From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7): US embassy confirming if drone belongs to US military
American officials in Manila are verifying if the unmanned aerial vehicle found
off Masbate island last weekend belongs to the US military, an embassy spokesman
said Monday.
The spokjesman added the recovered drone was not armed and of the type used
for military training exercises.
“We are aware of reports that an apparently US-made unmanned aerial vehicle
was recovered in the waters off of Masbate this weekend. The recovered vehicle
appears to be of the sort that is used as an air defense target in training
exercises,” said embassy spokesperson Tina Malone.
"This type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance,” Malone
added.
“We are trying to confirm this interpretation and to determine how and when
it may have landed in the sea.”
The drone, initially mistaken for a missile, was seen floating by a diver
around 8 a.m. Sunday near Ticao Island.
Philippine Navy officials said the drone was towed to Ticao beach with the
help of some local fishermen.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=485149
Monday, January 7, 2013
US target drone found off Masbate
From the Sun Star (Jan 7): US target drone found off Masbate
A US-made aerial target drone was found Sunday evening off the coast of Masbate, a police official said Monday. Senior Inspector Kim Espineli, chief of police of San Jacinto confirmed in a radio report that they received information of a crashed unmanned aircraft used by the United States military found in Sitio Tacdugan, Barangay Bagahanglad, in San Jacinto town. Espineli, however, said that it was later identified by authorities as an aerial target drone and not a spy plane. The drone is a model BQM-74E Chuckar III with a length of 12 feet, 11 inches, a wingspan of 5 feet 9 inches and a height of 2 feet 4 inches.
According to Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, chief of Masbate police, the drone was discovered by fishermen Jolly Llacer and Ricky Cantoria drifting in the waters off Masbate which they later turned over to the authorities for fear that it was a bomb. Police authorities are still investigating the said the craft which officials of the Philippine Army’s 49th Infantry Division believe has just surfaced in the area. Army Colonel Jun Pacatan said the craft was probably used in World War II and was just drifted to Masbate.
Olitoquit, however, said there was no information yet as to who owned the drone and why it fell into the waters off Masbate. The item will be turned over to the Philippine Navy. Aerial target drones are unmanned, remote controlled aerial vehicles, usually used in the training of anti-aircraft personnel.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/01/07/us-target-drone-found-masbate-261710
A US-made aerial target drone was found Sunday evening off the coast of Masbate, a police official said Monday. Senior Inspector Kim Espineli, chief of police of San Jacinto confirmed in a radio report that they received information of a crashed unmanned aircraft used by the United States military found in Sitio Tacdugan, Barangay Bagahanglad, in San Jacinto town. Espineli, however, said that it was later identified by authorities as an aerial target drone and not a spy plane. The drone is a model BQM-74E Chuckar III with a length of 12 feet, 11 inches, a wingspan of 5 feet 9 inches and a height of 2 feet 4 inches.
According to Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, chief of Masbate police, the drone was discovered by fishermen Jolly Llacer and Ricky Cantoria drifting in the waters off Masbate which they later turned over to the authorities for fear that it was a bomb. Police authorities are still investigating the said the craft which officials of the Philippine Army’s 49th Infantry Division believe has just surfaced in the area. Army Colonel Jun Pacatan said the craft was probably used in World War II and was just drifted to Masbate.
Olitoquit, however, said there was no information yet as to who owned the drone and why it fell into the waters off Masbate. The item will be turned over to the Philippine Navy. Aerial target drones are unmanned, remote controlled aerial vehicles, usually used in the training of anti-aircraft personnel.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/01/07/us-target-drone-found-masbate-261710
Western Mindanao Command bans media at New Year’s Call
From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 7): Western Mindanao Command bans media at New Year’s
Call
The Western Mindanao Command has banned journalists from covering the traditional New Year’s Call of military commanders in Zamboanga City on Monday. This after the media criticized the Western Mindanao Command for its failure to regularly provide the media with news update on matters related to military and civil operations in the region, where kidnappings and threats of Abu Sayyaf attacks still remain a serious problem.
Gen. Rey Ardo, who heads the Western Mindanao Command, also failed to hold regular news conference or brief the media about its ongoing operations against the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf which is still holding at least 4 foreigners in the region. Ardo, former commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, assumed as Western Mindanao Command chief in October last year following the promotion of Gen. Noel Coballes as Armed Forces deputy chief. During Ardo’s stint, he also banned media from covering the arrival of soldiers who were wounded in clashes with Abu Sayyaf inside the military base, which former commanders had allowed.
The Western Mindanao Command’s New Year’s Call is a time when military commanders pay their courtesy to their chief and exchange greetings among senior officers. Previous New Year’s Calls were open to journalists to cover and interview military commanders about various issues.
The Abu Sayyaf is holding the past two years Japanese treasure hunter Katayama Mamaito was abducted by the Abu Sayyaf on the island of Pangutaran. Police said Katayama, whose real name is Toshio Ito, 66, is still alive, but there have been no efforts from either the Philippines or Japanese government to rescue the foreigner. He was last reported to have been helping the Abu Sayyaf in cooking food for them and freely moves around, according to Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, the provincial police chief.
Aside from Katayama, the Abu Sayyaf is also holding Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani, 43, and his two Filipino assistants Rolando Letrero, 22, and Ramelito Vela, 39. The trio went to Sulu province in June to secretly film the Abu Sayyaf for a documentary on Al Arabiya News Channel. Prior to his detention, Atyani has had previously travelled to the province in secrecy to interview terrorist leaders, the Philippine military said. The military has previously said it would arrest Atyani for espionage should he be released by the Abu Sayyaf. Atyani had also clandestinely interviewed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden before the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
Freyra said two European wildlife photographers Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from Switzerland, kidnapped in February this year in Tawi-Tawi province had been brought to Sulu province. “We have been constantly monitoring the situation of all these kidnapped victims now in Sulu, but the Abu Sayyaf, as in the past, is highly mobile and would change their hideouts from time to time to avoid detection by government authorities. We have people on the grounds monitoring developments and feeding us intelligence about these victims,” Freyra told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the government has a strict no ransom policy and authorities would not negotiate with terrorists. “We would like these problems resolved soon and our operations to locate the victims continue,” he said. Police in Tawi-Tawi said the duo was allegedly seized by members of the Moro National Liberation Front. Another group of kidnappers are also holding a Malaysian fish trader Pang Choon Pong, who was seized in October 2011 in Tawi-Tawi, but his fate remains unknown.
In November, Malaysian authorities said two of its nationals were seized by 5 gunmen disguised as policemen from a palm oil plantation in Sabah near the Philippine border. It said the two, who are cousins, were both working for the plantation in Lahad Datu, and had been taken at gunpoint. Their companions said the gunmen spoke in Malayu and Tausug, a dialect commonly used in the southern provinces of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. There were no immediate reports whether the foreigners are being held in either of the two provinces, but Malaysia said the victims could be in Tawi-Tawi.
Abu Sayyaf gunmen are also holding an Australian adventurer, Warren Rodwell, a former soldier, who was kidnapped in the seaside town of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province on December 5, 2011. Rodwell, 54, is married to a Filipina Miraflor Gutang, then 27, but local police said the marriage was in trouble within months after their June 2011 wedding. Shortly after Rodwell's kidnapping, the then local police chief Edwin Verzon said Gutang had filed two complaints of abuse against the Australian and Gutang's parents said she had moved out of their shared house just two weeks previously. Verzon was later sacked for his comments and the local governor Rommel Jalosjos imposed a blackout on Rodwell news coverage.
The Abu Sayyaf, which means “Bearer of the sword,” has been tied to dozens of kidnappings over the past decade in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi – all in the Muslim autonomous region; and Zamboanga City and other areas in Western Mindanao. The group, authorities said, has links also with the Jemaah Islamiya terror networks and is responsible in many bombings in key areas not only in Mindanao, but also in the Philippine capital.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20130107020256
The Western Mindanao Command has banned journalists from covering the traditional New Year’s Call of military commanders in Zamboanga City on Monday. This after the media criticized the Western Mindanao Command for its failure to regularly provide the media with news update on matters related to military and civil operations in the region, where kidnappings and threats of Abu Sayyaf attacks still remain a serious problem.
Gen. Rey Ardo, who heads the Western Mindanao Command, also failed to hold regular news conference or brief the media about its ongoing operations against the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf which is still holding at least 4 foreigners in the region. Ardo, former commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, assumed as Western Mindanao Command chief in October last year following the promotion of Gen. Noel Coballes as Armed Forces deputy chief. During Ardo’s stint, he also banned media from covering the arrival of soldiers who were wounded in clashes with Abu Sayyaf inside the military base, which former commanders had allowed.
