Saturday, December 20, 2014

PHOTO | Underground workers' group rallies in downtown Manila to mark CPP's 46th

From InterAksyon (Dec 19): PHOTO | Underground workers' group rallies in downtown Manila to mark CPP's 46th



(Photo courtesy of Boy Bagwis)

Workers of the Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions and other underground organizations under the National Democratic Front of the Philippines staged a lightning rally in downtown Manila Friday morning to mark the 46th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

A statement from an RCTU spokesman calling himself Juan de Mayo said the revolutionary movement led by the CPP “continues to advance and is now at a level of strength that has never been reached by previous revolutionary movements in the country.”

He also claimed that, “the people’s war continues to gain strength. Because of the ever-worsening conditions in the country, more workers and oppressed masses are taking the path of revolutionary struggle, especially the armed struggle being waged by the New People’s Army.”

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/101484/photo--underground-workers-group-rallies-in-downtown-manila-to-mark-cpps-46th

Labor groups hit US-PH ties as they mark CPP 46th anniversary

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 19): Labor groups hit US-PH ties as they mark CPP 46th anniversary

CPP 46th anniversary

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO by Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions

Labor groups blamed the country’s “worsening socioeconomic conditions of workers” to the unequal relationship between the United States and the Philippines as they march in Manila Friday morning to mark the 46th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Some 500 protesters, including members of the Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions (RCTU) and National Democratic Front (NDF), held a lightning rally from Recto Avenue to Rizal Avenue.

“We are celebrating the 46th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines. For almost 50 years now, the CPP has led the Filipino workers and people in achieving great victories in advancing the people’s war for national freedom, democracy and socialism,” Juan de Mayo, RCTU spokesperson, said in a statement.

“The people’s war continues to gain strength. Because of the ever-worsening conditions in the country, more workers and oppressed masses are taking the path of revolutionary struggle, especially the armed struggle being waged by the New People’s Army,” De Mayo said.

No tension between the police and protesters occurred as they dispersed when they reached Ronquillo Street in Sta. Cruz.

The protesters also called for the junking of the Visiting Forces Agreement as it impinges on the search for justice in the killing of transgender Jennifer Laude.  US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton stands accused of murdering Laude in Olongapo City. Pemberton was among the US soldiers who participated in the joint military exercises in the country.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/658154/labor-groups-hit-us-ph-ties-as-they-mark-cpp-46th-anniversary

Troops distribute gifts

From the Sun Star-Davao (Dec 20): Troops distribute gifts

MORE than 100 residents from two villages in Mawab town in Compostela Valley received gifts from troops of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division at Camp Manuel T. Yan in the province on Friday.

Dubbed as “Community Christmas Party,” the event was organized by the 10th Infantry Division troops in partnership with health organizations, such as Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-11), Kiwanis Club of Golden Tagum, and Fraternal Order of Eagles.

10th Infantry Division’s spokesperson First Lt. Vergel Lacambra said residents from barangays Tuboran and Salvacion of Mabini town were given medical and dental check-up, had parlor games, and gift giving. Also they’re given free transportation back to their homes.

“The officials of the Agila Division decided that instead of spending for a lavish Christmas Party inside the camp, the command would rather celebrate the Christmas season by giving and sharing it with our less fortunate fellowmen here in the province,” Lacambra said.

10th Infantry Division commander Major General Eduardo M. Año, meanwhile, thanked all the local government and residents of the Mawab for sincerely accepting and supporting the division’s campaign and programs in maintaining peace and order in its area.

“Itong Christmas party ay pagpapasalamat narin natin sa mga ka-barangay natin dito sa Barangay Tuboran at Barangay Salvacion kasi nandito yung ating headquarters, at taos puso nila tayong tinanggap sa lugar na ito,” Año said.

“Napagpasiyahan din namin na gawing simple ang Christmas party ng division para maipamahagi natin sa mga kababayan natin ang diwa ng pasko sa pamamagitan nga ng medical at dental mission, gift giving at palaro din para sa mga bata,” he added.

Año also said that in addition, the command has initiated its fund raising activity through Christmas Caroling by the Agila Marching Band to selected partners-stakeholders, and the proceeds of the caroling will be used for the Community Christmas Party.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/12/20/troops-distribute-gifts-383092

More NPA rebels yield this year

From the Sun Star-Davao (Dec 20): More NPA rebels yield this year

THE Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has noted an increase in the number of the New People's Army (NPA) members who surrendered to the authorities since January 2014.

Eastmincom public information officer Major Ezra Balagtey said they have recorded a total of 455 rebel returnees in 2014 as compared to 2013 with 274.

Balagtey said among those who recently returned to the folds of the law was identified as Ramil Gano Mabulay, alias Pacot, the NPA's squad leader in Agusan del Norte.

“He [Pacot] surrendered to the troops of the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion a day before the declaration of the Suspension of Military Operation (Somo) by the Government of the Philippines with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA),” Balagtey said.

Pacot surrendered to the government troops at Lugong in Barangay Putting Bato, Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte on December 17.

He also turned over his AK-47 firearm loaded with 318 live ammunitions to the troops.

Pacot said he decided to surrender to live a peaceful life together with his love ones’. This stemmed when he realized the vainness of the movement.

Eastmincom commander Lt. General Aurelio Baladad, on the other hand, welcome the rebel returnee as he urged other NPA rebels to do same like what Pacot did.

“Let this be a gift to your families who are always longing for you to return home. Ramil’s decision to leave the NPA is a manifestation of discontentment that is becoming common among ordinary members of the NPA,” Baladad said.

He said the increasing number of surrenderees is a positive indication that a loaming demoralization among their ranks is now taking place.

The surrenderees will be enrolled in the Integration Program of Cabadbaran, Agusan Norte.

They will be also remunerated with cash worth P15,000 for the firearm and ammunitions each has surrendered to the government.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/12/20/more-npa-rebels-yield-year-383093

Duterte to NPA: Free soldiers before Christmas

From the Sun Star-Davao (Dec 19): Duterte to NPA: Free soldiers before Christmas

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that he wants the two soldiers abducted by the New People's Army (NPA) to be freed before Christmas.

"I am telling the NPAs now that I would like the soldiers to be with their families on Christmas Day. It would not be clearer than that," Duterte said in a media interview at the sidelines of the clubhouse blessing of Matina Enclaves and groundbreaking of the first building of its Enclaves Residences first condominium building Thursday afternoon.

Last December 2, two Army soldiers were abducted by the NPA after an attack on a banana plantation at Barangay San Roque in New Corella town, Davao del Norte.

The captured soldiers were identified as Corporal Benjamin Enot Samano, 37, and Private First Class Alvin Ricarte, 23. Both are members of the 60th Infantry Battalion.

Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division spokesperson First Lieutenant Vergel Lacambra earlier said that the soldiers were abducted after 15 communist rebels, who posed as workers, attacked the said plantation in San Roque.

