NUJP calls for release of kidnapped Fil-Moroccan filmmakers

From Rappler (Jun 23): NUJP calls for release of kidnapped Fil-Moroccan filmmakers

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chapter in Zamboanga City has called on security forces and local officials to "coordinate and move for the safe and speedy release" of the Fil-Moroccan sisters who were kidnapped on June 22.
The kidnapping "stains further the image of the Philippines as the most dangerous country for media workers to operate on," the NUJP said in a statement on Sunday, June 23.

Sisters Nadjova and Linda Abdelbasit, both indie filmmakers, were kidnapped by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Barangay Liangm Patikul, Sulu, on Saturday.

Initial media reports showed they are Fil-Algerians, but the source issued a correction on Sunday, June 23. "They are Filipino-Moroccans who are Tausug. Their late father was an imam. They grew up in Zamboanga but live in Manila," the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

The kidnappers, who were identified as part of the kidnap-for-ransom group's Lucky Nine Group, fled with their victims toward Sitio Kanjimaw, through Barangay Tugas, in Patikul.

The police report on their case did not identify them as filmmakers or as visitors in Sulu.

In the statement, NUJP said the kidnapped filmmakers traveled to Sulu to take footages for an upcoming film. They previously produced the first film on the sea gypsies in Mindanao.

Nadjova took up film studies at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and works for Amnesty International. Her film Bohe, Sons of the Waves ("bohe" is Tausug for "water") earned her a nomination for the Gawad Urian and Cinemalaya Awards.

"We respectfully call on the Philippine national government not to allow this incident to be another demonstration of its helplessness in addressing the roots of the social conflict in Sulu. Instead let its immediate action towards the Bansil sisters’ freedom from their captors, young orphaned sons of the Abu Sayyaf Group members, be an initial manifestation of the GPH’s efforts to address the structural and cultural violence that have long been inflicted upon those in these conflict areas," the group said in its statement.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/31982-nujp-release-kidnapped-fil-moroccan-filmmakers

Soldiers turn teachers in Alabang

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 24): Soldiers turn teachers in Alabang

Select Army personnel will temporarily trade their guns for chalk and other teaching materials this year to take on a different role as teachers to former street children.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes on Sunday said 25 personnel belonging to the Army’s Civil-Military Operations Group had undergone formal training as members of the first batch of the soldiers-as-teachers program dubbed as “Pinoy Batang Bayani.”

For the next nine months, he said the soldiers would handle pilot classes and teach Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) to rescued street children staying at Tuloy Foundation Inc. (TFI) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

According to Coballes, the program is part of the military’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, the Armed Forces’ anti-insurgency blueprint.

“[The soldiers] will share their expertise in imbibing the spirit of nationalism and love of country among these children every Tuesday and Thursday… for the duration of the current school year,” the Army chief said in a statement.

The program will be formally launched on Monday at the foundation’s center, which is home to close to 1,000 former street children.

“Chosen subjects to be taught are aimed to instill discipline, values formation and character development that will reinforce the spirit of patriotism, love of country and nationalism through classroom instruction,” Coballes said.

He said the classroom discussions would be “complemented by outdoor activities that will enhance the use of their imagination by the street children.”

Coballes expressed confidence the Army’s “unique undertaking and partnership” with TFI would “contribute to the fulfillment of the goals of IPSP Bayanihan.”

He said TFI’s “Aral Program” had been approved by the Department of Education to provide “in-house, nonformal education classes” using the Alternative Learning System modules.

Fr. Rocky Evangelista, TFI founder and president, said the foundation’s joint project with the Army was “envisioned to be a model template” for other nongovernment organizations involved in youth rehabilitation and education.

“[Providing education to] street children with varied upbringing [and] experiences… needs order, discipline and direction. Hence, the military’s unique disciplinary practices [would help us] realize the TFI’s vision and mission of keeping the rescued street children off the streets for good and transforming them into responsible and contributing members of society,” Evangelista said.

“[The] foundation’s comprehensive program [aims] to empower these children so they can regain their self-worth, self-dignity and self-respect,” he added.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/431659/soldiers-turn-teachers-in-alabang

Reef grounding: SC orders US to explain

From the Philippine Star (Jun 24): Reef grounding: SC orders US to explain

The Supreme Court (SC) has acted on the petition filed by a multisectoral group in April seeking higher penalties for and criminal prosecution of US Navy officers and crew of the USS Guardian, which ran aground on Tubbataha Reef last January.

The SC has asked the US government to answer the petition that named as respondents Scott Swift, commander of the US Seventh Fleet, and Mark Rice, commanding officer of the Guardian.

A member of the high court confirmed to The STAR over the weekend that a letter has been sent to the US embassy in Manila for this purpose.

“The US embassy has been notified that they must file a comment on the petition, among others, to pay a fine for the destruction of the World Heritage Site and for illegal entry into a protected site,” the insider said.

The insider, who asked not be named, said the US government’s response would serve as a test case if the US will even pay attention to it or invoke international treaties or laws,” the source stressed.

Apart from the US embassy, the SC also sought comments from Malacañang, Cabinet members and officials of the military to the petition for writ of Kalikasan filed by two Catholic bishops, environmentalists, activists and lawyers.

The SC, however, did not immediately issue a temporary environment protection order (TEPO) on the UNESCO world heritage site sought by petitioners.

