Retired general disputes Querubin over test mission controversy

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 28): Retired general disputes Querubin over test mission controversy


A retired military officer who led the creation of the first Marines Reconnaissance (Recon) Battalion in 1995 disputed statements by a fellow retired officer that Marines on test mission are not supposed to engage in battle.

“The mission of Force Recon Battalion is special operations. We do the difficult work in the Armed Forces. Recon is just one of the aspects of our mission and capabilities. So when you say they are not supposed to engage with the enemy is not correct,” retired Major General Natalio Ecarma III told INQUIRER.net on Tuesday.

The highly decorated retired Marine general, who also underwent specialized trainings under the Army’s elite units -the Special Forces and Scout Rangers, as well as US Scout Ranger and US Marines Recon courses – led the formulation of the Marines Recon training course.

Ecarma was then a junior officer in 1995 when he was tasked to create the Force Recon Battalion, which included the formulation of the training course for the special operations unit.

“The doctrine used in our Marine Recon was based on the concept of our special operations, and the test mission was organized from the Army’s Scout Rangers which we integrated there,” he said.

He said the Recon is the Marines counterpart of Army’s elite units Special Forces and Scout Rangers, which demands the “highest standard of soldiery.”

Retired Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin earlier said that Marines on test mission should not engage in battle, and is only limited to gathering data.

Ecarma is Querubin’s junior at the Philippine Military Academy, where they both attended. The former is from PMA Class 1981, while the latter is from PMA Class 1979.

But Ecarma said students undergoing specialized courses are sent on a test mission “in order to confirm whether they learned or not.”

A Marines Recon course usually lasts for about six months, and a test mission is conducted on the final months. The test mission is part of the training and the students will not finish the course unless they are engaged in an actual encounter.

If you follow the procedures, then there are minimized casualties, Ecarma said.

He added that he sees no need to review the doctrine of the Marines Recon training course, but rather the implementation of the procedures must be examined.

“I believe the doctrine is correct, the concept is sound but the problem is the implementation on the ground,” Ecarma said, but clarified that he was not referring to the Sulu incident, as the investigation is still ongoing.

The Sulu encounter over the weekend left six soldiers dead, including a junior officer Second Lieutenant Alfredo Lorin VI, in a clash with the Abu Sayyaf group. The other fatalities were Privates First Class and a Sergeant.  They were part of the Force Recon Class 18 as stated on a report by the Western Mindanao Command.

The soldiers were tasked to rescue kidnap victim Casilda Villarasa, wife of Sergeant Faustino Villarasa.

“Karamihan sa Recon dapat bata..Sa hirap ng mission, tsaka yung tinatawag ng operational tempo. Ang kelangan dyan malalakas..matitigas,” Ecarma said when asked whether he found the fatalities too young to die in battle.

(Recon is composed mostly of young Marines because of its arduous mission and operational tempo. Strong and tough men are needed here.)

“Age is not actually an advantage when physical fitness is concerned…..young fighters constitute Recon,” he said.

Ecarma said that Marine operations are usually successful, but they only get public exposure when they incur casualties.

“The Recon has many successful missions that are not known to public, but when we get casualties that’s when we get exposure,” he said.

He cited the military’s victory over Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani as one of its high-profile successes.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin also defended the deployment of Marines’ Recon students in Sulu on a test mission, saying it was part of their test in the special operations course.

“Before a student graduates from the course, they undergo a test mission to confirm if they have learned anything or not. It is during an encounter when it is verified if they learned something. Sometimes we incur casualty, sometimes we emerge as very victorious without any casualty,” he told in a radio interview.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/416621/retired-general-disputes-querubin-over-test-mission-controversy

Brigada Eskwela: A way to sustain peace

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Brigada Eskwela: A way to sustain peace

The Brigada Eskwela program may be viewed as a way to sustain peace in communities.

“What we are doing right now is sustaining the gains of our peace and development programs,” 701st Infantry Brigade (Inf. Bde.) commander Col. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said. “It’s part of our commitment to better serve our communities and to contribute our share of providing an environment conducive to education and learning.”

Accomplishment report of the 701st Inf. Bde. showed that the Philippine Army command based in Davao Oriental reached out to a large number of public schools during Brigada Eskwela.

The nationwide project is a community activity which aims to spruce up public school classrooms before the opening of classes.

Its 67th Infantry Battalion (IB) under the command of Lt. Col. Krishnamurti A. Mortela covered the deployment of personnel carrying the task to assist parents, teachers and school administrators do the clean-up of public schools in District I at the east coast areas of Boston, Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, Manay and Tarragona.

Its 28th IB under Lt. Col. Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr. handled the sending out of personnel to 2nd District areas of Banay-Banay, Lupon, San Isidro, Gov. Generoso while its brigade-based personnel focused assistance to schools in Mati City.

The three groups all started off participating the Brigada on May 20 and went on to May 23, rendering services such as classroom painting, grass cutting, renovating of fence, repairing classrooms, constructing a school building aside from cleaning classrooms and school grounds.

Based in the municipality of Baganga, the 67th IB personnel went their way to Brgy Aliwagwag, Cateel, Davao Oriental to assist the construction of a school building in the area.

They also went to Simulao Elem School, Brgy Simulao in Boston;Caraga National High School; Jovellar Elementary School Brgy Jovellar in Tarragona; in Caatihan Elementary and High schools; and in Pamian Elementary School.

In its base town Caraga, the 67th IB extended their Brigada Eskwela services in Baculin Elementary School, Salingcomot Elementary School, Bobonao Elementary School.

