From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): CPP-NPA at its weakest -- AFP
official
“The CPP-NPA is at the weakest point.” Thus said 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division commander Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta
Jr. in a press dispatch yesterday.
Mabanta said the series of evident infighting shows disunity and significant
leadership and conflicts within the organization.
"The state of discipline and training is also deteriorating among its ranks,
aside from the fact that they already lack credible leaders," Mabanta added.
The 3ID commander, which has the over-all jurisdiction on all military units
operating throughout Negros island including those at Siquijor island, said the
NPA infighting is also a result of the ‘tug-of-war’ for resources due to waning
extortion proceeds.
Since extortion has been an income-generating activity of the different
factions of NPA, they end up killing each other because one group would want to
dominate the other.
He said the military’s successful Bayanihan peace and development operations
and the united support of local government units, non-government organizations,
private companies and other stakeholders in Negros and Panay is gaining grounds.
Mabanta added: “The NPA is losing its mass base and the recent arrest of one
of its key leaders in Negros Occidental will serve as a lesson to other members
to surrender, embrace the peace and join the mainstream of society.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=502455
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Gapuz assumes as 6th ID chief
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): Gapuz assumes as 6th ID
chief
Major General Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, the military's biggest Army unit in Central Mindanao, has relinquished his post to Brigadier General Romeo Gapuz in a turn over ceremonies here Thursday.
Ordoyo, who belongs to Class '80 of the Philippine Military Academy, will assume as division commander of the Southern Luzon Command.
Gapuz, former commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao, graduated from the PMA in 1980. Ordoyo handed over the military division unit which he nurtured into an "Army Division of Peacekeepers."
Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, commanding general of the Philippine Army, led the symbolic change of command at the parade ground of the Camp Siongco, the 6th ID’s command center in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.
Ordoyo was very grateful for the support extended him by the officers and men of the "Kampilan" division. He said the command has been very supportive of the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The 6th ID area of coverage are the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat where most of the MILF forces have been operating.
"I salute all of you," he told the 6th ID officers and enlisted men, adding that the soldiers have a very huge roles to play in the desire of the national leadership to attain peace in Mindanao.
Ordoyo also urged Gapuz to continue the 6th ID’s simple way of helping build confidence among soldiers and Moro rebels on the ground.
During President Aquino's historic visit to the MILF territories "to bring government closer to the Bangsamoro people," Ordoyo organized a fluvial peace caravan involving Moro bancas and motorboats to show support for the GPH-MILF peace process.
After the fluvial parade, Ordoyo and his men organized a friendly football match between the soldiers and Moro rebels which was witnessed by the President.
It was part of the 6th ID’s confidence-building measures with the rebel group, both the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and MILF.
For his part, Gapuz said he will continue the peace efforts of his predecessors, including those of former 6th ID commanders Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara who is now the deputy chief of staff and Major Gen. Rey Ardo, now Western Mindanao Command chief.
Gapuz also vowed to adhere to the Armed Forces’ principles of accountability and transparency in handling the fiscal and logistical resources of the 6th ID.
“I will continue the peace efforts of my predecessors and will toe Malacañang’s line in pushing the peace process forward,” Gapuz told soldiers and guests.
His priority is the continuation of the soldiers' religious observance of the GPH-MILF ceasefire agreement which, he learned, improve the peace and order situation of the 6th ID AOR.
To the 6th ID commanders and subordinates, Gapuz said his policy is simple. "Do good and you will be rewarded, do bad and you will be punished," he told soldiers.
Present during the turn over rites were local officials from Maguindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=502492
Major General Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, the military's biggest Army unit in Central Mindanao, has relinquished his post to Brigadier General Romeo Gapuz in a turn over ceremonies here Thursday.
Ordoyo, who belongs to Class '80 of the Philippine Military Academy, will assume as division commander of the Southern Luzon Command.
Gapuz, former commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao, graduated from the PMA in 1980. Ordoyo handed over the military division unit which he nurtured into an "Army Division of Peacekeepers."
Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, commanding general of the Philippine Army, led the symbolic change of command at the parade ground of the Camp Siongco, the 6th ID’s command center in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.
Ordoyo was very grateful for the support extended him by the officers and men of the "Kampilan" division. He said the command has been very supportive of the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The 6th ID area of coverage are the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat where most of the MILF forces have been operating.
"I salute all of you," he told the 6th ID officers and enlisted men, adding that the soldiers have a very huge roles to play in the desire of the national leadership to attain peace in Mindanao.
Ordoyo also urged Gapuz to continue the 6th ID’s simple way of helping build confidence among soldiers and Moro rebels on the ground.
During President Aquino's historic visit to the MILF territories "to bring government closer to the Bangsamoro people," Ordoyo organized a fluvial peace caravan involving Moro bancas and motorboats to show support for the GPH-MILF peace process.
After the fluvial parade, Ordoyo and his men organized a friendly football match between the soldiers and Moro rebels which was witnessed by the President.
It was part of the 6th ID’s confidence-building measures with the rebel group, both the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and MILF.
For his part, Gapuz said he will continue the peace efforts of his predecessors, including those of former 6th ID commanders Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara who is now the deputy chief of staff and Major Gen. Rey Ardo, now Western Mindanao Command chief.
Gapuz also vowed to adhere to the Armed Forces’ principles of accountability and transparency in handling the fiscal and logistical resources of the 6th ID.
“I will continue the peace efforts of my predecessors and will toe Malacañang’s line in pushing the peace process forward,” Gapuz told soldiers and guests.
His priority is the continuation of the soldiers' religious observance of the GPH-MILF ceasefire agreement which, he learned, improve the peace and order situation of the 6th ID AOR.
To the 6th ID commanders and subordinates, Gapuz said his policy is simple. "Do good and you will be rewarded, do bad and you will be punished," he told soldiers.
Present during the turn over rites were local officials from Maguindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=502492
GPH, MILF sign AnnexTransitional Arrangements and Modalities at 36th exploratory talks
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): GPH, MILF sign AnnexTransitional
Arrangements and Modalities at 36th exploratory talks
The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels signed late night Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur the first of four Annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (TAM), signed at the end of the 36th round Formal Exploratory Talks, “details the road map towards the creation of the Bangsamoro” region.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the GPH and MILF also signed the Terms of Reference for the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) prepared by the Transitional Working Group (TWG) on Normalization.
The ICP will submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the Bangsamoro.
Signing for the government was Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, GPH panel chair, while Mohagher Iqbal MILF panel chair, signed for the MILF. Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, the Malaysian facilitator for the talks, witnessed the signing.
The GPH and MILF will continue their discussions on the Annexes on Wealth Sharing and Power Sharing to resolve the remaining issues. In their joint statement, the two parties likewise discussed the composition of the Third Party Monitoring Team, the body that will review, assess, evaluate and monitor the implementation of the FAB and its Annexes.
The Parties welcomed the appointment of all the members of the Transition Commission as envisioned by the FAB and provided for by Executive Order 120. They acknowledged the important role of the Transition Commission and look forward to its success.
The parties expressed their appreciation to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for his unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao and to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their untiring commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.
They also extended their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG), namely Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), Conciliation Resources (CR), Muhammadiyah, and The Asia Foundation (TAF).
The GPH and MILF expressed profound gratitude to CHD’s Mr. David Gorman for his active participation since the inception of the ICG in 2009, and his valuable contributions to the GPH-MILF peace process.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502359
The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels signed late night Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur the first of four Annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (TAM), signed at the end of the 36th round Formal Exploratory Talks, “details the road map towards the creation of the Bangsamoro” region.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the GPH and MILF also signed the Terms of Reference for the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) prepared by the Transitional Working Group (TWG) on Normalization.
The ICP will submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the Bangsamoro.
Signing for the government was Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, GPH panel chair, while Mohagher Iqbal MILF panel chair, signed for the MILF. Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, the Malaysian facilitator for the talks, witnessed the signing.
The GPH and MILF will continue their discussions on the Annexes on Wealth Sharing and Power Sharing to resolve the remaining issues. In their joint statement, the two parties likewise discussed the composition of the Third Party Monitoring Team, the body that will review, assess, evaluate and monitor the implementation of the FAB and its Annexes.
The Parties welcomed the appointment of all the members of the Transition Commission as envisioned by the FAB and provided for by Executive Order 120. They acknowledged the important role of the Transition Commission and look forward to its success.
The parties expressed their appreciation to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for his unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao and to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their untiring commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.
They also extended their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG), namely Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), Conciliation Resources (CR), Muhammadiyah, and The Asia Foundation (TAF).
The GPH and MILF expressed profound gratitude to CHD’s Mr. David Gorman for his active participation since the inception of the ICG in 2009, and his valuable contributions to the GPH-MILF peace process.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502359
Abu Sayyaf member with P1.3-M bounty nabbed in Zamboanga City
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): Abu Sayyaf member with P1.3-M bounty
nabbed in Zamboanga City
Government authorities arrested an Abu Sayyaf member with a P1.3-million bounty on his head at a hospital in this southern port city, a police official disclosed Thursday.
Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) spokesman Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca identified the suspect as Mujinar Cabalo, who uses the aliases Mujin Kabala, Aman Kabalu, Ramin and Rahim.
Huesca disclosed Cabalo was arrested by policemen around 9:02 p.m. Monday at a private hospital along Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue. Cabalo was rushed to the hospital by his family because of a heart ailment, Huesca said.
He said that Cabalo was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trail Court (RTC) Branch 23 Judge Rogelio Narisma of Kidapawan City.
Huesca said the arrested bandit faces criminal charges for murder, multiple frustrated murder and multiple attempted murder, with a monetary reward of P1.3 million for his arrest. “The accused is now under hospital arrest,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502507
Government authorities arrested an Abu Sayyaf member with a P1.3-million bounty on his head at a hospital in this southern port city, a police official disclosed Thursday.
Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) spokesman Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca identified the suspect as Mujinar Cabalo, who uses the aliases Mujin Kabala, Aman Kabalu, Ramin and Rahim.
Huesca disclosed Cabalo was arrested by policemen around 9:02 p.m. Monday at a private hospital along Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue. Cabalo was rushed to the hospital by his family because of a heart ailment, Huesca said.
He said that Cabalo was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trail Court (RTC) Branch 23 Judge Rogelio Narisma of Kidapawan City.
Huesca said the arrested bandit faces criminal charges for murder, multiple frustrated murder and multiple attempted murder, with a monetary reward of P1.3 million for his arrest. “The accused is now under hospital arrest,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502507
NPA medic surrenders, says family more important than revolution
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): NPA medic surrenders, says family more
important than revolution
Nothing can really matched the love and sense of togetherness given by being with one's family.
A New People's Army (NPA) medic surrendered to military authorities at Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City,Agusan Del Norte after rediscovering this ancient saying last Feb. 25.
The ex-rebel is a member of the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee and a trusted aide of "Ka Kenny", the commander of Guerilla Front 19.
The former said that she decided to return to the government fold after seeing the futility of her group's action and inability to help her family deal with their poverty.
The ex-rebel also cited her pregnancy as one the reasons for giving up the armed struggle. She also cited that she does not want her child to grow up in violent and disorderly surroundings hence her decision to give herself up to the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade.
“We are once again calling all other NPAs to also give your family a chance to enjoy a peaceful life. By now, your family needs you to help them in their everyday living, to be with them in times of hardships and pains, in joys and happiness, and to be with them praying for a peaceful country,” 402nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Crescente Q. Maligmat said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502538
Nothing can really matched the love and sense of togetherness given by being with one's family.
A New People's Army (NPA) medic surrendered to military authorities at Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City,Agusan Del Norte after rediscovering this ancient saying last Feb. 25.
The ex-rebel is a member of the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee and a trusted aide of "Ka Kenny", the commander of Guerilla Front 19.
The former said that she decided to return to the government fold after seeing the futility of her group's action and inability to help her family deal with their poverty.
The ex-rebel also cited her pregnancy as one the reasons for giving up the armed struggle. She also cited that she does not want her child to grow up in violent and disorderly surroundings hence her decision to give herself up to the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade.
“We are once again calling all other NPAs to also give your family a chance to enjoy a peaceful life. By now, your family needs you to help them in their everyday living, to be with them in times of hardships and pains, in joys and happiness, and to be with them praying for a peaceful country,” 402nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Crescente Q. Maligmat said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502538
Terms for Moro police commission OKd
From Rappler (Feb 28): Terms for Moro police commission OKd
The issue of policing has been considered the most contentious aspect of the Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro. After all, this involves complex problems related to maintaining peace and order in Muslim provinces in Mindanao.
The issue of policing has been considered the most contentious aspect of the Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro. After all, this involves complex problems related to maintaining peace and order in Muslim provinces in Mindanao.
To provide a framework for the future structure of the Bangsamoro police force, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) agreed under the Framework Agreement to form an Independent Commission on Policing (ICP), which will submit recommendations on how the relationship between the Philippine National Police and Bangsamoro police should work.
The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Wednesday, February 27, signed the terms of reference for the ICP during the 36th round of peace talks.
According to the document, the ICP will be composed of 7 members, with each side selecting:
- 1 local expert
- 1 representative
- 1 international expert
The chairperson will be selected by both parties.
Under its terms of reference, the ICP will not only provide "equal access to security and justice for all members of society" but also promote inclusiveness, as well as transparency and accountability.
The ICP is mandated to submit its final report within 6 months from its first meeting.
Sultan infuriates PH, Malaysia
From Rappler (Feb 28): Sultan infuriates PH, Malaysia
DEFIANT SULTAN. Jamalul Kiram III is challenging both the Philippine government and the Malaysian security forces in Sabah
From a dirty plastic chair in a rundown district of the Philippine capital, an ailing man claiming to be the head of an ancient Muslim dynasty whispers defiant decrees that infuriate a president.
Jamalul Kiram III, who insists he is the genuine "Sultan of Sulu", emerged from political obscurity this month after a few dozen of his armed followers sailed to neighbouring Malaysia to stake an ancestral territorial claim.
The gunmen took control of a small coastal village in Sabah state on Borneo island, triggering a standoff with Malaysian security forces that has yet to be resolved and deeply embarrassing Philippine President Benigno Aquino.
Although he is weak from kidney disease that needs twice-weekly dialysis, Kiram, 74, insists he is willing to take on the Philippine and Malaysian governments to assert his family's claim to resource-rich Sabah.
