Hacienda Luisita commander is contender for AFP chief, too

From Rappler (Jul 9): Hacienda Luisita commander is contender for AFP chief, too

The dark horse in the race, Ricardo Visaya is controversial among human rights groups. But to his fellow soldiers, he is a a bemedalled officer worthy of respect.



 

The Army battalion commander during the 2004 bloody clashes with Hacienda Luisita workers is now a 3-star general and among the contenders to become the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

As he joins the race for the coveted post, Lieutenant General Ricardo Visaya, a bemedalled officer and combatant, is haunted by the operation that had gone wrong. (READ: New AFP chief on Friday: Aquino, Gazmin ex-aides contenders)

But it's the same operation that could be his ticket to the top post in the military.

It was in 2004 when he got to know his current commander-in-chief, President Benigno Aquino III. At the time of the strike, Aquino, then Tarlac representative, was said to have also acted as the manager of the family estate.

Visaya was then commander of the 69th Infantry Battalion based in Central Luzon. He was on the ground with his men, according to Cristina Palabay of Karapatan, the rights group that has blamed Aquino and Visaya for the death of 7 workers.

It was there that Aquino got to know the general.

Aquino and Visaya eventually faced murder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman, although the cases have since been dismissed.

Beyond Hacienda Luisita, Visaya also proved to be an effective counter-insurgency commander. He was closely associated with his superior at the time, the now detained Major General Jovito Palparan, who was 7th Infantry Division chief in charge of Army units in Central Luzon. Palparan faces various charges of human rights violations allegedly committed under the Arroyo government.

Respected in the military

While Visaya is controversial among leftists and human rights groups, the general is widely respected in the military.

The Scout Ranger is now the chief of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

His recent promotion to the 3-star position encouraged his supporters to lobby for his appointment as chief of staff.

His two closest rivals in the race, Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri and Air Force chief Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado, are both reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 at the height of the campaign period for the May 2016 elections.

Delgado will turn 56 in March 2016; Iriberri, in April 2016.

A 1983 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, Visaya is retiring in December 2016 yet – way past the inaguration of a new president. This is one reason young officers are pushing for him.

Iriberri's strongest backer, however, is Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who has vetted all chiefs of staff named by Aquino since he became president and is Aquino's most influential adviser on military affairs.

Delgado is a former aide of Aquino's mother, the late President Corazon Aquino.

Aquino can choose to extend the term of the chief of staff up to when he steps down in June 2016.

Should he name Irriberi as AFP boss, this would make Visaya the strongest contender to replace Iriberri as Army commanding general.

The President is expected to make his choice on Thursday, July 9.

The turnover ceremony will be on Friday, July 10, at Camp Aguinaldo.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/98803-ricardo-visaya-hacienda-luisita-military

“The Bangsamoro will remain under Philippine sovereignty,” says Atty. Basman

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 8): “The Bangsamoro will remain under Philippine sovereignty,” says Atty. Basman

“The Bangsamoro will not be an Islamic state. It will remain under Philippine sovereignty,” says Atty. Anna Basman, head of the legal team of the Government Peace Panel in a press conference held yesterday, July 7 at Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel here.

Basman underscored, “we are not crafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in a vacuum. We are going to resolve the decades-old conflict in Mindanao and the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao is a continuing process.”

She believes that the government of the Philippines and the MILF are committed to see the peace process through.

“The MILF will not ‘rule’ over the Bangsamoro,” according to Basman, adding that the Bangsamoro will not have its own armed forces. Accordingly, the BBL provides for a government that is parliamentary and democratic.

Ms. Noemi B. Edaga, Regional Director of PIA9 quoted, “It is often said that peace is elusive. All sectors have been working for peace but it has not yet been achieved.” But she saw hunger for peace among the people in Mindanao and that a forum like this would provide some enlightenment on the issue.

“I am thankful for the social media because although Atty. Basman is based in Manila, we could access information on BBL and the peace process through their website, opapp.gov.ph., since we cannot reach you one by one. We help by facilitating the conduct of fora and press conferences,” RD Edaga told the media.

Darwin Wee from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Zamboanga City said the media can just contact him for further information and possible guesting of any member of the peace panel, to include Secretary Teresita Deles.

“I have been with the media since 2004 and noted that only a few write about or cover the peace process,” Wee observed. He said it might not be an interesting issue for them to write about. “We only write about it when there are already issues that crop up,” he said.

Ms. Daphne Santuyo, a freelance journalist asked what has been done to disseminate information in Zamboanga Sibugay regarding the BBL. “Sharing information on a peace agreement of this importance is really hard. Our challenge at OPAPP is how to trickle down information to the grassroots,” said Atty. Basman.

Basman admitted their limitations as to manpower and mechanism, which maybe the reason why misinformation has preceded their advocacy.

She acknowledged the support of PIA and called on the media to access information on their website or contact Mr. Wee for any additional inputs on the peace process.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1361436333135/-the-bangsamoro-will-remain-under-philippine-sovereignty-says-atty-basman

OPAPP holds BBL forum; cites gains of peace talks with MILF

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 9): OPAPP holds BBL forum; cites gains of peace talks with MILF

To clarify certain issues raised against the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), Atty. Anna Basman, head of the legal team of the Government Peace Panel met with the local press in a forum held here yesterday.

Some 25 media practitioners from the different print, radio and TV outfits in the city turned up to shoot their questions to Atty. Basman who traveled all the way from Manila for the said activity.

