Zamboanga City police receive assault rifles

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Jun 19): Zamboanga City police receive assault rifles

THE Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) has received a boost in firepower and mobility in its fight against all forms of criminality and in maintaining peace and order here.

Mayor Celso Lobregat has turned over Wednesday some P5 million worth of high-powered rifles, thousands of ammunition, and two units of motorcycle to the ZCPO.

Zamboanga Peninsula police director Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño recieved the firearms comprising of 75 M4 assault rifles, 20,703 ammunition, 300 magazines, and motorcycles.

Of the 20,703 ammunition, 10,352 are for M-16 Armalite rifle and 10,351 for .9-mm pistol.

Vaño in turn, handed over the firearms, ammunition, and motorcycles to ZCPO officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo.

Lobregat said the firearms, ammunition and motorcycles, were purchased through the peace and order funds of the City Government. He said the provision of the assault rifles is part of the local government’s assistance to the ZCPO in the fight against all forms of criminality.

He added that the City Government has provided a total of 274 M4 rifles to the ZCPO since 2010, including 75 units turned over on Wednesday.

De Ocampo said the firearms will be distributed to different police stations under his command and priority will be given to the stations in the far-flung areas.

De Ocampo’s command has 11 police stations that have jurisdiction over this city’s 98 villages, including eight island villages.

He said the firearms and ammunition are a big boost to the firepower of his command. He also reminded the policemen under De Ocampo’s command to diligently follow their mandate.

Both Vaño and De Ocampo expressed gratitude to Lobregat for the purchase of the new assault rifles, motorcycles and ammunition.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2013/06/19/zamboanga-city-police-receive-assault-rifles-288207

Philippines sends fresh troops to disputed shoal

From the Sun Star-Manila (Jun 19): Philippines sends fresh troops to disputed shoal

The Philippines has deployed a fresh batch of marines and supplies to a shoal in the disputed South China Sea where a Chinese warship and surveillance vessels appeared last month and triggered a new standoff in the strategic waters, security officials said Wednesday.

The new contingent of Filipino marines replaced troops at the Second Thomas Shoal, where the arrival last month of Chinese ships sparked diplomatic protests by the Philippines.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the shoal lies within the Philippines' internationally recognized 200-nautical mile (370-kilometer) exclusive economic zone. China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own and last year took control of another shoal in the Philippines' economic zone, prompting Manila to seek UN arbitration.

The Filipino marines at the Second Thomas, known in the Philippines as Ayungin Shoal, have been stationed in a decrepit military hospital ship that ran aground in 1999 on the shallow coral outcrop and has since become an awkward symbol of Philippine sovereignty.

Gazmin said he had discussed the new Philippine deployment with Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing. Ma raised concerns that the Philippines was planning to erect concrete structures at the shoal to reinforce its territorial claim, but Gazmin said he had assured her there was no such plan.

Gazmin said he discussed the issue with Ma to prevent a possible confrontation between Chinese and Filipino forces, but stressed that the Philippines was free to undertake any activity in the shoal without notifying China.

"It's ours," Gazmin said by telephone.

Military chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista said at least two Chinese government ships in the vicinity of the shoal did not interfere when a Philippine vessel transported the troops and food and other supplies to Second Thomas Shoal.

"We don't have any problem as long as (they're) non-confrontational and there's no hampering of our movements," Bautista told reporters. "We're there to show our flag in our territories and we will continue to do that."

Gazmin said he discussed the tense situation at the shoal with visiting US security officials, including Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, at a Manila meeting Tuesday.
"They're really concerned and want to be sure that this will be resolved without use of force," Gazmin said.

The Second Thomas Shoal lies near the Spratlys, a chain of resource-rich islands, islets and reefs contested by China along with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. China and the Philippines figured in a monthslong standoff over another territory, Scarborough Shoal, which lies north of the Spratlys, in April last year.

Philippine ships later backed off from Scarborough, giving China effective control of the shoal.

China published a new map in January that included for the first time more than 130 islands and islets in the vast waters that were not featured in its previous maps.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2013/06/19/philippines-sends-fresh-troops-disputed-shoal-288227

CPP/NPA: Ka Vera

Posted to the PRWC Blog (Jun 19): Ka  Vera

 
 At 57 years old, Ka Vera is among the senior Red fighters of the New People's Army (NPA) in the Southern Tagalog region. Born of a peasant family, Ka Vera joined the NPA in the late 1980s and has fought countless battles. He looks forward to continue his service to the NPA as long as his body will permit or be assigned to some other tasks that will help in advancing the people's war.











http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2013/06/ka-vera.html

Sumagaysay to head 3rd ID

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 19): Sumagaysay to head 3rd ID

Brig. Gen. Jonas Sumagaysay will take over the command of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division as officer-in-charge at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, today.

This will be the second time that Sumagaysay, former 303rd Infantry Brigade commander in Negros Occidental, has been designated as 3ID general-officer-in-charge, since 2012.