Speaking in a voice barely above a whisper, he tells reporters who gather daily at his modest two-storey home that his "royal army" will never abandon Sabah.
"If they have to die, then they will die. They are sacrificing (themselves) for whatever may happen," he said this week after Aquino ordered Kiram to withdraw his men back to their southern Philippine island homes.
Nostalgia of Sulu's past glory
Kiram's house in Manila is festooned with banners proclaiming the "Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo," with a coat of arms showing two crossed swords, informing visitors on the pot-holed street that they are in royal territory.
Kiram speaks nostalgically of the Sulu sultanate's glory days before European colonisation, when it ruled over Sabah and large parts of the southern Philippines.
The Kirams say they are descended from the prophet Muhammad, through a Mecca-born Arab who travelled to Southeast Asia.
The sultanate boasts that, in centuries past, it had active relations with other Asian kingdoms and even with China's Ming dynasty, while dominating the Sulu Sea with a powerful navy.
But the sultanate lost much of its influence to European colonial powers, officially losing Sabah in 1878 via a loosely worded contract to a British trading company that paved the way for it to be part of Malaysian territory. Sabah has prospered under Malaysia.
The remote islands of Sulu are however now among the poorest parts of the Philippines, home to insurgents that continue to wage rebellion against the government while dreaming of an independent Muslim homeland.
Sultan wants share of Sabah's riches
Kiram is comfortable with the sultanate remaining part of the Philippines, but he says he sent his men into Malaysia so that his family and the national government's claims to Sabah will be recognised.
The Philippine government has never renounced its claim to Sabah, however Aquino and previous governments have not challenged Malaysia over the issue, preferring instead to pursue warm bilateral relations.
Although Kiram and his advisers insist money is not the motivation for their incursion into Malaysia, they have also signalled the "royal army" would stand down if the sultanate was given a greater share of the riches of Sabah.
Under the agreement in 1878 that saw the sultanate lose Sabah, Malaysia continues to give the Kiram family a nominal compensation payment of about 70,000 pesos ($1700) a year.
"The fare for a hired (pedicab) is even higher than their payment," Kiram said.
Since the 1960s, Kiram has largely lived in Manila -- about 900 kilometres (560 miles) from the strife-torn Sulu islands -- from where he has been able to look after his business interests.
Kiram said he owned large tracts of rice and coconut plantations, and he has a wide following among the local residents in Sulu.
He lost in his sole foray into national politics when he ran for the Senate in 2007 under the party of then-president Gloria Arroyo, who now stands accused of massive corruption during her time in power.
Kiram said he ran on her ticket to better establish his credentials to the title of Sultan of Sulu, amid a bewildering array of competing claims.
Who's the 'real' sultan?
Aquino, seeking to pressure Kiram into submission, told reporters this week that the Sabah issue was clouded by questions as to who was the real sultan.
"They have at least five people who are claiming to be the Sultan of Sulu. So that is one of my first problems: who actually represents the Sultanate of Sulu?" Aquino said.
The Sulu provincial government lists on its website that one of Kiram's brothers is the sultan.
Ibrahim Bahjin, a doctor based in the southern Philippines, also insists he is the real sultan.
"All the brothers and nephews have been fighting for the sultanate. We belong to different royal houses. But I was proclaimed paramount sultan in 2004," he told AFP by phone.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/22778-sultan-infuriates-ph,-malaysia
DEFIANT SULTAN. Jamalul Kiram III is challenging both the Philippine government and the Malaysian security forces in Sabah
From a dirty plastic chair in a rundown district of the Philippine capital, an ailing man claiming to be the head of an ancient Muslim dynasty whispers defiant decrees that infuriate a president.
Jamalul Kiram III, who insists he is the genuine "Sultan of Sulu", emerged from political obscurity this month after a few dozen of his armed followers sailed to neighbouring Malaysia to stake an ancestral territorial claim.
The gunmen took control of a small coastal village in Sabah state on Borneo island, triggering a standoff with Malaysian security forces that has yet to be resolved and deeply embarrassing Philippine President Benigno Aquino.
Although he is weak from kidney disease that needs twice-weekly dialysis, Kiram, 74, insists he is willing to take on the Philippine and Malaysian governments to assert his family's claim to resource-rich Sabah.
Speaking in a voice barely above a whisper, he tells reporters who gather daily at his modest two-storey home that his "royal army" will never abandon Sabah.
"If they have to die, then they will die. They are sacrificing (themselves) for whatever may happen," he said this week after Aquino ordered Kiram to withdraw his men back to their southern Philippine island homes.
Nostalgia of Sulu's past glory
Kiram's house in Manila is festooned with banners proclaiming the "Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo," with a coat of arms showing two crossed swords, informing visitors on the pot-holed street that they are in royal territory.
Kiram speaks nostalgically of the Sulu sultanate's glory days before European colonisation, when it ruled over Sabah and large parts of the southern Philippines.
The Kirams say they are descended from the prophet Muhammad, through a Mecca-born Arab who travelled to Southeast Asia.
The sultanate boasts that, in centuries past, it had active relations with other Asian kingdoms and even with China's Ming dynasty, while dominating the Sulu Sea with a powerful navy.
But the sultanate lost much of its influence to European colonial powers, officially losing Sabah in 1878 via a loosely worded contract to a British trading company that paved the way for it to be part of Malaysian territory. Sabah has prospered under Malaysia.
The remote islands of Sulu are however now among the poorest parts of the Philippines, home to insurgents that continue to wage rebellion against the government while dreaming of an independent Muslim homeland.
Sultan wants share of Sabah's riches
Kiram is comfortable with the sultanate remaining part of the Philippines, but he says he sent his men into Malaysia so that his family and the national government's claims to Sabah will be recognised.
The Philippine government has never renounced its claim to Sabah, however Aquino and previous governments have not challenged Malaysia over the issue, preferring instead to pursue warm bilateral relations.
Although Kiram and his advisers insist money is not the motivation for their incursion into Malaysia, they have also signalled the "royal army" would stand down if the sultanate was given a greater share of the riches of Sabah.
Under the agreement in 1878 that saw the sultanate lose Sabah, Malaysia continues to give the Kiram family a nominal compensation payment of about 70,000 pesos ($1700) a year.
"The fare for a hired (pedicab) is even higher than their payment," Kiram said.
Since the 1960s, Kiram has largely lived in Manila -- about 900 kilometres (560 miles) from the strife-torn Sulu islands -- from where he has been able to look after his business interests.
Kiram said he owned large tracts of rice and coconut plantations, and he has a wide following among the local residents in Sulu.
He lost in his sole foray into national politics when he ran for the Senate in 2007 under the party of then-president Gloria Arroyo, who now stands accused of massive corruption during her time in power.
Kiram said he ran on her ticket to better establish his credentials to the title of Sultan of Sulu, amid a bewildering array of competing claims.
Who's the 'real' sultan?
Aquino, seeking to pressure Kiram into submission, told reporters this week that the Sabah issue was clouded by questions as to who was the real sultan.
"They have at least five people who are claiming to be the Sultan of Sulu. So that is one of my first problems: who actually represents the Sultanate of Sulu?" Aquino said.
The Sulu provincial government lists on its website that one of Kiram's brothers is the sultan.
Ibrahim Bahjin, a doctor based in the southern Philippines, also insists he is the real sultan.
"All the brothers and nephews have been fighting for the sultanate. We belong to different royal houses. But I was proclaimed paramount sultan in 2004," he told AFP by phone.
Gapuz takes over Army division in Central Mindanao
From the Philippine Star (Feb 28): Gapuz takes over Army division in Central Mindanao
Major Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo (left) and his successor, Brig. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, incoming commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, salute at each other during Thursday's turn over rites officiated by Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes (middle). JOHN UNSON
Brig. Gen. Romeo Gapuz on Thursday took over the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, who has been promoted as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Southern Luzon Command.
Gapuz, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1981, is leaving the Army's 4th Infantry Division.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes led the symbolic change of command at the parade grounds of Camp Siongco, the 6th ID’s command center in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.
Ordoyo said he is grateful to the soldiers of the 6th Infantry Division for supporting his peace overtures with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in support of President Benigno Aquino III’s Southern Mindanao peace process.
He urged Gapuz to continue the 6th ID’s low-level confidence-building maneuvers aimed at enhancing the cordiality of the peace talks between the government and the MILF.
While he was the Army division's commander, Ordoyo worked with Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu in organizing a fluvial peace caravan involving dozens of boats, through the Butilen-Tamontaka River, which straddles through the border of Maguindanao and Cotabato City, to show support to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed Oct. 15, 2012.
The FAB, which has four annexes – territory; wealth-and-power sharing; normalization and transitional modalities – that have been signed by the government and the MILF, aims to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a self-governing Bangsamoro political entity.
Ordoyo also spearheaded last February 11, in the presence of President Aquino, a football match between Moro athletes and soldiers at the football field of Camp Siongco.
The event was part of the 6th Infantry Division’s confidence-building measures with the rebel group.
Gapuz, meanwhile, assured that he will continue Ordoyo's peace efforts.
He also vowed to adhere to the AFP's principles of accountability and transparency in handling the fiscal and logistical resources of the 6th Infantry Division, which has jurisdiction over Central Mindanao.
“I shall continue the peace maneuvers of my predecessors with the MILF and the 6th ID, under me, will toe Malacañang’s line in pushing the peace process forward,” Gapuz said.
He said he will support the peace process and exercise his authority in seeing to it that all units of the division will continue to abide with the government’s 1997 Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities with the MILF.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/28/914226/gapuz-takes-over-army-division-central-mindanao
Major Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo (left) and his successor, Brig. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, incoming commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, salute at each other during Thursday's turn over rites officiated by Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes (middle). JOHN UNSON
Brig. Gen. Romeo Gapuz on Thursday took over the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, who has been promoted as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Southern Luzon Command.
Gapuz, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1981, is leaving the Army's 4th Infantry Division.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes led the symbolic change of command at the parade grounds of Camp Siongco, the 6th ID’s command center in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.
Ordoyo said he is grateful to the soldiers of the 6th Infantry Division for supporting his peace overtures with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in support of President Benigno Aquino III’s Southern Mindanao peace process.
He urged Gapuz to continue the 6th ID’s low-level confidence-building maneuvers aimed at enhancing the cordiality of the peace talks between the government and the MILF.
While he was the Army division's commander, Ordoyo worked with Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu in organizing a fluvial peace caravan involving dozens of boats, through the Butilen-Tamontaka River, which straddles through the border of Maguindanao and Cotabato City, to show support to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed Oct. 15, 2012.
The FAB, which has four annexes – territory; wealth-and-power sharing; normalization and transitional modalities – that have been signed by the government and the MILF, aims to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a self-governing Bangsamoro political entity.
Ordoyo also spearheaded last February 11, in the presence of President Aquino, a football match between Moro athletes and soldiers at the football field of Camp Siongco.
The event was part of the 6th Infantry Division’s confidence-building measures with the rebel group.
Gapuz, meanwhile, assured that he will continue Ordoyo's peace efforts.
He also vowed to adhere to the AFP's principles of accountability and transparency in handling the fiscal and logistical resources of the 6th Infantry Division, which has jurisdiction over Central Mindanao.
“I shall continue the peace maneuvers of my predecessors with the MILF and the 6th ID, under me, will toe Malacañang’s line in pushing the peace process forward,” Gapuz said.
He said he will support the peace process and exercise his authority in seeing to it that all units of the division will continue to abide with the government’s 1997 Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities with the MILF.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/28/914226/gapuz-takes-over-army-division-central-mindanao
Top NPA leader arrested in Bohol
From the Philippine Star (Feb 28): Top NPA leader arrested in Bohol
Combined government security forces on Tuesday arrested in Bohol a top New People’s Army (NPA) leader in Central Visayas.
Arrested for illegal possession of firearms was Ruben Nabas, who is also known as Ka Ebyong, Ka Elmer, Ka Padi and Ka Rex in the underground movement.
Nabas was arrested by policemen and Army soldiers manning a checkpoint at Barangay Catbigian in Bohol province.
Capt. Cresencio Gargar, spokesman of the Philippines Army's 302nd infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said that Nabas is the overall head of the NPA’s Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) in Central Visayas.
Gargar said that Nabas was wth his security aide, Cristituto Lastomen alias Ka Onyot, when he was arrested.
Seized from the two suspects were a .45 pistol, a 9mm pistol, P18,200 in cash and several documents of alleged high intelligence value.
Gargar said that aside from illegal possession of firearms charges, Nabas also has a standing warrant of arrest for rebellion before the Regional Trial Court Branch 63 in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
The military said that Nabas was a vice commander of the elite NPA force operating in the hinterlands of southern Negros Oriental before he moved up as head of the NPAs’ liquidation unit in Central Visayas.
Nabas reportedly led his men in attacking two police camps in Bohol in 1999 where the rebels carted away high-powered firearms.
He was also tagged as the leader of an NPA band that bombed two newly-constructed transmission line towers of the National Grid Corporation at Barangay Sta. Catalina, Sagbayan, Bohol and at Barangay Sto. Nino, San Miguel town also in the province.
The military added that several witnesses also identified Nabas as the triggerman of Chief Inspector Pelecio Domino, police chief of Talibon, Bohol.
Meanwhile, an eight-month pregnant amazon has abandoned the armed struggle and surrendered to Army authorities in Agusan del Norte.
Accompanied by her husband, who is also serving as an NPA courier, 18-year-old Ka Dimple presented herself to Army authorities at Barangay Del Pilar Cabadbaran City on Monday.
Lt. Col. Pontenciano Camba, commander of the 3rd Special Forces battalion, is withholding the true identify of Ka Dimple for the time being until she and her family are finally secured.
Camba said that Ka Dimple was as a note taker (secretary) to an NPA commander and a medic to the rebel movement.
He said security will be provided for Ka Dimple and her husband as well as for their families.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/28/914255/top-npa-leader-arrested-bohol
Combined government security forces on Tuesday arrested in Bohol a top New People’s Army (NPA) leader in Central Visayas.
Arrested for illegal possession of firearms was Ruben Nabas, who is also known as Ka Ebyong, Ka Elmer, Ka Padi and Ka Rex in the underground movement.
Nabas was arrested by policemen and Army soldiers manning a checkpoint at Barangay Catbigian in Bohol province.
