Thursday, November 26, 2015

Abu Sayyaf brigands shoot soldier in Patikul, Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27): Abu Sayyaf brigands shoot soldier in Patikul, Sulu

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, on Friday reiterated his directive to all his field units to adopt protective measures against planned attacks from “enemy forces” in the province.

Arrojado issued the order after Abu Sayyaf Brigands riding tandem on a motorcycle shot and wounded a soldier on Friday at a detachment in Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu.

“You are again directed to remind all subordinates not to be over too complacent or confident anytime anywhere here in Sulu to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries as the enemy are always planning to conduct violent actions as what happened in Latih Detachment a while ago,” Arrojado told his field officers.

Arrojado identified the wounded soldier as PFC Muntassir Kalukasa of the Bravo Company under the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion assigned in Latih Detachment.

He said Kalukasa was walking back to the detachment coming from a nearby store around 12:30 p.m. Friday in Barangay Latih, Patikul, when the suspects shot him.

He said the suspects sped towards Barangay Anuling of the same town after the incident.

He said Kalukasa, who was hit in his foot, was taken to Camp Bautista Station Hospital for treatment
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=832018

DND plans to base FA-50PHs in Pampanga, Zambales, Palawan

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 26): DND plans to base FA-50PHs in Pampanga, Zambales, Palawan

The Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to base its brand-new South Korean-made FA-50PHs jet aircraft in air facilities in Pampanga, Zambales and Palawan.

This was revealed by DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin Thursday.

He added that this is possible due to the proximity of existing airbases in Subic Bay, Zambales and Pampanga.

Another possible base is Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Gazmin did not give the reasons why these locations were being looked into as possible FA-50PH staging areas but military sources said this is due to provinces' proximity to the West Philippine Sea where the country is now engaged in a territorial dispute with China

Two FA-50PHs are scheduled to be delivered at Clark Air Base, Angeles City, Pampanga this coming Saturday.

The DND signed a Php18.9 billion contract deal with Korea Aerospace Industries last March 2014.

The contract is for 12 FA-50PH jet aircraft.

Gazmin said the maintenance of the planes is covered within the contract.

He added that three Philippine Air Force pilots have already completed FA-50PH training with KAI and will be helping to train new pilots to man the brand-new jet.

And upon arrival of the two jets Saturday, the DND chief said the aircraft will undergo a series of flight and acceptance tests before being commissioned into service.

Gazmin added that the FA-50PH is dual-capable meaning it can be utilized for training and fighter missions.

Another procurement program is now underway to equip the planes with weapons.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=831606

8 self-proclaimed IS members killed in Sultan Kudarat encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 26): 8 self-proclaimed IS members killed in Sultan Kudarat encounter
 
Marine soldiers from the Western Mindanao Command (WMC) have shot and killed eight self-proclaimed members of the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) during operations in Sultan Kudarat Thursday morning.

Major Filemon Tan, WMC spokesperson, said the incident took place 5:40 a.m. at Sitio Sinapingan, Barangay Butril, Palimbang town, of the above-mentioned province.

He added that troops from the 61st Marine Company, Maritime Special Operations Group and Special Operations Platoon 6, Marine Battalion Landing Team 6, were the ones who engaged the brigands headed by one Ansar Al Khalifa and Mohd Jaafar S. Maguid, leaders of self-proclaimed IS affiliate, Ansurul Khilafah Philippines.

In the ensuing 30-minute firefight, eight of the bandits were killed and one homemade .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle, an M-16 automatic rifle, .45 caliber pistol and assorted improvised explosive devices, ICOM radios and five IS flags and various documents were seized.

The bodies of the slain bandits were also recovered, Tan said.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing, he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=831762

Gazmin to lead welcome ceremonies for 2 brand-new FA-50PH jets

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27): Gazmin to lead welcome ceremonies for 2 brand-new FA-50PH jets

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will lead the welcoming ceremonies for the two brand-new FA-50PH light-interim fighter aircraft Saturday.

The two planes will touchdown at Clark Air Force Base, Angeles City, Pampanga at exactly 10 a.m.

This was confirmed by DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong.

The two FA-50PHs were supposed to arrive this Friday but inclement weather over South Korea forced the reschedule to Nov. 28.

The DND has signed a 12-plane contract worth Php18.9 billion with Korea Aerospace Industries last March 2014.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said the arrival of the first two FA-50PH is a historic moment for the PAF as the arrival of the two jets signal the Air Force's return to the supersonic age, a capability abandoned when the Philippines decommissioned its last Northrop F-5 "Tiger" jet fighters in 2005.