Meanwhile, the 28th IB went on to serve BatoBato Central Elementary School, Dugmanon Elementary School, Comara T Manuel Central Elem School II, New Visayas Elem School, Tiombokan Primary School.

Some of the public schools where they reached in the municipality of Banay-Banay were Calubihan Elem School, BanayBanay Elementary and National High School, Puntalinao National High School, Causwagan Elem School.

Other Brigada-served areas in the municipality of Lupon were Sitio Banhawan, Brgy Marayag; Calasagan Elem School, Brgy San Isidro; Calasagan Elem School Prk Upper Calasagan; Cabadiangan, Elementary School. They also served Brgy Manikling and Brgy. Talisay in San Isidro.

Meanwhile the brigade-based members of the 701st staff were sent out to Cabubuanan Elementary School, Brgy Don Martin Marundan, Mati City, Tagbinunga Elementary School, Brgy Tagbinunga also in Mati City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=528694

(Update) Police and military operatives arrest 4 KFRG members in Zamboanga City

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): (Update) Police and military operatives arrest 4 KFRG members in Zamboanga City

Combined police and military intelligence operatives have arrested four suspected kidnappers inside a local shopping mall believed to be scouting for a would-be victim, officials disclosed Tuesday.

Arrested were Putot Jakaria alias Ogis Jakaria, Sadat Amilhamja, Allan Nader, and Najal Hail, according to Zamboanga City police officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo.

De Ocampo said the suspects were arrested around 4:30 p.m. Monday at a food court in one of the shopping malls in downtown Zamboanga City.

De Ocampo said Jakaria was positively identified as a member of the kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG), citing the latter has standing warrants of arrest for kidnapping with serious illegal detention and slight illegal detention with robbery.

The warrant of arrest against Jakaria was penned by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 24 Judge Reuben Maraon with a recommended bail of P200,000, De Ocampo said.

They were believed to be scouting would-be victim, De Ocampo said.

Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) commander Col. Andrelino Colina disclosed that Jakaria was allegedly involved in three kidnapping incidents wherein two of the victims were foreign nationals.

Colina said Jakaria was involved in the kidnapping of Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott, and Zamboangueña nurse Maricris Cuartocruz.

Bossi of the Pontificio Istituto Missioni Estere (PIME) was kidnapped in June 2007 in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay and was freed the following month of the same year.

Sinnott of the Society of Saint Columban was kidnapped in October of 2009 in Pagadian City. He was freed a month later of the same year.

Cuartocruz was seized in December 2010 from her residence in Barangay Manicahan, this city, and was freed in February of 2011.

Meanwhile, De Ocampo said Jakaria’s companions were placed under investigation to determine whether or not they have participation in previous incidents of kidnappings.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=528618

Troops counter NPA recruitment in 2 South Cotabato towns

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Troops counter NPA recruitment in 2 South Cotabato towns

Government troops have intensified their “peace and development” initiatives in the hinterland villages of T’boli and Lake Sebu towns in South Cotabato in a bid to counter the reported recruitment activities of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the area.

1Lt. Bethuel Barber, civil-military operations chief of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said Tuesday they recently monitored fresh movements of suspected NPA rebels under the Front 73 in some communities in T’boli and Lake Sebu towns to specifically recruit new members.

“This is a very small (NPA) unit and it’s been recruiting new members to increase its number,” he said in a radio interview.

The official said the rebels have been reportedly visiting T’boli tribal communities and “dubiously” promising residents of some benefits in exchange for joining their cause.

Last year, 18 alleged NPA rebels operating in the towns of Lake Sebu, Surallan and T’boli surrendered to the 27th IB after some negotiations facilitated by local officials and some of their comrades.

The rebel returnees, some of whom were minors, claimed that they were lured into joining the rebel movement due to promises of monetary benefits and other incentives from their recruiters and NPA leaders.

The promised benefits, which supposedly never came, include regular food allowance of a sack of rice every month for their families and a monthly “salary” of P5,000.

The returnees disclosed such information during a profiling conducted by the South Cotabato Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office as a pre-requisite for their enlistment into the national government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

To counter the NPA’s recruitment activities, Barber said they have launched community outreach programs in the area in coordination with the local government units.

He said these initiatives, which were part of its peace and development framework, includes of medical and dental outreach activities as well as providing assistance to local communities and residents in availing some basic services of the government.

Barber said they were also conducting information and education campaigns among residents regarding the NPA activities.

The official said their troops are also assisting local communities in fortifying their defenses against possible intrusions by criminals and other armed elements.

“Our peace and development outreach activities were proven to be very effective in terms of countering NPA activities in our remote areas,” he said.

Earlier this month, officials of the 27th IB said it has monitored movements by NPA units within the boundary areas of the municipalities of Lake Sebu, Tboli and Surallah in South Cotabato; Sarangani and South Cotabato boundary; and, Koronadal City and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat boundary.

Major Gerald Monfort, 27th IB executive officer, said a big group of NPA rebels was confirmed to have been moving towards the boundary of Koronadal City and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat prior to the last May 13 elections.

He said the group, which was reportedly advancing towards Koronadal City, could have planned to stage attacks to disrupt the conduct of the previous polls in the area.

The official said the rebels were allegedly composed of combined units under the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Revolutionary Committee and with “heavily-armed” members coming from as far as Matanao in Davao del Sur.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=528640

Palawan police chief calls on residents, LGU officials to help allay CPP-NPA presence

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Palawan police chief calls on residents, LGU officials to help allay CPP-NPA presence

Provincial Police Office (PPO) chief Senior Superintendent Atanacio Macalan Jr. is calling on residents and local government unit (LGU) officials in Palawan to help allay the presence of a small band of armed members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for the province’s continued development.

