Agbimuddin slips away during raid

From the New Straits Times (Mar 11): Agbimuddin slips away during raid

 

Police officers, including the elite Special Action Force, leaving Kampung Pinggir Bakau after a 6.30am raid in search of Agbimuddin and his men. Pic by Mohd Radzi Bujang

HAVEN FOR IMMIGRANTS: 33 held after house-to-house search in terrorist hideout

THE leader of the terrorist group in Sabah, Agbimuddin Kiram, was believed to have given security forces the slip when they raided a settlement in Kampung Pinggir Bakau, here, yesterday.

Agbimuddin, the brother of Jamalul Kiram III, the self-proclaimed sultan of Sulu, was believed to have been hiding in the settlement with several other terrorists who escaped the onslaught in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, which began on Tuesday.

The security forces, however, nabbed 33 suspects, including four believed to be involved in the shootout in Simunul on March 2 which claimed the lives of six policemen and six terrorists.

Also nabbed yesterday were four women who were the "eyes and ears" of the terrorist group and had also provided them food.

Police said the 6.30am raid involving some 100 police officers, including the elite Special Action Force (UTK), was instigated by a tip-off that Agbimuddin and his lieutenants were hiding in the settlement. He is believed to have slipped out in the middle of the commotion.

A source told the New Straits Times that Kampung Pinggir Bakau was known as a haven for illegal immigrants from southern Philippines and served as a perfect hideout for Agbimuddin and his men.

District police chief Deputy Superintendent Mohd Firdaus Francis Abdullah said the 33 had been nabbed during a house-to-house search which lasted three hours. They were all illegal immigrants.

Firdaus, however, said no firearms were found during the operation.

A check by New Straits Times at the settlement near a mangrove swamp saw heavily armed UTK officers clad in bulletproof vests and body armour guarding the main road leading into the area.

The detainees were transported in a police truck to the district police headquarters.

In another development, police found an axe, believed to have been the weapon used to mutilate one of the murdered policemen, during a search operation in Jalan 5, Kampung Simunul, on Saturday.

A team of policemen, including commandos and forensics unit officers, had conducted a house- to-house search at Kampung Simunul and neighbouring Kampung Srijaya 1. Several officers were seen holding bags containing seized items.

http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/agbimuddin-slips-away-during-raid-1.232515

Op/Ed: Handling the hype behind Sabah crisis

Op/Ed piece in the New Straits Times (Mar 11): Handling the hype behind Sabah crisis

By Farish A. Noor



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Philippines President Benigno Aquino witnessing the signing of the peace accord between the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Manila. Splinter groups that have been responsible for the incursion into Sabah happen to be those who felt left out of the peace accord.

CHECK THE INFO: There are many actors in the Sulu saga and there is a need to separate fact from fiction

THERE are times when I do believe we ought to be more circumspect and perhaps even cynical when reading the news we get.

As the Sabah crisis continues at its own pace, different contenders have come to the fore offering their opinions as to how the crisis ought to be settled.

Among them has been Nur Misuari, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who was once a player in the regional dynamics of Southern Philippines, but who now seems to be taking the opportunity to foreground himself once again.

I was somewhat alarmed to read a report in the Borneo Post when Misuari claimed that "Sarawak is also part of his clan's ancestral lands".

I had to read the article several times to convince myself that my failing eyesight was not deceiving me and that the article was genuine and not a spoof.

Misuari had also suggested that he be given a role as mediator to end the Sabah incursion, despite his claim that Sarawak belongs to his clan.

Then came other reports about how the MNLF was threatening "chaos" in the region, and that 10,000 Filipinos would be sent to Sabah in a show of support for the pretender to the Sulu throne there.

Once again, I had to read the reports several times to convince myself that my eyes were working and that I was not seeing things.

In a state of crisis, one of the first conditions that has to be met is information management and verification of reports.

While sensational headlines may sell newspapers, they do not calm an already delicate situation and may, in fact, have the opposite effect of rousing fear and anger among readers or viewers.

It is for this reason that we ought to remember some salient facts that are pertinent to the Sabah situation at the moment.

First, Misuari's MNLF is today a spent force, with around a few hundred followers left.

If Manila had chosen to broker a peace accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) instead, it was for the simple reason that MILF claims to have 15,000 followers and is perhaps the strongest armed force in Mindanao at the moment.

They are in fact the only power brokers and if peace is to be restored to southern Philippines, it cannot be done without the support of the MILF.

Second, the other splinter groups that have been largely responsible for the incursion into Sabah happen to be those who felt left out of the peace accord and who may have felt that they had been denied a slice of the pie.

This is indeed unfortunate, but it has more to do with who the government in Manila recognises as legitimate actors, and who are not.

No other country in Asean has the right to intervene in this process, but can only help it along by mediating when asked. Third, it ought to be clear by now that the incursion into Sabah was certainly not the desire of the Philippine government. As President Benigno Aquino Aquino has noted in his presidential address last week, the constitution of the Philippines does not allow for the creation of private armies, the ownership of weapons without permits, and the unilateral declaration of war on another country by a citizen who does not represent the state.

On these grounds, the incursion into Sabah has no legal standing and was, in fact, contrary to Philippine law itself. Malaysia cannot pick itself up and relocate itself in some other quiet corner of the world, and we should not deny our long historical and diasporic links to all the mobile, fluid communities that make up the complex social landscape.

Indeed, for centuries, people from Sulu have moved in and out of Sabah along with Bruneians, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Bajaus, Ilanuns and Bugis. What is at issue here is how an internal domestic crisis in the Philippines has erupted and spilled over into the territory of another country, namely Malaysia. The Malaysian public in turn may be wary or even angered by a Philippine citizen who suddenly claims to be their sultan out of nowhere, but we cannot allow our judgment to be clouded by fiery rhetoric, disinformation and propaganda that may be designed to upset us. We need to constantly remind ourselves that this situation was never the desire of the Philippine government, and we should not blame the Philippines as a whole for what has happened.

In the meantime, some of the stories that are emanating from the likes of Misuari ought to be taken with a heavy dose of salt too: the man who now claims to wish to mediate the crisis also happens to be the same person who, during his younger left-leaning days, was inclined to criticise the traditional rulers of southern Philippines for their feudal culture and elite status. The solidarity shown for those claiming to be the descendants of the sultan of Sulu seems hollow and more instrumental, as are the claims that tens of thousands of southern Filipinos are about to invade Borneo. If these leaders truly wanted peace in the region, they ought to begin by tempering their own rhetoric for starters, and stop making claims like Sarawak is also part of his clan's ancestral lands.

http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/handling-the-hype-behind-sabah-crisis-1.232411

Lahad Datu: ‘MNLF men may be part of incursion’

From the Star Online (Malaysia) (Mar 11): Lahad Datu: ‘MNLF men may be part of incursion’

PETALING JAYA: Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari said it was possible that MNLF members were part of the self-styled Royal Sulu Army who had gone to Sabah.