"This is the revival of (our) supersonic capability," he added.

Aircraft with supersonic capability are planes capable of flying 750 miles per hour or faster.

At present, the fastest aircraft in the PAF inventory is the SIAI-Marchetti S-211 jet trainer which has a top speed of more than 450 miles per hour.

The aircraft will be piloted by two South Korean pilots and will be unarmed, he added.

Months of intensive pilots are to be required before the FA-50PHs are committed to operations last February 2014.

The F/A-50 (the other designation for the FA-50PH) has a top speed of Mach 1.5 (990 miles per hour) or one and a half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.

It will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines get enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.

The F/A-50 design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50.

The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.

The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 feet), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.

There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons), five in the fuselage and two in the wings.

An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.

Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.

The F/A-50 uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and Korean Aerospace Industries.

The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.

Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=831916

2 FA-50PHs now airborne

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 28): 2 FA-50PHs now airborne

The two FA-50PHs have finally took off from Sacheon, South Korea for its flight to Clark Air Base, Angeles City Pampanga Friday.

This was announced by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in its Facebook page.

Sacheon 1,438 miles (2,330 kilometers) from Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

The Philippine Air Force earlier said the two jet aircraft will be making a refueling stop at an undisclosed location before making the final run for the Philippines.

The two FA-50PHs are expected to touchdown at Clark Air Base, 10 a.m. Saturday.

The two FA-50PHs were supposed to arrive this Friday but inclement weather over South Korea forced the reschedule to Nov. 28.

The DND has signed a 12-plane contract worth Php18.9 billion with KAI last March 2014.

The F/A-50 (the other designation for the FA-50PH) has a top speed of Mach 1.5 (990 miles per hour) or one and a half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.

It will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines get enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.

The F/A-50 design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50.

The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.

The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 feet), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.

There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons), five in the fuselage and two in the wings.

An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.

Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.

The F/A-50 uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and Korean Aerospace Industries.

The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.

Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=831966

First New Fighter Jets to Touch Down in Philippines

From the Wall Street Journal (Nov 27): First New Fighter Jets to Touch Down in Philippines

Manila is buying 12 FA-50 combat planes amid growing tensions in South China Sea

The Philippines has lacked fighter jets for 10 years, but that situation—which has long embarrassed the military here—is set to end Saturday when two Korean-built FA-50 fighters touch down at Clark Air Base north of Manila.

The planes’ delivery is a milestone in the Southeast Asian country’s efforts to build a “minimum credible deterrent” in the face of growing external threats, notably from China in the hotly contested South China Sea. The Philippines’ neighbors have similar territorial concerns and are also investing heavily in new weaponry.

But Manila’s new air power is only one piece in the complex puzzle of turning its military—depleted after decades of underinvestment—into a viable force, and security analysts warn that Beijing’s advantage in the South China Sea may be too overwhelming for the Philippines’ new fighters to change the balance of power.

The FA-50s can provide some deterrent, but only if the Philippine government demonstrates that it is serious about using them, said Jose Antonio Custodio, a Philippine defense consultant. So far, “the Philippines has remained passive in its physical protection of its territory,” Mr. Custodio said, noting Manila surrendered Scarborough Shoal, an important fishing ground 100 miles west of the Philippines, to Chinese vessels in 2012. The efficacy of the new planes would depend “on the government’s political will to use the assets”.

But that could mean going toe to toe with a rival that spent $165 billion on defense last year, according to U.S. estimates, and has 1,700 fighter jets. The Philippines spent $3.3 billion on defense last year. Manila has been investing in its navy, as well as its air force, to help defend its scattered island possessions, but its navy too is hopelessly outgunned by China.

Investment is pouring into air forces around Southeast Asia, partly out of concern for China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. China is building at least three air strips on new man-made islets in disputed waters, satellite imagery appears to show, making investment in Southeast Asian air defenses an even higher priority.
Vietnam and Indonesia have both recently ordered new Russian Sukhoi fighters, while Indonesia also bought American F-16s and Korean T-50s. Malaysia is studying options, including Boeing BA -0.82 % ’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, as it prepares to order new fighter jets. In October, Vietnam announced it had ordered an advanced air defense system from Israel.

The decision by the Philippines to buy 12 FA-50s for $420 million in 2014 was the biggest arms purchase in its history, and its first swoop for brand-new fighter planes in half a century. Korea Aerospace Industries, 047810 -1.17 % which builds the planes, aims to complete deliveries by 2017. The FA-50s are likely to be based at Subic Bay, a former U.S. facility that would put the jets within striking distance of the disputed Spratly Islands.

