[Canadian Hostages Held By Abu Sayyaf
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
.Video of Samal hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf Group
Posted to You Tube (Oct 12): Video of Samal hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf Group
[Canadian Hostages Held By Abu Sayyaf
[Canadian Hostages Held By Abu Sayyaf
'We are in grave danger... please help us': Canadian hostages plead for their lives in Filipino Isis-style video
From the Daily Mail (Oct 13): 'We are in grave danger... please help us': Canadian hostages plead for their lives in Filipino Isis-style video
More than half-a-dozen heavily armed men carrying M16 assault rifles stood behind the hostages during the video. Some of the terrorists carried black Isis-style banners. All of the men were masked. One of the terrorists spoke good, but accented English.
The hostages were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf, a group which claims affiliation withIsis .
Robert Hall spoke first on camera. He said: 'My name is Robert Hall. To my family and friends I am okay. I am in grave."
‘I encourage you, please to contact the Canadian government and ask them, plead with them, to co-operate with the Philippine government to stop the bombings and the problems going on here.
‘I know there are people who can find a way to do this, please, please help us.’
Next, the second Canadian issued his plea: 'My name is John Ridsdel I confirm we were taken captive from the Ocean View Marina inSamal Island
Also kidnapped last month were resort owner Kjartan Sekkinstad, right, and his Filipino girlfriend, left
Finally, one of the terrorists issued his threat: 'I deliver a message to the Canadian government and to the Philippine government.
Footage has emerged of the terrifying moment a group of terrorists abduct four tourists at gunpoint from a luxury holiday resort in thePhilippines
Grainy CCTV film shows the kidnappers - armed with pistols and machine guns - marching the tourist hostages across a bridge after having stormed a marina in search of foreign prisoners.
The gunmen captured four tourists in the attack, who are likely to be held captive for ransom
Canadians John Ridsdel (left) and Robert Hall (right) were both kidnapped by the extremists last night
Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkinstad (pictured) was also taken, along with his Filipino girlfriend
Authorities said the kidnappers' first attempted to storm the yacht of tourists Steven and Kazuka Tripp.
However, when the couple fought back and leaped off the boat, the attackers turned their attentions to other foreigners staying on yachts on the island.
The militants went straight for foreigners' boats where many of the 30 guests dived into the water in a desperate bid to avoid being taken.
Mr Ridsdel is the president of mining company TVI Minerals Processing, an organisation based in thePhilippines
Alberto Caber, aPhilippines
Caber also said a naval blockade, backed by two helicopter gunships, was set up around the island to stop the kidnappers from reachingBasilan
Island
Three navy ships were sent to search and intercept the gunmen's boat, while ground units were also alerted to locate possible landing sites in southeasternMindanao .
Although no group has come forward to claim responsibility, at around 4am - five hours after the attack - a resort staff member claimed to have discovered a note left at the front entrance, which stated: 'Justice for our commander: NPA.'
A note was found at the resort a few hours after the kidnapping, which stated: 'Justice for our commander. By NPA.' However, authorities do not yet know if it is valid and warn the group Abu Sayyaf may be responsible
Pictured is the resort's marina, where tourists staying on yachts leaped into the water in a bid to evade the kidnappers
Classed as a terrorist organisation by theU.S.
According to the Inquirer, the region's senior superintendent, Samuel Gadingan said: 'Yes, there was this note that said it was in retaliation for the death of the suspects’ commander. But we’re still validating it.
He said: 'In their [note] they claimed they’re NPA but they have no means of pulling off such kidnapping. They’re not known to use speedboats.'
TheDavao
- Robert Hall and John Ridsdel were kidnapped by terrorists Abu Sayyaf
- They were abducted alongside Kjartan Sekkinstad and his girlfriend
- All four victims were paraded on an Isis-style video by their captors
- Hall said he was 'in grave danger' unless his government intervenes
Robert Hall and
John Ridsdel were kidnapped with Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkinstad and
his Filipino girlfriend.
The
four hostages were shown on a two-minute long video filmed in a jungle where
Hall, Ridsdel and Sekkinstad pleaded for their lives.
Robert Hall, left, pleaded with the Canadian government to intervene in the case following last month's kidnapping. He was abducted alongside fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, right and two other hostages
Mr Ridsdel, right, also spoke briefly on the Abu Sayyaf ransom video which was published on Youtube
The terror group's spokesman, pictured, centre, demanded that Filipino authorities halt their military action
More than half-a-dozen heavily armed men carrying M16 assault rifles stood behind the hostages during the video. Some of the terrorists carried black Isis-style banners. All of the men were masked. One of the terrorists spoke good, but accented English.
The hostages were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf, a group which claims affiliation with
Robert Hall spoke first on camera. He said: 'My name is Robert Hall. To my family and friends I am okay. I am in grave."
‘I encourage you, please to contact the Canadian government and ask them, plead with them, to co-operate with the Philippine government to stop the bombings and the problems going on here.
‘I know there are people who can find a way to do this, please, please help us.’
The
Norwegian national spoke next: 'I am Sekkinstad. The owner of Ocean View
Marina. Please meet the demands or we are possibly dead.’
Next, the second Canadian issued his plea: 'My name is John Ridsdel I confirm we were taken captive from the Ocean View Marina in
'I’d like to add
and give the message from all of us, we beseech, we urge, we beseech the
Canadian government to please, please help us and the Philippine government so
that negotiations can start about their demands.'
Also kidnapped last month were resort owner Kjartan Sekkinstad, right, and his Filipino girlfriend, left
Finally, one of the terrorists issued his threat: 'I deliver a message to the Canadian government and to the Philippine government.
'We want your co-operation with us, and to meet all the
requirements. Number one, there must be no military operation. There must be no
artillery attack that is harmful against us. Once you reach our requirements,
then we can talk about negotiations and demands.’
The Canadian government said: 'The Government of Canada is
aware of the hostage-taking of two Canadian citizens in the Philippines
'Canada
'The Government of Canada will not comment or
release any information which may compromise ongoing efforts and risk
endangering the safety of Canadian citizens abroad.'