However, he said they had done so without the permission or knowledge of the movement.

He said that when he had asked some of his “brothers” whether it was true that MNLF were with the group, the reply was that they might be as they also considered themselves soldiers and the security force of the Sultanate of Sulu.

“This means that when MNLF goes to war, they will be with us but when the Sultanate of Sulu embarks on a mission such as the incursion into Sabah, they will also go but without any permission from us,” Misuari said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Misuari said he was still trying to find out if one of MNLF’s former commanders was among the gunmen killed by security forces in Sabah.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar on Friday said one of the 31 gunmen killed was a leader of the invaders.

It is believed the man was a former MNLF commander known as Haji Musa, a former general of the Philippine army who had also served in Vietnam.

Misuari slammed Philippine President Benigno Aquino for claiming that outside parties were possibly involved in the incursion, saying there was no evidence of this.

On whether he had met any Malaysian Opposition leaders, he said he had meet with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim several months ago in Jakarta.

He said he requested for the meeting with Anwar to complain about Malaysia’s treatment of detained southern Philippine illegal immigrants, adding that no other matters were raised.

“He (Anwar) is the only fellow I know closely after my relations with Kuala Lumpur was estranged because of my arrest there,” said Misuari.

The former rebel leader was arrested in Sabah in 2001 and extradited to the Philippines on the request of the country.

Misuari, who still wields a degree of influence in the troubled southern Philippines, denied telling the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III that more gunmen who were no longer affiliated with the MNLF would come to the aid of the invaders.

He said what he told Jamalul during a press conference at the latter’s residence several days ago was that he would offer to help seek a meeting with Malaysian authorities to find a resolution to the crisis.

“But I don’t know whether a few more apart from those who are already involved in this incursion have weapons and are going in,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/3/11/nation/12818206&sec=nation

Air Force medical personnel get training on medical evacuation from US Pacific Air Force

From the AFP Central Command Wordpress Site (Mar 8): Air Force medical personnel get training on medical evacuation from US Pacific Air Force



AT least 34 personnel from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) undergone training with the members of the US Pacific Air Force on basic aero medical evacuation.

Major Chonna Herrera, overall clinical supervisor of the Air Force General Hospital in Villamor Air Base, who was one of the participants told PEACEMAKER that the training helped them reinforce what they know on aero medical evacuation.

“It enhances the inter-operability for all of us flight nurses and aero evacuation team dito sa Asia Pacific,” she said.

“If there will be disasters, when they invite us to join them in their mission, we already know what we are doing. Mas madali yung paggalaw,” she added.

Major Vanessa Lynn Moses, director on the flight nurse course of the US Air Force School of Aerospace medicine said that this is part of their mission to help the Philippines in developing its capability in terms of evacuating victims.

“I know that in the future, it would be beneficial to have those individuals who are brand new to the air medical evacuation arena because they will benefit a little more,” she said.

Moses said that the capability of Filipino medical military personnel is ‘equivalent’ to theirs however most evacuations are done based on capabilities that include CPR.

But she emphasized that its the capability that sets Filipinos apart.

“What if your machinery broke down? You still have to rely on your clinical skills and have that confidence in yourself to take care of that patient,” she said.

The PAF personnel underwent four day didactic and a one day simulation.

The training was part of the week-long Pacific Angel 13-1 of the US Pacific Air Force in the country. Today, they will conclude their humanitarian mission in Negros Oriental province.

Pacific Angel 13-1 is joint and combined AFP-US Humanitarian Civic Action program. The objective of this exercise is to enhance the response capability of the AFP and stakeholders during disasters and calamities.

 

http://afpcentcom.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/air-force-medical-personnel-gets-training-on-medical-evacuation-from-us-pacific-air-force/

Pacific Angel commences in Negros Oriental

From the AFP Central Command Wordpress Site (Mar 5): Pacific Angel commences in Negros Oriental

 

The Operation Pacific Angel 13-1 simultaneously started the repair and rehabilitation of three school buildings and 2 medical mission sites in the province on Monday.

The three elementary schools in Negros Oriental are Bio-os Elementary School in Amlan, Pamplona Central Elementary School in Pamplona that will benefit facility repair, renovation and upgrades and Tugawe Elem School in Daiun where a water tower will be installed to repainting of classrooms.

The medical mission that is expected to receive 500 patients a day from March 4 to 9 covers primary health care, optometry, dental, physical therapy and circumcision. Macias sports complex here and Osmeña Park in Tanjay City are the identified venues.

Hon Roel R Degamo Negros Oriental Governor in a statement “The people of Negros Oriental welcome the arrival of the Pacific Angel troops. This humanitarian mission will do so much for the province and for this we are thankful”

Lt Col Alvin Alana Pacific Angel 13-1 Mission Commander “We are looking forward for this mission and see smiling faces of the patients especially the children that we will help”

Col Francisco Patrimonio Commander of Negros Oriental Army thanked Lt Col Alana and the Pacific Angel group for choosing Negros Oriental as beneficiaries of this humanitarian mission. This is the first time that a foreign military humanitarian mission will be held here in Negros Oriental.

Patrimonio also thanked the province for being supportive and assured Alana that their stay here will be most pleasant. The people of Negros are gentle and hospitable and the peace and order situation here in the region is great.

Operation PACIFIC ANGEL is a joint and combined of AFP-US Humanitarian Civic Action/Civil Military Operation activities dubbed as “PACIFIC ANGEL 13-1” to be conducted in Negros Oriental on March 04-09 2013. The objective of this exercise is to enhance the response capability of the AFP and Stakeholders during disasters and calamities. (By MAJOR RAY C TIONGSON, DPAO, 3ID)

https://afpcentcom.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/pacific-angel-commence-in-negros-oriental/

Photo: Patients treated during the start of the RP-US Pacific Angel 13-1 humanitarian mission

From the Facebook page of the Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers (Mar 4): Photo: Patients treated during the start of the RP-US Pacific Angel 13-1 humanitarian mission



Patients treated during the start of the Pacific Angel 13-1 Humanitarian Mission at the Macias Sports Complex today March 4, 2013.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Philippine-Army-Spearhead-Troopers/129375537089793?ref=stream#!/pages/Philippine-Army-Spearhead-Troopers/129375537089793

Photo: Philippine woman receives free medical care for leg during Pacific Angel 13-1

Posted the Facebook page of the Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers (Mar 6): Photo: Philippine woman receives free medical care for leg during Pacific Angel 13-1



Ms Ofelia Acabal of Sitio Looc, Guihulngan City got her leg injured during the 6.9 magnitude earthquake is one of the 92 patients coming from Guihulngan, Negros Oriental arrives in Tanjay and Dumanguete City during the “Pacific Angels 13-1” to avail of the free medical and dental assistance.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Philippine-Army-Spearhead-Troopers/129375537089793?ref=stream

Death toll from Borneo standoff in Malaysia rises to 62

From the Philippine News Agency/Xinhua (Mar 11): Death toll from Borneo standoff in Malaysia rises to 62

The Malaysian police shot dead a teenage boy and injured a man on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 62 as the Malaysian security forces continue to launch assaults to end the Filipino militant incursions in Malaysia's Sabah state.