“We’re happy that we now have the tools to build a real fighter capability,” said Col. Enrico Canaya, the air force’s spokesman.

The jets are part of a multibillion-dollar arms-buying strategy launched by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in 2012, but which has since faltered due to bureaucratic delays. Mr. Aquino only signed off a raft of military acquisitions worth $1 billion in September that had been approved by the Philippine Congress two years earlier, including a $100 million weapons package for the FA-50s.

For the Philippine air force, these are baby steps in what will prove a lengthy rebuilding process after its last combat jets, U.S.-built F-5 Freedom Fighters, were axed in 2005 because there was no money to keep them flying. Mr. Canaya said air force pilots would spend the next two years getting to grips with the FA-50, and wouldn’t even start combat training until 2017 or 2018. “It really is a big challenge for an air force to build this capability from nothing,” he said.

The FA-50 barely even qualifies as a fighter: It is a weaponized version of a trainer jet, the T-50, which KAI developed with U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.  Already, the Philippines’ defense department is considering how to give the air force added punch, possibly by acquiring second-hand American F-16s or Swedish Gripen fighters built by Saab, SAABF 3.47 % according to defense officials. Mr. Canaya said the air force aims to develop a fully fledged combat wing by 2028.
At $35 million per plane, the adapted trainer aircraft are a questionable use of scarce resources, Mr. Custodio said, arguing that more capable jets, like F-16s, could have been acquired more cheaply. Indonesia, for example, recently acquired 24 second-hand F-16s from the U.S. for $750 million, or $31 million per plane.

The U.S., which has also provided Manila with used naval ships, sold two second-hand C-130 Hercules transport planes to the Philippines for $55 million earlier this year.

The Philippines must now rebuild its aging air bases, buy new radar systems, and invest in new surveillance planes to keep its air force modernization on track, before finally ordering a full-caliber fighter jet. “It is long overdue,” he said.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/first-new-fighter-jets-to-touch-down-in-philippines-1448604736

Journalist linked by military to NPA, to file ‘Writ of Amparo’

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Nov 26): Journalist linked by military to NPA, to file ‘Writ of Amparo’ 
 
FOR linking her to the New People’s Army rebels, journalist Inday Espina-Varona is considering filing a Writ of Amparo against the top officers of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) based here in Cagayan de Oro City.

Espina-Varona, in a statement, said that she would resort to legal remedies after the military has linked her to the NPA rebels who allegedly torched a branch of an alternative high school for the lumad youth in Sibagat town in Agusan del Sur on November 12.

A Writ of Amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty, and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission.

The issue stemmed from the press release of the 4ID with the headline 'Former NPA Commander Says: NPA did it to Generate Fund,' in response to human rights groups' reports on the burning of the teachers' cottage in Sibagat town.

In the statement, Colonel Alexander Macario, 401st Infantry Brigade commander, said Varona's speed in giving reports is questionable considering the 401st still hadn't conducted proper investigation at the time the incident occurred.

Macario said the witnesses reported the incident to barangay officials at 6 a.m. on November 12, but Espina-Varona immediately released information at around 8:30 a.m.

"This brings everyone to a question on where she gets information. Aside from witnesses, the only persons who can give this information are the perpetrators. It seems that this incident is planned and orchestrated," Macario said in the statement.

But Espina-Varona said what she posted were alerts released from the rights group Karapatan, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, and Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.

She said that Macario imputed two things in the statement released to the media: "That the time frame negates having gotten information from witnesses and that I must have received information from NPA rebels, the alleged perpetrators, as part of a conspiracy to wage propaganda against the military and raise funds for armed rebellion."

“In linking me to a grave crime – arson – and to what they perceive as an NPA campaign, Colonel Macario and Captain Jo Patrick Martinez, hurled a grave threat to my liberty and physical safety and my journalism career,” she added.

She takes the AFP statement as no mere rebuttal of a news report or a shared alert. She also worries on her travel as she frequents Mindanao in the course of her work.

“Given this context, I cannot just shrug off the 4th ID threat or leave it to the heavens to inject good sense into the minds of these military officers. I need stronger protection from the law. Thus, I am starting moves to file for a writ of amparo by the Supreme Court, while keeping options open on other legal remedies,” she added.

Joseph Alwyn Alburo, National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) chairperson, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro by phone that they fully support Espina-Varona in whatever legal steps she will take.

“We will support Inday in her legal actions against the 4th Infantry Division. We will be behind her,” he said.

Alburo added the NUJP is also taking into consideration on filing the Writ of Habeas Data on behalf of all the journalists in the country who have been linked by the military to the rebels when they're just doing their job.