As regards the issue on a separate Bangsamoro police, Basman clarified that the police force of the Bangsamoro government is still under the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“It is called the Bangsamoro police because it is in the Bangsamoro; it is just like the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Police Regional Office (ARMM-PRO),” Basman explained.

When asked whether the BBL is the solution to armed conflict in Mindanao, Atty. Basman replied that “the armed conflict is 40 years in history and not one law can instantaneously resolve the conflict.

It’s going to be a work-in-progress with the government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), civil society groups and all the stakeholders in the island.

”She also told the media practitioners that “there is no automatic/wide-scale integration of the MILF combatants to the PNP or the Armed Forces of the Philippines. If they want to join the PNP or the AFP, they have to go through the hiring process. There is no special concession for them.”

To settle conflicts, she said, Shari’ah Court for the Muslims, Traditional/Tribal Justice System for “lumads”, regular courts and alternative dispute resolutions using customary laws will be established in the Bangsamoro government.

Basman said the normalization process had already taken place even without the BBL with the decommissioning of 145 MILF combatants with 75 high-powered/crew served weapons last month.

“The decommissioning will continue with the implementation of the agreement on the Bangsamoro,” she added.“One thing that happened in this peace negotiation with the MILF is that we are able to convert them from their extreme position – which is independence – to the fold,” the lady lawyer concluded.

Similar fora with media practitioners were also conducted in Zamboanga City, Pagadian City and in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. 

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1431436340668/opapp-holds-bbl-forum-cites-gains-of-peace-talks-with-milf

Filipinos approve Aquino admin's Mindanao peace efforts – SWS

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 10): Filipinos approve Aquino admin's Mindanao peace efforts – SWS

Majority of Filipinos are satisfied with the Aquino administration's resolute stance in the pursuit of peace in Mindanao, according to the findings of the Second Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey.

The national survey, conducted last month on June 5-8, noted the public's +23 rating on the administration's efforts in “Restoring peace to Mindanao,” up from +12 in March, with majority of Filipinos (52%) ‎expressing satisfaction.

The President’s overall satisfaction rating also recovered last month to +31 from +19 in March, his lowest since he assumed office in 2010. He also received a +19 and a +13 rating on “Giving justice” and “Fighting terrorism” respectively.

President Benigno S. Aquino III continues to enjoy high satisfaction rating due to his uncompromising stance on controversial issues including his furtherance of the Bangsamoro peace process, said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, Jr. in a press briefing.

“Naging mataas din ang rating ng pamahalaan sa aspeto ng pagtataguyod ng prosesong pang-kapayapaan kasabay ng pagsulong ng Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) at pagpapatupad ng mga probisyon ng Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) tulad ng normalization at decommissioning (The government also received a high rating on its securing of the peace process alongside its advancement of the BBL and the implementation of provisions in the CAB such as the normalization and decommissioning).”

Government of the Philippines (GPH) chief peace negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer thanked the people who continued to support the Bangsamoro peace process and helped shape a favorable view among the populace. “Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa mga tao na  patuloy na kumilala sa kahalagahan ng peace process at kung bakit natin ito kailangang ipagpatuloy (We would like to thank the people who continued to recognize the importance of the peace process and the need to pursue it).”

Coronel-Ferrer said that the latest SWS survey results showed Filipinos across the country are realizing the stakes involved in the Bangsamoro peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, especially in the light of external challenges in the West Philippine Sea and other security threats such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“What we are doing is not only for the Bangsamoro but for the benefit of all Filipinos. I am grateful that more Filipinos realize why we must pursue the solutions provided by the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro so that the government can focus on other pressing problems."

The latest survey from the SWS also showed a +1 satisfaction rating with regard “Reconciliation with Muslim Rebels”. This was several notches up from the -3 rating of the administration under the same category last March.

Ferrer commented that this net positive rating “shows that more people are seeing the big picture and the benefits that we have reaped and will continue to reap if we stay on this track.”

“We welcome the support of every Filipino especially at this juncture when permanently ending the conflict with the MILF is so close and is no longer elusive,” she added.

The SWS survey was conducted ‎nationwide through face-to-face interviews of 1,200 respondents across the country. (OPAPP)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1781436428749/filipinos-approve-aquino-admin-s-mindanao-peace-efforts-sws

First Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey: 49% support government moves in the Scarborough Shoal; 84% worry about armed conflict with China

From Social Weather Stations (Jun 22): First Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey: 49% support government moves in the Scarborough Shoal; 84% worry about armed conflict with China

Social Weather Stations

The First Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey, fielded from March 20-23, 2015, found that 49% of Filipino adults approve and 46% disapprove the government's actions regarding the tension in the Scarborough Shoal.

To the question, "In general, do you approve or disapprove of our government's actions regarding the tension between China and the Philippines in the Scarborough Shoal? (Sa pangkalahatan, sumasang-ayon po ba kayo o hindi sumasang-ayon sa ikinikilos ng ating gobyerno ukol sa tensyon sa pagitan ng China at Pilipinas sa Scarborough Shoal?)", 16% strongly approve (lubos na sumasang-ayon), 33% somewhat approve (medyo sumasang-ayon), 27% somewhat disapprove (medyo hindi sumasang-ayon), and 19% strongly disapprove (lubos na hindi sumasang-ayon) [Chart 2].