Police chief Ismail Omar said the teenager, aged between 12 and 15, was killed when police sensed movements behind a bush and fired shots at it as they were frisking five people in Sungai Bilis village.

The identity of the teenager has yet to be disclosed.

A man in his 30's were also injured in the shooting.

Two policemen were shot and injured by gunmen in overnight skirmishes as the Malaysian authorities said the militants showed no signs of backing down.

The Filipino armed intruders had come in a group of more than 180 who arrived in the east coastal town of Lahad Datu in Sabah from southern Philippines on February 9 to claim territorial rights to the land.

They were followers of a self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who insisted Sabah belongs to his sultanate.

The Malaysian police on Sunday raised the number of people they arrested under suspicion of sympathizing with the militant to 85 from 79 last night.

Authorities said they are concentrating efforts to hunt down the militants holed up in Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Tanduo by launching airstrikes and sifting them out house-to-house. Some of the militants were found to be posing as civilians, the police said.

Villagers were seen fleeing the two villages in droves on Sunday morning when clashes have temporarily petered out.

Some of the villagers told reporters that many of the thousands trapped in the coastal villages were in need of food and medical supply.

The Malaysian forces and the Filipino militants have been fighting since last Friday in an intense standoff that left at least 62 people dead, including eight Malaysian policemen whom authorities said were brutally murdered.

Malaysia began an all-out raid codenamed "Sovereign Operation" on Tuesday that included airstrikes and ground assaults on several areas aiming to flush out the militants.

Thousands of Filipinos were believed to have fled Sabah for their home country since the violence broke out. The Malaysian police refuted reports by the Philippine press that the Filipinos were abused by the Malaysian forces.

Analysts said Prime Minister Najib Razak is dealing with the incursion crisis carefully as it could reflect on the national polls that are due by June.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=505623

President Aquino cites contribution of Presidential Security Group to national development

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 10): President Aquino cites contribution of Presidential Security Group to national development

President Benigno S. Aquino III thanked members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) that served the administration of his mother, the late President Corazon C. Aquino, as he recognizes the group’s contribution to national development.

“Gagamitin ko na rin po ang pagkakataong ito upang ipaabot ang aking taus-pusong pasasalamat sa pagbabantay ninyo sa aming pamilya at sa pakikibalikat ninyo sa pagsisikap naming magdala ng pagbabago sa ating bansa,” the President said in his message during the PSG Reunion circa 1986 to 1992 at Camp Aquinaldo Saturday night.

“Alam ko pong mahihiya kayong iangat ang sariling bangko at sasabihin ninyong ginagawa lang ninyo ang inyong tungkulin. Pero ang totoo po, hanggang sa ngayon, tinatanaw naming pamilya ang napakalalim na utang na loob dahil sa mga sakripisyong dinaanan ninyo noong mga panahong ‘yon.”

During the birth of the PSG after the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, the President said it was also the dawn of the promises of new democracy in the country, giving the momentum for the country’s progress.

“At habang may PSG masisiguro nating hindi matitisod, hindi malilihis; tuloy-tuloy ang arangkada ng mga plano’t paninindigan natin upang sa wakas ay mapitas na ang bunga ng mga pangarap na ipinunla ng taumbayan noong 1986,” he said.

The PSG then overcame so many adversities given its meager resources, manpower and capability, the President said. Personnel providing security to the former president have to operate using unconventional techniques to be effective, the President stressed.

According to the President, during the coup d’etat in 1987, the PSG defended the Palace grounds with antiquated equipment, mainly by using World War II era weapons adding that despite the odds, they were able to perform their duties well in defending the Aquino family and the country’s democracy.

The PSG’s years of facing adversities and challenges made it a stronger, dependable and formidable organization today, the President said.

“Binigay sa atin itong mga eksperyensang ito, lalo tayong tumibay, lalo tayong humusay, lalo tayong gumaling dahil nga may mahalaga kayong bahagi para sa pagsasaayos ng bansang ito,” he said.

The organization is also well-respected because it also produced leaders in the military. Many of the officers from the PSG rose to later become chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND), chief of the Philippine National Police and many other positions.

Many officials of the PSG also became members of the civilian government and some are serving as local executives and leaders.

The group providing security to the President was originally organized by President Emilio Aguinaldo after he was elected president in 1897.

The then Department of War, the forerunner of the Department of National Defense, set up the El Cuerpo dela Guardia Presidencial or the Corps of Presidential Guards.

It became the Malacanang Guards during the time of President Manuel L. Quezon. During the presidency of Sergio Osmena it was called Presidential Guards Battalion. And during the administration of President Ramon Magsaysay it was changed to Presidential Security Force.

When Ferdinand Marcos assumed power, the Presidential Security Agency was expanded to the Presidential Security Command.

President Corazon Aquino disbanded the Presidential Security Command in 1986 and replaced it with a leaner PSG with then Army Col. Voltaire T. Gazmin as its chief.

Gazmin is the current secretary of the DND under the present Aquino administration.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=505604

CPP/NPA: NPA ambush to thwart rise of Blackfighters Lumad vigilantes; kills 3 AFP troops, wounds 8 in Baguio district

Posted to the CPP Website (Mar 10): NPA ambush to thwart rise of Blackfighters Lumad vigilantes; kills 3 AFP troops, wounds 8 in Baguio district

Simon Santiago
Political Director
NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Political Department (Merardo Arce Command)

The 2nd Pulang Bagani Company-New People’s Army ambushed a joint operation of the 84th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army, PNP’s Special Action Force and paramilitary Cafgus and Lumad vigilante group Blackfighters March 8 at 4:20 pm in Brgy. Carmen, Baguio district, Davao City. Red fighters punished 3 soldiers, wounded eight others and confiscated an M-16 armalite and an m14 assault rifle, a packbag and ammunitions.