Capt. Cresencio Gargar, spokesman of the Philippines Army's 302nd infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said that Nabas is the overall head of the NPA’s Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) in Central Visayas.
Gargar said that Nabas was wth his security aide, Cristituto Lastomen alias Ka Onyot, when he was arrested.
Seized from the two suspects were a .45 pistol, a 9mm pistol, P18,200 in cash and several documents of alleged high intelligence value.
Gargar said that aside from illegal possession of firearms charges, Nabas also has a standing warrant of arrest for rebellion before the Regional Trial Court Branch 63 in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
The military said that Nabas was a vice commander of the elite NPA force operating in the hinterlands of southern Negros Oriental before he moved up as head of the NPAs’ liquidation unit in Central Visayas.
Nabas reportedly led his men in attacking two police camps in Bohol in 1999 where the rebels carted away high-powered firearms.
He was also tagged as the leader of an NPA band that bombed two newly-constructed transmission line towers of the National Grid Corporation at Barangay Sta. Catalina, Sagbayan, Bohol and at Barangay Sto. Nino, San Miguel town also in the province.
The military added that several witnesses also identified Nabas as the triggerman of Chief Inspector Pelecio Domino, police chief of Talibon, Bohol.
Meanwhile, an eight-month pregnant amazon has abandoned the armed struggle and surrendered to Army authorities in Agusan del Norte.
Accompanied by her husband, who is also serving as an NPA courier, 18-year-old Ka Dimple presented herself to Army authorities at Barangay Del Pilar Cabadbaran City on Monday.
Lt. Col. Pontenciano Camba, commander of the 3rd Special Forces battalion, is withholding the true identify of Ka Dimple for the time being until she and her family are finally secured.
Camba said that Ka Dimple was as a note taker (secretary) to an NPA commander and a medic to the rebel movement.
He said security will be provided for Ka Dimple and her husband as well as for their families.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/28/914255/top-npa-leader-arrested-bohol
'Order followers home then we can talk' - Palace to Kiram
From InterAksyon (Feb 28): 'Order followers home then we can talk' - Palace to Kiram
Malacanang on Thursday said Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III must first order his followers home from Sabah before President Benigno Aquino III agrees to talk to him, urging him not to waste the “golden opportunity.”
"They want to see the President. They want to talk to the President and the President said: ‘You come home, let’s defuse the situation, let’s try to avoid bloodshed, and we will talk’," Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a briefing aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan on Thursday.
Close to 200 of the sultan’s followers, led by his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, occupied the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu town in a bid to press their claim on Sabah and have since been engaged in a standoff with Malaysian security forces.
Lacierda called Kiram’s demand for negotiations before ordering his followers home "unreasonable."
"Assuming for the sake of argument (that) we will talk to them while they don’t leave Sabah. We will talk to the Malaysians and the Malaysians will not agree to what the Kirams want, do we have a guarantee they will come back (to Sulu)? There is no guarantee," Lacierda said.
In a radio interview from Sabah, Kiram's brother insisted they had broken no law since the territory has historically and legally belonged to Sulu.
"We are not bad -- we are good people. We are law-abiding citizens. We came here to live in our place. That's not a crime," he said.
"We did not come to make war, we just came to live in our own place. If the problem is we bring guns with us, these are for our protection," he added.
Earlier this week, after saying he had ordered the creation of a panel to study the Sabah issue, Aquino ordered the investigation of Kiram and his followers for possible violations of the Constitution and of the Revised Penal Code.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56066/order-followers-home-then-we-can-talk---palace-to-kiram
Malacanang on Thursday said Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III must first order his followers home from Sabah before President Benigno Aquino III agrees to talk to him, urging him not to waste the “golden opportunity.”
"They want to see the President. They want to talk to the President and the President said: ‘You come home, let’s defuse the situation, let’s try to avoid bloodshed, and we will talk’," Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a briefing aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan on Thursday.
Close to 200 of the sultan’s followers, led by his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, occupied the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu town in a bid to press their claim on Sabah and have since been engaged in a standoff with Malaysian security forces.
Lacierda called Kiram’s demand for negotiations before ordering his followers home "unreasonable."
"Assuming for the sake of argument (that) we will talk to them while they don’t leave Sabah. We will talk to the Malaysians and the Malaysians will not agree to what the Kirams want, do we have a guarantee they will come back (to Sulu)? There is no guarantee," Lacierda said.
In a radio interview from Sabah, Kiram's brother insisted they had broken no law since the territory has historically and legally belonged to Sulu.
"We are not bad -- we are good people. We are law-abiding citizens. We came here to live in our place. That's not a crime," he said.
"We did not come to make war, we just came to live in our own place. If the problem is we bring guns with us, these are for our protection," he added.
Earlier this week, after saying he had ordered the creation of a panel to study the Sabah issue, Aquino ordered the investigation of Kiram and his followers for possible violations of the Constitution and of the Revised Penal Code.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56066/order-followers-home-then-we-can-talk---palace-to-kiram
Sulu sultan urges Aquino not to belittle Sabah claim
From InterAksyon (Feb 28): Sulu sultan urges Aquino not to belittle Sabah claim
Princess Jacel Kiram reads the statement of her father, Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III at their home in Maharlika Village, Taguig city. (photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.com)
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Thursday called on President Benigno Aquino III to stop describing their claim to Sabah as “foolhardy” as he wondered if Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II was acting as “spokesperson of Malaysia.”
He also dismissed government insinuations that his family had been prodded by other parties to press the Sabah claim by sending followers to occupy a village in Lahad Datu town.
“I, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III pledges on our Holy Koran that this aspiration to fight for what is rightfully ours, legally and historically, is a unilateral act of the Sultanate of Sulu. This I pledge in the name of the Almighty Allah,” he said in a statement read by his daughter, Princess Jacel Kiram, at a press briefing in their Maharlika Village home in Taguig City.
Kiram also asked Justice Secretary de Lima not to “insult the sacrifice of the Sultanate of Sulu by saying ‘kaya kaming sulsulan’ (we can be prodded).”
De Lima has been ordered by Aquino to lead the investigation into possible violations of the Constitution by Kiram and his followers.
The princess also questioned what she called the government’s disinterest in supporting their claim to Sabah when it provides “diplomatic support” to overseas Filipino workers arrested or convicted of crimes abroad.
In his statement, the sultan pointed told that, “the claim to Sabah is an important issue. Please stop belittling the issue by calling it ‘foolhardy’.”
“Why are you calling it foolhardy?” he asked. “Is it foolhardy to defend the patrimony of your nation? Is it foolhardy to fight for what is right? Is it foolhardy to sacrifice the lives of 235 people for the sake of truth?”
On Wednesday, Kiram had also lashed out at Aquino for ordering an investigation into possible violations of the Constitution by the sultan and his followers soon after he had ordered the creation of a panel to study the Sabah claim.
“How can we trust them (government) in that case?” Kiram asked.
In his statement, Kiram said his family’s decision to “uphold the truth and fight for (our) right to claim North Borneo did not cause any threat to the government.”
He also asked if Roxas, in saying earlier that Malaysia had no intention in negotiating with the sultanate, “is … now the spokesperson of Malaysia.”
At this point, Princess Jacel broke off from reading and said the issue raised against Roxas “is much more important because it addresses national patrimony. Secretary Roxas, kaninong interes ba ang inyong pinagsisilbihan, interes ng mamamayang Pilipino o interes ng dayuhan (whose interests do you serve, the interests of the Filipino people or the interests of foreigners)?”
“Is it hard for the Philippines and Malaysia to sit down and talk to us and settle this amicably?” Kiram asked. “Why are we talking to media? Why are we expressing our views in the media? Is it (not) easier for … us to talk officially? It seems that there is fear to talk to us officially. Why?”
Responding to reporters’ questions after reading the statement, Princess Jacel explained that “there is no official ruler of the sultanate” as she appealed to those discussing the Sabah issue to “study their history because they don’t know what they are saying.”
When sought for reaction to the government’s request for Malaysia to extend its deadline for her father’s followers to leave Sabah, the princess replied: "Wala na akong masabi, lagi na lang may (I have nothing more to say, there is always a) deadline."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56041/sulu-sultan-urges-aquino-not-to-belittle-sabah-claim
Princess Jacel Kiram reads the statement of her father, Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III at their home in Maharlika Village, Taguig city. (photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.com)
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Thursday called on President Benigno Aquino III to stop describing their claim to Sabah as “foolhardy” as he wondered if Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II was acting as “spokesperson of Malaysia.”
He also dismissed government insinuations that his family had been prodded by other parties to press the Sabah claim by sending followers to occupy a village in Lahad Datu town.
“I, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III pledges on our Holy Koran that this aspiration to fight for what is rightfully ours, legally and historically, is a unilateral act of the Sultanate of Sulu. This I pledge in the name of the Almighty Allah,” he said in a statement read by his daughter, Princess Jacel Kiram, at a press briefing in their Maharlika Village home in Taguig City.
Kiram also asked Justice Secretary de Lima not to “insult the sacrifice of the Sultanate of Sulu by saying ‘kaya kaming sulsulan’ (we can be prodded).”
De Lima has been ordered by Aquino to lead the investigation into possible violations of the Constitution by Kiram and his followers.
The princess also questioned what she called the government’s disinterest in supporting their claim to Sabah when it provides “diplomatic support” to overseas Filipino workers arrested or convicted of crimes abroad.
In his statement, the sultan pointed told that, “the claim to Sabah is an important issue. Please stop belittling the issue by calling it ‘foolhardy’.”
“Why are you calling it foolhardy?” he asked. “Is it foolhardy to defend the patrimony of your nation? Is it foolhardy to fight for what is right? Is it foolhardy to sacrifice the lives of 235 people for the sake of truth?”
On Wednesday, Kiram had also lashed out at Aquino for ordering an investigation into possible violations of the Constitution by the sultan and his followers soon after he had ordered the creation of a panel to study the Sabah claim.
“How can we trust them (government) in that case?” Kiram asked.
In his statement, Kiram said his family’s decision to “uphold the truth and fight for (our) right to claim North Borneo did not cause any threat to the government.”
He also asked if Roxas, in saying earlier that Malaysia had no intention in negotiating with the sultanate, “is … now the spokesperson of Malaysia.”
At this point, Princess Jacel broke off from reading and said the issue raised against Roxas “is much more important because it addresses national patrimony. Secretary Roxas, kaninong interes ba ang inyong pinagsisilbihan, interes ng mamamayang Pilipino o interes ng dayuhan (whose interests do you serve, the interests of the Filipino people or the interests of foreigners)?”
“Is it hard for the Philippines and Malaysia to sit down and talk to us and settle this amicably?” Kiram asked. “Why are we talking to media? Why are we expressing our views in the media? Is it (not) easier for … us to talk officially? It seems that there is fear to talk to us officially. Why?”
Responding to reporters’ questions after reading the statement, Princess Jacel explained that “there is no official ruler of the sultanate” as she appealed to those discussing the Sabah issue to “study their history because they don’t know what they are saying.”
When sought for reaction to the government’s request for Malaysia to extend its deadline for her father’s followers to leave Sabah, the princess replied: "Wala na akong masabi, lagi na lang may (I have nothing more to say, there is always a) deadline."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56041/sulu-sultan-urges-aquino-not-to-belittle-sabah-claim
Govt, Muslim rebels eye final peace deal by April
From InterAksyon (Feb 28): Govt, Muslim rebels eye final peace deal by April
The Philippines and a Muslim separatist group hope to finalize a peace agreement ending a decades-old insurgency by April, a government negotiator said Thursday.
Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are working to put the finishing touches to plans for disarmament and wealth- and power-sharing by March, and deliver a final "comprehensive agreement" in April, Miriam Coronel Ferrer said.
"We are confident. There are only a few issues left. We will find a resolution. There is no deal-breaker here," said Coronel Ferrer, the Philippines' lead negotiator.
She spoke at the conclusion of the latest round of three-day talks between the two sides in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino's government agreed in October on a road map with the MILF that aims toward a final peace deal by 2016, following years of talks hosted by Muslim-majority Malaysia.
Coronel Ferrer said a stand-off between Malaysian security forces and a group of Filipinos in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah would not affect the peace process.
Dozens of Filipinos, some reportedly armed, were dispatched there two weeks ago by
the self-proclaimed heir to a former southern Philippine sultanate to press its traditional claim to Sabah.
Jamalul Kiram III has refused to call back his men, complaining that he was left out of the peace road map agreed in October.
"The talks are driven by the two parties. The talks pertain to issues that have to be settled between the MILF and the Philippine government," Coronel Ferrer said.
The 12,000-strong MILF has been fighting since the 1970s for independence in Mindanao, the southern third of the mainly Catholic Philippines that the country's Muslim minority claim as their ancestral homeland.
An estimated 150,000 people have died in the unrest in the southern Philippines, though a ceasefire in place since 2003 has largely held.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56069/govt-muslim-rebels-eye-final-peace-deal-by-april
The Philippines and a Muslim separatist group hope to finalize a peace agreement ending a decades-old insurgency by April, a government negotiator said Thursday.
Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are working to put the finishing touches to plans for disarmament and wealth- and power-sharing by March, and deliver a final "comprehensive agreement" in April, Miriam Coronel Ferrer said.
"We are confident. There are only a few issues left. We will find a resolution. There is no deal-breaker here," said Coronel Ferrer, the Philippines' lead negotiator.
She spoke at the conclusion of the latest round of three-day talks between the two sides in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino's government agreed in October on a road map with the MILF that aims toward a final peace deal by 2016, following years of talks hosted by Muslim-majority Malaysia.
Coronel Ferrer said a stand-off between Malaysian security forces and a group of Filipinos in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah would not affect the peace process.
Dozens of Filipinos, some reportedly armed, were dispatched there two weeks ago by
the self-proclaimed heir to a former southern Philippine sultanate to press its traditional claim to Sabah.
Jamalul Kiram III has refused to call back his men, complaining that he was left out of the peace road map agreed in October.
"The talks are driven by the two parties. The talks pertain to issues that have to be settled between the MILF and the Philippine government," Coronel Ferrer said.
The 12,000-strong MILF has been fighting since the 1970s for independence in Mindanao, the southern third of the mainly Catholic Philippines that the country's Muslim minority claim as their ancestral homeland.