The latest approval of 49% (% strongly approve and % somewhat approve) was 13 points below the 62% (22% strongly approve, 40% somewhat approve) in June 2014, and 16 points below the 65% (27% strongly approve, 38% somewhat approve) in September 2013.

Worry of armed conflict with China stays high

The March 2015 survey also found that 84% are worried - 49% worried a great deal and 35% somewhat worried - that there will be an armed conflict between the Philippines and China over the disputed islands in Scarborough Shoal [Chart 2]. The remaining 16% are either not too worried or not worried at all.

Worry of an armed conflict with China was also high in the three other surveys since 2012. It was 88% (47% worried a great deal, 41% somewhat worried) in September 2012, 89% (48% worried a great deal, 41% somewhat worried) in September 2013, and 87% (52% worried a great deal, 35% somewhat worried) in June 2014.

Support for government moves in Scarborough Shoal weakens in all areas

Compared to one and a half years ago, public approval of the government's actions regarding the tension in Scarborough Shoal weakened in all areas.

In Metro Manila, approval (% strongly approve and % somewhat approve) fell to 48% in March 2015, from 61% in both September 2013 and June 2014.

In Balance Luzon, it fell to 48%, from 64% in September 2013 and 62% in June 2014.

In the Visayas, it fell to 55%, from 68% in September 2013 and 60% in June 2014.

In Mindanao, it fell to 45%, from 66% in September 2013 and 67% in June 2014

Worry of an armed conflict with China remains high across the board

Since September 2012, worry of an armed conflict with China in the disputed islands of Scarborough Shoal has been high in all areas.

In Metro Manila, the proportion of those worried (% worried a great deal and % somewhat worried) of an armed conflict with China was 86% in September 2012, 81% in September 2013, 88% in June 2014 and 79% in March 2015.

In Balance Luzon, it was 88% in September 2012, 89% in September 2013, 85% in June 2014 and 88% in March 2015.

In the Visayas, it was 87% in September 2012, 90% in September 2013, 88% in June 2014 and 88% in March 2015.

In Mindanao, it was 89% in September 2012, 92% in September 2013, 87% in June 2014 and 80% in March 2015.

Survey Background

The March 2015 Social Weather Survey was conducted from March 20-23, 2015 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide, 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao (sampling error margins of 3% for national percentages, and 6% each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).

The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2015 to obtain the national estimates.

The SWS survey questions on public approval of government's actions regarding the tension in the Scarborough Shoal, and worry about an armed conflict with China, are directed to an adult respondent. These items are non-commissioned, and were included on SWS's own initiative and released as a public service, with first printing rights assigned to BusinessWorld.

[Omit exact survey questions]

Chart 1

Chart 2

Chart 3

Chart 4

 

http://www.sws.org.ph/

Second Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey: Net trust in China a "bad" -45; 51% of Filipinos closely followed the Philippines-China dispute in the West Philippine Sea

From Social Weather Stations (Jul 9): Second Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey: Net trust in China a "bad" -45; 51% of Filipinos closely followed the Philippines-China dispute in the West Philippine Sea

Social Weather Stations

The Second Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey, fielded from June 5-8, 2015, found that 62% of adults have little trust, and 17% have much trust, in China, for a record-low net trust rating of -45 (% much trust minus % little trust), classified by SWS as "bad".
 

China's lowest net trust score of -45 surpassed the previous record-low of -36 in June 2014, May 2012, and June 1995 during the Mischief Reef confrontation between the Philippines and China [Chart 1, Table 1].
 

The survey also found that 51% of Filipinos paid close attention to news reports on "the events regarding the conflict between the Philippines and China about who owns the islands in the West Philippine Sea".
 

Net trust was Very Good for United States, Good for Australia
 

In contrast to China, most adult Filipinos have much trust in the United States and Australia.

United States, in particular, has been enjoying positive net trust ratings since December 1994, ranging from moderate +18 in May 2005 to excellent +82 in December 2013 [Chart 2].

 

As of June 2015, the United States scored a very good net trust rating of +64.
 

Similarly, Australia has been scoring positive net trust ratings since April 1995, ranging from neutral +3 in September 1995 to very good +55 in August 2012.
 

In June 2015, Australia scored a good net trust rating of +36.
 

The June 2015 survey also found neutral net trust rating for Saudi Arabia, and poor for Malaysia.

Net trust in Saudi Arabia used to be a poor -19 in August 1994 before it rose to neutral -5 in March 2008. It has since then stayed neutral, with the latest score at -9 in June 2015.
 

Net trust in Malaysia started out at neutral -2 in August 1994 before declining to poor and bad levels from December 1994 to March 20018, ranging from -37 to -16. It rose to neutral -2 in June 2008, and has since then stayed neutral until the latest score of poor -10 in June 2015.
 

PH-China dispute was fifth most followed news event
 

Of the 14 news events tested, the Events regarding the conflict between the Philippines and China about who owns the islands in the West Philippine Sea was the fifth most followed news, with 51% who followed it very closely/somewhat closely [Table 2].
 

The four most followed news events were The boxing fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (78%), The case of OFW Mary Jane Veloso in Indonesia (57%), The court trial concerning the Pork Barrel Scam of Janet Lim Napoles (57%), and Events regarding the implementation of the K to 12 program (52%).
 

Following the top five news events were The court trial concerning the Maguindanao massacre of November 2009 (50%), The Senate investigation regarding the alleged anomaly in the construction of a building in Makati City when Vice-Pres. Jojo Binay was still Mayor of Makati (48%), The court trial concerning the case of former Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (46%), and The earthquake that ravaged Nepal (44%).
 