In fleeing from the ambush site, other members of the joint AFP-PNP-Cafgu platoon held for several hours the employees of the nearby Puentespina flower garden.

The NPA ambush was to give justice to the victims of the 84th IB and its use of Lumad vigilantes in its current intensive military operations. The military offensives started last Feb 27 covering the barangays of Cadalian, Tambobong, Tawan-atwan, Carmen and Tamayong , hampering preparations of the civilians for the forthcoming Araw ng Dabaw celebration.

Desperate but miserably failing to frustrate the advance of people’s red army in Davao City hinterlands, the Army has backed and armed one Ceasar Malinaw, a pastor, to lead the indigenous people’s for counter-revolutionary operations. The 10th ID’s combat and Special Operations Team has blatantly used local Lumad opportunist leaders to resurrect the notorious Black Fighter vigilantes. It has also shamelessly used the Philippine Eagle Foundation as front for its reconnaissance activities.

It is futile and illusory for the 10th ID to conjure an image of Davao City peasant villages bereft of the NPA and revolutionary forces. The recent NPA ambush and the punishment of civilian military spy in Baguio district demonstrate the pursuit of revolutionary justice consistently upheld by the people’s army.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130310_npa-ambush-to-thwart-rise-of-blackfighters-lumad-vigilantes-kills-3-afp-troops-wounds-8-in-baguio-district

Police eye ASG behind power barge attack

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Mar 9): Police eye ASG behind power barge attack

THE police are eyeing the involvement of the Abu Sayyaf bandits and extortion as the motive in the recent attack on a power barge of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) in the island province of Basilan.

Engineer Robert Dumasis, the superintendent of Napocor’s Power Barge 119, revealed to the police that they received a letter from the Abu Sayyaf Group demanding them to pay P400,000 monthly.

The letter, which was signed by Abu Sayyaf leaders Furuji Indama and Isnilon Hapilon, was dated February 15 and was received by Dumasis two days later.

The letter was mailed from Zamboanga City through a courier company.

Superintendent Albert Larubis, Isabela City Police chief, said the letter sender was identified as Dujam Indam, a resident of Sta. Catalina village, Zamboanga City.

Efforts are being undertaken to arrest Indam, he said.

The attack on the power barge has plunged Basilan province in total darkness for several hours.

Security measures have been tightened to prevent a repetition of the same nature of the power facility.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2013/03/09/police-eye-asg-behind-power-barge-attack-272129

Op/Ed: ADVOCACY MINDANOW: Sabah fallout on MILF peace talks

Op/Ed piece posted to MindaNews (Mar 10): ADVOCACY MINDANOW: Sabah fallout on MILF peace talks

by Jesus G. Dureza

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/10 March) — I was in Zamboanga City over the weekend to attend the Jaycee Senate Zamboanga Chapter Induction there. I was glad I took the trip. When Mayor Celso Lobregat said: “Welcome back, Jess” in his speech to the JCI Senators, I suddenly realized I had not visited Zamboanga for sometime. I remember Zamboanga City was always in my travel schedule in my regular visits to the island provinces of Sulu, Basilan and TawiTawi.

I took the opportunity of meeting old friends in the media and other contacts who could help me get more validated information on what is happening in Sabah and help me wade through the flurry of events that have been in the headlines for weeks now.

Here are a few items or thoughts I have picked up along the way. Aside from the deaths and the violence suffered by Filipinos there, one of major casualties of the Sabah incident is the MILF peace negotiations. Evidently, events have overtaken the MILF peace talks. Even MILF’s claim for a Bangsamoro ancestral domain and right to self determination, without factoring in the Sabah claim, will not fly anymore. Malaysian participation as a neutral ”facilitator” is now blown to pieces due to their violent operations against the Filipino Muslims in Lahad Datu. With the arrival of hundreds of Filipinos fleeing Sabah, more alleged atrocities committed against Filipinos are starting to surface.

Although everyone is now agog over where this incident will eventually lead to, I think there is an urgent need now for government, the MILF and the rest of the stakeholders to sit down and find some ways to overcome the roadblocks that suddenly appeared on the road to peace.

I strongly urge that any solution that government will try to craft on the Sabah claim must necessarily take into account the peace process. I see a positive opportunity here using the Sabah issue as TRIGGER TO UNITE ALL. Everything must converge. If we succeed in getting all sectors and factions to converge, it will be a paradigm shift and it may really bring about a comprehensive formula for all Bangsamoro.

Difficult it may be but there is no other course now but for ONE ROAD MAP for all to cover the MILF, MNLF, the sultanates, the tribes, and the traditional political sector. (This was the old road map, by the way, that got detoured somehow.)

The Sabah claim I am sure will take long to settle but we need not wait for that. In fact, if we all unite, we can all do a “home-run” and quicken the pace of the negotiations.

But here are a few imperatives for this formula.

First and foremost, both the MILF and the MNLF must NOT INSIST that they alone, separately, have the “exclusive franchise” to represent the whole of the Bangsamoro.

Secondly, the functioning and existing political leaders must also be key players.

Thirdly, Malaysia will have to exercise some restraint in what it is doing now in Sabah. This way, it can continue and remain as “facilitator” after agreeing to leave the Sabah issue to be resolved by a third party body or interlocutor.

Fourth, President Aquino must also calibrate his statements and actions based on the imperatives of the situation.

Fifth, the accruing benefits to the Sultanate, if any, must be inclusive. Meaning, although the Kirams are the “lead claimants”, all the many heirs (9 families as of the latest count) including the “subjects” or the so-called “ra’yat” or non-blood or non- royal followers must all be beneficiaries.

Finally, let’s not tinker with the sovereignty issue. It will lead us nowhere.

I am sure there are other imperatives out there that we can all contribute to the formulation of the road map to sustainable peace.

I can’t help but be an optimist and dreamer. I always look for a silver lining in the gathering dark clouds.

(Lawyer Jesus G. Dureza was government peace panel chair in the negotiations with the MILF under the Arroyo administration from 2001 to 2003 and was later named Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (2005 to 2008). He heads Advocacy MindaNOW Foundation, Inc. and was recently named publisher of the Davao City-based Mindanao Times. This piece is from his syndicated column, Advocacy MindaNOW).

3 dead, 8 wounded in NPA ambush in Davao City

From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 10): 3 dead, 8 wounded in NPA ambush in Davao City

New People’s Army rebels killed at least 3 government soldiers and wounded eight more in an ambush in Davao City in the southern Philippines, a spokesman for the communist group said Sunday.