In a recent interview with Macalan Jr., he told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that in Palawan, peace and order largely depends on the the support of the people and the local government officials.

He said that the barangay visitation that the provincial police started doing since he took over the leadership of their headquarters has mostly help in encouraging the people not to be scared to report presence of armed CPP-NPA members, who can “certainly disturb” Palawan’s tranquil community.

On LGU officials, Macalan Jr. said they can help by providing sufficient alternative livelihood activities to residents of their municipalities to avert them from accepting the recruitment of the leftist movement.

He said that most of the time, it is the absence of adequate livelihood activities that frustrates people in far-flung areas, and enough to push them to join the leftist movement which can be nothing but bad where peace and security is concerned.

With new leaders to occupy municipal government offices in July, Macalan Jr. is positive that with proper communication and coordination, the support of LGU officials in the provision of satisfactory livelihood activities is not far from being attained.

Macalan Jr. furthered that the current concentration of the higher leadership command of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under Gen. Alan Purisima is to persuade members of the CPP-NPA to lay down their arms and return to government fold that can support them.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=528703

Marines monitoring situation off Ayungin Shoal in good spirits

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Marines monitoring situation off Ayungin Shoal in good spirits

Despite the discomfort and relative isolation of their post, Marines monitoring the situation off Ayungin Shoal remain in good spirits, Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea issues Col. Edgard Arevalo said Tuesday.

"They (Marine contingent) are not demoralized because they can always count on us to resupply then whenever they need it," he added.

The former are based on the BRP Sierra Madre, a landing ship tank, which ran aground off Ayungin Shoal some years back.

Arevalo also said no additional Chinese ships have been sighted except for the two CMS (China Maritime Surveillance) vessels which arrived near Ayungin Shoal last weekend.

The fishing fleet, earlier estimated at three large steel-hulled ships and 10 wooden dinghies, have left the area also during the weekend.

The PN spokesperson for West Philippine Sea issues added the Marines are not threatened by the presence of the Chinese ships as the task of monitoring the latter is routine for these soldiers.

Arevalo also said the PN has yet to receive complaints from Marines there as they are in constant communication with the latter.

"But we hope that the protest we filed at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (for repeated Chinese incursions in Philippine maritime territory) will be resolved immediately," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=528593

Number of cops killed in Cagayan ambush rise to 9

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Number of cops killed in Cagayan ambush rise to 9

Nine policemen have been killed in the ambush Monday morning in Allapacan, Cagayan as one of the eight wounded Special Action Force (SAF) members died while being transferred from the Ballesteros District Hospital in Ballesteros, Cagayan to Cagayan Valley Medical Center in this city.

Dr. Nicasio Galano Jr., Ballesteros District Hospital chief, confirmed the death of Police Officer 2 Joefrey Dalwidaw due to shrapnel wounds he obtained in the landmine explosion.

Killed on the spot in the rebel attack were 21st Philippine National Police-SAF Cagayan team leader PO3 Vladimir Tabajero, PO2 Dexter Cubilla, PO1 Erick Brioso, PO2 Angelbert Mateo, PO2 Elmark Rodney Pinated, PO1 Jerome Sanchez, PO2 Jonnel Bowat and PO2 Ronald Castulo (who died while being brought to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center here).

Those wounded were PO2 Ronald Gomez, PO1 Ephraim G. Dolete, PO2 Geopano G. Adangui, PO1 Ryan B. Asunio, PO2 Ricky Monay, PO2 Jeofrey Liagao Amiligan and PO2 Jeofrey Elasco.

The victims were on their way to the Allacapan police station to undergo physical fitness examination, when they were attacked by about 30 suspected New People’s Army rebels under the Danilo Ben Front operating in northern Cagayan.

The Cagayan Valley Police have condemned the killing of the lawmen.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=528616

Aquino visits wake of Marine soldiers slain in Sulu encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Aquino visits wake of Marine soldiers slain in Sulu encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group

President Benigno S. Aquino III visited the wake Tuesday of the seven Marines who died in Sulu on Saturday following an encounter with the members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).



During his visit at the Philippine Marines Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, the President also extended financial assistance to the families of the soldiers by handing them P250,000 check each.

The Armed Forces said soldiers from the 2nd Marine Brigade, while pursuing Abu Sayyaf group believed to be holding captive the wife of a marine soldier, encountered a large group of its members at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Tugay, Patikul town in Sulu.

Ensuing gun-fight lasted more than one hour killing seven Marine soldiers, including a lieutenant and nine Abu Sayyaf terrorists.

Nine marines and 10 Abu Sayyaf members were also wounded.

The AFP said the terrorists fled after the fighting and the military has launched a pursuit operation against the group.

The military reported that helicopters were dispatched to evacuate the wounded soldiers who were brought to the trauma hospital in Jolo, Sulu.

The soldiers involved in the incident were on “route security” when the encounter occurred contrary to police initial report saying they were ambushed.

The Abu Sayyaf, founded in the 1990s, has carried out a number of high-profile attacks including kidnapping particularly of foreign nationals. The group is also involved in bombing attacks.

The military estimates Abu Sayyaf’s membership at around 300, mostly based in southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=528723

Gazmin justifies test mission of slain soldiers

From ABS-CBN (May 28): Gazmin justifies test mission of slain soldiers

 

MANILA - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin justifies the deployment of the 7 slain Marines who were on a test mission when they were killed by the Abu Sayyaf.