For his part, Martinez, spokesperson of the 4ID, said the Division has no intention in red-baiting Varona.

He said the statement was meant to question the authenticity of the information considering that the investigation had yet to be conducted at that time.

"The 4ID has a high regard to every media practitioner and treats everyone as our partner for peace and development especially in conveying the right information for public empowerment," Martinez said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/11/26/journalist-linked-military-npa-file-writ-amparo-443818

Reds attack lumad village; 1 wounded

From Tempo (Nov 27): Reds attack lumad village; 1 wounded

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – A villager was wounded while properties were destroyed when New People’s Army (NPA) rebels allegedly attacked a peaceful lumad village at Miaray area, Barangay Mandahican, in Cabanglasan town, Bukidnon province, the military reported yesterday.

Capt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez, spokesman of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID), said terror and fear gripped the community after the alleged group of Junie Tilocan, alias certain “Watiwit, indiscriminately fired their weapons, destroying some of the villagers’ properties and hitting one Angelo “Loyloy” Yanggahon in the right arm.

The 4th ID spokesperson said the civilian victim was immediately brought to Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Malaybalay City after the NPA bandits left the area on Monday afternoon.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/11/27/reds-attack-lumad-village-1-wounded/

At least 5 alleged gun-for-hire nabbed in North Cotabato town

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 27): At least 5 alleged gun-for-hire nabbed in North Cotabato town

At least five suspected gun-for-hire, including the alleged leader, were arrested in a pre-dawn raid in Kabacan, North Cotabato on Friday, the police reported.

 Supt. Bernard Tayong, spokesperson of the North Cotabato police, said the 3:30 a.m. raid in Barangay (village) Lower Paatan in Kabacan was covered by a search warrant and was aimed against the group of Derby Gani.

 He said Gani’s gang was the main suspect in the series of bomb attacks against transmission towers of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in North Cotabato and the recent grenade explosions in Kabacan.

READ: Bombs bring power towers down in North Cotabato, cause brownouts

Tayong said that aside from Gani, four gang members were also arrested.

 He told the Inquirer that Gani was believed to be responsible in setting off improvised explosive devices on three NGCP towers in Pikit, North Cotabato and Pagalungan in Maguindanao early this year.
 
READ: 2 explosions topple NGCP power towers in North Cotabato town

“Our data showed he was a gun-for-hire,” Tayong said, adding that several firearms, grenades and bomb making materials were seized from him.

 One of the pistols recovered from him was issued to a police officer in North Cotabato, he said.

 Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum, North Cotabato police chief, said the police will continue to hunt down lawless elements in the province.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/742940/at-least-5-alleged-gun-for-hire-nabbed-in-north-cotabato-town

Convicted Sayyaf bandits transferred to Bilibid

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 26): Convicted Sayyaf bandits transferred to Bilibid

Three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were transferred to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa after they were convicted by a Zamboanga court for kidnapping.
 
Transferred to the NBP’s maximum security compound last Wednesday were Bensar Indama, Ermiahe Achmad, and Patik Samson.
 
Since they are high security prisoners, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) decided to put them directly in the maximum security facility instead of placing them at the NBP Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC), which receives new inmates.
 
Chief Insp. Julius Arro of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Zamboanga City transported Indama and Achmad to the NBP Wednesday morning. Samson arrived at the NBP around 4:45PM Wednesday.
 
Indama and Achmad along with Khair Mundos, Ellel Bugarak and Ashra Jawari were sentenced by the Zamboanga Regional Trial Court Branch 12 on Nov. 16 to reclusion perpetua without parole for the kidnapping with serious illegal detention of nurse Preciosa Feliciano in Zamboanga City on July 12, 2008.
 
Samson along with Meijing Jama and Jamil Ajijul were sentenced last week by the Zamboanga RTC Branch 15 to suffer reclusion perpetua with no eligibility for parole for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of American Gerfa Lunsmann, her son Kevin and cousin Romnick Jakaria in Zamboanga City in July 2011.
 

Korea Bans Travel to Some Areas of Philippines

From the Chosu Ilbo (Nov 27): Korea Bans Travel to Some Areas of Philippines

The Foreign Ministry on Thursday issued a travel ban for some areas of the Philippines.

The ban on visiting Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga follows a series of violent crimes there.

The measure, which goes into effect early next month, prohibits Korean nationals from traveling to or residing in those areas.

Those who visit any of the four places without authorization from the government could face up to a year in jail or a maximum W10 million fine (US$1=W1,150).