Other news events tested were The events of the murder case against US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton for killing Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude (38%), The legislation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (36%), News regarding the preparation for the APEC conference that will be held here in the Philippines (21%), News regarding the conflict in Yemen (19%), and News about the plight of the Rohingyas (7%).
 

China's net trust ratings also "bad" in Mischief Reef incidents of 1995 and 1999
 

The net trust rating of China has been positive in only 7 out of 35 surveys from 1994 to 2015, ranging from the neutral +3 in September 2002 to the record-high moderate +17 in June 2010.
 

On the other hand, China's net trust scores were mostly negative, ranging from neutral -1 to the record-low bad -45.
 

China's net trust rating ranged from bad to poor during the first Mischief Reef confrontation between the Philippines and China in 1995.
 

It was bad in April 1995 (-30) and June 1995 (-36) before it went to poor in September 1995 (-26) and December 1995 (-28).
 

It again fell to bad levels in June 1999 during the second Mischief Reed incident, at net -32, and in December 2008, after the news on melamine contamination of milk from China, at net -33.
 

It recovered briefly from February 2009 to December 2011, ranging from neutral -2 to moderate +17, before falling to a bad -36 in May 2012. It has since then stayed at poor to bad levels, reaching as low as -45 in June 2015.
 

Survey Background
 

The June 2015 Social Weather Survey was conducted from June 5-8, 2015 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide, 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao (sampling error margins of 3% for national percentages, and 6% each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).
 

The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2015 to obtain the national estimates.
 

The Social Weather Survey items on public trust in selected countries, and public attention to news events, are non-commissioned. These items were included on SWS's own initiative and released as a public service......

[Omit exact questions]

  

Chart 1

Table 1

Chart 2

Table 2

 

 

http://www.sws.org.ph/

 

 

 

Suspected ex-BIFF member nabbed in Cebu probed over alleged kill plot

From GMA News (Jul 9): Suspected ex-BIFF member nabbed in Cebu probed over alleged kill plot

A suspected former member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who was arrested in Cebu City for the fatal shooting of a minor is being investigated for an alleged slay plot against a City Hall official.

Police are verifying Mamainty Abdul Eman's possible links to a reported plot to kill Raquel Arce, the head of the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement Cebu (PROBE).

Eman, who was arrested in connection with the shooting of a 14-year-old last July 2, had denied the allegation, GMA Cebu reported.

He also denied his connections with the BIFF, a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The BIFF conducted attacks in Mindanao in 2008 after the Supreme Court thumbed down a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain.

But Cebu City intelligence branch head Superintendent Romeo Santander said their information showed Eman was a member of the BIFF from 2005 to 2010.

Santander said Eman arrived in Cebu in 2012, and sold mobile phones. He added the police will coordinate with the military in looking into Eman's record with the BIFF.

"(Our initial information showed) he was a member before of the BIFF and then kumalas siya. Nagpunta rito sa Cebu although di pa siya matagal dito sa Cebu City," Santander said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/519034/news/regions/suspected-ex-biff-member-nabbed-in-cebu-probed-over-alleged-kill-plot

Next AFP chief still unknown a day before turnover

From GMA News (Jul 9): Next AFP chief still unknown a day before turnover

Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang will relinquish his post Friday, with Malacañang expected to announce his successor before the 10 a.m. turnover rites in Camp Aguinaldo.

In an interview Thursday, Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said this is not the first time Malacañang did not announce the next military chief a day before his assumption.

“[Ex-AFP chief] General [Jessie] Dellosa’s appointment was made public on the day [of the turnover] itself,” said Kakilala.

Catapang, who was appointed AFP chief in July last year, will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Saturday.

Five three-star officers are said to be being considered as Catapang's successor — Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Western Command chief Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez, and Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Nicanor Vivar.

President Benigno Aquino III, the military's commander-in-chief, interviewed the five last Monday, Kakilala said.

AFP chiefs are traditionally selected from among the three-star officers, though the President is allowed to go on a “deep-selection” or consider lower-ranking officers.

Meanwhile, because of the expected inclement weather on Friday, the military will hold the turnover ceremony without the traditional parade, Kakilala said.

“'Yung customary lang na turnover na change of command [ng] chief of staff, change of command tapos upo na lang. Wala nang troops, wala nang parading troops na 1,500 with capabilities,” Kakilala said, adding the ceremonies may be held indoors.

The plan, however, is not yet final, he added.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/519294/news/nation/next-afp-chief-still-unknown-a-day-before-turnover

China unyielding as RP argues case before UN

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 9): China unyielding as RP argues case before UN

Beijing: Tribunal has no jurisdiction over dispute

The Philippines has appealed to an international tribunal to declare China’s claims to most of the South China Sea illegal, warning the integrity of United Nations’ (UN) maritime laws is at stake, an argument which only hardened China’s position to reject the proceeding.

In opening comments to the tribunal in The Hague yesterday, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the country has sought judicial intervention because China’s behavior had become increasingly “aggressive” and negotiations had proved futile.

China up to the other day, however, was offering the holding of bilateral negotiations to settle the dispute.

Prior to Philippines’ filing of the case with the arbitral body, detente was observed over the disputed territories in South China Sea. 

Lately, however, China had started reclaiming land over some of the disputed areas which were believed to have been triggered by the UN arbitration case that it refused to recognize.