The group of extremists lead the captive hostages across a bridge after storming the marina
A man can be seen shooing the prisoners across the bridge, while several more heavily armed men follow in the rear
Footage has emerged of the terrifying moment a group of terrorists abduct four tourists at gunpoint from a luxury holiday resort in the
Grainy CCTV film shows the kidnappers - armed with pistols and machine guns - marching the tourist hostages across a bridge after having stormed a marina in search of foreign prisoners.
With the island
only accessible by boat, the kidnappers' docked under cover of darkness and
began breaking into tourists' yachts in a bid to find valuable Western captives
they can hold for ransom.
It
comes as warships and helicopter gunships have been deployed to lead the
manhunt to find the four hostages - which includes two Canadians and one
Norwegian.
The gunmen captured four tourists in the attack, who are likely to be held captive for ransom
Canadians John Ridsdel (left) and Robert Hall (right) were both kidnapped by the extremists last night
Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkinstad (pictured) was also taken, along with his Filipino girlfriend
Authorities said the kidnappers' first attempted to storm the yacht of tourists Steven and Kazuka Tripp.
However, when the couple fought back and leaped off the boat, the attackers turned their attentions to other foreigners staying on yachts on the island.
The militants went straight for foreigners' boats where many of the 30 guests dived into the water in a desperate bid to avoid being taken.
Canadians John
Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall, 50, were taken at gunpoint, alongside 56-year-old
Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkinstad and his Filipino girlfriend.
Mr Ridsdel is the president of mining company TVI Minerals Processing, an organisation based in the
After leaving the
island - located just off the coast of the mainland island of Mindanao
Alberto Caber, a
A special
taskforce named 'Oceanview' has now been established, comprising members of the
country's special anti-kidnapping teams.
Caber also said a naval blockade, backed by two helicopter gunships, was set up around the island to stop the kidnappers from reaching
Abu Sayyaf, which
has about 400 gunmen, was recently declared a terrorist group by a Philippine
court and is on Washington
Three navy ships were sent to search and intercept the gunmen's boat, while ground units were also alerted to locate possible landing sites in southeastern
Military sources
said the gunmen spoke English and Tagalog, the language spoken widely in the Philippines
Although no group has come forward to claim responsibility, at around 4am - five hours after the attack - a resort staff member claimed to have discovered a note left at the front entrance, which stated: 'Justice for our commander: NPA.'
The
NPA stands for the New People's Army - an insurgency group affiliated to the
country's communist political party.
A note was found at the resort a few hours after the kidnapping, which stated: 'Justice for our commander. By NPA.' However, authorities do not yet know if it is valid and warn the group Abu Sayyaf may be responsible
Pictured is the resort's marina, where tourists staying on yachts leaped into the water in a bid to evade the kidnappers
Classed as a terrorist organisation by the
According to the Inquirer, the region's senior superintendent, Samuel Gadingan said: 'Yes, there was this note that said it was in retaliation for the death of the suspects’ commander. But we’re still validating it.
However, the
region's mayor said the group did not traditionally use speedboats.
He said: 'In their [note] they claimed they’re NPA but they have no means of pulling off such kidnapping. They’re not known to use speedboats.'
Military and
police officials were surprised by the latest attack, which came as a reminder
of volatile security in the south despite recent peace initiatives.
The
In 2014, a peace
agreement with the largest Muslim rebel group in the south ended 45 years of
conflict that had killed about 120,000 people and displaced two million.
In 2001, al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Islamist
militants tried but failed to kidnap foreign tourists on Samal island's Pearl
Farm resort. Three security men died fighting the attackers.
The four people, including two Canadian tourists, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman were taken at gunpoint during a raid on Monday at the Oceanview resort (pictured) on Samal Island
The beautiful resort claims to be a gated community while also boasting of '24 hour security'
WHO IS TO BLAME? COMMUNIST AND MUSLIM INSURGENTS YET TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY
Authorities do not yet know what group is responsible for the attack.
While it bears all the hallmarks of Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim insurgency allied to Islamic State, a note left at the resort claims it was carried out in the name of militant communist group the NPA.
Formed in the late 60s, the NPA stands for the New People's Army - an armed group which is affiliated to the country's communist political party.
Classed as a terrorist organisation by the U.S. government, it is thought to fund its activities by extorting locals in the area it operates.
Earlier this year its leader and chairman, Benito Tiamzon, was arrested by government authorities. And a note left at the resort in the hours after last night's attack stated: 'Justice for our commander: NPA.'
Although the military expected retaliation for the NPA leader's arrest, there remains skepticism as to the validity of the note.
It could still be the case that the crime was carried out by Abu Sayyaf, a militant Muslim group based in the southwest of the Philippines.
Fighting for autonomy within the country, the group is notorious for its kidnappings and hostage-taking.
It, like the NPA, is classed as a terrorist organisation by the U.S. government and late last year began kidnapping people in the name of Islamic State.
While small - with numbers thought to reach only in the hundreds or low thousands - the group is highly active and responsible for the country's worst terrorist attack - the 2004 bombing of a ferry which killed 116 people.
A group of Islamic Abu Sayyaf fighters rest in the Philippine jungle in this undated image
Samal Island is near Davao City, in the southern Philippines. Accessible only by boat, the kidnappers fled with their captives towards the mainland
Samal island, a
short boat ride from the southern commercial centre of Davao Mindanao
ABU SAYYAF HOSTAGE TAKING: ISLAMIST'S MERCILESS PURSUIT OF MONEY
The area, about
800 kilometres (500 miles) southeast of Manila
The Holiday
Oceanview Resort website claims to 'redefine the way you unwind', with
townhouses, a hotel, spa, and marina all on offer for those looking to purchase
a lot or stay in its marina.
Claiming to be
popular with sailors from across the world, the self-described 'gated
community' also boasts of '24 hour security' and its swimming pool, parks and
children's playgrounds.