The Western Mindanao Command’s New Year’s Call is a time when military commanders pay their courtesy to their chief and exchange greetings among senior officers. Previous New Year’s Calls were open to journalists to cover and interview military commanders about various issues.
The Abu Sayyaf is holding the past two years Japanese treasure hunter Katayama Mamaito was abducted by the Abu Sayyaf on the island of Pangutaran. Police said Katayama, whose real name is Toshio Ito, 66, is still alive, but there have been no efforts from either the Philippines or Japanese government to rescue the foreigner. He was last reported to have been helping the Abu Sayyaf in cooking food for them and freely moves around, according to Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, the provincial police chief.
Aside from Katayama, the Abu Sayyaf is also holding Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani, 43, and his two Filipino assistants Rolando Letrero, 22, and Ramelito Vela, 39. The trio went to Sulu province in June to secretly film the Abu Sayyaf for a documentary on Al Arabiya News Channel. Prior to his detention, Atyani has had previously travelled to the province in secrecy to interview terrorist leaders, the Philippine military said. The military has previously said it would arrest Atyani for espionage should he be released by the Abu Sayyaf. Atyani had also clandestinely interviewed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden before the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
Freyra said two European wildlife photographers Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from Switzerland, kidnapped in February this year in Tawi-Tawi province had been brought to Sulu province. “We have been constantly monitoring the situation of all these kidnapped victims now in Sulu, but the Abu Sayyaf, as in the past, is highly mobile and would change their hideouts from time to time to avoid detection by government authorities. We have people on the grounds monitoring developments and feeding us intelligence about these victims,” Freyra told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the government has a strict no ransom policy and authorities would not negotiate with terrorists. “We would like these problems resolved soon and our operations to locate the victims continue,” he said. Police in Tawi-Tawi said the duo was allegedly seized by members of the Moro National Liberation Front. Another group of kidnappers are also holding a Malaysian fish trader Pang Choon Pong, who was seized in October 2011 in Tawi-Tawi, but his fate remains unknown.
In November, Malaysian authorities said two of its nationals were seized by 5 gunmen disguised as policemen from a palm oil plantation in Sabah near the Philippine border. It said the two, who are cousins, were both working for the plantation in Lahad Datu, and had been taken at gunpoint. Their companions said the gunmen spoke in Malayu and Tausug, a dialect commonly used in the southern provinces of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. There were no immediate reports whether the foreigners are being held in either of the two provinces, but Malaysia said the victims could be in Tawi-Tawi.
Abu Sayyaf gunmen are also holding an Australian adventurer, Warren Rodwell, a former soldier, who was kidnapped in the seaside town of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province on December 5, 2011. Rodwell, 54, is married to a Filipina Miraflor Gutang, then 27, but local police said the marriage was in trouble within months after their June 2011 wedding. Shortly after Rodwell's kidnapping, the then local police chief Edwin Verzon said Gutang had filed two complaints of abuse against the Australian and Gutang's parents said she had moved out of their shared house just two weeks previously. Verzon was later sacked for his comments and the local governor Rommel Jalosjos imposed a blackout on Rodwell news coverage.
The Abu Sayyaf, which means “Bearer of the sword,” has been tied to dozens of kidnappings over the past decade in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi – all in the Muslim autonomous region; and Zamboanga City and other areas in Western Mindanao. The group, authorities said, has links also with the Jemaah Islamiya terror networks and is responsible in many bombings in key areas not only in Mindanao, but also in the Philippine capital.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20130107020256
Solon says VFA one-sided, calls for its abrogation
From the Daily Tribue (Jan 7): Solon says VFA one-sided, calls for its abrogation
A lawmaker from the militant Bayan Muna yesterday lambasted the United States anew for demanding special treatment for its meat importations. According to Rep. Neri Colmenares, the provision that exempts meat importation is provided for under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)which also exempts these products from duties and taxes. “The Senate and House should approve Joint Resolutions filed in 2010 terminating VFA,” Colmenares said.
Colmenares pointed out that the VFA is sorely disadvantageous and humiliating to the country. “While our products entering the United States are subjected to rigorous quarantine inspection, US meat products like steaks are unfairly not subject to mandatory inspection because under the VFA the US military commander, not Philippine authorities, retains the power to conduct quarantine inspection and decide whether or not to allow Philippine authorities to enter US vessels or planes,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed the Department of Agriculture would not even know about the importations because of the provisions on these meat importations under the VFA. “Secretary (Proceso) Alcala should assert his authority to inspect products in US ships. Even if the US will allow the quarantine inspection of the intercepted meat, all they have to do the next time is just transport it through their huge naval ships,” Colmenares said. Colmenares noted that Article III, Par. 3 (c) of the VFA provides: “Any quarantine inspection of United States aircraft or United States vessels or cargoes thereon shall be conducted by the United States commanding officer.”
Colmenares also lamented that while the Aquino government has been raising taxes on Filipino workers, it could not even tax the US Armed Forces for their importations. “While our government is busy taxing our people with so many taxes, it exempts the US from any tax under the VFA. Article VII provides that “US equipment, materials, supplies and other properties imported into or acquired in the Philippines by or on behalf of the US armed forces shall be free of all Philippine duties, taxes and other similar charges,” Colmenares said.
The lawmaker said under the current circumstances the government should move to scrap the VFA for its unconstitutional provisions. Colmenares added if President Aquino does not want the VFA abrogated, Congress can do so by approving Joint Resolution 7 which has been pending in the House since Aug. 25, 2010. A counterpart Joint Resolution 3, filed by Sen. Miriam Defesnor Santiago, is also pending in the Senate since 2010. He said the approval by both Houses of Congress of the Joint Resolutions would by-pass President Aquino and would have the effect of a law.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/8848-solon-says-vfa-one-sided-calls-for-its-abrogation
A lawmaker from the militant Bayan Muna yesterday lambasted the United States anew for demanding special treatment for its meat importations. According to Rep. Neri Colmenares, the provision that exempts meat importation is provided for under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)which also exempts these products from duties and taxes. “The Senate and House should approve Joint Resolutions filed in 2010 terminating VFA,” Colmenares said.
Colmenares pointed out that the VFA is sorely disadvantageous and humiliating to the country. “While our products entering the United States are subjected to rigorous quarantine inspection, US meat products like steaks are unfairly not subject to mandatory inspection because under the VFA the US military commander, not Philippine authorities, retains the power to conduct quarantine inspection and decide whether or not to allow Philippine authorities to enter US vessels or planes,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed the Department of Agriculture would not even know about the importations because of the provisions on these meat importations under the VFA. “Secretary (Proceso) Alcala should assert his authority to inspect products in US ships. Even if the US will allow the quarantine inspection of the intercepted meat, all they have to do the next time is just transport it through their huge naval ships,” Colmenares said. Colmenares noted that Article III, Par. 3 (c) of the VFA provides: “Any quarantine inspection of United States aircraft or United States vessels or cargoes thereon shall be conducted by the United States commanding officer.”
Colmenares also lamented that while the Aquino government has been raising taxes on Filipino workers, it could not even tax the US Armed Forces for their importations. “While our government is busy taxing our people with so many taxes, it exempts the US from any tax under the VFA. Article VII provides that “US equipment, materials, supplies and other properties imported into or acquired in the Philippines by or on behalf of the US armed forces shall be free of all Philippine duties, taxes and other similar charges,” Colmenares said.
The lawmaker said under the current circumstances the government should move to scrap the VFA for its unconstitutional provisions. Colmenares added if President Aquino does not want the VFA abrogated, Congress can do so by approving Joint Resolution 7 which has been pending in the House since Aug. 25, 2010. A counterpart Joint Resolution 3, filed by Sen. Miriam Defesnor Santiago, is also pending in the Senate since 2010. He said the approval by both Houses of Congress of the Joint Resolutions would by-pass President Aquino and would have the effect of a law.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/8848-solon-says-vfa-one-sided-calls-for-its-abrogation
DND eyes 2 more choppers for PN
From the Daily Tribune (Jan 7): DND eyes 2 more choppers for PN
Realizing the tactical value of naval helicopters in patrolling and securing the country’s vast maritime territory, the Department of National Defense (DND) said they are mulling the purchase of two more AW-109 choppers. This is aside from the three bought through a contract of agreement signed last Dec. 20 and expected to be delivered by 2014. The acquisition of the two extra naval helicopters will depend on funding and DND observers said the decision to finalize the deal will hopefully be reached this year.
The Philippine Navy (PN) needs additional naval and air platform to secure the country’s vast maritime territory which is placed at more than 30,000 square kilometers. At present, the PN only has about 134 naval craft of various tonnages and designs and 12 fly-able air assets to secure this rich territory from foreign intruders.