An estimated 150,000 people have died in the unrest in the southern Philippines, though a ceasefire in place since 2003 has largely held.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56069/govt-muslim-rebels-eye-final-peace-deal-by-april
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Four rebel returnees get livelihood assistance
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 27): Four rebel returnees get livelihood assistance
Four rebel returnees here were recently given livelihood assistance of P50,000 each through the Comprehensive Local Integration Plan (CLIP) of the province.
According to Eusebia Haddac, CLIP coordinator of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said fund assistance came from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) as part of the closure agreement between the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) and the OPPAP.
The four recipients will be engaging in rice production activities. Three of them will use their money to buy farm inputs. In addition to the farm inputs, one opted to buy a carabao for his upland rice farming, another intends to buy a pig to raise and the other to use at least P10,000 to start a small sari-sari store with canteen.
One of the beneficiaries will use his money as mortgage for an additional farmland to increase his rice production activity.
Said recipients were part of the 15 beneficiaries being proposed for funding from the OPAPP, Social Integration Program (SIP). The other 11, she said, are still awaiting approval and fund release.
Currently, the province is opting to organize the CLIP Committee under the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of the province, she said. This is part of the localization of the SIP of the national government being implemented by the OPAPP.
“Its integration in the PPOC will mean that future programs will be planned and funded by the council,” she said.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=191361940215
Four rebel returnees here were recently given livelihood assistance of P50,000 each through the Comprehensive Local Integration Plan (CLIP) of the province.
According to Eusebia Haddac, CLIP coordinator of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said fund assistance came from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) as part of the closure agreement between the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) and the OPPAP.
The four recipients will be engaging in rice production activities. Three of them will use their money to buy farm inputs. In addition to the farm inputs, one opted to buy a carabao for his upland rice farming, another intends to buy a pig to raise and the other to use at least P10,000 to start a small sari-sari store with canteen.
One of the beneficiaries will use his money as mortgage for an additional farmland to increase his rice production activity.
Said recipients were part of the 15 beneficiaries being proposed for funding from the OPAPP, Social Integration Program (SIP). The other 11, she said, are still awaiting approval and fund release.
Currently, the province is opting to organize the CLIP Committee under the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of the province, she said. This is part of the localization of the SIP of the national government being implemented by the OPAPP.
“Its integration in the PPOC will mean that future programs will be planned and funded by the council,” she said.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=191361940215
GPH, MILF sign AnnexTransitional Arrangements and Modalities at 36th exploratory talks
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): GPH, MILF sign AnnexTransitional
Arrangements and Modalities at 36th exploratory talks
The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels signed late night Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur the first of four Annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (TAM), signed at the end of the 36th round Formal Exploratory Talks, “details the road map towards the creation of the Bangsamoro” region.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the GPH and MILF also signed the Terms of Reference for the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) prepared by the Transitional Working Group (TWG) on Normalization.
The ICP will submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the Bangsamoro.
Signing for the government was Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, GPH panel chair, while Mohagher Iqbal MILF panel chair, signed for the MILF. Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, the Malaysian facilitator for the talks, witnessed the signing.
The GPH and MILF will continue their discussions on the Annexes on Wealth Sharing and Power Sharing to resolve the remaining issues. In their joint statement, the two parties likewise discussed the composition of the Third Party Monitoring Team, the body that will review, assess, evaluate and monitor the implementation of the FAB and its Annexes.
The Parties welcomed the appointment of all the members of the Transition Commission as envisioned by the FAB and provided for by Executive Order 120. They acknowledged the important role of the Transition Commission and look forward to its success.
The parties expressed their appreciation to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for his unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao and to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their untiring commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.
They also extended their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG), namely Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), Conciliation Resources (CR), Muhammadiyah, and The Asia Foundation (TAF).
The GPH and MILF expressed profound gratitude to CHD’s Mr. David Gorman for his active participation since the inception of the ICG in 2009, and his valuable contributions to the GPH-MILF peace process.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502359
The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels signed late night Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur the first of four Annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (TAM), signed at the end of the 36th round Formal Exploratory Talks, “details the road map towards the creation of the Bangsamoro” region.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the GPH and MILF also signed the Terms of Reference for the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) prepared by the Transitional Working Group (TWG) on Normalization.
The ICP will submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the Bangsamoro.
Signing for the government was Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, GPH panel chair, while Mohagher Iqbal MILF panel chair, signed for the MILF. Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, the Malaysian facilitator for the talks, witnessed the signing.
The GPH and MILF will continue their discussions on the Annexes on Wealth Sharing and Power Sharing to resolve the remaining issues. In their joint statement, the two parties likewise discussed the composition of the Third Party Monitoring Team, the body that will review, assess, evaluate and monitor the implementation of the FAB and its Annexes.
The Parties welcomed the appointment of all the members of the Transition Commission as envisioned by the FAB and provided for by Executive Order 120. They acknowledged the important role of the Transition Commission and look forward to its success.
The parties expressed their appreciation to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for his unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao and to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their untiring commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.
They also extended their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG), namely Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), Conciliation Resources (CR), Muhammadiyah, and The Asia Foundation (TAF).
The GPH and MILF expressed profound gratitude to CHD’s Mr. David Gorman for his active participation since the inception of the ICG in 2009, and his valuable contributions to the GPH-MILF peace process.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502359
GPH, MILF sign transition annex
From Rappler (Feb 28): GPH, MILF sign transition annex
DEVELOPMENTS. The respective panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front draft their joint closing statement. Photo from OPAPP's Twitter account
One down, 3 more to go. The government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (TAM) Wednesday night, February 27 in a session that ended at 9:49 pm -- the longest since the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro on Oct 15, 2012.
DEVELOPMENTS. The respective panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front draft their joint closing statement. Photo from OPAPP's Twitter account
One down, 3 more to go. The government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (TAM) Wednesday night, February 27 in a session that ended at 9:49 pm -- the longest since the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro on Oct 15, 2012.
The annex outlines the transition process and defines the various mechanisms to be employed towards the creation of the Bangsamoro political identity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
According to the signed document, the transition process and its components will be as follows:
1. Creation of the Transition Commission
2. Operation of the Transition Commission
3. The Bangsamoro Basic Law
4. Work on Constitutional Amendments
5. Ratification of Bangsamoro Basic Law
6. Bangsamoro Transition Authority
7. Monitoring
8. Exit Document
Both sides also signed the Terms of Reference for the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP), which will be tasked to submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the Bangsamoro.
Meanwhile, discussions on the remaining annexes continued. Discussions on the annexes on wealth-sharing and power-sharing have already been elevated to the respective peace panels. Only the annex on normalization continues to be on the level of the technical working groups.
The talks were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia amid an ongoing standoff by the followers of the Sultan of Sulu in Sabah in a bid to reignite the Philippines' claim to the area.
Rebel leader denied bail
From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 28): Rebel leader denied
bail
The arrested New People’s Army leader facing raps for robbery with homicide and physical injuries has been denied bail by the court, Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday.
Joel Danioso, an alleged commander of the Yunit Militia of the NPA Northern Negros Front Committee, was nabbed by a combined team of policemen and Army soldiers last week in Sitio Minatipik, Brgy. Winaswasan, Calatrava. The arrest warrant was issued by San Carlos City Regional Trial Court Judge Kathrine Go.
Lactao said Danioso has been endorsed to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in San Carlos City, for detention.
Danioso was also linked to the summary execution of an Army detachment commander in front of his daughter and the disarming of government militiamen, two years ago.
The rebels shot and killed detachment commander, SSgt. Efraim Bagonoc, in front of his daughter, disarmed the militiamen, and took 23 high-powered firearms from the detachment, military records showed.
Danioso is the younger brother of Rogelio Danioso, commander of the NPA Northern Negros Front, who was arrested in previous years for robbery-in-band charges, but managed to post bail.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/February/28/topstory8.htm
The arrested New People’s Army leader facing raps for robbery with homicide and physical injuries has been denied bail by the court, Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday.
Joel Danioso, an alleged commander of the Yunit Militia of the NPA Northern Negros Front Committee, was nabbed by a combined team of policemen and Army soldiers last week in Sitio Minatipik, Brgy. Winaswasan, Calatrava. The arrest warrant was issued by San Carlos City Regional Trial Court Judge Kathrine Go.
Lactao said Danioso has been endorsed to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in San Carlos City, for detention.
Danioso was also linked to the summary execution of an Army detachment commander in front of his daughter and the disarming of government militiamen, two years ago.
The rebels shot and killed detachment commander, SSgt. Efraim Bagonoc, in front of his daughter, disarmed the militiamen, and took 23 high-powered firearms from the detachment, military records showed.
Danioso is the younger brother of Rogelio Danioso, commander of the NPA Northern Negros Front, who was arrested in previous years for robbery-in-band charges, but managed to post bail.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/February/28/topstory8.htm
Malaysian troops 'visit' sultan's followers
From ABS-CBN (Feb 27): Malaysian troops 'visit' sultan's followers
Malaysian soldiers visited on Wednesday afternoon the brother and supporters of the sultan of Sulu who remain holed up in Sabah, Malaysia.
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III said 6 heavily-armed soldiers from the Malaysian Army who visited the group were not hostile.
He said the soldiers didn't say anything to his brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, and almost 300 of their supporters who are engaged in standoff with Malaysian forces for almost 2 weeks now.
Kiram remains optimistic that the standoff in Sabah will end peacefully.
Kiram said if given the opportunity, they would agree to being granted Malaysian citizenship if it means they would be allowed to stay in Sabah.
"Of course I would like to live in a Muslim country," he said.
However, he warned that his brother is ready to fight to the end.
"Bago sila umalis, ibinilin na nila sa akin ang mga anak at ari-arian nila. Napaghandaan na nila iyan," he said.
He said they have yet to hear directly from the Palace regarding orders from the President to leave Sabah.
He added that he has sent 3 letters to President Benigno Aquino asking for support for negotiations with the Malaysian government but he has not received a reply.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/27/13/malaysian-troops-visit-sultans-followers
Malaysian soldiers visited on Wednesday afternoon the brother and supporters of the sultan of Sulu who remain holed up in Sabah, Malaysia.
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III said 6 heavily-armed soldiers from the Malaysian Army who visited the group were not hostile.
He said the soldiers didn't say anything to his brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, and almost 300 of their supporters who are engaged in standoff with Malaysian forces for almost 2 weeks now.
Kiram remains optimistic that the standoff in Sabah will end peacefully.
Kiram said if given the opportunity, they would agree to being granted Malaysian citizenship if it means they would be allowed to stay in Sabah.
"Of course I would like to live in a Muslim country," he said.
However, he warned that his brother is ready to fight to the end.
"Bago sila umalis, ibinilin na nila sa akin ang mga anak at ari-arian nila. Napaghandaan na nila iyan," he said.
He said they have yet to hear directly from the Palace regarding orders from the President to leave Sabah.
He added that he has sent 3 letters to President Benigno Aquino asking for support for negotiations with the Malaysian government but he has not received a reply.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/27/13/malaysian-troops-visit-sultans-followers
Sulu crown prince denies provoking war
From ABS-CBN (Feb 28): Sulu crown prince denies provoking war
The crown prince of the Sultanate of Sulu on Thursday slammed the Philippine government for announcing that he and his followers could be charged with inciting war for bearing arms while going to Sabah, Malaysia.
Datu Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram said there is nothing unlawful with their move to stay in the area since they are the rightful owners of the Malaysian territory. "Hindi iyan totoo. Mali iyan. Actually we come here of our own free will. Even members of the royal security force, I didn't force them to come with me," Kiram told radio dzMM.
"We came here not to provoke trouble, no. We just want to live here because this [land] is owned by us… We are trying to awaken the whole world about our rights."
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday said the Kiram family and their supporters could be charged with violating Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Philippine government is also looking into the possibility that the sultanate is being backed by other entities.
"By their unlawful and unauthorized acts, these groups are provoking or giving occasion for a war and exposing our citizens to reprisals," de Lima said.
Being found guilty of the charges could mean imprisonment of up to 12 years.
Fight to the death
Kiram also denied that Malaysian security forces have overrun their camp in the town of Lahad Datu after being given warning by the Malaysian government to leave peacefully.
"Nagbabantay kami araw, gabi because there was already a warning for us to surrender. The word 'surrender' is something not good for us. We are not outlaws. We are not bad elements. We are good people. We are law abiding citizens. We came here to live in our place. I think it is not unlawful. It is not a crime," he said.
On Wednesday, at least six Malaysian security forces armed with rifles entered the royal army's camp. The crown prince said this prompted the royal army to fire a warning shot to alert the sultanate's followers of the presence of the Malaysian forces.
Kiram, however, said no confrontation occurred since the Malaysian forces allegedly immediately ran away after the royal army fired a warning shot.
Despite an appeal from no less than President Benigno Aquino III, Kiram said he and his followers will not budge.
He said he and his followers will fight to the death if provoked, believing that they are doing this for Sulu's younger generation.
"Just go home without anything? We will start again from zero. We already have a lot of experience. From [then president] Diosdado Macapagal, nothing had happened," he said.
"The president must do something to help us to negotiate peacefully and return what is ours. Because it is the duty of whoever is the president of the Philippines to protect the right of every individual Filipino citizens. We have the right, we have all the documentations that sabah is owned by the sultan of sulu and constituents
Kiram said the only thing that will make them leave Sabah is an assurance that the Philippine government will help them bring the Sabah issue back to the negotiating table.
"[Is it] not possible [for us to] stay while we do the negotiations with the Malaysian government? We will not do anything that is against [the law]. I told them, and this is already known throughout the Philippines, that we come here just to live in our place," he said.
The sultanate wants a formal agreement with the Malaysian government recognizing their Sabah claim. It wants the Philippine government to broker the negotiations.
Kiram clarified that he is with 275 followers in Sabah. He, however, refused to divulge how many of them are armed.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/28/13/sulu-crown-prince-denies-provoking-war
The crown prince of the Sultanate of Sulu on Thursday slammed the Philippine government for announcing that he and his followers could be charged with inciting war for bearing arms while going to Sabah, Malaysia.
Datu Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram said there is nothing unlawful with their move to stay in the area since they are the rightful owners of the Malaysian territory. "Hindi iyan totoo. Mali iyan. Actually we come here of our own free will. Even members of the royal security force, I didn't force them to come with me," Kiram told radio dzMM.
"We came here not to provoke trouble, no. We just want to live here because this [land] is owned by us… We are trying to awaken the whole world about our rights."