The Norwegian
embassy in Manila
Olav David
Sekkingstad, Kjartan Sekkinstad's father, told Bergens Tidende newspaper: 'We
are obviously very concerned now.'ABU SAYYAF HOSTAGE TAKING: ISLAMIST'S MERCILESS PURSUIT OF MONEY
Two months later, their family publically called for Abu
Sayyaf to release the couple - saying they both suffered medical conditions and
would have no access to their medication.
Incredibly, the
kidnappers were contacting the family at least once a week to demand huge
ransoms, the Straits Times reported.
The group also
holds Filippinos hostage - in April, the mayor of the town of Naga
Mayor Gemma Adana
was at home when the militants broke inside and dragged her onto a speedboat,
then fled out to sea and the vast network of Abu Sayyaf enclaves that are
dotted across the area.
Taken to Sulu, reports
in the weeks following her kidnapping stated her captors were demanding
$2.26million in ransom.
Abu Sayyaf holding 2 Canadians, Norwegian hostages demands halt in military attacks
From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 14): Abu Sayyaf holding 2 Canadians, Norwegian hostages demands halt in military attacks
A screenshot of the video posted on Facebook shows Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel; Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Maritess Flor who were kidnapped September 21, 2015 from the upscale Holiday Oceanview marina on Samal Island off Davao del Norte province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Abu Sayyaf rebels holding 2 Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman have demanded a halt in all military operation against them to allow negotiations for the safe release of their hostages in southern Philippines.
The four – Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel; Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Maritess Flor – were kidnapped September 21 from the upscale Holiday Oceanview marina on Samal Island off Davao del Norte province and brought them by to Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
The foreigners – in a video uploaded on Facebook – have appealed to the Canadian government and the Philippines to stop the military assault.
Hall, with the terrified Filipina by her side, said: “My name is Robert Hall, to my family and friends I am okay but I am in grave danger I encourage you to please contact the Canadian government and ask them, plead with them to cooperate with the Philippine government to stop the bombings, and the problems that are going on here, I know there are people who can find a way to do this, please, please help us.”
Sekkinstad, the marina’s manager, spoke briefly and appealed to the resort owner to help them.
“I am Sekkinstad, to the owner of the owner of Oceanview Marina, please, please meet their demands or else we’ll be possibly dead.”
Ridsdel, a former executive and now consultant to the mining firm TVI Resources Development, Inc. in southern Philippines, in his appeal, has virtually gave away their position, saying, military artillery fires were near them.
A guard, armed with a huge bolo, held Ridsdel by the head as he spoke, and at one point his voice trembled and he appeared terrified just like the other hostages who were surrounded with over a dozen masked gunmen.
“My name is John Ridsdel, I can confirm that we were taken captive from the Oceanview Marina from the Samal Island in Davao, I’d like to add and give the message from all of us, we beseech, we urge, we beseech the Canadian government to please, please help us and the Philippine government, the Canadian government to help us by stopping all of the operations that have been going like artillery fire that came near us and there have been flights overhead, and bombs and military operations, please stop all of these operation so that negotiations can start about their demands.”
The Filipina did not speak, but her moaning and a cell phone ringing can be heard on the background during the entire video that lasted a little over 2 minutes.
One gunman, who appeared to be the leader or spokesman of the gang, demanded that military to stop the attacks on Abu Sayyaf positions and wanted cooperation from both the Philippines and Canadian government.
“I deliver a message to the Canadian government and to the Philippine government, I want your cooperation with us and to meet all the requirements – number one that there must be no military operation and there must be no artillery attack and all of these that are harmful against us, once you meet our requirements then we can talk about negotiations and demands,” said the masked gunman, who spoke in good, but accented English, and behind him were black flags similar to those use by ISIS.
The video was also posted by the Daily Mail and can be accessed on this URL http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3270929/We-grave-danger-help-Canadian-hostages-plead-lives-Filipino-Isis-style-video.html.
The Philippine military did not give any statement about the Abu Sayyaf demands, but it could – just like in the past – stop the operations to allow peaceful negotiations.
In October last year, the Abu Sayyaf released two German yachters – Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55, – after receiving P250 million ransom delivered to Sulu by a private plane under tight military guard.
The Germans were intercepted at sea by the Abu Sayyaf on April 25 while heading to Sabah in Malaysia from a holiday in the Philippines.
Aboo Rami, an Abu Sayyaf spokesman, has told a radio station in Zamboanga City that ransom was paid for the safe release of the Germans and even posted a photo of the stacks of money on Tweeter.
The Abu Sayyaf previously demanded Germany to cease all support to US coalition campaign against ISIS in Syria which is fighting for Islamic caliphate. It was unknown whether the same group is also holding the four hostages.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/abu-sayyaf-holding-2-canadians-norwegian-hostages-demands-halt-in-military-attacks/
A screenshot of the video posted on Facebook shows Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel; Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Maritess Flor who were kidnapped September 21, 2015 from the upscale Holiday Oceanview marina on Samal Island off Davao del Norte province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Abu Sayyaf rebels holding 2 Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman have demanded a halt in all military operation against them to allow negotiations for the safe release of their hostages in southern Philippines.
The four – Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel; Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Maritess Flor – were kidnapped September 21 from the upscale Holiday Oceanview marina on Samal Island off Davao del Norte province and brought them by to Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
The foreigners – in a video uploaded on Facebook – have appealed to the Canadian government and the Philippines to stop the military assault.
Hall, with the terrified Filipina by her side, said: “My name is Robert Hall, to my family and friends I am okay but I am in grave danger I encourage you to please contact the Canadian government and ask them, plead with them to cooperate with the Philippine government to stop the bombings, and the problems that are going on here, I know there are people who can find a way to do this, please, please help us.”
Sekkinstad, the marina’s manager, spoke briefly and appealed to the resort owner to help them.
“I am Sekkinstad, to the owner of the owner of Oceanview Marina, please, please meet their demands or else we’ll be possibly dead.”
Ridsdel, a former executive and now consultant to the mining firm TVI Resources Development, Inc. in southern Philippines, in his appeal, has virtually gave away their position, saying, military artillery fires were near them.
