Suspects in North Cotabato bombing identified, hunted down

From InterAksyon (Nov 20): Suspects in North Cotabato bombing identified, hunted down

Police authorities in North Cotabato on Tuesday said they have the identities of the men who planted and set off one of two improvised explosive devices at a populated highway in Kabacan, North Cotabato on Sunday night.

Superintendent Danilo Peralta, North Cotabato police director, however refused to divulge the names of the perpetrators saying a manhunt operation is still ongoing.

The police-led task force is composed of other investigating units of the military and the PNP as well as the local government of Kabacan.

A 19-year-old student of University of Southern Mindanao (USM Kabacan) was killed while 16 others were hurt. Thirteen of the victims were USM students.

Monique Mantawil, a development communication student, and her classmates and friends were walking along the national highway near an overpass when the improvised explosive device was set off around 7 p.m. She sustained shrapnel injuries in the head.

Monique has been laid to rest Monday in accordance with Islamic tradition.
Her classmates and friends described her as very friendly, idealistic and determined to finish her studies.

Dr. Francisco Garcia, USM president, appealed for a speedy and impartial investigation to give justice to Mantawil and other victims. Garcia said the university will extend assistance to the students.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza and Kabacan Mayor Herlo Guzman have offered a combined P200,000 reward for the arrest of the suspects.

Authorities blamed the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) or illegal drugs groups for the bombing.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99555/suspects-in-north-cotabato-bombing-identified-hunted-down

BIFF reportedly seizes sitio in Cotabato province

From GMA News (Nov 20): BIFF reportedly seizes sitio in Cotabato province

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have reportedly seized a sitio in Midsayap town in Cotabato province, a television report said Thursday.

A report on GMA News TV's "News TV Live" said some 300 BIFF fighters entered Sitio Bentad in Barangay Baliki in Midsayap, and drove away the civilians there.

 

After the attack, they reportedly set up a camp in the area.

 

But while the BIFF also tried to enter another sitio, they were met by the "Reform Ilaga Movement" group, and a firefight ensued.

 

The firefight lasted about an hour before both groups withdrew when they saw soldiers arriving.

 

Meanwhile, the Reform Ilaga Movement said they are ready for another attack by the BIFF.

 

A separate report on Bombo Radyo said the attacks occurred before dawn Thursday.

 

The BIFF is a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is in peace efforts with the government.

 

Headed by Ameril Umbra Kato, the BIFF had led attacks in Mindanao in 2008 after the Supreme Court thumbed down a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain.

Ilaga movement

In 2013, a report on the Philippine Star said the Ilaga  (Visayan for rat) movement was a Philippine Catholic extremist militia predominantly composed of Visayan groups mixed deep in Shamanism and amulets that operated, had been led and largely used by the defunct Philippine Constabulary as a militia force during the 1970s.

The vigilante group "Bag-ong Ilaga" (new or reformed Ilaga) surfaced in 2005, declaring their mission is to eliminate "terrorists."

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/388940/news/regions/biff-reportedly-seizes-sitio-in-cotabato-province

Farmer accused of being a military informant shot dead in Sorsogon

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 20): Farmer accused of being a military informant shot dead in Sorsogon
A farmer whom communist rebels allegedly blamed for the death of eight of their leaders and comrades in 2013, including National Democratic Front-Bicol spokesman Greg Bañares, was shot dead in Sorsogon Tuesday, the military said on Wednesday.

Emilio Oplida, 41, was killed by three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) near his residence in Barangay (village) Calmayon, Juban, Sorsogon, around 9 a.m. Tuesday, said Major Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (AFP-Solcom) based in Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City, quoting police records.

He said the initial investigation conducted by the Juban Municipal Police revealed that Oplida was on his way to the house of his neighbor Aldrin Desabalya when he was waylaid by three armed men who shot him three times in different parts of his body.
The brother of the victim, whom Guzman did not name, told police that sometime in July, Oplida was approached by a certain Ka Jack, believed to be an NPA member. Ka Jack allegedly threatened Oplida because of his supposed participation in the death of eight high-ranking NPAs in an encounter with Army soldiers under the 9th Infantry Division on July 4, 2013, he said.

Among those who were killed in the encounter was Bañares, whose real name was Frankie Joe Soriano, the spokesman of the NDF in Bicol.

Guzman said Oplida was accused by the NPA of being a military informer because the encounter happened in his hut where Bañares and his companions had taken shelter at the time.