Maj. Gen. Essen Soriano, vice-commander of the Philippine Army, is expected to officiate over the transfer of 3ID command from Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, who is retiring from the military service on June 20, to his deputy, Sumagaysay.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, regional military spokesman, yesterday said that there is no news yet, on who will be permanently designated as 3ID commander.

Sumagaysay had also served as 3ID general officer-in-charge in June 2012, when then Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, who is now the AFP chief of staff, was designated as the Philippine Army commanding general.

Before his latest position, Sumagaysay also served as the deputy commander of the AFP Central Command, commander of the Presidential Security Group and 303rd Infantry Brigade commanding officer, among others.

Sumagaysay, who is due for retirement next year, Bautista and Mabanta are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1981.

Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Armed Forces deputy chief of stafffor Operations, was reported earlier to have been recommended by the Board of Generals to command the 3ID.

The recommendation of BOG, however, is still subject to approval by the Department of National Defense and President Benigno Aquino III, who is the commander-in-chief.

The 3ID supervises the internal security operations in Negros and Panay islands.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/June/19/topstory8.htm

AFP: No talks for release of 5 kidnapped soldiers

From ABS-CBN (Jun 19): AFP: No talks for release of 5 kidnapped soldiers

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said no negotiations are ongoing for the release of five soldiers who were abducted by New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Davao City on Monday.

"We do not negotiate with this terrorist group that abducted our soldiers," said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala on Wednesday.

Zagala said the soldiers should be released without any condition if their captors are sincere in its drive to protect the community.

"We ask them (rebels) that if they are really concerned for the community that they are fighting for, they should release our soldiers who are helping that very community," he said.

"We are conducting operations to bring the perpetrators to justice and to rescue our personnel," he added.

Cpl. Emmanuel Quezon, Pfcs. Ronald Gura, Bernie Padilla and Donato Estandia, and Pvt. Marteniano Pasiagas Jr. were abducted by armed rebels wearing military uniforms at a roadblock in Paquibato district.

The soldiers were reportedly on their way to buy supplies for a feeding program when they were stopped.

A sixth soldier, identified as 1Lt. Neven Canitan, was able to escape.

The NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command claimed responsibility for the incident, saying it was the military's punishment "for continuing to encroach, settle and conduct psychological warfare and intelligence operations in all villages of Paquibato District."

"Under the guise of peace and development, the (military) has completely militarized the farmer and Lumad populace by regulating the movement of the civilian populace and abusing the masses," the NPA said in a statement.

Meanwhile, five civilian workers were killed in a separate rebel attack in Shenna Lyne Corp, a firm engaged in planting acacia mangium trees for paper production on Tuesday morning.

Zagala said soldiers have been deployed in Esperanza town in Agusan del Sur to pursue the rebels.

"The incident is not a form of armed struggle but an outright criminal act. Their armed struggle has degenerated to criminal acts which put innocent civilian lives in danger, and cause serious damage to their livelihood," said Zagala.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/19/13/afp-no-talks-release-5-kidnapped-soldiers

Kiamba Reverts to Islam held 3rd Closing Program

From the MILF Website (Jun 19): Kiamba Reverts to Islam held 3rd Closing Program



Madrasah Al – Emran located at Poblacion Kiamba, Sarangani Province, owned by the Baigan Family (Revert to Islam), held its 3rd Closing Ceremony on June 15, 2013. It was attended by parents, asatidz (plu. of ustadz) and community members who were elated seeing the pupils from kinder to grade 5 completing another year of studying Islamic education.
  

In the opening remark, Mohaladin Madayan, the Madrasah president, welcomed the parents and guests who attended the activity. He expressed happiness for the support shown by the parents and asatidz who contributed to the sustenance of Madrasah operation.

The students who excelled in their academic performance were recognized and awarded. To demonstrate what they have learned from their classes, some of the students presented the Arabic alphabet, read the Holy Qur-an; and others delivered Muhadarah (Islamic speeches).

One of the grade 1 students Maysara Baigan her Islamic name, an elementary teacher from Brgy. Kapate, Kiamba, Sarangani Province, expressed her strong will to learn Islam. Despite being a newly revert to Islam, she was able to deliver a Muhadarah.

She quoted the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), “Addunya sijnol mu’miniyn wa jannatul kafiriyn” which means: “This earth is a prison of the believers and a paradise of non-believers”.

The said hadith emphasized that the believers should act only according to the limitations imposed by Islam and not like other people who does what they want to do even beyond the limitations by the of law of God.

The guest speakers were the municipal secretary of Kiamba Committee on Da’wah and Masajid Affairs and a Regional staff of BDA Southmin Region, and the Provincial Chairman of Professional sector on Committee on Da’wah and Masajid Affairs from General Santos City.