The month-long recess of justices intended for writing of decisions delayed the action on the case. The high court resumed session last June 4.

In a 90-page petition filed last April 17, the group asked the SC to assess the damage caused to the reef by the grounding of the Guardian.

Apart from issuance of the writ and TEPO, they also sought a determination of the fine to be imposed on the US Navy and the prosecution of the officers of the Guardian.

Petitioners are also asking the SC to order a stop to US war games and port calls by US ships in the absence of clear guidelines on environmental protection under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

The filing came exactly three months after the USS Guardian, a minesweeper of the US Navy, got stuck in the corals in Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO heritage site.

The last section of the ship was removed last March 29 and more than 2,000 square meters of reef were assessed to have been damaged by the warship.

This is the first time foreign troops have been named respondents in a petition for writ of Kalikasan.

The petition cited, in general, the violation of the right to a balanced and healthful ecology and Republic Act No. 10067 (Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009).
The petitioners include Bishop Pedro Arigo of Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Bishop Deogracias Iniguez Jr., Bishop-Emeritus of Caloocan; Quimpo, Clemente Bautista Jr. of Kalikasan-Pne; Maria Carolina Araullo and Renato Reyes Jr. of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan); Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares; Roland Simbulan of Junk VFA Movement; Teresita Perez; Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino; Peter Gonzales of Pamalakaya; Giovanni Tapang, Agham; Elmer Labog, Kilusang Mayo Uno; Joan May Salvador, Gabriela; Jose Enrique Africa; Theresa Concepcion; Mary Joan Guan; Nestor Baguinon, and public interest lawyer Edsel Tupaz.

Bayan, together with other petitioners, are seeking a fine for the US that is 12 times the initial estimate of the Philippine government.

Comparing valuations in the 2009 grounding of the USS Port Royal in Hawaii, the petitioners said the just and reasonable compensation for the damage to Tubbataha is between $16.8 million and $27 million, a far cry from the $1.4 million Philippine government estimate.

Four years ago under similar circumstances, they said the US Navy paid the state of Hawaii a total of $15 million for restoration and settlement for damage to an Oahu reef, which while larger than Tubbataha, has not been identified as a world heritage site.

Petitioners pointed out Tubbataha’s biodiversity concentration is 2.3 times more than that of the Hawaii reef.

As for their call for prosecution, petitioners said the US Navy cannot invoke immunity under the VFA.

They also believe that the US war games and port calls by US warships pose a threat to the environment, especially since there are no clear guidelines under the VFA.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/06/24/957437/reef-grounding-sc-orders-us-explain

PHL Air Force resumes search for military plane gone missing in Palawan

From GMA News (Jun 24): PHL Air Force resumes search for military plane gone missing in Palawan

Search operations resumed Monday morning for a Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco light strike/reconnaissance aircraft that went missing Sunday, during a night proficiency flight .

PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said that the OV-10 aircraft went missing three to four nautical miles from the end of the runway of Puerto Princesa Airport in Palawan.

Okol described Sunday night 's weather conditions in the area as "favorable."

He also told dzBB radio that the Navy and the Coast Guard were joining the search.

Okol added that  the missing aircraft was equipped with a tracking system.

OV-10s are used as close air support aircraft for ground troops. They are also used for maritime patrol.

"Ang concern natin sa piloto," Okol said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/314205/news/regions/phl-air-force-resumes-search-for-military-plane-gone-missing-in-palawan

PHL Air Force searches for military plane gone missing in Palawan

From GMA News (Jun 24): PHL Air Force searches for military plane gone missing in Palawan

A Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco light strike/reconnaissance aircraft went missing Sunday over Palawan, GMA 7 program “Unang Hirit” reported.

According to Air Force spokesman, Col. Miguel Okol, the plane and its two-man crew were in the middle of a training flight when it went missing.

Okol declined to provide the names of the plane's crew.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/314205/news/regions/phl-air-force-searches-for-military-plane-gone-missing-in-palawan

MILF: Editorial - Strong Partner Good in Peacemaking

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Jun 23): Strong Partner Good in Peacemaking

The MILF is receiving “apprehensions” from international friends who are doing rehabilitation, humanitarian, and skills and capacity trainings for Moros in Mindanao regarding restraints on their movements.
  

They also feel that their programs are “unnecessarily looked into intensely”. The reasons were not clearly defined, but we feel it is attached to fear of MILF getting stronger, which is viewed negatively rather than positively, as asset in the current peace process in Mindanao. We are sure it is not about MILF’s belligerent status being bolstered, because this theory is already obsolete. The advent of globalization especially in terms of technology (communication) and the growing adherence to human rights law, international humanitarian law, principles of parity of esteem, and equality of peoples, and increasing acceptance of peaceful redress of conflicts have relegated it to the back burner. In addition, the current talk is not about secession which requires bringing the law of international armed conflict into play for both sides. The engagement has always been to strike a deal on sharing of powers and resources in an asymmetrical arrangement.

So, what then are the real reasons? If it is to prevent the MILF to become stronger, then it is not only a flawed thinking but a sign of insincerity. A good partner in peacemaking is one that is capable to commit and deliver and not the one who fails when called to account. If, however, the reason is not one of the above, then it has something to do with control of resources, which every government invariably wants to exercise. We can understand it without necessarily conceding its correctness. 