A Foreign Ministry official said, "As crimes against innocent civilians have occurred in Zamboanga and surrounding areas, we upgraded our travel warning."

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/11/27/2015112701435.html

Esscom needs helicopters and high-tech drones, says Jaujan

From the Malaysian Express (Nov 26): Esscom needs helicopters and high-tech drones, says Jaujan

EASTERN Sabah Security Command (Esscom) needs to be equipped with helicopters as well as helipad facilities so that surveillance and monitoring could be carried out effectively in safeguarding the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) areas.

Sulabayan Assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakong, who made the call, said the helipad facilities must be built in strategic places like in Semporna and Sandakan so as to facilitate the use of the helicopters, especially at night.

"It is imperative the government consider equipping security forces of Esscom with high-tech drones to help the surveillance and intelligence works especially in combating cross-border crimes.

"All these equipment including the helicopters, I am certain, could complement the security forces in their duties and responsibilities of guarding the coastal areas of Esszone areas especially with Esscom now conducting Ops Gasak in the waters off Sandakan and Kudat," he said.

Jaujan said this when debating the State Budget 2016 at the State Legislative Assembly.

He said it is necessary to expedite a plan to build a permanent building for the Esscom police station in Semporna which is presently using a mobile container in seeing to its administration and security tasks.

Having the building, Jaujan said would also provide comfort to the security personnel who are sacrificing their time, energy and lives in ensuring the people live in peace and safe from intrusions.

"The tourism sector has been allotted with RM218.37 million for next year and I hope such funding would consider establishing a marine research centre to address the extinction threat of various marine species and to complement government efforts in protecting and preserving the biodiversity, flora and fauna and natural environment.

"Setting up the centre could also impart information and educate the people on the importance of protecting marine development and environment conservation.

"The centre could also be a new tourist attraction as it would not only function as a research centre but the concept would be more towards being a museum for marine life that could educate the young generation and tourists," he said.

Jaujan said a mini fire station should be set up in his constituency, Sulabayan which is needed by the local communities to address fires that often happen in islands.

In fact, he said the district office of Semporna has identified a suitable land to build the mini fire station as an urgent facility for the people in Sulabayan, which is still lagging behind in terms of development and basic amenities.

"The grassroots are also calling for the existing health clinic to be upgraded as the current facilities and services cannot cater to their medical needs.

"As a result, they have to commute to and fro using boats to get further medical treatment on mainland Semporna," he said.

Jaujan also hoped that the government would proceed in building a bridge from Bum-Bum Island to Semporna that has been announced by the Federal Government and the budget was allocated in Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). He said the bridge could become a catalyst and generate socio-economic activities and elevate the living standard of the communities.

"The bridge could also create business opportunities and employment and open new commercial centres as measures to develop Bum-Bum Island. "As a result of the positive development, a well-planned settlement could be created and those people living and squatting in water villages like in Kg Simunul would return to reside on their lands in Bum-Bum Island which will directly reduce squatter problems in Semporna," Jaujan said.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=104795

IGP: DNA taken from Bernard Then’s family members sent to Philippine authorities

From The Star Online (Nov 26): IGP: DNA taken from Bernard Then’s family members sent to Philippine authorities



IPOH: The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that a  sample of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the victim's family had been sent to facilitate identification of Bernard Then Ted Fen (pic), 39, who was believed to have been killed by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in southern Philippines.
"Yesterday, the Philippine police contacted us and made arrangements over how we could send the sample to them," he told the press on Thursday, adding that Malaysian police were still waiting for a decision by the Philippine police chief to hold a meeting to discuss the matter.

On May 14 this year, Then, an electrical engineer, was one of two victims who were abducted by four armed men from southern Philippines who stormed the Ocean King Restaurant in Sandakan at 7.45pm.

The other kidnap victim was Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, who was also the restaurant manager.

However, on Nov 8 this year, Thien was released by the abductors as a result of talks between the Malaysian Government and the terrorist group. - Bernama

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/11/26/IGP-Bernard-Then-DNA/

8 jihadists slain in Kudarat fight

From The Standard (Nov 27): 8 jihadists slain in Kudarat fight

AN Indonesian terrorist was killed along with seven Filipino jihadists in a four-hour battle with security forces in Central Mindanao, the military reported Thursday.


Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said the battle occurred at about  5:40 a.m.  when soldiers of the 61st Marine Company under the Marine Battalion Landing Team 6, were patrolling Sitio Sinapingan, Brgy. Butril, Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat province.