Gazmin said the deployment of the students from the Marine Force Reconnaissance Class for a test mission was needed to hone their skills in the field.

He adds this is not the first time that the military sustained casualties during a test mission.

The students were deployed to conduct tracking operations against an Abu Sayyaf Group involved in recent kidnapping incidents.

Former Marine colonel Ariel Querubin said the Marine recon students should not have been sent to engage the enemy.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/05/28/13/gazmin-justifies-test-mission-slain-soldiers

2 Abu Sayyaf bandits, companions nabbed in Zambo City, Basilan

From GMA News (May 28): 2 Abu Sayyaf bandits, companions nabbed in Zambo City, Basilan

Government forces have arrested two suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits, including one allegedly involved in the abduction of two foreign priests years ago, in two separate occassions in Mindanao, a police official said Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, the police director in Zamboanga City, said Muktar Adil Amin alias Putot Jakaria was arrested at Mindpro City Mall on La Purisima Street in Zamboanga City.

Amin has standing warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the kidnapping of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi in 2007 and Irish priest Michael Sinnott in 2009 .

Amin's three companions, Sadat Amilhamja, Allan Nader and Najal Hail, were also arrested by the police. The police will check if they have records for criminal acts.

Meanwhile, another suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit, Abu Arsad alias Musad Abdurasad, was arrested in Lantawan town in Basilan, according to Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza, Basilan provincial police director.

Arsad has standing warrants of arrests for nine counts of murder in Albarka, Basilan, as well as kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the abduction of a coconut farmer from Golden Harvest plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, in 2001.

Amin and his companions were temporarily detained at Zamboanga City Police Office while Arsad in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional office in Zamboanga City.

Just two days earlier, on Saturday, seven Philippine Marines were killed in a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul town in Sulu. Officials are still trying to determine if the incident was an "operational miscalculation" or a close encounter.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/310401/news/nation/2-abu-sayyaf-bandits-companions-nabbed-in-zambo-city-basilan

MILF: Moro woman educator passes away; MILF extends condolence

Posted to the MILF Website (May 27): Moro woman educator passes away; MILF extends condolence

Dr. Hadja Sittie Nurlaila Emily M. Marohombsar, a very prominent Muslim educator and scion of one of the largest traditional and political Moro clans in Lanao, succumbed to heart failure last Friday afternoon, May 24, 2013, at the Capitol University Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

She was laid to rest according to Islamic rites in her hometown in the Municipality of Ganassi, Lanao del Sur last Saturday, May 25.

Dr. Marohombsar was a distinguished alumnus of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She was the first among the very few Muslim Moro women then who studied at the PWU in the early 50s. She pursued her post-graduate studies at the Ateneo de Manila, the University of Hawaii and Harvard University in the US.

She was also a pioneering faculty member of the Mindanao State University (MSU) when the latter was established in 1962.

Many of the well-known Moro professionals, who have succeeded in their respective fields of endeavor, including politics, were her students at one time or another.

She was an icon to many Muslims, both women and men, in the Lanao provinces who are in the field of education.

She became President of the MSU in 1992 up to about 1997 and carried the distinction of being the first Muslim woman to be ever appointed by government to that position up till now.

Meanwhile, Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel, who knew late educator-negotiator because she was part of the government peace panel, sent condolence to the family and relatives for her passing away.

“I know her very well and she is a very amiable personality and so easy to9 deal with her,” Iqbal told Luwaran in an interview.

“We missed another good person and may Allah bless her soul,” Iqbal added.
From 1998 to 2003, she became a member of the Peace Negotiating Panel of the Philippine government negotiating with the MILF.

Just before the presidential elections of 2004, Dr. Marohombsar, together with another female member of the panel, resigned from the GPH Peace Panel after reportedly being disillusioned with the “insincere” way the then regime of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was handling the negotiations with the MILF.

It is likewise worth mentioning that Dr. Marohombsar is the maternal aunt (younger sister of his late mother) of Robert Maulana M. Alonto, a senior member of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel and concurrently a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC). He and Professor Abhoud Syed Lingga (also a member of the MILF Peace Panel) were once her students during their university years.

Despite having served as negotiator of the government for a period of time, the MILF has high regards for Dr. Marohombsar, whose many relatives are also active members of the MILF and the MNLF.

http://www.luwaran.com/

MILF: MILF appoints new ceasefire committee chairman from Basilan

From the MILF Website (May 28): MILF appoints new ceasefire committee chairman from Basilan



The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) appointed a new chairman hailing from the Province of Basilan for its Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), the main ceasefire pillar for the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF.
  

Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel, issued the appointment for Mr. Abbas Salung, who has been a member of the MILF CCCH since 2007.

Iqbal said Salung was appointed as Acting Chairman of the MILF CCCH effective May 1, 2013 to assume the position vacated by former MILF CCCH Chairman Said Shiek following his appointment as a Member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

Salung is the first ever Chairman of the MILF CCCH from the Province of Basilan.
“The MILF has full trust and confidence with Brother Salung. Salung has proven his commitment, competence and credibility to the cause of the Bangsamoro and the MILF for right to self – determination and the peace process,” Iqbal said.

“We are confident that he can perform well and his appointment is a positive development in our vision – mission for the Bangsamoro and Muslim ummanh as well as to the GPH – MILF Peace Process,” he said.

The MILF CCCH is the main body that works closely with the GPH CCCH and the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) in ensuring the protection of the ceasefire and in creating an enabling environment for the peace process and the peace negotiations.