Del Rosario said the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLoS), which the Philippines and China have both ratified, should be used to resolve their bitter territorial dispute.

“The case before you is of the utmost importance to the Philippines, to the region, and to the world,” del Rosario told the tribunal.

“In our view, it is also of utmost significance to the integrity of the convention, and to the very fabric of the legal order of the seas and oceans,” he said.

China insists it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the South China Sea, a strategically vital waterway with shipping lanes through which about a third of all the world’s traded oil passes.

Its claim, based on ancient Chinese maps, reaches close to the coasts of its regional neighbors including the Philippines.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims to parts of the sea, which have for decades made it a potential military flashpoint.

Tensions have risen sharply in recent years as a rising China has sought to stake its claims more assertively.

China maintained that the international tribunal has no jurisdiction over the dispute.

In a commentary in state-run Global Times, China said the Philippines unilaterally initiated in 2013 compulsory arbitration against China on the basis of Part XV of the UNCLoS.

“It skilfully fragments the dispute with China into various free-standing-appearing entitlement claims, while steadfastly avoiding sovereignty and delimitation,” it said.

“The Philippines’ fragmentation magic cannot conceal the sovereignty-delimitation nature of the dispute,” it said.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a statement, said the government’s rejection of bilateral talks with China will force the superpower to take a more hardline position in the maritime dispute.

“China opened the door and we shut it. The Chinese said let’s talk and we snubbed them. It’s like the Philippine government itself is encouraging China to take and maintain an unbending stance on the issue,” Marcos said.

Marcos said in a forum that the Philippines will not lose anything by accepting the Chinese invitation to a dialog.

“So talk, and tell them: we are not happy with what you are doing and we do not agree with what you are doing. But the next thing you say is: how do we fix this?” Marcos, vice chairman of the Senate committee on foreign relations, said.

Marcos has called on the government to agree to or initiate bilateral talks with China when it aggressively started erecting structures in areas the Philippines is claiming as either parts of its sovereign territory or within its 200 nautical (370 kilometers) mile exclusive economic zone.

“We do not want war. Arbitration is not one that is going to be recognized by the Chinese. So it has to be negotiations,” Marcos said.

Following a stand-off between Chinese ships and the weak Filipino Navy in 2012, China took control of a rich fishing ground called Scarborough Shoal that is well within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

China has also undertaken giant reclamation activities that have raised fears it will use artificial islands to build new military outposts close to the Philippines and other claimants.

China has rejected all criticisms over its actions, insisting it has undisputed sovereign rights to the sea.

However, Del Rosario told the tribunal in the Hague that China’s argument of claiming the sea based on “historic rights” was without foundation.

“The so-called nine dash line (based on an old map used by China) has no basis whatsoever under international law,” he said.

The Philippines submitted its case to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, a 117-state body that rules on disputes between countries, in early 2013.

Del Rosario’s comments, held in closed door proceedings but released the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), were part of the Philippines’ opening oral arguments.

China has refused to participate in the proceedings and said it will not abide by any ruling, even though it is has ratified the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea. China, however, junked one condition in the same agreement.

However the Philippines hopes a ruling in its favor will pressure China into making concessions.
Any ruling from the tribunal is not expected until next year.

RP to clarify entitlements

Del Rosario reiterated however that the Philippines is not appearing before the tribunal to seek a ruling on sovereignty but to clarify maritime entitlements based on the UNCLoS.

“It has acted forcefully to assert them, by exploiting the living and non-living resources in the areas beyond the UNCLOS limits while forcibly preventing other coastal States, including the Philippines, from exploiting the resources in the same areas – even though the areas lie well within 200 M of the Philippines’ coast and, in many cases, hundreds of miles beyond any EEZ or continental shelf that China could plausibly claim under the Convention,” Del Rosario said.

“We are here because we wish to clarify our maritime entitlements in the South China Sea, a question over which the Tribunal has jurisdiction. This is a matter that is most important not only to the Philippines, but also to all coastal States that border the South China Sea, and even to all the States Parties to UNCLoS,” he added.

Del Rosario further assailed the claims of China, saying that UNCLoS does not recognize, or permit the exercise of “historic rights” in areas beyond the limits of the maritime zones that are recognized or established by UNCLoS.

After Del Rosario’s speech, Paul Reichler, chief counsel for the Philippines, presented the justification for the Tribunal’s jurisdiction over the Philippine claims under UNCLoS.

Professor Philippe Sands followed Reichler’s presentation by stating that the Philippines did not raise questions of sovereignty over land or raise questions of maritime delimitation.

“China has made it pretty clear of not accepting nor participating in the South China Sea arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the Philippines,” Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said.
“The arbitration violates the consensus the Philippines has affirmed with China on many occasions, as well as its solemn commitment made in the Code of Conduct. China opposes any actions taken by the Philippines to initiate and push ahead with the arbitration,” Hua said.

Marcos said rejecting China’s offer to hold bilateral talks with the Philippines is limiting the government’s strategic options to stop China from antagonizing not only the Philippines, but all the other claimant-countries in the West Philippine Sea.

“We should not be snobbish. I can’t see any reason at all why we are not talking to China. On the contrary, there are more than enough obvious reasons why we should talk to superpower China,” he said.

He acknowledged that with China’s own geopolitical interests and its concern over the presence of the Americans in the area, bilateral talks between Manila and Beijing “are not going to be easy.”

