Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Code of conduct on West PH okayed

From the Manila Standard Today (Nov 1): Code of conduct on West PH okayed

China and the 10-member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to adopt before the end of the year a Code of Conduct that will govern their actions regarding territorial dispute in the West Philippines Sea, officials said on Wednesday. The Asean said in a statement foreign affairs officials would discuss the implementation of the Code of Conduct when they meet in November during the 10th anniversary of the non-binding 2002 Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). The Declaration on the Code of Conduct was intended to reduce tension and prevent claimant from acting aggressively, a senior Philippine official said....

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/11/01/code-of-conduct-on-west-ph-okayed/

CPLA men turn over 17 firearms

From the Philippine Star (Nov 1): CPLA men turn over 17 firearms

Members of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) turned over 17 firearms to a representative of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) here yesterday. The firearms consisted of nine .45-caliber pistols, two machine guns, two shotguns, two .22-caliber pistols, and two backshot revolvers. They were received by Carmen Gomez of the OPAPP. The government is set to release funds for livelihood and infrastructure projects in the places where the CPLA members who yielded their guns come from.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=865491

DND puts on hold plan to get third warship from US

From the Philippine Star (Nov 1): DND puts on hold plan to get third warship from US

Acquisition of a third warship from the US has been put on hold to allow the government to equip two former US Coast Guard vessels now known as BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz. The Gregorio del Pilar was acquired last year, and the Ramon Alcaraz is expected to arrive by February. Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo told The STAR existing vessels must be equipped with the necessary weapon systems. “The additional (cutter) was put on hold,” he said. “We can use the money to enhance the capability of the two (warships). We would like to equip our ships.” Manalo said the decision to hold the acquisition of a third warship is premised on the need to enhance the capabilities of the Del Pilar and the Alcaraz. “With our limited budget, we are after the capability, we are after not only the presence but we must have deterrent capability,” he said. The government remains open to acquiring warships from the US once financial resources are available, Manalo said....

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=865572&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Peace pact boosts Noy satisfaction ratings - poll

From the Philippine Star (Nov 1): Peace pact boosts Noy satisfaction ratings - poll

President Aquino’s satisfaction ratings have gone up even more, boosted largely by the public’s positive response to the government’s signing of a framework peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), results of a recent survey showed. The Issues and Advocacy Center (The Center) survey also showed high satisfaction scores for the country’s three other top officials. In the survey, conducted from Sept. 29 to Oct. 17, Aquino obtained a net satisfaction rating of 49 percent or up by four percentage points from the third quarter figure. “The increment was largely traced to the positive response to the framework agreement that was signed between the Philippine government and the MILF,” Ed Malay, The Center head, said. “Notwithstanding the high poverty situation and unemployment rates, the ongoing conflict with China over the Kalayaan Islands (in the West Philippine Sea), the signing of the peace agreement provided President Aquino with a relief from the effects of the other issues on his governance,” he said....

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=865570&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Alleged official nabbed

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 31): Alleged official nabbed

An alleged finance officer of the Komiteng Rehiyal-Negros was apprehended at about 6 last night by a combined team of police and military operatives in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, by virtue of an arrest warrant for the crime of murder issued by Cadiz City Regional Trial Court Judge Renato Munez. Policemen, assisted by military personnel, nabbed Sarah Alvarez, alias Ka Olsen, finance officer of the KR-Negros headed by priest-turned rebel Frank Fernandez, Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said last night.... Various cause-oriented organizations had earlier slammed the military and police for the inclusion of the names of some of their members, along with alleged NPA leaders, in charge sheets and warrants of arrest, for “trumped up” criminal charges. Alvarez was reported to be connected to progressive groups Anak Pawis, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and as an education officer of Karapatan-Negros. Christian Tuayon, secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Ronald Ian Evidente, secretary general of the Kilusang Mayo Uno- Negros, and Julia Tabat, alias Pinay/Gab, who was killed yesterday in an encounter with 47th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Brgy. East, Candoni, were also among those charged for robbery-in-band, in connection with the raid on the fishpond of Sarrosa....