A guard, armed with a huge bolo, held Ridsdel by the head as he spoke, and at one point his voice trembled and he appeared terrified just like the other hostages who were surrounded with over a dozen masked gunmen.
“My name is John Ridsdel, I can confirm that we were taken captive from the Oceanview Marina from the Samal Island in Davao, I’d like to add and give the message from all of us, we beseech, we urge, we beseech the Canadian government to please, please help us and the Philippine government, the Canadian government to help us by stopping all of the operations that have been going like artillery fire that came near us and there have been flights overhead, and bombs and military operations, please stop all of these operation so that negotiations can start about their demands.”
The Filipina did not speak, but her moaning and a cell phone ringing can be heard on the background during the entire video that lasted a little over 2 minutes.
Foreign jihadist?
“I deliver a message to the Canadian government and to the Philippine government, I want your cooperation with us and to meet all the requirements – number one that there must be no military operation and there must be no artillery attack and all of these that are harmful against us, once you meet our requirements then we can talk about negotiations and demands,” said the masked gunman, who spoke in good, but accented English, and behind him were black flags similar to those use by ISIS.
The video was also posted by the Daily Mail and can be accessed on this URL http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3270929/We-grave-danger-help-Canadian-hostages-plead-lives-Filipino-Isis-style-video.html.
Huge ransom
In October last year, the Abu Sayyaf released two German yachters – Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55, – after receiving P250 million ransom delivered to Sulu by a private plane under tight military guard.
The Germans were intercepted at sea by the Abu Sayyaf on April 25 while heading to Sabah in Malaysia from a holiday in the Philippines.
Aboo Rami, an Abu Sayyaf spokesman, has told a radio station in Zamboanga City that ransom was paid for the safe release of the Germans and even posted a photo of the stacks of money on Tweeter.
The Abu Sayyaf previously demanded Germany to cease all support to US coalition campaign against ISIS in Syria which is fighting for Islamic caliphate. It was unknown whether the same group is also holding the four hostages.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/abu-sayyaf-holding-2-canadians-norwegian-hostages-demands-halt-in-military-attacks/
Army to go after remaining communist cadres, rebels in Albay, Catanduanes
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): Army to go after remaining communist cadres, rebels in Albay, Catanduanes
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=814898
The Philippine Army's higher command has tasked Col. Claudio
Yucot, the new commanding officer of the 901st Infantry Brigade, to go after
some 11 members of the Bicol Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of
the Philippines(CPP) and 39 New People’s Army rebels in Albay and Catanduanes
to support the two provinces' tourism industry and ensure peaceful local
elections next year.
This is the marching order of 9th Infantry Division
commanding general Yerson Depayso during the recent turnover of command at the
901IB in Barangay Villahermosa in Daraga, Albay.
Yucot took over the command of the brigade from Col. Raul
Farnacio, who was assigned at Fort
Bonifacio
Albay was formally declared as a manageable conflict area
(MCA) last April 23 this year by the 9th ID, while Catanduanes, in December
2014.
A province is said to be an MCA when any possible atrocities
can be immediately contained or prevented from escalating to the point of
causing major disturbances to peace and social development.
But there are still eight CPP cadres and 29 NPA rebels in
Albay as well as another three CPP cadres and 10 NPA rebels in Catanduanes,
based on the second quarter intelligence assessment this year.
Depayso thanked Farnacio and the men of the 901IB for their
contribution in making the 9ID as one of the three best units in the Philippine
Army.
There are only three best units in the Philippine Army which
include the 9ID, the 3rd Division and the Signal Group.
He also received the brigade’s accomplishment report which
features its various support for Team Albay.
The Army commanding general said he wants a further
reduction in the firearms and enemy strength of the NPA operating in Albay and
Catanduanes through the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan.
He said the Army’s core competence is to eliminate communist
insurgency and to achieve this, it is necessary to eliminate the armed
insurgents which hinder other government agencies to deliver their services in
far-flung areas.
“Not known to every Bicolano, who sleeps well at night, is
the stress being experienced by every soldier assigned here in Bicol. While you
are sleeping well at night, our troops are there in the mountains patrolling
and seeing to it that no armed groups are roaming around and that goes true
with the commander who has to pray hard that nothing bad happens to his men,”
he said.
Depayso said there was a lot of improvement over the years
in achieving peace and order in Bicol.
He recalled that on May 11, 1982, he was part of a battalion
conducing an operation in Labo, Camarines Norte and Lup and Ragay, Camarines Sur.
“It was the start of the communist insurgency in Bicol. The
fighting occurred even along the highway after our troops were ambushed in
Basud while the Philippine Constabulary had a firefight at the Bitukang Manok
area and in Albay. The son of General Brawner was killed after his vehicle hit
a landmine.That was how fighting between government forces and NPA rebels in
Bicol started,” he said.
But over the years, with the contributions by all --
including the Philippine Army and other units of the Armed Forces as well as
civil agencies, the Philippine Constabulary before and now the PNP-- we have
achieved a huge improvement in the overall peace and order situation.
He said today, there are no ambuscades along the national
highway and travel is now safe.
“We have driven them (the rebels) to the countryside and
that is what we are continuing to address now,” he said.
The tourism industry in Catanduanes has benefited from Albay
Gov.Joey Salceda's aggressive tourism promotion of
Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon(Almasor) growth corridor.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=814898
Navy in the market for spare parts of multi-purpose helicopters
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): Navy in the market for spare parts of multi-purpose helicopters
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=814787
The Philippine Navy (PN) is in the market for spare parts
and materials needed for the maintenance of the WCEIS (weapons, communications,
electronic and information systems) of one of its multi-purpose helicopters.
The project is worth Php5,096,000 and winning bidders are
required to deliver the items within 60 calendar days.
Pre-bid conference is scheduled for Oct. 21, 9 a.m. at the
Office of the PN Bids and Awards Committee Bonifacio Naval Station, Fort Bonifacio
in Taguig City
Although not mentioned in the bid bulletin, the
multi-purpose helicopters mentioned are the AgustaWestland AW-109
"Power" helicopters which the PN presently operates five units.