Lacambra also said the rebels then escaped towards Barangay Napungas in Asuncion town.

The 60IB troops had launched a pursuit operation and conducted checkpoints in coordination with the Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office (DNPPO) for the arrest of the rebels behind the incident.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/12/19/duterte-npa-free-soldiers-christmas-382821

Armed Forces of the Philippines Awards Harris Corporation an $18 Million Order for Falcon III Radios and Vehicular Communications Systems

From the Business Wire  (Dec 19): Armed Forces of the Philippines Awards Harris Corporation an $18 Million Order for Falcon III Radios and Vehicular Communications Systems

Highlights:
  • Supplies radios for next phase of mission-critical communications and internal security network
  • Delivers integrated voice and data services up to brigade-level
  • Represents continued international standardization on Harris Falcon® platform
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--()--Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has been awarded an $18 million initial order to provide the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with Harris Falcon III® tactical vehicular radios and intercom systems. The Philippine Army will acquire the radios for its tactical communications modernization program. The order was received during the first quarter of fiscal 2015.
“This order will accelerate tactical radio modernization for the Philippine Army by providing soldiers with enhanced command and control and situational awareness for real-time decision-making”
Harris will modernize the Light Armored Division of the Philippine Army with the latest Falcon RF-7800V Combat Net Radio integrated into the RF-7800I Intercom Systems. This comprehensive solution for in-vehicle voice and data communications delivers secure tactical network connectivity.
   
“This order will accelerate tactical radio modernization for the Philippine Army by providing soldiers with enhanced command and control and situational awareness for real-time decision-making,” said Brendan O’Connell, president, International Business, Harris RF Communications. “The embedded encryption will provide secure interoperability with more than 13,000 Harris Falcon radios currently fielded within the AFP.”
   
Harris RF Communications is the leading global supplier of secure radio communications and embedded high-grade encryption solutions for military, government and commercial organizations. The company's Falcon® family of software-defined tactical radio systems encompasses manpack, handheld and vehicular applications. Falcon III® is the next generation of radios supporting the U.S. military's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) requirements, as well as network-centric operations worldwide. Harris RF Communications is also a leading supplier of assured communications® systems and equipment for public safety, utility and transportation markets — with products ranging from the most advanced IP voice and data networks to portable and mobile single- and multiband radios.
   
About Harris Corporation
   
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 125 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and about 14,000 employees — including 6,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at harris.com.
   
Forward-Looking Statements
   
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about the expected value of the program to Harris are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141219005008/en/Armed-Forces-Philippines-Awards-Harris-Corporation-18#.VJWfTCcA8

South China Sea rivals compared by Global Times

Posted to Want China Times (Dec 19): South China Sea rivals compared by Global Times

An illustration showing the infrastructure the Philippines is building on Thitu island in the disputed Spratly island group. The Chinese cartoon suggests a wobbly Philippine flag on an island stamped as Chinese. (Illustration/CFP)

An illustration showing the infrastructure the Philippines is building on Thitu island in the disputed Spratly island group. The Chinese cartoon suggests a wobbly Philippine flag on an island stamped as Chinese. (Illustration/CFP)
 
The threats posed to China by each of the other claimants in the territorial disputes over the South China Sea were outlined in an analysis piece in China's nationalistic tabloid Global Times, run by the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily.
Over the last year China has engaged in prolonged standoffs and clashes with the Philippines and Vietnam and the rich underwater resources that the region is believed to possess will likely see each claimant build up a substantial military infrastructure to protect their claims over the next few years. The paper listed the threats posed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei; as China does not acknowledge Taiwan's sovereignty over itself, not to mention over islands in the South China Sea, Taiwan was conspicuously absent from the list. Taipei officially shares the same claim over the whole of the South China Sea as Beijing does and holds the Pratas islands in addition to Taiping, the largest natural island in the Spratly islands.
Vietnam: Military build-up on nine islands
From the early 1970s to the early 1990s, Vietnam occupied 29 islands and reefs in the Spratlys and strengthened their defensive infrastructure in the region.
Vietnam has used two defensive strategies. The first is to set up defensive positions comprising habitable and permanent defensive structures which can also serve in battle, forming a strategic defensive infrastructure. The second is establishing military outposts and guard houses on stilts, to widen the area of defense. The former are concentrated on nine islands and reefs including Spratly Island and Southwest Cay. The living conditions in these bases are reasonably comfortable, so more soldiers are stationed there. The islands of Spratly and Namyit are the core defensive strongholds of the Vietnamese army in the South China Sea.
Vietnam has 2,200 soldiers stationed in the Spratlys mainly armed with guns, tanks, anti-tank missiles and dynamic armed helicopters, but they do not have any ground-to-ship missiles, due to the complicated support system and permanent firing structure that they require which none of the islands can facilitate.
A photo set featured in the Hanoi-based Vietnam Pictorial shows nine of the main nine islands and reefs administered by Vietnam have 23mm anti-aircraft guns; six of them have 37mm anti-aircraft guns, five have 85mm cannons and two of them have 122mm howitzers and 130mm cannons; six of the islands have Russian made T-54/55 medium tanks, four have the Russian-made PT-76 amphibious light tank, totaling around 120 guns and 60 medium tanks. On Spratly Island and Namyit Island the Vietnamese army have a 122mm howitzer battalion, an 85mm cannon company, an 130mm cannon company, two to three 23mm or 37mm anti-aircraft gun companies and a tank company. Military helicopters can take off from and land on at least five of the islands and reefs.
From this configuration it is likely that when attacked Vietnam will make use of its large-caliber artillery to engage enemy warships in a long-range gunfight. The 130mm cannon has a range of 27 kilometers, a similar range to the gun on China's destroyers. The range of guns deployed by the Vietnamese troops is in preparation for long-distance, medium range and close-range defense against landing troops. To take Spratly as an example, the island has four guns with a range of over 16km, 21 guns with a range over 14km, 31 guns with a range of over 10km and 48 guns with a range of over 2km. The army can also make use of its helicopters to launch air attacks.
In addition to the nine larger islands, the Vietnamese army also has guard posts stationed at islands and reefs that are more vulnerable to attack, but these usually consist of a makeshift concrete or shacks on stilts with soldiers only armed with individual weapons.
Several special units of the Vietnamese army are said to have trained in amphibious warfare in the Spratlys and the 126th rapid response battalion, set up in 2005, is said to be Vietnam's answer to the US Navy Seals.
The Philippines: Cannot sustain low intensity warfare
The Philippines is relatively weak in terms of its economy and military power and its strategy in the region is different. Currently the Philippines administers eight islands in the region, including Thitu Island and Nanshan Island. Thitu is the second-largest island in the Spratlys and hundreds of Philippine civilians live there in addition to 40 soldiers. Conflicting reports put the total number of Philippine soldiers stationed on the islands at anywhere from 60-200.
The first group of civilians were sent to live on Thitu in 2001. The island has a town hall, a school, a clinic, a military barracks, a water treatment plant, a deep well, a small jetty, a 1,300m runway, a telecommunications base, an electricity generator and some greenhouses. There are flights between Thitu and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines.
On other islands, such as West York and Northeast Cay, the Philippines has only built a few simple structures and some islands, such as Flat Island and Lankiam Cay, are extremely small, so the army has erected a 10m tall watch tower on Nanshan and Loaita islands to watch over these islands with the naked eye, so troops are not actually stationed on them.
A documentary aired by Philippine TV station GMA7 described the daily lives of soldiers posted to the South China Sea islands. According to the documentary, there are four soldiers currently posted to Nanshan. A simple wooden structure has been erected on the island and army ships visit every month to bring fresh supplies and to change personnel. The four guards are armed with M-16 rifles and hand grenades.
In May, a high-ranking Philippine army officer told Japan's Kyodo News that the country plans to deploy two coast guard patrol boats and two surveillance craft to Thitu; as well as deploying permanent patrol boats to Nanshan and Commodore Reef; and establishing a Spratlys group (Kalayaan) army task force. The Philippine officer also said that the country plans to renovate the airport on Thitu and its bases and observation stations on Nanshan. In October, however, Manila announced that it had called a temporary halt to its renovation work on the islands in order not to influence an arbitration judgment which is still pending.
The Philippines is unlikely to be able to maintain even low-intensity warfare in the region, however. The army and the air force are mostly concerned with maintaining order domestically and tackling guerrilla fighters, while the navy is tasked with maintaining the country's territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines has three main naval bases in Cavite, San Vicente and Mactan in Cebu and the majority of its warships and marine corps are located in the west of the country, bordering the South China Sea — or the West Philippine Sea, as Manila redesignated it relatively recently. According to a defense expert cited by the paper, though the Philippines has spent a large sum on modernizing the army it is still incapable of facing off against China.
Malaysia: Long-term military deployments on five islands
After engaging in military exercises with Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Singapore in August 1983, Malaysia sent marines to occupy the disputed Swallow Reef and has administered it since then. In 1986 the country also took over the administration of Mariveles Reef and Ardasier Reef and in May 1999 it took control of Investigator Shoal and Erica Reef.
Malaysia has opened a resort on Swallow Reef and has built an airport there. Currently Malaysia has just over 100 soldiers stationed on five islands and reefs, mostly at Lima Naval Station on Swallow Reef, Uniform Naval Station on the Ardasier Reef and Mike Naval Station on the Mariveles Reef.
Malaysia at one time occupied Louisa Reef, which is claimed by Brunei, but later quietly retreated from the island. Malaysia has placed emphasis on infrastructure in recent years, importing 18 MiG-29 fighters from Russia and 32 US-made F-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle fighters, as well as buying 54 new naval vessels. Malaysia is also building up its submarine fleet, buying two Scorpene-class attack submarines and a decommissioned French Agosta-class submarine.
In its 2014 defense report, UK-based Jane's Defence Weekly stated that Malaysia is modernizing its navy. In October a Malaysian leader stated that the Royal Malaysian Air Force Butterworth base was transferring an F-16 Falcon fighter to Labuan island, to put it within closer range of Malaysia's claims in the region.
Brunei: No military presence
After Brunei declared independence in 1984, it declared sovereignty over the Louisa Reef. Brunei bought three coastal patrol boats in 1994 after China claimed the island as part of its territorial waters and then bought fighters from the UK. Although Brunei administers Louisa Reef it has no military presence on the island, or in the entire South China Sea.
Brunei has a small-scale military, owing to its small land mass and small population, so it does not present much of a threat to other claimants in the region, the paper said.
Li Mingjiang, an expert on South China Sea relations at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University's Rajaratnam School of International Studies, stated that in terms of infrastructure and weaponry Vietnam is the biggest threat to China in the South China Sea, followed by Malaysia and then the Philippines

