annotate!

The negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) did not end with the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Manila last October 15. Aside from the three annexes, power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and normalization, there are still other issues that have to be settled by the parties. In this regard, it is not very healthy for either the GPH or MILF to annotate or interpret any provision of the Agreement unilaterally. Not only that this takes the nature of a negotiation --- in the media --- but it invites response from the other party, which might result in hardening of their respective positions....

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2894:please-dont-annotate&catid=344:gggg