From InterAksyon (Oct 14): Cops still clueless on Malik
More than two weeks after the government declared the crisis in Zamboanga City over, the Philippine National Police admitted it remains clueless about the whereabouts and fate of Ustadz Habier Malik, who led Moro National Liberation Front fighters against government forces in an almost month-long standoff that cost more than 200 lives and displaced more than 100,000 people.
At the same time, they said there could still be MNLF stragglers hiding out in the mangrove swamps of Zamboanga.
“Actually, we’re still trying to sort out if he was among the recovered dead. We’ve a lot of reports of where he might be but there is no confirmation of these reports,” Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima said on Monday.
Neither has any trace of Malik, one of MNLF founder Nur Misuari’s most trusted lieutenants, shown up on DNA tests conducted on the bodies of slain rebels, he added.
At the height of the fighting, there were persistent reports about Malik having escaped to Sulu.
However, the military consistently denied this, insisting that the MNLF commander was trapped in the “constriction area” they had set up around areas where rebel holdouts remained.
Purisima also said while they have heard of reports that Misuari has fled abroad, they have not confirmed these.
Warrants of arrest have been issued against Misuari, Malik and two other MNLF commanders on charges of rebellion and violations of international humanitarian law.
“That’s the gossip that we’ve heard (about Misuari). Wala pa po tayong official na report patungkol po d’yan. Tuloy-tuloy ang paghahanap kay Nur Misuari, kay Malik at iba pa dahil meron na silang warrant of arrest na nakalabas laban sa kanila (We have no official report about that. The search is continuing for Nur Misuari, for Malik and others because warrants of arrest have been issued against them)” Purisima said.
He added that a reward against them might be announced in the near future.
On the other hand, Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9, denied reports the Zamboanga City crisis management committee has gave permission to residents to go back to their homes, particularly to Barangay Sta. Barbara, scene of some of the worst fighting during the standoff.
“Itong nangyari ngayon is a case of disinformation. Ang akala ng mga (residents) ng Sta. Barbara ay puwede na silang bumalik. Pero, in fact, wala naman talagang instruction ‘yung CMC na puwede nang bumalik sila (What happened is a case of disinformation. The residents of Sta. Barbara thought they could return. But there has been no instruction from the CMC for them to return),” Huesca said.
Earlier, the police spokesman said clearing operations were continuing to remove unexploded ordnance and weed out rebel holdouts.
“There is a possibility na may mga iilan pa ring stragglers na naka-situate pa rin sa mga (that a few stragglers remain situated in the) mangrove areas,’ Huesca said.
Meanwhile, the five policemen killed during the standoff were declared heroes by the PNP in a wreath-laying ceremony Monday. They are Inspector Jay Oy-oyan and Police Officer 2 Murphy Abbilani of the Zamboanga City Police Office, and PO2s Christopher Hernaez, Lawin Salisa and Enrique Afable of the Special Action Force.
“The PNP is really proud of them,” Purisima said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/72734/cops-still-clueless-on-malik
Monday, October 14, 2013
55 IB Phil. Army sets up quick response/reaction teams in Misamis Occidental
From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 14): 55 IB Phil. Army sets up quick response/reaction teams in Misamis Occidental
“Such teams will complement the Philippine National Police (PNP) in providing security to the polling, voting and counting centers, during the elections, as we assure the people the province of our services to ensure a free, honest, orderly, peaceful elections,” Lt. Col. Rommel B. Almaria, Battalion Commander of 55IB, said.
Almaria represented the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the recent Misamis Occidental Provincial Joint Command Conference in Connection with the October 28, 2013 Barangay Elections.
Meanwhile, he said that his men will continue to do its Internal Security Operations (ISO) or its own functions and responsibilities during the election period, among which, is to conduct counter insurgency activities in its area of responsibility (AOR).