The Juban police have taken custody of Oplida’s body for an investigation into his killing, Guzman said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/651830/farmer-accused-of-being-a-military-informant-shot-dead-in-sorsogon

Freed militant could still be a risk

From Asia One (Nov 18): Freed militant could still be a risk



Former Jemaah Islamiah bomb expert Taufik Abdul Halim was among 350 former Jemaah Islamiah members released from Indonesian prisons after being granted a pardon from President Joko Widodo.

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomb-maker, Taufik Abdul Halim alias Dany (pic), 39, returned to Malaysia last week after spending 12 years in an Indonesian prison for his involvement in a blast in a Jakarta mall where he ended up losing his right leg when the home-made explosives exploded early.

While in prison, one of Southeast Asia's most wanted militant with a US$5mil (S$6.5mil) bounty on his head, his brother-in-law, Zulkifli Abdul Khir, also known as Marwan, managed to make contact with him, according to regional security officials.

Marwan is believed to be hiding in the southern Philippines where security officials say he is training members of the militant Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on how to assemble bombs.

"Marwan contacted Taufik when he was in prison," a regional counter-terrorism official told The Star, without giving details.

According to Indonesian counter-terrorism sources, it is very difficult to control and monitor activities of militants in prison due to over-crowding.

Most Indonesian prisons are built to accommodate 1,000 inmates but many of them hold an average of 2,500.

"There are so many people in jail and it is very difficult to monitor all the activities of militants. "It is possible that someone lent Dany a phone or he could have borrowed one while in prison," a source told The Star. Communications between Mar­wan and Dany underscores the sophistication in which militants keep in touch and circumvent the prison system in Indonesia.

Last year, overcrowding in the Tanjung Gusta prison in Indonesia's city of Medan erupted into a riot, resulting in the death of three inmates and two prison personnel.

During the melee, at least 218 inmates escaped, including convicted terrorists. Most of them have since been re-arrested.

Prison was also the place where JI's spiritual leader, Abu Bakar Bashir, introduced Dany to his Indonesian wife. Bashir, 76, is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence for terrorism offences.

"They have an eight-year-old child. "Dany returned home to Malay­sia together with his Indonesian wife and the child," a Malaysian counter-terrorism official said. Dany is currently in his family home in Kluang, Johor.

An official of the Malay­sian Embassy who used to visit Dany in prison between 2003 and 2006, described him as a "soft-spoken man" who was "depressed over losing his leg".

"During one of the visits, he told me "nobody likes me". He was also depressed about losing his limb and talked about missing his loved ones back home," said the embassy official.

"I told Dany to write a book about his life, to give lessons to others and that would be a good repentance in the eyes of God. I don't know whether he ever wrote that book,"

"I believe he was quite well-treated in prison as he never once complained or made any request for anything even though I told him to let me know if he needed anything," said the official.

The official said the authorities should not leave Dany to his own devices and should engage with him through a de-radicalisation programme.

"We have to help him re-integrate back into society and let him find a way to earn a living," the official said.

Dany was initially sentenced to death for his role in the 2001 Jakarta blast at Plaza Atrium Senen. The sentence was later commuted to a prison term.

The bomb was meant to be planted on a bus, parked next to the mall, which was used to transport Christians. However, it went off while Dany was carrying it.

Dany was also involved in the bombing of two churches in east Jakarta that same year.

Prior to Jakarta, Dany went to wage war against Christians in Indonesia's Maluku islands in 2000 where fighting erupted between Muslims and Christians from 1999-2002.

Because of his bomb-making skills and his links with Marwan, Malaysian police are expected to closely monitor his activities.

"He is not involved in any militant activities now. You can take the militant activities away from him. But the ideology remains and it takes time to remove it," said the Malaysian counter-terrorism official.

Dany was detained between October and November 1996 under the Internal Security Act (ISA) when he returned from Pakistan and Afghanistan where he had undergone para-military training.

His brother-in-law, Marwan, is regarded as "dangerous" and is believed to be an expert bomb-maker.

According to the FBI website, Marwan is thought to be the head of the militant Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM) terrorist organisation and a member of JI's central command.

Marwan is an engineer trained in the United States. It is believed that he has been living in the Southern Philippines since August 2003

http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/freed-militant-could-still-be-risk

10 soldiers injured as truck plunges into ravine in Zambo Sur

From MindaNews (Nov 19): 10 soldiers injured as truck plunges into ravine in Zambo Sur

Ten soldiers, including an officer, were injured Monday when the vehicle they were riding plunged into a deep ravine in the town of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, a military official disclosed.