Two of these helicopters are armed with rocket and
machinegun pods.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=814787
Lumad to bring issue of militarization to Manila
From the Business World (Oct 13): Lumad to bring issue of militarization to Manila
DAVAO CITY -- Representatives of Mindanao’s indigenous peoples (IP), or lumad, will begin their annual journey to Manila on Oct. 18 to bring attention to the alleged militarization human-rights violations in their communities.
This year’s “Manilakbayan” calls for an end to attacks on schools and communities allegedly by government forces and paramilitary groups.
Datu Kaylo Bontulan, spokesperson of PASAKA, an alliance of lumad organizations in Southern Mindanao, disputed an assertin from the military’s ranks that the proliferation of paramilitary groups among the IPs is the outcome of a tribal war.
“How can it be a tribal war when the other groups possessed firearms given by the government? It is not true that there is a tribal war going on. It is clear that these paramilitary groups are backed by the AFP to quell the people’s resistance against militarization and plunder,” Mr. Bontulan said in a press statement issued Wednesday evening after a press conference on the “Manilakbayan.”
As this developed, more than 165 members of the Pulangiyen Manobo IP community in Bukidnon arrived at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines’ (UCCP) Haran compound in Davao City to seek refuge from the alleged continuing militarization in their area.
In a statement, Bae Ellen Manlibaas, chairperson of the Kahugpongan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Kitaotao (KMK, United Peasants in Kitaotao), pointed out the “sorry plight of the people in White Culaman [which] started last August 25, when elements from the 8th and 23rd [Infantry Battalions] trooped to their communities and illegally arrested 13 farmers, mostly leaders of the KMK and Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Brgy. White Culaman [NAMABAW].”
The UCCP Haran has been sheltering since early this year other lumad from Davao del Norte and San Fernando, Bukidnon, who have also fled their homes due to alleged military harassment.
Datu Mentroso Malibato of Talaingod, Davao del Norte, said the government has been slow to act on IP concerns.
“There are already findings on [human-rights violation] cases in lumad communities, the [Commission on Human Rights] and Congress already conducted [their inquiries], even [United Nations] Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Chaloka Beyani, already registered his statement regarding the evacuees at UCCP Haran, but no action has been done to pull out military troops from our communities and disband paramiltary groups,” Mr. Malibato said.
“That’s why we will join Manilakbayan to bring the issue to the seat of power, right outside the Malacañang,” he added.
In Manila, “Manilakbayan” will set up camps at the University of the Philippines’ Diliman campus and Liwasang Bonifacio until November 18-19, when the capital is scheduled to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=ilumadi-to-bring-issue-of-militarization-to-manila&id=116917
DAVAO CITY -- Representatives of Mindanao’s indigenous peoples (IP), or lumad, will begin their annual journey to Manila on Oct. 18 to bring attention to the alleged militarization human-rights violations in their communities.
This year’s “Manilakbayan” calls for an end to attacks on schools and communities allegedly by government forces and paramilitary groups.
Datu Kaylo Bontulan, spokesperson of PASAKA, an alliance of lumad organizations in Southern Mindanao, disputed an assertin from the military’s ranks that the proliferation of paramilitary groups among the IPs is the outcome of a tribal war.
“How can it be a tribal war when the other groups possessed firearms given by the government? It is not true that there is a tribal war going on. It is clear that these paramilitary groups are backed by the AFP to quell the people’s resistance against militarization and plunder,” Mr. Bontulan said in a press statement issued Wednesday evening after a press conference on the “Manilakbayan.”
As this developed, more than 165 members of the Pulangiyen Manobo IP community in Bukidnon arrived at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines’ (UCCP) Haran compound in Davao City to seek refuge from the alleged continuing militarization in their area.
In a statement, Bae Ellen Manlibaas, chairperson of the Kahugpongan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Kitaotao (KMK, United Peasants in Kitaotao), pointed out the “sorry plight of the people in White Culaman [which] started last August 25, when elements from the 8th and 23rd [Infantry Battalions] trooped to their communities and illegally arrested 13 farmers, mostly leaders of the KMK and Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Brgy. White Culaman [NAMABAW].”
The UCCP Haran has been sheltering since early this year other lumad from Davao del Norte and San Fernando, Bukidnon, who have also fled their homes due to alleged military harassment.
Datu Mentroso Malibato of Talaingod, Davao del Norte, said the government has been slow to act on IP concerns.
“There are already findings on [human-rights violation] cases in lumad communities, the [Commission on Human Rights] and Congress already conducted [their inquiries], even [United Nations] Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Chaloka Beyani, already registered his statement regarding the evacuees at UCCP Haran, but no action has been done to pull out military troops from our communities and disband paramiltary groups,” Mr. Malibato said.
“That’s why we will join Manilakbayan to bring the issue to the seat of power, right outside the Malacañang,” he added.
In Manila, “Manilakbayan” will set up camps at the University of the Philippines’ Diliman campus and Liwasang Bonifacio until November 18-19, when the capital is scheduled to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=ilumadi-to-bring-issue-of-militarization-to-manila&id=116917
Environmental advocates score ‘surveillance’ of leader
From the Business Mirror (Oct 13): Environmental advocates score ‘surveillance’ of leader
KALIKASAN-People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE) on Tuesday expressed alarm over the alleged surveillance being conducted by unidentified men on the group’s leader, Clemente Bautista.
In a statement, Kalikasan-PNE said that Bautista, the group’s national coordinator, noticed that he was.“being tailed” by the unidentified men on Monday.
Bautista said he noticed “two suspicious [looking] individuals” alternately roaming outside the office of the Advocates of Science & Technology for the People on Scout Fuentebella, Quezon City, where he was in a meeting with Agham’s volunteer scientists.
At around 6:45 p.m. on the same day, men onboard a car and a motorcycle allegedly started to tail Bautista anew as he left the Kalikasan-PNE’s office on Matulungin Street, also in Quezon City.