The AOR of 55IB includes the hinterland areas at the foot of Mt. Malindang Range and Natural Park (NMRNP) bordering the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
On the other hand, 55IB will provide security to the personnel of the Comelec and its deputies and other persons performing election-related functions and deploy, at the least time possible, troops for election duty in coordination with Atty. Roy Prule M. Ediza, Acting Provincial Election Supervisors (PES) of Misamis Occidental.
It will also look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit or which is committing or attempting to commit, acts of terrorism, or threats to intimidate or coerce any person to vote for or against a candidate, and to suppress or prevent said acts of terrorism or threats, Almaria added.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1451381725877
OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The 55th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army (55IB,PA) has set up Quick Response/Reaction Teams (QRT), purposely for the 2013 Barangay Elections.
“Such teams will complement the Philippine National Police (PNP) in providing security to the polling, voting and counting centers, during the elections, as we assure the people the province of our services to ensure a free, honest, orderly, peaceful elections,” Lt. Col. Rommel B. Almaria, Battalion Commander of 55IB, said.
Almaria represented the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the recent Misamis Occidental Provincial Joint Command Conference in Connection with the October 28, 2013 Barangay Elections.
Meanwhile, he said that his men will continue to do its Internal Security Operations (ISO) or its own functions and responsibilities during the election period, among which, is to conduct counter insurgency activities in its area of responsibility (AOR).
The AOR of 55IB includes the hinterland areas at the foot of Mt. Malindang Range and Natural Park (NMRNP) bordering the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
On the other hand, 55IB will provide security to the personnel of the Comelec and its deputies and other persons performing election-related functions and deploy, at the least time possible, troops for election duty in coordination with Atty. Roy Prule M. Ediza, Acting Provincial Election Supervisors (PES) of Misamis Occidental.
It will also look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit or which is committing or attempting to commit, acts of terrorism, or threats to intimidate or coerce any person to vote for or against a candidate, and to suppress or prevent said acts of terrorism or threats, Almaria added.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1451381725877
Military denies 13 soldiers killed by rebels
From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Oct 14): Military denies 13 soldiers killed by rebels
THE military denied Sunday the claim of the New People’s Army (NPA) that more than a dozen soldiers were killed by armed insurgents in a recent encounter in a remote village in Quezon town, Bukidnon.
In a statement sent to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro on Saturday, Ka Ariel “Inda” Magbanwag, spokesman of the NPA-South Central Bukidnon sub-regional command, said 13 soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8th IB) were killed by a command-detonated explosive in sitio Tubod, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon around 5:30 p.m. of October 6.
Aside from those killed by the explosion, Magbanwag added, “many more soldiers were wounded while the guerrilla unit implementing the offensive action suffered no casualties.”
Magbanwag said the soldiers were on a combat mission from sitio Kiranggol in Barangay Dao in San Fernando town, Bukidnon “to bolster the distressed force of the Butsoy Salusad bandit group in the wake of the recent NPA attack.”
The rebels thoroughly monitored their exit route toward Quezon town, he added.
Magbanwag also said that the rebels detonated the explosive device on the spot where some 53 soldiers took cover when the firefight began.
“The 8th IB troops, fresh from their retraining course, suffered heavy casualties,” he added.
Magbanwag said the military couldn’t hide the casualties that resulted from the firefight.
“Lieutenant Norman Tagros, 8th IB spokesperson, denies at every turn when confronted with questions by the local media regarding the incident and their casualties,” he said.
Proof of this, he said, residents noticed two ambulances and two military service vehicles “discretely parked near the cemetery in Salawagan” after the encounter.
The next day, he said villagers also saw “another striped KIA truck carrying a load covered in tarp was seen coming from the command post by residents celebrating fiesta in Salawagan.”
“As always the case, they (military) deny ever committing violation of international humanitarian law in forcing a barangay tanod to guide their troops and in strafing a civilian. Worst of all, they indiscriminately accused the residents of being NPA supporters and blamed them for the harsh beating suffered by their troops,” Magbanwag added.
Untrue
But Captain Christian Uy, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division, said the NPA statement was untrue.
