Army foils NPA attempt to overrun detachment in N. Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 17): Army foils NPA attempt to overrun detachment in N. Cotabato
  
Suspected communist rebels tossed a hand grenade at an Army base Tuesday night in an effort to get back at the government forces, the Army here said.

1Lt. Nashrullah Sema, speaking for the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the 9 p.m. grenade attack could be part of retaliatory offensive by the New Peoples Army (NPA) Far South Front 72 command following their defeat in skirmishes in Magpet, North Cotabato.

Nobody was hurt in the attack.

Sema said the grenade attack was aimed at taking over the Army detachment but the guerillas failed as the Army was prepared.

The Magpet encounter over the weekend led to the seizing by government forces of an NPA training camp in Barangay Manobo.

Sema said a Suzuki multi-cab passed by the Army detachment located along the highway in Barangay Poblacion and one of its passengers hurled the MK-72 fragmentation grenade toward the roadside detachment.

The blast caused minor damages to the heavily fortified detachment located at the sentry of the 57th IB headquarters.

Sema said the most likely perpetrators were members of the NPA who have suffered heavy losses in various skirmishes in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur.

Earlier, a lady NPA spokesperson publicly announced that the NPA will continue its offensive against government forces in North Cotabato as it accused the Army of violating human rights.

But Sema said the civilians whom the NPA vowed to protect are now turning their backs against the rebel movement because of their own atrocities to civilian populace by extorting money from farmers.

Sema said the Army did not immediately conducted pursuit operations against the grenade thrower as part of its reactionary movement to avoid booby traps or landmines which could have been planted by the rebels.

Sema appealed to the general public to continue cooperating with government law enforcement to defeat lawless elements that continue to harass and mulct civilians.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544951

New military chief assures continuity of programs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 16): New military chief assures continuity of programs

CAMP MELCHOR, DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela  -- Lieutenant Colonel Resureccion Mariano, newly-installed 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army civil military operations battalion chief, has assured that all programs and projects under his command will continuously be implemented. 

Mariano made the assurance as he took over the command from Colonel Loreto Magundayao who is now assistant chief of staff for civil military operations.

Mariano said all programs and projects that have been started by his predecessor will be finished under his leadership especially when the projects are for public’s welfare.

The civil military operation battalion is part of the Army’s operations unit which is mandated to deliver social services to the underserved and least served populace in the country.

The CMO conducts free medical and dental services, help the local government in rescue and relief operations, build schools and houses for less fortunate individuals and other socio-civic activities that benefits the civilian population.

Mariano will also instill the spirit of “bayanihan” to relive the spirit of unity, oneness, and volunteerism to the public as this program is being pushed by the present Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=481373937883

Philippines 'Studying Options' on Proposed US Base-Sharing

From the Voice of  America (Jul 16): Philippines 'Studying Options' on Proposed US Base-Sharing

As the Philippines looks to boost its military at a time of increasing tensions with China over territorial disputes, authorities are laying the groundwork for a military base-sharing arrangement with the United States. 

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Cuisia said officials are combing through already existing security agreements between Manila and Washington to have a better idea of how a base sharing partnership would work.

In particular, Cuisia said they are studying the Visiting Forces Agreement, which, since 2002, has allowed a contingent of about 500 American troops to rotate in and out of the restive area in Mindanao where the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf Group operates.

“Let me stress, whatever we agree to must benefit the Philippines because if it will not benefit us, then we will not agree to it.  It has to be mutually beneficial,” he said.

Cuisia said any shared use of bases would have to be within the framework of the Philippine Constitution. The U.S. had bases in the Philippines for almost 100 years until domestic opposition forced the last of them to close in 1992.

The plan would see more U.S. troops coming and going and American military hardware ready for use at such bases.  Some of the equipment is expected to come from U.S. military hardware being withdrawn from Afghanistan as well as some equipment from Iraq.

Cuisia said the proposal would support the country’s efforts to form a “minimal credible defense” posture and help to strengthen maritime security and maritime domain awareness. 

The Philippines is locked in a diplomatic dispute with China over sovereign claims in the resource-rich South China Sea.  Most recently, competing claims over Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal have raised new tensions.  China, Taiwan and Vietnam claim practically the entire sea, while the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have partial claims.

But Cuisia emphasizes that having U.S. forces around is not meant to address threats from any specific country.

Carl Baker, program director of the Pacific Forum of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said a base-sharing plan would likely be similar to the Joint Special Operations Task Force program in Mindanao.

“I think that’s sort of the model that they’re following.  So they can put people on these bases on a more permanent basis without calling it ‘permanent basing,’” he said.

Baker said by hosting American forces the Philippines wants to demonstrate to the world that the United States is prepared to live up to its commitment in the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty.  Still, the U.S. maintains a neutral position regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea and elsewhere.  Baker added that U.S. officials want ready access to bases for air and sea forces in Southeast Asia.

Cuisia said the proposal is still in “informal talks” and various departments involved are waiting for President Benigno Aquino’s signal to enter into formal talks.  Aquino has indicated he is open to the plan and Cuisia confirmed the Philippines wants something in place before 2016 when the president’s term ends. 

http://www.voanews.com/content/philippines-studying-options-on-proposed-base-sharing-deal-with-us/1702580.html

Philippines to use drones to fight illegal logging in rebel areas

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jul 16): Philippines to use drones to fight illegal logging in rebel areas

The Philippines is set to use unmanned aerial vehicles to combat illegal logging in the southern provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, a known stronghold of communist rebels.