Around 7:30 p.m., in the area of Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Bautista decided to park hoping to shake off who he suspected to be military intelligence agents.
But the men, who repeatedly refused to identify themselves, waited patiently at the parking exit until10:30 p.m., even after the parking security guard confronted them.
Bautista was able to take pictures of the men and was able to note the car and motorcycles’ license plates WTO-294, ZK 2550 and NE 24909, respectively.
In a statement, Kalikasan-PNE said “no other entity with motive to harass a known leader-activist but the intelligence assets of the Armed Forces” which, they say, is notorious for harassing and repressing activists like Bautista.
Bautista and members of Kalikasan-PNE recently led massive protest actions in support of antimining and anticoal communities in Batangas, Mindoro, and other parts of Southern Tagalog.
They have also been in high-profile actions and have conducted various forms of support for the #StopLumadKillings campaign against the militarization and plunder of the ancestral lands of the lumad in Mindanao and Igorots in Nueva Vizcaya.
“We all know about the continuing war of plunder by the military in Mindanao. Less known is the fact that our colleagues from Bukal, our provincial counterpart in Batangas, have also recently experienced heightened militarization and harassment. Some 200 Army soldiers have been reported to have been deployed in areas with land struggles across Batangas, while elements of the Air Force were reportedly going on a house-to-house campaign around Lobo, a biodiversity-rich town threatened by the large-scale mining project of Australian-Canadian firm Egerton Gold Philippines, to vilify Bukal,” said the group in a statement.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/environmental-advocates-score-surveillance-of-leader/
KALIKASAN-People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE) on Tuesday expressed alarm over the alleged surveillance being conducted by unidentified men on the group’s leader, Clemente Bautista.
In a statement, Kalikasan-PNE said that Bautista, the group’s national coordinator, noticed that he was.“being tailed” by the unidentified men on Monday.
Bautista said he noticed “two suspicious [looking] individuals” alternately roaming outside the office of the Advocates of Science & Technology for the People on Scout Fuentebella, Quezon City, where he was in a meeting with Agham’s volunteer scientists.
At around 6:45 p.m. on the same day, men onboard a car and a motorcycle allegedly started to tail Bautista anew as he left the Kalikasan-PNE’s office on Matulungin Street, also in Quezon City.
Around 7:30 p.m., in the area of Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Bautista decided to park hoping to shake off who he suspected to be military intelligence agents.
But the men, who repeatedly refused to identify themselves, waited patiently at the parking exit until10:30 p.m., even after the parking security guard confronted them.
Bautista was able to take pictures of the men and was able to note the car and motorcycles’ license plates WTO-294, ZK 2550 and NE 24909, respectively.
In a statement, Kalikasan-PNE said “no other entity with motive to harass a known leader-activist but the intelligence assets of the Armed Forces” which, they say, is notorious for harassing and repressing activists like Bautista.
Bautista and members of Kalikasan-PNE recently led massive protest actions in support of antimining and anticoal communities in Batangas, Mindoro, and other parts of Southern Tagalog.
They have also been in high-profile actions and have conducted various forms of support for the #StopLumadKillings campaign against the militarization and plunder of the ancestral lands of the lumad in Mindanao and Igorots in Nueva Vizcaya.
“We all know about the continuing war of plunder by the military in Mindanao. Less known is the fact that our colleagues from Bukal, our provincial counterpart in Batangas, have also recently experienced heightened militarization and harassment. Some 200 Army soldiers have been reported to have been deployed in areas with land struggles across Batangas, while elements of the Air Force were reportedly going on a house-to-house campaign around Lobo, a biodiversity-rich town threatened by the large-scale mining project of Australian-Canadian firm Egerton Gold Philippines, to vilify Bukal,” said the group in a statement.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/environmental-advocates-score-surveillance-of-leader/
Update -- Islamist group publishes photo of hostages (Article w/ photo)
From the News in English.no Website (Oct 13): Update --
Islamist group publishes photo of hostages (Article w/ photo)
The Islamist group Abu Sayyaf, known as a terrorist organization in thePhilippines , has
confirmed it was behind the kidnapping of four hostages including a Norwegian
man from a resort on the Philippines
island of Samal Philippines
Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) and other media inNorway
Norway Philippines and Canada
The Islamist group Abu Sayyaf, known as a terrorist organization in the
Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) and other media in
The 56-year-old Kjartan Sekkingstad was working at the
resort’s yacht club when he, the Candians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and
Hall’s Filipina partner Marites Flor were kidnapped on September 22.
Local authorities launched a major investigation and have made some arrests but it remained unclear whether the
kidnapping was a criminal attempt to obtain ransom, part of a terrorist
attack or both. Now Abu Sayyaf has published photos of the hostages on an
Islamic Twitter account along with text saying a video of the four would follow
shortly. State broadcaster NRK also reported that Abu Sayyaf has claimed it
is a sworn ally of the Middle Eastern terror organization IS.
Foreign hostages in Philippines appear in video
From Gulf News Philippines (Oct 13): Foreign hostages in Philippines appear in video
The hostages were sitting on the ground, surrounded by at least eight men
Three foreign men and a Filipina kidnapped last month in the southernPhilippines
http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/foreign-hostages-in-philippines-appear-in-video-1.1600139
The hostages were sitting on the ground, surrounded by at least eight men
Three foreign men and a Filipina kidnapped last month in the southern
Gunmen raided a luxury marina near the major southern city
of Davao
No group immediately claimed responsibility but the video
uploaded on YouTube on Monday appeared to confirm it was the Abu Sayyaf, which
has a long history of kidnappings-for-ransom in the southern Philippines
In the video, the three foreigners appealed for Philippine
authorities to halt military assaults against the gunmen.
The hostages were sitting on the ground, surrounded by at
least eight men holding high-powered machine guns. One man also holds a large
knife.
After the three foreigners spoke, one of the gunmen, with a
scarf and sunglasses completely covering his face, spoke in English, repeating
his demand for military operations to stop against “us”.
