From ABS-CBN (Jun 3): China calls for resolution of disputes; PH says talk is cheap
A senior Chinese military official, attending a defense summit in Singapore on Sunday (June 2), called for the resolution of conflicts and disputes in the Asia region to maintain peace.
"For this end, we should discard the Cold War mentality, go beyond the outdated zero sum games, and refrain from building military alliances set against imaginary enemies and taking actions against a third party," Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People's Liberation Army, said.
His comments came after U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's speech on Saturday (June 1) pledged to maintain a U.S. strategic pivot to Asia. Political watchers say China believes the U.S. is attempting to encircle it militarily.
Qi also said China and the Philippines were in talks over their territorial dispute in the South China Sea. The Philippines had previously asked the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, an international tribunal, to intervene in its longstanding dispute with China to declare Beijing's claims to invalid.
Qi on Sunday was keen to promote bilateral talks instead of seeking third-party help.
"In the meantime, the channel for our dialogue between China and the Philippines has always been open and smooth, so we don't see any necessity to resort to the international tribunal. We can totally solve the issue through open-minded channels, only in this way can we seek to resolve our disputes through friendship and partnership," he said.
Philippines' Secretary of Defense Voltaire Gazmin said he hoped China's pledge to resolve the issue would amount to more than mere words.
"Well, they talk about so many good things right now, peaceful means and all the good things. We do hope that this speech, these words, are translated into action in what is happening in the South China Sea," he said.
China's claims over islands, reefs and atolls in resource-rich waters off its south coast and to the east of mainland Southeast Asia set it directly against U.S. allies Vietnam and the Philippines, while Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia also lay claim to parts.
It is also in dispute with Japan over territory in the East China Sea.
Japan has lodged a diplomatic protest against a Chinese state media commentary calling into question Japanese sovereignty over the southern Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa.
The People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece, published a commentary by two Chinese government-backed scholars who said ownership of the Ryukyu islands should be re-examined, prompting Japan to lodge the diplomatic protest.
Qi said that the Chinese government did not hold such views regarding the Ryukyu islands, but stated that China still believed in its sovereignty over other disputed maritime territory.
"It doesn't represent the views of the Chinese government. However, here, I have to say, Diaoyu Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Okinawa Islands, the first, second and third are not of the same nature. The Chinese government's stance on this is very clear," he said.
On North Korea, Qi said China did not have a contingency plan for the developments on the tense Korean peninsula at the moment, and called for diplomatic talks to resume with North Korea.
"I think we're overestimating the seriousness of the situation there. As far as we know, the Chinese government, at this moment, it is stable. We don't see any signs of the breaking down of the situation in the country. We're already seeing a relaxation window in the situation on the Korean peninsula, so I think all parties should grasp at this opportunity to do more work to relax tensions, to relax the situation," he said.
Tension on the Korean peninsula has subsided in the past month. Tensions were raised after the UN Security Council imposed tougher sanctions against Pyongyang following its third nuclear test in February.
Qi is among representatives from 30 countries, including France, the United Kingdom and the United States, who are meeting in Singapore to discuss defence and security issues.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/02/13/china-calls-resolution-disputes-ph-says-talk-cheap
Sunday, June 2, 2013
MILF accuses military of siding with MNLF, endangering ceasefire
From GMA News (Jun3): MILF accuses military of siding with MNLF, endangering ceasefire
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Sunday accused the military of endangering the ceasefire between it and the Philippine government, accusing a Philippine Army brigade of siding with the Moro National Liberation Front during fighting in Matalam in North Cotabato.
In an article posted on the MILF news site Sunday, the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities said the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade may be to blame if the ceasefire between the MILF and the government collapses.
“We cannot understand the reasons why the 602nd Brigade had been joining the fighting and bombarding the MILF other than their sneaky motive of undermining the ceasefire and the peace process between the government and MILF,” said MILF CCCH member Omar Bayao.
“They are leaving no other [choice] for the MILF but to defend themselves,” he added.
According to Bayao, the 602nd Brigade under Gen. Ademar Tomaro, assisted the Moro National Liberation Front by attacking the MILF in Barangays Marbel and Natutunagan in Matalam.
The MILF's local troops had been engaged in skirmishes in the area with the forces of the MNLF's Datu Dima Ambil.
According to the MILF, it had no intention of engaging the government forces, but 602nd Brigade lobbed 105-mm “mortars” against the local MILF forces.
“The MILF had not started the firefight, our troops had been in defensive position and had not been firing at the military because we put above the primacy of the peace process and the ceasefire,” Bayao said.
'Very unfortunate'
For his part, MILF CCCH head Rasid Ladiasan said the 602nd Brigade's members were occupying house vacated by displaced civilians and by the MILF.
"This is totally devoid of respect to mandated duties, human rights, international humanitarian laws, civilian protection and the ceasefire accord,” he said.
“What can the CCCHs of the government and MILF do if the forces of Brig. Gen. Tomaro are bent (on disrespecting) the ceasefire and out to imperil the peace process that had been painstakingly upheld by the leadership of the MILF and no less than His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III?” he added.
He said this is "very unfortunate," since the local government units, concerned leaders, MILF leadership and the national government, and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) "had been trying hard to immediately revert back normalcy in the conflict affected areas of Matalam."
Ladiasan said the MILF CCCH knew Tomaro as a "good general" and he hoped "would do the right thing to protect the ceasefire and the peace process.”
The MILF revealed that a reconciliation ceremony for the peaceful settlement of the conflict between the local troops of Datu Dima and the MILF had been scheduled for June 5. The settlement was arrived at through the facilitation and support of the mayors of Matalam and Pagalungan.
The concerned MILF commander, Dima Ambil, Tomaro, and Talino signing the resolution for a peace settlement last May 23.
But the MILF, citing recent attacks and war posture of Tomaro's forces, said the reconciliation may not happen.
Worse, it said the ceasefire between the government and MILF and even the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) they signed in Malacañang last October may be "adversely affected."
GMA News Online was unable to reach Armed Forces of the Philippines officials for comment.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/311153/news/nation/milf-accuses-military-of-siding-with-mnlf-endangering-ceasefire
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Sunday accused the military of endangering the ceasefire between it and the Philippine government, accusing a Philippine Army brigade of siding with the Moro National Liberation Front during fighting in Matalam in North Cotabato.
In an article posted on the MILF news site Sunday, the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities said the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade may be to blame if the ceasefire between the MILF and the government collapses.
“We cannot understand the reasons why the 602nd Brigade had been joining the fighting and bombarding the MILF other than their sneaky motive of undermining the ceasefire and the peace process between the government and MILF,” said MILF CCCH member Omar Bayao.
“They are leaving no other [choice] for the MILF but to defend themselves,” he added.
According to Bayao, the 602nd Brigade under Gen. Ademar Tomaro, assisted the Moro National Liberation Front by attacking the MILF in Barangays Marbel and Natutunagan in Matalam.
The MILF's local troops had been engaged in skirmishes in the area with the forces of the MNLF's Datu Dima Ambil.
According to the MILF, it had no intention of engaging the government forces, but 602nd Brigade lobbed 105-mm “mortars” against the local MILF forces.
“The MILF had not started the firefight, our troops had been in defensive position and had not been firing at the military because we put above the primacy of the peace process and the ceasefire,” Bayao said.
'Very unfortunate'
For his part, MILF CCCH head Rasid Ladiasan said the 602nd Brigade's members were occupying house vacated by displaced civilians and by the MILF.
"This is totally devoid of respect to mandated duties, human rights, international humanitarian laws, civilian protection and the ceasefire accord,” he said.
“What can the CCCHs of the government and MILF do if the forces of Brig. Gen. Tomaro are bent (on disrespecting) the ceasefire and out to imperil the peace process that had been painstakingly upheld by the leadership of the MILF and no less than His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III?” he added.
He said this is "very unfortunate," since the local government units, concerned leaders, MILF leadership and the national government, and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) "had been trying hard to immediately revert back normalcy in the conflict affected areas of Matalam."
Ladiasan said the MILF CCCH knew Tomaro as a "good general" and he hoped "would do the right thing to protect the ceasefire and the peace process.”
The MILF revealed that a reconciliation ceremony for the peaceful settlement of the conflict between the local troops of Datu Dima and the MILF had been scheduled for June 5. The settlement was arrived at through the facilitation and support of the mayors of Matalam and Pagalungan.
The concerned MILF commander, Dima Ambil, Tomaro, and Talino signing the resolution for a peace settlement last May 23.
But the MILF, citing recent attacks and war posture of Tomaro's forces, said the reconciliation may not happen.
Worse, it said the ceasefire between the government and MILF and even the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) they signed in Malacañang last October may be "adversely affected."
GMA News Online was unable to reach Armed Forces of the Philippines officials for comment.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/311153/news/nation/milf-accuses-military-of-siding-with-mnlf-endangering-ceasefire
VIRTUAL WAR | Philippines needs to beef up defense vs cyber threats - Gazmin
From InterAksyon (Jun 3): VIRTUAL WAR | Philippines needs to beef up defense vs cyber threats - Gazmin
With most countries worldwide dependent on information and communication technology, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin cited the need to improve the country's defense against cyber threats.
He made this statement during the 12th Asia Security Summit Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore Sunday.
"While cyber security previously focused only on individual hackers, recent trends show that attacks against government portals could come from organizations. Thus, we need to develop our cyber-related capabilities as we secure our channels of communication," the defense chief stressed.
In defense of economic prosperity
Gazmin said the adoption of such measures is needed now, especially as the Asia Pacific region continues to demonstrate economic resilience.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that economic growth for Asia as a whole may reach up to 5.75 percent in 2013 and 6 percent in 2014. Intra-regional trade accounts for 20 percent of the region's trade with the rest of the world, which helps the region withstand economic growth and promoting regional prosperity.
“It is our humble belief that the defense sector shares the responsibility of mitigating emerging regional security risks in order to provide an environment conducive to economic development," the DND chief said.
Gazmin said that the Philippines has to contend with three security trends in the coming years: the emergence of previously dormant traditional security concerns; new aspects of recognized non-traditional security issues; and emerging security risks.
"The regional security environment continues to evolve. More issues are becoming security concerns as they negatively affect our quality of life and limit our policy options," he said.
The first trend involves traditional security concerns, including territorial disputes, issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula, military modernization and arms race, and proliferation of weapons, which remain high in the regional security agenda.
According to Gazmin, sensitive issues placed in the back-burner in the past have re-emerged to take center stage.
This dispels notions that these issues have become irrelevant in the 21st century with the emergence of non-traditional security challenges.
"Given this, while sensitive issues will not be resolved overnight, it would be timely for states to cooperate in finding means to achieve long-lasting regional stability through mechanisms provided by international law, with the hope of settling these issues with a sense of finality," he stated.
Maritime security, disaster response, cyber security
On the second trend, Gazmin said a number of issues, including maritime security, disaster response, and cyber security, have been recognized as security issues.
However, new aspects of these issues have emerged which would have implications on defense establishments.
While maritime security from a defense standpoint used to be about protecting a nation's territorial waters, the DND chief said issues such as illegal fishing, piracy,
smuggling, and poaching, among others, now make it necessary for the military to work closely with maritime law enforcement agencies.
In the Philippines, he noted, the National Coast Watch System, of which the Philippine Navy is a member, was established in 2011 to promote synergy among different maritime agencies and pursue a comprehensive approach to maritime security.
On disaster response and risk mitigation, Gazmin said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the defense department have taken a more pro-active role.
He cited a partnership forged by DND and AFP with other government agencies under the National Convergence Initiative (NCI), which aims to develop selected military reservations into tree nurseries and plantations. This is to minimize the risks of disasters by preventing soil erosion.
The third trend, he said, involves issues that are not entirely new but are increasingly becoming a concern for all government agencies, including the defense sector. These are food, water and energy security; and migration.
"The scarcity of strategic resources, such as food and water, can eventually cause domestic instability as well as international conflict given the competition for limited resources," Gazmin stated.
According to defense chief, the AFP has been normally involved in securing critical infrastructures of energy resources.
But today, he said, the military needs to be aware of the implications of climate change on food security and the risk of water contamination.
Porous borders
Gazmin said that while migration has been considered an economic and cultural concern, it also possesses a security challenge noting that illegal migration highlights the porousness of borders and the deficiency of border security patrols.
The DND chief said large inflows of immigrants can overwhelm the absorptive capacity of receiving states.
"Sending states face the risk of having their migrants abroad exposed to potential harm or used as leverage by other groups in the host country to achieve political ends," said Gazmin.
As a sending state, he said the Philippine government continues to monitor regional and global events that have implications on Filipino communities.
"In view of the number of new security risks, defense establishments now face a paradox. The emergence of security issues compels defense forces to address them but doing so could induce them to lose sight of their primary competence," he stated.
"The challenge, therefore, is how to broaden skill sets while maintaining proficiency in the core competence of defense forces given our limited material and human resources," he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63182/virtual-war--philippines-needs-to-beef-up-defense-vs-cyber-threats---gazmin
With most countries worldwide dependent on information and communication technology, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin cited the need to improve the country's defense against cyber threats.
He made this statement during the 12th Asia Security Summit Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore Sunday.
"While cyber security previously focused only on individual hackers, recent trends show that attacks against government portals could come from organizations. Thus, we need to develop our cyber-related capabilities as we secure our channels of communication," the defense chief stressed.
In defense of economic prosperity
Gazmin said the adoption of such measures is needed now, especially as the Asia Pacific region continues to demonstrate economic resilience.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that economic growth for Asia as a whole may reach up to 5.75 percent in 2013 and 6 percent in 2014. Intra-regional trade accounts for 20 percent of the region's trade with the rest of the world, which helps the region withstand economic growth and promoting regional prosperity.
“It is our humble belief that the defense sector shares the responsibility of mitigating emerging regional security risks in order to provide an environment conducive to economic development," the DND chief said.
Gazmin said that the Philippines has to contend with three security trends in the coming years: the emergence of previously dormant traditional security concerns; new aspects of recognized non-traditional security issues; and emerging security risks.
"The regional security environment continues to evolve. More issues are becoming security concerns as they negatively affect our quality of life and limit our policy options," he said.