“We’re strategically important to any great power in Asia-Pacific, but we have to play that role even-handedly. We have to stop thinking in terms of siding with the Chinese or siding with the Americans. Our allies are mainly the Filipinos,” Marcos said.

“What is the national interest, what is good for the Philippines, that’s all that we have to be thinking about,” he added.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/china-unyielding-as-rp-argues-case-before-un

AFP: No marker with Chinese writings near Recto Bank

From ABS-CBN (Jul 9): AFP: No marker with Chinese writings near Recto Bank

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) denied a report that a marker with Chinese writings and buoys were spotted near Recto Bank.

"The reported presence of buoys with Chinese markings is inaccurate. Our recent patrols in the reported area revealed that there were no such buoys nor Chinese markers,'' the AFP's Western Command said in a statement.

A sailor earlier told Reuters he was on a fishing boat being used by the navy that discovered the rubber buoys and the floating steel marker at the end of May. The buoys stretched "as far as the eye could see", the sailor said.

He said there was no evidence Chinese ships had placed them near the Recto Bank, which is also claimed by Beijing.

But efforts to remove the buoys were thwarted by the sudden appearance of a Chinese naval patrol vessel, prompting the Philippine boat to flee, the sailor said in an interview in Puerto Princesa, capital of Palawan province, the Philippine military's jumping off point to the disputed South China Sea.

The Reed Bank lies 80-90 nautical miles (148-167 km) west of the Philippines in what Manila regards as its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Western Command said it ''remains vigilant and continues to conduct maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Philippine military strategists have long worried that China wants to occupy the Reed Bank.

One air force general said he suspected the buoys were put there so Chinese fishermen could tether their boats, then if the Philippine navy tried to evict the fishermen, Chinese coastguard ships would appear to protect them.

In 2012, China seized Scarborough shoal, which lies 124 nautical miles (230 km) west of the Philippines, after a three-month standoff with the Philippine navy.

China has since prevented Philippine fishermen from getting close to the rocky outcrop's rich fishing grounds, the Philippine government and fishermen say.

The Philippine navy has previously found markers with Chinese inscriptions around shoals in other parts of the South China Sea that Manila claims.

In 2011, a steel marker the size of a 14-footer container was discovered in Sabina shoal in the Spratlys. A navy boat towed it away while concrete markers found in the same area last July were blown up, naval officials said.

The Philippine government said in March it was suspending exploration at Reed Bank while it pursued international arbitration over its territorial dispute with China at a U.N. tribunal in the Hague.

Manila is seeking a ruling to confirm its right to exploit waters in its EEZ as allowed under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

 China has refused to participate in the hearing, which opens on Tuesday.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/09/15/afp-no-marker-chinese-writings-near-recto-bank

WESCOM denies presence of Chinese-marked buoys in Recto Bank

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): WESCOM denies presence of Chinese-marked buoys in Recto Bank

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM) in Palawan denied Thursday news reports that claimed floating buoys with Chinese markings were seen close to oil and natural gas-rich Recto Bank in the northeast quadrant of Kalayaan town in the West Philippines Sea.

In a text statement, the WESCOM said through spokesperson Capt. Cherryl Tindog that “the reported presence of buoys with Chinese markings is inaccurate.”

Our recent patrols in the reported area revealed that there were no such buoys nor Chinese markers.

 

Western Command remains vigilant and continues to conduct maritime patrols in the West Philippines Sea to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the text statement said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=781179

3 rebels killed, 5 high-powered weapons seized in Quezon clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): 3 rebels killed, 5 high-powered weapons seized in Quezon clash

Troopers from the 85th Infantry Battalion killed three New People's Army (NPA) fighters during an encounter at Barangay Liwayway, Mauban town, Quezon Wednesday night.

The government troopers also recovered at the site of encounter three M-16 automatic rifles, a M-653 "Baby Armalite," and an M-79 grenade launcher.

Government security troops were on routine patrol when they spotted an undetermined number of rebels at 7:14 p.m., triggering a 30-minute firefight.

Three of the NPAs were killed immediately while no casualties were incurred by the 85th Infantry Battalion, Southern Luzon Command spokesperson Major Angelo Guzman said.

The retreating NPAs left the bodies of their slain comrades, 85th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Simeon Talosig said.

Additional troops were inserted in the area to track down the rest of the rebel group.

"We have increased the pace of our military operations in all our focus areas this year. This is a extra step towards a more peaceful region," Southern Luzon Command head Lt. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya said.

"We will always remain on guard for the safety and protection of the people," he said.

Quezon joins Sorsogon, Masbate and Mindoro as the focus area of the Southern Luzon Command as far as Internal Security is concerned.

The rest of the Southern Luzon was declared as "Conflict Manageable and Ready for Further Development."

Last July 6, former NPA stronghold Rizal Province was declared as "Conflict Manageable and Ready for Further Development."

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=780892

58 rebel IEDs seized by Eastern Mindanao Command

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): 58 rebel IEDs seized by Eastern Mindanao Command

The Eastern Mindanao Command on Thursday reported that its forces has so far seized and disarmed 58 rebel improvised explosive devices (IEDs) since Jan. 1 to July 7 this year.

The number includes two IEDs confiscated from captured New People's Army (NPA) bomb carriers Edwin Sarvida and Dodong Langoy during operations at Campo Uno, Barangay Andap, New Bataan last July 7, Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs office chief Capt. Alberto Caber said.