The municipal secretary of Committee on Da’wah and Masajid Affairs pointed out that sharing the Islamic knowledge, giving Sadaqa Jariya (alms) and having devout offspring entail Muslim incessant reward from the grave to the day hereafter according to the prophet’s Muhammad sayings. He added some of the Holy Prophet’s teaching on how to develop a devout offspring and build good relationship between parents and

On the other hand, the Chairman of Professional Sector on Da’wah and Masajid Affairs reminded the audience on the importance of knowledge for a Muslim and stressed that “through this knowledge, faith to the Almighty will be concreted.” He urged the parents to continue supporting their children’s Islamic education.

Recently, the Madrasah Al-Emran and all the asatidz teaching therein were registered to the Office of the Committee on Tarbiya wat Ta’liym. This batch of revert to Islam students will continue their studies in the coming school year and expectedly, new reverts shall join them. A lot of non-Muslims in Mindanao and the island provinces are reverting to this religion knowing that Islam is the true religion acceptable to the Creator. Many revert to Islam who joined the religion many decades ago are now propagating the religion and engaged on da’wah programs. The also distribute pamphlets and other reading materials pertaining to Islam, Salah (prayer) at no cost.

http://www.luwaran.com/

ILO and BDA-SouthMin hold exploratory meeting for livelihood project

From the MILF Website (Jun 19): ILO and BDA-SouthMin hold exploratory meeting for livelihood project

Executives from the United Nations-International Labor Organization (UN-ILO) held an exploratory meeting with the regional staffs of Bangsamoro Development Agency-Southern Mindanao Regional Office (BDA-SouthMin) for a possible implementation of livelihood projects in the conflict-affected areas of Southern Mindanao.
  

In the meeting held at BDA-SouthMin Office in General Santos City on June 5, 2016, ILO Chief Technical Adviser Rahaman Omar and ILO National Project Coordinator Bernardo R. Roa IV briefed the staff of the BDA-SouthMin about the Programme for Local Economic Development through Enhanced Governance and Grassroots Empowerment (PLEDGE).

Roa said ILO will formalize Program Partnership Agreement with BDA by June 18 this year before PLEDGE will commence. There will be staff deployed in the selected BDA Regional Offices to handle the project with the assistance of BDA Regional staffs.

BDA-SouthMin Regional Manager Mohalikin D. Piang divulged that his staff are definitely capacitated and have been facilitating community capability-building trainings as part of the social preparation for projects implemented by BDA with partners like the World Bank led Mindanao Trust Fund Reconstruction and Development Program (MTFRDP) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supported Community Development in Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD CAAM).

The two ILO representatives said PLEDGE will focus on project that has higher potential of generating employment.

“Can we transform the community? Can the community generate revenue out of the project?” Rahaman asked.
 
Roa said it is important to put value chain in the raw products from target communities. The BDA Regional Staff mentioned fishes, coconuts, corn and Cardava banana as the primary products coming from the region.

They also divulged there are very few Bangsamoro who produce coco-sugar being exported with the assistance of concerned government agencies.

Piang disclosed that most of Bangsamoro farmers are merely producers. “Farmers here plant rice, harvest then sell it. After few weeks, they will buy rice in the market for their consumption,” he said.

Regional Manager Piang realized there is indeed need for paradigm shift among the members of Bangsamoro communities “in order to become producers of value-added products and not merely raw products.”

“Putting value like quality packaging to the product will increase its marketability and profit,” Rahaman pointed out.

He exampled coffee bean which is sold to farm product buyers at PhP 80 per kilo “once you roast it, put in a good packaging, then you can sell it for a higher price.” 

“There will be inputs of money and training and in the end of the process, there will be new products,” Rahaman explained.

Piang hoped SouthMin will also be selected to implement PLEDGE. Roa said the program will be implemented in 12 communities from three towns in Mindanao.

“We came here to know what you are doing in the project implementations with your partners,” Rahaman said. He added the BDA central management has the discretion to select communities where to implement PLEDGE.
 http://www.luwaran.com/

AFP still performing tasks despite Chinese presence off Ayungin

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 19): AFP still performing tasks despite Chinese presence off Ayungin

Despite the presence of two Chinese surveillance vessels off Ayungin Shoal, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is still able to perform its mandated tasks and activities.

"We (are still able) to perform our routine activities not just in Ayungin Shoal but also in our other islands," AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said.

These tasks include the transport of relief soldiers to Philippine-owned portions of the Spratlys and resupply of the latter.

"We do that (resupply and rotation of soldiers) on a regular basis," he stated.

Bautista stressed that the last rotation of personnel and resupply mission only took place early this month.

The AFP chief also added that they did not experience any blockade or interference from the Chinese.

He stressed that the AFP will remain non-confrontational as long as the Chinese presence do not hamper their movements.

"As long as they don't hamper our movements, we don't see a problem," the AFP chief, adding that the presence of the military in the area is show that it is owned by the Philippines.

He added that they will continue this showing of the flag mission to show to the world that the area is under the jurisdiction of the country.