The first trend involves traditional security concerns, including territorial disputes, issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula, military modernization and arms race, and proliferation of weapons, which remain high in the regional security agenda.
According to Gazmin, sensitive issues placed in the back-burner in the past have re-emerged to take center stage.
This dispels notions that these issues have become irrelevant in the 21st century with the emergence of non-traditional security challenges.
"Given this, while sensitive issues will not be resolved overnight, it would be timely for states to cooperate in finding means to achieve long-lasting regional stability through mechanisms provided by international law, with the hope of settling these issues with a sense of finality," he stated.
Maritime security, disaster response, cyber security
On the second trend, Gazmin said a number of issues, including maritime security, disaster response, and cyber security, have been recognized as security issues.
However, new aspects of these issues have emerged which would have implications on defense establishments.
While maritime security from a defense standpoint used to be about protecting a nation's territorial waters, the DND chief said issues such as illegal fishing, piracy,
smuggling, and poaching, among others, now make it necessary for the military to work closely with maritime law enforcement agencies.
In the Philippines, he noted, the National Coast Watch System, of which the Philippine Navy is a member, was established in 2011 to promote synergy among different maritime agencies and pursue a comprehensive approach to maritime security.
On disaster response and risk mitigation, Gazmin said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the defense department have taken a more pro-active role.
He cited a partnership forged by DND and AFP with other government agencies under the National Convergence Initiative (NCI), which aims to develop selected military reservations into tree nurseries and plantations. This is to minimize the risks of disasters by preventing soil erosion.
The third trend, he said, involves issues that are not entirely new but are increasingly becoming a concern for all government agencies, including the defense sector. These are food, water and energy security; and migration.
"The scarcity of strategic resources, such as food and water, can eventually cause domestic instability as well as international conflict given the competition for limited resources," Gazmin stated.
According to defense chief, the AFP has been normally involved in securing critical infrastructures of energy resources.
But today, he said, the military needs to be aware of the implications of climate change on food security and the risk of water contamination.
Porous borders
Gazmin said that while migration has been considered an economic and cultural concern, it also possesses a security challenge noting that illegal migration highlights the porousness of borders and the deficiency of border security patrols.
The DND chief said large inflows of immigrants can overwhelm the absorptive capacity of receiving states.
"Sending states face the risk of having their migrants abroad exposed to potential harm or used as leverage by other groups in the host country to achieve political ends," said Gazmin.
As a sending state, he said the Philippine government continues to monitor regional and global events that have implications on Filipino communities.
"In view of the number of new security risks, defense establishments now face a paradox. The emergence of security issues compels defense forces to address them but doing so could induce them to lose sight of their primary competence," he stated.
"The challenge, therefore, is how to broaden skill sets while maintaining proficiency in the core competence of defense forces given our limited material and human resources," he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63182/virtual-war--philippines-needs-to-beef-up-defense-vs-cyber-threats---gazmin
GLORIETTA REVISITED | Serendra blast probers check similarities in 2 Ayala projects
From InterAksyon (Jun 2): GLORIETTA REVISITED | Serendra blast probers check similarities in 2 Ayala projects
Police investigators are looking into similarities between two explosions, the October 2007 Glorietta-2 blast and Friday’s Serendra condominium explosion, noting the absence of bomb traces in both Ayala development projects, the National Police’s chief for Metro Manila said Sunday.
NCRPO chief Gen. Leonardo Espina, who had just arrived from a meeting with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas II, said revisiting the Glorietta mall blast in Makati City was part of the probers’ task in exploring all angles in the mysterious but powerful explosion at Two Serendra residential building at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig past 8pm Friday, May 31.
He hinted at the possibility there may be an “intra-corporate” thread in both cases, citing similarities in the way gas pipes are built, and the fact that initial tests involving canines showed no bomb traces. However, he reiterated Secretary Roxas’s position that probers will still consider all angles, including a bombing, until forensic scientists and various structural and safety experts finish their work on what is billed as a “crime scene”—the fifth floor of Two Serendra, from where two concrete walls were pushed out by the powerful blast, sending a huge slab flying across the street and straight into a passing delivery van, killing three people.
Meanwhile, besides police probers, the Bureau of Fire Protection has also sent top arson investigators to the scene of the Serendra blast.
Both Glorietta-2, where 11 people died in 2007, and the upscale Two Serendra Condominium in Taguig City are projects of prestigious developer Ayala Land Inc.
Glorietta, Serendra ‘similarities’
"There are several similarities (explosions at the Two Serendra Condominium on Friday and at the Glorietta Mall in 2007), and the Ayala Land Inc. as its developer is among those. Other similarities include the absence of bomb traces, the way the gas pipes were built, among others”.
In the case of Glorietta 2, which has since been rebuilt, probers initially suspected an act of terrorism caused the explosion, but later inquiries showed the buildup of methane gas from the basement had apparently caused it.
A police officer surfaced a few years ago, claiming his findings indicating it was a bombing had been suppressed by higher-ups, but that was generally ignored by authorities.
With a high number of casualties at Glorietta, the government in 2007 had called for an investigation that centered on the possible liability of mall developer Ayala Land, Inc. However, the task force created to inquiry on the mall blast cleared ALI of any responsibility.
The Department of Justice fact-finding group found at least seven persons – mostly people who have had a hand in the construction of the mall, liable. They were charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. All seven suspects posted bail and the case pends at the Makati Regional Trial Court.
At Serendra, the ALI has since Friday cooperated with national and local government authorities in the checking of the condominium building’s gas pipelines, electrical and structural aspects of the building as well as its general safety.
Police probers are still doing interviews with the condominium's security personnel and tenants. The security personnel also submitted a copy of the video recordings of the close-circuit security camera.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63112/glorietta-revisited--serendra-blast-probers-check-similarities-in-2-ayala-projects
Police investigators are looking into similarities between two explosions, the October 2007 Glorietta-2 blast and Friday’s Serendra condominium explosion, noting the absence of bomb traces in both Ayala development projects, the National Police’s chief for Metro Manila said Sunday.
NCRPO chief Gen. Leonardo Espina, who had just arrived from a meeting with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas II, said revisiting the Glorietta mall blast in Makati City was part of the probers’ task in exploring all angles in the mysterious but powerful explosion at Two Serendra residential building at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig past 8pm Friday, May 31.
He hinted at the possibility there may be an “intra-corporate” thread in both cases, citing similarities in the way gas pipes are built, and the fact that initial tests involving canines showed no bomb traces. However, he reiterated Secretary Roxas’s position that probers will still consider all angles, including a bombing, until forensic scientists and various structural and safety experts finish their work on what is billed as a “crime scene”—the fifth floor of Two Serendra, from where two concrete walls were pushed out by the powerful blast, sending a huge slab flying across the street and straight into a passing delivery van, killing three people.
Meanwhile, besides police probers, the Bureau of Fire Protection has also sent top arson investigators to the scene of the Serendra blast.
Both Glorietta-2, where 11 people died in 2007, and the upscale Two Serendra Condominium in Taguig City are projects of prestigious developer Ayala Land Inc.
Glorietta, Serendra ‘similarities’
"There are several similarities (explosions at the Two Serendra Condominium on Friday and at the Glorietta Mall in 2007), and the Ayala Land Inc. as its developer is among those. Other similarities include the absence of bomb traces, the way the gas pipes were built, among others”.
In the case of Glorietta 2, which has since been rebuilt, probers initially suspected an act of terrorism caused the explosion, but later inquiries showed the buildup of methane gas from the basement had apparently caused it.
A police officer surfaced a few years ago, claiming his findings indicating it was a bombing had been suppressed by higher-ups, but that was generally ignored by authorities.
With a high number of casualties at Glorietta, the government in 2007 had called for an investigation that centered on the possible liability of mall developer Ayala Land, Inc. However, the task force created to inquiry on the mall blast cleared ALI of any responsibility.
The Department of Justice fact-finding group found at least seven persons – mostly people who have had a hand in the construction of the mall, liable. They were charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. All seven suspects posted bail and the case pends at the Makati Regional Trial Court.
At Serendra, the ALI has since Friday cooperated with national and local government authorities in the checking of the condominium building’s gas pipelines, electrical and structural aspects of the building as well as its general safety.
Police probers are still doing interviews with the condominium's security personnel and tenants. The security personnel also submitted a copy of the video recordings of the close-circuit security camera.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63112/glorietta-revisited--serendra-blast-probers-check-similarities-in-2-ayala-projects
Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad takes command of 1st Infantry Division in Mindanao
From Mindanao Examiner (Jun 3): Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad takes command of 1st Infantry Division in Mindanao
Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr. took over as the General Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division in Zamboanga del Sur province following the death of Brigadier General Daniel Lucero.
Trinidad is the Assistant Division Commander of Brigadier General Daniel Lucero, who drowned on Sunday during scuba diving with his staffs in Tukuran town.
He said Lucero drowned during his reception in welcoming 21 army officers, all second lieutenants, at the Tabak Beach.
“In line with the activity, Brigadier General Daniel Lucero invited officers of the (1st Infantry) Division, who are certified scuba divers. They were assisted by civilian friends and members of Life Time Dive Center of Pagadian City. While nearing the water surfacing from a depth of less than 40 feet General Lucero suddenly collapsed at about 1:55 p.m.”
“Scuba divers who were with the good General immediately applied first aid and upon reaching the shoreline rushed General Lucero to the Mendero Hospital in Pagadian City for medical treatment. The Commander of 1st Infantry Division was declared expired by the attending physician at 3:15 in the afternoon,” Trinidad said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He said Lucero, who was the 43rd commander of the Division, is a great loss to the army.
“He has extensive experience in the Army’s Civil Military Operations, shown his great interest in giving primacy to the welfare of the people by advocating the Internal Peace Security Plan Bayanihan to win peace especially in this part of Mindanao,” Trinidad said.
He said the body of Lucero would be brought to the Philippine Army headquarters in Manila on Tuesday.
http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/06/brig-gen-felicito-virgilio-trinidad.html
Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr. took over as the General Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division in Zamboanga del Sur province following the death of Brigadier General Daniel Lucero.
Trinidad is the Assistant Division Commander of Brigadier General Daniel Lucero, who drowned on Sunday during scuba diving with his staffs in Tukuran town.
He said Lucero drowned during his reception in welcoming 21 army officers, all second lieutenants, at the Tabak Beach.
“In line with the activity, Brigadier General Daniel Lucero invited officers of the (1st Infantry) Division, who are certified scuba divers. They were assisted by civilian friends and members of Life Time Dive Center of Pagadian City. While nearing the water surfacing from a depth of less than 40 feet General Lucero suddenly collapsed at about 1:55 p.m.”
“Scuba divers who were with the good General immediately applied first aid and upon reaching the shoreline rushed General Lucero to the Mendero Hospital in Pagadian City for medical treatment. The Commander of 1st Infantry Division was declared expired by the attending physician at 3:15 in the afternoon,” Trinidad said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He said Lucero, who was the 43rd commander of the Division, is a great loss to the army.
“He has extensive experience in the Army’s Civil Military Operations, shown his great interest in giving primacy to the welfare of the people by advocating the Internal Peace Security Plan Bayanihan to win peace especially in this part of Mindanao,” Trinidad said.
He said the body of Lucero would be brought to the Philippine Army headquarters in Manila on Tuesday.
http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/06/brig-gen-felicito-virgilio-trinidad.html
Solcom chief to men: Intensify drive against NPA rebels
From the Journal Online (Jun 2): Solcom chief to men: Intensify drive against NPA rebels
The Southern Luzon Command leadership reiterated yesterday its order to all field commanders to intensify military operations against the New People’s Army.
Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo issued the order in response to reports that the NPA will strengthen its campaign against government security forces on orders of Communist Party of the Philippines founder and National Democratic Front’s chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison.
Ordoyo reminded all field commanders to be more vigilant at all times and intensify visibility and security patrols.
“We cannot just allow these bandits to terrorize our community and hamper our daily lives. We must put a stop to this menace,” Ordoyo said.
Solcom has the jurisdiction over the Calabarzon (Cavite Laguna Batangas Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Rombon and Palawan) and Bicol regions.
Solcom Spokesman Lt. Col. Neil Anthony Estrella said one of the indications of the rebels’ intensified campaign was the death of an Army soldier in an encounter with a group of armed rebels in Bgy. Duongan, Catanauan, Quezon Friday morning.
He identified the slain soldier as Pfc. Denopol, assigned at the Bravo Company of the Army’s 74th Infantry Battallion.
The troops were conducting Internal Peace and Security Operation in the area when they encountered the heavily-armed rebels.
Denopol was hit and died on the spot.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/51465-solcom-chief-to-men-intensify-drive-against-npa-rebels
The Southern Luzon Command leadership reiterated yesterday its order to all field commanders to intensify military operations against the New People’s Army.
Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo issued the order in response to reports that the NPA will strengthen its campaign against government security forces on orders of Communist Party of the Philippines founder and National Democratic Front’s chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison.
Ordoyo reminded all field commanders to be more vigilant at all times and intensify visibility and security patrols.
“We cannot just allow these bandits to terrorize our community and hamper our daily lives. We must put a stop to this menace,” Ordoyo said.
Solcom has the jurisdiction over the Calabarzon (Cavite Laguna Batangas Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Rombon and Palawan) and Bicol regions.
Solcom Spokesman Lt. Col. Neil Anthony Estrella said one of the indications of the rebels’ intensified campaign was the death of an Army soldier in an encounter with a group of armed rebels in Bgy. Duongan, Catanauan, Quezon Friday morning.
He identified the slain soldier as Pfc. Denopol, assigned at the Bravo Company of the Army’s 74th Infantry Battallion.
The troops were conducting Internal Peace and Security Operation in the area when they encountered the heavily-armed rebels.
Denopol was hit and died on the spot.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/51465-solcom-chief-to-men-intensify-drive-against-npa-rebels
Photo: Artists at military camp
From the Manila Standard Today (Jun 3): Photo: Artists at military camp
Student artists from different universities paint mural art on the concrete fence around Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City as part of efforts to beautify the surroundings. MANNY PALMERO
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/06/03/artists-at-military-camp/
Student artists from different universities paint mural art on the concrete fence around Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City as part of efforts to beautify the surroundings. MANNY PALMERO
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/06/03/artists-at-military-camp/
US to boost PH maritime security amid sea row
From the Manila Standard Today (Jun 3): US to boost PH maritime security amid sea row
MANILA has agreed to increasing the presence of American troops in the Philippines amid the growing tensions over the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Sunday.