Simon Santiago said rebel forces attacked soldiers and policemen, including militiamen, in the village of Carmen in Baguio district during an offensive operation over the weekend. He said rebels seized automatic weapons and munitions from government forces during the assault.

“The NPA ambush was to give justice to the victims of the 84th Infantry Battalion its use of Lumad vigilantes in its current intensive military operations,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said the military offensive, which started on February 27, affected civilians in the villages of Cadalian, Tambobong, Tawan-tawan, Carmen and Tamayong.

“It is futile and illusory for the 10th Infantry Division to conjure an image of Davao City peasant villages bereft of the NPA and revolutionary forces. The recent NPA ambush and the punishment of civilian military spy in Baguio district demonstrate the pursuit of revolutionary justice consistently upheld by the people's army,” Santiago said, referring to the killing by rebels of Paulino Landim, Jr. on March 2.

The NPA accused Landim, son of a tribal chieftain, as behind the killing of a rebel last month during a raid by the military and police in Davao City. The rebels have been fighting for decades for a separate communist state in the country.

There was no immediate statement from the military and police about the ambush.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20130310070928

AFP still studying options for 21 Pinoy peacekeepers

From ABS-CBN (Mar 10): AFP still studying options for 21 Pinoy peacekeepers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QrXUc0K_TTU

MANILA - Malacanang and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed relief over the release of the Filipino peacekeepers from the hands of Syrian militants.

Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the Filipino soldiers are now in a hotel in Jordan and will undergo debriefing in the next two days.

In Malacanang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government is still studying options if the Filipinos will be sent home or if they will continue their peacekeeping mission under the United Nations (UN).

She said sending peacekeepers abroad is part of the country’s commitment to the UN.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/10/13/afp-still-studying-options-21-pinoy-peacekeepers

Family tree: Sultans of Sulu in the modern era

Posted to GMA News (Mar 4): Family tree: Sultans of Sulu in the modern era

The Sultan of Sulu's line of succession, as prepared by Malacañang, which adds the legal disclaimer at the bottom: "This does not constitute an official genealogical chart. It does not include all possible descendants to the Sultanate of Sulu."



http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/297657/news/specialreports/family-tree-sultans-of-sulu-in-the-modern-era

Malaysian police: Teenager killed in anti-Kiram ops in Sabah

From GMA News (Mar 10): Malaysian police: Teenager killed in anti-Kiram ops in Sabah

A teenage boy was killed Sunday during Malaysian security forces' operations to flush out followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in Sabah, Malaysian police claimed Sunday.

Police Inspector General Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the incident occurred in Kg Sungai Bilis at 9:45 a.m., according to a report on state-run Bernama news agency.

The Bernama report quoted Ismail as saying security personnel were questioning five people when they saw movements in some bushes, and thought it could be Kiram's followers.

A man in his 30s was also injured in the leg in the incident, it added.

"Reacting to the possibility that they were under attack by Sulu gunmen, the security team opened fire at the bushes," the Bernama report said.

Malaysian forces had been hunting down Kiram's followers since a series of deadly clashes last March 1.

Bernama said the boy was described as between 12 and 15 years old. He was found dead behind the bushes.

However, Ismail said residents had already been told to stay away from the areas where police and the army were conducting operations to flush out Kiram's followers

1k Pinoy refugees leave for Sulu

A separate report on New Straits Times (NST) said some 1,000 Filipinos in Sandakan in Sabah have been packing up and fleeing "en masse" for Sulu since Saturday.

The report quoted Sabah Suluk United Association's Sandakan division president Jamal Ali as saying the refugees were seen boarding boats from the central market in the town.

"Some of them claimed that they were afraid by the heavy presence of our security forces and the constant operations held around the town these few days... These refugees felt it was safer for them to go back to their homeland now."

But he denied claims they left because they were harrased by police.

Sulu patrols

Malaysia's defense minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sunday said the Philippine government has intensified its patrols in the Sulu area in Mindanao to prevent Kiram's followers from getting to Sabah.

A Bernama report quoted Zahid as saying Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin contacted him to inform him of the development.

"It is hoped that this will make Jamalul Kiram, who is said to be the mastermind, realizes that the Philippine government does not support him," the Bernama report quoted Zahid as saying.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/298647/news/nation/malaysian-police-teenager-killed-in-anti-kiram-ops-in-sabah

Sulu Sultanate turns to OIC for help vs Malaysia

From GMA News (Mar 10): Sulu Sultanate turns to OIC for help vs Malaysia

With Malaysia rejecting its offer of a ceasefire in Sabah, the camp of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III is turning to the Organization of Islamic Conference to help soften Malaysia's stance.

Princess Jacel Kiram, the sultan's daughter, said there are now efforts to communicate with the OIC, saying religion may be a factor in resolving the situation.

"May mga effort na pakikipag-communicate sa OIC dahil alam natin baka religion ang pinag-usapan baka (magbago) ang damdamin ng kapwa nating Muslim na pumapatay ng kapwa nating Muslim sa Sabah," she said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Since March 5, Malaysian forces have sustained the offensive in Sabah against Kiram's followers led by the sultan's brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram.

While the sultan offered a unilateral ceasefire last March 7, Malaysia rejected it and maintained its demand for Kiram's followers in Sabah to surrender without condition.

A separate report on dzBB quoted Princess Jacel as saying they have sent an emissary to coordinate with the OIC.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/298640/news/nation/sulu-sultanate-turns-to-oic-for-help-vs-malaysia

China to unify marine bodies amid disputes

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 11): China to unify marine bodies amid disputes

China will bring its maritime law enforcement bodies under a single organization, a top official yesterday said, with the country embroiled in a row with several Asian countries, including the Philippines, over disputed islands in the South China Sea.

The State Oceanic Administration, which runs marine surveillance, will take over management of the coast guard from the public security ministry, fisheries patrols from the agriculture ministry, and customs’ marine anti-smuggling functions.

The move was intended to “safeguard the country’s maritime rights and interests,” Ma Kai, secretary general of the State Council, China’s cabinet, told the National People’s Congress parliament meeting in Beijing, according to a copy of his speech.

“The effectiveness of law enforcement is not high and the ability to defend rights is inadequate,” the speech said.

Operational control regarding China’s rights will be overseen by the public security ministry, it added.

The move also comes as Beijing and Tokyo dispute over small islands in the East China Sea administered by Japan but claimed by China.

Chinese marine surveillance vessels regularly patrol what Beijing says are its waters around the Diaoyu islands, prompting accusations of territorial incursions by Tokyo, which refers to the outcrops as the Senkakus.