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/31/topstory2.htm

War-torn town gets back on its feet

From Rappler (Oct 31): War-torn town gets back on its feet

The town of Aleosan found itself at the center of hostilities in 2008 following the failure of the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Houses were burned and destroyed in the crossfire, and in Central Mindanao, nearly 700,000 people were left without a home. Four years later, both sides signed a Framework of Agreement that sets the stage for the setting up of a Bangsamoro region in Mindanao. When we arrived here on Monday, October 30, we saw no trace of tension in the area, save for the presence of two army trucks.  Col. Roy Galido, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 40th Infantry Battalion, confirmed that some members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), who instigated the 2008 conflict, reside in the area, but he stressed that the likelihood of conflict is minimal because the community does not want any more of it.  “The Freedom Movement will try to make a statement. Most of [the army’s] work here is on law enforcement. We’ve been building confidence for years. Most of them are also residents here,” he said. The town's community-based approach in settling conflict has been effective in preventing any major battles from happening again. Leaders in each local government unit work together and personally talk to the residents concerned to address even the smallest disagreements in the area. It's an inclusive and tolerant process, Galido said.  “They are our people, too. The start of peace is to open our lines to everybody,” he said. “Once conflict erupts, who will be the first victims? Their families. Of course, they don’t want that...."

http://www.rappler.com/nation/15155-aleosan-moving-from-the-center-of-conflict-to-a-place-of-peace

MILF: Editorial--‘Pulling the rug under’

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Nov 1-7): ‘Pulling the rug under’

.... After the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Manila on October 15, 2012, avalanche of aid offers from donor agencies and states are coming in to help rebuild the devastated Moro areas in Mindanao. We welcomed this and we thanked them for these offers However, these deals should and must be through proper procedures and channels. The need to understand the concepts and the intended objectives of these initiatives should be discussed and agreed first. Going directly to individual member or combatant of the MILF is not a good mode; it can be misunderstood; and more seriously, it would appear as an attempt to weaken the cohesiveness of the MILF, as a partner in the negotiation and in the agreement. In the long run, this will not be good to real peace-building and the final resolution of the age-old Moro Question in Mindanao. A devastated MILF, God forbid! Will pave the way for other armed groups, including the radicals, to seize the moment, occupy the vacuum, and challenge the state. Again, the ways of hatred, blood, and destruction will return to our midst. Do we want this recur?....

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2911:pulling-the-rug-under&catid=344:gggg

MILF: MILF Peace Panel, Australian Diplomat met

From the MILF Website (Oct 31): MILF Peace Panel, Australian Diplomat met

The Peace Negotiating Panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)had met with a top official of the Australian Embassy in Manila this morning today at the Conference Hall of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS). Present during the were Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel, Atty. Datu Michael Mastura, Senior member of the MILF Peace Panel, Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, Member of the MILF Peace Panel and Executive Director of IBS, Nicholas McCaffrey, Political-Economic and Public Affairs Counsellor of the Embassy of Australia. Counsellor McCaffrey, in his statements, reiterated the commendation and commitment of support of the Australian Government to the recently signed historic Government of the Philippines – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH – MILF) Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro....

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2909:milf-peace-panel-australian-diplomat-met&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

MILF: MILF thanks President Aquino for suspending oil bids awards in Moro areas

Posted to the MILF Website (Nov 1): MILF thanks President Aquino for suspending oil bids awards in Moro areas

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has expressed gratitude to President Benigno Aquino III for deciding favorably for the suspension of oil and gas exploration bids award in oil exploration contracts in Mindanao, particularly those in Liguasan in the Cotabato Basin and Sulu seas until the wealth-sharing issue is addressed. Earlier during his first press conference last October 27 in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim urged the Aquino government to forego the awarding of these contracts, saying that the issue of wealth-sharing is still being discussed by the negotiators of both parties when they resume their talks in Kuala Lumpur this month....