With the arrival of the three new AW-109s by 2014 and another Hamilton-class cutter, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), by March, the country is expected to increase its patrol and surveillance capabilities by a significant degree. The three rotary wing aircraft has a net price of P1,337,176,584 while the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is worth over P500 million. It is expected to be delivered by 2014. The contract was signed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and supplier AugustaWestland S.P.A.
The acquisition project was done under negotiated procurement through Section 53.2 (Emergency Procurement) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184. “The acquisition of these naval helicopters is one concrete step towards the fulfillment of our goal to modernize the Philippine Navy, and our Armed Forces in general,” DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.
Meanwhile, Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, installation and material, said that five countries have expressed their intention to sell to the Philippines modern frigates and offshore patrol vessels, which will help the country protect its vast maritime territories. He said that offers have been coming from the United States, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and even Australia. All vessels being offered by these nations are brand new.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/8843-dnd-eyes-2-more-choppers-for-pn
Realizing the tactical value of naval helicopters in patrolling and securing the country’s vast maritime territory, the Department of National Defense (DND) said they are mulling the purchase of two more AW-109 choppers. This is aside from the three bought through a contract of agreement signed last Dec. 20 and expected to be delivered by 2014. The acquisition of the two extra naval helicopters will depend on funding and DND observers said the decision to finalize the deal will hopefully be reached this year.
The Philippine Navy (PN) needs additional naval and air platform to secure the country’s vast maritime territory which is placed at more than 30,000 square kilometers. At present, the PN only has about 134 naval craft of various tonnages and designs and 12 fly-able air assets to secure this rich territory from foreign intruders.
With the arrival of the three new AW-109s by 2014 and another Hamilton-class cutter, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), by March, the country is expected to increase its patrol and surveillance capabilities by a significant degree. The three rotary wing aircraft has a net price of P1,337,176,584 while the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is worth over P500 million. It is expected to be delivered by 2014. The contract was signed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and supplier AugustaWestland S.P.A.
The acquisition project was done under negotiated procurement through Section 53.2 (Emergency Procurement) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184. “The acquisition of these naval helicopters is one concrete step towards the fulfillment of our goal to modernize the Philippine Navy, and our Armed Forces in general,” DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.
Meanwhile, Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, installation and material, said that five countries have expressed their intention to sell to the Philippines modern frigates and offshore patrol vessels, which will help the country protect its vast maritime territories. He said that offers have been coming from the United States, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and even Australia. All vessels being offered by these nations are brand new.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/8843-dnd-eyes-2-more-choppers-for-pn
Photo: Unarmed US Navy drone found off Masbate
From GMA News (Jan 7): Photo: Unarmed US Navy drone found off Masbate
An unarmed US Navy drone which was found off the coast of Masbate province on Sunday was recovered by the San Jacinto town police force and turned over to the Philippine Navy. The US Embassy said that this type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance. GMA News/PNP-MPS
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/photo/30486/unarmed-us-navy-drone-found-off-masbate?ref=featuredsel
An unarmed US Navy drone which was found off the coast of Masbate province on Sunday was recovered by the San Jacinto town police force and turned over to the Philippine Navy. The US Embassy said that this type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance. GMA News/PNP-MPS
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/photo/30486/unarmed-us-navy-drone-found-off-masbate?ref=featuredsel
US embassy says drone recovered in Masbate waters not used for surveillance
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 7): US embassy says drone recovered in Masbate waters not used for surveillance
The United States (US)-made unmanned aerial vehicle recovered in Philippine waters early Sunday morning is of the type that is “not armed and not used for surveillance,” the country’s embassy in Manila said Monday. In a statement, Tina Malone, spokesperson of the US embassy in Manila, said that the embassy was aware of reports that an apparently US-made unmanned aerial vehicle was recovered in the waters off Masbate this weekend and that the recovered vehicle “appears to be of the sort that is used as an air defense target in training exercises.” “This type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance. We are trying to confirm this interpretation and to determine how and when it may have landed in the sea,” Malone said in a text message.
Earlier reports had noted that Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police chief, said that the 4-meter US-made drone was seen drifting in the sea waters off Sitio (sub-village) Tacdugan in Barangay (village) Bagahanglad in San Jacinto town by fishermen Jolly Llacer and Ricky Cantoria. Olitoquit was quoted as saying that the two fishermen dragged the drone to the shoreline of San Jacinto without knowing what it was. Olitoquit had also described the aerial vehicle as having a wingspan of 1.76 meters and a height of about .71 meter.
Reports had noted that operatives from the Philippine National Police in Masbate province have inspected and secured the object but there was no information yet as to who owned the drone and why it fell into the waters off Masbate.
Meanwhile, the military is clueless on the presence of the drone in the area. “Hindi ko alam kung bakit nandun yun (I don’t know why it was found there). We cannot even confirm kung kelan pa sya nandun (how long it has been there), it could have been there several days ago. We cannot confirm that,” Navy spokesman Colonel Omar Tonsay told reporters.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/61047/us-embassy-says-drone-recovered-in-masbate-waters-not-used-for-surveillance
The United States (US)-made unmanned aerial vehicle recovered in Philippine waters early Sunday morning is of the type that is “not armed and not used for surveillance,” the country’s embassy in Manila said Monday. In a statement, Tina Malone, spokesperson of the US embassy in Manila, said that the embassy was aware of reports that an apparently US-made unmanned aerial vehicle was recovered in the waters off Masbate this weekend and that the recovered vehicle “appears to be of the sort that is used as an air defense target in training exercises.” “This type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance. We are trying to confirm this interpretation and to determine how and when it may have landed in the sea,” Malone said in a text message.
Earlier reports had noted that Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police chief, said that the 4-meter US-made drone was seen drifting in the sea waters off Sitio (sub-village) Tacdugan in Barangay (village) Bagahanglad in San Jacinto town by fishermen Jolly Llacer and Ricky Cantoria. Olitoquit was quoted as saying that the two fishermen dragged the drone to the shoreline of San Jacinto without knowing what it was. Olitoquit had also described the aerial vehicle as having a wingspan of 1.76 meters and a height of about .71 meter.
Reports had noted that operatives from the Philippine National Police in Masbate province have inspected and secured the object but there was no information yet as to who owned the drone and why it fell into the waters off Masbate.
Meanwhile, the military is clueless on the presence of the drone in the area. “Hindi ko alam kung bakit nandun yun (I don’t know why it was found there). We cannot even confirm kung kelan pa sya nandun (how long it has been there), it could have been there several days ago. We cannot confirm that,” Navy spokesman Colonel Omar Tonsay told reporters.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/61047/us-embassy-says-drone-recovered-in-masbate-waters-not-used-for-surveillance
Shariff Aguak placed under tight watch
From the Philippine Star (Jan 7): Shariff
Aguak placed under tight watch
The police and military tightened security in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Sunday to prevent a repeat of the shelling of the town center with 40 MM grenade projectiles and possible bombing attempts following the separate deactivation by soldiers of two powerful bombs found in different spots in the area in just three days. No one was reported killed or injured in the bombardment of Sitio Malinis at the town proper of Shariff Aguak with three rounds of shoulder-fire grenades. The grenades were fired from a distance using an M-79 launcher. The incident also caused panic among villagers.
The three blasts occurred only about three hours before local residents found a bag near a roadside camp of an Army mechanized unit. The bag contained a powerful improvised explosive device, which a responding military bomb disposal team managed to defuse before it could explode. A more powerful IED, fashioned from two live 81 MM mortar rigged with a timer set attached to a mobile phone, was also found two days earlier near the entrance to the six-hectare compound housing the local government operations center of Shariff Aguak.
Col. Prudencio Asto, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the latest IED soldiers defused at Sitio Malinis at the town proper of Shariff Aguak Saturday dawn was made of two 60 MM mortar bombs rigged with a battery-operated blasting device attached to a mobile phone.
Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, chairman of the provincial peace and order council, said he has ordered the Shariff Aguak municipal police to look into the incidents, whose masterminds remain unknown. Mangudadatu said the provincial police already deployed more policemen in the surroundings of Shariff Aguak as part of the security efforts meant to protect local villagers.
Asto said the latest IED villagers found was left by unidentified men along a thoroughfare connecting Sitio Malinis to the center of Shariff Aguak where the town’s market and public terminal are located. “We ought to thank the vigilant people that noticed the bag and immediately reported what they found to the nearest Army outpost,” Asto said. Police and Army investigators are certain the shelling and the twin attempts to bomb the area with IEDs were related to each other and were perpetrated by only one group.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/01/07/894262/shariff-aguak-placed-under-tight-watch
The police and military tightened security in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Sunday to prevent a repeat of the shelling of the town center with 40 MM grenade projectiles and possible bombing attempts following the separate deactivation by soldiers of two powerful bombs found in different spots in the area in just three days. No one was reported killed or injured in the bombardment of Sitio Malinis at the town proper of Shariff Aguak with three rounds of shoulder-fire grenades. The grenades were fired from a distance using an M-79 launcher. The incident also caused panic among villagers.