Both sides have scrambled jets to ward off moves by the other and in February Japan alleged a Chinese frigate had locked its weapons-targeting radar on one of its destroyers. Beijing denied the accusation.

David Goodman, a China expert at the University of Sydney, said the government restructuring was most likely geared at better managing China’s policies on the disputes, which have flared in recent months.

“You’d want greater coordination, greater control about what’s going on,” he said.   

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/item/11545-china-to-unify-marine-bodies-amid-disputes.html

Malaysian forces arrest 40 in fresh crackdown on armed Filipinos

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 10): Malaysian forces arrest 40 in fresh crackdown on armed Filipinos

Nearly 40 people were taken into custody in less than 24 hours as of 8 a.m. Sunday as Malaysian security forces continued their sweep of suspected local supporters of the Sulu “royal army” in at least three Sabah areas.

The fresh wave of arrests had brought to about 120 the number of people taken into custody from various Sabah areas on suspicion of having links with the Sulu gunmen, the Malaysian police chief had confirmed.

A reporter for a Kota Kinabalu-based shortwave band radio station said the latest round of arrests took place in Kampung Pinggir Bakau in Semporna, which, along with Lahad Datu and Kunak, has been considered “red area” due to the alleged presence of the armed followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

Previously, Malaysian security forces only concentrated on a small area of Lahad Datu, specifically a portion of the resettlement area of Felda Sahabat, but had since widened the scope of their operation when Agbimuddin Kiram and his followers also launched strikes in other areas – killing a total of eight policemen and wounding several others.

On the side of what Malaysian authorities now call “terrorists,” 53 had allegedly been confirmed dead but only 13 bodies had so far been recovered.

The reporter, quoting unnamed Semporna police sources, said the police crackdown in Kampung Pinggir Bakau started at about 8 a.m. and lasted for about an hour. It was not clear, however, if the arrested men were Filipinos or locals but in Semporna, there are many Filipino communities.

He said the operating troops, who descended on the village, were from the Malaysian Royal Police’s Special Action Force (UTK) and described them as “clad in full battle gear.”

The reporter, whose name the Philippine Daily Inquirer had missed, said while some policemen, sporting automatic rifles, guarded the main road leading to the village, others stormed the houses and hauled several men from there.

“They escorted more than 10 people out of the houses and loaded them on a police truck, which sped off towards an undetermined location,” the reporter, who covered the sweep, said in Melayu.

Earlier, Malaysian police Inspector General Ismail Omar told the same radio station that 27 people had been arrested by security forces off Tanjung Batu in Tawau around 10 a.m. Saturday.

Ismail said the men were on three boats when spotted by security forces and were immediately accosted and taken into custody.

He said the men “claimed to be fishermen out to go fishing but we wondered what they were doing within the operational area, which was supposed to be off-limits to civilians,” Ismail said.

He clarified though that no firearm had been found on any of the men.

“They are now being detained and questioned at the Lahad Datu police headquarters,” Ismail said.

He said the assault against Agbimuddin’s group was continuing, along with the efforts to curb local support for the “terrorists.”

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/68181/malaysian-forces-arrest-40-in-crackdown-on-armed-filipinos

PH alarmed over alleged abuse in Malaysia

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 10): PH alarmed over alleged abuse in Malaysia

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Philippines expressed “grave concern” Sunday over allegations that innocent Filipinos in Malaysia are being abused after being caught up in fighting in Sabah with followers of an obscure sultanate.

Fifty-three militants and eight police officers have been shot dead since a group of armed Filipino Islamists arrived in the state last month to resurrect long-dormant land claims of a self-proclaimed Philippine sultan.

Local press reports in the Philippines have claimed that innocent Filipinos were being beaten and shot by Malaysian security forces as part of the crackdown against followers of self-declared Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. Sabah police have denied the allegations.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said government agencies will document these latest reports as it called on Malaysia to clarify the alleged incidents.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs views with grave concern the alleged rounding up of community members… in Sabah and the alleged violations of human rights reported in the media by some Filipinos,” a statement said.

“The allegations are alarming and should be properly and immediately addressed by concerned authorities,” said the statement.

Sabah police chief Hamza Taib, when asked about reports in the Philippine media quoting Filipino nationals recounting abuse by Malaysian security forces, denied these reports. “There is no such thing,” he said on Sunday.

President Benigno Aquino’s spokeswoman Abigail Valte also voiced concern following the reports.

“This kind of treatment on our Filipino citizens or Filipino nationals is unacceptable,” Valte told reporters.

She said the Philippines had long called for “humane treatment” for Kiram’s followers who entered Sabah last month in an attempt to claim the Malaysian state for the sultanate.

“What more our Filipino nationals who are not in any way involved in the situation in Sabah? They have just gotten caught up because they are residing there. That is unacceptable,” she said.

So far 85 people have been arrested for possible links to the intruders in Sabah, Malaysian officials have said.

Valte reiterated the Philippine government’s appeal for the followers of Kiram to lay down their arms and surrender.

But she also reiterated that the Philippines was asking Malaysian authorities to let Filipino diplomats have full access to arrested Filipinos to provide them with consular assistance.

She also recalled that Aquino had personally asked Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak earlier to ensure that the estimated 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah would not be persecuted despite the crisis.

Filipino Muslims from the southern Philippines have been crossing the maritime border with Sabah freely for centuries, to find work and to trade. Many have lived in Sabah for years.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/68247/ph-alarmed-over-alleged-abuse-in-malaysia

52 New Lands, 52 New Lives

Posted to the Negros Daily Bulletin (Mar 9): 52 New Lands, 52 New Lives

By the 3rd CMO Battalion, 3ID, Phl Army

Fifty Two farmers from Sitio Martin, Barangay Hacienda Fe, Escalante City were in high spirits to have finally given their official document of land tenure with the distribution of their individual Certificate of Land Ownership (CLOA) by the Department of Agriculture (DAR) last March 6, 2013.

Isaias Solido, Escalante City Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) assisted by Major Antonio Tumnog, Commanding Officer of 3rd Civil Military Operations Battalion, Philippine Army (3CMOB, 3ID, PA) led the distribution of CLOAs to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) at the MARO Escalante Office. Both have been active partners in implementing and in supporting different agrarian reform services in the area.

The agreed land, covering 80.4397 hectares of agricultural land were willingly handed by the Bureau of Education in Escalante City.

All of the farmer-beneficiaries felt better-off now to have finally been the owner of the land they have been tilling for so long. From the said generous act, farmers will also have better control of the management of their product as they bring their produce to the market.

CLOAs are given as proof of ownership to identified ARBs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) or R.A. 6657.