Salung together with the incumbent Head of Secretariat of the MILF CCCH had undergone a two-weeks Course on the United Nations Framework on Ceasefire Monitoring and Mediation in Oslo, Norway last March 2013, a training that will be very useful for his duties and functions with the CCCH.

http://www.luwaran.com/

5 suspected Abu Sayyaf members arrested in Zamboanga, Basilan

From the Sun Star (May 28): 5 suspected Abu Sayyaf members arrested in Zamboanga, Basilan

Five suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group were arrested by government security forces in Zamboanga and Basilan on Tuesday.

Arrested at a shopping mall in Zamboanga City were Muktar Adil Ahmin, Nader Sajidol Alan, Nadjal Esmola Jael and Shadat Amilhamja.

Another suspected bandit identified as Arsad Musad Abdurasad was caught Barangay Lawi-Lawi in Lantawan, Basilan, by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of investigation.

Ahmin, alias Ogis Jakaria, was involved in the abduction of Italian missionaries Fr. Giancarlo Bossi in Zamboanga Sibugay in 2007 and Fr. Michael Sinnott in Pagadian City in 2009.

Ahmin was also involved in the abduction of Maricris Cuartocruz, a nurse, in Zamboanga City in 2010.

Colonel Andrelino Colina, Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) commander, said Ahmin is facing abduction-related charges with serious illegal detention at a local court in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Abdurasad, on the other hand, is facing nine counts of murder and abduction cases with serious illegal detention.

Basilan is a stronghold of the Al-Qaida-linked bandits notorious for beheading and kidnapping of foreign tourist and some locals.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/05/28/5-suspected-abu-sayyaf-members-arrested-zamboanga-basilan-284567

Muslim educator

From the Manila Bulletin (May 28): Muslim educator

COTABATO CITY – Thousands of people are mourning the death of Mindanao-based Muslim lady educator Dr. Hadja Sittie Nurlayla Emily M. Marohombsar, who is adored as an “icon” of peace building, good governance, and quality education for the Bangsamoro.

Dr. Marohombsar, 77, succumbed to heart failure last Friday afternoon at the Capitol University Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City, according to Robert Maulana Marohombsar-Alonto, her nephew, and a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panelist who stayed beside his aunt up to the last breath.

She was laid to rest the following day under Islamic rites in Ganassi, Lanao del Sur, her rugged hometown where she was born on September 7, 1935.

The MILF leadership led the mourners, posting in its official Web site – luwaran.com – a message of condolence and a tribute to Dr. Marohombsar, the first woman state peace panelist it had dealt with during the stormy days of the MILF-government peace talks.

Before the burial, relatives brought her remains first to the Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus in Marawi City where she had served as first lady Muslim president (1993-1998).

http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=14126&sid=1&subid=5#.UaSD0o7D9jo

Armed men takes mine employees at Tawi-tawi sea

From the Manila Bulletin (May 28): Armed men takes mine employees at Tawi-tawi sea

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – Unidentified armed men snatched at mid sea three mining firm employees recently while the trio were en-route from Languyan town proper to Tumbagaan island, where the mining firm is located.

But Governor Sadikul Sahali was quick to dismiss it as kidnapping, saying it is more like "harassment" done by the business rival of the mining firm.

He said the Provincial Police Office (PPO) has reported to him that  three employees of SR Mining Company  based in Tumbagaan were forcibly taken by armed men at mid sea between Languyan and Tumbagaan island. Based on the  police report, the victims are boat operator Mar Hadjula, cook Marcial España, and Eddie Reubal.

The police also reported to Sahali that Hadjula was rescued by fishermen last Saturday, near Sulare island and had him brought to Siasi Municipal Police Station that later turned him over to Languyan police.

The governor here said España and Reubal remain missing.

http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=14256&sid=1&subid=5#.UaSDRI7D9jo

Morale is high despite deaths of seven Marines in Sulu clash

From Malaya (May 28): Morale is high despite deaths of seven Marines in Sulu clash

 ARMED Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista yesterday said the morale of troops remains high despite the deaths of seven Marine soldiers in a firefight with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the outskirts of Patikul, Sulu last Saturday.

Bautista visited the wake of the seven soldiers, led by 2Lt. Alfredo Lorin, shortly after they were accorded by the Philippine Marine Corps a hero’s welcome at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

“This    incident   will not deter our soldiers from performing their mandate of protecting the people and the state, the security and sovereignty of the state and the national interest,” said Bautista.

The soldiers were on a tracking operation against a group of Abu Sayyaf men involved in recent kidnapping incidents in the province when the fighting broke out last Saturday morning in Tugas village in Patikul.

The one-hour fight resulted in the death of Lorin, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 2011, and six of his men and wounding of nine other soldiers. The military said five Abu Sayyaf men died and some were wounded.

“This is what we have trained for as soldiers and this mandate, we will continue to perform regardless of the risks that we face as soldiers in doing that. That is all part of our training, of our conviction as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Bautista.

Bautista said he has instructed AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo and 2nd Marine Brigade chief Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre to continue with the pursuit operations against the perpetrators.

Bautista said the killing of the seven soldiers mirrors the “sad state of our problems” in Mindanao and in other parts of the country.

“That is why we continue with our pursuit of winning the peace to end armed struggle. Armed struggle is not the solution to our problems. Filipinos versus Filipinos, that is not the solution to our problems,” he said.

Bautista said the military is conducting an investigation on the circumstances of the encounter in line with their standard operating procedure.

“After an encounter, whether the outcome is positive or negative, we conduct inquiries for the lessons that we may learn out of these incidents,” he said.