References:

Li Mingjiang 李明江

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20141219000144&cid=1101

China’s Energy Demand And South China Sea Dispute – Analysis

From the Euraisa Review (Dec 19): China’s Energy Demand And South China Sea Dispute – Analysis (by Selcuk Colakoglu)

The South China Sea is known for its complex maritime disputes. Though parties involved in the disputes have been careful to keep the issue of sovereignty discussed within the frame of diplomatic debate, the problem has nonetheless seen recent escalation. From an energy security perspective, it seems that the situation might make the global agenda that much busier.
The South China Sea (SCS) has hosted and still hosts the world’s most complex system of maritime disputes. Besides disagreement on the border of the continental shelf and the delineation of exclusive economic zones, there are disputes in the Sea over who has sovereignty over various small islands and skerries.

Bordering the SCS, there are seven parties involved in the disputes over sovereignty of the islands, namely, Brunei, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. The Paracel and Spratly island groups, consisting of rocky archipelagos, are more or less controlled by all of these seven countries. Here, each party’s sovereignty claims overlap with those of at least two or three of the other countries, regardless if the island is a livable habitat, a rock, an atoll or a reef. Among the parties to the problem: (i) China cites two thousand year-old legislation that claims all maritime areas in the territorial waters of the other countries, including all the islands; (ii) Vietnam claims rights to the Paracel and Spratly islands, as well as the western half of the SCS; (iii) the Philippines, claims rights to the Spratly islands and the area surrounding them (iv) Taiwan claims the Paracel islands; and (v) Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia have overlapping exclusive economic zones and claims to the continental shelf.

The risk of escalation

Seeing that it is an area over which multiple actors claim sovereignty, preventing the risk of escalation in the SCS is the most important item on the agenda for the involved parties as well as the international community. In fact, in 1974 and in 1988, bloody clashes broke out between China and Vietnam over control of the Spratly and Paracel islands. In recent years, growing tension has risen among the involved countries as a result of the SCS disputes. In 2012, China created a new prefecture named Sansha that consists of the Paracel and Spratly islands, an act that was met with strong protest by Vietnam and the Philippines. Again in 2012, the blockade of Vietnamese research vessels in the SCS by the Chinese navy caused a rise in political tension between the two countries.

In 2013, the Philippines appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) because of the disputes with China in the SCS, citing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Generally, China prefers resolving SCS disputes through bilateral negotiations, and has thus stood in total opposition to the involvement of the ICJ in the matter.

Other countries, however, would like to resolve the problem by way of international mediation and with the help of the skillset possessed by the ICJ, thereby avoiding the assumption of a direct stance against China. Barring China and Taiwan, all five other states involved in the disputes are ASEAN members, and with the spirit of cooperation enshrined within the framework of this organization, these countries were able to adopt a common position to resolve, or at least manage, the problem without escalating political tensions. Taiwan, a nonmember of ASEAN and not even recognized as an independent state, is of a similar opinion, namely, that the issue should be resolved through negotiations as to avoid a deterioration of the matter.

On the other hand, in recent years, China is not only vocally reiterating its sovereignty claims over the SCS, but has also been pursuing a more active approach to assert these claims. In this way, the South China Sea problem is the most important issue in China-ASEAN relations.