Capt. Franco Suelto, information officer of the Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, said the incident took place around 2:30 p.m. Monday in Barangay Anonang, Aurora.

He did not release the identities of the victims except to say they belong to the Army’s 52nd Engineering Brigade.

The injured soldiers were taken to a hospital in the town of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

Suelto said the soldiers were aboard a military truck traveling from the Tabak Division headquarters in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur to the 52nd Engineering Brigade headquarters in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, when the vehicle’s brake malfunctioned while traversing a blind curve.

The vehicle plunged into a ravine when the driver lost control of the steering wheel.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/11/19/10-soldiers-injured-as-truck-plunges-into-ravine-in-zambo-sur/

Misuari vows war in case of ‘intrusion’

From the Manila Standard Today (Nov 20): Misuari vows war in case of ‘intrusion’

The Moro National Liberation Front’s founding chairman Nur Misuari has alerted his commanders to an eventuality arising from attempts by the government to raise the Philippine flag on MNLF- liberated areas.

MNLF Spokesman Absalom Cerveza said Misuari   issued the alert-order to 30,000 fighters following a supposed directive from AFP Chief Gregorio Catapang to raised flags in MNLF territories.

“There are preparations for whatever eventuality that may be sparked by any attempts  to establish a semblance of sovereignty over those areas,” Cerveza said.

“War could erupt if they would be intruding... it is an assault or invasion of territories and we are bound by international law to defend ourselves, Cerveza explained.

He said the MNLF territories where there are camps are deemed liberated areas.

Misuari’s order  came last Sunday after learning of the military plan that prompted the MNLF high command to raise a security concern.

Cerveza said Catapang issued the order after it raised a red alert status in Sulu, Basilan and other parts of Mindanao following a massive operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless elements shortly after the release  of two German nationals held captive by the terrorists.

The liberated MNLF areas were recognized by the government in accordance with the peace agreement under the Jakarta peace accord signed between the MNLF and Philippine government in 1996.

The MNLF claims control  over areas in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan and the mainland Mindanao.

Cerveza said the government’s move to raise Philippine flags in MNLF territories would be considered “water under the bridge” after Misuari  declared independence in Mindanao.

Misuari was disgusted after the government abrogated the tripartite review mechanism and also notified the OIC Jakarta Committee of 12 that brokered the 1976 final peace agreement that it had fully complied with all the terms and conditions set forth in the peace deal.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/11/20/misuari-vows-war-in-case-of-intrusion-/

SC justices split on US defense aid in sea row

From the Manila Standard Today (Nov 20): SC justices split on US defense aid in sea row

MalacaÑang has found an ally in Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in defending the legality and benefits of its controversial Philippine-United States Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) when she said that the country needs the help of the US to improve the country’s military capability amid its dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

Sereno

Sereno’s view, however, was contradicted  by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the SC’s  most senior magistrate, who expressed doubts that the US will come to the aid of the Philippines if China evicts the Filipino marines in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

During oral arguments on the petitions filed by former Senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada Jr., Makabayan legislators and civil society groups questioning Edca’s constitutionality on Tuesday, Carpio linked the EDCA to his favorite issue —the territorial dispute of the Philippines with China involving the West Philippine Sea.

“If China evicts our Marines in the West Phil Sea, can we invoke the MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty)?” Carpio asked lawyer Harry Roque, counsel for the petitioner, who answered that the treaty may be invoked.

Carpio said there is no certainty of compliance on the part of the United States, citing the US supposed policy of not meddling in the territorial rows.

Carpio, who has been vocal against China’s territorial claims on the West Philippine Sea, presented an 1899 map of the Philippines issued by the US and which includes Scarborough Shoal as part of its territory.

Although the US supposedly recognizes the country’s territories that were being claimed by China, or in the case of Scarborough Shoal, occupied, Carpio noted that it was the US view that prevailed on whether Manila could invoke the US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty.

Carpio asked Roque if he would recommend the increase in defense spending, enter into an alliance with other regional powers, strengthen relations with the United States or sue China in the international court.

Roque said he would advise the President to take all possible steps, except strengthening Philippine alliance with the United States, saying in the eyes of some countries such as China, “we are considered a factotum of the US, mere lackeys for our former colonial master.”

Nonetheless, Roque agreed with Carpio that the Philippines should pursue a more independent stand similar to Vietnam’s.