In a meeting in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also expressed Washington’s readiness to help improve the Philippines’ defense capability by providing “technical and logistical support for maritime security,” Gazmin said.
“The discussion was centered on the continuously maturing defense cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, including high-impact high-value training exercises for maritime security, maritime domain awareness and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” Gazmin said in a text message from Singapore.
“There were also discussions on the topic of current and possible future activities of defense cooperation in the nature of capability-gap fillers where the US military may provide technical and logistical support for maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and other matters of concern,” Gazmin added.
The two Defense chiefs reiterated their commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty.
“The leaders also discussed deepening bilateral defense cooperation including work towards increasing rotational presence of US forces in Philippines to address common challenges,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said.
“Secretary Hagel stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the region,” Little added.
China has maintained a near-permanent presence in Panatag and Ayungin shoals, which are well within the country’s 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Manila has filed several diplomatic protests against the Chinese incursions, and has lodged a case before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Taipei’s threats of naval exercises added to the already volatile maritime situation in the region after a Taiwanese fisherman was killed by members of the Philippine Coast Guard on May 9.
A top Chinese general said Sunday China’s warships would continue to patrol waters where Beijing has territorial claims.
Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, defended the patrols as legitimate and said his country’s sovereignty over the areas could not be disputed.
“Why are Chinese warships patrolling in East China Sea and South China Sea? I think we are all clear about this,” Qi told the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore.
“Our attitude on East China Sea and South China Sea is that they are in our Chinese sovereignty. We are very clear about that,” he said through an interpreter.
“So the Chinese warships and the patrolling activities are totally legitimate and uncontroversial.”
Qi was responding to a question from a delegate after giving a speech in which he sought to assure neighboring countries that China has no hegemonic ambitions.
“China has never taken foreign expansion and military conquering as a state policy,” he said.
One delegate, however, said there appeared to be growing regional skepticism over China’s peaceful intentions because it was inconsistent with moves to send naval patrols to waters where other countries also have claims.
China is locked in a territorial dispute with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea.
The four states have partial claims to islands but China says it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the sea, including areas much closer to other countries and thousands of kilometres from the Chinese coast.
China also has a dispute with Japan over the Senkaku islands, which Beijing calls the Diaoyus, in the East China Sea.
“I do hope the statements of the good general today will be translated into action,” Gazmin told reporters.
He said Qi’s remarks about China having no hegemonic ambitions were “far from what is happening” in the sea.
Manila last month protested at what it called the “provocative and illegal presence” of a Chinese warship near Second Thomas Shoal, which is occupied by Philippine troops.
Among the other moves that have caused alarm were China’s occupation of a shoal near the Philippines’ main island last year, and the deployment in March of Chinese naval ships to within 80 kilometres of Malaysia’s coast.
Competing claims have for decades made the area — home to rich fishing grounds and vital global shipping lanes and believed to sit atop vast natural gas deposits — one of Asia’s potential military flash points.
China and Vietnam fought in 1974 and 1988 for control of islands in battles that left dozens of soldiers dead.
The US-China strategic rivalry also loomed large during the conference, with Hagel on Saturday accusing Beijing of waging cyber espionage against the United States.
But Qi on Sunday allayed concerns that China had dropped a pledge not to be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict.
Omission of the “no-first-use” pledge in a recent defense white paper had created ripples in military circles and sparked speculation that China may have abandoned the policy.
Qi also distanced his government from claims by some Chinese scholars that the Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa, do not belong to Japan.
“This is only an article of particular scholars and their views on these issues… it does not represent the views of the Chinese government,” he said.
Maritime disputes and the risks of conflicts that could hurt Asia’s economic growth were a running theme during the three-day conference that ended Sunday.
“Asia holds great promise for ourselves and the world but continued peace and prosperity in this region are neither fait accompli nor automatic,” Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen told the conference.
“Instead, if we are to continue to enjoy stability and progress, we must work effectively in unison to strengthen areas of common interests.”
Gazmin defended Manila’s move unilaterally to bring its territorial dispute with China before a UN tribunal after China refused to take part.
“We hope that the arbitration tribunal will issue a clarification in accordance with international law that will direct China to respect our sovereign rights,” Gazmin told the forum.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/06/03/us-to-boost-ph-maritime-security-amid-sea-row/
MANILA has agreed to increasing the presence of American troops in the Philippines amid the growing tensions over the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Sunday.
In a meeting in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also expressed Washington’s readiness to help improve the Philippines’ defense capability by providing “technical and logistical support for maritime security,” Gazmin said.
“The discussion was centered on the continuously maturing defense cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, including high-impact high-value training exercises for maritime security, maritime domain awareness and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” Gazmin said in a text message from Singapore.
“There were also discussions on the topic of current and possible future activities of defense cooperation in the nature of capability-gap fillers where the US military may provide technical and logistical support for maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and other matters of concern,” Gazmin added.
The two Defense chiefs reiterated their commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty.
“The leaders also discussed deepening bilateral defense cooperation including work towards increasing rotational presence of US forces in Philippines to address common challenges,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said.
“Secretary Hagel stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the region,” Little added.
China has maintained a near-permanent presence in Panatag and Ayungin shoals, which are well within the country’s 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Manila has filed several diplomatic protests against the Chinese incursions, and has lodged a case before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Taipei’s threats of naval exercises added to the already volatile maritime situation in the region after a Taiwanese fisherman was killed by members of the Philippine Coast Guard on May 9.
A top Chinese general said Sunday China’s warships would continue to patrol waters where Beijing has territorial claims.
Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, defended the patrols as legitimate and said his country’s sovereignty over the areas could not be disputed.
“Why are Chinese warships patrolling in East China Sea and South China Sea? I think we are all clear about this,” Qi told the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore.
“Our attitude on East China Sea and South China Sea is that they are in our Chinese sovereignty. We are very clear about that,” he said through an interpreter.
“So the Chinese warships and the patrolling activities are totally legitimate and uncontroversial.”
Qi was responding to a question from a delegate after giving a speech in which he sought to assure neighboring countries that China has no hegemonic ambitions.
“China has never taken foreign expansion and military conquering as a state policy,” he said.
One delegate, however, said there appeared to be growing regional skepticism over China’s peaceful intentions because it was inconsistent with moves to send naval patrols to waters where other countries also have claims.
China is locked in a territorial dispute with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea.
The four states have partial claims to islands but China says it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the sea, including areas much closer to other countries and thousands of kilometres from the Chinese coast.
China also has a dispute with Japan over the Senkaku islands, which Beijing calls the Diaoyus, in the East China Sea.
“I do hope the statements of the good general today will be translated into action,” Gazmin told reporters.
He said Qi’s remarks about China having no hegemonic ambitions were “far from what is happening” in the sea.
Manila last month protested at what it called the “provocative and illegal presence” of a Chinese warship near Second Thomas Shoal, which is occupied by Philippine troops.
Among the other moves that have caused alarm were China’s occupation of a shoal near the Philippines’ main island last year, and the deployment in March of Chinese naval ships to within 80 kilometres of Malaysia’s coast.
Competing claims have for decades made the area — home to rich fishing grounds and vital global shipping lanes and believed to sit atop vast natural gas deposits — one of Asia’s potential military flash points.
China and Vietnam fought in 1974 and 1988 for control of islands in battles that left dozens of soldiers dead.
The US-China strategic rivalry also loomed large during the conference, with Hagel on Saturday accusing Beijing of waging cyber espionage against the United States.
But Qi on Sunday allayed concerns that China had dropped a pledge not to be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict.
Omission of the “no-first-use” pledge in a recent defense white paper had created ripples in military circles and sparked speculation that China may have abandoned the policy.
Qi also distanced his government from claims by some Chinese scholars that the Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa, do not belong to Japan.
“This is only an article of particular scholars and their views on these issues… it does not represent the views of the Chinese government,” he said.
Maritime disputes and the risks of conflicts that could hurt Asia’s economic growth were a running theme during the three-day conference that ended Sunday.
“Asia holds great promise for ourselves and the world but continued peace and prosperity in this region are neither fait accompli nor automatic,” Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen told the conference.
“Instead, if we are to continue to enjoy stability and progress, we must work effectively in unison to strengthen areas of common interests.”
Gazmin defended Manila’s move unilaterally to bring its territorial dispute with China before a UN tribunal after China refused to take part.
“We hope that the arbitration tribunal will issue a clarification in accordance with international law that will direct China to respect our sovereign rights,” Gazmin told the forum.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/06/03/us-to-boost-ph-maritime-security-amid-sea-row/
Army’s 1st Infantry Division chief dies while on diving trip
From MindaNews (Jun 2): Army’s 1st Infantry Division chief dies while on diving trip
Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero. MindaNews file photo by Froilan Gallardo
Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, commanding general of the Army 1st Tabak Division in Zamboanga del Sur died while on a diving trip in Tukuran town on Sunday afternoon, his superiors said.
Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said Lucero, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1983, was unconscious when he was brought up to the surface by fellow divers at around 3 p.m.
Ardo said Lucero was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Mendero Hospital in Pagadian City where his fellow officers rushed him.
Lucero went scuba diving, a favorite pastime among the officers of the Army 1st “Tabak” Division based in Pulacan, Zamboanga del Sur, on Sunday.
In April, he assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division, replacing Maj. Gen. Rainier Cruz who took over the post of chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) in Davao City.
Speculations are rife as to the cause of death of Lucero who is among the well-admired officers of the AFP.
Interaksyon.com reported that Lucero’s wife, Connie, asked for an autopsy to determine the cause of death following reports that the flotation gear of the diving suit worn by Lucero malfunctioned during the dive.
Lucero’s remains were brought to the Fatima Funeral Homes in Pagadian City.
His death is mourned by other sectors in Mindanao especially those who are working for peace.
“Lucero was an AIM (Asian Institute of Management) fellow, cohort2 of the Mindanao Bridging Leadership Program, very passionate with his work on peace promotion, worked very hard to ensure a clean, orderly, peaceful and honest election in Marawi-Lanao Sur, a very good man and respectable military officer,” said Trel Borja, a teacher of Development Communications in Xavier University.
“What a loss! May he also benefit from his peace efforts by finding his own peaceful rest in the arms of our Maker,” said Borja.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/06/02/armys-1st-infantry-division-chief-dies-while-on-diving-trip/
Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero. MindaNews file photo by Froilan Gallardo
Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, commanding general of the Army 1st Tabak Division in Zamboanga del Sur died while on a diving trip in Tukuran town on Sunday afternoon, his superiors said.
Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said Lucero, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1983, was unconscious when he was brought up to the surface by fellow divers at around 3 p.m.
Ardo said Lucero was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Mendero Hospital in Pagadian City where his fellow officers rushed him.
Lucero went scuba diving, a favorite pastime among the officers of the Army 1st “Tabak” Division based in Pulacan, Zamboanga del Sur, on Sunday.
In April, he assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division, replacing Maj. Gen. Rainier Cruz who took over the post of chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) in Davao City.
Speculations are rife as to the cause of death of Lucero who is among the well-admired officers of the AFP.
Interaksyon.com reported that Lucero’s wife, Connie, asked for an autopsy to determine the cause of death following reports that the flotation gear of the diving suit worn by Lucero malfunctioned during the dive.
Lucero’s remains were brought to the Fatima Funeral Homes in Pagadian City.
His death is mourned by other sectors in Mindanao especially those who are working for peace.
“Lucero was an AIM (Asian Institute of Management) fellow, cohort2 of the Mindanao Bridging Leadership Program, very passionate with his work on peace promotion, worked very hard to ensure a clean, orderly, peaceful and honest election in Marawi-Lanao Sur, a very good man and respectable military officer,” said Trel Borja, a teacher of Development Communications in Xavier University.
“What a loss! May he also benefit from his peace efforts by finding his own peaceful rest in the arms of our Maker,” said Borja.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/06/02/armys-1st-infantry-division-chief-dies-while-on-diving-trip/
US: Corruption abets terror in PH
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 2): US: Corruption abets terror in PH
While citing its “strong counterterrorism cooperation” with the Philippines, the United States noted that “official corruption” and resource and personnel constraints had stymied the country’s antiterror campaign.
In its latest Country Reports on Terrorism released this week, the US Department of State, however, lauded the Philippines continuing pressure on known terror groups, saying that its efforts in the last decade “have been successful at isolating and constraining the activities of domestic and transnational terrorists.”
Mindanao remains classified as a “terrorist haven” due to the presence of the al-Qaida linked Abu Sayyaf which the US had tagged as a foreign terrorist organization. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), also remain on the terror list.
“The Philippines has coordinated with US law enforcement authorities, especially regarding US fugitives and suspected terrorists. An under-resourced and understaffed law enforcement and justice system coupled with widespread official corruption, however, resulted in limited domestic investigations, unexecuted arrest warrants, few prosecutions, and lengthy trials of cases,” said the report released on May 30.
The report noted, for instance, that the proscription case the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) brought against the Abu Sayyaf, the first of its kind that sought to officially tag the group as a terrorist organization under the 2007 Human Security Act, had remained pending by the end of last year.
The US also cited a Manila court’s dismissal of an extradition case against an Abu Sayyaf leader, which the American side had indicted on “criminal hostage-taking charges” for the 1993 abduction of US national Charles Walton.
The latest country report released this month assessed “trends and events” in global terrorism from January to December of last year.
But the report noted successes, including the June 21 arrest of a suspected Abu Sayyaf member involved in the 2001 abduction of US citizens Martin and Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero. A group of 14 Abu Sayyaf members were earlier sentenced to life in prison in 2007 for the kidnapping and deaths of Sobero, Martin Burham and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap.
The US also noted a police operation that resulted in the death of suspected Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member Mohammad Noor Fikrie bin Abdul Kahar on Dec. 14, who was known to be carrying a bomb in his backpack at the time.