The military believes the slain foreign terrorist was Sucipto Ibrahim Ali, alias Abdul Fatah, an Indonesian national and one of the original Jemaah Islamiyah members who came to the country in the 1990s to train the Abu Sayyaf.

“This group were members of the Ansar Al Khilafah masquerading as a terrorist group under ISIS,” Tan said.

Tan said they were still verifying if the slain foreigner was indeed Sucipto, who is believed to be a member of Mujahidin Indonesia Timur, which has direct links to the Islamic State.

“He would have been the link to form an alliance between Philippine jihadists and Indonesian jihadists,” National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia said.

Sucipto was arrested in Malaysia while en route to Indonesia in 2003 and was detained for three years under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act.

He was sent back to the Philippines to stand trial for the April 21, 2002 bombing of the Fitmart shopping mall in General Santos City that killed 12 people.

However, in November 2014, Sucipto was acquitted and only Indonesian Jul Kifli and Abu Sayyaf militants Ahmad Jekeron and Yacob Basug were convicted.

Intel reports showed Sucipto went back to Mindanao to continue working with the Abu Sayyaf, which has already pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Sucipto was a long-wanted terrorist along with two other JI operatives, the late Usman Basit and Zulkifli bin Hir, both killed in separate encounters with military and police forces in Central Mindanao.

The Ansar Khilafah Philippines is said to be under the command of Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, also known as Tokboy, a notorious kidnapper and bomb expert.

Tan said the ground troops were on combat patrol when they were fired on by the terrorist group numbering about 50, sparking a four-hour battle.

Clearing operations after the battle showed eight terrorists dead. Troops also recovered a homemade sniper rifle, an M-16 rifle, a 45 cal. pistol, and several improvised explosive devices. They also found radios and ISIS flags documents, Tan said.

The fighting erupted days after an intelligence source told The Standard that three Syrian nationals said to be ISIS terrorists were in Central Mindanao.

The three Syrian nationals believed to be member of an international terrorist group Islamic State slipped into the country and linked up with local militants in Mindanao, an informed source said on condition of anonymity.

The source said the three Syrians were last seen in Central Mindanao along with Amin Bako, a notorious bomber and a member of the Ansar Kilafa Philippines, an affiliated ISIS terror group.

The three Syrians, the source disclosed to have gone to Cararao Complex in Lanao province in recent weeks together with Filipino militants.

The Syrians bring to eight the number of international terrorists to have slipped into Philippine soil, particularly in Mindanao after five Malaysian jihadists, affiliated with ISIS landed in Basilan province.

Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Hamidi identified the Malaysian jihadists as University Malaya lecturer Dr. Mahmud Ahmad; stationary shop owner Mohd Najib Husen; former Selayang Municipal Council employee Muhammad joraimee Awang Raimee, 39; Darul Islan; Sabah members Mohd Amin Baco, 31; and Jeknal Adil, 30.

Ahmad said the five militants are associated with Daulah Islamiyah Asia Tenggara (Southeast Asia Islamiya Network) which has links to ISIS.

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/headlines/192943/8-jihadists-slain-in-kudarat-fight.html

More troops to run after Abu kidnappers behind Malaysian’s beheading

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 27): More troops to run after Abu kidnappers behind Malaysian’s beheading
Voltaire Gazmin

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

More troops would be deployed to run after Abu Sayyaf bandits who beheaded a Malaysian hostage in southern Philippines last week,  Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Thursday.

Gazmin said  that the Armed Forces of the Philippines would beef up the troops  on the ground to pursue the bandit group following a fresh directive from President Aquino to rid the country of terrorist threats.

“Our fight against the Abu Sayyaf is ongoing and we will beef up our forces so that we  can finally put an end to them,” he said.  He did not cite any figure.        
Abu Sayyaf has been described as one of the most violent Islamic groups operating in Mindanao.

The President last week directed the military to intensify its operations against threat groups after the Abu Sayyaf beheaded Malaysian Bernard Then.

The beheading was carried out after the victim’s family reportedly failed to meet the bandits’ ransom demands.

Then, a 39-year-old engineer, and a Malaysian woman were abducted from a Chinese restaurant in Sandakan, Sabah, in May and taken to Jolo, Sulu. The woman was reportedly freed on Nov. 8 after ransom was paid.

AFP chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri flew to Mindanao last weekend to personally relay Mr. Aquino’s directive to the new commanders there.