Sereno, for her part, said there is a need for Manila to seek the help of Washington in improving the country’s military capability amid the ongoing tension on territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.    
   
Subjecting lawyer Rachel Pastores, counsel of one of the petitioners, to questioning, Sereno noted that Armed Forces leadership recognized necessity of the EDCA with the US in order to fill up the current military inadequacies as well as in achieving the AFP’s modernization program.

“This is the AFP saying that we are looking this as an approach at filling our capabilities.’ Is it grave abuse of discretion for a government to ask an ally, with whom you have a mutual defense agreement with since the 1950s, to fill the gaps? Promoting long-term modernization—is that bad for the AFP?” Sereno asked.

“The fact that we brought this (maritime dispute) before the ITLOS (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea), isn’t that a fact that we must explore all means? Isn’t that the greatest threat when our fishing grounds are no longer accessible to us? I see our islands in the West Philippine Sea being overtaken. What is wrong with prepositioning? How long does it take for a missile to reach Palawan?” Sereno asked.
The Chief Justice believes that the EDCA is a tool to raise awareness in the international community about our claims over the West Philippine Sea.

“Helping maintain and develop additional maritime security, maritime domain awareness’—so we’re talking about the West Philippine Sea problem here because we have no problem with the eastern side (of our islands), it’s with the western side… we are still in the process in making the international community aware that we are asserting our right under the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” she said.

The chief magistrate also opined that it is still premature for the petitioners to challenge the EDCA merely on the basis of fears and apprehensions that are mere “speculations” and have “no basis in fact.”

She also noted that there was no violation of any of the provisions of the agreement nor any offense committed on the part of the US under the terms of the agreement.

“We have a problem here... unless the facts [are before us], and we are not a trier of facts, we cannot presume the factual situation; we cannot paint for the people a situation where the facts are not yet presented before us,” she said.

“In other words, if we are going to presume falsity on the part of the Philippine government, then we rule that the EDCA is unconstitutional, but we don’t have that legal authority especially that there has been no hearing (on the facts),” the Chief Justice stressed.

But Pastores argued that the “totality” and “full text” of the EDCA show that the agreement is “lopsided” in favor of the US and to the detriment of the Philippines’ national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The gamut of authorities granted to US forces . . . it’s practically surrendering to the US the sovereignty of the Philippines,” Pastores said.

The SC set the continuation of the oral arguments on November 25 when the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will take the floor to defend the constitutionality of EDCA.

Several justices also expressed the idea that the EDCA should be returned to the Senate for furhter scrutiny and concurrence.

Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Jose Perez and Bienvenido Reyes and even the Chief Justice hinted that the SC, for now, might not be the proper forum to debate on the merits of Edca, but the Senate, which could be asked to review the agreement and that the petitioners should raise their objections before the senators.

“It is not even better for this court to see EDCA take its shape and then if there is a violation of law bring the matter to the proper forum,” Sereno commented.

Leonen said arguments against Edca “should be given to the Senate who are your representatives.”

Under the Constitution, the Senate is empowered to ratify treaties that the country enters into.

The petitioners’ lawyers said the Court could still rule on Edca’s constitutionality and whether the executive branch committed grave abuse of discretion by agreeing to the pact.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/11/20/sc-justices-split-on-us-defense-aid-in-sea-row/

13 Sayyaf ‘sympathizers’ detained

From the Manila Times (Nov 19): 13 Sayyaf ‘sympathizers’ detained

Military authorities on Wednesday reported that state troopers have detained 13 suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in Talipao town in Sulu, near the site of last Friday’s bloody firefight that left at least 15 soldiers and bandits dead and several others injured.

Capt. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command, said personnel of Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) took the 13 into custody during a security operation in the vicinity of Barangay Budbunga and Barangay Kuhaw.

She noted that the detained persons, who were unarmed when taken into custody, gave different and conflicting reasons for their presence in the area.

The military official, meanwhile, refused to identify the 13 pending the results of an ongoing investigation by the military and police to determine whether they are members of the ASG or not.

The 13 were taken into custody at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Sitio Balikbayan, Barangay Kuhaw, which is adjacent to the actual site of the gun battle in Barangay Budbunga.

However, Maj. Edilberto Aramponi, JTFS civil-military operations officer, clarified that the taking into custody of the 13 people should not be deemed as an arrest.

He explained that military personnel only detained the 13 for security reasons and to prevent them from being caught in a possible crossfire between the ASG and state forces.