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday said the Kiram family and their supporters could be charged with violating Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Philippine government is also looking into the possibility that the sultanate is being backed by other entities.
"By their unlawful and unauthorized acts, these groups are provoking or giving occasion for a war and exposing our citizens to reprisals," de Lima said.
Being found guilty of the charges could mean imprisonment of up to 12 years.
Fight to the death
Kiram also denied that Malaysian security forces have overrun their camp in the town of Lahad Datu after being given warning by the Malaysian government to leave peacefully.
"Nagbabantay kami araw, gabi because there was already a warning for us to surrender. The word 'surrender' is something not good for us. We are not outlaws. We are not bad elements. We are good people. We are law abiding citizens. We came here to live in our place. I think it is not unlawful. It is not a crime," he said.
On Wednesday, at least six Malaysian security forces armed with rifles entered the royal army's camp. The crown prince said this prompted the royal army to fire a warning shot to alert the sultanate's followers of the presence of the Malaysian forces.
Kiram, however, said no confrontation occurred since the Malaysian forces allegedly immediately ran away after the royal army fired a warning shot.
Despite an appeal from no less than President Benigno Aquino III, Kiram said he and his followers will not budge.
He said he and his followers will fight to the death if provoked, believing that they are doing this for Sulu's younger generation.
"Just go home without anything? We will start again from zero. We already have a lot of experience. From [then president] Diosdado Macapagal, nothing had happened," he said.
"The president must do something to help us to negotiate peacefully and return what is ours. Because it is the duty of whoever is the president of the Philippines to protect the right of every individual Filipino citizens. We have the right, we have all the documentations that sabah is owned by the sultan of sulu and constituents
Kiram said the only thing that will make them leave Sabah is an assurance that the Philippine government will help them bring the Sabah issue back to the negotiating table.
"[Is it] not possible [for us to] stay while we do the negotiations with the Malaysian government? We will not do anything that is against [the law]. I told them, and this is already known throughout the Philippines, that we come here just to live in our place," he said.
The sultanate wants a formal agreement with the Malaysian government recognizing their Sabah claim. It wants the Philippine government to broker the negotiations.
Kiram clarified that he is with 275 followers in Sabah. He, however, refused to divulge how many of them are armed.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/28/13/sulu-crown-prince-denies-provoking-war
Sunni Muslims' grand imam urges release of kidnapped Arabiya reporter
From GMANews (Feb 28): Sunni Muslims' grand imam urges release of kidnapped Arabiya reporter
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/296987/news/nation/sunni-muslims-grand-imam-urges-release-of-kidnapped-arabiya-reporter
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the top religious authority for Sunni Muslims, on Wednesday urged Islamist militants in the Philippines to free a reporter with Al-Arabiya news channel seized in June.
Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb called upon kidnappers to "revert to right and religious principles... which stress that kidnapping and terrorism are prohibited," in a statement released by his office in Egypt's capital.
He urged the kidnappers of Bakr Atyani, a Jordanian journalist working for Dubai-based Al-Arabiya, to set him free and let him "return safely" to his family.
"This shameful act of kidnapping, terrorism and putting the lives of people at risk for a small sum of money contradicts the principles of Islam," Tayeb said.
"It also violates the freedoms guaranteed in all conventions and international norms," he said.
Atyani and two Filipino crew members went missing last June on the remote Philippine island of Jolo, which is notorious for Islamist militants and kidnappings, and a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf small Islamist movement that has been blamed for most of the country's attacks and kidnappings.
Earlier this month, the militants released the two crew members, who said they were separated from Atyani on the fifth day of their captivity.
Abu Sayyaf group was founded with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network to fight for an independent Islamic state, though it later turned into a criminal gang.
US special forces have been rotating in the southern Philippines for more than a decade to train local troops in crushing Abu Sayyaf which is on Washington's list of wanted foreign terrorist organizations.
Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb called upon kidnappers to "revert to right and religious principles... which stress that kidnapping and terrorism are prohibited," in a statement released by his office in Egypt's capital.
He urged the kidnappers of Bakr Atyani, a Jordanian journalist working for Dubai-based Al-Arabiya, to set him free and let him "return safely" to his family.
"This shameful act of kidnapping, terrorism and putting the lives of people at risk for a small sum of money contradicts the principles of Islam," Tayeb said.
"It also violates the freedoms guaranteed in all conventions and international norms," he said.
Atyani and two Filipino crew members went missing last June on the remote Philippine island of Jolo, which is notorious for Islamist militants and kidnappings, and a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf small Islamist movement that has been blamed for most of the country's attacks and kidnappings.
Earlier this month, the militants released the two crew members, who said they were separated from Atyani on the fifth day of their captivity.
Abu Sayyaf group was founded with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network to fight for an independent Islamic state, though it later turned into a criminal gang.
US special forces have been rotating in the southern Philippines for more than a decade to train local troops in crushing Abu Sayyaf which is on Washington's list of wanted foreign terrorist organizations.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/296987/news/nation/sunni-muslims-grand-imam-urges-release-of-kidnapped-arabiya-reporter
Army slams NortCot NPAs for setting off landmine near communities
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 27): Army slams NortCot NPAs for setting off
landmine near communities
The military here has slammed the communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels for using landmines and plant these in far-flung but populated communities in Makilala, North Cotabato.
The rebels on Wednesday set off a landmine at a roadside in the village of Balatukan were the soldiers were about to pass in response to reports that rebels are mulcting civilian communities.
Alarmed by the coming of government forces, the communist prematurely set off the landmine. Lucky enough no civilians were hurt and no soldiers were harmed because the soldiers were about 500 meters away when the landmine went off.
Lt. Nasrullah Sema, speaking for the 57th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers were sent to the village of Bulatukan after they receive reports of an impending plan by the NPA to plant land mine along a route to be taken by soldiers. As the soldiers were coming, the land mine went off.
The soldiers were conducting clearing operations on Tuesday morning when they learned of the plot to set off landmines by the rebels. No soldiers were hurt in the explosion.
Sema said it was the eight landmines that the rebels set off in various areas in Makilala and the rebels’ main targets were government forces since January. Four of the explosion hit soldiers and two others wounded civilians and non combatants.
Sema lambasted the NPAs for using landmines despite the worldwide ban on the use of weapons of mass destruction. Sema said clearing operations continue in communities were the NPAs had been harassing and mulcting farmers.
Sema said guerrillas have been harassing civilian communities who ignore their demand for protection money.
Various groups have been calling for the removal of soldiers but Sema said majority of the villagers of Bulatukan want the soldiers to stay to protect them from harassment by the rebels.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=502124
The military here has slammed the communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels for using landmines and plant these in far-flung but populated communities in Makilala, North Cotabato.
The rebels on Wednesday set off a landmine at a roadside in the village of Balatukan were the soldiers were about to pass in response to reports that rebels are mulcting civilian communities.
Alarmed by the coming of government forces, the communist prematurely set off the landmine. Lucky enough no civilians were hurt and no soldiers were harmed because the soldiers were about 500 meters away when the landmine went off.
Lt. Nasrullah Sema, speaking for the 57th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers were sent to the village of Bulatukan after they receive reports of an impending plan by the NPA to plant land mine along a route to be taken by soldiers. As the soldiers were coming, the land mine went off.
The soldiers were conducting clearing operations on Tuesday morning when they learned of the plot to set off landmines by the rebels. No soldiers were hurt in the explosion.
Sema said it was the eight landmines that the rebels set off in various areas in Makilala and the rebels’ main targets were government forces since January. Four of the explosion hit soldiers and two others wounded civilians and non combatants.
Sema lambasted the NPAs for using landmines despite the worldwide ban on the use of weapons of mass destruction. Sema said clearing operations continue in communities were the NPAs had been harassing and mulcting farmers.
Sema said guerrillas have been harassing civilian communities who ignore their demand for protection money.
Various groups have been calling for the removal of soldiers but Sema said majority of the villagers of Bulatukan want the soldiers to stay to protect them from harassment by the rebels.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=502124
Arrested NPA rebel confirms death of 3 comrades, 3 wounded in Bukidnon encounter
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 27): Arrested NPA rebel confirms death of 3
comrades, 3 wounded in Bukidnon encounter
A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) arrested on Tuesday night confessed that three of his comrades were killed while three others wounded in an encounter with pursuing troopers in Bukidnon last Feb. 23.
Police Supt. Ronnie Cariaga, spokesperson of the regional police command here, said police operatives collared Valeriano Anonsaon Jr., a.k.a. "Junior," in the farming village of Sil-ipon in Libona, Bukidnon Tuesday evening.
Anonsaon was among the suspected rebels who stormed the main camp of Del Monte Philippines, Inc. at Camp Phillips in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on the night of Feb. 19, 2013, Cariaga said.
He said the suspect has a pending warrant of arrest with attempted homicide issued by the Municipal Trial Court of Bukidnon.
Police traced Anonsaon’s whereabouts on a tip from an informant where he was reportedly hiding in a relative’s house.
During the initial investigation, the suspect disclosed that their group figured in an encounter with pursuing government troopers last Feb. 23, killing three of his comrades and wounding three others, Cariaga said.
He said the management of Del Monte started to coordinate with the local police in Manolo Fortich for filing of an arson case against Anonsaon.
Some 150 NPA rebels stormed DMPI’s main pineapple camp last Feb. 19, while another group simultaneously attacked a satellite camp in Sumilao and Impasug-ong where the Dole Phil. (Stanfilco) has a banana plantation.
The rebels burned DMPI’s heavy equipment at the main camp, ransacked the administration building, killed a company guard and wounded three others, torched the warehouse in Sumilao and banana plantations in Impasug-Ong, Bukidnon.
Cariaga said Anonsaon was the third rebel suspect to fall as law enforcers continue to pursue the NPAs accused of various atrocities in Bukidnon.
He said police already filed charges against two other suspects caught fleeing in Barangay Kihare, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon the night the rebels stormed the pineapple and banana companies in the province.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=502074
A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) arrested on Tuesday night confessed that three of his comrades were killed while three others wounded in an encounter with pursuing troopers in Bukidnon last Feb. 23.
Police Supt. Ronnie Cariaga, spokesperson of the regional police command here, said police operatives collared Valeriano Anonsaon Jr., a.k.a. "Junior," in the farming village of Sil-ipon in Libona, Bukidnon Tuesday evening.
Anonsaon was among the suspected rebels who stormed the main camp of Del Monte Philippines, Inc. at Camp Phillips in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on the night of Feb. 19, 2013, Cariaga said.
He said the suspect has a pending warrant of arrest with attempted homicide issued by the Municipal Trial Court of Bukidnon.
Police traced Anonsaon’s whereabouts on a tip from an informant where he was reportedly hiding in a relative’s house.
During the initial investigation, the suspect disclosed that their group figured in an encounter with pursuing government troopers last Feb. 23, killing three of his comrades and wounding three others, Cariaga said.
He said the management of Del Monte started to coordinate with the local police in Manolo Fortich for filing of an arson case against Anonsaon.
Some 150 NPA rebels stormed DMPI’s main pineapple camp last Feb. 19, while another group simultaneously attacked a satellite camp in Sumilao and Impasug-ong where the Dole Phil. (Stanfilco) has a banana plantation.
The rebels burned DMPI’s heavy equipment at the main camp, ransacked the administration building, killed a company guard and wounded three others, torched the warehouse in Sumilao and banana plantations in Impasug-Ong, Bukidnon.
Cariaga said Anonsaon was the third rebel suspect to fall as law enforcers continue to pursue the NPAs accused of various atrocities in Bukidnon.
He said police already filed charges against two other suspects caught fleeing in Barangay Kihare, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon the night the rebels stormed the pineapple and banana companies in the province.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=502074
Cops nab suspect in banana plantation attacks in Bukidnon
From the Philippine Star (Feb 27): Cops nab suspect in banana plantation attacks in Bukidnon
Police have arrested a suspected communist rebel who was allegedly involved in attacks on pineapple plantations in Bukinon province last week.
Elements of the Libona Municipal police and the Regional Public Safety Battalion nabbed Valeriano Anonsaon Jr. in Barangay Sil-ipon, Libona, Bukidnon at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday.
Authorities said Anonsaon has a pending arrest warrant for attempted homicide issued by Judge Lourdes Eltanal-Ignacio of the 1st Municipal Trial Court of Bukidnon which covers the jurisdictions of Talakag, Baungon and Malitbog.
Police believe that Anonsaon was among the NPA rebels who attacked Del Monte and Dole plantations in Bukidnon last February 19.
Two suspected rebels were arrested during the follow-up operation in Barangay Kihare, Manolo Fortich town.
Reports said the Libona police received information from an informant that Valeriano was last spotted in Barangay Sil-ipo, where he stayed with his wife’s uncle.
He was reportedly recuperating from the injuries which he got during an encounter with soldiers last February 23.
Anonsaon said that three more rebels were wounded and three others were killed in the same reported encounter.
The management of Del Monte is now coordinating with the local police in the filing of Arson cases against the arrested rebel suspect.
Police have identified other suspects based on the description of witnesses.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913815/cops-nab-suspect-banana-plantation-attacks-bukidnon
Police have arrested a suspected communist rebel who was allegedly involved in attacks on pineapple plantations in Bukinon province last week.
Elements of the Libona Municipal police and the Regional Public Safety Battalion nabbed Valeriano Anonsaon Jr. in Barangay Sil-ipon, Libona, Bukidnon at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday.
Authorities said Anonsaon has a pending arrest warrant for attempted homicide issued by Judge Lourdes Eltanal-Ignacio of the 1st Municipal Trial Court of Bukidnon which covers the jurisdictions of Talakag, Baungon and Malitbog.
Police believe that Anonsaon was among the NPA rebels who attacked Del Monte and Dole plantations in Bukidnon last February 19.
Two suspected rebels were arrested during the follow-up operation in Barangay Kihare, Manolo Fortich town.
Reports said the Libona police received information from an informant that Valeriano was last spotted in Barangay Sil-ipo, where he stayed with his wife’s uncle.
He was reportedly recuperating from the injuries which he got during an encounter with soldiers last February 23.
Anonsaon said that three more rebels were wounded and three others were killed in the same reported encounter.
The management of Del Monte is now coordinating with the local police in the filing of Arson cases against the arrested rebel suspect.