“It was a mere propaganda,” Uy told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro in a telephone interview Sunday afternoon.
Uy confirmed, however, that there was indeed an encounter last October 6 in said area between the soldiers and the armed rebels but it was brief.
“There was an encounter but it lasted only five minutes,” he said.
Uy said there were only five NPA rebels who figured in the firefight, but they withdrew shortly.
He said there was no casualty on the military, while it was not determined if there was any NPA rebel who was either killed or injured in the conflict.
Landmines
Uy also clarified that what the NPA has are not command-detonated explosives, but landmines.
It’s just so sad, he said, the NPA has resorted to using landmines which could injure civilians.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2013/10/14/military-denies-13-soldiers-killed-rebels-308499
THE military denied Sunday the claim of the New People’s Army (NPA) that more than a dozen soldiers were killed by armed insurgents in a recent encounter in a remote village in Quezon town, Bukidnon.
In a statement sent to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro on Saturday, Ka Ariel “Inda” Magbanwag, spokesman of the NPA-South Central Bukidnon sub-regional command, said 13 soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8th IB) were killed by a command-detonated explosive in sitio Tubod, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon around 5:30 p.m. of October 6.
Aside from those killed by the explosion, Magbanwag added, “many more soldiers were wounded while the guerrilla unit implementing the offensive action suffered no casualties.”
Magbanwag said the soldiers were on a combat mission from sitio Kiranggol in Barangay Dao in San Fernando town, Bukidnon “to bolster the distressed force of the Butsoy Salusad bandit group in the wake of the recent NPA attack.”
The rebels thoroughly monitored their exit route toward Quezon town, he added.
Magbanwag also said that the rebels detonated the explosive device on the spot where some 53 soldiers took cover when the firefight began.
“The 8th IB troops, fresh from their retraining course, suffered heavy casualties,” he added.
Magbanwag said the military couldn’t hide the casualties that resulted from the firefight.
“Lieutenant Norman Tagros, 8th IB spokesperson, denies at every turn when confronted with questions by the local media regarding the incident and their casualties,” he said.
Proof of this, he said, residents noticed two ambulances and two military service vehicles “discretely parked near the cemetery in Salawagan” after the encounter.
The next day, he said villagers also saw “another striped KIA truck carrying a load covered in tarp was seen coming from the command post by residents celebrating fiesta in Salawagan.”
“As always the case, they (military) deny ever committing violation of international humanitarian law in forcing a barangay tanod to guide their troops and in strafing a civilian. Worst of all, they indiscriminately accused the residents of being NPA supporters and blamed them for the harsh beating suffered by their troops,” Magbanwag added.
Untrue
But Captain Christian Uy, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division, said the NPA statement was untrue.
“It was a mere propaganda,” Uy told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro in a telephone interview Sunday afternoon.
Uy confirmed, however, that there was indeed an encounter last October 6 in said area between the soldiers and the armed rebels but it was brief.
“There was an encounter but it lasted only five minutes,” he said.
Uy said there were only five NPA rebels who figured in the firefight, but they withdrew shortly.
He said there was no casualty on the military, while it was not determined if there was any NPA rebel who was either killed or injured in the conflict.
Landmines
Uy also clarified that what the NPA has are not command-detonated explosives, but landmines.
It’s just so sad, he said, the NPA has resorted to using landmines which could injure civilians.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2013/10/14/military-denies-13-soldiers-killed-rebels-308499
Military: MNLF commander Malik probably among MNLF dead; no word from rebel side
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): Military: MNLF commander Malik probably among MNLF dead; no word from rebel side
AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Maj. Franco Alano Monday said there is a probability Moro National Liberation Front commander Habier Malik, a ranking aide of Nur Misuari, who led the attack inZamboanga City
Alano made this statement after ground units conducting clearing operations have recovered two cadavers similar to Malik's built and features.
"But this is still without confirmation," he added.
Alano stressed that the bodies are now being processed by the Philippine National Police as they have technical means to do so.