It is time government examines the wisdom of this approach. It is driving away friends of the peace process. The Arroyo administration had tried this before but it backfired. It only courted irritation, which in no way shortchanged the MILF. From anger to sympathy, it can even blossom into a kind support to further the cause of peace in the region. As proved by our experience, denial or restriction does not always disadvantage the MILF; on the contrary, this in many ways offers it many windows of opportunities.

We are sure this seemingly unnecessary restriction is not the official policy of the present dispensation. Perhaps, this is just the discretion (or indiscretion) of one or two officials in government. We are sure the President does not want an inutile organization as partner in peace, especially the MILF. Our deal with the government is one that is based on trust and partnership and surely this can best served by capable players.

The time has come that we must be fully aware that any decision or action taken that does not auger well with the generally accepted norms of conduct will find it very hard for decision-makers to defend. For us, it is better to base decision on trust rather than on mere suspicion. Trust relieves us of inner hard feeling, while suspicion, not only poisons the mind, but makes the world gloomy.

http://www.luwaran.com/

No contact yet from abductors of 2 sisters

From ABS-CBN (Jun 23): No contact yet from abductors of 2 sisters

Abductors of the two sisters in Sitio Liag, Patikul Municipality in Sulu province have not made any contacts with the authorities, nor with friends, since their disappearance on Saturday morning, the military said.

The victims, Nadjova Abdelbasit and her sister Linda Abdelbasit, were on board a passenger jeep en route to Jolo when they were forcibly taken into custody by at least 10 armed men at around 9 a.m.

The victims are reportedly members of a private organization called Tausug Citizen, based in Indanan municipality.

Reports reaching Western Mindanao Command identified the abductors as members of the Abu Sayyaf led by Aljini Mundoc (also known as Ninok Sapari) and Bensaudi Mundoc.

Authorities are now in hot pursuit of the suspects, who reportedly fled to the direction of Sitio Kanjimaw, Barangay Tugas.

 http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/23/13/no-contact-yet-abductors-2-fil-algerians

2 Filipino-Algerians, 1 Islamic study clerk abducted by Abu Sayyaf gunmen

From the Philippine Star (Jun 23): 2 Filipino-Algerians, 1 Islamic study clerk abducted by Abu Sayyaf gunmen

A Muslim clerk of an Islamic study center and two Filipino-Algerian sisters in Sulu were abducted yesterday separately by suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen, security officials said today.

The Filipino-Algerian sisters, daughters of a Tausug Imam (Muslim preacher), grew up in Zamboanga city, said Jose Joriel Cenabre, chief of the Task Force in Sulu.

Initial investigation showed that the two victims were on board a jeepney that was flagged down by the Abu Sayyaf group at the village of Liang in Patikul town at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The gunmen immediately seized the two victims and escaped toward unknown direction.

The military unit in Sulu said they had no information yet as to whether the suspects have set any demands for the release of the two victims.

In another case, a Muslim clerk of an Islamic Study center of state-run Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) was abducted by eight gunmen Saturday night in a coastal Muslim village in Zamboanga, police said.

The victim was seized by the gunmen wearing camouflage uniforms from his house at Campo Islam village shortly before 8 p.m. yesterday, Zamboanga city police director Edwin de Ocampo, said.

The police, navy, and military forces in adjacent province of Basilan have launched search on the possible presence of the victim and his abductors.

De Ocampo said they were investigating the motive of the abduction. 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/06/23/957344/2-filipino-algerians-1-islamic-study-clerk-abducted-abu-sayyaf-gunmen

2 Army troopers killed in NPA encounter in Agusan Del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): 2 Army troopers killed in NPA encounter in Agusan Del Sur

Two troopers from the 4th Infantry Division's 26th Infantry Battalion were killed following an encounter with 15 heavily-armed New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Sitio Maliwanag, Esperanza town, Agusan Del Sur Saturday afternoon.

The firefight took place around 4:00 p.m., according to 4th Infantry Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Leo Bongosia.

The soldiers were on routine security patrol when the incident happened.

The encounter lasted for 15 minutes after which the rebels quickly withdrew.

Bongosia said that pursuit operations were ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=537173

Air defense component part of PHL military modernization program

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Air defense component part of PHL military modernization program

While remaining committed to acquiring fighter jets that will protect the country's aerospace against intruding aircraft, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez admitted that the Philippines is eying the possibility of acquiring air defense missiles to further bolster its capabilities.

"The air defense component is part of the AFP Modernization Program. A lot of countries have expressed their interest to sell us some of their air defense missiles," he added in Filipino.

Galvez also stated that he does not have the names of the specific countries yet.

"But these (air defense missiles) go hand-in-hand with the fighter aircraft (we are acquiring)," the DND spokesperson stressed.

Air defense missiles are needed to repel aircraft attacks or incursions which may break through fighter screens.

It is commonly deployed on sensitive political and military installations.

Earlier, unconfirmed reports claimed that the Philippines is now in the closing stages with the Israel Military Industries regarding the acquisition of the country's first-ever air defense missile system.

The report also added that the system will be set in within the next three months.

In a related development, DND observers stated that ranking defense officials are now talking with representatives of South Korea's Defense Acquisition and Procurement Authority regarding its intention to acquire the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) F/A-50 "Golden Eagle".