The importance of South China Sea energy resources for China’s energy needs

China, as the world’s largest oil importer, is highly dependent on oil from the Middle East and Africa. However, the long sea route to reach these regions also poses a risk in terms of energy security for China. Therefore, China is formulating various strategies to diversify its energy suppliers and to develop its own domestic energy resources; therefore, it has begun to explore the potentials hidden beneath the SCS, which it considers to fall under Chinese sovereign territory.

In this vein, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has been appointed to prospect for deep sea oil and natural gas. In 2009, CNOOC declared a budget of $30 billion for over 20 years allotted to deep-sea resource prospection, thus showing the importance of the maritime area for the country. China now aims to complete the construction of a second deep-sea drilling platform in 2016.

China’s riparian regions that border the SCS are thought to be rich in energy resources. Here, even though there are proven energy reserves located under China’s Pearl River Delta and offshore from Hainan Island, the main wealth of the SCS is thought to be located in its southern half, off the coasts of Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

According to a recent geological survey, there are 11 billion barrels of oil and 4 trillion cubic meters of gas beneath the SCS. These figures better explain why China persistently refuses to recognize the other parties’ exclusive economic zones and claims to the continental shelf of the SCS. For logistical convenience and to minimize the security risks, after the projects around Hainan Island, China plans to start prospection and production in a region just a bit further out to sea – the Paracel Islands.

While Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei have already commenced extraction in the SCS, the Philippines and Vietnam are also preparing to begin their own extraction operations. Vietnam is exploring the Nam Con Son and Cuu Long fields, while the Philippines is doing the same around Malampa and the Reed Bank area. Additionally, as a non-oil exporter that still imports refined petroleum products, Vietnam concedes to allow some European, American, Russian, Indian and Malaysian companies to conduct prospections in various areas of the SCS. Here, Malaysia’s Petronas company, with its foreign partners, has attained the capacity to explore both coastal regions and the deep sea.

As a result, the SCS, in terms of the overlapping and contentious claims to sovereignty as well as energy security, is most likely to feature more heavily on the global agenda. The parties have been trying their best to keep the sovereignty debate within the field of diplomacy. However, at the same time, tensions regarding China’s claims to the SCS, particularly with regard to opposition posed by Vietnam and the Philippines, have exhibited a tendency of escalation in recent years. This situation may accelerate the development of the proposed military alliance between Vietnam and the Philippines, who feel that they are not strong enough in the face of the Chinese Navy. Considering this, it would not be a coincidence if the Philippines were to seek to expand its security cooperation with the US while Vietnam does the same to deepen its strategic relationship with the US.

[JTW - the Journal of Turkish Weekly - is a respected Turkish news source in English language on international politics. Established in 2004, JTW is published by Ankara-based Turkish think tank International Strategic Research Organization (USAK).]

NPA dared to be sincere

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 19): NPA dared to be sincere
in declaration of ceasefire


Despite the announcement of the Communist Party of the Philippines that it will observe a suspension of military offensives during the yuletide season celebration, the Philippine Army is not lowering its vigilance, especially on December 26, which is the 46 th founding anniversary of the CPP.

Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, 3rd Infantry Division commander, challenged the NPA local leadership to prove their sincerity in the declaration of the ceasefire, saying that they have faithfully complied with it ever since.

The CPP will observe ceasefire on Dec. 24 to 26, Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 and Jan. 15 to 19.

Guerrero, however, said that, even without SOMO, they continue to remain vigilant through the conduct of pro-active defensive patrol in communities, as their assistance to law enforcement.

He said SOMO only covers offensive military operations, which they are observing.

But it does not mean that they will not continue with other functions related to their mandate, particularly in support to humanitarian assistance, since there are still victims of typhoon Ruby, assistance to law enforcement and of securing vital installations, he said.

The AFP and the Philippine National Police have unilaterally declared a suspension of offensive military and police operations (SOMO) against the NPA from December 18, 2014 to January 19, 2015, covering the yuletide season and the visit of Pope Francis.

AFP chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said that while he wished their dates matched, they would just have to exercise greater vigilance in the period that only the AFP is on ceasefire.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/December/20/negor2.htm

3rd ID to focus on clean-up

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 19): 3rd ID to focus on clean-up
in Negros Occ. next year


The Army's 3rd Infantry Division will shift its focus from Panay to Negros Occidental starting next year, its commander, Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, said yesterday.
 
“We are about to complete our activities in Panay island. So we hope to start our clearing activities in Negros by next year”, Guerrero said.
 
The 3ID and government officials of Roxas City and the province of Capiz will sign a memorandum of agreement on Dec. 22 and 23, declaring their respective areas as “Conflict Manageable and Ready for further Development,” with Iloilo province next.
 
In Negros Occidental, the fourth district and lone district of Bacolod that have been peaceful for more than two decades as indicated by the absence of insurgency-related incidents, are also ready to be declared as “peaceful and ready for further development”, Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, had said earlier.
 
Aying noted that the problem in Negros is no longer an insurgency, but lawlessness and banditry of the remaining New People's Army rebels.
 
The province of Negros Oriental was recently declared as conflict manageable and development ready by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Guerrero, who initiated a fellowship activity with Negros media Thursday night in Bacolod City, said they hope to be given additional troops, once they shift focus to Negros.
 
“But for now, we are making do with our available troops,” he said.
 
What we will be doing is just to request the return of our troops borrowed by other units from Negros island, Guerrero said.
 
The 303rd Infantry Brigade estimates that there are still about 200 armed NPA rebels operating in Negros Occidental.
 
The NPA accused the Philippine Army of continuing militarization of the countryside, especially in Cauayan, Candoni and Sipalay City in northern Negros.
 
Guerrero said the military troops, especially in northern Negros, are performing peace and development activities, with Bayanihan Teams deployed in barangays.
 
“It is not directed to combat but more on stakeholders engagement, trying to assist local government units in implementing government programs, most especially in trying to have the communities uplift their lives,” he said.
 
More than 20 hinterland and conflict-affected barangays in Escalante City, Toboso and Calatrava are beneficiaries of the programs and projects of the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit, of which the Philippine Army, civil society groups, non-government organizations and the private sector are members.
 
Similar activities are also being initiated by Pro-PIDU in the 5th district of Negros Occidental.
 

News Analysis: Calls for Phl-US VFA abrogation mount

From the Philippine Star (Dec 20): News Analysis: Calls for Phl-US VFA abrogation mount

Calls for abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States have mounted after the United States insisted on retaining custody over an American serviceman charged with murder in a Philippine court.

In the Philippine Senate, the call for the scrapping of the VFA was led by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign relations.

Santiago also said that the US serviceman should be turned over to Philippine authorities and detained in a local facility.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, a close ally of President Benigno Aquino III, also urged Malacanang, the seat of the Philippine government, to initiate a review of the VFA, saying that the US interpretation on detention and custody of American soldiers facing criminal charges in the Philippines is "too technical."