Police have identified other suspects based on the description of witnesses.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913815/cops-nab-suspect-banana-plantation-attacks-bukidnon
Moro leaders locked in land dispute sign peace pact
From the Philippine Star (Feb 27): Moro leaders locked in land dispute sign peace pact
Leaders of two armed Moro factions locked in a bloody land dispute reconciled Monday and signed a peace pact detailing their commitment to start anew as brothers under one religion.
Capt. Antonio Bulao, speaking for Army’s 602nd Brigade based in North Cotabato’s Carmen town, said Commander Embang of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Teng Kilangan of Pagalungan, Maguindanao, signed the peace covenant in the presence of local officials and representatives of the police and the military.
Kilangan is an incumbent chairman of an interior village in Pagalungan.
The two factions fought for control of patches of arable lands at the border of Carmen and Pagalungan towns for almost two decades.
It took several months for the commanding officer of the 602nd Brigade, Col. Ademar Tomaro, and the joint government-MILF ceasefire committee to convince Embang and Kilangan, whose followers are armed with assault rifles, machineguns and shoulder-fire rockets, to reconcile and sign the covenant meant to restore normalcy in the areas affected by their clan war, called “rido” in the vernacular.
The two groups last figured in a firefight Thursday, which extracted a fatality each from both sides.
Seven other combatants have been wounded in the ensuing encounter, which waned only when representatives of the police, the 602nd Brigade, and the joint ceasefire committee intervened.
The two groups agreed to let government agencies help resolve the land dispute involving them.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913812/moro-leaders-locked-land-dispute-sign-peace-pact
Leaders of two armed Moro factions locked in a bloody land dispute reconciled Monday and signed a peace pact detailing their commitment to start anew as brothers under one religion.
Capt. Antonio Bulao, speaking for Army’s 602nd Brigade based in North Cotabato’s Carmen town, said Commander Embang of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Teng Kilangan of Pagalungan, Maguindanao, signed the peace covenant in the presence of local officials and representatives of the police and the military.
Kilangan is an incumbent chairman of an interior village in Pagalungan.
The two factions fought for control of patches of arable lands at the border of Carmen and Pagalungan towns for almost two decades.
It took several months for the commanding officer of the 602nd Brigade, Col. Ademar Tomaro, and the joint government-MILF ceasefire committee to convince Embang and Kilangan, whose followers are armed with assault rifles, machineguns and shoulder-fire rockets, to reconcile and sign the covenant meant to restore normalcy in the areas affected by their clan war, called “rido” in the vernacular.
The two groups last figured in a firefight Thursday, which extracted a fatality each from both sides.
Seven other combatants have been wounded in the ensuing encounter, which waned only when representatives of the police, the 602nd Brigade, and the joint ceasefire committee intervened.
The two groups agreed to let government agencies help resolve the land dispute involving them.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913812/moro-leaders-locked-land-dispute-sign-peace-pact
NPAs 'collect' firearms from NCotabato village
From the Philippine Star (Feb 27): NPAs 'collect' firearms from NCotabato village
Communist rebels disguised as Army soldiers enforcing the election gun ban divested Moro villagers of firearms in a daring raid on Monday in a remote district in Makilala, North Cotabato.
Lt. Manuel Gatus, a company commander in the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, said the 60 or so New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas arrived at Barangay Lacobe and pretended that they were ordered to inspect the firearms of local residents for documentation purposes.
Some Moro farmers in Barangay Lacobe are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front, while there are also some who belong to a village militia helping the police and military maintain law and order in the area.
“They made the villagers believe they were merely implementing the election gun ban being enforced by the Commission on Elections,” Gatus said.
Gatus said the rebels left with dozens of firearms from the unsuspecting villagers.
Soldiers have been deployed around the barangay to provide security to its residents.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913818/npas-collect-firearms-ncotabato-village
Communist rebels disguised as Army soldiers enforcing the election gun ban divested Moro villagers of firearms in a daring raid on Monday in a remote district in Makilala, North Cotabato.
Lt. Manuel Gatus, a company commander in the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, said the 60 or so New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas arrived at Barangay Lacobe and pretended that they were ordered to inspect the firearms of local residents for documentation purposes.
Some Moro farmers in Barangay Lacobe are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front, while there are also some who belong to a village militia helping the police and military maintain law and order in the area.
“They made the villagers believe they were merely implementing the election gun ban being enforced by the Commission on Elections,” Gatus said.
Gatus said the rebels left with dozens of firearms from the unsuspecting villagers.
Soldiers have been deployed around the barangay to provide security to its residents.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913818/npas-collect-firearms-ncotabato-village
MNLF official denies troops on alert amid Sabah standoff
From the Philippine Star (Feb 27): MNLF official denies troops on alert amid Sabah standoff
A senior official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Wednesday denied reports that its members were preparing to invade Sabah to support the members of the Sulu Sultanate who have been locked in a standoff with Malaysian security forces in Lahad Datu.
Habib Mujahab Hashim, senior member to the MNLF central committee and chairman of Islamic Command Council (ICC), said the MNLF members were not also placed on alert.
Hashim issued the denial following the statement made by a certain MNLF political officer Hadji Gapul Hadjirul about the alleged movement of the MNLF fighters.
“The MNLF took exception to the statement of a certain Hajirul regarding the Sabah stand off. Brother Nur (Misuari) said he has not instructed of any alert of its members," Hashim said.
Hashim made it clear that they support Sultan Jamalul Kiram in the peaceful resolution through negotiations to end the standoff in Lahad Datu.
“Other than that and for the MNLF members to go to Sabah that is definitely not true. Going there will only court further trouble,” Hashim said.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913836/mnlf-official-denies-troops-alert-amid-sabah-standoff
A senior official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Wednesday denied reports that its members were preparing to invade Sabah to support the members of the Sulu Sultanate who have been locked in a standoff with Malaysian security forces in Lahad Datu.
Habib Mujahab Hashim, senior member to the MNLF central committee and chairman of Islamic Command Council (ICC), said the MNLF members were not also placed on alert.
Hashim issued the denial following the statement made by a certain MNLF political officer Hadji Gapul Hadjirul about the alleged movement of the MNLF fighters.
“The MNLF took exception to the statement of a certain Hajirul regarding the Sabah stand off. Brother Nur (Misuari) said he has not instructed of any alert of its members," Hashim said.
Hashim made it clear that they support Sultan Jamalul Kiram in the peaceful resolution through negotiations to end the standoff in Lahad Datu.
“Other than that and for the MNLF members to go to Sabah that is definitely not true. Going there will only court further trouble,” Hashim said.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913836/mnlf-official-denies-troops-alert-amid-sabah-standoff
Alleged top NPA leader in Kalinga falls
From the Philippine Star (Feb 27): Alleged top NPA leader in Kalinga falls
Kalinga’s top rebel leader Kennedy Bangibang, famously known as “Ka Akhbar,” has been arrested by authorities at a checkpoint in Bangao, Buguias town, Benguet.
Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, Cordillera regional police director, said that the elusive Bangibang, who carries a P2.5 million reward on his head, was on his way to a communist movement “plenum” in Sagada town, Mt. Province when held by policemen and military intelligence agents.
Magalong said Bangibang was alone when he was arrested last Saturday.
Bangibang is the alleged secretary of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (Guerilla Front) codenamed “Baggas” operating in Kalinga and some parts of Apayao province. “He has various cases to face in Kalinga,” Magalong said.
“Ka Akhbar” is the highest NPA leader cornered this year after Grayson Naogsan, son of Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front (CPDF) spokesperson Simon Naogsan.
Naogsan, who had a P3.2 million reward on his head, was arrested by policemen inside a mall in Baguio City in November last year.
The Kalinga rebel leader is also an alleged member of the executive committee of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Party Committee of the CPP-NPA because of his rank in Kalinga province.
Police and military intelligence operatives are now hunting down Bangibang's colleagues.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913826/alleged-top-npa-leader-kalinga-falls
Kalinga’s top rebel leader Kennedy Bangibang, famously known as “Ka Akhbar,” has been arrested by authorities at a checkpoint in Bangao, Buguias town, Benguet.
Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, Cordillera regional police director, said that the elusive Bangibang, who carries a P2.5 million reward on his head, was on his way to a communist movement “plenum” in Sagada town, Mt. Province when held by policemen and military intelligence agents.
Magalong said Bangibang was alone when he was arrested last Saturday.
Bangibang is the alleged secretary of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (Guerilla Front) codenamed “Baggas” operating in Kalinga and some parts of Apayao province. “He has various cases to face in Kalinga,” Magalong said.
“Ka Akhbar” is the highest NPA leader cornered this year after Grayson Naogsan, son of Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front (CPDF) spokesperson Simon Naogsan.
Naogsan, who had a P3.2 million reward on his head, was arrested by policemen inside a mall in Baguio City in November last year.
The Kalinga rebel leader is also an alleged member of the executive committee of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Party Committee of the CPP-NPA because of his rank in Kalinga province.
Police and military intelligence operatives are now hunting down Bangibang's colleagues.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913826/alleged-top-npa-leader-kalinga-falls
2 NPAs killed in Cagayan clash
From the Philippine Star (Feb 27): 2 NPAs killed in Cagayan clash
Two suspected communist rebels were killed during an encounter with government troops in Cagayan, police said on Wednesday.
Police Inspector Ceasar Orlanes, information officer of the Cagayan Provincial Police Office, said the firefight between soldiers and members of the New People's Army took place on Tuesday at around 1:30 p.m. in Barangay Lakambini, Tuao.
Ornales said authorities have yet to identify the casualties.
He said policemen were dispatched to the village after they received information on the presence of at least eight heavily-armed men in the area.
The firefight lasted for almost an hour after which the rebels retreated from the area.
Authorities recovered from the site an M-14 carbine rifle, an M-16 assault rifle and a caliber 45 pistol.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913831/2-npas-killed-cagayan-clash
Two suspected communist rebels were killed during an encounter with government troops in Cagayan, police said on Wednesday.
Police Inspector Ceasar Orlanes, information officer of the Cagayan Provincial Police Office, said the firefight between soldiers and members of the New People's Army took place on Tuesday at around 1:30 p.m. in Barangay Lakambini, Tuao.
Ornales said authorities have yet to identify the casualties.
He said policemen were dispatched to the village after they received information on the presence of at least eight heavily-armed men in the area.
The firefight lasted for almost an hour after which the rebels retreated from the area.
Authorities recovered from the site an M-14 carbine rifle, an M-16 assault rifle and a caliber 45 pistol.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/27/913831/2-npas-killed-cagayan-clash
NPA vows more attacks vs. big firms destroying environment
From MindaNews (Feb 27): NPA vows more attacks vs. big firms destroying environment
The New People’s Army (NPA) will stage more attacks against big companies that contributed to environmental destruction, an official of the National Democratic Front (NDF) said.
Randall Echanis, of the NDF’s Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reform, aired the warning in a peace forum Monday in Davao City organized by the Sowing the Seeds of Peace and the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform.
Echanis’ warning came six days after the NPA raided the compound of Del Monte Philippines in Manolo Fortich town Bukidnon resulting in the death of a company security guard and the wounding of two others.
“These companies have been occupying thousands of hectares of lands for so long, they benefited a lot from exploiting the land, the farmers and farm workers in the midst of landlessness apart from environmental destruction, use of aerial spraying and massive land use conversion,” he said.
The NDF official alleged that the presence of these companies worsened the impact of typhoon Sendong in December 2011.
Calling the attack a “legitimate exercise of the NDF’s political authority, Echanis said they had warned big logging, mining and agribusiness companies not to engage in land-grabbing and environmental destruction.”
At the forum, Echanis presented the NDF’s draft on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reform (Caser).
Caser is the second agenda in the peace talks between the NDF and the Government of the Philippines. The first accord signed by both parties was the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (Carhrihl).
In an interview, Echanis said discussing the Caser was needed to address the situation of victims of calamities like storms Sendong and Pablo.
He cited that the NDF’s draft Caser contains clear provisions on the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the environment.
“The NDF well understood that big companies of mining, logging and plantations are responsible in damaging our lands and denuding our forests which resulted to flood especially here in Mindanao,” he added.
“We will not allow these destructive big companies that destroy both the environment and the livelihood of the people.”
Echanis said the NDF’s draft Caser also provides for “genuine land reform” that will abolish big landholdings and plantation.”
He said government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program has failed to address landlessness.
He blamed the delays in the discussion of the Caser since 1998 on government’s “lack of seriousness” to pursue the peace talks and alleged violations of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees which was approved in 1995.
Echanis cited the arrest and detention of 14 so-called NDF consultants as among the obstacles to the resumption of the talks.
The NDF and the Philippine government have engaged in peace talks since 1986. Aside from the Carhrihl and the unfinished Caser, the two parties agreed in 1992 to also tackle political and electoral reforms and disposition of forces.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/02/27/npa-vows-more-attacks-vs-big-firms-destroying-environment/
The New People’s Army (NPA) will stage more attacks against big companies that contributed to environmental destruction, an official of the National Democratic Front (NDF) said.
Randall Echanis, of the NDF’s Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reform, aired the warning in a peace forum Monday in Davao City organized by the Sowing the Seeds of Peace and the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform.
Echanis’ warning came six days after the NPA raided the compound of Del Monte Philippines in Manolo Fortich town Bukidnon resulting in the death of a company security guard and the wounding of two others.
“These companies have been occupying thousands of hectares of lands for so long, they benefited a lot from exploiting the land, the farmers and farm workers in the midst of landlessness apart from environmental destruction, use of aerial spraying and massive land use conversion,” he said.
The NDF official alleged that the presence of these companies worsened the impact of typhoon Sendong in December 2011.
Calling the attack a “legitimate exercise of the NDF’s political authority, Echanis said they had warned big logging, mining and agribusiness companies not to engage in land-grabbing and environmental destruction.”
At the forum, Echanis presented the NDF’s draft on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reform (Caser).
Caser is the second agenda in the peace talks between the NDF and the Government of the Philippines. The first accord signed by both parties was the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (Carhrihl).
In an interview, Echanis said discussing the Caser was needed to address the situation of victims of calamities like storms Sendong and Pablo.
He cited that the NDF’s draft Caser contains clear provisions on the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the environment.
“The NDF well understood that big companies of mining, logging and plantations are responsible in damaging our lands and denuding our forests which resulted to flood especially here in Mindanao,” he added.
“We will not allow these destructive big companies that destroy both the environment and the livelihood of the people.”