Muyuela, for her part, said, “They (the 13 taken into custody) were not arrested and are just being questioned by the authorities on why they were in the Abu Sayyaf area.”

Aramponi cited that the 13 people detained includes two children aged five and 10 and two 40-year old women. The rest are males.

Nonetheless, he said the 13 were subjected to an initial investigation to determine whether they participated in the operations of the ASG or otherwise sympathized with the bandit group.

“They reasoned out that they were in the area to harvest their crops, which is near the encounter site,” Aramponi said.

He also asked, “Maybe they [the 13 taken into custody] are [supporters of] the Abu Sayyaf because, if not, why were they at the area even if there has been an encounter?”

Aramponi stressed, however, that the military has yet to prove whether the detained persons were indeed members or sympathizers of the ASG.

He related that the 13 were transported by helicopter to Barangay Busbos in Jolo town.

Meanwhile, Col. Allan Arrojado, JTFS commander, said Friday’s incident was the first “major encounter” between government forces and the ASG since the military launched an all-out offensive against the bandit group following the release of two German kidnap victims a few weeks ago.

“It’s a major encounter. We are tracking their whereabouts, we are pursuing them,” Arrojado said.

Five soldiers were killed and 26 others were wounded in the encounter. On the other hand, 10 ASG members were reportedly killed while an undetermined number were injured.

Arrojado also disclosed that during follow up operations, the ASG and two of their kidnap victims were spotted in Barangay Bagsak in Patikul town.

http://www.manilatimes.net/13-sayyaf-sympathizers-detained/142792/

ISIS jihadist in Syria is Filipino? AFP checking

From InterAksyon (Nov 19): ISIS jihadist in Syria is Filipino? AFP checking

 
Screengrab by Daily Mail of the alleged Filipino ISIS fighter in Syria.

The military is checking the veracity of a news report that a Filipino jihadist has become a member of the extremist ISIS and is now fighting for the group in Syria.

"Yes, we've already seen his photographs posted on the Internet by an independent news website. We're checking the veracity of the photograph and it's too early to conclude because he might not be a Filipino after all. He has the semblance of an Asian but not necessarily a Filipino," Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Public Affairs Office chief, told Interaksyon.com on Wednesday.

There are persistent reports that some ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) personalities are now in the Philippines but authorities insist that they have no confirmatory reports about such information.

There are at least five Muslim extremist groups that are prone to being influenced by ISIS, according to the military. These are the Abu Sayyaf Group, Jemaah Islamiyah, Rajah Solaiman Movement, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao.

This year, two suspected ISIS sympathizers or supporters of foreign origins were arretsed and deported by the Philippines government to their countries of origin.

On July 11, Australian 29-year-old Musa Cerantonio, a Christian convert to Islam, was arrested in Cebu. Authorities said Cerantonio had been in the country for nearly a year until he got arrested for actively promoting "inspirations" supporting the ISIS in Syria and Iraq via the social media.

Another suspected ISIS supporter identified as Dr. Abu Ameen Bilal Philipps, a Canadian, arrested in Davao City.

Since the rise of the so-called ISIS caliphate, the security sector admitted monitoring a rising number of "Filipino Muslim jihobbyists" using the Internet, who could be potential supporters or recruits of the ISIS.

On condition that his name would not be revealed because of his lack of authority to speak on the matter, a security expert said that in principle, "the ideology of Islamic State is indeed already being introduced" to Filipino Muslim extremists but a full-fledged member of ISIS personally doing recruitment in the Philippines is "ridiculous." The source says it's possible that the recruitment is being done via cyberspace.

"Our intelligence capability is not that bad. In fact, we’ve already deported two foreign nationals with IS jihad orientations," the source said.

"The IS has been using the boundless cyberspace to recruit members from around the world especially in countries like ours where there are Islam fundamentalists or radicals. Not even advance countries can stop that, say the United States, which has its very own Edward Snowden," the expert said.

Citing a monitoring report from the intelligence sector, the expert said there are 15,000 "likers" of jihadist ideology being promoted by IS through Facebook. However, when the accounts of the likers were scrutinized, majority are fake and duplicates.

The "likers" originated from a single urban center in Mindanao, according to the expert.

The source  said social media has become an effective medium for the ISIS to recruit members.