In October, Santiago and Representative Walden Bello filed a joint resolution seeking to terminate the VFA.

The VFA, signed in February l998, allows the temporary stay of American forces in the Philippines during joint military exercises.

The resolution said that the Senate and the House of Representatives should terminate the VFA because of "the noncompliance of visiting US military personnel with Philippine criminal and environmental laws, the Constitution, and international norms and customs on the protection and preservation of the environment."

Bello noted that the VFA had been used by the US military as a license to "act in wanton disregard for Philippine sovereignty" and that a "weakness" in bilateral ties had been exploited by the United States.

He said that instead of owning up to their mistakes, paying reparations to the Filipino people, and ensuring justice for victims of heinous crimes committed by their own personnel, the American authorities repeatedly resorted to the VFA to evade accountability.

Calls for the scrapping of the VFA followed the killing of Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, a Filipino transgender, allegedly by Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton of the US Marine Corps in a motel in Olongapo City, some 130 km north of Manila, on the night of Oct. 11.

The l9-year-old Pemberton appeared Friday before an Olongapo City trial court where he underwent the mandatory fingerprinting and had his mug shots taken.

Pemberton's lawyers had sought to downgrade the murder charge against him to homicide. Under Philippine laws, homicide is punishable with a maximum prison term of 20 years, compared to 40 years for murder.

After his appearance in the Olongapo City court, Pemberton was whisked back to his air-conditioned detention facility within the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in suburban Quezon City. The premises of his detention cell are being guarded by US military personnel.

Philippine officials have called for the transfer of Pemberton to a regular prison facility just like other individuals charged with murder.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that the Philippine government would continue to fight for custody of Pemberton and that he should be detained in a regular prison facility.

But on Wednesday, the US embassy in Manila told the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the United States was retaining custody of Pemberton as provided for in the VFA.

"We are doing it for certain reasons, for certain legal reasons that we have with US servicemen involved and we have the VFA that allows us to do it," US Ambassador Philip Goldberg said in an interview with a local TV network.

The DFA supported the US position, saying that it was within the right of the United States to retain custody of Pemberton while the murder case filed against him is still being tried by the court.

Under the VFA, while the Philippines has jurisdiction over criminal complaints filed against American servicemen, the United States could retain custody over the accused while there is still no final conviction.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) also renewed its call for the abrogation of the VFA. It condemned the US government and the Philippine military for rejecting calls for the government to have custody of the US serviceman.

"That the VFA has again prevented the Philippine government from exercising full jurisdiction over a criminal case involving a US serviceman demonstrates once more that it is an overwhelmingly lopsided agreement favoring the US military and is violative of Philippine sovereignty," the CPP said in a statement.

The Pemberton case is the second major test of the VFA. In 2006, US Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith was charged with raping a Filipino woman also in Olongapo City.

During his trial, Smith was only briefly detained by Philippine authorities, but was later surreptitiously handed over to the US embassy where he was in custody until his case was decided by the court.

Smith was sentenced to 40 years in jail after being found guilty of rape. However, he walked free in 2009 after his accuser recanted her statement, prompting the Philippine Court of Appeals to acquit him.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/12/20/1404925/news-analysis-calls-phl-us-vfa-abrogation-mount

PH lawyer: We can ‘demolish’ China’s arguments

From Rappler (Dec 20): PH lawyer: We can ‘demolish’ China’s arguments

The full statement of Philippine counsel Paul Reichler on China's position paper against arbitration, the US study on the 9-dash line, and Vietnam's submission

'IRRELEVANT ARGUMENTS.' The Philippines' counsel Paul Reichler says China's position paper makes Manila's job to defend its case easier. Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Yi (in photo) ordered the publication of the paper on December 7. File photo by Rolex Dela Pena/Pool/AFP
'IRRELEVANT ARGUMENTS.' The Philippines' counsel Paul Reichler says China's position paper makes Manila's job to defend its case easier. Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Yi (in photo) ordered the publication of the paper on December 7. File photo by Rolex Dela Pena/Pool/AFP

The Philippines’ legal case against China on the hotly disputed South China Sea sparked renewed interest with recent developments in and out of court.
Beijing snubbed the December 15 deadline to respond to Manila’s pleading.

While foreign policy and legal experts expected this move, a series of events ahead of the deadline prompted a lively discussion:
  1. The US released a study questioning the legality of China’s 9-dash line
  2. Vietnam on the same day filed a comment on the case
  3. China released a position paper detailing its arguments against arbitration
Paul Reichler, the Philippines’ counsel, said that the events of the past two weeks are relevant to Manila’s arbitration case. In response to our queries, he sent Rappler a statement on Friday, December 19, discussing these developments. (READ: PH lawyer: China 'felt pressured' to respond)

A legal heavyweight, Reichler graduated cum laude from the Harvard Law School and went on to become a premiere public international law practitioner with the US firm Foley Hoag. He specializes in inter-state disputes, and is known for representing small states against what he calls “the rich and powerful.”

For instance, he was counsel for Nicaragua in its historic case against the US, for Mauritius against the United Kingdom, Bangladesh against India, and now the Philippines versus China. (READ: Rough seas: Will PH 'lawfare' work vs China?)

'SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS.' Philippine counsel Paul Reichler discusses the significant developments related to Manila's arbitration case against China on the South China Sea. Photo courtesy: itlos.org
'SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS.' Philippine counsel Paul Reichler discusses the significant developments related to Manila's arbitration case against China on the South China Sea. Photo courtesy: itlos.org

Here is Reichler’s full statement on the Philippines-China arbitration case:

There have been 3 significant developments in the last 15 days.

First, on December 5, the US State Department published a monograph in its Limits in the Seas series (no. 143) addressing China's maritime claims in the South China Sea (SCS). The study is extremely well done. It makes abundantly clear that China's so-called nine dash line is contrary to international law, and cannot constitute the definition of China's maritime entitlements in the SCS.

Those entitlements are based exclusively on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which rejects the concept of "historic rights" in the high seas. In any event, according to the State Department study, China has failed to make out a case for "historic rights" even under pre-Convention customary international law. This is consistent with what the Philippines has argued in the arbitration.

Second, on December 7 or 8, China published a legal brief explaining why it believes the arbitral tribunal lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines' claims. This is a remarkable document, whose publication at approximately the same time as its Counter-Memorial was due, is hardly coincidental.
China obviously felt pressured to demonstrate to the international community – and the arbitral tribunal itself, to which China furnished a cop – that it is not an outlaw nation disrespectful of international law.

That said, China's arguments against jurisdiction can easily be refuted by the Philippines. In fact, China has made it easier for both the arbitral tribunal and the Philippines to do their jobs.

The arbitral tribunal will now be fully apprised of China's arguments on jurisdiction, instead of having to guess what they might have been. And the Philippines will now have concrete targets to aim at (and demolish) in future written and oral proceedings.