It can be recalled that on April 1, a civilian was killed while seven others were injured in an IED explosion along the road of Barangay Mahayag, San Miguel, Surigao Del Sur.

On April 20, two innocent civilians were wounded as a result of an IED explosion that was perpetrated by NPA bandits along the national highway in Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay San Vicente, Makilala, North Cotabato.

Caber said the rebels' continuous manufacture and use of these IEDs are gross violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=780854

Fostering unity among different ethnic and religious groups in Bangsamoro conflict area

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): Fostering unity among different ethnic and religious groups in Bangsamoro conflict area

With the current scrutiny both Chambers of Congress and the public are giving to the Bangsamoro peace process, a community composed of a group of indigenous people (IP), Muslims, and Christians have shown that living in harmony is still possible despite armed conflicts.

In Sitio Iking, Barangay Romongaob (Poblacion,) South Upi, Maguindanao, a community composed of an ethnic group Teduray, Moro people, mostly Maguindanaoans, and Christians organized the Romongaob Tri-People's Organization (RTPO.)

RTPO was established through the collaboration of the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF), Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the local government in 2013 with a goal of fostering unity among different ethnic and religious groups, as well as improving the quality of the residents' lives amid the ongoing armed conflicts in their area.

Perlita Bansigan Laugan, 41, is a member of the Teduray tribe and the secretary of the Romongaob Tri-People's Organization (RTPO.)

Perlita, a mother of five children, is currently working as a volunteer teacher to the young Teduray tribe members and an IP leader in their community.

According to her, the RTPO was established to foster unity among the people of their barangay despite the fact that they have cultural and religious differences, and so far, the community harmonizes and becomes a model of peace and unity.

For RTPO procurement chairman Rodolfo Toriales, being a Christian in an area dominated by IPs has not been a problem as he has learned to adapt to the different traditions and practices of the Teduray and the Muslims. But he pointed out that the war has been the root cause of poverty in their barangay.

On the other hand, Datu Kadil Cusain, 42, is a Moro local who has been in South Upi for 25 years. He is a former municipal councilor and he is currently working as the market administrator of Barangay Romongaob.

As a public servant before, Datu Kadil Cusain has served the people of South Upi and supported their strife before the peace talks. For him, passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law is important because he sees it as tool for peace and he said they are tired of the unrest in their homeland.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=781083

Australia reaffirms support to Bangsamoro peace process, invests in education

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): Australia reaffirms support to Bangsamoro peace process, invests in education

Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell has reiterated his country’s support for the peace process in Mindanao and their initiatives to improve the educational system in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM.)

"The Australian government remains steadfast in our support for the current peace process and for development in the ARMM and the Bangsamoro. As a strong supporter of peace, Australia would like to see peace and stability in Mindanao – to allow development and prosperity to take place in the region," Ambassador Tweddell said in a speech delivered during an Iftar dinner attended by foreign dignitaries, international development organizations, and members of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels.

Tweddell added that "a successful peace process can create the conditions for stability and economic development in the region – bringing about an improvement of the lives of all people who live in the Bangsamoro, in Mindanao and indeed in the Philippines."

The ambassador also said that the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) offered the basis for a durable political settlement for the people of Mindanao and the Philippines after many decades of violence and conflict in Mindanao.

"Australia has been a long-time supporter of peace in Mindanao – Australia has been providing funding to support peace since 1996. As I said at the Iftar here last year, and as many of you here will attest, the road to lasting peace is a long one. It’s important to stay the course; even when the road is difficult," he said.

The dinner was attended by Bangladesh Ambassador (Ret.) Major General John Gomes, PSC; Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Mohd Zamri bin Mohd Kassim; diplomats from the Embassies of Brunei, Turkey and UK; World Bank and UNDP representatives; GPH peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer; MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal; Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Yasmin Busran Lao; Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangundadatu and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles. Muslim community leaders and members of the academe and the government bureaucracy also came to break their fast at the reception.

Australian support to education in Muslim Mindanao

"Beyond our support to peace, Australia has been a long standing supporter of education in Muslim Mindanao. Our current program, which builds on its predecessors, is the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao: BEAM-ARMM," Ambassador Tweddell explained.

BEAM-ARMM is a program launched by the Australian Government in the ARMM that covers a wide range of educational interventions, including early childhood care and development; basic education access; training out-of-school youth in vocational and technical skills; improving sanitation and health in schools; and rolling out an alternative delivery model to get as many children learning as is possible.

"BEAM will continue until 2017 and I am pleased to let you know that we have just started the process of determining how we can continue to support education in the Bangsamoro to 2020 and beyond," he said.

Tweddell also revealed that a team in the Australian Embassy would start working with all stakeholders on how they could best support the education needs of the Bangsamoro in the future, and that they have extended their gratitude of the local government's support on their initiatives.

"We are pleased to have been able to support teachers and education staff from ARMM to study in universities around the Philippines and we are extremely happy to have been able to send ARMM teachers to Australia under the Australia Awards program to study at our world-class universities undertaking Masters Degrees in education policy, administration, and pedagogy," Tweddell expressed.

He noted that the chief reason for the low educational rating in the ARMM was the decades of armed conflict that had long denied communities access to a stable and productive education. "Peace and education are like two pillars holding up one bridge. Peace and education are intertwined and this is why Australia will continue to support both," Tweddell said.