Around 12 units are expected to serve as the interim fighter aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

"The ongoing talks with the South Korean representative is to ensure that the aircraft will be acquired through government-to-government procurement mode. So far, the talks have been progressing well and they are now talking on the unit price (of the F/A-50) and the weapons, navigation, and technical and logistic support that will be provided to the Philippine ordered jet planes," the DND observer pointed out.

The latter declined to comment on how long the talks will last or whether this would lead to a contract signing.

The Philippines is in the market for 12 supersonic trainer aircraft which can double as interim fighter and attack planes for the PAF. It has allocated P18 billion for this program.

The Government Procurement Policy Board earlier gave the DND the "green-light" to start pre-negotiations with the South Korean government for 12 F/A 50 aircraft last January.

The F/A-50 is also known as the TA-50.

Its design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=537185

1 hurt as blast rocks North Cotabato town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): 1 hurt as blast rocks North Cotabato town
 
KABACAN, North Cotabato -- A bystander was hurt when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a roadside canal in front of a business establishment went off Saturday night along Sinamar 2 Street here, Supt. Leo Ajero, Kabacan police chief said Sunday.

The IED fashioned from 60 mm mortar, exploded at 7:35 p.m.

Ajero said the victim remained unidentified but suffered only minor shrapnel wounds.

The victim was walking nearby when the explosion occurred in front of Laira Marketing.

Members of the police bomb disposal team recovered fragmentation of the improvised bomb.

No one has claimed responsibility but authorities suspect it was carried out by extortionist groups preying on business establishment.

The blast, the seventh since January this year, damaged glass panes of Laira Marketing.

Witnesses said the blast scene was near a narrow street leading to the house of incumbent Mayor George Tan.

Police could not say whether the mayor was the target or the business establishments.

Tan lost in the last elections.

Aside from bombings, grenade throwing and setting off of improvised bomb, Kabacan had also experienced a series of shooting, involving local politicians, businessmen, people engaged in drug trade and plain extortion, including transmission towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines situated at the outskirts of this bustling agricultural town.

Shortly before and after elections, a series of four explosions rocked this town where the vice mayor running for reelection was shot dead months earlier.

Ajero said additional police forces from Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 12 have been sent to augment local police enforcers.

Ajero has repeatedly appealed to the locals to help police in maintaining law and order by reporting suspicious looking persons carrying suspicious baggage.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=537205

Army recovers firearms in Samar encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Army recovers firearms in Samar encounter
 
Elements of the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion have encountered on Friday morning about 10 members of the communist’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Bugho, Pinabacdao, Samar.

“Acting upon information given by a concerned citizen in Barangay Bugho about the NPA presence in the vicinity of their barangay, Capt. Tuguinay Agoy, the commanding officer of 87th IB’s Alpha Company formed a combat platoon to verify the information,” said Lt. Col. Cerilo Balaoro, 87th IB commander.

“When Capt. Agoy and his troops arrived in the area where the NPAs were reported to be harboring, they were fired upon and an encounter ensued for about 15 minutes until the NPAs withdrew,” Balaoro said.

It was learned the NPA rebels belonged to the Section Committee-Southern Samar I of the Samar Provincial Party Committee.

The encounter resulted to the recovery of the following enemy materiel—one M16 armalite rifle, one M653 baby armalite rifle as well as three loaded magazines of AK 47 rifle with 100 extra live ammunition, seven empty magazines for M16 rifle and NPA documents.

No one was hurt on both sides.

Maj. Gen. Gerardo T. Layug, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division congratulated the troops who conducted the successful combat operation.

“I assure the people that we will continue in clearing the interior barangays in the region from NPA influence so that LGUs can implement their programs and be able to provide basic services for the people,” Layug said in a statement.

“The chief executives of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran and Eastern Samar already declared their respective provinces as manageable conflict affected areas and ready for development and are now focusing on economic programs that will alleviate their people from poverty,” Layug added.

“On the same token, the local chief executives of the provinces of Samar and Northern Samar are currently working with other peace stakeholders for their provinces to be declared as manageable conflict affected areas and ready for development so that they can also focus on development programs they have crafted for their people. On our part, we assure the chief executives of these provinces that we will provide security for their programs to be implemented without interruption,” Layug said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=537188

MILF-BIFF clash with soldiers in Sultan Kudarat, 2 die

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): MILF-BIFF clash with soldiers in Sultan Kudarat, 2 die

Suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), backed by renegade rebels, clashed with militiamen and soldiers in Barangay Bagumbayan, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat province Saturday, the Army here said.

The rebels killed a local militiaman, a farmer and fired rockets toward the detachment of the 33rd Infantry Battalion in skirmishes the past two days which authorities attributed to a long standing land dispute involving MILF guerillas and local residents.

The attackers were led by a certain Ustadz Sukarno, believed to be a follower of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) leader Ustadz Umra Kato.

Sukarno's men sided with the group of MILF claiming ownership of a vast tract of land in Barangay Bagumbayan of President Quirino.

Killed Saturday was militiaman Vicente Macaraeg, a member of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and a resident of Barangay Bagumbayan.

Macaraeg was driving his motorbike heading toward the town proper when shot by MILF-BIFF forces.

The gunmen fled when joint police and Army forces deployed as peacekeeping forces started to close in.

The next day, the armed men returned to the village and gunned down Roi Viola, a farmer for refusing to shell out money.

After killing Viola, the armed men harassed the 33rd IB detachment.The outnumbered Army in the detachment returned fire. It was unknown whether the attackers suffered casualties as they retreated when reinforcement arrived backed by armored personnel carrier and 105 howitzers.