“The Philippines maintained its strong counterterrorism cooperation with the United States. The ability of terrorist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf, JI and the CPP-NPA, to conduct terrorist activities in the Philippines remained constrained,” the US state department said.
It cited limited operations of a declining number of Abu Sayyaf and JI members, and the CPP-NPA’s shrinking opportunities “to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train and operate” despite its national presence.
“Terrorist groups’ acts were generally limited to criminal activities designed to generate revenue for self-sustainment, such as kidnapping for ransom or extortion. Nonetheless, members of these groups were suspected to have carried out bombings against government, public and private facilities, primarily in the central and western areas of Mindanao; others were linked to extortion operations in other parts of the country,” the report said.
The US also noted the continuing implementation of the country’s Internal Peace and Security Plan, which facilitates a military-to-civilian shift in internal security operations.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/76275/us-corruption-abets-terror-in-ph
While citing its “strong counterterrorism cooperation” with the Philippines, the United States noted that “official corruption” and resource and personnel constraints had stymied the country’s antiterror campaign.
In its latest Country Reports on Terrorism released this week, the US Department of State, however, lauded the Philippines continuing pressure on known terror groups, saying that its efforts in the last decade “have been successful at isolating and constraining the activities of domestic and transnational terrorists.”
Mindanao remains classified as a “terrorist haven” due to the presence of the al-Qaida linked Abu Sayyaf which the US had tagged as a foreign terrorist organization. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), also remain on the terror list.
“The Philippines has coordinated with US law enforcement authorities, especially regarding US fugitives and suspected terrorists. An under-resourced and understaffed law enforcement and justice system coupled with widespread official corruption, however, resulted in limited domestic investigations, unexecuted arrest warrants, few prosecutions, and lengthy trials of cases,” said the report released on May 30.
The report noted, for instance, that the proscription case the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) brought against the Abu Sayyaf, the first of its kind that sought to officially tag the group as a terrorist organization under the 2007 Human Security Act, had remained pending by the end of last year.
The US also cited a Manila court’s dismissal of an extradition case against an Abu Sayyaf leader, which the American side had indicted on “criminal hostage-taking charges” for the 1993 abduction of US national Charles Walton.
The latest country report released this month assessed “trends and events” in global terrorism from January to December of last year.
But the report noted successes, including the June 21 arrest of a suspected Abu Sayyaf member involved in the 2001 abduction of US citizens Martin and Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero. A group of 14 Abu Sayyaf members were earlier sentenced to life in prison in 2007 for the kidnapping and deaths of Sobero, Martin Burham and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap.
The US also noted a police operation that resulted in the death of suspected Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member Mohammad Noor Fikrie bin Abdul Kahar on Dec. 14, who was known to be carrying a bomb in his backpack at the time.
“The Philippines maintained its strong counterterrorism cooperation with the United States. The ability of terrorist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf, JI and the CPP-NPA, to conduct terrorist activities in the Philippines remained constrained,” the US state department said.
It cited limited operations of a declining number of Abu Sayyaf and JI members, and the CPP-NPA’s shrinking opportunities “to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train and operate” despite its national presence.
“Terrorist groups’ acts were generally limited to criminal activities designed to generate revenue for self-sustainment, such as kidnapping for ransom or extortion. Nonetheless, members of these groups were suspected to have carried out bombings against government, public and private facilities, primarily in the central and western areas of Mindanao; others were linked to extortion operations in other parts of the country,” the report said.
The US also noted the continuing implementation of the country’s Internal Peace and Security Plan, which facilitates a military-to-civilian shift in internal security operations.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/76275/us-corruption-abets-terror-in-ph
Troops delight pupils with back-to-school gifts in Puerto Princesa
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 2): Troops delight pupils with back-to-school gifts in Puerto Princesa
Troops surprised pupils from two public elementary schools in the rural barangays of this city when they brought backpacks stuffed with much-needed school supplies for Monday’s opening of classes.
School heads were surprised when they were handed a computer set and garbage bins to be used.
The donations were given to helpMaoyon
Elementary School and Babuyan Central School
"These donations really help us parents because of the staggering prices of school supplies," said Elmer Magdayao, president of the parents-teachers association ofMaoyon
Elementary School
By and large, the new supplies will help the children with their studies.
"The best thing that we like is our kids are doing good and they are getting an education here," Magdayao said. "The teachers are teaching them good education and we are really happy with that."
The computer set was one of the many computer sets donated by the Quezon City-based Rotary Club of Loyola Heights, while the garbage bins were recycled empty fuel drums of the Palawan-based Air Force, the 570th Composite Tactical Wing.
On the other hand, the Palawan-based Armed Forces, the Western Command, donated the back packs, pencils, crayons, glue, notebooks, erasers, sharpeners, writing pads, pencil colors, and new slippers through the U7 office.
"We are very grateful for the donations from the Western Command," said Elma G. Bungar, principal ofMaoyon
Elementary School
"Donating those school supplies to these schools made me feel good because we're able to help them out in a time of need," said Army Staff Sergeant Arnel Corpuz, a non-commissioned officer under the 6th Civil Relations Group where Maj. Banaria is assigned as commander. "The Western Command tries to do this every year before school starts, and we also help out with their tree planting, classroom repair and repainting, and other programs that we supply volunteers for."
When military units are active in the community, it helps foster great working relationships.
Corpuz said, "Programs like this strengthen the bond between the military installations and the local community and this is one of the reasons that we participate."
The activity was part of the "Bag at Notebook Mo, Sagot ng Sundalo Mo" project of the civil military operations unit of the Western Command.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=530216
Troops surprised pupils from two public elementary schools in the rural barangays of this city when they brought backpacks stuffed with much-needed school supplies for Monday’s opening of classes.
School heads were surprised when they were handed a computer set and garbage bins to be used.
The donations were given to help
"These donations really help us parents because of the staggering prices of school supplies," said Elmer Magdayao, president of the parents-teachers association of
By and large, the new supplies will help the children with their studies.
"The best thing that we like is our kids are doing good and they are getting an education here," Magdayao said. "The teachers are teaching them good education and we are really happy with that."
The computer set was one of the many computer sets donated by the Quezon City-based Rotary Club of Loyola Heights, while the garbage bins were recycled empty fuel drums of the Palawan-based Air Force, the 570th Composite Tactical Wing.
On the other hand, the Palawan-based Armed Forces, the Western Command, donated the back packs, pencils, crayons, glue, notebooks, erasers, sharpeners, writing pads, pencil colors, and new slippers through the U7 office.
"We are very grateful for the donations from the Western Command," said Elma G. Bungar, principal of
"Donating those school supplies to these schools made me feel good because we're able to help them out in a time of need," said Army Staff Sergeant Arnel Corpuz, a non-commissioned officer under the 6th Civil Relations Group where Maj. Banaria is assigned as commander. "The Western Command tries to do this every year before school starts, and we also help out with their tree planting, classroom repair and repainting, and other programs that we supply volunteers for."
When military units are active in the community, it helps foster great working relationships.
Corpuz said, "Programs like this strengthen the bond between the military installations and the local community and this is one of the reasons that we participate."
The activity was part of the "Bag at Notebook Mo, Sagot ng Sundalo Mo" project of the civil military operations unit of the Western Command.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=530216
Army rallies youths to promote peace, development
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12): Army rallies youths to promote peace, development
The Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) based in Camp Monteclaro, Barangay Igtuba, Miag-ao, Iloilo recently initiated a three-day Youth Leadership Summit for 110 out-of school youths (OSYs) from Antique and Iloilo provinces in its bid to promote peace, unity and development especially in far flung barangays.
The summit with a theme "Youth: Building a Nation Through Unity,” aims to empower the youth sector and develop their leadership and social responsibility as advocates of peace and development within their respective community
Various activities were undertaken to empower the youth like team building activities and lectures that included Community and Personal Development with Ms. Teresa Hortillo, Guidance Service Specialist, OSA, University of the Philippines in the Visayas; Human Rights and the Youth by Christopher Montaño of the Commission on Human Rights; and, Peace Process by Pastor Dexter Robite, head City Light Church, Iloilo.
The youth participants took part in the just concluded Sky Lantern Flying for Peace of the Midway Meditation Institute International which broke the Guinness Book of World Records at UPV campus on May 24, 2013.
The youths who are looked upon as the hope of this nation bears big responsibility to promote peace in this part of the country.
Lt. Col. Aldwine I. Almase, 82nd IB commander, emphasized the relevance of the youth in nation building. He added that his unit's framework in attaining peace and helping in community puts premium in empowering the youth sector and helping them to become socially responsible community leaders.
Almase said the activity was undertaken in partnership with Youth for Peace and Development (YPD), national government agencies, local government units and various organizations in Antique province andSouthern
Panay .
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=530255
The Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) based in Camp Monteclaro, Barangay Igtuba, Miag-ao, Iloilo recently initiated a three-day Youth Leadership Summit for 110 out-of school youths (OSYs) from Antique and Iloilo provinces in its bid to promote peace, unity and development especially in far flung barangays.
The summit with a theme "Youth: Building a Nation Through Unity,” aims to empower the youth sector and develop their leadership and social responsibility as advocates of peace and development within their respective community
Various activities were undertaken to empower the youth like team building activities and lectures that included Community and Personal Development with Ms. Teresa Hortillo, Guidance Service Specialist, OSA, University of the Philippines in the Visayas; Human Rights and the Youth by Christopher Montaño of the Commission on Human Rights; and, Peace Process by Pastor Dexter Robite, head City Light Church, Iloilo.
The youth participants took part in the just concluded Sky Lantern Flying for Peace of the Midway Meditation Institute International which broke the Guinness Book of World Records at UPV campus on May 24, 2013.
The youths who are looked upon as the hope of this nation bears big responsibility to promote peace in this part of the country.
Lt. Col. Aldwine I. Almase, 82nd IB commander, emphasized the relevance of the youth in nation building. He added that his unit's framework in attaining peace and helping in community puts premium in empowering the youth sector and helping them to become socially responsible community leaders.
Almase said the activity was undertaken in partnership with Youth for Peace and Development (YPD), national government agencies, local government units and various organizations in Antique province and
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=530255
75th Infantry Battalion captures rebel arms cache in Agusan Del Sur
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 1): 75th Infantry Battalion captures rebel arms cache in Agusan Del Sur
Troopers of the 4th Infantry Division's sub-unit, 75th Infantry Battalion, have captured a munition cache in Bunawan, Agusan Del Sur Saturday morning.
Major Leo Bongosia, 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, said information regarding the arm cache was forwarded to them by residents of the said locality.
Unearthed were 41 pieces of 60 mm mortar rounds and two rifle grenades.
Also found were two explosive chargers, 1 PDX landmine assembly, 100 meters electrical detonating wire, one engineering level equipment, six live rounds for M-14 rifle, two acupuncture needles, eight pieces notebooks, four pieces "13RPSB" unit patches, a blanket, an empty magazine for caliber .50 Barrett sniper rifle, six boxes of vitamins, twenty pieces of push pins, a gas burner, and subversive documents.
"4th Infantry Division will intensify its security operations for the rest of the election period and in support to PNP effort in insuring the opening of classes this Monday safe for both students and teachers,” he added.
The recovered ordnance and munitions are now under inspection by military explosive experts and for its proper disposal.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530122
Troopers of the 4th Infantry Division's sub-unit, 75th Infantry Battalion, have captured a munition cache in Bunawan, Agusan Del Sur Saturday morning.
Major Leo Bongosia, 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, said information regarding the arm cache was forwarded to them by residents of the said locality.
Unearthed were 41 pieces of 60 mm mortar rounds and two rifle grenades.
Also found were two explosive chargers, 1 PDX landmine assembly, 100 meters electrical detonating wire, one engineering level equipment, six live rounds for M-14 rifle, two acupuncture needles, eight pieces notebooks, four pieces "13RPSB" unit patches, a blanket, an empty magazine for caliber .50 Barrett sniper rifle, six boxes of vitamins, twenty pieces of push pins, a gas burner, and subversive documents.
"4th Infantry Division will intensify its security operations for the rest of the election period and in support to PNP effort in insuring the opening of classes this Monday safe for both students and teachers,” he added.
The recovered ordnance and munitions are now under inspection by military explosive experts and for its proper disposal.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530122
Several rebels wounded in Abra clash Friday
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 1): Several rebels wounded in Abra clash Friday
The Army's 41st Infantry Battalion wounded an undetermined number of insurgents aside from recovering a high-powered firearm Friday morning during an encounter with 20 heavily-armed rebels in Barangay Gacab, Malibcong, Abra.
A team of soldiers headed by 1st Lt. Jesson G. Capoquian was conducting routine security patrols when they encountered the rebels, unit spokesperson 1st Lt. Rowena Abayon said.
The firefight between the government forces and the NPA rebels lasted for a few minutes after which the rebels withdrew towards south east direction.
There was no casualty on the government side.
As reported by the villagers in the area, they have seen the withdrawing enemy group carrying with them their wounded comrades.
Recovered by the operating troops at the encounter site is one M-653 rifle with serial number 22181480 and other CT personal belonging.
The successful conduct of security operations in the area was the result of timely and accurate information given by the villagers who could no longer tolerate extortion and violent activities of members of the NPA in the area.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530121
The Army's 41st Infantry Battalion wounded an undetermined number of insurgents aside from recovering a high-powered firearm Friday morning during an encounter with 20 heavily-armed rebels in Barangay Gacab, Malibcong, Abra.
A team of soldiers headed by 1st Lt. Jesson G. Capoquian was conducting routine security patrols when they encountered the rebels, unit spokesperson 1st Lt. Rowena Abayon said.
The firefight between the government forces and the NPA rebels lasted for a few minutes after which the rebels withdrew towards south east direction.
There was no casualty on the government side.
As reported by the villagers in the area, they have seen the withdrawing enemy group carrying with them their wounded comrades.
Recovered by the operating troops at the encounter site is one M-653 rifle with serial number 22181480 and other CT personal belonging.
The successful conduct of security operations in the area was the result of timely and accurate information given by the villagers who could no longer tolerate extortion and violent activities of members of the NPA in the area.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530121
3 Marines buried in 'Libingan ng Mga Bayani'
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 2): 3 Marines buried in 'Libingan ng Mga Bayani'
Three of the seven Marines, who died fighting with a superior force of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands last May 25 in Patikul, Sulu, were laid to rest at the "Libingan ng Mga Bayani" in Taguig City Saturday.