China has not attempted to defend the legality of the nine dash line. Instead, it has argued only that the arbitral tribunal lacks jurisdiction over the case.
China makes three arguments. Two of them – that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to resolve territorial disputes, or to delimit maritime boundaries – are entirely irrelevant, because the Philippines has not asked the tribunal to resolve territorial disputes or delimit boundaries.

The other Chinese argument, that the Philippines somehow waived its right to initiate arbitration in 2013 by attempting to negotiate a diplomatic resolution to the dispute in 1995, is legally and factually untenable. The Philippines is confident the arbitral tribunal will find that it has jurisdiction over the case.

Finally, on December 8, Vietnam submitted a Statement of Interest to the arbitral tribunal, in which, in stating its own positions, it completely agreed with the Philippines both on the arbitral tribunal's jurisdiction over the Philippines' claims and the merits of those claims.

The tribunal has furnished the parties with copies of Vietnam's statement.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/78464-reichler-statement-scs-developments

PH lawyer: China ‘felt pressured’ to respond

From Rappler (Dec 20): PH lawyer: China ‘felt pressured’ to respond

The Philippines' legal counsel Paul Reichler tells Rappler China's position paper shows that Beijing felt pressured to show that 'it is not an outlaw nation'

DEMOLISHING ARGUMENTS. Philippine counsel Paul Reichler tells Rappler Manila can 'easily refute' China's arguments detailed in Beijing's position paper. Photo courtesy: Foley Hoag

DEMOLISHING ARGUMENTS. Philippine counsel Paul Reichler tells Rappler Manila can 'easily refute' China's arguments detailed in Beijing's position paper. Photo courtesy: Foley Hoag
 
The Philippines’ lawyer in its historic arbitration case on the South China Sea believes China’s publication of a position paper showed that Beijing “obviously felt pressured” to respond to Manila’s claims.
 
Paul Reichler of the US law firm Foley Hoag told Rappler that China’s position paper on the maritime dispute was a “remarkable document” but the Philippines can easily “demolish” it.

A renowned international expert on the law of the sea, Reichler was referring to the position paper Beijing released on December 7 detailing its objection to the case. He said its timing a week before the December 15 deadline for China to respond to the Philippines’ 4,000-page pleading was “hardly coincidental.”

“China obviously felt pressured to demonstrate to the international community – and the arbitral tribunal itself, to which China furnished a copy – that it is not an outlaw nation disrespectful of international law,” Reichler said in a statement to Rappler on Friday, December 19. (Read the full statement here.)

“That said, China’s arguments against jurisdiction can easily be refuted by the Philippines.”

China rejects arbitration, saying that The Hague-based tribunal does not have jurisdiction or the power to decide the case. Instead, it opts to argue its case in public, with the position paper being its first exhaustive official response.

In previous lectures, the Washington-based Reichler said that while China does not participate in the case, its global reputation will be at risk if it defies a ruling favorable to the Philippines. He said last year, “There is a price to be paid for branding yourself as an international outlaw.”

Now that China issued its position paper, Manila’s counsel said that the submission “made it easier for both the arbitral tribunal and the Philippines to do their jobs.”

“The arbitral tribunal will now be fully apprised of China's arguments on jurisdiction, instead of having to guess what they might have been. And the Philippines will now have concrete targets to aim at (and demolish) in future written and oral proceedings,” Reichler said.

NO DEFENSE. Paul Reichler says that China does not even attempt to defend its controversial 9-dash line. Map courtesy of Reichler's CSIS lecture
NO DEFENSE. Paul Reichler says that China does not even attempt to defend its controversial 9-dash line. Map courtesy of Reichler's CSIS lecture

Reichler is considered one of the world’s most respected practitioners of public international law, with 25 years of experience specializing in inter-state disputes.

Chambers Global 2010 said that he belongs to a group of elite lawyers with extensive experience litigating before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea in Hamburg.

Reichler now heads the so-called “crack international legal team” handling the arbitration case the Philippines initiated in 2013 under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

It is the first legal case challenging China’s expansive sea claims, primarily the controversial 9-dash line. (READ: Rough seas: Will PH 'lawfare' work vs China?)

Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims to the strategic South China Sea. The waters supposedly hold vast deposits of oil and gas, and are a major shipping route for half of the world’s merchant tonnage.

RESPECTED PRACTITIONER. Paul Reichler (right) has extensive experience in arbitration cases including Nicaragua versus Costa Rica, involving the construction of two canals near the two countries’ border. He is photographed before a 2013 hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. File photo by Maude Brulard/AFP

RESPECTED PRACTITIONER. Paul Reichler (right) has extensive experience in arbitration cases including Nicaragua versus Costa Rica, involving the construction of two canals near the two countries’ border. He is photographed before a 2013 hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. File photo by Maude Brulard/AFP

China’s arguments ‘irrelevant, untenable’

Reichler pointed out that China’s position paper did not attempt to defend the legality of the 9-dash line. The lawyer said in past presentations that Beijing’s silence on the issue was telling.

“Even they appear to recognize that what they have claimed cannot be justified under the UNCLOS or international law generally,” Reichler said during a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC in July.

In his e-mail to Rappler, Reichler went on to respond to China’s position on jurisdiction but did not provide details.

“China makes three arguments. Two of them – that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to resolve territorial disputes, or to delimit maritime boundaries – are entirely irrelevant, because the Philippines has not asked the tribunal to resolve territorial disputes or delimit boundaries.”

The Philippines asked the tribunal to declare maritime features in the South China Sea as mere rocks, not islands. Rocks only generate a 12-mile territorial sea under UNCLOS. In contrast, islands generate an exclusive economic zone where a state can explore and exploit resources like fish, oil, and gas.

‘The Philippines will now have concrete targets to aim at (and demolish) in future written and oral proceedings.’- Philippine counsel Paul Reichler, on China’s position paper

China said the essence of the Philippines’ claims is territorial sovereignty, beyond the scope of the treaty. It also argued that the claims concern maritime jurisdiction, an exception it identified when it ratified UNCLOS in 2006.

Another Chinese argument is that the Philippines should not resort to arbitration because it committed to settle the dispute through negotiations. Beijing cited its 1995 agreement with Manila, and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the South China Sea.

Reichler said this argument was “legally and factually untenable.”

‘US, Vietnam agree with PH’

Besides China’s legal brief, Reichler also commented on what he called two other significant developments related to the dispute.

He hailed the US State Department’s study questioning the legality of the 9-dash line as “extremely well done.” Reichler said the December 5 paper “makes abundantly clear” that the line is contrary to international law.

“According to the State Department study, China has failed to make out a case for ‘historic rights’ even under pre-Convention customary international law. This is consistent with what the Philippines has argued in the arbitration,” Reichler said.

The counsel added that Vietnam’s submission of a Statement of Interest to the tribunal also supported the Philippines’ case. Hanoi announced last week that it commented on the case, a surprise move seen as a political victory for Manila.