He said once the military operations stopped, the kidnappers
would be prepared to start negotiations for the hostages’ freedom.
In all other Abu Sayyaf kidnappings of foreigners, the group
has demanded and often received large sums of money for the release of its
captives.
The Canadians abducted were John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert
Hall, 50, and the Norwegian resort owner was Kjartan Sekkingstad, 56.
Hall’s girlfriend, Marites Flor, was also abducted. She did
not speak in the video.
Philippine authorities had previously said they did not know
if the Abu Sayyaf was behind the abductions, nor where the hostages were being
held.
This was despite security analysts saying it was almost certain
the Abu Sayyaf was responsible, and that the victims were being held on Jolo
island, the group’s stronghold about 1,000 kilometres south of Manila
In the video, Ridsdel referred specifically to nearby
artillery fire and to overhead flights.
When asked to comment on the demands, the regional military
spokesman for the area, Captain Antonio Bulao, said troops had conducted an
assault that included artillery fire against an Abu Sayyaf leader on Jolo on
October 8.
Bulao, spokesman for the Western Mindanao command, said the
assault was aimed at Radullan Sahiron, who is on the US
Sahiron was involved in the kidnappings of three Americans
in 2001 from a resort in the southwestern Philippines ,
according to a US
One of the Americans was beheaded.
Bulao said Sahiron was believed to be currently holding a
Dutch birdwatcher kidnapped from a southern Philippine island in 2012, as well
as two unnamed Filipinos.
The Abu Sayyaf is holding three other foreigners, a Korean
and two Malaysians, military officials said earlier.
An Abu Sayyaf leader appeared online last year pledging
allegiance to Daesh.
But Philippine authorities and security analysts say the
group has little religious ideology, and is primarily concerned with getting
money through kidnappings.
http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/foreign-hostages-in-philippines-appear-in-video-1.1600139
Getting neighbours involved in sea-basing strategy
From the Daily Express (Oct 13): Getting neighbours involved in sea-basing strategy
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=103744
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein said Malaysia is pondering closer relationship with
neighbours Brunei , Indonesia and the Philippines
This is because security threats are not unique to Malaysia and there is no reason why the new
concept proposed by Malaysia
According to Hishamuddin, the police and National Security Council
(NSC) are expected to create sea- basing in smaller scales, which would add
value to the existing two main bases namely Tun Azizan Sea- Basing (TAZ) and
Tun Sharifah Rodziah Sea-Basing (TSR).
Hishamuddin said this during a press conference at TSR Navy
Base in conjunction with a working visit to monitor the level of readiness of
the defence system in Sabah as well as to meet
with enforcement personnel involved in Ops Pasir and to assess the capability
of sea-basing here, Monday.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu
Bakar Titingan, Joint Forces Commander Lieutenant General Datuk Baharom Hamzah,
Esscom Commander DCP Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun and Task Force 450 Commander
Major General Dato' Zulkapri Rahmat.
Commenting on TAZ and TSR Sea-Basing, Hishamuddin said he is
extremely happy with the platform, which is unique to Malaysia
"We used assets which are no longer in use such as the
Petronas' unused platform and upgraded by Petronas. The cost to build and
repair was borne by the company.
"The implementation of the sea-basing is an out-of-the
box approach, a fruit of my own initiative and it was the first such approach
in the world which is now a model of defence for other countries," he
said.
He said the roles of a sea-basing are to act as the first
line of defence against terrorist invasion, to collect tactical intelligence
and on maritime community, to act as frontline operation base and to provide
logistic assistance to interceptor boats.
Sea-basing also acts as frontliners in coordinating
operations on threatened areas, helicopter operation platform and platform for
fast response team.
They are equipped with radar communication equipment and
CCTV jacking system, pontoon, air compressor motor, trouble shooting water
marker parker and Maralia and HVC trouble shooting to ensure the functions of
both sea-basing are maximised.
He added that the radar equipped is of the type CSS 1206,
capable of detecting surface targets as far as 20km and will be improvised with
the installation of Radar CSS AESA Spexer 2000 soon.
TSR Sea Basing is manned by 84 army personnel while TAZ
Sea-Basing has 85 personnel. TSR Sea-Basing started operation since July 31 this
year while TAZ commenced earlier in May.
Meanwhile, Hishamuddin said there is no direct threat from
Islamic State (IS) militants in Sabah's east coast and no credible proof that
there are elements of IS within the area so far.
However, the Government is not taking the matter lightly
because the area is constantly faced with various security issues involving
cross-border crimes and militia elements creeping in from the Southern
Philippines .
At the moment, he said, IS influence is believed to have
garnered a lot of interests among terrorist cells and separatists in the
Southern Philippines because the leaders of the groups such as Abu Sayyaf
(KAS), Moro Islamic Freedom Front (MIFF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
and Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) already pledged their allegiance to IS
leader, Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi last year.
"Indirectly, these extremists' elements are capable of
influencing a group in Sabah through an
established terrorists' network. Other than that, this militant threat is also
closely related to the five Malaysian militant members who are in hiding in the
Southern Philippines ," he said.
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=103744
Photo/Article: Islamist group publishes photo of hostages (Photo of Samal kidnap victims)
From News in English.no (Oct 13): Photo/Article: Islamist group publishes photo of hostages
[Note: The site is a paid news subscription service. I was unable to copy the article but the site allowed me to copy the photo. The photo appears to confirm reports that the Samal kidnap victims are being held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).]
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2015/10/13/islamist-group-publishes-photo-of-hostages/
[Note: The site is a paid news subscription service. I was unable to copy the article but the site allowed me to copy the photo. The photo appears to confirm reports that the Samal kidnap victims are being held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).]
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2015/10/13/islamist-group-publishes-photo-of-hostages/
3 suspected Abu Sayyaf members fall in Sulu
From the Philippine Star (Oct 13): 3 suspected Abu Sayyaf members fall in Sulu
The Marine troops immediately launched a pursuit operation which led to the capture of the three suspected Abu Sayyaf members. Philstar.com/File photo
Pursuing Marines captured three suspected Abu Sayyaf members Tuesday morning in a hinterland of Indanan town, Sulu, a security official said.