The soldiers who figured in the clash include students of the Force Recon Class 18. Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano said the soldiers were on a route security as part of the operation against the Abu Sayyaf.

“They have already several experiences in the field already and this is part of their ongoing training to improve them in terms of going now into Force Reconnaissance,” he said.

Alano said an investigation team had been sent to Sulu “to look into the exact reasons behind the event and to make sure that we would be able to correct and improve our doctrines as far as how we conduct operations.”

Vice President Jejomar Binay also visited  the wake for the seven soldiers.
Binay is  a Marine reservist with the rank of colonel.

Binay assured the family of seven fatalities of government assistance.

 He  said he will look into housing assistance for the families, and additional assistance from the Alay sa Kawal Foundation which he chairs.

“Meron kasi kaming binibigay na P30,000 sa pamilya ng napatay, at meron din doon sa na-injure,” he said.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/32086-morale-is-high-despite-deaths-of-seven-marines-in-sulu-clash

Reb yields firearms, gets P110,000

From Malaya (May 28): Reb yields firearms, gets P110,000

A self-confessed squad leader-political officer of the Sentro De Grabidad Platoon of the New People’s Army South West Front has received P110,000 in exchange for the high-powered firearms he had surrendered to the 47th Infantry Battalion in Candoni, Negros Occidental.

Elizalde Martisano, with aliases of Ka Nonoy and Bong, was the first rebel returnee in Western Visayas, who availed of the Armed Forces Guns for Peace program that was launched last April.

He received P50,000 for the M16 rifle and P20,000 each for the three Mossberg shotguns.

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said Martisano was the 89th NPA member who had surrendered to the 303rd Infantry Brigade since 2011.

Aying also said they have extended security protection to the family of Martisano.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/32064-reb-yields-firearms-gets-p110000

CPP/NDFP: Use of command-detonated land mines is not a violation of the Ottawa Treaty

Posted  to the NDFP Website (May 28): Use of command-detonated land mines is not a violation of the Ottawa Treaty

LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel

The team of Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that was ambushed by the New People's Army (NPA) yesterday in Allacapan, Cagayan Valley was a legitimate military target in accordance with international humanitarian law (IHL). It was part of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) which is pursuing a war of suppression against the people in order to protect and preserve the interests of the ruling classes of big landlords and compradors under the unjust semi-colonial and semi-feudal social system.

The use of command-detonated land mines by the NPA is not a violation of the Ottawa Treaty. It is a legitimate weapon of the NPA against the armed forces of the Aquino government in the revolutionary movement's just war of national and social liberation. It deters enemy combatants from encroaching the territory of the people's democratic government and harming the people with impunity.

Therefore, the accusation of the regime's negotiating panel and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) that the NPA is violating the Ottawa Treaty is without any basis. The reference to the GPH Republic Act 9851, signed by the Gloria Arroyo regime on 11 December 2009, is not relevant. It does not bind the revolutionary movement and cannot supersede any provision of the Ottawa Treaty, which allows the use of command-detonated land mines.

The GPH negotiating panel and the OPAPP should not attempt to cover up the violent and brutal character of the Aquino regime in continuing to perpetuate the backward, agrarian, non-industrial and underdeveloped Philippine society that has bred the poverty, ignorance and disease of the great majority of the Filipino people for the benefit of the few ruling classes of big landlords and compradors.

The Aquino regime has unleashed on the Filipino people the US-designed Oplan Bayanihan that has targeted civilians, including children and communities, resulting in numerous human rights violations and the commission of war crimes that have been amply documented by human rights organizations in the Philippines and abroad.

The GPH negotiating panel and the OPAPP's pretensions to want a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict are contradicted by their recent declarations of terminating the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and by the regime's escalation of military attacks against the people. The revolutionary forces and people have no choice but to defend themselves. The military, police and paramilitary forces cannot attack the people without serious consequences.

(Sgd) LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

Military moves to counter NPA recruitment in SouthCot

From MindaNews (May 28): Military moves to counter NPA recruitment in SouthCot

Government troops have intensified their “peace and development” initiatives in the hinterland villages of T’boli and Lake Sebu towns in South Cotabato in a bid to counter the reported recruitment activities of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the area.

1Lt. Bethuel Barber, civil-military operations chief of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said Tuesday they recently monitored fresh movements of suspected NPA rebels under the Front 73 in some communities in T’boli and Lake Sebu towns to recruit new members.

“This is a very small (NPA) unit and it’s been recruiting new members to increase its number,” he said in a radio interview.

The official said the rebels have been reportedly visiting T’boli tribal communities and “dubiously” promising residents of some benefits in exchange for joining their cause.

Last year, 18 alleged NPA rebels operating in the towns of Lake Sebu, Surallan and T’boli surrendered to the 27th IB after some negotiations facilitated by local officials and some of their comrades.

 

The rebel returnees, some of whom were minors, claimed that they were lured into joining the rebel movement due to promises of monetary benefits and other incentives from their recruiters and NPA leaders.

The promised benefits, which supposedly never came, include regular food allowance of a sack of rice every month for their families and a monthly “salary” of P5,000.

The returnees disclosed such information during a profiling conducted by the South Cotabato Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office as a pre-requisite for their enlistment into the national government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

To counter the NPA’s recruitment activities, Barber said they have launched community outreach programs in the area in coordination with the local government units.

He said these initiatives, which were part of its peace and development framework, includes of medical and dental outreach activities as well as providing assistance to local communities and residents in availing some basic services of the government.

Barber said they were also conducting information and education campaigns among residents regarding the NPA activities.

The official said their troops are also assisting local communities in fortifying their defenses against possible intrusions by criminals and other armed elements.