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2910:milf-thanks-president-aquino-for-suspending-oil-bids-awards-in-moro-areas&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

520th ABW Change of Command Ceremony

From the Philippine Air Force Website (Oct 30): 520th ABW Change of Command Ceremony

Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General, LT GEN LAURO CATALINO G DELA CRUZ AFP was the guest of Honor and Speaker during the Change of Command Ceremony of the 520th Air Base Wing (ABW) held this morning, 30 October 2012, at the PAF Multi-Purpose Gymnasium, Col Jesus Villamor Air Base (CJVAB), Pasay City. COL JOHN OLIVIAMOR ESTABILLO PAF (GSC) - the former Deputy Commander of 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing - is the new Wing Commander of 520th ABW replacing BGEN EDGAR R FALLORINA AFP who is now the Deputy Commander of the 3rd Air Division based in Edwin Andrews Air Base, Zamboanga City....
 
 
 
 

PN and USN Hand in Hand in a Clean-Up Drive

From the Philippine Navy Website (Oct 31): PN and USN Hand in Hand in a Clean-Up Drive

Another activity was jointly participated by the Philippine Navy (PN) and the United States Navy personnel as part of the recent George Washington Carrier Strike Group’s (GWCSG) 5 day goodwill visit which ran from October 24 to 29, 2012. A clean-up drive was conducted by both navies in the Philippine Heroes’ Cemetery also known as “Libingan ng mga Bayani” located at Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last October 26, 2012. The activity was sponsored by United States Agency International Development (USAID) which provided the necessary materials for the said clean- up activity....


navy pictures PN AND USN HAND IN HAND IN A CLEAN-UP DRIVE
















navy pictures PN AND USN HAND IN HAND IN A CLEAN-UP DRIVE
















navy pictures PN AND USN HAND IN HAND IN A CLEAN-UP DRIVE

Op/Ed: Trade-offs in the Bangsamoro pact

Op/Ed piece by Amando Doronila in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 31): Trade-offs in the Bangsamoro pact

.... The Moro wars in the Philippines have been a protracted guerrilla war stalemate that produced no decisive victory for either side. The outcome of the negotiations between the government and the MILF—the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro—was determined more by the costs of the conflict on the people of Mindanao, the economic costs to the nation, and the dislocation wrought on political stability than by the toll on the lives of combatants. From this context, we are able to make sense of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro when examining the concessions made by either side in the negotiations....The government panel was confounded by “a novel feature” of the MILF proposal for a ministerial form of government for the Bangsamoro entity under which the chief minister would be elected by the Assembly.... This departure from the existing electoral practices in electing officials from top to bottom, except during the Marcos dictatorship, is unexplored territory full of land mines that can explode in the face of Mr. Aquino’s experiment on a political settlement to buy peace with the MILF. This arrangement opened the way for possible challenges to its constitutionality before the Supreme Court, the jealous guardian of the nation’s sovereignty.....

http://opinion.inquirer.net/39800/trade-offs-in-the-bangsamoro-pact

Filipinos urged to unite, denounce violence vs armed groups

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 31): Filipinos urged to unite, denounce violence vs armed groups

In order for there to be peace in the Philippines, the entire Filipino population should be one in denouncing the violence of armed groups, a commanding general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday night. Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista, commanding general of the Army, said in an interview with editors of the Philippine Daily Inquirer that in order to obtain peace, all sectors of society must come together and express their desire for peace. “Ordinary citizens, students, businessmen, media, all of us [should] be in unison in telling [armed groups] its about time [to] end armed struggle and there are other ways of solving our problems [and] resolving conflict,” Bautista said.... “Armed struggle is a Jurassic methodology, there are more modern [and] more humane ways of resolving conflict, definitely it’s not armed struggle, we have seen that in the past,” Bautista said. “Insurgents thrive on popular support, if the popular will is to end armed struggle and all of us [denounce] it, what will be their reason for the insurgency?” he added.... “We are presenting to our people a choice between continued armed struggle and peace. We have been there for more than 40 years, what will we choose? If we chose peace rather than armed struggle then let’s get together as a people, that is the spirit of bayanihan,” Bautista said citing the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/299276/filipinos-urged-to-unite-denounce-violence-vs-armed-groups