The use of drones in combating illegal logging is a joint project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

But for League of Filipino Students (LFS) and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), the use of spy planes in the country is not new despite the “colossal denial” of President Benigno Aquino.

They said a recent New York Time article by Mark Mazzeti called “The Drone Zone” claims that the United States conducted at least one drone strike in Mindanao.

“Under the Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan, Davao is the most militarized region in the country with the presence of 21 military battalions under the three infantry divisions of AFP - 1st ID, 4th ID and 10th ID - and this resulted to 11 cases of extrajudicial killing in the region alone and widespread displacement of lumads and farmers due to military atrocities,” Arnielyn Nudalo, LFS-UM spokesperson, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

“The Aquino government and AFP cannot fool the people. If it is truly sincere in protecting the environment, then the Aquino regime should not allow foreign and large scale mining and logging in the region,” he added.

LFS said the reasoning of DENR and AFP in using drone to intensify anti-illegal logging operation is “unbelievable and unthinkable.”

“It is dubious to say that drone plane be deployed in the region just to track down illegal loggers and be used for the implementation of national greening program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It is a common knowledge that Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley are the strong-hold areas of the New People’s Army,” it said.

Bayan said unmanned aerial vehicles fall into two categories - those that are used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes and those that are armed with missiles and bombs. A low-cost drone, it said, for instance cost anywhere from $5 million to $10 million.

According to a 2010 report of Philip Alston, a UN human rights rapporteur, the use of drone planes has become a vaguely defined and unaccountable to thousands of killings in Iraq and Afghanistan.

An article in The Guardian, the American Civil Liberties Union stated that as many as 4,000 people have been killed in U.S. drone strikes since 2002. Of those, a significant proportion was civilians. The numbers killed have escalated significantly since Barack Obama became president, according to LFS.

The Philippine military has previously used China-made hobby helicopters and air planes controlled remotely to monitor rebel strongholds. But U.S. troops deployed in Mindanao have a fleet of UAVs that they commissioned to spy on communist and Moro rebel areas in the region and that some of them had crashed at sea or recovered by rebels themselves.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/philippines-to-use-drones-to-fight.html

Naval forces in Mindanao kick off maritime exercises

From the Philippine Star (Jul 16): Naval forces in Mindanao kick off maritime exercises

Naval forces and reservists in Western Mindanao kicked off on Tuesday a maritime exercise that aims to enhance their interoperability during emergency situations.

The exercise, dubbed as Pagsasama 2013, will be held from July 17 to 22 in the Basilan Strait and Sulu Sea.

A total of 133 Navy reservists and affiliated reserve units and 470 regular personnel participate in the drills.

The Navy said the scenario-driven activity was designed to test the readiness and interoperability of reservists and reserve units with the regular forces.

The six-day exercise also aims to train reserve forces in naval operations, maritime security, interagency cooperation and mission planning.

“Exercise Pagsasama seeks to enhance competencies and capabilities of participating units and to further strengthen camaraderie among participating personnel,” the Naval Forces Western Command said in a statement.

“The annual exercise highlights the commitment of the Navy to protect the country from lawless maritime elements and pave the way towards peace and development,” it added.

The event was organized by the Naval Forces Western Command in coordination with the Naval Reserve Command and the Fleet-Marine Ready Force.

Among the drills to be conducted are the maritime interdiction operation exercise and gunnery exercise and amphibious operations.

The event will also involve exchanges of expertise, refresher trainings, and civil-military operations.

This year’s Pagsasama exercise is the fourth of its series that aims to boost the relationship between the reserve and regular forces. Similar drills were held in the Visayas in 2010, Northern Luzon in 2011, and Eastern Mindanao in 2012.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/07/16/977421/naval-forces-mindanao-kick-maritime-exercises

OPAPP Sec. Ging Deles: Bangsamoro peace deal a 'breakthrough'

From GMA News (Jul 16): OPAPP Sec. Ging Deles: Bangsamoro peace deal a 'breakthrough'

Months after the landmark peace agreement was signed by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, it is far from being implemented. Nevertheless, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita ‘Ging’ Quintos-Deles went on record Tuesday to say that the very existence of the agreement is a “breakthrough.”

“It was a breakthrough because it was a roadmap. May commitments na as how this is going to happen. Kung ano yung aspiration, ano yung end result na gusto, talagang na-layout na. So no question, it's a breakthrough talaga,” Deles said in an interview on GMA News TV’s News to Go.

Deles explained that the two peace panels had much to accomplish before the Bangsamoro could become a reality, including the signing of four annexes to the framework which will guide the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The most recent breakthrough came Sunday dawn when, after an extension of several days, negotiators of both panels finally reached agreement on wealth-sharing in the future Bangsamoro in their latest round of talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

After initially proposing a 50-50 deal, the government agreed to more favorable terms for the Bangsamoro: 75 percent of taxes collected in the Bangsamoro, as well as 75 percent of income from metallic minerals, would go to the Muslim-governed region.

Three aspects of ‘wealth’

The wealth-sharing annex, the second of four to be completed, was signed four months after the Transitional arrangements and modality annex was signed in February.