And since the Philippines is advocating the use of diplomacy in resolving the disputes in the Spratlys, Bautista said the AFP is adopting a non-confrontational stance since it does not want any conflict with other claimants.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=535903

Military, MMC inks MOA to upgrade AFP Medical Center

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 19): Military, MMC inks MOA to upgrade AFP Medical Center

In line with its effort to provide adequate health care to its 120,000 members and their dependents, the Armed Forces and the Makati Medical Center Wednesday signed a a memorandum of agreement which will strengthen the professional competency, and innovate the AFP Medical Center.

The signing was done at AFP general headquarters conference room in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Signing the MOA were AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista and MMC Foundation chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, FPMC commanding general, Brig. Gen. Normando T. Sta. Ana Jr., AFP surgeon general, Brig. Gen. Joselito P. Avanceña, MMC Foundation vice president, Judy Araneta Roxas, and MMC Foundation president, Victor L. Gisbert, MD.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP public affairs office chief, said the MOA is part of the "public-private partnership" the government has with private entities.

It is also a concrete response of the MMC Foundation to the challenges of delivering quality health care services to the military health sector.

Its goal is to assist public military hospitals in developing a sustainable and strategic organizational and operational management plan as well as professional competency.

Under this program, both AFPMC and MMC will share technical resources and allow the latter to open its hospital facilities to conferences, workshops, training sessions, coaching and mentoring sessions.

These will be provided by the MMC for all AFPMC management staff, residents, and doctors for free.

Zagala added that the trainings, interventions, and lessons learned will then be echoed by the AFPMC to other concerned military hospital staff from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and Philippine Marines.

This agreement will be conducted over a period of one year upon the approval of the Secretary of National Defense, Voltaire Gazmin.

The AFP is thankful to the MMC Foundation for its assistance to the AFP Medical Center. This agreement is a concrete example of the ‘whole-of-nation’ and ‘multi-stakeholder’ principles of the IPSP Bayanihan.

With this, the military will be able to deliver quality healthcare and medical services to patients confined at the AFPMC.

The AFP for its part will continue to execute tangible and transparent projects to improve the current situation of the AFPMC for the benefit of its patients.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=535889

AFP slams rebels for brutal Agusan Del Sur attack

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 19): AFP slams rebels for brutal Agusan Del Sur attack

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan on Wednesday scored the New People's Army (NPA) rebels for their brazen attack on "agro-forestry" corporation in in Sitio Kamarangan, Barangay Milagros, Esperanza town, Agusan Del Sur, which resulted in the death of five people Tuesday morning.

“The incident is not a form of armed struggle but an outright criminal act. Their armed struggle has degenerated to criminal acts which put innocent civilian lives in danger, and causes serious damage to their livelihood,” Tutaan stressed.

He added that this attack by the NPA is a heinous crime, and violates human rights, Republic Act 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law), and International Humanitarian Law.

"These atrocious violations are what the people of Agusan have been clamoring for the NPA to end," the AFP spokesperson pointed out.

In a report by the 4th Infantry Division , more or less 40 armed men believed to be members of the NPA put ablaze the heavy equipment owned by the Shannalyne Corporation around 9: 30 a.m. Tuesday.

The latter was reportedly hired by the Esperanza local government unit for the land preparation in the planting of Acacia Mangium trees over a land awarded through the certificate of ancestral domain title granted to the Higaonons in the area.

Aside from this, the rebels killed five civilians, including an elderly pastor.

Tutaan said that two infantry companies of the 26th Infantry Battalion are now conducting pursuit operations against the rebels.

While another infantry company presently consolidated at 402nd Infantry Brigade in Bancasi, Butuan City was alerted to reinforce the pursuing troops. 


Likewise, two UH-1H "Huey" helicopters that are pre-positioned at TOG-10 headquarters in Lumbia Airport in Cagayan De Oro City were dispatched to facilitate aerial troop insertion.


http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=535913

Army deploys air support to ground forces in Agusan pursuing NPA rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 19): Army deploys air support to ground forces in Agusan pursuing NPA rebels

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City -- The military has deployed helicopter gunships to cover the Army’s ground forces in hot pursuit of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the mountains of Agusan Del Sur, a military officer said on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Leo E. Bongosia, spokesperson of the Army’s Fourth Infantry Division, said that some 50 fully-armed NPA rebels on Tuesday morning stormed the Shannalyne Incorporated, a Singaporean-owned corporation in Barangay Hawilian in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

He said the rebels killed five civilians who served as unarmed watchmen of the compound before burning five heavy equipment units that include a bulldozer and a tractor.

The names of the victims were not immediately available, Bongosia added.

Bongosia said, the military has deployed ground forces backed by helicopter gunships in pursuing the rebels who fled toward the mountainous areas of Agusan del Sur after the attacked.

He said that the NPA waged a punitive action of the company for its alleged failure to pay the “revolutionary taxes” demanded by the communist insurgents.