The three blasts occurred only about three hours before local residents found a bag near a roadside camp of an Army mechanized unit. The bag contained a powerful improvised explosive device, which a responding military bomb disposal team managed to defuse before it could explode. A more powerful IED, fashioned from two live 81 MM mortar rigged with a timer set attached to a mobile phone, was also found two days earlier near the entrance to the six-hectare compound housing the local government operations center of Shariff Aguak.
Col. Prudencio Asto, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the latest IED soldiers defused at Sitio Malinis at the town proper of Shariff Aguak Saturday dawn was made of two 60 MM mortar bombs rigged with a battery-operated blasting device attached to a mobile phone.
Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, chairman of the provincial peace and order council, said he has ordered the Shariff Aguak municipal police to look into the incidents, whose masterminds remain unknown. Mangudadatu said the provincial police already deployed more policemen in the surroundings of Shariff Aguak as part of the security efforts meant to protect local villagers.
Asto said the latest IED villagers found was left by unidentified men along a thoroughfare connecting Sitio Malinis to the center of Shariff Aguak where the town’s market and public terminal are located. “We ought to thank the vigilant people that noticed the bag and immediately reported what they found to the nearest Army outpost,” Asto said. Police and Army investigators are certain the shelling and the twin attempts to bomb the area with IEDs were related to each other and were perpetrated by only one group.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/01/07/894262/shariff-aguak-placed-under-tight-watch
MILF areas to be put under WESTMINCOM
From the Philippine Star (Jan 7): MILF areas to be put under WESTMINCOM
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has recommended to place all areas with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) presence to be under its area of responsibility, a senior military official said. Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo said the move is one of the campaign plans under his thrust in stabilizing the peace to help the economic development in southern Philippine region. Ardo, who made the pronouncement at the sidelines of the Westmincom New Year’s call on all of its ground commanders, said the aim in putting Maguindanao under its area of responsibility (AOR) is to allow the area command to focus on addressing the concerns of the MILF. He said this will also allow the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) to focus more on the communist insurgent issues.
Ardo said the plan of placing Maguindanao under its AOR is in preparation of the possible signing of accord between the government and MILF as an offshoot of the signing of the framework agreement which paves the way for disarmament, demobilization and integration of the MILF combatants into the national force. “I hope matutuloy na ang direction na ang Maguindanao ay mapunta sa Westmincom so that they (MILF) have only one unit to coordinate,” Ardo said.
Maguindanao, where majority of the MILF are based, is part of the AOR of the Eastmincom in Central Mindanao. Lanao provinces, where some of the MILF units have been operating and based, are under the Westmincom AOR.
Another senior military official said with the anticipated peace signing, MILF rebels who were facing insurgency-related crimes or having standing warrants of arrest will be given clemency. The official said the MILF has also started checking its roster of members. Those linked with terror groups will be de-listed to allow the government law enforcement units to hunt them. Ardo also said if his recommendations will materialize, the 6th Army Division, operating in Central Mindanao, will also be under its watch. Ardo said placing Maguindanao under the Westmincom AOR was traditionally part of the plan when the defunct Southern Command was divided into two area commands.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/01/07/894269/milf-areas-be-put-under-westmincom
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has recommended to place all areas with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) presence to be under its area of responsibility, a senior military official said. Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo said the move is one of the campaign plans under his thrust in stabilizing the peace to help the economic development in southern Philippine region. Ardo, who made the pronouncement at the sidelines of the Westmincom New Year’s call on all of its ground commanders, said the aim in putting Maguindanao under its area of responsibility (AOR) is to allow the area command to focus on addressing the concerns of the MILF. He said this will also allow the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) to focus more on the communist insurgent issues.
Ardo said the plan of placing Maguindanao under its AOR is in preparation of the possible signing of accord between the government and MILF as an offshoot of the signing of the framework agreement which paves the way for disarmament, demobilization and integration of the MILF combatants into the national force. “I hope matutuloy na ang direction na ang Maguindanao ay mapunta sa Westmincom so that they (MILF) have only one unit to coordinate,” Ardo said.
Maguindanao, where majority of the MILF are based, is part of the AOR of the Eastmincom in Central Mindanao. Lanao provinces, where some of the MILF units have been operating and based, are under the Westmincom AOR.
Another senior military official said with the anticipated peace signing, MILF rebels who were facing insurgency-related crimes or having standing warrants of arrest will be given clemency. The official said the MILF has also started checking its roster of members. Those linked with terror groups will be de-listed to allow the government law enforcement units to hunt them. Ardo also said if his recommendations will materialize, the 6th Army Division, operating in Central Mindanao, will also be under its watch. Ardo said placing Maguindanao under the Westmincom AOR was traditionally part of the plan when the defunct Southern Command was divided into two area commands.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/01/07/894269/milf-areas-be-put-under-westmincom
Foreign captives monitored in Sulu
From the Philippine Star (Jan 7): Foreign captives monitored in Sulu
A senior military officer confirmed that the four foreigners separately abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants have been monitored and appeared to be still kept by the group in the mountains of Sulu. Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, confirmed the report as he directed the military ground commanders to improve its anti-kidnapping operations. Ardo said he urged their police counterpart to assign specific units for a better coordination of the operation against the kidnapping syndicate groups in the region. “The trust of running the kidnapping syndicate groups is in the law enforcement of the police and ours is mainly to support them, but we have to have mechanism because we want to improve our anti-kidnapping campaign,” Ardo said.
He said the improvement of the anti-kidnapping mechanism must also involve the local government units citing that the kidnappers were operating in syndicated system. “Iba iyong dumudukot at ipapapasa nila sa iba’t-ibang grupo gaya ng Abu Sayyaf,” Ardo said. Citing their latest monitoring report, Ardo said the four foreign captives are still in areas in Sulu. However, Ardo did not specify whether there were direct sightings of the victims by military forces on the ground.
The four foreign captives suspected to be held by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu are Europeans Elwold Horn of Holland and Lorenzo Vinceguerre of Switzerland; Australian Warren Richard Rodwell, and Jordanian broadcast journalist Baker Atyani and his two Filipino crew Romelito Vela and Roland Letrico. Horn and Vinceguerre, both wild bird watchers were abducted February last year in Tawi-Tawi province; Rodwell who is married to a Filipino was forcibly taken from his home in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay province on Dec. 5, 2011; while Atyani and his crew were held captive after meeting with the Abu Sayyaf for an interview last June in Sulu.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/01/07/894282/foreign-captives-monitored-sulu
A senior military officer confirmed that the four foreigners separately abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants have been monitored and appeared to be still kept by the group in the mountains of Sulu. Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, confirmed the report as he directed the military ground commanders to improve its anti-kidnapping operations. Ardo said he urged their police counterpart to assign specific units for a better coordination of the operation against the kidnapping syndicate groups in the region. “The trust of running the kidnapping syndicate groups is in the law enforcement of the police and ours is mainly to support them, but we have to have mechanism because we want to improve our anti-kidnapping campaign,” Ardo said.
He said the improvement of the anti-kidnapping mechanism must also involve the local government units citing that the kidnappers were operating in syndicated system. “Iba iyong dumudukot at ipapapasa nila sa iba’t-ibang grupo gaya ng Abu Sayyaf,” Ardo said. Citing their latest monitoring report, Ardo said the four foreign captives are still in areas in Sulu. However, Ardo did not specify whether there were direct sightings of the victims by military forces on the ground.
The four foreign captives suspected to be held by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu are Europeans Elwold Horn of Holland and Lorenzo Vinceguerre of Switzerland; Australian Warren Richard Rodwell, and Jordanian broadcast journalist Baker Atyani and his two Filipino crew Romelito Vela and Roland Letrico. Horn and Vinceguerre, both wild bird watchers were abducted February last year in Tawi-Tawi province; Rodwell who is married to a Filipino was forcibly taken from his home in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay province on Dec. 5, 2011; while Atyani and his crew were held captive after meeting with the Abu Sayyaf for an interview last June in Sulu.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/01/07/894282/foreign-captives-monitored-sulu
2 killed in Quezon shootout not ISAFP members
From the Philippine Star (Jan 7): 2 killed in Quezon shootout not ISAFP members
The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) on Monday denied that two of the 13 persons killed in a shootout in Quezon last Sunday were its personnel. ISAFP chief Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año said the slain persons were civilians who used fake identification cards (IDs). “They (slain individuals) were not from ISAFP. They were civilians. The IDs are fake because we do not issue IDs,” Año said in a text message.“It appears that they were impostors. It is easy to create IDs from the computer,” he added.