CPP: CPP calls for opposition to Aquino plans to open 1 million hectares of Moro land to foreign mining companies

From the CPP Website (Oct 31): CPP calls for opposition to Aquino plans to open 1 million hectares of Moro land to foreign mining companies

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called on the Filipino and Moro peoples “to unite and oppose plans by the Aquino regime to open up at least a million hectares of Moro land to foreign mining companies.” The CPP said this can only result in the plunder of the Moro people’s rich oil, gas and other mineral and timber resources and the exploitation and oppression of the Moro people." The CPP said the Aquino regime is taking advantage of the “peace fanfare” over the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Manila-based reactionary Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “in order to boost the entry of foreign monopoly-capitalists companies which have long been drooling over the rich natural resources in areas covered by the Moro people’s ancestral domain.” The CPP issued the statement in reaction to reports that the Aquino regime’s Department of Energy has opened for bidding Area 11 covering 600,000 hectares and Area 12 covering 456,000 hectares of mineral lands both in Cotabato. These are located in the basin areas covering 14,000 square kilometers, including parts of the Liguasan Marsh. “The US government has long been seeking to exploit the rich potentials of the Moro land,” said the CPP. It cited a 2006 intelligence assessment by the US embassy stating that “the Philippines may have untapped minerals worth between $840 billion to $1 trillion” in Mindanao....

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/cpp-calls-for-opposition-to-aquino-plans-to-open-1-million-hectares-of-moro-land-to-foreign-mining-companies

Ex-rebel killed in clash with police, army in Ilocos Norte

From the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Ex-rebel killed in clash with police, army in Ilocos Norte
A former communist rebel was killed when he and five others reportedly clashed with policemen and army troopers in a village in Currimao town, Ilocos Norte Tuesday night. Carlo Magbulos from barangay Gulpeng, Pinili town, was killed when his group fired at authorities who were alerted of an armed group’s presence in barangay Cabuusan in the town. Currimao police said that when the authorities were approaching Magbulos’ group, and declared they were police and military officers, they were fired at by Magbulos' group. A kin of Magbulos, however, said the former rebel had since surrendered two years ago and had returned to farming. Magbulos, his family added, just came from the farm and was in the company of other farmers. One of Magbulos' companions is now under tight security in a hospital, while two others are being held for questioning while two more were able to flee, authorities said.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865396

Activists in Baguio complain of harassment

From the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Activists in Baguio complain of harassment

Activists identified with left-leaning organizations based here complained of “witch-hunting” and “trick or treating” meant to scare them. The most recent case was that of 55-year-old Milagros Ao-wat, a volunteer of the health NGO Community Health Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Region(CHESTCORE), who in September received a bag containing a black shirt, a stained white blouse and some tattered pairs of sandals. It was the Ao-wat's fifth “harassment” incident, said Imelda Tabiando of the Baguio-based Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC Inc.).... She lamented that instead of recognizing the efforts of the NGOs and development workers in helping hard to reach communities, they are tagged by the military as enemies of the state.Also, farmer-leader Modesto Hangoy from Tinoc, Ifugao, said AFP’s 86th Infantry Batalion is tagging farmers and residents as NPA rebels or symphatizers. He added that at night time, supposed intelligence agents spy on his home owing to suspicions that he is coddling NPA rebels.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865414

Marines intensify operations vs. Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

From  the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Marines intensify operations vs. Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

Marine troops have intensified pursuit operations against Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah believed to be holding seven kidnap victims in Sulu province, a senior naval officer said. Rear Admiral Armando Guzman, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), which is overseeing the Marines' operation in Sulu, said naval blocking operations also continued in the coast of Sulu to prevent the militants from slipping out of the province. “This is a normal combat operation designed to constrict the movement of the Abu Sayyaf,” Guzman said. Marines encountered a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits over the weekend. Ten bandits and four Marines were killed in the six-hour encounter in the hinterlands of Patikul town. Guzman said that part of the campaign plan was the massive civil-military operations to win the hearts of the villagers and pressure the militant group from merging with the community....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865438