“Our peace and development outreach activities were proven to be very effective in terms of countering NPA activities in our remote areas,” he said.

Earlier this month, officials of the 27th IB said it has monitored movements by NPA units within the boundary areas of the municipalities of Lake Sebu, Tboli and Surallah in South Cotabato; Sarangani and South Cotabato boundary; and, Koronadal City and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat boundary.

Major Gerald Monfort, 27th IB executive officer, said a big group of NPA rebels was confirmed to have been moving towards the boundary of Koronadal City and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat prior to the elections this month.

He said the group, which was reportedly advancing towards Koronadal City, could have planned to stage attacks to disrupt the conduct of the previous polls in the area.

The official said the rebels were allegedly composed of combined units under the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Revolutionary Committee and with “heavily-armed” members coming from as far as Matanao in Davao del Sur.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/05/28/military-moves-to-counter-npa-recruitment-in-southcot/

Hell week for troops; gov't provides aid

From Rappler (May 28): Hell week for troops; gov't provides aid

It was a bad week for the government's troops.

In a span of just 3 days, two separate incidents saw the death of 15 policemen and Marine troops in the hands of communist rebels and the Abu Sayyaf.

On Tuesday, May 28, government officials condemned the attacks and empathized with the families of victims. President Benigno Aquino III visited the bodies of the 7 slain marines at their wake in Fort Bonifacio, while Interior Secretary Mar Roxas vowed the quick turnover of benefits of the dead policemen.

Just 3 days earlier on Saturday, May 25, 7 Marines and 4 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killled in a clash in Patikul, Sulu. Two days later, 8 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) died in an ambush in Cagayan Valley by New People's Army (NPA) rebels.

During his brief visit on Tuesday, Aquino comforted the families who stood by the soldiers' coffins. He also distributed financial assistance to the Marines' relatives in the form of P250,000 checks from the President's Social Fund. He also vowed justice by promising to continue probing the incident. As President, Aquino is also the military's commander-in-chief.

Meanwhile, Roxas called the Cagayan ambush "shocking and senseless since it was premeditated and carried out without provocation."

Death benefits

Roxas promised P250,000 -- also from the President's Social Fund -- for the families of the slain policemen, from P141,000 up to P181,000 each from the PNP, burial benefits of no less than P50,000 each and gratuity of at least P203,000 each from the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

In a statement, the PNP also said each family would receive "roughly between P1.5 and P2 million on top of an estimated P15,000 monthly lifetime pension from the PNP and roughly the same amount for 5 years from the Napolcom."

Roxas also promised full medical benefits of P170,000 for the 7 policemen injured in the ambush.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/30123-ph-victims-families-after-bad-week-for-troops

NDF justifies command-detonated mines in cops' ambush, as govt protests

From InterAksyon (May28): NDF justifies command-detonated mines in cops' ambush, as govt protests



NDF peace negotiating panel chairman Luis Jalandoni

The National Democratic Front brushed off government accusations the use by the New People’s Army of a command-detonated landmine in the Monday ambush that killed eight policemen and wounded six others in Allacapan, Cagayan violated international law. The PNP will file charges for such violation, besides murder.

At the same time, Luis Jalandoni, chairman of the NDF peace-negotiating panel, said the Special Action Force unit hit in the attack “was a legitimate military in accordance with international humanitarian law” as “part of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippines.”

The NDF represents communist rebels in peace talks with the government.

The Cagayan attack was the latest incident in a spike in attacks by communist rebels and the second substantial loss suffered by government troops in three days, following the deaths of seven Marines in a clash with Abu Sayyaf fighters in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday.

Cagayan’s top police official disputed the NDF defense of the use of command-detonated landmines, and said that besides murder charges, they will also file a case against the rebels involved in the ambush for using land mines in violation of international law.

“We will gather more evidence and then file multiple murder charges before the court against the rebels and a separate case for using land mine which is prohibited by international law such as the Geneva Convention as well as the Ottawa Protocol banning the use of landmines, and also for violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law(CARHRIHL),” said Senior Supt. Gregorio Lim.

The Philippines also has Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes against Humanity.

Negotiating panel, OPAPP protest

The government’s negotiating panel and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said earlier the use by the NPA of the command-detonated explosive against the SAF violated the Ottawa Treaty, formally known as the “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction.”

“We maintain that the use of landmines by the NPA is a gross violation of Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity as well as the Ottawa Protocol banning the use of landmines,” the government panel, headed by Alex Padilla, said in a statement.

"By its insistence on using landmines and its insistence on continuing a regime of violence instead of talking peace, the NPA turns a blind eye to the clamor of our people for a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict," the panel added.

The treaty, which became binding international law on 1 March 1999, has been signed and ratified by 161 state-parties, including the Philippines, although among the non-signatories are China, the United States and Russia.

The pact bans anti-personnel mines, which it defines as “designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person and that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons,” in other words, contact-detonated.

“Mines designed to be detonated by the presence, proximity or contact of a vehicle as opposed to a person, that are equipped with anti-handling devices, are not considered anti-personnel mines as a result of being so equipped,” the treaty adds.

Jalandoni's defense

“The use of command-detonated land mines by the NPA is not a violation of the Ottawa Treaty,” Jalandoni said in a statement. “It is a legitimate weapon of the NPA against the armed forces of the Aquino government in the revolutionary movement's just war of national and social liberation” and “deters enemy combatants from encroaching the territory of the people's democratic government and harming the people with impunity.”