There has been no immediate reaction from the MNLF side.
The AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesperson said that verifying this information is going to be a hard task as MNLF fighters don't use uniforms and are generally without any identification tags or marks.
Alano added that they are still verifying reports that Malik may have escaped.
However, checking out this information is going to be hard as information concerning the MNLF commander's alleged escape is coming from second and third hand sources.
Meanwhile, the AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesperson said that intelligence information they have indicates that Misuari is still in thePhilippines
"We have no report to indicate that he fled out of the country," Alano stressed.
He also declined to comment on why the Philippine National Police is taking its time to arrest the MNLF founding chair, adding the police is planning to a "calibrated approach" on the matter.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=576210
AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Maj. Franco Alano Monday said there is a probability Moro National Liberation Front commander Habier Malik, a ranking aide of Nur Misuari, who led the attack in
Alano made this statement after ground units conducting clearing operations have recovered two cadavers similar to Malik's built and features.
"But this is still without confirmation," he added.
Alano stressed that the bodies are now being processed by the Philippine National Police as they have technical means to do so.
There has been no immediate reaction from the MNLF side.
The AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesperson said that verifying this information is going to be a hard task as MNLF fighters don't use uniforms and are generally without any identification tags or marks.
Alano added that they are still verifying reports that Malik may have escaped.
However, checking out this information is going to be hard as information concerning the MNLF commander's alleged escape is coming from second and third hand sources.
Meanwhile, the AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesperson said that intelligence information they have indicates that Misuari is still in the
"We have no report to indicate that he fled out of the country," Alano stressed.
He also declined to comment on why the Philippine National Police is taking its time to arrest the MNLF founding chair, adding the police is planning to a "calibrated approach" on the matter.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=576210
PNP says Malik's fate remains unknown
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): PNP says Malik's fate remains unknown
PNP Chief, Director General Alan Purisima on Monday said that authorities were still trying to determine the whereabouts and fate of MNLF Commander Habier Malik.
"Actually hinahanap pa rin natin doon sa mga patay, samga lugar na kung saan sya maaaring matagpuan at marami pong reports na ating natatanggap at hindi pa po natin nakukumpirma kung nasaan po siya hanggang sa ngayon," Purisima said in a interview after the wreath-laying rites at the bantayog ng Bayaning Pulis in Camp Crame in honor of the five PNP personnel who died during police operations against members of the MNLF Misuari faction that laid siege in at least six barangays in downtown Zamboanga city last September 9.
Malik, led Moro National Liberation Front fighters against government forces in an almost month-long standoff that cost more than 200 lives and displaced more than 100,000 people.
The PNP Chief also said that they took DNA samples from the cadavers then they are subject for verification.
Purisima said that the authorities continue to hunt down Nur Misuari, founder of the MNLF, a group who went on a three-week long stand-off with government troops inZamboanga
City
Purisima also said that while they have heard of reports that Misuari has fled abroad, they have not confirmed this.
"Yun ang mga tsismis na naririnig po natin. Wala pa po tayong official na report patungkol po dyan. Tuloy tuloy po paghahanap kay Nur Misuari, kay Malik at saka dahil meron na po silang warrant of arrest na nakalabas po laban sa kanila," he explained.
Warrants of arrest have been issued against Misuari, Malik and two other MNLF commanders on charges of rebellion and violations of international humanitarian law.
He added that a reward against them might be announced in the near future.
Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 said that clearing operations were still ongoing inZamboanga City
"Actually yung situation sa loob ng Sta Barbara ongoing yung clearing operations. Ang daming mga unexploded ordnances kaya nga dinodouble check natin to ensure napagbalik ng mga constituents hindi na magkakaroon ng complications," he said.
Huesca also denied reports theZamboanga
City
“Itong nangyari ngayon is a case of disinformation. Ang akala ng mga (residents) ng Sta. Barbara ay puwede na silang bumalik. Pero, in fact, wala naman talagang instruction ‘yung CMC na puwede nang bumalik sila ,” Huesca said.