Marine Corps spokesman 1st Lt. Vladimir Cabrera said those buried at the "Libingan ng Mga Bayani" included 2nd Lt. Alfredo Lorin VI and Pfcs. Rene Gare and Jayson Durante.
Earlier brought home to their respective provinces were the remains of Cpl. Jay Alasian toIloilo , Pfcs. Andres Bogwana
(Ifugao); Roxan Pizarro (Cagayan); and Dominador Sabejon Jr. (Eastern
Samar ).
The seven Marines were slain after being attacked by bandits in Patikul in Sulu. Nine members of the ASG were killed in the Saturday encounter.
Fifteen brigands and nine Marines were also wounded in the hour-long fighting.
The seven Marines were conducting force reconnaissance maneuvers when they encountered a superior ASG force.
The main objective of the above-mentioned maneuver is to locate possible enemy units planning to attack the main force.
"Their role (reconnaissance team) is to locate and prevent the enemy force from ambushing the main force. If they failed to do that, the ASG would have inflicted heavier casualties on the government forces," the source said.
The former stated that the fallen Marines died doing their job and even managed to inflict heavy losses to the ASG whom they met during the so-called "meeting engagement".
"The Marines number only about 16 and the ASG around 50. The fact that they were able to inflict heavy casualties despite being outnumbered speaks well of their dedication and bravery," he stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530188
Three of the seven Marines, who died fighting with a superior force of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands last May 25 in Patikul, Sulu, were laid to rest at the "Libingan ng Mga Bayani" in Taguig City Saturday.
Marine Corps spokesman 1st Lt. Vladimir Cabrera said those buried at the "Libingan ng Mga Bayani" included 2nd Lt. Alfredo Lorin VI and Pfcs. Rene Gare and Jayson Durante.
Earlier brought home to their respective provinces were the remains of Cpl. Jay Alasian to
The seven Marines were slain after being attacked by bandits in Patikul in Sulu. Nine members of the ASG were killed in the Saturday encounter.
Fifteen brigands and nine Marines were also wounded in the hour-long fighting.
The seven Marines were conducting force reconnaissance maneuvers when they encountered a superior ASG force.
The main objective of the above-mentioned maneuver is to locate possible enemy units planning to attack the main force.
"Their role (reconnaissance team) is to locate and prevent the enemy force from ambushing the main force. If they failed to do that, the ASG would have inflicted heavier casualties on the government forces," the source said.
The former stated that the fallen Marines died doing their job and even managed to inflict heavy losses to the ASG whom they met during the so-called "meeting engagement".
"The Marines number only about 16 and the ASG around 50. The fact that they were able to inflict heavy casualties despite being outnumbered speaks well of their dedication and bravery," he stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530188
BRP Ramon Alcaraz undergoing 'safe-to-sail' trials
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 2): BRP Ramon Alcaraz undergoing 'safe-to-sail' trials
BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's second Hamilton class cutter in service, is now undergoing "safe-to-sail" trials in preparation for her voyage to the Philippines this first week of June.
The procedure is to ensure that the ship is ready for its long voyage home and that all its systems are 100 percent ready before leavingCharleston , South Carolina
"A series of sea trials will further ensure that repairs and further modifications undertaken to the ship are satisfactory," he added.
Fabic said results of the sea trials will be known after these have been conducted.
"Determination of how many sea trials will be known as each inspection progresses. Again, this is to ensure that the ship will be 'safe-to-sail'," he added.
The BRP Ramon Alcaraz is expected to arrive in thePhilippines
Fabic earlier said that the vessel can be used as a radar picket by the Philippine Navy (PN) in its efforts to protect the country's extensive maritime domains.
Radar pickets are ships equipped with powerful radar and deployed in the high seas to detect ships or aircraft attempting to violate the country's territories.
The ship is one of twelveHamilton
It weighs 3,250 tons, has a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet.
Its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.
The ship has cruising range of 14,000 miles and has a sea and loiter time of 45 days.
It has a complement of 167 officers and men.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530190
BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's second Hamilton class cutter in service, is now undergoing "safe-to-sail" trials in preparation for her voyage to the Philippines this first week of June.
The procedure is to ensure that the ship is ready for its long voyage home and that all its systems are 100 percent ready before leaving
"A series of sea trials will further ensure that repairs and further modifications undertaken to the ship are satisfactory," he added.
Fabic said results of the sea trials will be known after these have been conducted.
"Determination of how many sea trials will be known as each inspection progresses. Again, this is to ensure that the ship will be 'safe-to-sail'," he added.
The BRP Ramon Alcaraz is expected to arrive in the
Fabic earlier said that the vessel can be used as a radar picket by the Philippine Navy (PN) in its efforts to protect the country's extensive maritime domains.
Radar pickets are ships equipped with powerful radar and deployed in the high seas to detect ships or aircraft attempting to violate the country's territories.
The ship is one of twelve
It weighs 3,250 tons, has a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet.
Its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.
The ship has cruising range of 14,000 miles and has a sea and loiter time of 45 days.
It has a complement of 167 officers and men.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530190
Army recovers 6 high-powered firearms in Ifugao clash with rebels
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 2): Army recovers 6 high-powered firearms in Ifugao clash with rebels
Troopers from the 5th Infantry Division's 54th Infantry Battalion has captured six high-powered firearms during a fierce encounter with 20 heavily-armed New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Barangay Butac, Aguinaldo town, Ifugao Sunday morning.
1st Lt. Rowena Abayon, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the encounter took place around 5:20 a.m.
The recovered weapons were three M-16 automatic rifles, two M-14 automatic rifles and an M-203 grenade launcher.
She added that the presence of the rebel force was revealed to them by some disgruntled NPA fighters.
A fierce firefight ensued between the operating troops and the NPA rebels of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla MARKO under terrorist leader Artos Talastas, also known as Libre/Layden.
Abayon said that the leadership of the 5th Infantry Division commended the troops for their successful conduct of security operations in Ifugao.
No losses were sustained by government forces while the rebel group sustained many wounded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530233
Troopers from the 5th Infantry Division's 54th Infantry Battalion has captured six high-powered firearms during a fierce encounter with 20 heavily-armed New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Barangay Butac, Aguinaldo town, Ifugao Sunday morning.
1st Lt. Rowena Abayon, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the encounter took place around 5:20 a.m.
The recovered weapons were three M-16 automatic rifles, two M-14 automatic rifles and an M-203 grenade launcher.
She added that the presence of the rebel force was revealed to them by some disgruntled NPA fighters.
A fierce firefight ensued between the operating troops and the NPA rebels of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla MARKO under terrorist leader Artos Talastas, also known as Libre/Layden.
Abayon said that the leadership of the 5th Infantry Division commended the troops for their successful conduct of security operations in Ifugao.
No losses were sustained by government forces while the rebel group sustained many wounded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=530233
NPA ambush in Samar condemned
From Sun Star-Tacloban (Jun 1): NPA ambush in Samar condemned
The government forces have heightened their pursuit operations against the perpetrators of the ambush on a police patrol car on Thursday afternoon in Samar province.
It occurred three days after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels perpetrated an ambush in far-flung village in Allacapan, Cagayan, killing eight police commandos of the PNP’s elite unit, the Special Action Force, and injuring seven others.
The rebels set off a roadside bomb and opened fire on a police patrol car carrying members of Paranas Municipal Police Station along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Tagbayaon, Jiabong town in Samar.
Paranas police chief Doughlas Antonio Eloja, and his men PO3 Cayetano Abantao, PO2 Romulo Tabique and PO2 Rodrigo Agbon Jr., were en route to Catbalogan City, some eight kilometers northwest from the ambush site, to attend a court hearing when undetermined number of rebels detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) and sprayed the vehicle with gunfire. The four survived the ambush.
Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas (PRO8) director Elmer Ragadio Soria said policemen were able to maneuver towards the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility at nearby Barangay Lagundi, Catbalogan City.
Troops set up roadblocks and dispatched reinforcements to track down the perpetrators, said Soria.
In 2010, NPA launched a landmine attack at the villages of Catarman Northern Samar, killing eight policemen. The Efren Martires Command (EMC) of NPA in Eastern Visayas owned the responsibility.
Four months later, another landmine attacked by staged by the NPA in Catubig town, Northern Samar against the 63rd Infantry Battalion, resulting in the death of a 9-year-old boy and a soldier.
In July 2011, a soldier was killed when a group of 60 rebels ambushed a military convoy in Samar’s Paranas town using also improvised landmines that crippled the trucks that carries the soldiers.
Last year, a simultaneous attack staged by the rebels occurred in the various parts of Samar, killing some troops and innocent civilians.
In March 5, 2012, the 8th ID troops discovered the biggest production of improvised bombs in a secluded NPA explosives factory in Paranas town, where 44 improvised landmines, blasting caps and detonators were seized.
Meanwhile, the NPA in Samar has not owned yet the Thursday’s ambush on Paranas cops and earlier denied they have used landmines in their previous attacks.
“The NPA uses command-detonated explosives, which are manually set off against a defined target and thus allowed in war. The NPA did not and has never used anti-personnel land mines which automatically explode when triggered by the victim, and is thus banned under international humanitarian law for causing needless casualties,” said Karlos Manuel, spokesman of EMC, in a statement.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/local-news/2013/06/01/npa-ambush-samar-condemned-285336
The government forces have heightened their pursuit operations against the perpetrators of the ambush on a police patrol car on Thursday afternoon in Samar province.
It occurred three days after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels perpetrated an ambush in far-flung village in Allacapan, Cagayan, killing eight police commandos of the PNP’s elite unit, the Special Action Force, and injuring seven others.
The rebels set off a roadside bomb and opened fire on a police patrol car carrying members of Paranas Municipal Police Station along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Tagbayaon, Jiabong town in Samar.
Paranas police chief Doughlas Antonio Eloja, and his men PO3 Cayetano Abantao, PO2 Romulo Tabique and PO2 Rodrigo Agbon Jr., were en route to Catbalogan City, some eight kilometers northwest from the ambush site, to attend a court hearing when undetermined number of rebels detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) and sprayed the vehicle with gunfire. The four survived the ambush.
Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas (PRO8) director Elmer Ragadio Soria said policemen were able to maneuver towards the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility at nearby Barangay Lagundi, Catbalogan City.
Troops set up roadblocks and dispatched reinforcements to track down the perpetrators, said Soria.
In 2010, NPA launched a landmine attack at the villages of Catarman Northern Samar, killing eight policemen. The Efren Martires Command (EMC) of NPA in Eastern Visayas owned the responsibility.
Four months later, another landmine attacked by staged by the NPA in Catubig town, Northern Samar against the 63rd Infantry Battalion, resulting in the death of a 9-year-old boy and a soldier.
In July 2011, a soldier was killed when a group of 60 rebels ambushed a military convoy in Samar’s Paranas town using also improvised landmines that crippled the trucks that carries the soldiers.
Last year, a simultaneous attack staged by the rebels occurred in the various parts of Samar, killing some troops and innocent civilians.
In March 5, 2012, the 8th ID troops discovered the biggest production of improvised bombs in a secluded NPA explosives factory in Paranas town, where 44 improvised landmines, blasting caps and detonators were seized.
Meanwhile, the NPA in Samar has not owned yet the Thursday’s ambush on Paranas cops and earlier denied they have used landmines in their previous attacks.
“The NPA uses command-detonated explosives, which are manually set off against a defined target and thus allowed in war. The NPA did not and has never used anti-personnel land mines which automatically explode when triggered by the victim, and is thus banned under international humanitarian law for causing needless casualties,” said Karlos Manuel, spokesman of EMC, in a statement.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/local-news/2013/06/01/npa-ambush-samar-condemned-285336
Army troops recover 6 high-powered firearms in Ifugao
From ABS-CBN (Jun 2): Army troops recover 6 high-powered firearms in Ifugao
Army troops from the 54th Infantry Battalion recovered six high-powered firearms in a clash with more or less 20 fully armed New People's Army (NPA) at Barangay Butac, Aguinaldo, Ifugao at 5:20 a.m. on Sunday.
The recovered firearms were three M16 assault rifles, two M14 rifles and a M203 grenade launcher.
Authorities from 5th Infantry Division said the successful operation stemmed from an information from within the NPA, which resulted in a firefight between the troops and the NPA belonging to KLG MARCO under Artos Talastas, also known as Libre or Layden.
Several NPA members were also reported to have sent surrender feelers to authorities but were prevented by other NPA members.
The leadership of the Army's 5th Infantry Division commended the troops involved in the successful conduct of security operations in Ifugao.
The intensified conduct of security operations of the 5th Infantry Division is in line with the continuing efforts of the soldiers to secure communities from threats.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/02/13/army-troops-recover-6-high-powered-firearms-ifugao
Army troops from the 54th Infantry Battalion recovered six high-powered firearms in a clash with more or less 20 fully armed New People's Army (NPA) at Barangay Butac, Aguinaldo, Ifugao at 5:20 a.m. on Sunday.
The recovered firearms were three M16 assault rifles, two M14 rifles and a M203 grenade launcher.
Authorities from 5th Infantry Division said the successful operation stemmed from an information from within the NPA, which resulted in a firefight between the troops and the NPA belonging to KLG MARCO under Artos Talastas, also known as Libre or Layden.
Several NPA members were also reported to have sent surrender feelers to authorities but were prevented by other NPA members.
The leadership of the Army's 5th Infantry Division commended the troops involved in the successful conduct of security operations in Ifugao.
The intensified conduct of security operations of the 5th Infantry Division is in line with the continuing efforts of the soldiers to secure communities from threats.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/02/13/army-troops-recover-6-high-powered-firearms-ifugao
MILF CCCH pins blame to military should ceasefire breaks
From the MILF Website (Jun 2): MILF CCCH pins blame to military should ceasefire breaks
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front – Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (MILF CCCH) pointed blames on the 602nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army should the ceasefire scuttle for utter disregard of initiatives for peaceful resolution and the ceasefire accord between the government and the MILF Matalam.