Previous reports have identified two of the slain individuals namely Maximo Manalastas Pelayo and Leonardo Catapang Marasigan as ISAFP personnel. Security officials, however, confirmed that one of the fatalities was a member of the Air Force. The slain airman was identified as S/Sgt. Armando Lescano, who was reportedly assigned in Lipa City. The Air Force, however, said it is still looking into the incident. “We are still conducting an investigation. We will keep you posted,” Air Force spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said in a phone interview.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters was tight-lipped on the issue and did not issue any statement on the matter on Monday. Even military field units were careful in issuing statements about the issue, saying the matter is now being probed by the police. “This is now a police matter. The area has been cordoned. The police SOCO (scene of the crime operatives) are now conducting autopsy,” Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman Col. Generoso Bolina said when asked to react to reports that soldiers were killed in the shootout.
Maj. Gen. Alfredo Peralta, commander of the Army’s 2nd division, claimed he has yet to receive an official report about the incident. He, however, noted that some criminal groups assume the identity of law enforcers to evade authorities. Peralta, nevertheless, stressed that that the soldiers involved in the checkpoint operation were not at fault. "The checkpoints are very legal. They followed the proper checkpoint procedure. That is the initial (report) that reached me,” he said.
Meanwhile, Calabarzon regional police director Chief Supt. James Melad said three policemen were killed in the firefight, including police Supt. Alfredo Consamino of Region 4B. Initial reports said soldiers and policemen were fired upon by armed men after they flagged down two vehicles in a checkpoint in Plaridel town at about 3:20 p.m. The attack prompted the police and military personnel to retaliate, resulting in a firefight.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/01/07/894288/2-killed-quezon-shootout-not-isafp-members
The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) on Monday denied that two of the 13 persons killed in a shootout in Quezon last Sunday were its personnel. ISAFP chief Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año said the slain persons were civilians who used fake identification cards (IDs). “They (slain individuals) were not from ISAFP. They were civilians. The IDs are fake because we do not issue IDs,” Año said in a text message.“It appears that they were impostors. It is easy to create IDs from the computer,” he added.
Previous reports have identified two of the slain individuals namely Maximo Manalastas Pelayo and Leonardo Catapang Marasigan as ISAFP personnel. Security officials, however, confirmed that one of the fatalities was a member of the Air Force. The slain airman was identified as S/Sgt. Armando Lescano, who was reportedly assigned in Lipa City. The Air Force, however, said it is still looking into the incident. “We are still conducting an investigation. We will keep you posted,” Air Force spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said in a phone interview.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters was tight-lipped on the issue and did not issue any statement on the matter on Monday. Even military field units were careful in issuing statements about the issue, saying the matter is now being probed by the police. “This is now a police matter. The area has been cordoned. The police SOCO (scene of the crime operatives) are now conducting autopsy,” Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman Col. Generoso Bolina said when asked to react to reports that soldiers were killed in the shootout.
Maj. Gen. Alfredo Peralta, commander of the Army’s 2nd division, claimed he has yet to receive an official report about the incident. He, however, noted that some criminal groups assume the identity of law enforcers to evade authorities. Peralta, nevertheless, stressed that that the soldiers involved in the checkpoint operation were not at fault. "The checkpoints are very legal. They followed the proper checkpoint procedure. That is the initial (report) that reached me,” he said.
Meanwhile, Calabarzon regional police director Chief Supt. James Melad said three policemen were killed in the firefight, including police Supt. Alfredo Consamino of Region 4B. Initial reports said soldiers and policemen were fired upon by armed men after they flagged down two vehicles in a checkpoint in Plaridel town at about 3:20 p.m. The attack prompted the police and military personnel to retaliate, resulting in a firefight.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/01/07/894288/2-killed-quezon-shootout-not-isafp-members
US drone crashes off Masbate
From InterAksyon (Jan 7): US drone crashes off Masbate
A US-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed off the waters of Masbate Sunday, police said. Belated reports from Senior Supt. Heriberto Olitoquit, provincial police director, said the drone with model BQM-74E Chukar III crashed off the waters of Sitio Tacdugan, San Jacinto Sunday morning. Olitoquit said local fishermen who recovered the drone and brought it to shore first thought it was a bomb. But local police who arrived at the scene examined the item and found it to be a US-made drone with a length of 12 feet 11 inches, a wingspan of 5 feet 9 inches, and a height of 2 feet 4 inches. It was not yet known who launched it or for what it was meant for.
Not armed and not for surveillance - US embassy
Asked about the UAV, Tina Malone, spokeswoman of the US embassy in Manila, said that while the US embassy is finding out how and when the drone landed in the sea, she assured that it is neither armed nor used for surveillance. "We are aware of reports that an apparently US-made unmanned aerial vehicle was recovered in the waters off of Masbate this weekend. The recovered vehicle appears to be of the sort that is used as an air defense target in training exercises," Malone said in response to a text message. "This type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance. We are trying to confirm this interpretation and to determine how and when it may have landed in the sea," she said.
Asked if the use of such drones are allowed under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, Edilberto Adan, executive director of the Presidential Commission on the VFA (VFACom), said he has been trying to get more details about the drone. Adan had a similar comment as Malone's. He said that as a target drone, it does not appear to be armed or used for surveillance. In any case, he said, his office is trying to find out if it was used in any of the recent joint military exercises of Philippine and American forces - the guidelines for which are provided by the VFA. "We don't know a lot of things at this time - if it's froom any of the recent exercises, whose it is, where it actually landed," he said in a phone interview with InterAksyon.com. "It might have been used in exercises outside Philippine territory and carried by the sea currents into the Masbate seas," Adan said.
A US-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed off the waters of Masbate Sunday, police said. Belated reports from Senior Supt. Heriberto Olitoquit, provincial police director, said the drone with model BQM-74E Chukar III crashed off the waters of Sitio Tacdugan, San Jacinto Sunday morning. Olitoquit said local fishermen who recovered the drone and brought it to shore first thought it was a bomb. But local police who arrived at the scene examined the item and found it to be a US-made drone with a length of 12 feet 11 inches, a wingspan of 5 feet 9 inches, and a height of 2 feet 4 inches. It was not yet known who launched it or for what it was meant for.
Not armed and not for surveillance - US embassy
Asked about the UAV, Tina Malone, spokeswoman of the US embassy in Manila, said that while the US embassy is finding out how and when the drone landed in the sea, she assured that it is neither armed nor used for surveillance. "We are aware of reports that an apparently US-made unmanned aerial vehicle was recovered in the waters off of Masbate this weekend. The recovered vehicle appears to be of the sort that is used as an air defense target in training exercises," Malone said in response to a text message. "This type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance. We are trying to confirm this interpretation and to determine how and when it may have landed in the sea," she said.
Asked if the use of such drones are allowed under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, Edilberto Adan, executive director of the Presidential Commission on the VFA (VFACom), said he has been trying to get more details about the drone. Adan had a similar comment as Malone's. He said that as a target drone, it does not appear to be armed or used for surveillance. In any case, he said, his office is trying to find out if it was used in any of the recent joint military exercises of Philippine and American forces - the guidelines for which are provided by the VFA. "We don't know a lot of things at this time - if it's froom any of the recent exercises, whose it is, where it actually landed," he said in a phone interview with InterAksyon.com. "It might have been used in exercises outside Philippine territory and carried by the sea currents into the Masbate seas," Adan said.
No explosive device found
Confirming that the drone was "used primarily as a realistic aerial target capable of simulating enemy threats for gunnery and missile training exercises," Masbate police found no explosive device on the drone that can pose a threat to residents. The Philippine Navy, meanwhile, could not give more details on the matter. "We do not want to give any interpretation (on the presence of a US drone)...actually that’s the same thing we're asking now," said Capt. Rommel Galang, deputy commander, Naval Forces Southern Luzon.
Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay, meanwhile, said they have yet to obtain the entire details on the crash of the drone. The US drone was believed to be used for reconnaissance. Police had initially thought it was a bomb and alerted police about the unusual discovery, Olitoquit said. "A technical evaluation determined that the object is one unmanned aerial vehicle," Olitoquit told reporters.
Olitoquit said the drone had been turned over to the Philippine Navy, which would then conduct a thorough investigation of the drone. "It appears to have been floating for quite some time," Captain Rommel Galang, deputy commander of naval forces in the area, told AFP. "We will first study this drone but initially it appears to be a UAV used largely in reconnaissance." He said it had inscriptions and a serial number that "indicate it is an American drone". Galang said the US embassy had been informed of the discovery and local authorities would eventually turn it over to them.