The Shannalyne Incorporation, a non-government organization developed a large portion of the land in Esperanza by cultivating Acacia Mangium, a plantation species trees, whose raw materials is use for currency notes.

Bongosia said that the local government of Esperanza supported the corporation since it has constructed roads and other community-based projects that benefited the tribal natives in the area.

He said the firm is employing more than 200 members of the tribal community in Agusan del Sur since it started operation in the area two years ago.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=535900

IED blast kills boy, hurts parents, siblings in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 19): IED blast kills boy, hurts parents, siblings in Sultan Kudarat

Cotabato City - A 10-year-old boy was killed while his parents and siblings were hurt when unidentified men planted and set off an improvised explosive device Wednesday dawn, the Army said.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, identified the fatality as Mohid Ambolodto who died from shrapnel wounds.

Wounded were the boy’s parents, Daud Ambolodto, 40, and wife Wahida, 40, and his two siblings, Moad, 14 and six-year-old Haider, were injured in the explosion.

The victims, all farmers, were rushed to a hospital in Cotabato City.

Hermoso said investigation showed that the victims were all asleep when two men crawled underneath their nipa hut, planted an improvised explosive device and hurriedly left.

From a distance, the suspects set off the IED using an ignition device attached to a pair of long electrical wires at about 4 a.m.

Hermoso said the Army is helping the police in determining the motive of the attack which initially was believed to be land dispute.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=535976

Soldiers hunt suspects in death of 5 men, burning of equipment

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 19): Soldiers hunt suspects in death of 5 men, burning of equipment

Soldiers under the 4th Infantry Division launched pursuit operation against 40 heavily armed men responsible for the killing of five persons and the burning of heavy equipment at Kilometer Sitio 4-Marangan, Barangay Remedios, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur 9:30 am on Tuesday.

Capt. Severino David, deputy commander and spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, identified the victims as Buklit Cosan a former militia, Felipe Hadraque, a former soldiers and three other civilians namely Datu Mankurente, Remy Pulintan, and alias Jun-jun.

He said the perpetrators also razed a heavy equipment reportedly owned by the Shannalyne Corporation that was hired by Esperanza Local Government Unit for the land preparation in the planting of Acacia Mangium trees over a land awarded through the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) granted to the Higaonons in the area.

David said soldiers backed up by military choppers are pursuing the rebels.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=536053

Gov't pays tribute to Rizal on 152nd birth anniv

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 19): Gov't pays tribute to Rizal on 152nd birth anniv

The Aquino government is paying tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal, through the social media, in commemoration of the 152nd birth anniversary of the country's national hero .

"June 19, 2013 is the 152nd birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Today, the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) pays tribute to his life, works, and achievements through an online commemoration in the Presidential Museum and Library website, and its attached social media accounts in Facebook and Tumblr," PCDSPO Secretary Ramon Carandang said in a statement during the regular briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday.

"We encourage all to participate in this observance by using the hashtag: #Rizal152. This page features the continuation of PCDSPO’s digital colorization project, with three new archival photographs digitally rendered in color," Carandang said.

"Also featured is Rizal’s celebrated toast to the painters Juan Luna and Felix Resurrección Hidalgo, published in the original Spanish and in the English translation, with a recording by Audie Gemora," he said.

Born on June 19, 1861, José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda became the most prominent Filipino nationalist for advocating reforms through peaceful means rather than by violent revolution in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.

Rizal was the seventh of eleven children and belonged to a wealthy family in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila and graduated Bachelor of Arts. He took up medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas.

Rizal traveled alone to Madrid, Spain, where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid and earned the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He also enrolled at the University of Paris and earned a second doctorate at the University of Heidelberg.

Aside from being conversant in at least 10 languages, Rizal was a poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist. His most famous works were his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

As a prominent political figure, Rizal was the founder of La Liga Filipina in 1892, a civic organization that subsequently led to the organization of the Kataastaasang, Kagalanggalang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan led by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo.

Rizal’s execution on December 30, 1896 made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=536065

NPA warns army: Don't rescue abducted troops

From Rappler (Jun 19): NPA warns army: Don't rescue abducted troops



ENDING CEASEFIRE. NPA guerillas somewhere in Compostela Valley during the celebration of the 44th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines last December 26. Photo by Karlos Manlupig



DAVAO CITY, Philippines - A New People's Army (NPA) commander warned the government on Wednesday, June 19, that military and rescue operations would put at risk the lives of 5 soldiers recently abducted by communist rebels guerillas in this city.

"Further intensification of military operations in [the] Davao City hinterlands under the cover of pursuit and rescue operations will only endanger the lives of the POWs [prisoners of war]," said Leoncio "Ka Parago" Pitao, commander of the NPA's 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion.

The NPA said soldiers under the 103rd Brigade launched massive military operations even before the capture of the soldiers to "pave the way, among others, for large-scale mining operations."