Deles explained that the wealth-sharing aspect became contentious due to the different components of the particular annex.

“Actually, hindi ‘yan iisang regime sa natural resources. In fact, nakatukoy diyan: tatlong klaseng natural resources ang pinag-uusapan. Ang isa non-metallic minerals na alam natin LGU na gumagawa niyan,” Deles explained, adding that under the signed annex, the local government units will most likely retain control of the non-mineral wealth of the region, particularly in quarrying.

“Lahat ng shares ng local government, hindi gagalawin yan. Dito sa framework, sinasabi hindi magagalaw ang mga karapatan ng LGU,” Deles said.

In terms of metallic minerals like gold and nickel, Deles explained that the Bangsamoro will receive an increase in percentage profits.

“The next one is metallic minerals. ‘Yan ay 75-25 inclusive of the share of LGU. This is an increase of 5 percent from the current law,” she said.

Finally Deles explained that the last aspect of the wealth sharing annex was of fossil fuels and other energy resources.

“Pangatlo ay fossil fuels, which means natural gas, coals, oil, petroleum at binanggit din ang uranium na hindi natin alam kung meron tayo noon,” she said.

However, Deles clarified that the exact amount of the wealth in the Bangsamoro has yet to be determined, noting the longstanding conflict in the region has rendered exploration of the resources impossible in the past.

“All of this is in the future. All of this, ‘pag tinatanong exactly the amount we are talking about, we don’t know, the fact na is that this armed conflict has made any exploration not even possible. So, you’re really talking something about kung magta-translate nga into actuality, it’s going to take a while,” she said.

Revenues

Deles also made a distinction between the division of resources and their ownership, noting that the wealth-sharing refers to revenues to be extracted from the existing resources.

“Let me also clear, kasi ‘pag sinasabi hatian sa resources, this is not ownership. Pangalawa, this is a share in the government revenues. Ibig sabihin, na menos mo na ang actual cost of having developed those resources,” she said.

Deles also explained that the perceived delay in the signing of the wealth sharing annex was due to both parties’ desire to flesh out the entire annex.

“Just to explain ‘yung delay dito, maari mong sabihin it is a good concept but the reality is...we have to put in technical language that had to be explained. So, that’s just to explain why some of these things took a little longer. In principle, may agreement kayo, pero for government to say na talagang magagawa ‘yan, we have to put the language in that there are technical requirements here, otherwise i-cha-challenge ito, nagpa-promise kayo, hindi naman ‘yan magagawa,” she said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/317720/news/nation/opapp-sec-ging-deles-bangsamoro-peace-deal-a-breakthrough

PH, US widen talks for military deal

From ABS-CBN (Jul 16): PH, US widen talks for military deal

- Security allies expand scope of military cooperation talks

- Aim is to ease path for U.S. funding to build facilities

- U.S. may seek storage of gear, humanitarian relief supplies

MANILA - Washington and Manila have expanded talks on military cooperation to include possible U.S. funding to build facilities and the storage of U.S. humanitarian relief supplies, the Philippine envoy to the United States said on Tuesday.

The wider scope of the talks for joint use of civilian and military facilities signals rapidly warming security ties between the allies as the Philippines looks to the U.S. administration to help counter a newly assertive China.

The Philippines has ruled out granting permanent basing rights to Washington, Ambassador Jose Cuisia said, but it would give U.S. warplanes and warships wider access to Philippine bases on a temporary and rotational basis, helping the Asian nation improve its minimum defence capability.

The increasing rotational presence of U.S. forces in the country is covered by the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement, but a new arrangement would be needed if Washington built facilities to support its temporary deployment to the Philippines.

"We need to expand (the 1998 pact) further because we may have to build some additional facilities," Cuisia told reporters in the Philippine capital.

The two countries have been in talks since 2011 for "joint use" of civilian and military facilities in the former U.S. colony.

The informal talks had reached ministerial level, Cuisia said, with both sides hoping for a deal before President Benigno Aquino steps down from office in June 2016.
"There has to be some agreement to support it. Especially if they spend money, there will have to be some agreement."

Cuisia said a new pact might involve a U.S. request for the storage of equipment and supplies in the Philippines to prepare for humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.
That would reduce delays in bringing in equipment from elsewhere, such as bases in Guam and Honolulu, he said.

"Then whenever it's needed it's so much easier to use that equipment because it's already here."

But funding construction activities could be a problem for the United States following huge cuts in its defense spending, Cuisia said.

Last month, the Philippine military told Reuters about plans to revive air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy facility that American forces could use to counter China's creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea.

Military and diplomatic sources familiar with security talks between the allies told Reuters Washington had identified fewer than a dozen civilian and military facilities to which it wanted greater access, most of them facing the South China Sea.

In some civilian locations, the military would need to build facilities for security and storage of supplies, spares and equipment. These facilities could later be offered for joint use with the United States.

Last December, the two nations also started informal talks on the pre-positioning of materials and gear, including that to be withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan as some U.S. forces return home, an air force colonel familiar with the talks said.

"The U.S. military would like to keep tonnes of humanitarian equipment, like tents, generators and shelter materials here," he told Reuters, adding that the latest two-way exercises on disaster response focused on this type of operation.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/16/13/ph-us-widen-talks-military-deal

NPAs torch container van in Surigao del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 16): NPAs torch container van in Surigao del Sur

Armed men believed to be New People's Army members flagged down a container van loaded with banana fruits from DOLE Philippines along the road at a municipality in Surigao del Sur.