"At least 28,000 Twitter accounts popped up in the summer of 2014. Right after a video came out of the beheading of American journalist James Foley, there were 60,000 jihadi accounts (that were) registered," he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99532/isis-jihadist-in-syria-is-filipino-afp-checking

CPP: Video - Kasamang Lucas: Kabataan...Mandirigma

Propaganda video posted to the CPP Website (Nov 18):Video: Kasamang Lucas: Kabataan...Mandirigma



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPhmqQQvtwg

The Southern Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines salutes Comrade Lucas (Rendell Ryan Cagula) whose young life ended in the battlefield while fighting the fascist enemy troops of the 27th Infantry Battalion in Maasim, Saranggani at 2 pm November 4, 2014. Comrade Lucas died along with martyred Red fighters Ka Payat, Ka Doming and Ka Jappie.

Rendell Ryan Cagula was born on February 26, 1991 in Davao City to a lower petty bourgeoisie family. He was the easygoing and friendly RR to his neighbors and friends. His academic records speak for his high intelligence and leadership acumen. He graduated the elementary level with salutatorian honors at the Davao Holy Trinity Academy. In high school at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo High School, he became the editor-in-chief of the student publication The Reflector, and a scholar of the Department of Science and Technology enrolled in the school’s honor’s section.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/

MILF, MNLF activate coordinating body at OIC’s instance

From the Business Mirror (Nov 19): MILF, MNLF activate coordinating body at OIC’s instance
 

DAVAO CITY—The two major Moro guerrilla organizations officially activated their coordination forum at the instance of the powerful pan-Arabic Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), which helped bring the two to the negotiation table with a separate government team of negotiators, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) said.

The Opapp said that OIC special envoy, Ambassador Sayyid Kassim El-Masri, said that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) formally activated and operationalized the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum (BCF) last month, in what appeared to be a low-key but high-level meeting to avert further divergent moves by the two organizations which have separate peace tracts.

El-Masri relayed the information to Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles when she met with other OIC senior officials in Manila last Thursday. He provided copies of the documents, including the minutes of last month’s meeting and the terms of reference of the BCF.

The OIC senior officials discussed with Deles and other Opapp representatives the progress of the peace negotiations with the MILF.

He said the terms of reference of the forum was signed by Mohagher Iqbal as representative of the MILF and Randolph Parcasio as representative of the MNLF. El-Masri signed the terms of reference as the OIC envoy.

Citing from the documents, the Opapp said the terms of reference allowed the coordination body to “provide the venue to discuss issues and concerns confronting the Bangsamoro people, including finding common grounds between the 1976 Tripoli Agreement-1996 Final Peace Agreement and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro [CAB] in order to harmonize the two peace tracks and preserve the gains contained in these agreements.”

The 1976 Tripoli Agreement-1996 Final Peace Agreement refers to the peace negotiations with the MNLF that ended in the signing here of the peace agreement in September 1996, while the CAB refers to the agreement in principle between government and the MILF to conclude their negotiation in a comprehensive political agreement as soon as the new political unit, called the Bangsamoro, would have been established.

Incidentally, the Bangsamoro would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the political entity that was also given to the MNLF as a major political concession to persuade the latter to agree to the comprehensive peace settlement in 1996.

In the terms of reference, the OIC and the Opapp said that the two versions of the peace agreements were “mutually recognize[d] and respect[ed]” by the MNLF and the MILF.

The coordination forum was also given the leeway to “coordinate the efforts of the MILF and MNLF in order to consolidate their efforts toward achieving the Bangsamoro people’s aspiration for just political solution and lasting peace and inclusive development,” as well as to “conduct consultations with other sectors of the Bangsamoro society, including the Ulama.”

The coordination forum would be composed of 20 members, “with equal representation of 10 members each coming from the MILF and MNLF.”

“It is expected to meet every three months,” the terms of reference said, with the first meeting scheduled on October 26 and 27.

Each quarterly meeting would be presided over by the OIC secretary-general or his representative or the chairman of the OIC Peace Committee on Southern Philippines.
The terms of reference allowed the creation of a joint secretariat for the BCF for administrative and coordinative tasks. The secretariat will be composed of three members each from the MILF and MNLF. Technical and legal working groups may also be organized as necessary.

The Opapp said that the OIC told them that the meeting on the activation of the BCF was convened on October 13 by El-Masri “upon the instruction of OIC Secretary-General Iyad Ameen Madani.”