The CARP is a Philippine state policy of agrarian reform that ensures and promotes welfare of landless farmers and farm workers, as well as elevation of social justice and equity among rural areas. It aims for a nation with equitable land ownership and empowered ARB while, at least, improving social lives.

The CARP implementation procedure involves DAR and other agencies such as the Land Management Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Land Bank of the Philippines, Register of Deeds and the Armed Forces of the Philippines through its different branches of service like the Philippine Army, among others.

After the CLOA distribution, MARO and the 3CMOB affirmed that they will continue to provide the necessary support services to determine and achieve agrarian reforms to the different sitios and barangays in the city.

As lands were given, farmers will have their own sense of ownership and responsibility to cultivate their own lands as they tend to meet their family needs everyday. Farmers will no longer need to worry about paying rent for the utilization of land and for the fear of being driven out as its tenant.

The said distribution represents a notable feat for the farmers and for the community who admitted that they almost given up hope of owning their land after several years of waiting. Patience, persistence and fearless efforts between parties paid off as the departments and agencies continue to help one farmer at a time to have the opportunity under the rule of law to have their own land. This is a clear manifestation of the continuing efforts of the Bayanihan activities as stakeholders join hand in hand in resolving conflicts and land tenure problems in the area.*(ISAO, 3CMOB)

http://www.ndb-online.com/030913/local-news/local-news-52-new-lands-52-new-lives-3rd-cmo-battalion-3id-phl-army

Army dares militants to name soldiers involved in leader’s death

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 10): Army dares militants to name soldiers involved in leader’s death

A military official challenged militant groups to name soldiers they were accusing to be involved in the killing of Bayan Muna leader Cristina Morales Jose last week in her hometown in Baganga, Davao Oriental.

Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said they have had enough about the “accusing fingers” of left-leaning organizations like Karapatan, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Sowing the Seeds of Peace and Bayan Muna, that singled out the 67th Infantry Battalion to be behind Jose’s death.

“Once and for all, we challenge them to name those soldiers and we ourselves will conduct our own investigation if ever there is a truth of their accusation,” Paniza said in an interview.

He said that the series of protest actions conducted by those groups, condemning the military’s involvement in Jose’s killing are nothing but “mere black propaganda against us.”

Paniza reiterated that Jose, also a barangay kagawad of Binondo in Baganga, was a friend of the 67th IB because “she was a partner of development efforts of the military.”

He said he was just surprised that just hours after the incident, there was already a statement from the militant group, Anakbayan, condemning the attack and singled out the 67th IB personnel to have perpetrated the killing.

“They were not even accurate of their information where in fact the shooting incident happened in Poblacion and not in Binondo as they were claiming. There is some kind of a planned and prepared statement here. That’s why, we can only surmise their game,” he said.

Paniza said that as far as they are concerned they are not hiding anything and they are open for investigation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=505541

Two cops shot as more evacuations in deadly Sabah standoff

From the Philippine News Agency/Xinhua (Mar 10): Two cops shot as more evacuations in deadly Sabah standoff


LAHAD DATU -- Two policemen were injured in gunfights with militants on Sunday as more than a week-long of deadly clashes between police and the Filipino intruders in Malaysia's Sabah state takes its toll on civilians.

Authorities said the policemen were shot by gunmen in overnight skirmishes as militants showed no signs of backing down.

The militants had come in a group of more than 180 who arrived in the east coastal town of Lahad Datu in Sabah from southern Philippines on February 9 to claim territorial rights to the land.

They were followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who insisted Sabah belongs to his sultanate.

Police on Sunday raised the number of people they arrested under suspicion of sympathizing with the militant to 85 from 79 Saturday night.

Authorities said they are concentrating efforts to hunt down the militants holed up in Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Tanduo by launching airstrikes and sifting them out house-to-house.

Police said some of the militants were found to be posing as civilians.

Villagers were seen fleeing the two villages in droves on Sunday morning when clashes have temporarily petered out.

Some of them told reporters that many of the thousands trapped in the coastal villages were in need of food and medical supply.

Malaysian forces and the Filipino militants have been fighting since last Friday in an intense standoff that left at least 61 people dead, including eight Malaysian policemen.

The latest casualty was a gunman killed by police on Saturday.

Malaysia began an all-out raid codenamed "Sovereign Operation" on Tuesday that included airstrikes and ground assaults on several areas aiming to flush out the militants.

Thousands of Filipinos were believed to have fled Sabah for their home country since violence broke out.

Malaysian police refuted reports by the Philippine press that the Filipinos were abused by Malaysian forces.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=505555

Malaysian cops kill young boy; Filipino gunmen hurt 2 policemen

From InterAksyon (Mar 10): Malaysian cops kill young boy; Filipino gunmen hurt 2 policemen

FELDA SAHABAT, Malaysia - (UPDATE 8:25PM) Malaysian police shot dead a teenager and injured a man Sunday as they tried to end a month-long incursion by Filipino gunmen in remote Sabah state that has seen 62 people killed.

The death of the teen, whose identity and nationality has not yet been confirmed, came on the same day that police said two officers were hurt in clashes with armed Filipino Islamists.

The group landed in the state on Borneo island to resurrect long-dormant land claims by a self-proclaimed Philippine sultan.

Malaysia, facing its worst security crisis in years, insists the gunmen must surrender and has launched air- and ground strikes against them, but they continue to hide within a security cordon around two villages and farm land.

Malaysian police shot the boy, believed to be between 12 and 15 years old, and the man in his 30s when they noticed movement in some bushes while frisking a group of five near the battlezone, federal police chief Ismail Omar said.

Gunmen have traded fresh fire with security forces since late Saturday, also injuring two policemen who have been hospitalized. Eight policemen were killed in clashes before the Malaysian military assault began.

Police said earlier Sunday they have arrested a total of 85 people in the state under a security law and are investigating them for "committing terrorist acts".

Special security area

Meanwhile, authorities are fine-tuning operations in a "special security area" along Sabah's east coast, where they are stationing five army battalions, or about 3,500 men, to protect more than 1.4 million people following the incursion.

The crisis has embarrassed the Philippines and Malaysia, shining the spotlight on the latter's porous shoreline and locals' complaints of rampant illegal immigration and lawlessness.

About 235 people took part in the mission to reclaim the state for self-declared sultan Jamalul Kiram III, whose supporters say he is heir to the former southern Philippine sultanate of Sulu.

The intruders had been holed up in a village surrounded by palm oil plantations since February 12 before deadly clashes led Malaysian authorities to launch the air- and ground strikes on their hide-out.

Fears have also been raised of wider infiltration by other gunmen or sympathizers already in Malaysia following a shootout in a coastal town, several hours by car from the battlezone.