Capt. Antonio Bulao, information officer of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said the three suspected militants were caught in the vicinity of Bud, Taran about 6:30 a.m. by the troops under the 2nd Marine Brigade.
He said the arrest came while the Marines were tracking down the militants following the release of abducted town Mayor Gemma Adana of Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Adana was freed by the Abu Sayyaf group and recovered by the local residents about 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Bulao said the troops immediately launched a pursuit operation which led to the capture of the three suspected Abu Sayyaf members.
The military official could not determine yet whether the captured militants were behind the abduction of Adana.
Bulao said the captured suspects were brought to Jolo town proper for tactical interrogation before being turned over to the custody of the police authorities.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/10/13/1510289/3-suspected-abu-sayyaf-members-fall-sulu
The Marine troops immediately launched a pursuit operation which led to the capture of the three suspected Abu Sayyaf members. Philstar.com/File photo
Pursuing Marines captured three suspected Abu Sayyaf members Tuesday morning in a hinterland of Indanan town, Sulu, a security official said.
Capt. Antonio Bulao, information officer of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said the three suspected militants were caught in the vicinity of Bud, Taran about 6:30 a.m. by the troops under the 2nd Marine Brigade.
He said the arrest came while the Marines were tracking down the militants following the release of abducted town Mayor Gemma Adana of Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Adana was freed by the Abu Sayyaf group and recovered by the local residents about 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Bulao said the troops immediately launched a pursuit operation which led to the capture of the three suspected Abu Sayyaf members.
The military official could not determine yet whether the captured militants were behind the abduction of Adana.
Bulao said the captured suspects were brought to Jolo town proper for tactical interrogation before being turned over to the custody of the police authorities.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/10/13/1510289/3-suspected-abu-sayyaf-members-fall-sulu
Elementary School Hosts Marines at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
From Marine Corps News (Oct 12): Elementary School Hosts Marines at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
U.S.
Binduyan Elementary School students perform during an
intermission at the ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 8, in Puerta Princesa , Philippines
Marines and the teachers and staff ofConcepcion Elementary
School
PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines — U.S. and Philippine service members completed the Humanitarian Civic Assistance projects at the Concepcion and Binduyan elementary schools Oct. 8 in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, in support of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015.
“PHIBLEX was a success because everything we came out here to do we accomplished before our timeline,” said Gunnery Sgt. Luis Respardo, a platoon sergeant with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The HCA projects consisted of building walkways, overhangs and multipurpose concrete areas. These were designed to benefit the schools in various ways according to Respardo. The U.S. Marines worked constantly with the Philippine Navy Seabees to complete the projects.
“They were working late and were constantly tired,” said Respardo. “The weather affected us severely because it rained a lot while we were working with concrete. Despite the fact they don’t mix we accomplished the mission.”
The school appreciates their effort, according to Rolly Vadelas, the head teacher at Concepcion Elementary School.
“This project is helpful to our school because we can have our education programs here at the school instead of having programs at the Barangay covered gym,” said Vadelas.
Even though the workload was strenuous, that’s not what made the exercise unique for the unit, according to Capt. Kyle McCarley, company commander of 9th ESB.
“The school is in session. You can see that many of the students have built relationships with the Marines and the seabees that worked on the project,” said McCarley, from Thousand Oaks, California. “Having the children in the schools watching the Marines and Seabees work has strengthened the project. It will definitely leave a lasting impact on the children.”
As PHIBLEX 15 comes to an end, the Marines reflect on their experiences and hope for more like them in the future, according to McCarley.
“I would jump on the opportunity to come back to a follow on PHIBLEX,” said McCarley. “This has been a phenomenal experience to watch my Marines develop their Marine Corps profession, to work hand-in-hand with the Philippine seabees and to watch them build something from the ground up. It’s also a humbling experience to see them build something that will benefit these schools for years to come.”
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/10/12/elementary-school-hosts-marines-at-ribbon-cutting-ceremony.html
Marines and the teachers and staff of
PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines — U.S. and Philippine service members completed the Humanitarian Civic Assistance projects at the Concepcion and Binduyan elementary schools Oct. 8 in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, in support of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015.
“PHIBLEX was a success because everything we came out here to do we accomplished before our timeline,” said Gunnery Sgt. Luis Respardo, a platoon sergeant with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The HCA projects consisted of building walkways, overhangs and multipurpose concrete areas. These were designed to benefit the schools in various ways according to Respardo. The U.S. Marines worked constantly with the Philippine Navy Seabees to complete the projects.
“They were working late and were constantly tired,” said Respardo. “The weather affected us severely because it rained a lot while we were working with concrete. Despite the fact they don’t mix we accomplished the mission.”
The school appreciates their effort, according to Rolly Vadelas, the head teacher at Concepcion Elementary School.
“This project is helpful to our school because we can have our education programs here at the school instead of having programs at the Barangay covered gym,” said Vadelas.
Even though the workload was strenuous, that’s not what made the exercise unique for the unit, according to Capt. Kyle McCarley, company commander of 9th ESB.
“The school is in session. You can see that many of the students have built relationships with the Marines and the seabees that worked on the project,” said McCarley, from Thousand Oaks, California. “Having the children in the schools watching the Marines and Seabees work has strengthened the project. It will definitely leave a lasting impact on the children.”
As PHIBLEX 15 comes to an end, the Marines reflect on their experiences and hope for more like them in the future, according to McCarley.
“I would jump on the opportunity to come back to a follow on PHIBLEX,” said McCarley. “This has been a phenomenal experience to watch my Marines develop their Marine Corps profession, to work hand-in-hand with the Philippine seabees and to watch them build something from the ground up. It’s also a humbling experience to see them build something that will benefit these schools for years to come.”
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/10/12/elementary-school-hosts-marines-at-ribbon-cutting-ceremony.html
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