Race on for top AFP post

From  the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Race on for top AFP post

The race is on for the top military post that would be vacated by General Jessie Dellosa three months from now. As gathered by The STAR, at least two senior military officers are eyeing the top post in the Armed Forces of the Philippines when Dellosa retires in January. The two officials are Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmmanuel Bautista and Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz. “Uso na naman ang gapangan ngayon. It’s between two PMA classes, the PMA Class of 1981 and PMA Class of 1980,” a Camp Aguinaldo insider said. Bautista is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981 while Dela Cruz is a member of the PMA Class of 1980. It was learned that the two senior military officials are reportedly enjoying the back of powerful group of backers, all with the direct access to the Palace. Dellosa, a member of the PMA Class of 1976, will reach the military's mandatory retirement age of 56 in the middle of January next year. Dellosa took over the AFP's top post from retired Air Force general Eduardo Oban Jr.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865449

Army: Libingan ng mga Bayani ready

From the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Army: Libingan ng mga Bayani ready

The Army is prepared for the influx of visitors in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the final resting place of soldiers and other prominent personalities. Col. Renato Verceles, chief of the Army’s Grave Services Unit, said preparations have been undertaken to ensure the convenience of the visitors of the cemetery on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. These preparations include the cleaning and repainting of concrete crosses, pruning of trees and trimming of flowers, bush cutting of grasses, aligning of crosses, repair of bathrooms, and repairing of street lights. The Army also cleaned "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers," which was built in honor of nameless war heroes. Maj. Harold Cabunoc, spokesman of the Army, said the Operational Order Pagmamahal 2012 has been launched to assist the cemetery’s visitors. He said a public assistance and information center would be set up to help relatives and families in locating the grave of their departed loved ones. “The Philippine Army will also deploy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams and Ambu-Medic Teams for security and medical support,” Cabunoc said....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865461

NPA medical officer killed in battle: Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 31): NPA medical officer killed in battle: Army

A woman believed to be a medical officer of the New People’s Army died in an encounter with soldiers of the 47th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Set-an, Brgy. East, Candoni, Negros Occidental, yesterday. Lt. Col. Rodrigo Sosmena, 47th Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday identified the slain alleged NPA amazon as Julia Pacheco Tabat, with aliases of “Ka Pinay,” “Gab” and “Alex,” who, he said, served as the medical officer of the South West Front committee of the NPA. Sosmena said the encounter took place at about 5 a.m. yesterday, as his troops responded to reports of civilians that about 20 armed NPA rebels led by Reniel Cellon, alias Kumpol, were consolidating in the area, recruiting and training minors in medical courses, as red fighters, and in making improvised explosives devices, and on landmine operations....  Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the group of Ka Kumpol is responsible for the series of killings in the hinterlands of Candoni, Ilog, Cauayan and Sipalay City, with civilians, former government militiamen and soldiers on Peace and Development Team missions, as their victims....

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/31/topstory1.htm

 

PNoy: No contracts for oil exploration until wealth-sharing issue with MILF is addressed

From InterAksyon (Oct 31): PNoy: No contracts for oil exploration until wealth-sharing issue with MILF is addressed

The government will not award any service contracts for oil exploration in areas near the Liguasan Marsh until it forges a wealth-sharing agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), President Benigno Aquino III said on Wednesday. "Chairman Murad is correct, Wealth-sharing is one of the annexes that we have to finish," Aquino said referring to the annexes of the government's framework agreeement with the MILF that will pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro region in the Philippines. "From what Energy Secretary Rene Almendras explained to me, we have not yet opened the areas for bidding," the President added....