Manila allowed overfly but no strikes
In an interview with AFP last year, President Benigno Aquino III confirmed that the Philippines has been allowing US drones to overfly its territory for reconnaissance flights, but were not allowed to make strikes. About 600 US forces have been rotating in the southern Philippines since 2002 as part of the US government's global war on terror. However the drone was found in Masbate, many hundreds of kilometers from the Muslim insurgency-racked areas where no US troops are known to operate. Masbate is one of the areas where communists waging a decades-long rebellion have long operated.
AUTHORIZED OR NOT? | US drone's crash sparks anxious questions
From InterAksyon (Jan 7): AUTHORIZED OR NOT? | US drone's crash sparks anxious questions
Photo provided by the PNP shows the drone discovered in the waters off Masbate
The discovery Monday of a US drone has triggered questions from various quarters anxious to know whether authorities have routinely allowed overflies by—and other uses--of such unmanned aerial vehicles in Philippine territory. Or, whether they were even made aware of such activities by foreign powers using them, like the United States, which rotates hundreds of its troops yearly in Philippine territory despite the scuttling of the military bases agreement in 1991.
Photo provided by the PNP shows the drone discovered in the waters off Masbate
The discovery Monday of a US drone has triggered questions from various quarters anxious to know whether authorities have routinely allowed overflies by—and other uses--of such unmanned aerial vehicles in Philippine territory. Or, whether they were even made aware of such activities by foreign powers using them, like the United States, which rotates hundreds of its troops yearly in Philippine territory despite the scuttling of the military bases agreement in 1991.
The militant group Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) fired the first salvo within an hour after reports of the UAV broke: "The crash should be probed. Why are us spy planes going around the country?" said Renato Reyes Jr., Bayan secretary general said. Reyes said the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) cannot be invoked in the incident as it "violates Philippine sovereignty." "If the US and PH will invoke the VFA, then all the more should this pact be terminated," Reyes said.
The US drone was believed to be used for reconnaissance. Fishermen found the 3.65 meter (12-foot) drone floating off Masbate island and dragged it to shore, said provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit. They had initially thought it was a bomb and alerted police about the unusual discovery, Olitoquit said. "A technical evaluation determined that the object is one Unmanned Aerial Vehicle," Olitoquit told reporters. Olitoquit said the drone had been turned over to the Philippine Navy, which would then conduct a thorough investigation of the drone. Captain Rommel Galang, deputy commander of naval forces in the area, told AFP the drone had inscriptions and a serial number that "indicate it is an American drone".
In an interview with AFP last year, President Benigno Aquino confirmed that the Philippines has been allowing US drones to overfly its territory for reconnaissance flights, but were not allowed to make strikes. About 600 US forces have been rotating in the southern Philippines since 2002 as part of the US government's global war on terror.
However the drone was found in Masbate, many hundreds of kilometres from the Muslim insurgency-racked areas where no US troops are known to operate. Masbate is one of the areas where communists waging a decades-long rebellion have long operated.
US drone crashes off Masbate - police
From Rappler (Jan 7): US drone crashes off Masbate - police
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE. A BQM-74E Chukar III is launched from a US Navy ship inJapan
The police said a US-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed into the sea off Masbate Sunday, January 6. The drone, a model BQM-74E Chukar III, made impact on Sunday morning near Sitio Tacdugan, San Jacinto, provincial police director Senior Supt. Heriberto Olitoquit said on Monday, January 7. Olitoquit said that it was local fishermen who recovered the UAV and brought it to shore believing at first that it was a bomb, until local police checked the item and confirmed it was in fact a drone.
The UAV -- 3.93 m long, 71 cm high and with a wingspan of 1.75 m -- will be turned over to the Philippine Navy, the official added. "It appears to have been floating for quite some time," Captain Rommel Galang, deputy commander of naval forces in the area, told AFP. "We will first study this drone but initially it appears to be a UAV used largely in reconnaissance." He added it had inscriptions and a serial number that "indicate it is an American drone."
Sought for comment, US embassy spokesperson Tina Malone said: "We are aware of reports that an apparently U.S.-made unmanned aerial vehicle was recovered in the waters off of Masbate this weekend. The recovered vehicle appears to be of the sort that is used as an air defense target in training exercises. This type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance." Malone added: "We are trying to confirm this interpretation and to determine how and when it may have landed in the sea."
US training PH military to use drones
The US has been training the Philippine military to use these drones against Muslim rebels in Mindanao, according to various US and Philippine officials. In an interview with AFP last year, President Benigno Aquino III confirmed that the Philippines has been allowing US drones to overfly its territory for reconnaissance flights, but were not allowed to make strikes.
Rappler reported in March that US smart bombs delivered by a different model Scan Eagle UAV were used for the first time on Philippine territory in a February 2 attack on Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists. The raid was the result of 15 months of training and technology transfer from the United States to Filipino forces under a new aid program for counterterrorism efforts approved in 2010.
About 600 US forces have been rotating in the southern Philippines since 2002 as part of the US government's global war on terror. However the drone was found in Masbate, many hundreds of kilometres from the Muslim insurgency-racked areas where no US troops are known to operate. Masbate is one of the areas where communists waging a decades-long rebellion have long operated.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/19292-us-drone-crashes-off-masbate
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE. A BQM-74E Chukar III is launched from a US Navy ship in
The police said a US-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed into the sea off Masbate Sunday, January 6. The drone, a model BQM-74E Chukar III, made impact on Sunday morning near Sitio Tacdugan, San Jacinto, provincial police director Senior Supt. Heriberto Olitoquit said on Monday, January 7. Olitoquit said that it was local fishermen who recovered the UAV and brought it to shore believing at first that it was a bomb, until local police checked the item and confirmed it was in fact a drone.
The UAV -- 3.93 m long, 71 cm high and with a wingspan of 1.75 m -- will be turned over to the Philippine Navy, the official added. "It appears to have been floating for quite some time," Captain Rommel Galang, deputy commander of naval forces in the area, told AFP. "We will first study this drone but initially it appears to be a UAV used largely in reconnaissance." He added it had inscriptions and a serial number that "indicate it is an American drone."
Sought for comment, US embassy spokesperson Tina Malone said: "We are aware of reports that an apparently U.S.-made unmanned aerial vehicle was recovered in the waters off of Masbate this weekend. The recovered vehicle appears to be of the sort that is used as an air defense target in training exercises. This type of vehicle is not armed and not used for surveillance." Malone added: "We are trying to confirm this interpretation and to determine how and when it may have landed in the sea."
US training PH military to use drones
The US has been training the Philippine military to use these drones against Muslim rebels in Mindanao, according to various US and Philippine officials. In an interview with AFP last year, President Benigno Aquino III confirmed that the Philippines has been allowing US drones to overfly its territory for reconnaissance flights, but were not allowed to make strikes.
Rappler reported in March that US smart bombs delivered by a different model Scan Eagle UAV were used for the first time on Philippine territory in a February 2 attack on Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists. The raid was the result of 15 months of training and technology transfer from the United States to Filipino forces under a new aid program for counterterrorism efforts approved in 2010.
About 600 US forces have been rotating in the southern Philippines since 2002 as part of the US government's global war on terror. However the drone was found in Masbate, many hundreds of kilometres from the Muslim insurgency-racked areas where no US troops are known to operate. Masbate is one of the areas where communists waging a decades-long rebellion have long operated.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/19292-us-drone-crashes-off-masbate
2nd Framework Agreement Regional Forum set on Jan 10
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 7): 2nd Framework Agreement Regional Forum set on Jan 10
The Maguindanao provincial government is hosting the 2nd Framework Agreement Forum on January 10 in Buluan town for better understanding and appreciation of the agreement. Thousands of peace advocates, government officials and foreign dignitaries are expected to join the event which is a follow-up of the consultation-dialogue held last month in Jolo, Sulu with the theme: “Sustaining the Gains and Enjoining the Support on Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”
Maguindanao governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said invitations have been extended to the MILF Central Committee members, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ding” Deles, peace negotiators, leaders of the Christian and Muslim religious communities in the ARMM and nearby administrative regions, MNLF leaders, business sector and indigenous people’s community to participate in the forum.
The Framework Agreement signed in October 15, 2012 between the GPH and the MILF is considered a breakthrough in peace process in Mindanao and seen as a step forward to the realization of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-rule. In December 18 last year, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Executive Order 120 creating the Transition Commission as a mechanism that would set up the Bangsamoro political entity replacing the ARMM and draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law to be passed and ratified by Congress.