Pitao declared the NPA is indeed holding 5 captives from the Philippine Army: Cpl Emmanuel Quezon, Pfc Vernie Padilla, Pvt Marteniano Pasigas, Pfc Ronald Gura and Pfc Donato Estandian.

The soldiers and their officer, 1Lt Neven Canitan, were traveling aboard motorcycles in Barangay Mapula in Paquibato District on Monday afternoon, June 17, when they were waylaid by the rebels.

The rebels were in military fatigues, manning a checkpoint, according to Col Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the military's 5th civil relations group. Lt Canitan sensed something suspicious when he saw the checkpoint, so he jumped off the motorcycle and fled.

Pitao mocked Canitan for escaping. "The troops’ ranking officer, 1Lt. Neven Canitan, cowardly abandoned his men and evaded the NPA checkpoint," Pitao said.

Three .45 caliber pistols and one hand grenade were confiscated from the captives, Pitao said.

"The NPA’s active counter-intelligence and subsequent operations were meant to punish the AFP units, particularly the Civil Military Operations (CMO)-10th ID under Maj. Jake Obligado for continuing to encroach [on and]....conduct psychological warfare and intelligence operations in all villages of Paquibato District," Pitao said.

"Under the guise of 'peace and development,' the CMO along with the 69th IB has completely militarized the farmer and Lumad populace by regulating the movement of the civilian populace and abusing the masses," added Pitao.

The NPA commander accused the military of arresting and killing civilians and harassing families of NPA rebels.

Bandits, not rebels

Maj Obligado fought back, saying that the rebels were getting desperate. In a statement sent to Rappler, Obligado said: "These bandits worsen poverty. The NPAs prevent the government and allied workers from delivering basic services that are much needed by the masses."

He added: "They no longer deserve to be called rebels. They are plain and simple bandits."

Pitao said the captured soldiers are "undergoing investigation for possible serious human rights violations, violations of International Humanitarian Law and crimes versus the people." The rebels will ensure the "safety of its captives," Pitao said.

Paquibato District is a known rebel bailiwick. Pitao himself is a household name here. His daughter Rebelyn, a teacher of St. Peter's College in Davao City, was abducted, sexually abused and murdered allegedly by soldiers last March 2009.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/31677-npa-warns-army-don-t-rescue-abducted-troops

Padilla out? Aquino abandoning peace process – Bayan

From Rappler (Jun 19): Padilla out? Aquino abandoning peace process – Bayan



MOVING OUT: Alexander Padilla, head of the government peace panel negotiating with the NDF. File photo



The Leftist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) assailed President Benigno Aquino III for abandoning the peace talks with communist rebels, with the appointment of chief government negotiator Alexander Padilla to the state health insurance agency Philhealth.

Secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr said the President should explain how the government is going to pursue the peace process given this development.

 

It's not clear if Padilla will keep both posts but he told Rappler he is "frustrated and disappointed." He wants out of the peace process. (READ: Gov't peace panel head wants out)

 

"The appointment of Alex Padilla as Philhealth chief, concurrent with his role as peace negotiator, is the logical result of the Aquino regime's abandonment of the peace process," Reyes wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday, June 19.

 

Bayan is identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The government is negotiating with its political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF).
 

"Since Padilla won't be doing much now that the Aquino government has closed the door to peace talks with the NDF, why not give him the post he always wanted?"

Reyes added. He said Padilla has always eyed the Philhealth post.

 

Philhealth is critical in Aquino's universal healthcare program. The agency with get a bulk of the proceeds from the new sin tax law to implement Aquino's ambitious program.

 

Reyes said Aquino should explain how he wants to proceed with the peace process. "The so-called localized peace talks are doomed from the start since the NDF will not engage in these talks," he said.

 

"So anu plano ni Noynoy? Oplan Bayanihan pa rin?! (What is the plan of President Aquino? Will he continue Oplan Bayanihan?)," Reyes added.

 

Both the government and the NDF have issued strongly worded statements accusing each other of being insincere in pursuing the peace talks.

 

Government said it wants a "new approach" to the peace talks. NDF dismissed localized peace talks, saying it's government's way to divide the communist rebels.

 

NDF spokesperson also accused peace negotiator Ging Deles of sabotaging the talks.

Peace talks between the government and the NDF have been stalled since 2004.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/31683-padilla-aquino-peace-process-bayan

US appeals to PH: Keep peacekeepers in Golan Heights

From Rappler (Jun 19): US appeals to PH: Keep peacekeepers in Golan Heights

Worried about the plight of Golan Heights, US Secretary of State John Kerry has appealed to the Philippines not to withdraw its peacekeepers from there, even as most of their counterparts from other countries have left.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario disclosed Kerry's appeal on Wednesday, June 19, as the Philippines studies whether to withdraw its 341 peacekeepers from the strife-torn area.

In a press conference, Del Rosario said Kerry called him to say that if Philippine peacekeepers leave, “this of course would create a vacuum in the Golan Heights.”

“They're saying that that situation, if that occurs, will create maximum volatility in the area,” the foreign affairs chief explained.