The MILF CCCH said “it is only the 602nd Brigade under Gen Tomaro to blame should fierce fighting between the government and MILF forces broke out in Matalam, thus, the scuttling of the ceasefire and confidence of the MILF forces to the peace process.
“Instead of doing its part in the implementation of the Resolution agreed during the Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting that was presided over by Governor Lala Talino Mendoza for the speedy settlement of the conflict that broke out between the local troops of the MILF and troops of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under Datu Dima Ambil, the troops of BGen Tomaro fueled and join the fighting,” the MILF CCCH said.
The MILF had no intention to engage the government forces under the 602nd Brigade but the 602nd Brigade had been attacking the local MILF forces at Barangays Marbel and Natutunagan in Matalam since the MNLF-initiated skirmishes against the MILF broke out early this month.
In the last spate of attacks against the MILF local forces under the 108th Base Command, 105th Base Command, 110th Base Command and National Guard Base Command, by the MNLF local and reinforcement troops, the 602nd Brigade fired several rounds of 105mm mortars.
“We cannot understand the reasons why the 602nd Brigade had been joining the fighting and bombarding the MILF other than their sneaky motive of undermining the ceasefire and the peace process between the government and MILF,” Omar Bayao, Member of the MILF CCCH said.
“The MILF had not started the firefight, our troops had been in defensive position and had not been firing at the military because we put above the primacy of the peace process and the ceasefire,” Bayao said.
“They are leaving no other for the MILF but to defend themselves,” he added.
“Worst, the forces of the 602nd Brigade are now staying near the houses vacated by the displaced civilians, particularly those owned by MILF. This is totally devoid of respect to mandated duties, human rights, international humanitarian laws, civilian protection and the ceasefire accord,” Rasid Ladiasan, Head of the MILF CCCH, stressed.
Ladiasan said “what can the CCCHs of the government and MILF do if the forces of BGen Tomaro are bent to disrespect the ceasefire and out to imperial the peace process that had been painstakingly uphold by the leadership of the MILF and no less than His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.”
“This is very unfortunate that while all, including the local government units, concerned leaders, MILF leadership and the national government, the International Monitoring Team (IMT), had been trying hard to immediately revert back normalcy in the conflict affected areas of Matalam, the government forces are doing otherwise,” he said.
“The MILF CCCH knew BGen Tomaro as good general and we hope that he would do the right thing to protect the ceasefire and the peace process,” Ladiasan.
“If we fail and hope we will not as we have been doing everything in pushing for the faithful implementation of the Resolution reached during the Peace and Order Council Meeting, then this is so unfortunate,” he said.
“There is no other way of addressing the problem in Matalam but through peaceful means, and all those who are devil’s advocate and would opt for otherwise should be blame.”
The Resolution was signed by concerned MILF commander, Dima Ambil, Gen Tomaro, Gov Talino, Police Provincial Director, Local Monitoring Team, Mayor of LGU Matalam, Datu Jimmy and Norodin Matalam, and the Government Ceasefire Committee last May 23, 2013.
The reconciliation ceremony for the peaceful settlement of the conflict between the local troops of Datu Dima and MILF local forces is supposed to happen on June 5, 2013 through the facilitation and support of the Mayor of Matalam and Pagalungan.
But because of the attacks and war posture of the forces of BGen Tomaro along side with the local MNLF forces, the reconciliation may not happen. Worst the ceasefire between the government and MILF and more importantly the GPH - MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed at Malacanang Palace will be adversely affected.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front – Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (MILF CCCH) pointed blames on the 602nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army should the ceasefire scuttle for utter disregard of initiatives for peaceful resolution and the ceasefire accord between the government and the MILF Matalam.
The MILF CCCH said “it is only the 602nd Brigade under Gen Tomaro to blame should fierce fighting between the government and MILF forces broke out in Matalam, thus, the scuttling of the ceasefire and confidence of the MILF forces to the peace process.
“Instead of doing its part in the implementation of the Resolution agreed during the Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting that was presided over by Governor Lala Talino Mendoza for the speedy settlement of the conflict that broke out between the local troops of the MILF and troops of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under Datu Dima Ambil, the troops of BGen Tomaro fueled and join the fighting,” the MILF CCCH said.
The MILF had no intention to engage the government forces under the 602nd Brigade but the 602nd Brigade had been attacking the local MILF forces at Barangays Marbel and Natutunagan in Matalam since the MNLF-initiated skirmishes against the MILF broke out early this month.
In the last spate of attacks against the MILF local forces under the 108th Base Command, 105th Base Command, 110th Base Command and National Guard Base Command, by the MNLF local and reinforcement troops, the 602nd Brigade fired several rounds of 105mm mortars.
“We cannot understand the reasons why the 602nd Brigade had been joining the fighting and bombarding the MILF other than their sneaky motive of undermining the ceasefire and the peace process between the government and MILF,” Omar Bayao, Member of the MILF CCCH said.
“The MILF had not started the firefight, our troops had been in defensive position and had not been firing at the military because we put above the primacy of the peace process and the ceasefire,” Bayao said.
“They are leaving no other for the MILF but to defend themselves,” he added.
“Worst, the forces of the 602nd Brigade are now staying near the houses vacated by the displaced civilians, particularly those owned by MILF. This is totally devoid of respect to mandated duties, human rights, international humanitarian laws, civilian protection and the ceasefire accord,” Rasid Ladiasan, Head of the MILF CCCH, stressed.
Ladiasan said “what can the CCCHs of the government and MILF do if the forces of BGen Tomaro are bent to disrespect the ceasefire and out to imperial the peace process that had been painstakingly uphold by the leadership of the MILF and no less than His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.”
“This is very unfortunate that while all, including the local government units, concerned leaders, MILF leadership and the national government, the International Monitoring Team (IMT), had been trying hard to immediately revert back normalcy in the conflict affected areas of Matalam, the government forces are doing otherwise,” he said.
“The MILF CCCH knew BGen Tomaro as good general and we hope that he would do the right thing to protect the ceasefire and the peace process,” Ladiasan.
“If we fail and hope we will not as we have been doing everything in pushing for the faithful implementation of the Resolution reached during the Peace and Order Council Meeting, then this is so unfortunate,” he said.
“There is no other way of addressing the problem in Matalam but through peaceful means, and all those who are devil’s advocate and would opt for otherwise should be blame.”
The Resolution was signed by concerned MILF commander, Dima Ambil, Gen Tomaro, Gov Talino, Police Provincial Director, Local Monitoring Team, Mayor of LGU Matalam, Datu Jimmy and Norodin Matalam, and the Government Ceasefire Committee last May 23, 2013.
The reconciliation ceremony for the peaceful settlement of the conflict between the local troops of Datu Dima and MILF local forces is supposed to happen on June 5, 2013 through the facilitation and support of the Mayor of Matalam and Pagalungan.
But because of the attacks and war posture of the forces of BGen Tomaro along side with the local MNLF forces, the reconciliation may not happen. Worst the ceasefire between the government and MILF and more importantly the GPH - MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed at Malacanang Palace will be adversely affected.
Ex-AFP spokesman dies
From Rappler (Jun 2): Ex-AFP spokesman dies
Brig Gen Daniel Lucero, commanding general of the military's 1st infantry division and former Armed Forces spokesman, died after diving with some of his troops Sunday afternoon, June 2, the military said.
Lucero died at around 3:30 pm after diving off Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, with some of his fellow officers, according to AFP spokesman Brig Gen Domingo Tutaan Jr. Lucero was 53.
His body has been brought to the headquarters of the 1st infantry division in Zamboanga del Sur.
A key advocate of the peace process with both Moro and communist groups, Lucero graduated in 1983 at the Philippine Military Academy. In November 2009, he said in an essay that appeared in Newsbreak: "This is what I want to argue: that the military mindset, which stresses mainly combat operations in confronting the insurgency, is the greatest hindrance to solving it. The means inside the army’s toolbox should not be just guns and bullets."
He served as AFP spokesman during the Arroyo government and was named one of the Outstanding Soldiers of the Philippines in 2011. He also served in the UN peacekeeping force.
Lucero finished his Master of Arts degree in International Relations at the Australian National University. In 2001, he led the Army's 18th Infantry Battalion, then deployed in Basilan, to its first-ever Philippine Army Streamer Award.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/30456-ex-afp-spokesman-dies
Brig Gen Daniel Lucero, commanding general of the military's 1st infantry division and former Armed Forces spokesman, died after diving with some of his troops Sunday afternoon, June 2, the military said.
Lucero died at around 3:30 pm after diving off Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, with some of his fellow officers, according to AFP spokesman Brig Gen Domingo Tutaan Jr. Lucero was 53.
His body has been brought to the headquarters of the 1st infantry division in Zamboanga del Sur.
A key advocate of the peace process with both Moro and communist groups, Lucero graduated in 1983 at the Philippine Military Academy. In November 2009, he said in an essay that appeared in Newsbreak: "This is what I want to argue: that the military mindset, which stresses mainly combat operations in confronting the insurgency, is the greatest hindrance to solving it. The means inside the army’s toolbox should not be just guns and bullets."
He served as AFP spokesman during the Arroyo government and was named one of the Outstanding Soldiers of the Philippines in 2011. He also served in the UN peacekeeping force.
Lucero finished his Master of Arts degree in International Relations at the Australian National University. In 2001, he led the Army's 18th Infantry Battalion, then deployed in Basilan, to its first-ever Philippine Army Streamer Award.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/30456-ex-afp-spokesman-dies
End kidnapping, armed struggle, AFP tells NPA
From the Daily Tribune (Jun 2): End kidnapping, armed struggle, AFP tells NPA
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the New People’s Army must heed the call of the people to prove that it is not involved in illegal acts by stopping the rampant kidnapping in many provinces, especially in Compostela Valley.
In a text message, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan replied “yes we are” when asked if the AFP is very much concerned over the wanton kidnapping of soldiers, policemen and even civilians in Compostela Valley.
“But our greater concern is on the attacks made on civilians and civilian communities.
Local residents are calling on the New People’s Army to end this ‘armed struggle’ that only cover up their illegal acts/crimes against public order,” Tutaan told The Daily Tribune.
“Very inhumane and violative of human rights and IHL (International humanitarian law). AFP will continue its vigilance to win the peace and undertake focused military operations against the NPA-armed group,” the spokesman added.
So far, only four of the six abducted by NPA rebels in the province recently have been freed last May 27. No update has been heard about the two remaining captives but unconfirmed reports said the captors are asking ransom in exchange for the release of the two.
“Kidnapping is a criminal act and has no relation whatsoever to the supposed cause the NPA is exuding. Once pinned down on their impunity for human rights violation, their usual response is that they are sorry,” Tutaan, a mistah of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista at the PMA Dimalupig Class of 1981, said.
Prior to the abduction of six, at least four soldiers and two policemen have been kidnapped in the province. The province, according to its police chief Senior Supt. Camilo Cascolan, confirmed the area is a hotbed of NPA rebels.
A source in the military said there are rampant rebel activities in the province due to the lucrative gold mining in Mt. Diwalwal in the town of Monkayo. “Those who are involved in mining ask help from NPA every time there is double crossing. The law of the gun is present there, not law of the people,” the source, who refused to be named, told The Tribune.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, an estimated P2 billion worth of gold ore are sourced from Mt. Diwalwal each year.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources estimates that the mountain has one of the biggest gold deposits in the world.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/14852-end-kidnapping-armed-struggle-afp-tells-npa
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the New People’s Army must heed the call of the people to prove that it is not involved in illegal acts by stopping the rampant kidnapping in many provinces, especially in Compostela Valley.
In a text message, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan replied “yes we are” when asked if the AFP is very much concerned over the wanton kidnapping of soldiers, policemen and even civilians in Compostela Valley.
“But our greater concern is on the attacks made on civilians and civilian communities.
Local residents are calling on the New People’s Army to end this ‘armed struggle’ that only cover up their illegal acts/crimes against public order,” Tutaan told The Daily Tribune.
“Very inhumane and violative of human rights and IHL (International humanitarian law). AFP will continue its vigilance to win the peace and undertake focused military operations against the NPA-armed group,” the spokesman added.
So far, only four of the six abducted by NPA rebels in the province recently have been freed last May 27. No update has been heard about the two remaining captives but unconfirmed reports said the captors are asking ransom in exchange for the release of the two.
“Kidnapping is a criminal act and has no relation whatsoever to the supposed cause the NPA is exuding. Once pinned down on their impunity for human rights violation, their usual response is that they are sorry,” Tutaan, a mistah of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista at the PMA Dimalupig Class of 1981, said.
Prior to the abduction of six, at least four soldiers and two policemen have been kidnapped in the province. The province, according to its police chief Senior Supt. Camilo Cascolan, confirmed the area is a hotbed of NPA rebels.
A source in the military said there are rampant rebel activities in the province due to the lucrative gold mining in Mt. Diwalwal in the town of Monkayo. “Those who are involved in mining ask help from NPA every time there is double crossing. The law of the gun is present there, not law of the people,” the source, who refused to be named, told The Tribune.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, an estimated P2 billion worth of gold ore are sourced from Mt. Diwalwal each year.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources estimates that the mountain has one of the biggest gold deposits in the world.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/14852-end-kidnapping-armed-struggle-afp-tells-npa
Warships patrol in disputed seas ‘legitimate,’ says Chinese general
From the Daily Tribune (Jun 3): Warships patrol in disputed seas ‘legitimate,’ says Chinese general
Chinese warships will continue to patrol waters where Beijing has territorial claims, a top general yesterday said amid simmering rows with the Philippines and other neighboring countries over the South China Sea and islands controlled by Japan.
Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, defended the patrols as legitimate and said China’s sovereignty over the areas could not be disputed. “Why are Chinese warships patrolling in East China Sea and South China Sea? I think we are all clear about this,” Qi told the annual Shangri-La Dialog security conference in Singapore.
“Our attitude on East China Sea and South China Sea is that they are in our Chinese sovereignty. We are very clear about that,” he said through an interpreter.
“So the Chinese warships and the patrolling activities are totally legitimate and uncontroversial.”
Qi was responding to a question from a delegate after giving a speech in which he sought to assure neighboring countries that China has no hegemonic ambitions.