“Therefore, the accusation of the regime's negotiating panel and the OPAPP that the NPA is violating the Ottawa Treaty is without any basis,” he added.

The NDF officer also said the government’s claim that the rebels violated Republic Act 9851, enacted under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on December 11, 2009, “is not relevant. It does not bind the revolutionary movement and cannot supersede any provision of the Ottawa Treaty, which allows the use of command-detonated land mines.”

The law defines and penalizes “crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity.”

Jalandoni said the government’s declarations that peace talks with the rebels have been terminated left “the revolutionary forces and people … no choice but to defend themselves. The military, police and paramilitary forces cannot attack the people without serious consequences.”  

In its statement, the government panel vowed "to continue seeking avenues for talking peace that will result in the decrease or prevention of NPA atrocities. We call on CSOs (civil society organizations), the churches and other peace stakeholders to say 'No' to the (rebels') violent acts.”

Security lapses

Meanwhile, Cagayan provincial police director Lim saw security lapses on the part of the personnel of the Special Action Force (SAF) ambushed Monday by NPA rebels in Barangay Cataratan, Allacapan, Cagayan.

"The problem there is they just went straight into the area,” which was a reputed ambush site that is 4 kms away from the nearest village, without conducting “road security or advance security,” provincial police director Lim said.

The incident killed 8 policemen---7 of whom died on the spot--- and injured 7 others, all members of the 2nd Special Action Company of the4 2nd Special Action Battalion based in said barangay, about 7 kilometers away from the town’s police station. The fatalities were aged 20 to 30.

Lt. Col. Felix Benitez, commanding officer of the Army’s 21st Infantry Battalion, said two platoons of soldiers are in hot pursuit of the rebels.

"Our soldiers are hunting down in the mountains rebels involved in the ambush. I’ve deployed also other platoons to seal off possible exit points to prevent the rebels from leaving that area. We’ve to contain them in that area and hopefully in the next few hours our strike group will made contact against them,” Benitez said.

The policemen were on their way to the town proper to undergo medical examination (ECG) when their vehicle was hit by a landmine and then followed by a volley of fire from the rebels.

The police said the perpetrators were members of the NPA’s Danilo Ben Command.

The Philippines has also law called Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes against Humanity.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/62736/ndf-justifies-command-detonated-mines-in-cops-ambush-as-govt-protests

Taiwanese probers watch video of PH Coast Guard's fatal encounter with fishing vessel

From InterAksyon (May 28): Taiwanese probers watch video of PH Coast Guard's fatal encounter with fishing vessel

Taiwanese investigators watched on Tuesday morning almost two hours of video taken by the Philippine Coast Guard and which captured the May 9 incident in the Balintang Channel, during which a Taiwanese fisherman was killed.

The investigators were accompanied by representatives of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office - the country’s de facto embassy to Taiwan - and Teco, its Taiwanese counterpart.

They declined to discuss what they saw.

Relatedly, the Taiwanese investigators also inspected the vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources involved in the Balintang Channel incident.

The inspection conducted on MCS 3001, a 35-meter vessel made of fiberglass, lasted for almost one-and-a-half hours. It is docked at Pier 13 in Manila.

Commodore Eduardo Gongona, fleet commander of the Philippine Coast Guard, assisted the Taiwanese investigators. He said the foreign investigators inspected the inside area of the vessel and, with the use of a rubber boat, encircled the entire vessel.

They also took pictures of the proceedings.

He said the foreigners also inspected the damaged side of the vessel which could have been a result of the collision with the fishing boat of Taiwan.

Using a ruler, the Taiwanese investigators measured the armory of the BFAR vessel to determine whether the firearms used during the incident can be contained therein.

Even the siren used for warning an intruding boat  was also utilized.

The Taiwanese investigators were accompanied by officials of the National Bureau of Investigation. After the inspection, the team went to the NBI headquarters on Taft Avenue, Manila.

Serious rift between neighbors

The death of the fisherman, whom the Coast Guard said was shot when his fishing boat allegedly tried to ram the BFAR vessel, has caused a serious rift between the Philippines and Taiwan.

On Monday the Taiwanese investigators conducted ballistics tests on the 17 firearms surrendered by the Coast Guard personnel in the incident.

 

Taiwanese investigators performing ballistics tests on the firearms surrendered by Coast Guard personnel involved in the Balintang Channel incident. (video by Marlene Alcaide, News5)

 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/62749/taiwanese-probers-watch-video-of-ph-coast-guards-fatal-encounter-with-fishing-vessel

NPAs release 4 people seized for non-payment of 'tax' but still hold 1 captive in ComVal

From InterAksyon (May 28): NPAs release 4 people seized for non-payment of 'tax' but still hold 1 captive in ComVal

The New People’s Army in Compostela Valley released Monday night four captives seized earlier for non-payment of 'revolutionary tax' but held on to one other, police said.

The captives were among six lumber dealers the rebels seized in the town of Monkayo Friday for what authorities claimed was their failure to pay the so-called “revolutionary tax.”

Provincial police director Superintendent Camilo Cascolan said the four released from a “mountainous area” were Joel Lingaya, 30; Raymund Gumpan, 21; Beninido Taculayan, 43; and Jason Arata, 21.

“The rebels have still with them 62-year-old Lino Armada, the financier of the group. The four were blindfolded and walked for three hours to the place where they were released,” Cascolan said.

More than two hours after Armada’s group was taken by the rebels, his wife Frecielita was released.

She sought help from local officials to negotiate for the release of her companions.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/62755/npas-release-4-people-seized-for-non-payment-of-tax-but-still-hold-1-captive-in-comval