Maj. Gen. Leonardo Guerrero took over the Eastern Mindanao Command  upon the retirement of Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad last weekend, while Maj. Gen. Mayoralgo de la Cruz was appointed to head the Western Mindanao Command after the retirement of Gen. Rustico Guerrero.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/742862/more-troops-to-run-after-abu-kidnappers-behind-malaysians-beheading

Philippine forces kill 8 suspected to have IS sympathies

From the Stars & Stripes (Nov 26): Philippine forces kill 8 suspected to have IS sympathies


 
In this Dec. 10, 2011, file photo, Kevin Lunsman, a kidnapped American teenager, talks to Filipino soldiers inside the Philippine military compound in Zamboanga city, southern Philippines, following his escape through jungle from suspected al-Qaida-linked militants. AFP-month captivity.

Philippine marines killed eight suspected sympathizers of the Islamic State group in a clash in the southern Philippines on Thursday, seizing bomb-making equipment, assault rifles and black flags, military officials said.

The militants were killed in a brief clash at dawn in a hinterland off Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat province, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat said. They were mostly Filipinos but one was possibly Indonesian.

Recovered documents show the slain militants belonged to Ansar Al-Khilafa Philippines, a new militant group with about 50 fighters who pledged their allegiance to Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last year.

Marines found two assault rifles, a pistol, bomb-making equipment and materials, two-way radios, documents and five Islamic State group-inspired flags, some of which were displayed at the militants' encampment, according to a military report and Salamat.

"Our forces were moving to arrest them but these lawless elements opened fire," Salamat said by phone. "We have received information that they were conducting bomb-making training and that they may take steps to expand their group, so they became a target of a law enforcement operation."

It was not immediately clear if the leader of the militants, Mohamad Jaafar Maguid, who uses the nom de guerre Abu Ghaib or Commander Tokboy, was among those killed, Salamat said.

A government report links Maguid and his men to at least six attacks, including the killing of an army soldier, two grenade-throwing incidents and a roadside bombing in April 2010 in Sarangani's Malapatan town.

Muslim militants from at least three small armed groups in the country's volatile south, including the Ansar Al-Khilafa and the violent Abu Sayyaf, have pledged support to the Islamic State group leader but there is no evidence they have an active collaboration with the brutal group based in Syria and Iraq, Philippine security officials say.
The Philippine marine raid on Thursday was coordinated with a larger Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, to prevent its fighters from being accidentally drawn in any fighting. The 11,000-strong Moro rebel group has signed a peace deal with the government and has a presence in Sarangani province, about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) south of Manila.

In January this year, police commandos launched a highly-secretive assault to capture a top Malaysian terror suspect in Mamasapano town in southern Maguindanao province but did not coordinate the raid. Some Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels got entangled in clashes that killed 44 of the elite police commandos.

Their deaths drew public outrage and stalled the government's peace deal with the Moro rebels.

http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/philippine-forces-kill-8-suspected-to-have-is-sympathies-1.380815

Solons seek inquiry into sorry state of the AFP Museum and Historical Library

Press release from the Philippine House of Representatives (Nov 25): Solons seek inquiry into sorry state of the AFP Museum and Historical Library

Lawmakers are seeking an inquiry into the status of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Museum and Historical Library in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City in light of its sorry state, which is due mainly to the lack of financial, technical and administrative support from the national government.






Rep. Gary C. Alejano (Party-list, Magdalo) said the sorry state of the AFP Museum warrants urgent attention for it is facing acute financial difficulties that severely hamper the proper preservation and management of its collections, exhibitions, archives and also the well-being and professional advancement of its staff.

"The lack of technical, administrative and financial support from the national government have resulted in the inability of the AFP Museum to maintain the quality service that its founders and staff have worked so hard to build," said Alejano, a vice chairman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security.

Alejano said the annual revenue generated by the AFP Museum from its meager admission fees and occasional endowments are grossly insufficient to cover even the museum's maintenance and operating expenses.

Alejano is principal author of House Resolution 2462 seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the status of the AFP Museum and Historical Library. The resolution is co-authored by fellow Magdalo Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo, a former Philippine Air Force (PAF) officer.

Alejano, a former Marine officer, said the establishment of the museum complements Section 3, Article XIV of the Constitution which provides that the State shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, and foster love of humanity, respect for human rights and appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country.

According to him, the AFP Museum and Historical Library located at Bulwagang Heneral Arturo T. Enrile in Camp Aguinaldo was founded in 1996 to preserve, perpetuate, conserve and promote the Philippine military traditions, culture and history.

"The founding of the AFP Museum was only governed by a verbal pronouncement of the late Gen. Arturo Enrile which renders its existence devoid of any documentary proof," said Alejano. Enrile was a former AFP chief of staff during the Ramos administration.