Without divulging details, he said United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon also spoke with him twice about Golan Heights.

On Kerry's fears, Del Rosario said the Philippines believes “this is possibly the case.”

He said President Benigno Aquino III discussed this with the DFA, and the DFA had recommended sending an assessment team to Golan Heights. The assessment team left last Friday, June 14.

The Philippines commits to keeping its troops in Golan Heights until August 3, Del Rosario said. Whether it will remain there beyond that date, according to him, will depend on the assessment team's findings.

“Depending on the environment there, if there's no appreciable increase in the risk exposures by that time, we may even consider adding to our contingent,” Del Rosario explained.

'We want to help,' but...

Earlier, Aquino urged the UN to provide more security to its Golan Heights peacekeeping force.

"We want to help. But if we are asked to perform something that is impossible, what is the use of staying there? Our assessment is that we can no longer accomplish the mission,” Aquino said in an interview on June 11.

The Filipino peacekeepers belong to the United Nations Disengagement Observers Force (UNDOF), which has monitored the Syrian side of the armistice line since 1974.

Syrian rebels have targeted peacekeepers in recent months, raising fears that countries with UNDOF peacekeepers will bring their forces home.

One of the biggest incidents involving Filipino peacekeepers happened in March, when rebels kidnapped 21 of them. Last June 6, a Filipino peacekeeper was wounded, prompting the Philippine government to reconsider its troops' presence in Golan Heights.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/31690-us-ph-peacekeepers-appeal

MVP, AFP chief sign pact to improve services of prime hospital for soldiers

From InterAksyon (Jun 19): MVP, AFP chief sign pact to improve services of prime hospital for soldiers



Makati Medical Center Foundation chairman Manny V. Pangilinan shakes the hand of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enhance the delivery of services of the AFP Medical Center. JAIME SINAPIT, INTERAKSYON.COM

Industrialist Manuel V. Pangilinan and the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday signed an agreement to improve and expand the services of the country’s prime hospital for soldiers, the AFP Medical Center in V. Luna, Quezon City.

Pangilinan, chairman of the Makati Medical Center (MMC) Foundation, signed the Memorandum of Agreement with AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista in simple rites at Camp Aguinaldo.

“The MOA paves the way for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program to strengthen the professional competency of, and innovates the AFP Medical Center,” Bautista said.

Also present at the ceremony were MMC Foundation Vice President Judy Araneta-Roxas and MMC Foundation President, Dr. Victor L. Gisbert. Both signed as witnesses to the MOA.

“The PPP Program is a concrete response of the MMC Foundation to the challenges of delivering quality health care services to the military health sector. Its goal is to assist public military hospitals in developing a sustainable and strategic organizational and operational management plan as well as professional competency,” Bautista said.

The program allows both AFPMC and MMC to share technical resources and open their hospital facilities to conferences, workshops, training sessions, coaching and mentoring sessions. The MMC will provide these for free to all AFPMC management staff, residents and doctors.

Bautista thanked the MMC Foundation, expressing hope that “with this, the AFP will be able to deliver quality healthcare and medical services to patients confined at the AFPMC. The AFP for its part will continue to execute tangible and transparent projects to improve the current situation of the AFPMC for the benefit of its patients.”
The AFPMC will echo the training and interventions obtained from MMC to other military hospital staff from the Philippine Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.

(Manny V. Pangilinan is the chairman of TV5, of which InterAksyon.com is the online news portal.)

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/64421/mvp-afp-chief-sign-pact-to-improve-services-of-prime-hospital-for-soldiers

CPP/NPA: NPA declares 5 arrested 60th IB troops as Prisoners of war

From the CPP Website (Jun 19): NPA declares 5 arrested 60th IB troops as Prisoners of war

Leoncio Pitao (Kumander Parago)
Spokesperson
Southern Mindanao 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion (1st Pulang Bagani Battalion)

The 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion of the New People’s Army (NPA)-in Southern Mindanao Region is holding as Prisoners of war five members of the 60th Infantry Battalion-1003rd Brigade-10th Infantry Division-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) namely, Cpl. Emmanuel Quezon (Serial No. 827510), Pfc. Vernie Padilla (SN 898234), Pvt. Marteniano Pasigas (SN 901766), Pfc. Ronald Gura (SN 898248) and Pfc. Donato Estandian (SN 893670).

The troops’ ranking official, 1Lt. Neven Canitan, cowardly abandoned his men and evaded the NPA checkpoint that was held on June 17 at 3 PM in Bangkaan, Paquibato Proper, Davao City. Three .45 caliber pistols and one hand grenade were confiscated from the captives.