Echanis said the NDF’s draft Caser also provides for “genuine land reform” that will abolish big landholdings and plantation.”
He said government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program has failed to address landlessness.
He blamed the delays in the discussion of the Caser since 1998 on government’s “lack of seriousness” to pursue the peace talks and alleged violations of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees which was approved in 1995.
Echanis cited the arrest and detention of 14 so-called NDF consultants as among the obstacles to the resumption of the talks.
The NDF and the Philippine government have engaged in peace talks since 1986. Aside from the Carhrihl and the unfinished Caser, the two parties agreed in 1992 to also tackle political and electoral reforms and disposition of forces.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/02/27/npa-vows-more-attacks-vs-big-firms-destroying-environment/
MILF: Gov’t, MILF hailed for TC formation
From the MIF Website (Feb 26): Gov’t, MILF hailed for TC formation
In an official press statement, the Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW) has hailed both the Government of the Philippines (GPH) led by no less than President Benigno Aquino III and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in promptly accomplishing their task of selecting the members of the Transition Commission (TC) for the Bangsamoro.
Calling the formation of the TC as “History at Hand”, the MPW, speaking through its spokesman, Hydee Prieto, further asserted the TC is tasked with drafting the historic Bangsamoro Basic Law that gives the 15-member TC the singular opportunity to spell out a definitive roadmap of the nascent Bangsamoro.
MPW also expressed strong support for the united efforts of the TC in establishing a framework of true peace and development for the Bangsamoro.
“We applaud both sets of the TransCom members and congratulate each and every one of them on their selection and endorsement by their communities, leaders and peers. We know that they each have the support and backing of the sectors they represent,” the statement added.
“We pray that their shared vision for the Bangsamoro will prove to be the bond that unites them in their efforts. We enjoin the TransCom to shoulder their tasks with gusto, for they have the support of the MPW and numerous other peace advocates everywhere. We encourage everyone to lend support to the TransCom in their challenging role,” it further stressed.
“And as a country and the rest of the world look on, we salute you and the history you begin defining today, the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Press Secretary of the Office of the Philippine President had released the names of the 15-man TC to wit:
The seven that compose the Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel are:
1. Hon. Akmad A. Sakkam
2. Hon. Johaira C. Wahab
3. Hon. Talib A. Benito
4. Hon. Asani S. Tammang
5. Hon. Pedrito A. Eisma
6. Hon. Froilyn T. Mendoza
7. Hon. Fatmawati T. Salapuddin
Those selected by the MILF are:
1. Chairman - Hon. Mohagher Iqbal
2. Hon. Robert M. Alonto
3. Hon. Abdulla U. Camlian
4. Hon. Ibrahim D. Ali
5. Hon. Raissa H. Jajurie
6. Hon. Melanio U. Ulama
7. Hon. Hussein P. Munoz
8. Hon. Said M. Shiek
It said that the seven appointees of the GPH panel underwent thorough screening and evaluation by a TransCom Selection Body composed of Justice Secretary Leila M. de Lima, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, and the Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Mehol K. Sadain.
The Selection Body agreed on the following qualification requirements for each appointee: a Bangsamoro, a track record in support of the peace process, and established probity, untainted by any charge or suspicion of corruption or abuse of power, among others.
The appointment of these individuals who represent vital Bangsamoro constituencies and have proven their commitment to pursuing amity and goodwill in Muslim Mindanao is a key step on the roadmap to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Political Entity. This is a manifestation of the seriousness of both the Philippine Government and the MILF to uphold the historic Framework Agreement and move forward in the peace process.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3118:govt-milf-hailed-for-tc-formation&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
In an official press statement, the Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW) has hailed both the Government of the Philippines (GPH) led by no less than President Benigno Aquino III and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in promptly accomplishing their task of selecting the members of the Transition Commission (TC) for the Bangsamoro.
Calling the formation of the TC as “History at Hand”, the MPW, speaking through its spokesman, Hydee Prieto, further asserted the TC is tasked with drafting the historic Bangsamoro Basic Law that gives the 15-member TC the singular opportunity to spell out a definitive roadmap of the nascent Bangsamoro.
MPW also expressed strong support for the united efforts of the TC in establishing a framework of true peace and development for the Bangsamoro.
“We applaud both sets of the TransCom members and congratulate each and every one of them on their selection and endorsement by their communities, leaders and peers. We know that they each have the support and backing of the sectors they represent,” the statement added.
“We pray that their shared vision for the Bangsamoro will prove to be the bond that unites them in their efforts. We enjoin the TransCom to shoulder their tasks with gusto, for they have the support of the MPW and numerous other peace advocates everywhere. We encourage everyone to lend support to the TransCom in their challenging role,” it further stressed.
“And as a country and the rest of the world look on, we salute you and the history you begin defining today, the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Press Secretary of the Office of the Philippine President had released the names of the 15-man TC to wit:
The seven that compose the Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel are:
1. Hon. Akmad A. Sakkam
2. Hon. Johaira C. Wahab
3. Hon. Talib A. Benito
4. Hon. Asani S. Tammang
5. Hon. Pedrito A. Eisma
6. Hon. Froilyn T. Mendoza
7. Hon. Fatmawati T. Salapuddin
Those selected by the MILF are:
1. Chairman - Hon. Mohagher Iqbal
2. Hon. Robert M. Alonto
3. Hon. Abdulla U. Camlian
4. Hon. Ibrahim D. Ali
5. Hon. Raissa H. Jajurie
6. Hon. Melanio U. Ulama
7. Hon. Hussein P. Munoz
8. Hon. Said M. Shiek
It said that the seven appointees of the GPH panel underwent thorough screening and evaluation by a TransCom Selection Body composed of Justice Secretary Leila M. de Lima, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, and the Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Mehol K. Sadain.
The Selection Body agreed on the following qualification requirements for each appointee: a Bangsamoro, a track record in support of the peace process, and established probity, untainted by any charge or suspicion of corruption or abuse of power, among others.
The appointment of these individuals who represent vital Bangsamoro constituencies and have proven their commitment to pursuing amity and goodwill in Muslim Mindanao is a key step on the roadmap to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Political Entity. This is a manifestation of the seriousness of both the Philippine Government and the MILF to uphold the historic Framework Agreement and move forward in the peace process.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3118:govt-milf-hailed-for-tc-formation&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
MILF: Information drive on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in the grass root communities of Sarangani continues
From the MILF Website (Feb 26): Information drive on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in the grass root communities of Sarangani continues
The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Sarangani continues its information dissemination on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) reaching out the grass root communities in able to increase the public awareness on the prospects of the initial peace agreement and gain their support.
The information drive has been carried out by Kalinaw Sarangani, a unit under the Office of the Governor which implements the Provincial Peace and Development Program, since November last year.
Jocelyn Lambac-Kanda, the Program Manager of Kalinaw Sarangani and the Provincial Peace Program Officer, disclosed in an interview that they have already conducted orientation on the FAB to 22 barangays of the province.
Kanda said the initiative is the provincial government’s way of helping the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process succeed.
Kalinaw Sarangani taps the local MILF Political Committee to help explain the FAB and answer queries from the participants during the open forum. Photocopies of the FAB are also distributed.
The program manager said their team has been oriented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the MILF on the FAB.
The audiences during the orientation in the barangays include the barangay officials, purok officials, elders, youth, women, farmers, fishermen, teachers, barangay health workers, religious leaders, traditional leaders, Moro National Liberation Front and ordinary citizens.
Aside from the barangay orientations, Kalinaw Sarangani also facilitated separate orientations to Madrasa teachers, Indigenous Peoples Leaders and Association of Barangay Chairmen in the towns of the province.
The GPH-MILF International Monitoring Team and its local counterpart, the Local Monitoring Team-Sarangani also join the orientation to inform the people of their mandates in support to the peace process.
On February 19, in collaboration with the Socsargen Peace Network, Mindanao State University, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and other peace advocates spearheaded the Multi-Stakeholders Forum on the FAB at the NDDU auditorium attended by more than five hundred participants from Socsargen.
GPH Peace Panel Chief Negotiator Professor Meriam C. Ferrer and Special Assistant on Peace Advocacy from the Office of the MILF First Vice-Chairman Dr. Tumanda Antok discussed the FAB and answered questions from the audience.
Kalinaw Sarangani spearheads peace advocacy in the province through conducting Culture of Peace Training in the barangays and schools.
It also support the operation of Madaris education and facilitates project implementation of development partners like the Growth with Equity in Mindanao and United Nations Development Program.
Sarangani Province is located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao. Its constituents are comprised of Moro tribes, Indigenous Peoples and Christian settlers.
The province has 140 barangays and seven municipalities namely Glan, Malapatan, Malungon, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum and its capital town Alabel.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3119:information-drive-on-the-framework-agreement-on-the-bangsamoro-in-the-grass-root-communities-of-sarangani-continues&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Sarangani continues its information dissemination on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) reaching out the grass root communities in able to increase the public awareness on the prospects of the initial peace agreement and gain their support.
The information drive has been carried out by Kalinaw Sarangani, a unit under the Office of the Governor which implements the Provincial Peace and Development Program, since November last year.
Jocelyn Lambac-Kanda, the Program Manager of Kalinaw Sarangani and the Provincial Peace Program Officer, disclosed in an interview that they have already conducted orientation on the FAB to 22 barangays of the province.
Kanda said the initiative is the provincial government’s way of helping the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process succeed.
Kalinaw Sarangani taps the local MILF Political Committee to help explain the FAB and answer queries from the participants during the open forum. Photocopies of the FAB are also distributed.
The program manager said their team has been oriented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the MILF on the FAB.
The audiences during the orientation in the barangays include the barangay officials, purok officials, elders, youth, women, farmers, fishermen, teachers, barangay health workers, religious leaders, traditional leaders, Moro National Liberation Front and ordinary citizens.
Aside from the barangay orientations, Kalinaw Sarangani also facilitated separate orientations to Madrasa teachers, Indigenous Peoples Leaders and Association of Barangay Chairmen in the towns of the province.
The GPH-MILF International Monitoring Team and its local counterpart, the Local Monitoring Team-Sarangani also join the orientation to inform the people of their mandates in support to the peace process.
On February 19, in collaboration with the Socsargen Peace Network, Mindanao State University, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and other peace advocates spearheaded the Multi-Stakeholders Forum on the FAB at the NDDU auditorium attended by more than five hundred participants from Socsargen.
GPH Peace Panel Chief Negotiator Professor Meriam C. Ferrer and Special Assistant on Peace Advocacy from the Office of the MILF First Vice-Chairman Dr. Tumanda Antok discussed the FAB and answered questions from the audience.
Kalinaw Sarangani spearheads peace advocacy in the province through conducting Culture of Peace Training in the barangays and schools.
It also support the operation of Madaris education and facilitates project implementation of development partners like the Growth with Equity in Mindanao and United Nations Development Program.
Sarangani Province is located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao. Its constituents are comprised of Moro tribes, Indigenous Peoples and Christian settlers.
The province has 140 barangays and seven municipalities namely Glan, Malapatan, Malungon, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum and its capital town Alabel.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3119:information-drive-on-the-framework-agreement-on-the-bangsamoro-in-the-grass-root-communities-of-sarangani-continues&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
MILF: BDA Southern Mindanao Region conducts Values Transformation Training to Social Welfare Committee
From the MILF Website (Feb 27): BDA Southern Mindanao Region conducts Values Transformation Training to Social Welfare Committee
The Bangsamoro Development Agency-Southern Mindanao Region (BDA SouthMin) conducted a 3-day Values Transformation Training (VTT) at Sitio Bayang, Malisbong, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat Province on February 16-18, 2013.
Fifty seven (57) participants comprised of the Officers and Members of the Committee on Health and Sanitation of the Social Welfare Committee coming from the towns of Palimbang, Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim wherein Biwang Province had participated in the said training.
BDA Regional Manager Mohalikin D. Piang said that the VTT aims to inculcate to the minds and hearts of the delegates the essence of brotherhood, understanding, unity, good relationship, love among others and fear to the Almighty in the Islamic perspective.
He added that those important values are useful in the course of giving services to their respective Muslim communities and to the daily undertakings of every Muslim both men and women. He explained further that BDA is guided by its core values on which it attributes its success in implementing programs that benefits the conflict affected areas in Mindanao.
Piang also briefed the participants about the present programs of the BDA in the 7 Regions throughout Mindanao. He also introduced the current BDA Structure from the higher up down to key staff, with Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mohammad S. Yacob as the Executive Director.
The training was facilitated by Ustadz Jamil Udda, Community Organizer of BDA SouthMin. He was joined by Noraya Abdulkarim, Sandra Abdulkarim both BDA Volunteers in SouthMin as the secretariat.
Udda completely discussed the VTT modules and dwelt deeper on the importance of Islamic values.
The activity was themed: Promoting good health and sanitation through family education.
Biwang Province Political Chairman Kingboy Bayang gave an inspirational message while Hadji Salem Abu, member of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and presently Provincial Chair of the Committee on Information in Biwang Province updated the delegates with the progress of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.
The VTT was successfully conducted through the joint effort of the BDA SouthMin and the SWC Biwang Province with the support of community members.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3121:bda-southern-mindanao-region-conducts-values-transformation-training-to-social-welfare-committee-&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
The Bangsamoro Development Agency-Southern Mindanao Region (BDA SouthMin) conducted a 3-day Values Transformation Training (VTT) at Sitio Bayang, Malisbong, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat Province on February 16-18, 2013.
Fifty seven (57) participants comprised of the Officers and Members of the Committee on Health and Sanitation of the Social Welfare Committee coming from the towns of Palimbang, Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim wherein Biwang Province had participated in the said training.
BDA Regional Manager Mohalikin D. Piang said that the VTT aims to inculcate to the minds and hearts of the delegates the essence of brotherhood, understanding, unity, good relationship, love among others and fear to the Almighty in the Islamic perspective.
He added that those important values are useful in the course of giving services to their respective Muslim communities and to the daily undertakings of every Muslim both men and women. He explained further that BDA is guided by its core values on which it attributes its success in implementing programs that benefits the conflict affected areas in Mindanao.
Piang also briefed the participants about the present programs of the BDA in the 7 Regions throughout Mindanao. He also introduced the current BDA Structure from the higher up down to key staff, with Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mohammad S. Yacob as the Executive Director.