“China has never taken foreign expansion and military conquering as a state policy,” he said.
One delegate, however, said there appeared to be growing regional skepticism over China’s peaceful intentions because it was inconsistent with moves to send naval patrols to waters where other countries also have claims.
China is locked in a territorial dispute with the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam in the South China Sea.
The four states have partial claims to islands but China says it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the sea, including areas much closer to other countries and thousands of kilometers from the Chinese coast.
China also has a dispute with Japan over the Senkaku islands, which Beijing calls the Diaoyus, in the East China Sea.
“I do hope the statements of the good general today will be translated into action,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters.
He said Qi’s remarks about China having no hegemonic ambitions were “far from what is happening” in the sea.
The Philippine government last month protested at what it called the “provocative and illegal presence” of a Chinese warship near Second Thomas Shoal, which is occupied by the Philippine Marines.
Among the other moves that have caused alarm were China’s occupation of Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) off Zambales, and the deployment in March of Chinese naval ships to within 80 kilometers of Malaysia’s coast.
Competing claims have for decades made the area — home to rich fishing grounds and vital global shipping lanes and believed to sit atop vast natural gas deposits — one of Asia’s potential military flashpoints.
Gazmin, meanwhile, defended Manila’s move unilaterally to bring its territorial dispute with China before a United Nations tribunal after China refused to take part.
“We hope that the arbitration tribunal will issue a clarification in accordance with international law that will direct China to respect our sovereign rights,” Gazmin told the forum.
Qi also distanced his government from claims by some Chinese scholars that the Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa, do not belong to Japan.
“This is only an article of particular scholars and their views on these issues... it does not represent the views of the Chinese government,” he said.
Maritime disputes and the risks of conflicts that could hurt Asia’s economic growth were a running theme during the three-day conference that ended Sunday.
“Asia holds great promise for ourselves and the world but continued peace and prosperity in this region are neither fait accompli (an accomplished fact) nor automatic,” Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen told the conference.
“Instead, if we are to continue to enjoy stability and progress, we must work effectively in unison to strengthen areas of common interests.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/14905-warships-patrol-in-disputed-seas-legitimate-says-chinese-general
Chinese warships will continue to patrol waters where Beijing has territorial claims, a top general yesterday said amid simmering rows with the Philippines and other neighboring countries over the South China Sea and islands controlled by Japan.
Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, defended the patrols as legitimate and said China’s sovereignty over the areas could not be disputed. “Why are Chinese warships patrolling in East China Sea and South China Sea? I think we are all clear about this,” Qi told the annual Shangri-La Dialog security conference in Singapore.
“Our attitude on East China Sea and South China Sea is that they are in our Chinese sovereignty. We are very clear about that,” he said through an interpreter.
“So the Chinese warships and the patrolling activities are totally legitimate and uncontroversial.”
Qi was responding to a question from a delegate after giving a speech in which he sought to assure neighboring countries that China has no hegemonic ambitions.
“China has never taken foreign expansion and military conquering as a state policy,” he said.
One delegate, however, said there appeared to be growing regional skepticism over China’s peaceful intentions because it was inconsistent with moves to send naval patrols to waters where other countries also have claims.
China is locked in a territorial dispute with the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam in the South China Sea.
The four states have partial claims to islands but China says it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the sea, including areas much closer to other countries and thousands of kilometers from the Chinese coast.
China also has a dispute with Japan over the Senkaku islands, which Beijing calls the Diaoyus, in the East China Sea.
“I do hope the statements of the good general today will be translated into action,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters.
He said Qi’s remarks about China having no hegemonic ambitions were “far from what is happening” in the sea.
The Philippine government last month protested at what it called the “provocative and illegal presence” of a Chinese warship near Second Thomas Shoal, which is occupied by the Philippine Marines.
Among the other moves that have caused alarm were China’s occupation of Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) off Zambales, and the deployment in March of Chinese naval ships to within 80 kilometers of Malaysia’s coast.
Competing claims have for decades made the area — home to rich fishing grounds and vital global shipping lanes and believed to sit atop vast natural gas deposits — one of Asia’s potential military flashpoints.
Gazmin, meanwhile, defended Manila’s move unilaterally to bring its territorial dispute with China before a United Nations tribunal after China refused to take part.
“We hope that the arbitration tribunal will issue a clarification in accordance with international law that will direct China to respect our sovereign rights,” Gazmin told the forum.
Qi also distanced his government from claims by some Chinese scholars that the Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa, do not belong to Japan.
“This is only an article of particular scholars and their views on these issues... it does not represent the views of the Chinese government,” he said.
Maritime disputes and the risks of conflicts that could hurt Asia’s economic growth were a running theme during the three-day conference that ended Sunday.
“Asia holds great promise for ourselves and the world but continued peace and prosperity in this region are neither fait accompli (an accomplished fact) nor automatic,” Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen told the conference.
“Instead, if we are to continue to enjoy stability and progress, we must work effectively in unison to strengthen areas of common interests.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/14905-warships-patrol-in-disputed-seas-legitimate-says-chinese-general
RP among world’s ‘terrorist safe havens’ — US gov’t report
From the Daily Tribune (Jun 3): RP among world’s ‘terrorist safe havens’ — US gov’t report
CONSIDERED ‘UNGOVERNED, UNDER-GOVERNED OR ILL-GOVERNED’ AREAS
The US government has retained the Philippines among countries considered as “terrorist safe havens” based on an official report submitted to the US Congress last May 30.
Entitled “Country Reports on Terrorism 2012,” the report is periodically sent to Congress in compliance with a US law that requires the Department of State to provide to Congress a full and complete annual report on terrorism for those countries and groups meeting the criteria of the Act. The report was published May 2013.
In the lengthy May 30 report by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, the Philippines, with its Sulu archipelago, along with Indonesia and Malaysia, was cited as “difficult region for the authorities to monitor.”
“Terrorist safe havens described in this report include ungoverned, under-governed, or ill-governed physical areas where terrorists are able to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train, transit, and operate in relative security because of inadequate governance capacity, political will, or both,” the report noted.
It noted that Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have improved efforts to control their shared maritime boundaries, including through the U.S.-funded Coast Watch South radar network, which is intended to enhance domain awareness in the waters south and southwest of Mindanao.
“Nevertheless, the expanse remained difficult to control,” it noted.
“Surveillance improved but remained partial at best, and traditional smuggling and piracy groups have provided an effective cover for terrorist activities, including movement of personnel, equipment, and funds,” the report said.
The United States has sponsored the Trilateral Interagency Maritime Law Enforcement Working Group since 2008 and this has resulted in better coordination among Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines on issues of interdiction and maritime security.
“Asia is vulnerable to exploitation by illicit traffickers and proliferators given the high volume of global trade that ships through the region as well as the existence of smuggling and proliferation networks,” the report said.
“Weak strategic trade control legal and regulatory frameworks, and inadequate maritime law enforcement and security capabilities make Southeast Asia an area of concern for weapons of mass destruction proliferation,” the report said.
“Counterterrorism operations over the past 10 years, however, have been successful at isolating and constraining the activities of domestic and transnational terrorists,” according to the report.
“Philippine cooperation with U.S. counterterrorism efforts remained strong,” it added.
“Abu Sayyaf Group members, numbering a few hundred, were present in remote areas in Mindanao, especially the islands of the Sulu Archipelago while Jemaah Islamiya members, of whom there were only a small number remaining, were in a few isolated pockets of Mindanao,” it said.
“The Communist People’s Party/New People’s Army maintained a national presence with a focus in rural and mountainous areas,” according to the report.
“Continued pressure from Philippine security forces made it difficult, however, for terrorists to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train, and operate,” the report said.
In 2012, the Department of State designated three new Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and amended three existing designations.
In addition, the Department listed 18 organizations and individuals as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under E.O. 13224 and amended three existing designations.
The Department also revoked the designations of two organizations. The Department of the Treasury also designated organizations and individuals under E.O. 13224.
Various transnational terrorist organizations continued activities in the East Asia and Pacific region during the year, while the nature of the terrorist threats evolved, it said.
In January, Thai authorities arrested a Hizballah operative, who led Thai officials to a significant cache of explosives and bomb making materials.
In the Philippines, terrorist acts were generally limited to criminal activities designed to generate revenue for self-sustainment, such as kidnapping for ransom or extortion, but members of terrorist groups were suspected to have carried out several bombings against public and private facilities primarily in the central and western areas of Mindanao, it said.
“The Government of the Philippines moved toward a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by signing a Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in October. A comprehensive peace agreement with the MILF has the potential to improve peace and security in Mindanao,” the report said.
“The Philippines has coordinated with US law enforcement authorities, especially regarding US fugitives and suspected terrorists. An under-resourced and understaffed law enforcement and justice system coupled with widespread official corruption, however, resulted in limited domestic investigations, unexecuted arrest warrants, few prosecutions, and lengthy trials of cases,” said the report.
The report noted successes including the June 21 arrest of a suspected Abu Sayyaf member involved in the 2001 abduction of US citizens Martin and Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero.
The US also noted a police operation that resulted in the death of suspected Malaysian JI member Mohammad Noor Fikrie bin Abdul Kahar last Dec. 14, who was known to be carrying a bomb in his backpack at the time.
“The Philippines maintained its strong counterterrorism cooperation with the United States. The ability of terrorist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf, JI and the CPP-NPA, to conduct terrorist activities in the Philippines remained constrained,” the US state department said.
It cited limited operations of a declining number of Abu Sayyaf and JI members, and the CPP-NPA’s shrinking opportunities “to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train and operate” despite its national presence.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/14910-rp-among-world-s-terrorist-safe-havens-us-gov-t-report
CONSIDERED ‘UNGOVERNED, UNDER-GOVERNED OR ILL-GOVERNED’ AREAS
The US government has retained the Philippines among countries considered as “terrorist safe havens” based on an official report submitted to the US Congress last May 30.
Entitled “Country Reports on Terrorism 2012,” the report is periodically sent to Congress in compliance with a US law that requires the Department of State to provide to Congress a full and complete annual report on terrorism for those countries and groups meeting the criteria of the Act. The report was published May 2013.
In the lengthy May 30 report by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, the Philippines, with its Sulu archipelago, along with Indonesia and Malaysia, was cited as “difficult region for the authorities to monitor.”
“Terrorist safe havens described in this report include ungoverned, under-governed, or ill-governed physical areas where terrorists are able to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train, transit, and operate in relative security because of inadequate governance capacity, political will, or both,” the report noted.
It noted that Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have improved efforts to control their shared maritime boundaries, including through the U.S.-funded Coast Watch South radar network, which is intended to enhance domain awareness in the waters south and southwest of Mindanao.
“Nevertheless, the expanse remained difficult to control,” it noted.
“Surveillance improved but remained partial at best, and traditional smuggling and piracy groups have provided an effective cover for terrorist activities, including movement of personnel, equipment, and funds,” the report said.
The United States has sponsored the Trilateral Interagency Maritime Law Enforcement Working Group since 2008 and this has resulted in better coordination among Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines on issues of interdiction and maritime security.
“Asia is vulnerable to exploitation by illicit traffickers and proliferators given the high volume of global trade that ships through the region as well as the existence of smuggling and proliferation networks,” the report said.
“Weak strategic trade control legal and regulatory frameworks, and inadequate maritime law enforcement and security capabilities make Southeast Asia an area of concern for weapons of mass destruction proliferation,” the report said.
“Counterterrorism operations over the past 10 years, however, have been successful at isolating and constraining the activities of domestic and transnational terrorists,” according to the report.
“Philippine cooperation with U.S. counterterrorism efforts remained strong,” it added.
“Abu Sayyaf Group members, numbering a few hundred, were present in remote areas in Mindanao, especially the islands of the Sulu Archipelago while Jemaah Islamiya members, of whom there were only a small number remaining, were in a few isolated pockets of Mindanao,” it said.
“The Communist People’s Party/New People’s Army maintained a national presence with a focus in rural and mountainous areas,” according to the report.
“Continued pressure from Philippine security forces made it difficult, however, for terrorists to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train, and operate,” the report said.
In 2012, the Department of State designated three new Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and amended three existing designations.
In addition, the Department listed 18 organizations and individuals as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under E.O. 13224 and amended three existing designations.
The Department also revoked the designations of two organizations. The Department of the Treasury also designated organizations and individuals under E.O. 13224.
Various transnational terrorist organizations continued activities in the East Asia and Pacific region during the year, while the nature of the terrorist threats evolved, it said.
In January, Thai authorities arrested a Hizballah operative, who led Thai officials to a significant cache of explosives and bomb making materials.
In the Philippines, terrorist acts were generally limited to criminal activities designed to generate revenue for self-sustainment, such as kidnapping for ransom or extortion, but members of terrorist groups were suspected to have carried out several bombings against public and private facilities primarily in the central and western areas of Mindanao, it said.
“The Government of the Philippines moved toward a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by signing a Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in October. A comprehensive peace agreement with the MILF has the potential to improve peace and security in Mindanao,” the report said.
“The Philippines has coordinated with US law enforcement authorities, especially regarding US fugitives and suspected terrorists. An under-resourced and understaffed law enforcement and justice system coupled with widespread official corruption, however, resulted in limited domestic investigations, unexecuted arrest warrants, few prosecutions, and lengthy trials of cases,” said the report.
The report noted successes including the June 21 arrest of a suspected Abu Sayyaf member involved in the 2001 abduction of US citizens Martin and Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero.
The US also noted a police operation that resulted in the death of suspected Malaysian JI member Mohammad Noor Fikrie bin Abdul Kahar last Dec. 14, who was known to be carrying a bomb in his backpack at the time.
“The Philippines maintained its strong counterterrorism cooperation with the United States. The ability of terrorist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf, JI and the CPP-NPA, to conduct terrorist activities in the Philippines remained constrained,” the US state department said.
It cited limited operations of a declining number of Abu Sayyaf and JI members, and the CPP-NPA’s shrinking opportunities “to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train and operate” despite its national presence.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/14910-rp-among-world-s-terrorist-safe-havens-us-gov-t-report
Serendra mysteries: Not a bomb, 3 dead withdrawn
From the Daily Tribune (Jun 2): Serendra mysteries: Not a bomb, 3 dead withdrawn
The government remained clueless a day after three people were killed in a mysterious explosion in a luxury apartment building in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig as Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said authorities were still trying to assess what had triggered the blast since initial investigations found no trace of a bomb.