Antonio Sebulla, a resident of Poblacion President Quirino, said three howitzers were fired by soldiers position in the town proper toward Barangay Bagumbayan while the harassment on the Army base was ongoing.

Several families have evacuated, according to Sebulla.

According to Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said soldiers were sent to Bagumbayan to prevent further skirmishes while concerned government agencies were trying to address the land dispute problem.

He said the Army is coordinating with the joint ceasefire committee of the government and the MILF in addressing the problem.

A similar land dispute has already claimed lives in the borders of Maguinanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.

The latest fatality was a farmer who was shot allegedly by MILF rebels in Sitio Barko-Barko, Barangay Maybula, Tulunan, North Cotabato.

MILF and armed militiamen clashed last week and sporadic skirmishes that claimed more lives have been ongoing since then.

Hermoso identified the slain militiaman as Dondon Palomo a resident of Sitio Barko-Barko.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmyloy Mendoza and Tulunan Mayor Lani Candolada both confirmed the conflict was deeply rooted and involved local residents and MILF forces who all claiming land ownership.

A resident of Sitio Barko-Barko told a local radio station that they have been subjected to harassment by MILF forces who wanted them out of Sitio Barko-Barko.

"We are forced to arm ourselves, who will protect us but us," he told reporters from Gen. Santos City.

Another man who identified himself as Sandro said the conflict had been settled in the past but the rebels keep on violating the local agreement.

"No one should claim ownership by force but to allow the Department of Agrarian Reform to address the problem, but they keep coming back," Sandro said.

Von Al-Haq, speaking for the MILF, claimed otherwise.

He said the area had been known as owned by the local native inhabitants who are Maguindanaons and relatives of the MILF.

"The civilians armed themselves and employed as CAFGU to attack MILF forces, that is the problem there," Al Haq said.

After a series of dialogues by local leaders, the government and the MILF, an immediate solution was agreed upon to stop fighting and loss of lives.

On Monday, a joint peacekeeping task force composed of the police, military, members of the GPH-MILF ceasefire committee, MILF and International Monitoring Team will be sent to the conflict area.

It aims to stop violence while the territorial dispute is being addressed by the government.

Mayor Candolada said the regional joint peace and security coordinating committee will deployed in Sitio Barko-Barko, former a peace zone to prevent further bloodshed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=537214

Philippine gov't optimistic of July talks with Muslim rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Philippine gov't optimistic of July talks with Muslim rebels

The Philippine government is hoping that contentious issues on the three remaining annexes of the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) could finally be resolved in the formal peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) set early next month, a senior government official said Sunday.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said that the Aquino administration is optimistic about the upcoming peace negotiation.

"We hope that there will be a good resolution to the talks that are scheduled in July," she said in an interview over a state-run radio station.

The last formal talks were held in April but ended without the signing of any of the three remaining annexes -- power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization. The annex on transitional arrangements and modalities was inked in February.

The government and the MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, have to complete first all the annexes of the FAB before they could forge a comprehensive agreement.

While the government is fully committed in the peace process with the MILF, Valte said, the Aquino administration wants to ensure that the three annexes and the comprehensive compact will "pass legal muster."

That was why the government thoroughly evaluated and studied the draft annexes, which are now with the MILF, she said.

Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer has announced that she and her counterpart with the MILF, Mohagher Iqbal, agreed at the sidelines of a forum in Norway to resume the formal talks early next month to discuss the three remaining annexes.

The MILF has been fighting government troops for decades to establish a self-rule Muslim state in southern Philippines.

The Aquino government and the MILF formally signed on Oct. 15 of 2012 the framework agreement, a road map for final political settlement to end the decades-old armed struggle in southern Philippines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=537239

1 hurt as IED explodes on North Cotabato highway

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 23): 1 hurt as IED explodes on North Cotabato highway



 KIDAPAWAN CITY , North Cotabato, Philippines — One person was hurt when an improvised explosive device went off on the national highway in Kabacan town in North Cotabato shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday.

Superintendent Leo Ajero, Kabacan’s the chief of police, said  the explosion occurred in front of the Laira Marketing located beside the national highway.

Police said the bomb was planted in a drainage canal on Sinamar Street, which leads to boarding houses of students of the University of Southern Mindanao.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/431435/1-hurt-as-ied-explodes-on-north-cotabato-highway

Two soldiers dead in clash with rebels

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 23): Two soldiers dead in clash with rebels

Two soldiers were killed in a clash with communist rebels waging one of Asia’s longest running insurgencies, the military said Sunday.

The troops were on a routine patrol when they encountered the New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in the town of Esperanza on the southern island of Mindanao on Saturday, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Leo Bongosia said.

Two soldiers were killed, while the rebels managed to escape following the clash — the latest outbreak of hostilities after peace talks broke down earlier this year.

Last week, NPA rebels attacked a tree plantation in the same town and killed five workers after the owner refused to give in to alleged extortion attempts.

Another NPA unit elsewhere in Mindanao abducted five unarmed soldiers in civilian clothes as they bought supplies in the market.

The 4,000-strong NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging a 44-year Maoist insurgency that has claimed at least 30,000 lives.

President Benigno Aquino had hoped to reach a peace deal with the communists by the time his six-year term ends in 2016.