“In stating its own positions, [Vietnam] completely agreed with the Philippines both on the arbitral tribunal's jurisdiction over the Philippines' claims and the merits of those claims,” Reichler said.

The tribunal gave the Philippines until March 15, 2015, and China until June 16, 2015 to submit written comments on the case. Manila expects a ruling by early 2016.

Reichler reiterated that the Philippines will score a legal victory.
“The Philippines is confident the arbitral tribunal will find that it has jurisdiction over the case.”

http://www.rappler.com/nation/78454-paul-reichler-china-paper

Military, police collar ASG member in Zamboanga Sibugay

From InterAksyon (Dec 20): Military, police collar ASG member in Zamboanga Sibugay

Initial reports reaching Manila on Saturday indicated that a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was arrested by government forces at his hideout earlier in the day in Barangay Poblacion, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay.

According to a sketchy military report reaching Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the suspect was identified as Bon Sarabpil alias Von/Kalbo, who was temporarily detained by the military for interrogation before being turned over to the provincial police for proper custody.

Sarabpil was arrested at around 10:20 a.m. on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Jesus C. Carbon Jr. of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16, 9th Judicial Region, Zamboanga City.

He had pending Criminal Case Number 24270 for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.

During the height of the kidnapping spells in Basilan and Region 9 from 2009 to 2011, according to AFP files, Sarabpil was reportedly operating with the group of Tuburan, Basilan-based ASG/Kidnap-for-Ransom Group leader Montong Pula.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/101556/military-police-collar-asg-member-in-zamboanga-sibugay

Murad to head MILF political party; assembly on Dec 23-25

From MindaNews (Dec 20): Murad to head MILF political party; assembly on Dec 23-25

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is busy completing the requirements to set up a regional political party – the United Bangsamoro Justice Party or UJBP) – which MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim will lead as Chair and President, Sammy Al Mansoor, Secretary-General, said.

Mansoor said there will be five vice-chairs: MILF Vice Chair for Political Affairs, will serve as vice chair for Central Mindanao, Maamor Estino for Western Mindanao, Hussin Munoz for Eastern Mindanao, Alim Ali Solaiman for Northern Mindanao and Mohagher Iqbal, MILF peace panel chair and Bangsamoro Transition Commission, for Southern Mindanao.

Mansoor said the an assembly of the party members and volunteers will be held on December 23 to 25 in the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

He  estimates at least 26,000 volunteers will attend the assembly.

“There could be more. This gathering is gathering of volunteers, volunteers in the sense that they are not yet members of the party, they have yet to be members of the political party, after this they will apply for the political party.”

Mansoor said the plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamo Basic Law hopefully by 2015 will serve as the “test case” of the strength of the party.

“This is really the intention why we (are rushing) to make the party established now because of that plebiscite,” he said.

Mansoor said they are open to alliances with local and national political parties but will have to study this issue more extensively to ensure the allies understand the principles and direction of the Bangsamoro. “Titingnan naman kung kailangan ang alliance, not all the time alliance is necessary, bakit ka naman makipag alliance kung sa tingin mo sa sarili mo ay kaya mo din. (We will see if alliance is needed. It is not all the time that alliance is necessary. Why will you seek alliance if you believe you can do it yourself?)

Mansoor said the normalization process, which includes the decommissioning of the MILF combatants and their weapons as well as the redeployment of the military, is ongoing.

When the Bangsamoro Transition Authority is set up, said Mansoor, “the armed wing of the MILF ceases. The MILF as an organization will still be intact pero yung military activities ay wala na yun (but the military activities will be over).

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/12/20/murad-to-head-milf-political-party-assembly-on-dec-23-25/

Philippine troops plant bamboos, citizens urged to plant trees

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Dec 19): Philippine troops plant bamboos, citizens urged to plant trees









Bamboo planting activities in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippines.

Military officials led soldiers in planting bamboo trees in southern Philippines as part of their environmental and reforestation advocacy and urged citizens to also plant trees in their backyards.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, led the soldiers in the planting activities in Zamboanga City recently. He said some 200 bamboo stems or culms were planted at Camp Don Basilio Navarro which coincided with the launching of the Bamboo Reforestation Project.

He said the planting of bamboos was also in line with the 79th Founding Anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the national greening program and simultaneously conducted in all military camps in the country.

“Considering all the environmental benefits of bamboos, the BRP is a priority project of the AFP to mitigate the effects of climate change and contribute to disaster management,” Guerrero said. “We are urging everybody to also plant trees in their backyards and help protect the environment.”

In Zamboanga del Sur province, the 1st Infantry Division under Brig. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, also planted The 200 pieces of Giant Bamboo seedlings which came all the way from a Bamboo nursery in Masuan town in Bukidnon province.

Capt. Frano Suelto, an army spokesman, said the seedlings were planted at their headquarters at Kuta Major Cesar Sang-an in Labangan town. It was also participated by army officials and soldiers.

“This Bamboo Reforestation Project is a modest contribution of Team Tabak in mitigating the effects of Climate Change and Global Warming.  Bamboo is a very economical to plant because it requires less maintenance and in 3-5 years it can yield results. It can also be a source of livelihood because of its different uses.  The Tabak Troopers joins our AFP in being Green Warriors and it only shows that the soldiers are also concern with environmental protection and conservation,” Barrientos said.

He also encouraged the public to support the government greening and reforestation program by planting trees or flowers, and even vegetable gardens. "Trees not only clean the air, but is also our protection against storm, while flowers beautify our surrounding and the vegetable gardens can sustain our daily needs and the vegetables keep us healthy,” he said.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/12/philippine-troops-plant-bamboos.html

Hiligaynon News: 3ID ‘online’ na

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 19): Hiligaynon News: 3ID ‘online’ na

Ginpresenta sang 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) sang Philippine Army nga naka-base sa Kampo Macario Peralta, Jr. sa banwa sang Jamindan ang bag-o nga website sang 3ID sa mga katapu sang media sa probinsya sang nagligad nga Disyembre 16 diri sa syudad sang Roxas.

Ginpahayag ni Maj. Ray C. Tiongson nga hepe sang Public Affairs Office (PAO) sang 3ID nga kabahin ang pagdihon sang 3ID website sa katuyuan nga labi pa gid nga mapasanyog ang pagpaabot sang impormasyon sa publiko nahanungod sa mga hilikuton, proyekto, programa kag kadalag-an sang mga soldado.

Ang 3ID nga website ang sarang malab-ot pinaagi sa www.spearheadtroopers.com.

Nahibaluan nga magluwas sa mga balita kag litrato, ang website ang nagapakita man sang mga FAQ ukon Frequently Asked Questions nahanungod sa pagsulod sa Philippine Army, mga nagkalainlain nga yunit sang 3ID, kag link sang mga mapinuslanon nga website sang mga ahensya sang gobyerno.

Sa iya nga bahin, ginpahayag ni Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero nga commander sang 3ID nga ang bulig sang media ang daku nga kontribusyon sa implementasyon sang Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan.