Reports from Surigao del Sur police mentioned that the container van which was owned by a certain Allan Bernal, a contractor of DOLE located at Guinhalinan, Barobo town of the said province was traveling along the road of Brgy. Javier, Barobo, Surigao del Sur. It was flagged down and was set on fire by the armed men, 5:00 p.m. Monday.

The owner accordingly refused to give in to the extortion demand of the NPAs, which resulted to the burning of the container van. Pursuit and clearing operations are now conducted by the police and the military personnel against the perpetrators.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544590

2 NPA rebels killed in Bicol clash

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 16): 2 NPA rebels killed in Bicol clash

Two communist rebels were killed in an encounter with government soldiers in Bicol Tuesday morning, a military spokesman said.

Troops from the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion were on patrol when they received a report at 6:45 a.m. that New People’s  Army guerrillas were extorting from villagers in Brgy. Badbad in Oas town in Albay, Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said.

Two NPA rebels, identified only as alias Dennis, team leader of the group, and an alias Peter, were killed in a five-minute firefight, Zagala said.

Two M16 rifles, bandoleers, and personal belongings were seized from the rebels, he said.

The NPA guerrillas withdrew towards Mayag and Matara villages, also in Oas, Zagala said.

No casualties were reported on the military side.

“We want to settle this in a peaceful manner, however, the Army is mandated to safeguard the peace and protect the people from internal threat groups,” said Col Raul Farnacio, 901st Brigade Commander.

“We are reaching out to them to abandon the armed struggle and return to the mainstream of society and live a normal life like many of their comrades did. The AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] is sincere and the government will accept and help them,” he said.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a Maoist rebellion for 44 years now.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/445967/2-npa-rebels-killed-in-bicol-clash

Army general faces rap for allegedly using soldiers to construct his house

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 16): Army general faces rap for allegedly using soldiers to construct his house
An Army general is facing a complaint for allegedly using soldiers in the construction of his three-storey house in Taguig City, prompting the military leadership to order an investigation.

“The [AFP] Chief of Staff [General Emmanuel Bautista] is already aware of the issue and has taken steps to address it. He has already recommended the complaint to the proper investigating body. We will make sure that this will undergo due process for the benefit of those concerned,” military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala told reporters Tuesday.

In a letter of complaint submitted by a “concerned citizen,” Brigadier General Dante Costes, chief of the Communications Electronics and Information Systems Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP) at Camp Aguinaldo was accused of allegedly using soldiers to manpower the construction of his three-storey house at Armed Forces of the Philippines Officers Village Association Inc. [AFPOVAI] in Fort Bonifacio.

The complainant also provided the complete address and map of the officer’s house.

“Tama po ba na ang trabaho ng mga sundalong ito ay mapapabayaan na lamang at unahin ang personal na kapakanan ni Brig Gen. Costes sa paggawa ng sarili niyang bahay? (Is it right that the duty of our soldiers should take a backseat for the sake of Brig Gen. Costes’s personal needs, which is the construction of his house?),” the letter of the complainant said.

The complainant said there are about 20 to 30 soldiers who are forced to work as construction workers every day who are not paid, and even “cursed” when they make a mistake.

Some of the officers and personnel from the CEISSAFP are allegedly involved in the construction, serving as engineers and foreman.

The complainant also revealed an alleged discriminatory gas allocation at CEISSAFP, saying that an enlisted personnel cannot get a share of the supposed large distribution, but civilians, friends, and Costes easily have access to it.

Costes is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1980.

Zagala said the AFP chief received the copy of the complaint two weeks ago, and will make a decision based on the recommendation of the investigative body.

Costes will remain in his position as CEISSAFP chief pending the investigation, Zagala said, adding that he will be given “due process.”

The Army general is “the primary person of interest” in the case, but “if there is a need to investigate others in the process of their probe then they will make the necessary adjustment,” Zagala said.

The spokesman also encouraged personnel to formalize their complaints through the military’s grievance system.

“When we write something against the organization, if you have a complaint against someone or an activity within the organization, you can help by using the grievance system that is already established in the AFP,” he said.

“The system is there it was established so that we can resolve issues and file complaints and make the necessary actions not only to go against people with issues but to improve the organization,” he added.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/446155/army-general-faces-rap-for-allegedly-using-soldiers-to-construct-his-house

Arbitral tribunal hearing on PH case vs China kicks off

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 16): Arbitral tribunal hearing on PH case vs China kicks off
The arbitral tribunal hearing of the territorial dispute case brought by the Philippines against China has officially begun, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Tuesday.

DFA assistant secretary Raul Hernandez told reporters that a draft set of rules to govern the proceedings has been approved and has been sent to both the Philippines and China for their views.

“The Philippine Government is pleased that the Arbitral Tribunal is now formally constituted, and that the arbitration process has begun,” Hernandez said.

On the first meeting of the Tribunal last July 11, it “approved a draft set of Rules of Procedure to govern the proceedings and sent it to the parties for their comments which were requested by August 5, 2013,” he said.

The Philippines will be represented by lawyer Paul Reichler as lead counsel while the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will be headed by the government’s representative.