Aside from Iqbal, the MILF delegation included Abhoud Syed Lingga, Abdullah Camlian and Jun Mantawil. The MNLF delegation include Parcasio, Muslimin Sema, Mujahab Hashim, Alvarez Isnaji and Utto Salem Cutan. Mostafa. The Saudi Arabian Charge d’Affaires and vice chairman of PCSP, Hassan Alabdein, attended the meeting. The OIC said that the MNLF and the MILF signed the meeting report and terms of reference on the following day.

“The creation of the BCF has initially been agreed upon in a meeting between MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and MNLF Founding Chairman Nur Misuari in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on May 18, 2010 through the invitation of the OIC secretary-general. Succeeding meetings of the Parties on the establishment of the BCF were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 6 and 7, 2011 and June 12 this year,” the Opapp said, citing information from the OIC.

The Opapp said that Deles “expressed her thanks to the OIC and welcomed the activation of the coordination mechanism between the two Moro fronts.”

“This is a positive and very welcome development, especially at this juncture of the peace process when the Bangsamoro basic law [BBL] is being deliberated in Congress. We are talking of the same territory and the same people, as such it is good to know that the MILF and MNLF have agreed to consolidate their efforts for peace and development so that all of these can be integrated in the BBL.”

“We look forward to the participation of both the MILF and MNLF in the establishment of the Bangsamoro,” Deles said. “We are appreciative of the efforts of the OIC in making this possible.”

Last week’s meeting of the Opapp with the OIC was attended by Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Mostafa, who currently heads the OIC Peace Committee on Southern Philippines, Hassan Alabdein, OIC Department of Minorities and Communities, Opapp Undersecretary Jose Lorena, National Security Council Deputy Director General Zenonida Brosas and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Julius Torres.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/milf-mnlf-activate-coordinating-body-at-oics-instance/

Groups: Edca signals return of US bases

From the Business Mirror (Nov 18): Groups: Edca signals return of US bases

THE implementation of the Philippine-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) will lead to the return of the US military bases in the country that were shut down in 1991 after the Senate refused to ratify another treaty that would extend their stay in the country.

The warning was raised by the petitioners during Tuesday’s oral arguments at the Supreme Court (SC) on the cases seeking the nullification of the Edca, which was signed by Philippine and US officials on April 28.

Lawyer and a known Aquino clan ally Rene Saguisag, who is one of the petitioners against Edca, said the agreement would allow the presence of US troops in the country that could last for decades.

Saguisag was among the so-called “Magnificent 12” senators who voted against the continued stay of the US military bases despite then-President Corazon Aquino’s support for the signing of a new treaty.

Saguisag insisted that Edca is an international agreement that warrants the concurrence by the Senate under the Constitution.

“It’s not up to the President or defense secretary to decide on something that has intergenerational consequences,” Saguisag said.

“We remain convinced that we voted on the right side of history. I am here in that continuum, that our 1991 collegial vote not be nullified by one man, no matter how much i like him and wish for him to succeed,” Saguisag said in an apparent reference to President Aquino.

Lawyer Rachel Pastores, one of the counsels for the petitioners, also claimed that Edca is a “basing agreement” that would restore US bases and facilities in the country, which is a violation of the provision of the Constitution, which prohibits foreign military bases and permanent stationing of troops.

She added that the agreed locations pertained to in Edca, where the US forces and troops shall be stationed, are akin to former military bases.

Meanwhile, former University of the Philippines Law Dean Pacifico Agabin, also a counsel for the petitioners, said the Republic of the Philippines (RP)-US Military Bases Agreement of 1947 “is being repackaged, embroidered and gift-wrapped” in the form of Edca.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, an appointee of Aquino, questioned why none of the petitioners sought the mandatory transmittal of Edca to the Senate.

On the other hand, in an interview with reporters, Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said he would argue before the Court that Edca is just an implementing agreement to augment the provisions of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

“It’s just an implementing agreement. There are general commitments under the MDT; there are more specific commitments under the VFA. The MDT implements all of those commitments through the power of the President as commander-in-chief, chief executive and head of foreign relations,” Hilbay said.

Hilbay insisted that there is no need for the concurrence of the Senate before Edca could be implemented because “the prior authorizations, the necessary licenses are already there.”

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/groups-edca-signals-return-of-us-bases/

Police hold 14 people in Sayyaf lair

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Nov 19): Police hold 14 people in Sayyaf lair





Police forces in Sulu province in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Police authorities are holding 14 people, including two women, who were intercepted by soldiers near an Abu Sayyaf stronghold in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, officials said.