The talks however collapsed in April after the government rejected rebel demands to free dozens of detained comrades.

The insurgents have since stepped up their attacks, with 13 soldiers and police commandos killed since last month.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/431443/two-soldiers-dead-in-clash-with-rebels

Family of 2 kidnapped sisters trying to establish contact with captors

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 23): Family of 2 kidnapped sisters trying to establish contact with captors

Sisters Nadjoua and Linda Bansil were doing a film on the Sultanate of Sulu, but ended up being kidnapped in that province’s town of Patikul.

The Bansils were behind the 2013 Gawad Urian-nominated short film “Bohe, Sons of the Waves,” with Najoua as director and Linda as her assistant. The film is about a group of Badjao boys who live in a small land in Southern Luzon.

On Saturday, the sisters were filming a “documentary about the Sultanate of Sulu” when kidnapped, Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said.

The Bansils were riding a passenger jeepney on their way back to Jolo town when flagged down and taken by at least 10 armed men in the village of Liang in Patikul at around 9 a.m. Saturday.

Initial investigation revealed that the abductors were members of an Abu Sayyaf faction Aljini Mundoc, also known as Ninok Sapari, and Bensaudi Mundoc.

Reports reaching the Philippine Daily Inquirer show that the victims’ family was trying to establish contact with the captors.

Although having an Algerian mother, the sisters were born Filipinos. They studied Mass Communications at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Sheron Dayoc, the director of the independent film “Halaw – Ways of the Sea,” said the sisters were active members of the Amnesty International when they were still in college.

Charlie Saceda of the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network based in Cebu City said the sisters underwent training with them in 2006 and 2007 “while they were students of the Ateneo de Zamboanga.”

But Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson of the Sultanate of Sulu, said they did not know the Bansil sisters were doing a documentary film on the sultanate.

“We just learned about this when some people started calling. There was no prior advise to us for their planned documentary there. Had we known, we could have provided them with proper security people or local contacts that can protect them,” Idjirani said.

He said his group was coordinating with their local contacts to help locate the sisters and work for the immediate release.

Cenabre, on the other hand, said the Bansil sisters did not “coordinate” with authorities.

“We don’t know when they arrived here. We don’t know their contacts and we don’t even know where they stayed here,” Cenabre said.

Cenabre said although the duo looked more like foreigners, “they are Filipinas.”

Medmessiah Bansil, a brother of the victims, appealed for prayers for the safety of his sisters.

In a short statement posted on his Facebook account, Medmessiah said: “Both my sisters got abducted. My sisters are filmmakers and I am asking friends, family to please pray for their release. May Allah bless them.”

Medmessiah also called on “everyone to be discreet with any information that you get. This moment is very crucial.”

Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he has directed the local police including the regional office as well as local government units to determine who are the point persons and contacts of the Bansil sisters prior and during their film making activities in Sulu.

“We need to know who they dealt with, who contacted them to do this film. It is not that we are restricting them but due to past incidents, coordination is very important here,” Hataman said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/431457/family-of-2-kidnapped-sisters-trying-to-establish-contact-with-captors

Wealth sharing at heart of gov’t-MILF stalemate

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 23): Wealth sharing at heart of gov’t-MILF stalemate

The secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said the resumption of peace negotiations in July hinges on whether or not Malacañang’s proposals on wealth-sharing between the autonomous Bangsamoro region and the government would be acceptable.

“We still have to look at the papers they gave us…If we find it right, we may have a meeting. But at this point in time, nothing is fixed yet,” MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal told the Inquirer by phone.

Negotiations brokered by Malaysia hit a snag when Malacañang requested a “review” of the wealth-sharing annex initialed by the peace negotiators.

The government’s chief negotiator, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, announced the other day she had submitted the government’s full proposals on the wealth-sharing issue to the MILF and that formal talks would resume in July.

But Iqbal said the peace negotiations would continue to be at a stalemate until they had another formal round of talks.

“We will not respond (to the government) except in a formal setting, nothing has changed yet,” Iqbal said.

Asked if the MILF’s trust in President Aquino remained, Iqbal answered in the affirmative but qualified his statement. “Our feeling is he can still deliver. He has said that time and again. The trust is still there but that trust is contingent on the delivery of what has been agreed upon. It is not an absolute trust.”

Iqbal reiterated the MILF position was to “stick to the Feb. 27 (wealth-sharing) document” that was initialed by the two panels.

An Inquirer source privy to the negotiations said the MILF was not likely to agree to a 50-50 percent wealth sharing with the central government, more so, going below 50 percent.

The source asked for anonymity as he was not authorized to discuss details of the annexes to the draft peace accord between the government and the MILF but was willing to share some details with the Inquirer to provide a clear view of what the controversy over the wealth-sharing annex was all about.

The source said the initialed wealth-sharing annex indicated “something like a 75-25 percent across the board sharing,” in favor of the MILF.

The source said the MILF believed the new Bangsamoro entity must get a bigger share than the central government because the resources would come from Mindanao.

“That share is for the development of Mindanao. For the MILF, it is legally and morally right for them to demand that (percentage of sharing),” the source said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/431235/wealth-sharing-at-heart-of-govt-milf-stalemate-2

Bicol troops gear up for floods, other emergencies

From the Manila Times (Jun 21): Bicol troops gear up for floods, other emergencies

Following the design of a rubber boat, the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade led by Col. Raul Farnacio cobbled a drum boat as substitute and back-up disaster gear that is cheaper and more durable than rubber raft.