The NPA’s active counter-intelligence and subsequent operations were meant to punish the AFP units, particularly the Civil Military Operations (CMO)-10th ID under Maj. Jake Obligado for continuing to encroach, settle and conduct psychological warfare and intelligence operations in all villages of Paquibato District. Under the guise of “peace and development,” the CMO along with the 69th IB has completely militarized the farmer and Lumad populace by regulating the movement of the civilian populace and abusing the masses. Human rights violations committed by military units under the 1003rd Bde in Paquibato and other hinterland villages in Davao City and Davao del Norte included the arrest of civilians, red tagging of peasant leaders, harassment of family members of NPA Red fighters, killing of one Elias Acero, a civilian, and wounding of unarmed other civilian last April 8, and killing of civilian Ramirez Esdang in Malabog last December.

The fascist AFP has slyly employed anti-ambush methods by using two-wheel transport and masquerading as innocent service providers with civilian clothes and lack of high-powered firearms. Again, as in many of its twisted pronouncements in the past, the military has used the worn-out excuse that their troops were attacked or accosted by the NPA when the former were engaged in harmless chores like marketing. The AFP’s alibi is merely a pretext of the deceptive and brutal character of the US-Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan (OPB).

Even prior to the June 17 NPA arrest, the 84th IB, 69th IB and 60th IB units under the 1003rd Bde have already unleashed its fascist brigade-wide operations in Paquibato District to pave the way, among others, for large-scale mining operations. Further intensification of the military operations in Davao City hinterlands under the cover of pursuit and rescue operations will only endanger the lives of the POWs.

The POWs are currently undergoing investigation for possible serious human rights violations, violations of International Humanitarian Law and crimes versus the people that they may have committed in the course of their participation in the counterrevolutionary OPB and as elements of the reactionary armed force. The NPA custodial force will continue to take active defensive stance to protect its troops while ensuring the safety of its captives.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130619_npa-declares-5-arrested-60th-ib-troops-as-prisoners-of-war

5 captured soldiers face rebel court in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 19): 5 captured soldiers face rebel court in Southern Philippines

The New People’s Army rebels on Wednesday mocked an army officer abandoned his soldiers to escape capture in Davao City in southern Philippines.

Communist rebels captured 5 soldiers, who are members of the 60th Infantry Battalion, at a checkpoint in Paquibato district.

Rebel leader Leoncio Pitao, also known by his nom de geurre Ka Parago, has branded First Lieutenant Neven Canitan as a coward, who abandoned the soldiers just to save himself.

Canitan was travelling with the soldiers on two motorcycle taxis when rebels seized the infantrymen on June 17. Canitan jumped off from his taxi upon seeing the NPA checkpoint and escaped, leaving behind his troops who were eventually captured.

Pitao said they also seized from the soldiers three .45-caliber pistols and a hand grenade.

He said the soldiers are being held as prisoners of war and are being investigated by the NPA for their role in the military’s notorious anti-insurgency campaign in Mindanao that have killed innocent civilians suspected of aiding or supporting the rebel group.

The prisoners have been identified by the military as Corporal Emmanuel Quezon, Private First Class Ronald Gura, Bernie Padilla, Donato Estandia and Private Marteniano Pasiagas, Jr. – all members of the 60th Infantry Battalion.

“The POWs are currently undergoing investigation for possible serious human rights violations, violations of International Humanitarian Law and crimes versus the people that they may have committed in the course of their participation in the counterrevolutionary Oplan Bantay Laya and as elements of the reactionary armed force,” Pitao said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said the capture of the army soldiers is part of the NPA’s counter-intelligence operations aimed at punishing military units, particularly the 10th Infantry Division, accused of human rights violations, murders of civilians and tribesmen, and harassment of peasants in Davao.

“Under the guise of (the military’s) peace and development (program), the Civil Military Operations completely militarized the farming and Lumad (indigenous tribe) populace by regulating the movement of the civilian populace and abusing the masses,” he said.

Pitao said even prior to the capture of the soldiers, the army have launched a widespread operations involving three battalions - the 84th, 69th and 60th -  in Paquibato district to pave the way for large-scale mining activities, among others.

The military has strongly denied all Pitao’s allegations, saying the NPA was behind many human rights violations and other criminal activities such as murders and extortion activities in Davao.

Lt. Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 69th Infantry Battalion, said troops were sent to track down the rebels and their hostages.

“We still have no reports about the kidnapped soldiers, but our operations are continuing,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Pasaporte said the soldiers are part of a peace and development group which is in-charge of a forthcoming feeding program for grade school students in Paquibato district.

He said the feeding program, which is to begin in July 1 in Paquibato, is in partnership with the global volunteer organization Kiwanis International and other stakeholders. It was not immediately how the arrest of the soldiers would affect the humanitarian program.

Pitao has warned that any attempt to rescue the soldiers would only endanger their lives. “Further intensification of the military operations in Davao City hinterlands under the cover of pursuit and rescue operations will only endanger the lives of the POWs,” he said.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country.

Government peace talks with the rebels have been on and off with both accusing each other reneging on many agreements, including demands by the communist group for Manila to release all political prisoners languishing in jails across the country.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/06/5-captured-soldiers-face-rebel-court-in.html