The standoff between government troops and MNLF rebels started on September 9 and lasted for about three weeks.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=576323
PNP Chief, Director General Alan Purisima on Monday said that authorities were still trying to determine the whereabouts and fate of MNLF Commander Habier Malik.
"Actually hinahanap pa rin natin doon sa mga patay, samga lugar na kung saan sya maaaring matagpuan at marami pong reports na ating natatanggap at hindi pa po natin nakukumpirma kung nasaan po siya hanggang sa ngayon," Purisima said in a interview after the wreath-laying rites at the bantayog ng Bayaning Pulis in Camp Crame in honor of the five PNP personnel who died during police operations against members of the MNLF Misuari faction that laid siege in at least six barangays in downtown Zamboanga city last September 9.
Malik, led Moro National Liberation Front fighters against government forces in an almost month-long standoff that cost more than 200 lives and displaced more than 100,000 people.
The PNP Chief also said that they took DNA samples from the cadavers then they are subject for verification.
Purisima said that the authorities continue to hunt down Nur Misuari, founder of the MNLF, a group who went on a three-week long stand-off with government troops in
Purisima also said that while they have heard of reports that Misuari has fled abroad, they have not confirmed this.
"Yun ang mga tsismis na naririnig po natin. Wala pa po tayong official na report patungkol po dyan. Tuloy tuloy po paghahanap kay Nur Misuari, kay Malik at saka dahil meron na po silang warrant of arrest na nakalabas po laban sa kanila," he explained.
Warrants of arrest have been issued against Misuari, Malik and two other MNLF commanders on charges of rebellion and violations of international humanitarian law.
He added that a reward against them might be announced in the near future.
Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 said that clearing operations were still ongoing in
"Actually yung situation sa loob ng Sta Barbara ongoing yung clearing operations. Ang daming mga unexploded ordnances kaya nga dinodouble check natin to ensure napagbalik ng mga constituents hindi na magkakaroon ng complications," he said.
Huesca also denied reports the
“Itong nangyari ngayon is a case of disinformation. Ang akala ng mga (residents) ng Sta. Barbara ay puwede na silang bumalik. Pero, in fact, wala naman talagang instruction ‘yung CMC na puwede nang bumalik sila ,” Huesca said.
The standoff between government troops and MNLF rebels started on September 9 and lasted for about three weeks.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=576323
USS Henson joins OV-10 recovery efforts anew in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): USS Henson joins OV-10 recovery efforts anew in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa
Despite lacking positive visual sighting of the two missing pilots and the OV-10 Bronco 630 attack plane that went down four months ago, search missions are still ongoing, with the United States Navy's USS Henson joining anew the recovery efforts.
Joint Task Force Bronco (JTFB), the task force created by the Western Command for the search operations, released an update Friday on the OV-10 aircraft, which has been missing since June 23, 2013.
JTFB chief Brig. Gen. Conrado V. Parra, concurrent commander of the 570th Composite Tactical Wing, said massive search operations were undertaken by various agencies under the control of joint task force.
"The latest of these efforts is the participation of the US Navy's USS Henson that indicates a suspicious contour located approximately 58 meters below sea level at the vicinity," Parra said.
On October 8 to 9, a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) verified the image but "unfortunately revealed that it was a rock and coral formation," he added.
The JTFB chief said that with almost all shallow parts of the sea had already been scanned using sonar equipment, this leaves the deep parts of the sea which are over 1,000 meters the most probable site of the OV-10 crash.
"However, this can only be scanned using the ROV of Shell Philippines which will be available only in December. Considering the almost four months of continuous search and rescue operations with negative results, we are now switching to search and recovery operations," Parra said.
Joint Task Force Bronco has been scouring Honda Bay some 5.9 nautical miles off the Puerto Princesa Airport, the area believed to be where the turbo-prop aircraft crashed shortly after its night proficiency flight last June 23.