“The DFA and the OSG have pledged their fullest cooperation with the Tribunal, in order to assure a fair, impartial and efficient process that produces a final and binding judgment in conformity with international law,” Hernandez said.

The Philippines has filed a complaint before the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas (Unclos) against China over several cases of intrusion into the country’s exclusive economic zone by its navy and fishing vessels.

China claims the entire South China Sea including the West Philippine Sea as part of its territory and has been sending Maritime Surveillance and fishing ships into Philippine waters, particularly in Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal).

The DFA previously said that China was taking a hard-line stance against the Philippines which made bilateral talks with Beijing almost impossible.

China has also previously stated that it does not want to participate in third-party arbitration proceedings, insisting bilateral talks.

When asked what would happen to the arbitration proceedings if China refuses to submit comments, Hernandez said that the case will proceed.

“With or without China’s comments, the case will proceed,” he said.

“If they really do not comment then our pleadings will take prominence in the case but having said that the judges will still look at the merits of the whole case,” Hernandez said.

The DFA reiterated that China’s territorial claim over the entire sea is illegal and against the Unclos.

“We brought this case because we feel that we have a big advantage considering the provisions of international law particularly Unclos,” Hernandez said.

“It has always been our position that the 9-dash line claim of China has been expansive, excessive, and illegal as far as the international law is concerned,” he said.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/80809/arbitral-tribunal-hearing-on-ph-case-vs-china-kicks-off

Manila says UN tribunal meets on South China Sea

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 16): Manila says UN tribunal meets on South China Sea
The Philippines says a United Nations arbitration tribunal has convened in The Hague to look into a case it lodged to question the legality of China’s massive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez told a news conference Tuesday that the five-member tribunal under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea convened last week in the Netherlands and approved a set of rules to look into the legal challenge the Philippines launched against Beijing in January.

The Philippines says that China’s claim over virtually the entire South China Sea, including its seizure of several islets and reefs, is illegal and violates UNCLOS, the 1982 U.N. convention which sets territorial limits for coastal states.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/80817/manila-says-un-tribunal-meets-on-south-china-sea

175 ASG rebels neutralized in 2 1/2 years - AFP

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 16): 175 ASG rebels neutralized in 2 1/2 years - AFP

Government efforts against threat groups, especially in Mindanao,  continue to make strides with 175 members of the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) neutralized in a span of two-and-a-half years, military records show.

"To date the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has (been) able to neutralize 175 (ASG) personalities and gained 69 firearms since the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan  (IPSP) Bayanihan," stated a military briefing paper.

The AFP briefing paper also stated that during the said period, the military was able to preempt 25 IED (improvised explosive device) attacks, while cases were also filed in court against 26 ASG personalities.

On the 175 ASG personalities neutralized, officials said this means they were either killed, captured, apprehended, or surrendered during massive military operations against the bandit group.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said the neutralization of 175 ASG men indicates the military is on track in achieving stability in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu, which are known operating areas of the terrorist group.

“The neutralization ensures that we are a step closer to having a secured environment in the region especially in Sulu and Baislan area,” said Zagala.

“Their neutralization is an assurance that we’re headed to a more secure and stable security environment,” he added.

From a peak of about 1,200 in 2000, the military estimates the current strength of the ASG to be around 385.

"Our timeline for the Abu Sayyaf is to defeat them at the soonest possible time. They are priority,” according to the AFP-PAO chief.

The military said that since implementation of IPSP "Bayanihan" in January 2011, government forces have been able to limit the ASG's capability to conduct violent acts  against civilians and communities.

At present, the AFP said the ASG's semi-autonomous sub-groups' operations and activities are mostly confined  in some municipalities of  Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga City, and Tawi-Tawi.

ASG, also known is described as the "smallest and most radical of the Islamic separatist groups operating in the southern Philippines."

It split from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1991 under the leadership of Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani, who was killed in a clash with government forces on December 18, 1998.

Among the activities of the Abu Sayyaf are bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and extortion.

http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/22356/175_ASG_rebels_neutralized_in_2_1/2_years_-_AFP#.UeU2Po7D_mQ

Navy team nabs two NPAs in wild chase

From Malaya (Jul 16): Navy team nabs two NPAs in wild chase

NAVY personnel captured two suspected communist New People’s Army rebels following a chase off the waters of Palawan on Saturday, a military spokesman said yesterday.

1Lt. Cheryl Tindog, spokeswoman of the AFP’s Western Command, said the police-supported operation also resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms, some of them   seized by the rebels in a recent raid of a pearl farm in the province.

Tindog said forces from the Naval Special Operations Group, an elite unit of the Navy, chased a boat carrying a number of NPA rebels off San Vicente town around 6 a.m. Saturday. She said the rebels’ whereabouts were provided by civilian informants.

She said the operation was conducted principally to arrest rebel leader Dionisio Almonte alias Inol and Maeng, who has a standing warrant for an unspecified case.

“They were to serve an arrest warrant but they escaped, ensuing a chase...The armed men scampered and escaped from the pursuing Navy commandos,” said Tindog of the rebels.

She said the rebels proceeded to Sitio Naonao in Port Barton village where they were again chased by the troops. Moments later, the troops caught up with the two rebels and arrested them but Almonte and some of his men were able to flee.