The Philippines expressed "grave concern" Sunday over allegations that innocent Filipinos in Malaysia are being abused after being caught up in the fighting.

Local press reports in the Philippines have claimed that innocent Filipinos were being beaten and shot by Malaysian security forces. Sabah police have denied the allegations.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said government agencies will document these latest reports as it called on Malaysia to clarify the alleged incidents.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs views with grave concern the alleged rounding up of community members... in Sabah and the alleged violations of human rights reported in the media by some Filipinos," a statement said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56756/malaysian-cops-kill-young-boy-filipino-gunmen-hurt-2-policemen

Govt troops, NPA rebels clash in Samar

From InterAksyon (Mar 10): Govt troops, NPA rebels clash in Samar

Government troops clashed with New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Samar in a series of encounters last week, the Philippine Army said.

Captain Gene Orense, spokesman of the Army's 8th Infantry Division, said members of the Alpha Company, 43rd Infantry Battalion led by 1st Lt. Roue Chris Libunao engaged an undetermined number of rebels in the boundary of Barangay Calondan, San Jose and Barangay Barayong, Motiong in Western Samar on March 8. Troops from the 20th IB also clashed with 15 NPA rebels in Barangay Kailingan, San Jose, Northern Samar last March 7, which led to the recovery of ammunition for several high-powered firearms such as AK47 rifle, M1 Garand rifle and M16 rifle.

No casualties were reported.

Lt. Col. Noel Vestuir, 20th IB commanding officer, said the encounter was a result of information relayed by local residents in the area.

"These NPA rebels have been harassing the local populace, forcing to give in to their revolutionary taxes in exchange for securing their communities," Vestuir said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56765/govt-troops-npa-rebels-clash-in-samar

MALAYSIAN PERSPECTIVE | 'Why the Philippines cannot claim Sabah'

Posted to InterAksyon (Mar 10): MALAYSIAN PERSPECTIVE | 'Why the Philippines cannot claim Sabah'

The following statement is excerpted from Malaysiakini.com, and was authored by the vice president of the Malaysian Bar, Mr. Christopher Leong. The entire commentary can be viewed here.

The Malaysian Bar expresses its support for the Malaysian authorities in its continuing efforts to restore law and order in the affected areas. As an independent nation, Malaysia has a sovereign right to ensure recognition and respect for the territorial integrity of its international borders.

As the conflict continues, we call on all parties to take all necessary action to minimise any further injury and loss of life.

The International Court of Justice, in the course of adjudicating a territorial dispute between the Governments of Malaysia and Indonesia over the islands of Ligitan and Sipadan off the coast of Sabah, and in delivering its decision on 17 December 2002, had set out the antecedents and history pertaining to the territory, and which effectively recognised the rights and sovereignty of Malaysia over the state of Sabah and its surrounding islands.

Sultanate had relinquished its rights

In essence, these antecedents show that the Sultanate of Sulu had, by its several actions and by various separate instruments between 19 April 1851 and 26 June 1946, relinquished and ceded all of its rights, interests and dominion over what was previously referred to as North Borneo (now known as the state of Sabah, Malaysia). These various instruments are:

1. The Act of Re-Submission between Spain and the Sultan of Sulu dated 19 April 1851, which was confirmed by the Protocol dated 22 July 1878, whereby the island of Sulu and its dependencies were annexed by the Spanish Crown;
2. The Cession and Agreement dated 22 January 1878 between the Sultan of Sulu, and Mr Alfred Dent and Baron von Overbeck as representatives of a British company, whereby the Sultan of Sulu granted and ceded to the latter all of his rights and powers over the mainland of the island of Borneo;
3. The Commission (report) dated 22 January 1878 whereby the Sultan of Sulu appointed Baron von Overbeck the “Dato Bëndahara and Rajah of Sandakan”, and ceded all of the Sultanate's rights to Baron von Overbeck as the “supreme ruler over the said dominions”;
4. Baron von Overbeck and Mr Alfred Dent in turn relinquished all their rights to a British company, later the British North Borneo Company;
5. The Protocol dated 11 March 1877 between Spain, Germany and Great Britain;
6. The Protocol dated 7 March 1885 between Spain, Germany and Great Britain whereby, inter alia, the Spanish Government relinquished to the British Government all claim of sovereignty over the territories of the continent of Borneo and its islands;
7. The Agreement dated 12 May 1888 between the British Government and the British North Borneo Company for the creation of the State of North Borneo;
8. The Treaty of Peace of Paris dated 10 December 1898 between Spain and the United States of America whereby Spain ceded the Philippine Archipelago to the United States of America;
9. The Confirmation of Cession dated 22 April 1903 between the Sultan of Sulu and the British Government expanding the scope of the Cession and Agreement of 22 January 1878 between the Sultan of Sulu and Mr Alfred Dent and Baron von Overbeck;
10. The Convention dated 2 January 1930 between the United States of America and Great Britain delimiting the boundary between the Philippine Archipelago and the State of North Borneo;
11. The Agreement dated 26 June 1946 between the British North Borneo Company and the British Government whereby the British North Borneo Company relinquished and transferred all of its interests, powers and rights in respect of the State of North Borneo to the British Crown, whereby the State of North Borneo became a British colony.
12. The Agreement dated 9 July 1963 between the Federation of Malaya, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore relating to Malaysia, which entered into force on 16 September 1963, whereby the colony of North Borneo was to be “federated with the existing States of the Federation of Malaya as the [State] of Sabah”.

Although the Philippines was not a party to this litigation before the International Court of Justice — it did apply to intervene, but the application was rejected — it is clear from this judgment that the Sultanate of Sulu, even if such an entity were to legally exist today, has no subsisting legitimate claim to Sabah.

In any event, as a matter of post-colonial self-determination, the people of Sabah voted overwhelmingly to join Malaysia in a referendum held in 1962, which was organised by the Cobbold Commission.

Respect human rights

The Malaysian Bar thus calls upon the Malaysian Government to continue its efforts to defend its international borders and territory, protect its citizens, and apprehend the perpetrators of these acts of armed violence.

In doing so, we nonetheless call upon the Malaysian Government to take appropriate and immediate steps to resolve the conflict in a peaceful manner to avoid the further use of arms and loss of limb or life.

Just as Malaysia is insisting on the respect for its sovereign rights under international law, as is proper, it would also be correct for the Malaysian Government to honour and maintain its commitment to international humanitarian law and international human rights standards in its conduct of the conflict and treatment of any persons detained as part of the conflict, and to accord such persons due process of the law.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56770/malaysian-perspective--why-the-philippines-cannot-claim-sabah