Adding to the mystery was the government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) statement earlier saying three other men had been found dead in the room where the blast occurred but later withdrew the statement saying it was inaccurate.
Social media feeds shortly after the incident also showed medical rescue team pulling out bodies from the luxury condominium where the blast occurred. The three confirmed dead were from a crushed delivery van after the explosion late Friday knocked out the wall of the Two Serendra condominium unit owned by the Ayala Group.
An equal mystery was President Aquino rushing to the site of the explosion when the police had yet to clear the area of possible dangers.
Presidential deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said the visit of Aquino to the explosion scene on Friday night was to ensure that investigation must be carried
out in a proper manner that could not be tampered by any contrary evidence, which are standard procedures with the police in any crime scene.
“Well, of course, the President and Secretary Roxas were both very aware that their movements were to be limited, the Presidfent and Secretary Roxas were aware on what to do, precisely, the President also went there to make sure that things were to be carried out exactly in a scientific manner that there would be a process of elimination, etcetera,” Valte said.
“We still have not seen any triggering device of any kind among the debris,” Roxas told reporters hours after the explosion in a fifth floor unit in the high-end condominium, while bomb-sniffing dogs had found no sign of explosives.
“We are not ruling out anything,” he told reporters just before touring the shattered apartment.
Hours later, debris from the building still littered the area, with some pieces of rubble hurled dozens of metres (yards) by the force of the blast.
The once-bustling area around the condominium remained cordoned off as police and fire investigators searched the building.
Roxas said they would treat the area as a crime scene to preserve evidence until they had determined the cause of the blast.
Roxas said the explosion injured five people including aUS
The condominium, located in an upper-class residential development called “the Fort” had been evacuated while it underwent an inspection, he added.
The explosion took place just a few meters away from a popular area of restaurants, bars and shops that attracts thousands of people at the weekend.
Civilians have in the past been targeted in bomb attacks, often carried out by the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim extremist group started in the 1990s with seed money from the al-Qaeda network.
The 2004 Abu Sayyaf bombing of a ferry inManila
However the group is largely concentrated in the southernPhilippines rather than Manila
Roxas said the authorities has quickly implement paneling, a process of inspecting the area using the sniffing dogs provided by the Southern Police District (SPD), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and Philippine Army, but there is no registration of any bomb, but there is no registration of any bomb from the canine units.
However, they are not ruling out anything though the investigators has yet to found any triggering device in the debris thus the Soco and BFP are studying still the burn patterns, shattering and the like to determine the force of the blast.
The people in two adjacent buildings were evacuated and turned off utilities to be checked by DPWH and they will be allowed to go back once their safety is ascertained.
The explosion occurred at unit 501 of building B at Two Serendra, inBonifacio Global City
Five others were wounded in the incident including an American and a nine year old Filipina.
Roxas said the fatalities were all employees of Abenson and were identified as Salimar Natividad, 41, driver, of San Jose del Monte Bulacan; Jeffrey Umali, 33, of Nueva Ecija; and Marlon Baldiola, 29, of Carmona, Cavite both helper.
The injured identified as Angelito San Juan of Unit 501, where the blast apparently occurred, was brought to the ICU in St Luke’s Taguig. He’s in stable condition. He was supposedly on his way out of the unit when the blast occurred.
Other injured victims were brought to St. Lukes Hospital as Allen Poole, US Citizen, 67; and who lives on the 6th floor of the building; Louise Lorenzo, nine-years-old, a passerby who was already discharged Friday night; Janette Bonjock, a minor who’s still at St Luke’s; and April Joy Garcia, 19, discharged Friday night.
Investigations also revealed thatSan
Juan
Police found a used fire extinguisher in Unit 506, as well as indications of burn marks in Unit 306 during the initial investigation.
The CCTV footages in the building is being reviewed by authorities to determine the sequence of events before the explosion.
While the investigation is ongoing the Mckinley parkway was closed to motorists but the other areas acrossBonifacio
Global City
According to Ayala Land Inc president Antonino Aquino, the lease contract ofSan Juan
Aquino said that the building has been evacuated and the residents are being taken care of and provided with lodging while the incident is being investigated.
He added that they will give a full cooperation to the authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
Meanwhile, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano expressed the readiness of the local government of Taguig to help the blast victims.
However, she urged the public to stay calm and help the authorities in their investigation and don’t fan any rumors that may cause panic among the residents of the city.
Aquino with Roxas, police and arson investigators, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation, forensics of the scene of the crime opertaives (Soco), the firemen from the Bureau of Fire Protection, engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways, and traffic enforcers from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were immediately in the vicinity of the Serendra Building B at Two Serendra in Bonifacio Global, Taguig, where the explosion happened.
Roxas said that the blast site — involving units on the fifth floor of Two Serendra inTaguig
City
Roxas immediately had urged the public not to speculate on the incident, pending result of the investigations.
Valte said on Friday the NBI, Soco, DPWH, Bureau of Fire Protection, AFP with their K-9 sniffing dogs were on the scene to aid in the investigation.
“So, the Presidfent has strict order to determine what really happened and the main source of the explosion, and the findings of the investigators, it must stand the scrutiny of anybody,” Valte said.
“The President also stressed there must be great cooperation between all the agencies who are there. As soon as possible, there must be a result and make sure the findings must be based on evidence gathered,” Valte added.
The Ayala Land Inc. in a press statement said: At around 8 p.m. on Friday, May 31, an exlosion occurred at Unit 501 of Building B at Two Serenedra, inBonifacio
Global City Medical
Center McKinley
Parkway
“The building has been evacuated and the residents are being taken care of and provided with lodging while the incident is being investigated,” the statement read.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said there must be a clarity on what really happened in Serendra explosion, expressing concerns that tourism industry could be affected.
Valte said Aquino instructed all the agencies who responded on the scene,”you have to share the technology and your expertise with all the other members of the investigating team.”
Valte said that Public Works Singson sent structural engineers and sanitary engineers to provide necessary assistance on the “investigation because at this point, you’re really looking at an entire universe of what possibly could have caused the explosion.”
The Serendra explosion is the second occurrence after the Glorietta which the authorities also downplayed as a bombing incident.
Serendra has a built-in system of liquified gas which is being probed as a possible source of the explosion.
Roxas called the indications that the explosion was not from a bomb “significant” but he said investigators have not ruled out anything. “Is it a bomb, gas leak or chemical explosion, we cannot say for sure,” he said.
Roxas was the one who clarified that only three people died in the incident. Roxas corrected the earlier statement issued by the National Disaster Risk Reducton and Management Council (NDRRMC) that there were already six fatalities in the blast.
Two Serendra building was fully evacuated after the explosion. Some of the occupants were transferred to the adjacent condos while others went back to their respective homes as they will be advice when to go back to the place.
Meanwhile, the police announced yesterday that some parts of McKinley Parkway in Taguig City are closed to traffic since debris from the explosion has not yet been cleared and investigators are still sifting through the evidence to ascertain what happened, authorities said.
However, all shopping malls in the area will still be open for business, officials said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/14863-serendra-mysteries-not-a-bomb-3-dead-withdrawn
The government remained clueless a day after three people were killed in a mysterious explosion in a luxury apartment building in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig as Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said authorities were still trying to assess what had triggered the blast since initial investigations found no trace of a bomb.
Adding to the mystery was the government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) statement earlier saying three other men had been found dead in the room where the blast occurred but later withdrew the statement saying it was inaccurate.
Social media feeds shortly after the incident also showed medical rescue team pulling out bodies from the luxury condominium where the blast occurred. The three confirmed dead were from a crushed delivery van after the explosion late Friday knocked out the wall of the Two Serendra condominium unit owned by the Ayala Group.
An equal mystery was President Aquino rushing to the site of the explosion when the police had yet to clear the area of possible dangers.
Presidential deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said the visit of Aquino to the explosion scene on Friday night was to ensure that investigation must be carried
out in a proper manner that could not be tampered by any contrary evidence, which are standard procedures with the police in any crime scene.
“Well, of course, the President and Secretary Roxas were both very aware that their movements were to be limited, the Presidfent and Secretary Roxas were aware on what to do, precisely, the President also went there to make sure that things were to be carried out exactly in a scientific manner that there would be a process of elimination, etcetera,” Valte said.
“We still have not seen any triggering device of any kind among the debris,” Roxas told reporters hours after the explosion in a fifth floor unit in the high-end condominium, while bomb-sniffing dogs had found no sign of explosives.
“We are not ruling out anything,” he told reporters just before touring the shattered apartment.
Hours later, debris from the building still littered the area, with some pieces of rubble hurled dozens of metres (yards) by the force of the blast.
The once-bustling area around the condominium remained cordoned off as police and fire investigators searched the building.
Roxas said they would treat the area as a crime scene to preserve evidence until they had determined the cause of the blast.
Roxas said the explosion injured five people including a
The condominium, located in an upper-class residential development called “the Fort” had been evacuated while it underwent an inspection, he added.
The explosion took place just a few meters away from a popular area of restaurants, bars and shops that attracts thousands of people at the weekend.
Civilians have in the past been targeted in bomb attacks, often carried out by the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim extremist group started in the 1990s with seed money from the al-Qaeda network.
The 2004 Abu Sayyaf bombing of a ferry in
However the group is largely concentrated in the southern
Roxas said the authorities has quickly implement paneling, a process of inspecting the area using the sniffing dogs provided by the Southern Police District (SPD), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and Philippine Army, but there is no registration of any bomb, but there is no registration of any bomb from the canine units.
However, they are not ruling out anything though the investigators has yet to found any triggering device in the debris thus the Soco and BFP are studying still the burn patterns, shattering and the like to determine the force of the blast.
The people in two adjacent buildings were evacuated and turned off utilities to be checked by DPWH and they will be allowed to go back once their safety is ascertained.
The explosion occurred at unit 501 of building B at Two Serendra, in
Five others were wounded in the incident including an American and a nine year old Filipina.
Roxas said the fatalities were all employees of Abenson and were identified as Salimar Natividad, 41, driver, of San Jose del Monte Bulacan; Jeffrey Umali, 33, of Nueva Ecija; and Marlon Baldiola, 29, of Carmona, Cavite both helper.
The injured identified as Angelito San Juan of Unit 501, where the blast apparently occurred, was brought to the ICU in St Luke’s Taguig. He’s in stable condition. He was supposedly on his way out of the unit when the blast occurred.
Other injured victims were brought to St. Lukes Hospital as Allen Poole, US Citizen, 67; and who lives on the 6th floor of the building; Louise Lorenzo, nine-years-old, a passerby who was already discharged Friday night; Janette Bonjock, a minor who’s still at St Luke’s; and April Joy Garcia, 19, discharged Friday night.
Investigations also revealed that
Police found a used fire extinguisher in Unit 506, as well as indications of burn marks in Unit 306 during the initial investigation.
The CCTV footages in the building is being reviewed by authorities to determine the sequence of events before the explosion.
While the investigation is ongoing the Mckinley parkway was closed to motorists but the other areas across
According to Ayala Land Inc president Antonino Aquino, the lease contract of
Aquino said that the building has been evacuated and the residents are being taken care of and provided with lodging while the incident is being investigated.
He added that they will give a full cooperation to the authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
Meanwhile, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano expressed the readiness of the local government of Taguig to help the blast victims.
However, she urged the public to stay calm and help the authorities in their investigation and don’t fan any rumors that may cause panic among the residents of the city.
Aquino with Roxas, police and arson investigators, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation, forensics of the scene of the crime opertaives (Soco), the firemen from the Bureau of Fire Protection, engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways, and traffic enforcers from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were immediately in the vicinity of the Serendra Building B at Two Serendra in Bonifacio Global, Taguig, where the explosion happened.
Roxas said that the blast site — involving units on the fifth floor of Two Serendra in
Roxas immediately had urged the public not to speculate on the incident, pending result of the investigations.
Valte said on Friday the NBI, Soco, DPWH, Bureau of Fire Protection, AFP with their K-9 sniffing dogs were on the scene to aid in the investigation.
“So, the Presidfent has strict order to determine what really happened and the main source of the explosion, and the findings of the investigators, it must stand the scrutiny of anybody,” Valte said.
“The President also stressed there must be great cooperation between all the agencies who are there. As soon as possible, there must be a result and make sure the findings must be based on evidence gathered,” Valte added.
The Ayala Land Inc. in a press statement said: At around 8 p.m. on Friday, May 31, an exlosion occurred at Unit 501 of Building B at Two Serenedra, in
“The building has been evacuated and the residents are being taken care of and provided with lodging while the incident is being investigated,” the statement read.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said there must be a clarity on what really happened in Serendra explosion, expressing concerns that tourism industry could be affected.
Valte said Aquino instructed all the agencies who responded on the scene,”you have to share the technology and your expertise with all the other members of the investigating team.”
Valte said that Public Works Singson sent structural engineers and sanitary engineers to provide necessary assistance on the “investigation because at this point, you’re really looking at an entire universe of what possibly could have caused the explosion.”
The Serendra explosion is the second occurrence after the Glorietta which the authorities also downplayed as a bombing incident.
Serendra has a built-in system of liquified gas which is being probed as a possible source of the explosion.
Roxas called the indications that the explosion was not from a bomb “significant” but he said investigators have not ruled out anything. “Is it a bomb, gas leak or chemical explosion, we cannot say for sure,” he said.
Roxas was the one who clarified that only three people died in the incident. Roxas corrected the earlier statement issued by the National Disaster Risk Reducton and Management Council (NDRRMC) that there were already six fatalities in the blast.
Two Serendra building was fully evacuated after the explosion. Some of the occupants were transferred to the adjacent condos while others went back to their respective homes as they will be advice when to go back to the place.
Meanwhile, the police announced yesterday that some parts of McKinley Parkway in Taguig City are closed to traffic since debris from the explosion has not yet been cleared and investigators are still sifting through the evidence to ascertain what happened, authorities said.
However, all shopping malls in the area will still be open for business, officials said.
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