Tindog  said the operation and subsequent follow up operations resulted in the recovery of eight shotguns, a cal. 50 machinegun, three 9 mm pistols, a cal. 45 pistol,a cal. 50 improvised sniper rifle, two improvised bombs, combat boots and their boat.

She said six of the seized shotguns were established to be among the cache of firearms seized by the rebels during the raid of the Salvamar Pearl Farm in Taytay town last April.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/36078-navy-team-nabs-two-npas-in-wild-chase

Manila, Washington discussing US -funded 'joint use' facilities

From InterAksyon (Jul 16): Manila, Washington discussing US -funded 'joint use' facilities

Washington and Manila have expanded talks on military cooperation to include possible US funding to build facilities and the storage of US humanitarian relief supplies, the Philippine envoy to the United States said on Tuesday.

The wider scope of the talks for joint use of civilian and military facilities signals rapidly warming security ties between the allies as the Philippines looks to the US administration to help counter a newly assertive China.

The Philippines has ruled out granting permanent basing rights to Washington, Ambassador Jose Cuisia said, but it would give US warplanes and warships wider access to Philippine bases on a temporary and rotational basis, helping the Asian nation improve its minimum defense capability.

The increasing rotational presence of US forces in the country is covered by the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement but a new arrangement would be needed if Washington built facilities to support its temporary deployment to the Philippines.

"We need to expand (the VFA) further because we may have to build some additional facilities," Cuisia told reporters in Manila.

The two countries have been in talks since 2011 for "joint use" of civilian and military facilities in the former US colony.

The informal talks had reached ministerial level, Cuisia said, with both sides hoping for a deal before President Benigno Aquino III steps down from office in June 2016.
"There has to be some agreement to support it. Especially if they spend money, there will have to be some agreement."

Cuisia said a new pact might involve a US request for the storage of equipment and supplies in the Philippines to prepare for humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.
That would reduce delays in bringing in equipment from elsewhere, such as bases in Guam and Honolulu, he said.

"Then whenever it's needed it's so much easier to use that equipment because it's already here."

But funding construction activities could be a problem for the United States following huge cuts in its defense spending, Cuisia said.

Last month, the Philippine military told Reuters about plans to revive air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former US Navy facility that American forces could use to counter China's creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea.

Military and diplomatic sources familiar with security talks between the allies told Reuters Washington had identified fewer than a dozen civilian and military facilities to which it wanted greater access, most of them facing the South China Sea.

In some civilian locations, the military would need to build facilities for security and storage of supplies, spares and equipment.

These facilities could later be offered for joint use with the United States.

Last December, the two nations also started informal talks on the pre-positioning of materials and gear, including that to be withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan as some US forces return home, an air force colonel familiar with the talks said.

"The US military would like to keep tons of humanitarian equipment, like tents, generators and shelter materials here," he told Reuters, adding that the latest two-way exercises on disaster response focused on this type of operation.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/66503/manila-washington-discussing-us--funded-joint-use-facilities

10 FAQs on Wealth Sharing Annex between Philippines, MILF

Posted to InterAksyon (Jul 16): 10 FAQs on Wealth Sharing Annex between Philippines, MILF

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) came out with these 10 frequently asked questions on the historic Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing Annex between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

1. What is the concept of Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing in the GPH- MILF peace process? Why is it important?

In the context of the GPH-MILF peace process, revenue generation and wealth sharing pertains to the summation of the wealth creation and sourcing powers granted to the envisioned Bangsamoro region to finance its government. It involves the division between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government of government revenues generated within the region from taxation, natural resources, and other government operations. It likewise includes other forms of financial assistance that would be rendered by the Central Government and received by the Bangsamoro Government.

2. Are the contents of the Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing Annex within the confines of the Philippine laws?

Yes, the arrangements in the annex are in accordance to Philippine laws. As a matter of fact, local and regional governments are conferred with, as shown below:

“…a just share in national taxes which shall be automatically and directly released to them without need of any further action; to have an equitable share in the proceeds from the utilization and development of the national wealth and resources within their respective territorial jurisdictions including sharing the same with the inhabitants by way of direct benefits…” (Sec. 18 of the Local Government Code on Power to Generate and Apply Resources)

“…an equitable share in the proceeds of the utilization and development of the national wealth within their respective areas, in the manner provided by law…” (Sec. 7, Art. 3 of the Philippine Constitution on Declaration of Principles and State Policies)
On the other hand, Republic Act (RA) 9054, which is the law strengthening and expanding the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), states the existing wealth sharing setup between the National Government, City, or Provincial Government, and the ARMM.

The laws mentioned above had been taken into account by the GPH and the MILF peace panels when they drafted the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed in October 2012. As stated in Sec. IV of the FAB on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, the parties have agreed that the “Bangsamoro will have the power to create its own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges, subject to limitations as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties” and that the “Bangsamoro shall have a just and equitable share in the revenues generated through the exploration, development, or utilization of natural resources obtaining in all the areas/territories, land or water, covered by and within the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro, in accordance with the formula agreed by the Parties.”

They have also recognized “that wealth creation (or revenue generation and sourcing) is important for the operation of the Bangsamoro.”

3. What is the relationship of the Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing Annex to the FAB and the Bangsamoro Basic Law?

The Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing Annex is one of the four annexes, which, together with the FAB, shall comprise the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the GPH and the MILF.

This annex will serve as a guide to the Transition Commission in the drafting of the wealth sharing and revenue generation provisions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

4. What are the arrangements that the Parties agreed to?

Given the importance of revenue generation and sourcing for the operation of the Bangsamoro, the Bangsamoro Basic Law – as guided by the Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing Annex – shall provide for powers of the Bangsamoro to create its own sources of revenues, as well as to have a just share in the revenues derived from natural resources.

On taxation:

The Bangsamoro Government shall have the power to levy capital gains tax, documentary stamp tax, donor’s tax, and estate tax where all the taxable elements are within the Bangsamoro. This means that the revenues collected from these taxes shall pertain entirely to the Bangsamoro.

For other taxes, fees and charges collected by the Central Government within the Bangsamoro, excluding tariff and customs duties, 75% shall be shared with the Bangsamoro and its constituent local government units while 25% shall remain with the Central Government.

In addition, all the taxing and revenue generation powers already granted to the ARMM under R.A. No. 9054 and other earlier laws shall be transferred to the Bangsamoro.

On natural resources:

Government income derived from the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources within the Bangsamoro shall be allocated in the following manner:
For non-metallic minerals (sand, gravel, and quarry resources), 100% of the revenues shall pertain to the Bangsamoro and its constituent local government units;

For metallic minerals, 75% shall pertain to the Bangsamoro while the remaining 25% shall pertain to the Central Government; and,

For fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) and uranium, there shall be equal sharing of government income from this economic activity.

With regard to the sharing arrangement in number 3, the BBL shall provide a review mechanism.

The share of the Bangsamoro from the above shall include those for its constituent local government units.

We will hold a wide information campaign to ensure that all stakeholders are fully aware of these arrangements.

5. What are “annual block grants”?

The GPH considers this as the most important feature of the new fiscal arrangement for the Bangsamoro because it will free them from the limitations in current budgetary processes of the government in that the actual budget allocation is negotiated on an annual basis.

The annual block grants constitute the annual financial assistance to be extended by the Central Government to the Bangsamoro Government. It is comparable to the internal revenue allotment of other local government units as it shall be automatically appropriated and regularly released to the Bangsamoro. These block grants shall not be less than the last budget received by the ARMM immediately before the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

Revenues from the additional taxes beyond those already devolved to the ARMM and the Bangsamoro share in revenues derived from exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources will be deducted from the amount comprising the annual block grant. This is without prejudice to the just share of the Bangsamoro’s constituent local government units in the national taxes.

These deductions shall be suspended for four years from the full operation of the Bangsamoro.

This proposed revision came from the MILF and reflects their aspiration to be increasingly less dependent on national government support.

6. Are the revenue generation and wealth sharing arrangements constitutional?

Yes, all arrangements in the annex are constitutional as these have been framed within the bounds and flexibilities of the Constitution and other pertinent laws. Similarly, the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which itself will undergo a constitutional process – from certification as an urgent bill by the President and passage by Congress, to the conduct of plebiscite in FAB-covered areas for its ratification, shall be consistent with these wealth sharing arrangements.

7. Is there a check and balance/accountability mechanism over the revenues and funds generated by the Bangsamoro government?

Yes. As provided in the FAB, an Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board shall be created to serve as a mechanism for partnership and coordination between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro toward building a strong fiscal foundation and sustainable development in the region. Further, the Bangsamoro government shall create its own auditing body and procedures for accountability over revenues and other funds generated within or by the region from external sources, without prejudice to the power and duty of the national Commission on Audit.

8. How will these arrangements benefit the Central Government and the country as a whole?

These arrangements will facilitate political and fiscal autonomy which is important for the Bangsamoro to operate and deliver to its constituents, thereby contributing to the achievement of peace and progress in the south.

All Filipinos will benefit because the peace and developments in the south will pull the entire nation upward. With the MILF as partners in government, both will jointly be able to address other security concerns, opening the door for bigger trade and tourism opportunities.

9. Will the Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing Annex ensure better tax collection in the Bangsamoro region?

Yes. Together with administrative mechanisms to monitor performance, assistance from the Central Government shall also be extended to improve the capability of the Bangsamoro government to ensure efficient tax administration and fiscal management.

10. What are the next steps after the signing of the Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing Annex?

The panels have agreed to convene again after the Ramadhan to continue work on the two remaining annexes – the Annexes on Power Sharing and Normalization.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/66482/10-faqs-on-wealth-sharing-annex-between-philippines-milf

Bangsamoro gets ‘block grant’ aside from 75% wealth share

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 16): Bangsamoro gets ‘block grant’ aside from 75% wealth share

Aside from the already skewed 75 to 25 wealth sharing formula on the exploitation of resources and tax collections in the proposed Bangsamoro political entity, the new substate will enjoy an “annual block grant” from the government under the annex for the framework agreement signed the other day between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the wealth sharing annex contains a formula that will be provided in the Basic Law on how such automatic appropriation comprising the annual block grant will be decided.

The automatic appropriations from the 75-25 deal will be deducted from the block grant, she said.

“But at the same time, there is another provision that says that revenues that the Bangsamoro earns from the additional taxes, including four additional taxes and whatever taxes may accrue to them in the future as well as the income from the revenues from natural resources shall be deducted from the annual block grant,” she said.