Farnacio’s men turned out at least seven drum boats as additional emergency tools to be plied out in flooded areas in Albay province and other Bicol areas.

The drum boat fitted with motorized engine, wooden and steel crate was paraded at the headquarters of the Tactical Operations Group 5 (TOG5)-Philippine Air Force (PAF) in this city along with newest disaster gears such as airplanes from PAF and Philippine Navy, rubber boats, military trucks, ambulances and other equipment for disaster response.

Such display of disaster tools and readiness of responders was done by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol led by director Bernardo Rafaelito “Raffy” Alejandro in a bid to gauge competence to tackle emergencies.

A composite team of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Philippine Navy, Tactical Operations Group 5-Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army), Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Albay Health Emergency Management, and Philippine Coast Guard showed their wares and disaster response skills.

Alejandro said the mustering of disaster response units (DRUs) of responders is in line with Bicol RDRRMC’s/OCD’s pro-active and preparedness measures.

“This activity was done with all DRUs able to respond within the required time frame . . . we are able to gather within an hour 100 personnel and equipment at TOG5, units from the Philippine Army [901], Philippine Air Force [TOG5], Philippine Navy [Navforsol], the Police Regional Office 5, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital,” Alejandro said.

However the Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol wasn’t able to send its team as the board of inquiry over the ill-fated MV Mount Carmel begun on Wednesday. The MV Mount Carmel sunk in Aroroy Masbate a week ago killing two passengers while seven others remain missing.

“The activity is one of the proactive actions of the RDRRMC to evaluate how fast every agency could react to impending disasters. Similarly, it’s also part of the preparations for upcoming rainy season, to ensure that all response agencies are in their 100 percent operational readiness,” the OCD chief said.

Lt. Col. Joannis Leonardi Di-maano, commanding officer of the Tactical Operations Group 5-Philippine Air Force in Bicol also showcased their two UH-1H helicopters along with the pilots and crew ready to respond in time of emergencies.

http://www.manilatimes.net/bicol-troops-gear-up-for-floods-other-emergencies/11827/

Air Force joins campaign to destroy marijuana plantations

From the Manila Times (Jun 22): Air Force joins campaign to destroy marijuana plantations

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) joined the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in eradicating patches of vast marijuana plantations in Tinglaya, Kalinga province.

The PAF discovered additional plantation sites in Mount Bitulayungan resulting to the dismantling of more than P155 million worth of fully-grown marijuana plants since Tuesday.

Cordillera Regional PDEA Director Ronald Allan Ricardo said they have uprooted at least 720,000 marijuana plants.

“Our operation has barely started and we are looking at a conservative estimate of no less than 15 hectares maintained by still unidentified cultivators in the area,” Ricardo added.

He said military and police members continue to mop out the area. However, they have yet to arrest the suspects behind the cultivation of marijuana in Kalinga.

“We are also looking at road networks the cultivators are utilizing in the transportation of these illegal plants because as far as our records show, this illegal drug has reached Metro Manila and major cities in the country,” Ricardo said.

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Froilan Perez, Kalinga police director, revealed that the discovery of these marijuana plantations was a result of an Aerial Marijuana Eradication Survey when the police operatives’ helicopter crashed into Mount Bitulayungan because of strong winds and heavy loads.

Supt. Oliver Emmodias, Chief Insp. Dexter Vitug, and PO3 Jude Edwin Duque sustained minor injuries in the accident.

http://www.manilatimes.net/air-force-joins-campaign-to-destroy-marijuana-plantations/12027/

Navy welcomes US' Tubbataha grounding report that points to human error

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 23): Navy welcomes US' Tubbataha grounding report that points to human error

The Philippine Navy welcomes the release to the public of the US Navy report on the results of its investigation into the January 17 grounding of the minesweeper USS Guardian on Tubbataha Reef.

Philippine Navy spokesman, Lt. Cdr. Gregory Fabic, said their US counterpart's report "proved that we share the common interest in the preservation of the natural maritime environment and its resources other than the pursuit of peace and stability in the region."

The US Pacific Fleet on Friday made public the result of the USN investigation into the grounding incident that damaged more than 2,345.67 square meters of prized corals at the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The 160-page report pointed to human error and lack of leadership as the root causes on the incident, which US Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Cecil D. Haney said was "wholly preventable."

"The grounding of USS GUARDIAN was entirely preventable. The root causes of the grounding were human error and a failure of leadership to provide adequate oversight and direction in planning and executing the Navigation Plan," according to the report.

Haney said: "This investigation uncovers no single point of failure; instead, there were numerous links in the error chain leading up to the grounding. Had any one of which been appropriately addressed, the grounding would have been prevented."

"The investigation further concluded that USS Guardian leadership and watch teams failed to adhere to prudent, safe, and sound navigation principles which would have alerted them to approaching dangers with sufficient time to take mitigating action," he added.

"The watch team's observations of visual cues in the hours leading up to the grounding, combined with electronic cues and alarms, should have triggered immediate steps to resolve warnings and reconcile discrepancies," he further wrote.

The investigation also disclosed, "Had USS Guardian not ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef, the imprudent, unsafe, and unsound CO (Commanding Officer) - approved Navigation Plan would have placed the ship directly over another navigation hazard with unknown depth at latitude 05 degrees 34.932 minutes North, longitude 119 degrees 32.835 minutes East as the ship passed in vicinity of Pearl Bank in the southern Sulu Sea approaching the Sibutu Passage."