The pilots were identified as Maj. Jonathan Ybañez and 1st Lt. Abner Trust Nacion.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=576148
Despite lacking positive visual sighting of the two missing pilots and the OV-10 Bronco 630 attack plane that went down four months ago, search missions are still ongoing, with the United States Navy's USS Henson joining anew the recovery efforts.
Joint Task Force Bronco (JTFB), the task force created by the Western Command for the search operations, released an update Friday on the OV-10 aircraft, which has been missing since June 23, 2013.
JTFB chief Brig. Gen. Conrado V. Parra, concurrent commander of the 570th Composite Tactical Wing, said massive search operations were undertaken by various agencies under the control of joint task force.
"The latest of these efforts is the participation of the US Navy's USS Henson that indicates a suspicious contour located approximately 58 meters below sea level at the vicinity," Parra said.
On October 8 to 9, a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) verified the image but "unfortunately revealed that it was a rock and coral formation," he added.
The JTFB chief said that with almost all shallow parts of the sea had already been scanned using sonar equipment, this leaves the deep parts of the sea which are over 1,000 meters the most probable site of the OV-10 crash.
"However, this can only be scanned using the ROV of Shell Philippines which will be available only in December. Considering the almost four months of continuous search and rescue operations with negative results, we are now switching to search and recovery operations," Parra said.
Joint Task Force Bronco has been scouring Honda Bay some 5.9 nautical miles off the Puerto Princesa Airport, the area believed to be where the turbo-prop aircraft crashed shortly after its night proficiency flight last June 23.
The pilots were identified as Maj. Jonathan Ybañez and 1st Lt. Abner Trust Nacion.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=576148
Cops on alert after bomb found inside North Cotabato college
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): Cops on alert after bomb found inside North Cotabato college
ARAKAN,North Cotabato –-
Police here had been placed on heightened alert following the discovery of a
powerful improvised explosive device (IED) inside a college compound Monday
morning.
An alert security guard of a Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology in Barangay Doroluman, Arakan,North Cotabato
prevented what could have been a bloody Monday morning when he found a
suspicious box beside the school's flagpole.
The school guard who was not identified by the police told investigators he saw the box left unattended at 6:45 a.m. beside the flagpole where a flag raising ceremonies was to take place, according to investigator Senior police Officer Jomar Deocampo of Arakan police.
Deocampo said the box was wrapped with packing tape and has electrical wirings, raising suspicion it was a bomb.
So the guard quickly alerted the police and bomb experts who confirmed the box contained improvised bomb.
But the police did not divulge the composition of the IED. No one has claimed responsibility for the attempt.
School authorities could not say why the school was subjected to bombing attempt.
Arakan is a farming community inNorth Cotabato
where communist rebels operate.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=576274
ARAKAN,
An alert security guard of a Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology in Barangay Doroluman, Arakan,
The school guard who was not identified by the police told investigators he saw the box left unattended at 6:45 a.m. beside the flagpole where a flag raising ceremonies was to take place, according to investigator Senior police Officer Jomar Deocampo of Arakan police.
Deocampo said the box was wrapped with packing tape and has electrical wirings, raising suspicion it was a bomb.
So the guard quickly alerted the police and bomb experts who confirmed the box contained improvised bomb.
But the police did not divulge the composition of the IED. No one has claimed responsibility for the attempt.
School authorities could not say why the school was subjected to bombing attempt.
Arakan is a farming community in
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=576274
Palace optimistic GPH-MILF to reach consensus on peace deal's last 2 annexes
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): Palace optimistic GPH-MILF to reach consensus on peace deal's last 2 annexes
Malacanang expressed optimism that the peace negotiating panels would soon reach an agreement on the last two annexes to be added to the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB).
The 41st exploratory talks inKuala
Lumpur
"I understand your impatience. It's important for both sides to address issues related to the remaining annexes and make sure they'll stand scrutiny. We remain optimistic," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a media briefing.