She said the whole intent in creating the Bangsamoro and providing it with vast powers is for it to be less dependent on the grant that comes from government.

“As soon as they are able to generate the resources on their own through peaceful environment that precisely would encourage the kind of economic activity, sustainable mining as well as exploration of the potentials as far as fossil fuels are concerned, as soon as they are able to generate a good share from these revenues, this will be deducted from the annual block grants,” Corornel-Ferrer said.

The exploitation of natural sources in the proposed Bangsamoro substate which will be heavily tilted at 75 percent to 25 percent in favor of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which will administer the substate, will cover “everything from above and below the ground” including the potential resources that are yet discovered such as uranium, Coronel-Ferrer told reporters yesterday.

Coronel-Ferrer and Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Teresita Deles briefed Malacañang reporters yesterday on the details of the wealth sharing annex signed between the MILF and the government last Sunday that provides an unprecedented 75 percent Bangsamoro share in revenues from taxes and mining collected by the so-called “political entity.”

Coronel-Ferrer said the agreement also included uranium and oil, at an equal sharing terms, despite these resources not actually found to be existing in the proposed regions covered by the substate.

“In actual terms we are not talking about something concrete but we are envisioning that in the future, such resources are actually found to be commercially viable, explored and utilized, then the sharing with regard to government income from this economic activity will be equal,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

She said the 75 to 25 sharing ratio refers to the income to be generated from different resources which varies from one resource to another.

“So for instance, when we talk about metallic minerals, under a mineral production sharing arrangement or MPSA, the 75 percent that will go to the Bangsamoro is the 75 percent of the two percent excise tax paid by mining companies for the exploration and utilization of metallic minerals,” she said.

“When it comes to fossil fuel, the sharing arrangement with the companies is 60 percent for the national government of net income,” she said.

“When we say equal share, we are referring to the equal share in the 60 percent of the net income as far as fossil fuel or oil is concerned,” she said.

Coronel-Ferrer admitted the “unique provision” in the wealth sharing annex but she said the Bangsamoro automatic revenues would eventually be deducted from their annual appropriations.

“The first unique provision is that there will be automatic appropriation that will take away the constraints of the central budgeting process,” she said.

She said the uniqueness is almost similar to the ministerial form of government that will be introduced in the Bangsamoro.

She said the proposed Bangsamoro will enjoy something that local government units (LGUs) have been enjoying, which is the internal revenue allotment that is computed on the basis of a sharing ratio.

“As you know, the ARMM is almost, totally dependent on revenues or financial assistance coming from the central government. It does not speak well for autonomy; and I think you can give it to the MILF that they are really driven by that sincere desire to be able to stand,” she said.

“It is not a one-way partnership. Government giving everything to the Bangsamoro but also Bangsamoro sharing and contributing to the development of the whole country,” the chief negotiator said.

Coronel-Ferrer said that they are covering all grounds to ensure the full cooperation of the legislators “especially the new Congress that’s coming in next week”.

“We have been in constant discussions and consultations with key members of both the Senate and the House, and to that extent this is a common — we are confident that this is a shared project.

“We might have some disagreements in the future over certain details but I think what’s important is the sum total and the intentions are already very much shared between the Executive branch and the Legislative branch,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

In the normalization annex, Coronel-Ferrer said “this is where crunch time really comes for the MILF.

“We will be working on the decommissioning of combatants and weapons; and as you can imagine, that is something that is not easy to give up for a group that has held on to its arms in order to pursue its cause; and it is something that they cannot simply do when, in fact, there are so many other armed groups in the area. There are so many other, well, criminal groups, private armed groups, and so on.

So with regard to the normalization annex, there are still contentions on the phasing and the process as to how it will be done but the MILF has already committed to this.

It’s going to be part of the comprehensive agreement that alongside the political and economic deliverables will be these deliverables on their part,” Coronel-Ferrer said.
She said that the panels had been discussing the three annexes simultaneously ever since.

“It’s so happened that we move faster on the wealth-sharing. We are able to put together all the common points that — where consensus has been reached.

“We already have a good number of consensus points on the power-sharing annex as well as the normalization annex. So it is will be a contest between the two annexes which one gets to the finish line first,” she said.

Coronel-Ferrer said that the timetable is always a product of mutual deliberations.
“The point is we both know that we have to finish this as soon as possible so that we can get to the implementation as soon as possible and able to reach our goal within the framework of this administration,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

Deles, meanwhile, expressed elation over the partial result of the peace negotiations that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia which was considered by the panels as having gone through a “rough patch of difficult negotiations”.

“You know, we shouldn’t be surprised when some people express some dissatisfaction.
“In negotiations, it’s always because positions are far from each other and you negotiate and each side has to move. There is no negotiation where one side gets 100 percent. And so, it is… The call is to look at the big picture and I think, in the end, the political leadership of the MILF looked at it,” Deles said.

Deles was also well aware that their counterpart in the negotiations were not satisfied with the result of the signed wealth sharing annex.

“They are not happy with everything as that is the way it is. But, in the end, they decided—in light of the overall goal of everyone, and in light of what had already been conceded, and the roadmap that was already in the framework agreement—that this was the best at this particular time,” Deles said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/16735-bangsamoro-gets-block-grant-aside-from-75-wealth-share