Police were investigating them to determine whether they have links or members or supporters of the Abu Sayyaf group. “They are subject for questioning by the police since all of them were at the encounter site in Talipao town. We handed all 14 of them to the police,” said Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

Muyuela said among those being held for investigation are two women. “They were not arrested and are just being questioned by the authorities on why they were in the Abu Sayyaf area,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Troops were still pursuing the Abu Sayyaf in the hinterlands of Sulu where a recent encounter in Talipao town killed and wounded over 50 people from both sides. Just recently, soldiers also recovered a pile of solar panels left behind by fleeing rebels. The solar panels were used by rebels to recharge their cell phones and laptop computers and even radio transceivers.

Soldiers also recovered pots and pans, blackened by soot, and clothing, and rubber boots abandoned by rebels as they escaped a massive military operation in the hinterlands of Talipao and Patikul towns, known stronghold of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in the province, according to Muyuela.

Despite the on-going military operations, Governor Totoh Tan hosted the congressional public hearing and consultation on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law attended by thousands of people in Patikul town. The event was one of the series of consultations that Congress launched in Mindanao about the House Bill 4994.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/police-hold-14-people-in-sayyaf-lair.html

Battle over legality of Edca starts

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 18): Battle over legality of Edca starts

The Supreme Court starts oral arguments Tuesday on the petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) signed last April by the Philippines and the United States.

The Edca challengers, led by former Senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada and leftist party-list lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc, claimed the agreement violated the Constitution’s provisions on national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interest.

They particularly focused on the provision on “agreed locations” or areas inside Philippine military bases and camps where the US can build facilities, station troops and materiel, and exercise exclusive control and jurisdiction.

The Office of the Solicitor General, representing the government, said in its consolidated comment that the Edca was an exercise of President Aquino’s prime duty to defend the national security and did not mean the return of US military bases, as alleged by the petitioners.

Named respondents in the suit were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who signed the Edca, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario Jr. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and other officials.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes said Saguisag would deliver the opening remarks for the petitioners, while lawyers Harry Roque, Evalyn Ursua, Rachel Pastores and Pacifico Agabin, a former University of the Philippines law school dean, will argue the case for the Edca challengers.

“We will set out to prove that the Edca is a new basing agreement whose provisions violate the Philippine Constitution. We will argue that the Edca’s provisions go beyond existing agreements such as the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement. We will also point out that President Aquino, in entering into the Edca, violated the Constitution,” said Reyes, one of the petitioners.

In an advisory issued by the court en banc and signed by Clerk of Court Enriqueta Vidal, the high tribunal set six main issues to be tackled during the oral arguments.

Among these are whether or not Edca is a treaty that needs Senate concurrence; whether Edca deprives the Supreme Court of its judicial authority; and whether there are limits to the constitutionally assigned sphere of discretion of the President concerning foreign relations matters.

Also to be discussed are the legal standing of the petitioners, as well as whether the cases are justiciable.

Meanwhile, the mother and sisters of slain transgender Jennifer Laude also filed a petition-in-intervention in the high court on Monday afternoon, seeking to participate in the case.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/114472/battle-over-legality-of-edca-starts/

AFP cancels media tour to Caballo Island

From the Sun Star (Nov 19): AFP cancels media tour to Caballo Island

THE military's plan to bring members of the media to Caballo Island has been call off Wednesday due to negative criticisms received by the recent visit of health and military officials to the quarantined Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia, an Ebola-stricken country.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gregorio Pio Catapang said he decided to cancel the trip to avoid more negative criticisms from the public following their trip to the island last weekend.

Catapang and acting Health Secretary Janette Garin have come under fire for not wearing protective equipment while visiting the 133 Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia last Sunday in Caballo Island.

Catapang has said that they visited the peacekeepers to show the country that "there is nothing to worry about Ebola." They reportedly did not shake hands with the peacekeepers, who are undergoing a 21-day quarantine in Caballo Island.

On Monday, he mingled with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and President Benigno Aquino III in the 75th anniversary of the Department of National Defense in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Catapang said he shook hands with Aquino twice.

The military chief's act received mixed reactions from the public.

But Malacanang immediately rushed to the defense of Catapang and Garin, saying they followed protocols of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO said that of the 14,000 people infected by the deadly virus in eight countries, 6,525 were from Liberia.

Death toll of the Ebola virus outbreak stands at 5,177, with 2,812 recorded in Liberia, the WHO said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2014/11/19/afp-cancels-media-tour-caballo-island-377372