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46923/pnoy-no-contracts-for-oil-exploration-until-wealth-sharing-issue-with-milf-is-addressed

13 soldiers to face court martial for deaths of wife, sons of anti-mining lumad leader

From InterAksyon (Oct 31): 13 soldiers to face court martial for deaths of wife, sons of anti-mining lumad leader

Thirteen soldiers will face court martial for shooting dead the wife and two sons of a tribal leader who opposed a Swiss-Australian mining project, the military said Wednesday. A military inquiry found the soldiers were negligent when they engaged in a shootout with the tribal leader because they did not try to avoid civilian casualties, said armed forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza. "There is a violation of the rules of engagement. You should fire only aimed shots and determine your targets before you fire," he told AFP. Paniza said a lieutenant and 12 enlisted men involved in the killings could face life in jail if found guilty....

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46929/13-soldiers-to-face-court-martial-for-deaths-of-wife-sons-of-anti-mining-lumad-leader

Navy reservists train in Samar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 31): Navy reservists train in Samar

Sixty navy reservists are undergoing Ready Reserve Organizational Training at the Samar State University (SSU) to ensure that they can respond to their call of duty at any given time and scenario. Colonel George Fernandez, chief of staff of the Naval Reserve Command, served as guest speaker in the opening ceremony on October 27. In his message, Fernandez said that as reservists, they must always be equipped with the right knowledge and skills in times of disaster, calamities and emergencies. “Our reserve force must serve as effective complements of our regular forces,” he told them. "You will be organized into a cohesive force, trained as a team but develop individual skills ready in times of mobilization and offer peacetime services especially in the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” he said. “We also want you to assist our regular forces in the conduct of nation-building efforts in support to the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) 'Bayanihan,’” Fernandez urged reservist-trainees....

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221351590634

Framework Agreement advocates adopt “I am for Peace” slogan, hold assembly

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 31): Framework Agreement advocates adopt “I am for Peace” slogan, hold assembly

While details of the Framework Agreement need to be ironed out, aggressive information and education campaign of peace advocates, supporters and stakeholders are ongoing to generate public awareness and better understanding to achieve the goal of the agreement. With the slogan “I am for Peace” local officials, residents and peace advocates welcomed and joined the peace ambassadors in the conduct of a general assembly cum medical and dental mission, fun games and feeding program in the town of Aleosan, Cotabato Province last Oct 29, 2012. Peace ambassadors composed of artists Jeffrey “Epi” Quizon, Ebe Dancel, football players of the Philippine Azkals and local singing talent sensation Khomeini Bansuan immersed with civil society groups, executives and other sectors of the community in the assembly rallying for support to the Framework Agreement initiated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)....

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1661351647965

Govt security forces arrest NPA extortion team member

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 31): Govt security forces arrest NPA extortion team member

Joint elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police (PNP)captured a New People's Army (NPA) rebel in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental Tuesday. The police identified the arrested rebel as Sarah Alvarez, alias Olsen, said to be a member of NPA extortion team.... Alvarez is reportedly involved in the murder of 1Lt. Archie Polenzo of 62IB in Cadiz City in 2010 and the armed robbery of a fishpond in Sagay City in 2011. "This will cripple their (NPAs) extortion activities," said Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Brigade Commander. For his part, 62IB Commander Efren Morados said, "her significance is evident with her direct links with financial and logistics bureaus of the NPA movement within Northern Negros and the island as a whole. She plays an important role in the Northern Negros Front's extortion activities."
 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=467242

Army exhorts soldiers to get more evidence vs. rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 31): Army exhorts soldiers to get more evidence vs. rebels

The Army has challenged all enlisted men to collect, first and foremost, substantial evidence strong enough to effectively bring justice to their fallen comrades slain by New People’s Army rebels. Maj. Gil Ileto, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Western Visayas, was obviously disheartened by the court's decision to drop the murder charges against Roger Belo, an NPA rebel from Capiz accused of killing a government soldier after witnesses withdrew. Ileto issued the challenge to keep military morale high. Belo was captured by police and soldiers from the 61st Infantry Batallion on Oct 21 last year. Saddened by the unfortunate turn of events, Ileto exhorted his fellow soldiers to dig more evidence against persons running afoul of the law to make them pay for their crimes no matter who they are.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=467353