Si Guerrero ang nagpanguna sa mga opisyal sang 3ID kag mga unit commander sa ginpatigayon nga simple nga pagpakig-upod sa pila ka mga katapu sang media sa probinsya.

Samtang ginpasalamatan naman sang mga katapu sang media nga nagtambong sa pagtililipon ang inisyatibo sang 3ID kadungan sa ila paglaum sang tayuyon nga maayo nga pagtamdanay sa tunga sang mga soldado kag media sa palaabuton.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1001418974336/hiligaynon-news-3id-online-na

Cebuano News: 55IB mopahigayon sa Bayanihan Run 12.20.14 alang sa mga CAFGU sa Misamis Occidental

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 18): Cebuano News: 55IB mopahigayon sa Bayanihan Run 12.20.14 alang sa mga CAFGU sa Misamis Occidental

Gidasig sa 55th Infantry (Vigilant) Battalion (55IB), Philippine Army, sa pag-abag sa Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental (PGMO), ang katawahan sa pag-apil sa “Bayanihan Run 12.20.14.”

Ipahigayon sa Oroquieta City Plaza, sa Sabado, Disyembre 20, alas 4:00 sa buntag, ang Bayanihan Run, usa ka kampanya sa paglikum ug salapi alang sa benepisyo sa mga CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (CAAs), sa probinsiya.

“Kini nga ma CAA nagsilbi nga mga ‘force multiplier’ kun magpadaghan sa mga tawo nga motabang sa pagpangalap sa kalinaw ug kalambuan, partikular sa mga kabukiran sa Misamis Occidental, matud ni lieutenant colonel Gerry M. Besana, battalion commander sa 55IB.

 “Kini nga inisyatibo nagtinguha sa paglikum ug pundo aron magamit sa mga kalihokan alang sa kabulahanan sa mga CAAs’ ilabi na panahon sa Pasko,” si Besana usab miingon.

Gawas sa kahigayonan nga mgakatampo niining honorableng tinguha, ang mga partisipante sa fun run makabenepisyo usab sa kahimsug sa lawas ug makahigayon sa pag ila-ila sa mga modagan ug uban pang po-apil sa kalihokan, ang battalion commander sa 55IB namulong.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1451418880285/cebuano-news-55ib-mopahigayon-sa-bayanihan-run-12-20-14-alang-sa-mga-cafgu-sa-misamis-occidental

Police release Pemberton mug shots

From ABS-CBN (Dec 20): Police release Pemberton mug shots

The Olongapo City police on Saturday officially released the mug shots of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was charged with murder for the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude.



         Source: Philippine National Police

GMA News' Rida Reyes also tweeted a photo of a police crime lab data sheet showing the US Marine's fingerprints.
Embedded image permalink
DZBB Super Radyo @dzbb
Fingerprints ni L/CPL Pemberton pic.twitter.com/5H1Eg5Wpuf | via @Rida_Reyes

PH, US reconciling VFA interpretation: Goldberg

From ABS-CBN (Dec 20): PH, US reconciling VFA interpretation: Goldberg

A “common interpretation” of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) – particularly the provision on custody – is being worked out by the United States with Philippine authorities, Ambassador Philip Goldberg said yesterday.

Goldberg said there is a need to reconcile differences over the interpretation of some provisions in the VFA in the light of confusion arising from the murder case filed against US Marine Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton. The Marine is a suspect in the killing of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude in Olongapo City last October.

The US has rejected demands that Pemberton be turned over to Philippine authorities, citing provisions in the VFA.

“That (custody issue) is something that has been talked about the last few days and I think it is misinterpreted,” Goldberg said over ANC television on Thursday.

“What we are trying to do is to avoid any differences, to try to work together with Philippine government, with the judicial authorities, to make sure that the VFA has a common interpretation and that we move forward to make sure that justice is done in the case,” he said.

The US embassy in Manila officially responded on Wednesday to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ diplomatic note by saying that the US would retain custody of Pemberton.

“So we are going back and forth about this issue but at the same time working out what I think are mutually satisfactory solutions so that we can keep the suspect for example – as we have in Camp Aguinaldo – where we both have a role in making sure the suspect appears for trial,” he added.

“The issue of custody is an important issue. It is one that is important to us as well as to the Philippines because we have certain legal and service related obligations to a US soldier, who in this case a Marine,” Goldberg said.

The DFA on Thursday said it would no longer contest US custody of Pemberton, saying the US justification for keeping him while on trial was “not inconsistent” with the provisions of the VFA.

Pemberton appeared before the Olongapo City court yesterday and met the family of Laude for the first time. His arraignment did not push through, however, after his lawyers moved that the proceedings be suspended pending a Department of Justice decision on their request to have the case downgraded from murder to homicide.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/20/14/ph-us-reconciling-vfa-interpretation-goldberg

4 Sayyaf rebels arrested, explosives seized in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Dec 20): 4 Sayyaf rebels arrested, explosives seized in Southern Philippines



Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Group ZAMBASULTA. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Philippine soldiers arrested 4 Abu Sayyaf rebels transporting explosives and grenades at a road black in the southern province of Sulu, officials told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner on Saturday.

Officials said the four – Jumli Pulah, Hassan Jubakal, Ingki Abdulah and Bashir Ali – were on a pick-up truck when soldiers stopped them in the village of Danag in Patikul town, a known stronghold of the rebel group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya.

Ensign Chester Ian Ramos, a military spokesman, said one of those captured – Pulah – is wanted by authorities for a string of criminal charges. The others, he said, were being interrogated in an undisclosed location.

Ramos said soldiers recovered from the truck 152 liters of ammonium nitrate - a banned chemical fertilizer, but is a key ingredient in the manufacture of homemade explosives widely used by the Abu Sayyaf in their attacks on civilian and military targets - and three pieces of MK2 fragmentation grenades, including two bottles of TNT and two pieces of blasting caps, and batteries and electrical wire.
He said Col. Alan Arrojado, commander of an anti-terror task force, in his report, claimed that the truck was being used by the Abu Sayyaf to transport weapons and munitions, and in kidnapping activities in the province.

The truck came from Jolo town and was heading to Patikul when troops intercepted the rebels.

No other details were made available by the military about the arrest of the four men, but military sources claimed that an Abu Sayyaf informer tipped off authorities about the transport of the explosives by the rebels.

In Zamboanga City, Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, commander of the Joint Task Force ZAMBASULTA, praised the capture of the rebels and said joint law enforcement operations against the Abu Sayyaf are continuing not only in Sulu, but other areas as well.

ZAMBASULTA is the acronym for Zamboanga (Peninsula), Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces where the Abu Sayyaf is actively operating.
“We are persistent to join hand-in-hand with other law enforcement agencies in Sulu to apply the rule of law so that the bandits will face trials and put behind bars,” Yoma said.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/12/4-sayyaf-rebels-arrested-explosives.html