Mangudadatu said, the 2nd FAR Forum is a joint undertaking organized by the ARMM OIC-Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, Maguindanao provincial government, Army’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, Philippine National Police in coordination with the DILG and DSWD both of ARMM. On January 8, a caravan of estimated 200 vehicles will start from Buluan passing through the municipalities of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Cotabato Province then back to Buluan to drumbeat the event.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1661357537431
The Maguindanao provincial government is hosting the 2nd Framework Agreement Forum on January 10 in Buluan town for better understanding and appreciation of the agreement. Thousands of peace advocates, government officials and foreign dignitaries are expected to join the event which is a follow-up of the consultation-dialogue held last month in Jolo, Sulu with the theme: “Sustaining the Gains and Enjoining the Support on Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”
Maguindanao governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said invitations have been extended to the MILF Central Committee members, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ding” Deles, peace negotiators, leaders of the Christian and Muslim religious communities in the ARMM and nearby administrative regions, MNLF leaders, business sector and indigenous people’s community to participate in the forum.
The Framework Agreement signed in October 15, 2012 between the GPH and the MILF is considered a breakthrough in peace process in Mindanao and seen as a step forward to the realization of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-rule. In December 18 last year, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Executive Order 120 creating the Transition Commission as a mechanism that would set up the Bangsamoro political entity replacing the ARMM and draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law to be passed and ratified by Congress.
Mangudadatu said, the 2nd FAR Forum is a joint undertaking organized by the ARMM OIC-Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, Maguindanao provincial government, Army’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, Philippine National Police in coordination with the DILG and DSWD both of ARMM. On January 8, a caravan of estimated 200 vehicles will start from Buluan passing through the municipalities of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Cotabato Province then back to Buluan to drumbeat the event.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1661357537431
Basulta governors call for continued support for peace process
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 7): Basulta governors call for continued support for peace process
Governors of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have called for support to the on-going peace process of the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In a press statement, OIC Sulu Provincial Information Officer Sonny Y. Abing III said the governors held a conference last December 2012 at the Governor's residence in Maimbung, Sulu where they declared a common stand on the peace process. They said participation of the citizenry and all stakeholders is crucial as results of the peace process will affect future generations. Among those present were Basilan Gov. Jum J. Akbar, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan and Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali.
Tan said people in ARMM must be involved in the process because “we know our area more than anybody.” Tan added that peace is very temporary, “kailangan natin ng suporta ng lahat, we want a meaningful and lasting peace.” He said people in ARMM are enthusiastic about the peace process as “they want peace, and most importantly the kind of peace that can be brought about by these recent developments.” “Kaming mga governors ng ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) ay nagkakaisa, all for one, one for all kami kahit anong mangyari (The governors of ARMM will always be united),” Tan said. Sahali said lamented that his province tends to be left out in development efforts. "We must always move forward," he said.
Asked about the decommissioning of firearms, Tan said, ”If all firearms are decommissioned, sarap lumakad ng walang kasama (I'll have no need for security escorts).”
Abing also reported that the provincial government of Sulu successfully held a Mindanao Week of peace last December 1-4. This culminated with a forum on the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro.
Civil society groups, religious community, local officials and other stakeholders from Maguindanao, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi participated in the forum held at the Sulu provincial multi-purpose gym.
Present during the plenary session were MNLF founder Prof. Nur Misuari and Toks Ibrahim of the MILF. Atty. Jose Lorena of OPAPP, USEC. Nabil Tan of the Office of the Executive Secretary, Sulu district 1 Rep. Habib Tupay Loong, Commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Atty Edilwasif Baddiri, Bishop Angelito Lampon Apostolic Vicar of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Sharif Julasiri Abirin, Grand Mufti of Sulu.
Attended by close to a thousand participants, the forum adopted a total of 14 resolutions that carried the sentiment of the citizenry and will be forwarded to the proponents of the framework agreement for consideration in the framing of the Bangsamoro government code. Governors Jum Akbar of Basilan, Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindano, Abdusakur Tan, Sulu and Sadikul Sahali of Tawi-Tawi signed the 14-point resolution as taken up during the plenary session.
Tan expressed his gratitude to the governors, officials and the citizens that attended the event. “There is nothing that we cannot achieve if we are united in participating in the peace process," he said in Filipino. 1st District Rep. Tupay Loong thanked Tan for opening the doors of information for the people. “This issue is of great national importance that will affect the lives of our future generation” Loong stated. Bishop Lampon also expressed his support to any effort for lasting peace.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421357289806
Governors of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have called for support to the on-going peace process of the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In a press statement, OIC Sulu Provincial Information Officer Sonny Y. Abing III said the governors held a conference last December 2012 at the Governor's residence in Maimbung, Sulu where they declared a common stand on the peace process. They said participation of the citizenry and all stakeholders is crucial as results of the peace process will affect future generations. Among those present were Basilan Gov. Jum J. Akbar, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan and Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali.
Tan said people in ARMM must be involved in the process because “we know our area more than anybody.” Tan added that peace is very temporary, “kailangan natin ng suporta ng lahat, we want a meaningful and lasting peace.” He said people in ARMM are enthusiastic about the peace process as “they want peace, and most importantly the kind of peace that can be brought about by these recent developments.” “Kaming mga governors ng ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) ay nagkakaisa, all for one, one for all kami kahit anong mangyari (The governors of ARMM will always be united),” Tan said. Sahali said lamented that his province tends to be left out in development efforts. "We must always move forward," he said.
Asked about the decommissioning of firearms, Tan said, ”If all firearms are decommissioned, sarap lumakad ng walang kasama (I'll have no need for security escorts).”
Abing also reported that the provincial government of Sulu successfully held a Mindanao Week of peace last December 1-4. This culminated with a forum on the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro.
Civil society groups, religious community, local officials and other stakeholders from Maguindanao, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi participated in the forum held at the Sulu provincial multi-purpose gym.
Present during the plenary session were MNLF founder Prof. Nur Misuari and Toks Ibrahim of the MILF. Atty. Jose Lorena of OPAPP, USEC. Nabil Tan of the Office of the Executive Secretary, Sulu district 1 Rep. Habib Tupay Loong, Commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Atty Edilwasif Baddiri, Bishop Angelito Lampon Apostolic Vicar of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Sharif Julasiri Abirin, Grand Mufti of Sulu.
Attended by close to a thousand participants, the forum adopted a total of 14 resolutions that carried the sentiment of the citizenry and will be forwarded to the proponents of the framework agreement for consideration in the framing of the Bangsamoro government code. Governors Jum Akbar of Basilan, Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindano, Abdusakur Tan, Sulu and Sadikul Sahali of Tawi-Tawi signed the 14-point resolution as taken up during the plenary session.
Tan expressed his gratitude to the governors, officials and the citizens that attended the event. “There is nothing that we cannot achieve if we are united in participating in the peace process," he said in Filipino. 1st District Rep. Tupay Loong thanked Tan for opening the doors of information for the people. “This issue is of great national importance that will affect the lives of our future generation” Loong stated. Bishop Lampon also expressed his support to any effort for lasting peace.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421357289806
Armed men strafes passenger bus in Northern Iloilo
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7): Armed men strafes passenger bus in
Northern Iloilo
The police authorities in the northern town of Iloilo remained clueless as to the identities of suspects who strafed the passenger bus in Brgy. Cudyonan, San Dionisio, Iloilo on Saturday. In a belated police report, the chief of police of San Dionisio Municipal Police Station Chief Inspector Danilo de los Santos said the Dimple Star bus was traveling along the national highway in Brgy. Cudyonan, San Dionisio early Saturday morning when strafed by the three bonnet-wearing armed men using various caliber handguns. None of the passengers were hurt.
Despite the deflated rear tire, the fear-stricken driver drove the bus until they reached Batad town where he sought assistance from the town’s Philippine National Police(PNP). The police alerted their counterpart in San Dionisio who immediately proceeded to the area to investigate. The San Dionisio PNP, however, failed to catch up with the suspects who sped away onboard the get-away motorcycles.
Police recovered spent shells of various caliber firearms that include 13 empty shells of .9mm pistol, eight empty shells and one live ammunition of a .45 caliber pistol in the crime scene. The San Dionisio PNP is thoroughly investigating the incident. For his part, Iloilo Provincial Police Office director Senior Supt. Gil Lebin also dispatched crack investigators to assist the San Dionisio PNP in identifying the responsible suspects as well as to help determine the motive behind the strafing incident.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=484974
The police authorities in the northern town of Iloilo remained clueless as to the identities of suspects who strafed the passenger bus in Brgy. Cudyonan, San Dionisio, Iloilo on Saturday. In a belated police report, the chief of police of San Dionisio Municipal Police Station Chief Inspector Danilo de los Santos said the Dimple Star bus was traveling along the national highway in Brgy. Cudyonan, San Dionisio early Saturday morning when strafed by the three bonnet-wearing armed men using various caliber handguns. None of the passengers were hurt.