GPH panel chair Miriam Colonel Ferrer said the parties will meet again "in due time" as they agreed on a process to facilitate the discussion on unsettled issues.
“Despite the exhausting daily overtime sessions in the last five days, the panels remained upbeat,” Ferrer said in a statement.
Ferrer described the meetings as "very productive," and said that “professionalism and mutual respect prevailed throughout the process.”
For her part, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita "Ging" Deles said there is an "understanding now on the level of detail that would go into the annex on power-sharing but (there are) some disagreements still on specific features."
“The panels really wanted to sign even one annex, but both share a common understanding that whatever they sign should create real, viable and lasting solutions to the Bangsamoro problem," she said.
"They chose to exert extra due diligence in their work in the annexes to ensure that solutions are truly acceptable to the Bangsamoro people who will benefit the most," she added.
A completed FAB shall be the basis for an enabling law to legitimize the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with an MILF-led Bangsamoro self-governing political entity.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=576172
Malacanang expressed optimism that the peace negotiating panels would soon reach an agreement on the last two annexes to be added to the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB).
The 41st exploratory talks in
"I understand your impatience. It's important for both sides to address issues related to the remaining annexes and make sure they'll stand scrutiny. We remain optimistic," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a media briefing.
GPH panel chair Miriam Colonel Ferrer said the parties will meet again "in due time" as they agreed on a process to facilitate the discussion on unsettled issues.
“Despite the exhausting daily overtime sessions in the last five days, the panels remained upbeat,” Ferrer said in a statement.
Ferrer described the meetings as "very productive," and said that “professionalism and mutual respect prevailed throughout the process.”
For her part, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita "Ging" Deles said there is an "understanding now on the level of detail that would go into the annex on power-sharing but (there are) some disagreements still on specific features."
“The panels really wanted to sign even one annex, but both share a common understanding that whatever they sign should create real, viable and lasting solutions to the Bangsamoro problem," she said.
"They chose to exert extra due diligence in their work in the annexes to ensure that solutions are truly acceptable to the Bangsamoro people who will benefit the most," she added.
A completed FAB shall be the basis for an enabling law to legitimize the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with an MILF-led Bangsamoro self-governing political entity.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=576172
MNLF members yield in Bukidnon
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): MNLF members yield in Bukidnon
An undetermined number of individuals who claimed to be members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) surrendered “en masse” to officials in Malitbog, Bukidnon, a town official said on Monday.
Malitbog Vice
Mayor Gary
Casino said that the surrenderors were
unarmed MNLF members from the farming village
of Abyawan , Barangay Siloo, a faraway
hinterland area accessible via the neighboring town of Manolo Fortich
Casino said that the MNLF members surrendered their ID cards as a symbolic gesture showing that they no longer want to be identified as members of the MNLF.
The mass surrender came after a warrant arrest was issued against MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari following the MNLF attack inZamboanga City
Casino said that the MNLF members had sent out surrender feelers and were fetched by a government vehicle to be brought to the municipal center where they surrendered officially to the Philippine National Police.
He said that the surrenderors were most likely under MNLF Commander Amir Alibug. The names of the surrenderors were not made available, Casino said.
The military said that they would be monitoring the movement and activities of the MNLF surrenderos.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=576306
An undetermined number of individuals who claimed to be members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) surrendered “en masse” to officials in Malitbog, Bukidnon, a town official said on Monday.
Casino said that the MNLF members surrendered their ID cards as a symbolic gesture showing that they no longer want to be identified as members of the MNLF.
The mass surrender came after a warrant arrest was issued against MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari following the MNLF attack in
Casino said that the MNLF members had sent out surrender feelers and were fetched by a government vehicle to be brought to the municipal center where they surrendered officially to the Philippine National Police.
He said that the surrenderors were most likely under MNLF Commander Amir Alibug. The names of the surrenderors were not made available, Casino said.
The military said that they would be monitoring the movement and activities of the MNLF surrenderos.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=576306