The training was facilitated by Ustadz Jamil Udda, Community Organizer of BDA SouthMin. He was joined by Noraya Abdulkarim, Sandra Abdulkarim both BDA Volunteers in SouthMin as the secretariat.
Udda completely discussed the VTT modules and dwelt deeper on the importance of Islamic values.
The activity was themed: Promoting good health and sanitation through family education.
Biwang Province Political Chairman Kingboy Bayang gave an inspirational message while Hadji Salem Abu, member of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and presently Provincial Chair of the Committee on Information in Biwang Province updated the delegates with the progress of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.
The VTT was successfully conducted through the joint effort of the BDA SouthMin and the SWC Biwang Province with the support of community members.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3121:bda-southern-mindanao-region-conducts-values-transformation-training-to-social-welfare-committee-&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
MILF: NPA drives away Moros in North Cotabato village
From the MILF Website (Feb 27): NPA drives away Moros in North Cotabato village
While the Moro residents of Sitio Lacobe, Barangay Malabuan, Makilala, North Cotabato Province, were taking rest in their respective houses at around 2:00 p. m. last February 23, at least 60 fully armed men wearing fatigue uniforms with patches of the 38th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army entered their village.
The armed men led the residents toward an interior part of the village. When the residents – about 35 persons including women and children – were all gathered, the armed men introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) of the Mt. Alip Command, Front 72 – Far South Mindanao Region.
The NPA rebels told the Moros to vacate the land that they occupied. “The movement cannot allow that this land will be owned by only a few,” Muhammad Mamangkas, one of the residents, quoted the rebels as saying.
“We do not recognize the intervention done by the government (in the distribution of the land) as we find it unfair,” the members of the NPA said.
Just as a group among the rebels talked to the residents, another group searched the houses in the village and carted away the firearms that they found.
Some of the Moros in the village possessed firearms that they registered with the government for self-defense.
Datu Jainudin ‘Toks’ Baclid, the leader of the Baclid Clan that is native to the village, said the NPA rebels took away an M-79 grenade launcher, eight home-made Uzi pistols, five home-made Ingram pistols, two 38 caliber revolvers, and five 12-gauge shotguns.
Together with some other Moro Maguindanaons, the grandfather of Toks Baclid settled in Lacobe in the late ‘40s. It was in 1969 when the government gave them certificate of titles for the land that they occupied.
When the war broke out between the Black Shirts and the Ilaga terror gang in 1970, the members of the Baclid Clan were forced to leave Lacobe. Then, Christian settlers occupied the village.
All the attempts of the Baclid Clan to return to their village were met with strong opposition by the Christian settlers.
The members of the Baclid Clan, however, were able to settle again in Lacobe in the ‘90s. The Moro and the Christian settlers became beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the government.
“But in 2001, members of the NPA attacked the Moros in Lacobe. They burned our houses and destroyed our means of livelihood,” Toks Baclid said.
In 2007, the Baclids decided to settle again in Lacobe.
“And on September 15, 2007, the NPAs ambushed us. Two of my brothers were killed,” Baclid added.
The ambush on their family members by the NPAs, according to Baclid, was repeated on September 17, 2011, four years and two days after the first one. Teding Baclid and PFC Nas Matiagal, a member of the Philippine Army and a close relative, were wounded, then.
What ensued were series of dialogues and signing of peace covenants between the Baclid Clan and that of the farmer-beneficiaries in Lacobe. These were facilitated by the North Cotabato Provincial Government, the Municipal Local Government of Makilala and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
On February 9, 2012, a mediation conference between the Baclid Clan and the Farmer-Beneficiaries’ Group at the AJ Hi-Time Hotel in Kidapawan City.
Present in the conference were Toks Baclid, representing the Baclid Clan; Jose Danny Llup, representing the Farmer-Beneficiaries; Edris P. Gandalibo, North Cotabato Deputy Governor for Muslim Affairs and Alex Lalaguna, barangay captain of Malabuan, among others.
In the said conference, the Parties agreed that, “All areas not occupied by the Farmers’ Group belongs (sic) to the Baclid; all areas occupied by the Baclids belong to the Baclids” subject to some stipulations such as, “For the affected areas, the farmers will be resettled to another vacant area.”
The document that the Parties came up with and signed contained provisions on how the different lots were distributed either to the Baclids or to the farmers’ group.
The Parties again met at the AJ Hi-Time Hotel on July 5, 2012. They came up with Joint Agreement with provisions like, “We fully observe the Agreements made between the group of Sitio Lacobe ARBs (Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries) and the Baclid Family on February 9, 2012 at the AJ Hi-Time Hotel, Kidapawan City” and “We agree that any clarification, requests, complaint arising from the implementation of the Agreement, everything will be directed at the Project Management Team tasked to implement the February 9, 2012 Agreement.”
On March 12, 2012, members of the Baclid Clan and that of the farmer-beneficiaries gathered in the municipal hall of Makilala where their respective representatives signed a peace agreement that provided, among other things, that the Baclids agreed to give away some of their owned land and the farmer-beneficiaries accepted the relocation area allotted to them.
The signing of the peace covenant was witnessed by North Cotabato Provincial Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliňo-Mendoza, Makilala Municipal Mayor Rudy Caoagdan and representatives from the DAR.
On January 31, 2013, the residents of Barangays Malabuan, Villaflores and Bato converged in Sitio Lacobe in the gathering dubbed as “Kanduli” for Peace and Development.
The main highlight of the gathering was the signing of the final Peace Covenant between the Baclid Clan and the Lacobe Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries.
The signing was witnessed by DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes, Governor Taliňo-Mendoza and Vice Governor Gregorio Ipong of North Cotabato, and other officials.
The purpose of said gathering was to end the already 6-decade land conflict.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3122:npa-drives-away-moros-in-north-cotabato-village&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
While the Moro residents of Sitio Lacobe, Barangay Malabuan, Makilala, North Cotabato Province, were taking rest in their respective houses at around 2:00 p. m. last February 23, at least 60 fully armed men wearing fatigue uniforms with patches of the 38th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army entered their village.
The armed men led the residents toward an interior part of the village. When the residents – about 35 persons including women and children – were all gathered, the armed men introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) of the Mt. Alip Command, Front 72 – Far South Mindanao Region.
The NPA rebels told the Moros to vacate the land that they occupied. “The movement cannot allow that this land will be owned by only a few,” Muhammad Mamangkas, one of the residents, quoted the rebels as saying.
“We do not recognize the intervention done by the government (in the distribution of the land) as we find it unfair,” the members of the NPA said.
Just as a group among the rebels talked to the residents, another group searched the houses in the village and carted away the firearms that they found.
Some of the Moros in the village possessed firearms that they registered with the government for self-defense.
Datu Jainudin ‘Toks’ Baclid, the leader of the Baclid Clan that is native to the village, said the NPA rebels took away an M-79 grenade launcher, eight home-made Uzi pistols, five home-made Ingram pistols, two 38 caliber revolvers, and five 12-gauge shotguns.
Together with some other Moro Maguindanaons, the grandfather of Toks Baclid settled in Lacobe in the late ‘40s. It was in 1969 when the government gave them certificate of titles for the land that they occupied.
When the war broke out between the Black Shirts and the Ilaga terror gang in 1970, the members of the Baclid Clan were forced to leave Lacobe. Then, Christian settlers occupied the village.
All the attempts of the Baclid Clan to return to their village were met with strong opposition by the Christian settlers.
The members of the Baclid Clan, however, were able to settle again in Lacobe in the ‘90s. The Moro and the Christian settlers became beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the government.
“But in 2001, members of the NPA attacked the Moros in Lacobe. They burned our houses and destroyed our means of livelihood,” Toks Baclid said.
In 2007, the Baclids decided to settle again in Lacobe.
“And on September 15, 2007, the NPAs ambushed us. Two of my brothers were killed,” Baclid added.
The ambush on their family members by the NPAs, according to Baclid, was repeated on September 17, 2011, four years and two days after the first one. Teding Baclid and PFC Nas Matiagal, a member of the Philippine Army and a close relative, were wounded, then.
What ensued were series of dialogues and signing of peace covenants between the Baclid Clan and that of the farmer-beneficiaries in Lacobe. These were facilitated by the North Cotabato Provincial Government, the Municipal Local Government of Makilala and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
On February 9, 2012, a mediation conference between the Baclid Clan and the Farmer-Beneficiaries’ Group at the AJ Hi-Time Hotel in Kidapawan City.
Present in the conference were Toks Baclid, representing the Baclid Clan; Jose Danny Llup, representing the Farmer-Beneficiaries; Edris P. Gandalibo, North Cotabato Deputy Governor for Muslim Affairs and Alex Lalaguna, barangay captain of Malabuan, among others.
In the said conference, the Parties agreed that, “All areas not occupied by the Farmers’ Group belongs (sic) to the Baclid; all areas occupied by the Baclids belong to the Baclids” subject to some stipulations such as, “For the affected areas, the farmers will be resettled to another vacant area.”
The document that the Parties came up with and signed contained provisions on how the different lots were distributed either to the Baclids or to the farmers’ group.
The Parties again met at the AJ Hi-Time Hotel on July 5, 2012. They came up with Joint Agreement with provisions like, “We fully observe the Agreements made between the group of Sitio Lacobe ARBs (Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries) and the Baclid Family on February 9, 2012 at the AJ Hi-Time Hotel, Kidapawan City” and “We agree that any clarification, requests, complaint arising from the implementation of the Agreement, everything will be directed at the Project Management Team tasked to implement the February 9, 2012 Agreement.”
On March 12, 2012, members of the Baclid Clan and that of the farmer-beneficiaries gathered in the municipal hall of Makilala where their respective representatives signed a peace agreement that provided, among other things, that the Baclids agreed to give away some of their owned land and the farmer-beneficiaries accepted the relocation area allotted to them.
The signing of the peace covenant was witnessed by North Cotabato Provincial Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliňo-Mendoza, Makilala Municipal Mayor Rudy Caoagdan and representatives from the DAR.
On January 31, 2013, the residents of Barangays Malabuan, Villaflores and Bato converged in Sitio Lacobe in the gathering dubbed as “Kanduli” for Peace and Development.
The main highlight of the gathering was the signing of the final Peace Covenant between the Baclid Clan and the Lacobe Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries.
The signing was witnessed by DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes, Governor Taliňo-Mendoza and Vice Governor Gregorio Ipong of North Cotabato, and other officials.
The purpose of said gathering was to end the already 6-decade land conflict.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3122:npa-drives-away-moros-in-north-cotabato-village&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
Salvage crews break up US Navy ship in Philippines
From the Manila Times (Feb 27): Salvage crews break up US Navy ship in Philippines
Salvage teams have begun cutting up a US Navy ship stranded on a UN World Heritage-listed coral reef in the Philippines in a process that could take almost month, the coastguard said on Wednesday.
The smokestack, or funnel, of the minesweeper USS Guardian was lifted off on Tuesday while the mast was removed on Wednesday, marking a major step in the operation, said coastguard spokeswoman Lieutenant Greanata Jude.
The 68-metre (223-foot) vessel ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef in a remote part of the Sulu Sea on January 17 and strong winds and heavy seas have hampered the operation to dismantle it.
The United States has repeatedly apologised for the incident, which it has blamed on faulty maps, but the incident has fuelled anger in the Philippines, a former American colony and important US ally in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Most of the equipment on top of the deck has already been transferred to a barge but they have yet to remove the large equipment inside the ship," Jude told AFP.
The dismantling of the ship has been repeatedly delayed by bad weather, but clear skies are now forecast to last over the next few days, she added.
The US Navy had originally targeted March 23 for the full removal of the vessel but the recent bad weather could now change the timeframe, Jude said without giving details.
Jude said the team has also removed a winch used to operate the vessel's sonar equipment, and are preparing to take apart the second level of the ship, located beneath the deck.
Sensitive equipment will be recycled but most of the ship will have to be scrapped after its fibreglass-reinforced wooden hull was breached when it ran aground, she said.
Portable equipment as well as toxic substances have already been removed from the ship, she added.
When it ran aground, the ship damaged a section of reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its rich marine life. President Benigno Aquino has said the US Navy will have to pay penalties for the damage.
The vessel, estimated to cost about $277 million, was too badly damaged to be towed away, the US Navy said earlier.
Vessels sailing into the Tubbataha marine park need permission but Philippine authorities said the crew of the Guardian had made no request to enter and had even ignored radio messages that it was about to hit the reef.
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/breaking-news/42345-salvage-crews-break-up-us-navy-ship-in-philippines
Salvage teams have begun cutting up a US Navy ship stranded on a UN World Heritage-listed coral reef in the Philippines in a process that could take almost month, the coastguard said on Wednesday.
The smokestack, or funnel, of the minesweeper USS Guardian was lifted off on Tuesday while the mast was removed on Wednesday, marking a major step in the operation, said coastguard spokeswoman Lieutenant Greanata Jude.
The 68-metre (223-foot) vessel ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef in a remote part of the Sulu Sea on January 17 and strong winds and heavy seas have hampered the operation to dismantle it.
The United States has repeatedly apologised for the incident, which it has blamed on faulty maps, but the incident has fuelled anger in the Philippines, a former American colony and important US ally in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Most of the equipment on top of the deck has already been transferred to a barge but they have yet to remove the large equipment inside the ship," Jude told AFP.
The dismantling of the ship has been repeatedly delayed by bad weather, but clear skies are now forecast to last over the next few days, she added.
The US Navy had originally targeted March 23 for the full removal of the vessel but the recent bad weather could now change the timeframe, Jude said without giving details.
Jude said the team has also removed a winch used to operate the vessel's sonar equipment, and are preparing to take apart the second level of the ship, located beneath the deck.
Sensitive equipment will be recycled but most of the ship will have to be scrapped after its fibreglass-reinforced wooden hull was breached when it ran aground, she said.
Portable equipment as well as toxic substances have already been removed from the ship, she added.
When it ran aground, the ship damaged a section of reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its rich marine life. President Benigno Aquino has said the US Navy will have to pay penalties for the damage.
The vessel, estimated to cost about $277 million, was too badly damaged to be towed away, the US Navy said earlier.
Vessels sailing into the Tubbataha marine park need permission but Philippine authorities said the crew of the Guardian had made no request to enter and had even ignored radio messages that it was about to hit the reef.
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/breaking-news/42345-salvage-crews-break-up-us-navy-ship-in-philippines
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)