Despite the deflated rear tire, the fear-stricken driver drove the bus until they reached Batad town where he sought assistance from the town’s Philippine National Police(PNP). The police alerted their counterpart in San Dionisio who immediately proceeded to the area to investigate. The San Dionisio PNP, however, failed to catch up with the suspects who sped away onboard the get-away motorcycles.
Police recovered spent shells of various caliber firearms that include 13 empty shells of .9mm pistol, eight empty shells and one live ammunition of a .45 caliber pistol in the crime scene. The San Dionisio PNP is thoroughly investigating the incident. For his part, Iloilo Provincial Police Office director Senior Supt. Gil Lebin also dispatched crack investigators to assist the San Dionisio PNP in identifying the responsible suspects as well as to help determine the motive behind the strafing incident.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=484974
Army blames extortion gangs in Maguindanao bombing attempts
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7): Army blames extortion gangs in
Maguindanao bombing attempts
Authorities said extortion was believed to be the motive of lawless elements that planted an improvised explosive device at the main gate of the town hall of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao over the weekend. Col. Prudencio Asto, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the bombing attempt in the sentry of town hall and the series of bombings in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat could be related.
Asto said the IED could have been left there by the suspects from a bus due to presence of soldiers in checkpoints conducting inspection. "The checkpoints served as deterrent to suspected bombers," Asto said even as he urged civilians to remain vigilant.
The discovery of IED in Shariff Aguak came few days after extortion gang named Al-Khobar, composed of former Moro guerrillas turned bandits, bombed a Husky Bus that left 16 persons wounded in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
On Friday, a powerful IED fashioned from 60 mm mortars was found in front of the town hall compound, a few meters away from the Army base. Asto said it could be intended for soldiers or bus units plying the Cotabato-Gen. Santos highway.
After the discovery of IED at the main gate of the seat of municipal government, four rifle grenades were fired at the former Maguindanao Provincial Capitol compound which houses the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade. Nobody was hurt in the rifle grenade attack which were launched somewhere near the Army base.
On Saturday, Army bomb experts also defused a powerful IED inside a bag left unattended at Shariff Aguak town center. Civilians noticed the heavy and suspicious bag so they alerted the military, Asto said. "We need people like them," Asto said of the finder.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=484970
Authorities said extortion was believed to be the motive of lawless elements that planted an improvised explosive device at the main gate of the town hall of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao over the weekend. Col. Prudencio Asto, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the bombing attempt in the sentry of town hall and the series of bombings in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat could be related.
Asto said the IED could have been left there by the suspects from a bus due to presence of soldiers in checkpoints conducting inspection. "The checkpoints served as deterrent to suspected bombers," Asto said even as he urged civilians to remain vigilant.
The discovery of IED in Shariff Aguak came few days after extortion gang named Al-Khobar, composed of former Moro guerrillas turned bandits, bombed a Husky Bus that left 16 persons wounded in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
On Friday, a powerful IED fashioned from 60 mm mortars was found in front of the town hall compound, a few meters away from the Army base. Asto said it could be intended for soldiers or bus units plying the Cotabato-Gen. Santos highway.
After the discovery of IED at the main gate of the seat of municipal government, four rifle grenades were fired at the former Maguindanao Provincial Capitol compound which houses the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade. Nobody was hurt in the rifle grenade attack which were launched somewhere near the Army base.
On Saturday, Army bomb experts also defused a powerful IED inside a bag left unattended at Shariff Aguak town center. Civilians noticed the heavy and suspicious bag so they alerted the military, Asto said. "We need people like them," Asto said of the finder.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=484970
Gov. Mangudadatu unaware of clashes in Maguindanao
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7): Gov. Mangudadatu unaware of clashes in
Maguindanao
Despite media reports about the sporadic clashes between warring clans and the recent torching of houses in Datu Montawal town, only some 45 minutes travel north this city, Maguindanao Gov. Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu admitted he was not informed of the situation in the area. In a text message sent to media here, Mangudadatu said that he has yet to get the information from his provincial police director. "I am sorry but I don't know anything about the harassments in Datu Montawal but I will ask my police director to brief me on the matter," he said in his text message sent to a Catholic-run broadcast network in Kidapawan City.
On Friday, three houses, some 20 meters away from the police station in Datu Montawal were razed to the ground by still unidentified armed men. But residents led by Datu Abdullah Pandita, resident of Poblacion, Datu Montawal, alleged it was the group of wanted criminal Datu Andy Montawal as behind the harassments in his village. The suspect, younger brother of Datu Montawal Mayor Datu Uttoh Montawal, has long been wanted for murder and rape charges.
The torching of houses in Datu Montawal came a month after a lull in the intermittent exchange of fires between warring clans in the area. Mangudadatu said he will send police investigators to dig deeper on the issue. One of the motives behind the clashes, reports said, is the intense political rivalry in the area. Residents, however, believed the fighting is beyond politics. "It is the presence of the alleged notorious criminal and his group that is sending the people here into panic. We just don't know why the policemen can't arrest this person and his group despite the fact that they are being kept by influential politicians in the area," Pandita earlier told media here.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=484920
Despite media reports about the sporadic clashes between warring clans and the recent torching of houses in Datu Montawal town, only some 45 minutes travel north this city, Maguindanao Gov. Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu admitted he was not informed of the situation in the area. In a text message sent to media here, Mangudadatu said that he has yet to get the information from his provincial police director. "I am sorry but I don't know anything about the harassments in Datu Montawal but I will ask my police director to brief me on the matter," he said in his text message sent to a Catholic-run broadcast network in Kidapawan City.
On Friday, three houses, some 20 meters away from the police station in Datu Montawal were razed to the ground by still unidentified armed men. But residents led by Datu Abdullah Pandita, resident of Poblacion, Datu Montawal, alleged it was the group of wanted criminal Datu Andy Montawal as behind the harassments in his village. The suspect, younger brother of Datu Montawal Mayor Datu Uttoh Montawal, has long been wanted for murder and rape charges.
The torching of houses in Datu Montawal came a month after a lull in the intermittent exchange of fires between warring clans in the area. Mangudadatu said he will send police investigators to dig deeper on the issue. One of the motives behind the clashes, reports said, is the intense political rivalry in the area. Residents, however, believed the fighting is beyond politics. "It is the presence of the alleged notorious criminal and his group that is sending the people here into panic. We just don't know why the policemen can't arrest this person and his group despite the fact that they are being kept by influential politicians in the area," Pandita earlier told media here.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=484920
Found IEDs could be part of Kidapawan City planned jailbreak - PNP
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7): Found IEDs could be part of Kidapawan
City planned jailbreak - PNP
Police in Kidapawan City believed that the improvised bomb found and detonated inside the police headquarters here on Sunday was part of the plan to "rescue" high profile inmates at the Cotabato City jail. Supt. Joseph Samillano, Kidapawan City police director, refused to identify the inmate who could be the subject of possible jailbreak. The Kidapawan City Jail is located at the back of the Kidapawan City Hall and beside the city police office. A powerful IEDs (improvised explosive devices)of two 60mm mortars were found at the cyclone wire fence of the city police compound.
While there are other possible motives, Samillano said the "jailbreak theory" was the closest.
Samillano recalled that the city jail was a subject of daring "rescue" attempt by followers of inmate Commander Lastikman, a former Moro rebel who turned into kidnapping, bombing and highway robbery. Samillano, who assumed office on Friday replacing Supt. Reynante Cabico, said investigation was still ongoing. Following the incident, Samillano directed all policemen to always be on heightened alert fearing retaliation or another attempt by lawless groups. He also urged the local government of Kidapawan to provide the city police office and the vicinity of the city hall compound with closed-circuit tv cameras to deter crimes.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=485077
Police in Kidapawan City believed that the improvised bomb found and detonated inside the police headquarters here on Sunday was part of the plan to "rescue" high profile inmates at the Cotabato City jail. Supt. Joseph Samillano, Kidapawan City police director, refused to identify the inmate who could be the subject of possible jailbreak. The Kidapawan City Jail is located at the back of the Kidapawan City Hall and beside the city police office. A powerful IEDs (improvised explosive devices)of two 60mm mortars were found at the cyclone wire fence of the city police compound.
While there are other possible motives, Samillano said the "jailbreak theory" was the closest.
Samillano recalled that the city jail was a subject of daring "rescue" attempt by followers of inmate Commander Lastikman, a former Moro rebel who turned into kidnapping, bombing and highway robbery. Samillano, who assumed office on Friday replacing Supt. Reynante Cabico, said investigation was still ongoing. Following the incident, Samillano directed all policemen to always be on heightened alert fearing retaliation or another attempt by lawless groups. He also urged the local government of Kidapawan to provide the city police office and the vicinity of the city hall compound with closed-circuit tv cameras to deter crimes.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=485077