Shared experience with Australia

Similar to the Philippines, Muslims in Australia has had a long history dating back to the 1600s. Aboriginal people living along the northern coast of Australia traded with the people from Makassar, now known as Indonesia. Tweddell shared that this trade influenced the language and culture of the Aboriginal people.

“Within the first decades of Sydney’s establishment, Muslims from as far afield as Oman and Bengal were active in the new town,” added the ambassador. He also mentioned that Afghan camel drivers in the 1860s proved invaluable during the construction of the Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line.

Australia Prime Minister Julie Bishop, meanwhile, recognized as well the long history of Islam in the country in her Ramadhan message. “More than 200 years later, Australia’s Muslim community remains diverse, tolerant and inclusive. Respect for one another, tolerance of our differences and celebration of our diversity are our great strengths as a nation,“ Bishop said.

“Muslims from all over the world have played an important part in developing Australia and will continue to play an important role in the years and decades ahead,“ the prime minister added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=781077

6 upgraded APCs now in Tarlac

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): 6 upgraded APCs now in Tarlac

Six of the 28 upgraded M-113 armored personnel carriers are now at the Mechanized Infantry Division (MID), Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, the Philippine Army (PA) said on Thursday.

These vehicles arrived there Wednesday after leaving its Manila-holding area, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said in a message to the PNA.

The six AFVs arrived in the Philippines late this June.

"Six APCs are already at MID headquarters in Tarlac. Other attachments and armaments will be installed in within 15 days," he added.

The six APCs will be followed by 18 other units, four of them by July or August.

Fourteen of the M-113s were configured as fire support vehicles, four as infantry fighting vehicles, six as armored personnel carriers, another four as armored recovery units.

The M-113s were supplied by Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd.

The contract, which is worth Php882 million, was signed last June 22, 2014.

Upgrades include installation of 25 mm unmanned turrets, 12.7 mm remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS) and fire control systems (FCS) for 90 mm turrets.

The PA operates around 343 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) and APCs.

Around 85 percent of these AFVs are on green status (fully mission capable) while another 10 percent are on yellow status (undergoing repair) and five percent are on red (beyond repair)

150 of these AFVs are of United Kingdom-built GKN "Simba" while the remainder consists of US designed V-150 and V-200 APCs, M-113s, Turkish made ACV-300s and British Scorpion CVRTs.

These vehicles give the PA its armor capability and are organized into a 14-vehicle mechanized infantry companion for deployment with regular units.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=781139

Capiz-based 3rd ID neutralizes 30 rebels in first semester

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): Capiz-based 3rd ID neutralizes 30 rebels in first semester

The Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division said on Thursday that its units neutralized 30 New People's Army (NPA) rebels during the first semester of this year.

Of this number, four were arrested through joint military-police law enforcement operations, while 26 others surrendered to 3rd Infantry Division units.

Major Ray Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, said they also recovered 20 firearms and 16 explosive materials and captured 19 NPA camps during the same period.

Major Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said the successful operations against the rebels were attributable to the complementary and concerted efforts of the military, police and other stakeholders through “Dagyaw Para sa Kalinong” (Working Together for Peace).

The campaign also paved the way for the declaration of all the provinces in their area of operations as "Peaceful and Ready for Further Development."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=781022

Philippines counsels explain further country's case at UN Arbitration Tribunal

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): Philippines counsels explain further country's case at UN Arbitration Tribunal

The country's lawyers further explained to the UN Arbitral Tribunal how the Philippine case does not constitute specific exemptions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which would preclude it from having jurisdiction over the case, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said on the continuation of the First Round of the Philippines’ Arguments at The Hague.

The tribunal is in its second day of hearing on the First Round of the Philippines' Arguments in its case against China.

Valte said in a bulletin on Thursday that during the morning hearing, Professor Philippe Sands briefly addressed questions propounded by a member of the tribunal from yesterday’s hearing.

"Advocates Lawrence H. Martin, Professor Bernard H. Oxman and Paul S. Reichler took turns presenting arguments involving various points on why the Philippines’ claims fall squarely within the jurisdiction of the tribunal," Valte said.

For the afternoon hearing, Professor Alan Boyle presented to the tribunal arguments regarding the strength of the Philippines’ environmental and fishing claims against China.

Valte said that Professor Philippe Sands closed the First Round of Arguments by summarizing the submissions of the Philippines presented in the course of the hearings.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague that the South China Sea dispute "goes to the very heart" of the so-called Constitution for the Oceans -- the UNCLOS.

Del Rosario said on Tuesday that it is not just the Philippines’ claims against China that rest in the tribunal's hands but in the spirit of UNCLOS itself.

In submitting its case, the Philippines is not asking the tribunal to rule on the territorial sovereignty aspect of its disputes with China, according to Del Rosario.

"We are here because we wish to clarify our maritime entitlements in the South China Sea, a question over which the Tribunal has jurisdiction," he told the tribunal.

"This is a matter that is most important not only to the Philippines, but also to all coastal States that border the South China Sea, and even to all the States Parties to UNCLOS."

China violates UNCLOS by asserting its "historic rights" established by its 9-dash line, Del Rosario explained.

The 9-dash line is China's demarcation to claim virtually the entire South China Sea. The Philippines does not recognize China's historic rights through the 9-dash line.

Del Rosario further told the tribunal that if China can defy the limits placed by the convention on its maritime entitlements in the South China Sea, and disregard the entitlements of the Philippines under the convention, then UNCLOS will have no value for small states parties as regards their bigger and more powerful neighbors.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=781188