It was also revealed that, "On 15 and 16 January 2013, USS Guardian entered restricted waters on two occasions without holding a Navigation Brief."

The grounding incident, aside from causing damage to Tubbataha Reef, also resulted in the total loss of a multi-million dollar commissioned U.S. Navy warship with a proud history, said the USN report. 

http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/18701/Navy_welcomes_US#.Ucbqno7D9jo

Wealth-sharing, other matters focus of next peace talks

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 23): Wealth-sharing, other matters focus of next peace talks

Malacañang is optimistic the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will accept its proposal on the wealth-sharing formula and two other annexes needed for the signing of a peace deal when peace talks resume next month.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the government is ready to hold talks with the MILF after reviewing the three annexes to ensure these will pass legal scrutiny.

The Palace review into the annexes on wealth-sharing, power-sharing and normalization of forces earlier delayed the resumption of the talks with the MILF.

Chief government negotiator Miriam Coronal-Ferrer earlier announced that talks between the government and the MILF will resume early next month to tackle the annexes. The government reportedly proposed changes to the draft annex on wealth sharing, particularly on taxation, fund transfer mechanism and revenue split.

The MILF earlier voiced frustration over the slow pace of the negotiations but the government insisted that it wanted to ensure the peace deal will not suffer the same fate as the botched ancestral domain agreement pursued by the past administration.

The Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2008.

The government and the MILF earlier forged a preliminary peace agreement that seeks to create a Bangsamoro region by 2016.

A transition commission would be formed to draft the basic law that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by the Bangsamoro region.

http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/18726/Wealth-sharing,_other_matters_focus_of_next_peace_talks_#.Ucbp4Y7D9jo

NGCP now a military reserve unit

From  the Business Mirror (Jun 22): NGCP now a military reserve unit

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the country’s sole power transmission concessionaire, said on Friday that it was recently activated as a reserve unit of the Armed Forces.

 

The NGCP said President Aquino, through Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., approved the Department of National Defense’s (DND) request to designate the NGCP as the First Armed Forces Affiliated Power Division Reserve Unit.

 

Pursuant to Republic Act 7077, or the “Armed Forces Reservist Act,” the DND recommended that the NGCP become a reserve unit of the Armed Forces upon its completion of the pre-requisites under the said act.

 

As an affiliate military reserve unit, the NGCP said it is expected to secure and protect the transmission facilities to ensure continuous power delivery service during times of national emergencies.

 

NGCP said Henry T. Sy Jr., its president and chief executive officer, will serve as the commander of the unit. The NGCP employees are also encouraged to enlist and undergo a military orientation training to be part of the reserve unit.

 

Retired Col. Jeofrey R. Tupas, NGCP Security Department head, said they have always emphasized that their role as a company is public service oriented.

 

“Our transmission system’s security is not just our company’s concerns but the public’s as well. We enlisted and tied up with the Armed Forces to intensify the grid’s security and to be of service to the country,” he said.

 

The NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations and related assets.

 

The NGCP’s regular maintenance activities, expansion and upgrading projects aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to grid-connected customers like generators, distributors and large industries. 

 

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/15373-ngcp-now-a-military-reserve-unit

Soldiers recover firearm, 3 Icom radios after clash with NPA rebels in Camarines Norte - AFP

From InterAksyon (Jun 23): Soldiers recover firearm, 3 Icom radios after clash with NPA rebels in Camarines Norte - AFP

Army troopers have recovered an Armalite (M16) rifle and three Icom radios left by escaping New People’s Army (NPA) rebels after a clash Sunday morning in Barangay Sta. Rosa Sur, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte.

Lt. Col. Michael Buhat, commanding officer of the Infantry Battalion, said his men engaged in a firefight fewer than 15 rebels at around 6:20 a.m. following civilians’ report about the presence of rebels in their barangay.

“The information about the presence of the rebels in the area reached our attention and I immediately dispatched our soldiers. The firefight did not last long because the NPA ran away. Our troops did not fire back immediately because of the presence of innocent civilians who might be caught in the crossfire. They waited for the right time to engage and the opportunity came when the armed men were already on the run,” Buhat said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/64694/soldiers-recover-firearm-3-icom-radios-after-clash-with-npa-rebels-in-camarines-norte---afp

2 Moro filmmakers seized in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jun 22): 2 Moro filmmakers seized in Southern Philippines



The two sisters - Linda and Nadjoua Bansil - were filming in Sulu province when gunmen seized them inside a commuter jeep near Patikul town.

Two young Filipina Muslim filmmakers were reported seized in the southern Philippines, their family said.

The two sisters - Linda and Nadjoua Bansil - were filming in Sulu province when gunmen seized them inside a commuter jeep near Patikul town.

Police and military authorities have not released any information about the abduction, but the victims' family has confirmed the report.

A television network has reported that the Muslim rebel group Abu Sayyaf may have been involved in the abduction.

It was not immediately known what the duo was filming, but one of them had previously researched about coffee farming in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region and is one of the biggest suppliers of coffee in the region.

Both women have written and made many films about Muslims and their cultures and traditions in Mindanao.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/06/2-moro-filmmakers-seized-in-southern.html