The lawmaker further said the AFP Museum and Historical Library Foundation, Inc. was established in 1997 by a group of individuals from the military and the private sector to ensure the continuity of the museum's educational and curatorial activities.

Presently, Alejano said the absence of a restoration and conservation laboratory, storage facilities, proper ventilation, and museum lighting pose serious risks of damage to priceless artifacts.

"Inadequate funding is taking its toll on the hardworking personnel of the AFP Museum, who for years have not received the rightful compensation that they deserve. Moreover, the AFP Museum has not been able to set up its historical library due to limited space it shares with the AFP Theater, which owns the building that houses the museum." said Alejano.
 http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=9162

Filipinos Give China's Leadership Low Approval

From Gallup.com (Nov 25): Filipinos Give China's Leadership Low Approval

Filipinos Give China's Leadership Low Approval


As China and the U.S. sparred over the disputed South China Sea at the ASEAN summit over the weekend, tensions continue to simmer between China and the Philippines as well over the resource-rich body of water. Despite strong commercial ties between the two nations, Filipinos' disapproval of China's leadership has soared since tensions began to flare up again in 2011.

Trend: Filipinos' Disapproval of China's Leadership Soars

In addition to the Scarborough Shoal dispute that began in early 2012, the Philippines and China are also continuing to spar over the Spratly Islands, which they both lay claim to. While long an area of disputed territorial claims, the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands have seen a number of confrontations between the Chinese Navy, Coast Guard and paramilitary maritime forces and the Philippines Navy. The Philippines government has sought international support for its claims against China through the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. China, on the other hand, insists it has undisputed sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.

Map of South China Sea


Perhaps unsurprisingly, disapproval ratings of Chinese leadership among Filipinos now are about twice as high as they were only a few years ago. In 2010, 32% of Filipinos disapproved of China's leadership (and 25% notably had no opinion). Shortly after the Scarborough Shoal standoff began, disapproval surged to 57%, and edged higher and solidified in 2014 at 64%. Today, a similar 65% of Filipinos disapprove, 22% approve and 14% do not have an opinion.


Trend: Filipinos as Likely to Approve of U.S. Leadership as Disapprove of China's

Meanwhile, about as many Filipinos approve of U.S. leadership as disapprove of China's leadership. Nearly two in three Filipinos (64%) currently approve of U.S. leadership. The Philippines maintains long-standing ties to the U.S., despite the U.S. being forced to vacate Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Air Base about 24 years ago.
The U.S. has maintained a Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines since 1951 and recently negotiated an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two nations.

As a result of internal and external threats, Philippines President Benigno Aquino III embarked on a military modernization effort shortly after taking office in 2010. This effort, along with military and government involvement in reconstruction after massive typhoons in the early 2010s, likely helped spur higher confidence in the military among the Filipino public.


Trend: Filipinos' Confidence Rising in Government, Military


However, term limits prevent Aquino from running for re-election in 2016. That means almost certain political disruption -- and possibly even more discord in future Philippines-Sino relations.


These data are available in Gallup Analytics.


Chris Stewart is a Partner at Gallup. Stewart previously served for more than 10 years as Regional Managing Partner of Gallup's Asia-Pacific region.


Survey Methods


Results are based on face-to-face interviews with 1,001 adults in the Philippines, aged 15 and older, conducted May 2015. For results based on the total sample, the margin of sampling error is ±3.7 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Surveys in other years were conducted with approximately 1,000 adults and the margin of sampling error was typically between ±3.6 and ±4.7 percentage points. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting.


For more complete methodology and specific survey dates, please review Gallup's Country Dataset details.


http://www.gallup.com/poll/186881/filipinos-give-china-leadership-low-approval.aspx

4 ‘NPA revolutionary tax collectors’ arrested in Cavite – police

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 24): 4 ‘NPA revolutionary tax collectors’ arrested in Cavite – police

Four suspected “revolutionary tax” collectors of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested by policemen in General Trias town in Cavite province on Monday, police said Tuesday.

The four suspects were held after a brief chase in Barangay Javalera of the town around 12:30 a.m., according to the report released Tuesday by the Cavite Provincial Police Office.

Insp. Artemio Cinco, head of of the General Trias municipal police intelligence unit, said in a separate phone interview, on Tuesday that the suspects were revolutionary tax, or “revo tax” collectors in the province.

“Based on our initial investigation. they are on a revo tax collection mission,” Cinco said in a phone interview.

The Cavite police report identified the four as George Bruce, 33, from Lemery, Batangas; Jose Nayve, 53, of GMA, Cavite; Romel Nuñez, 30, of Dasmariñas City, Cavite; and Armando Matres, 38, of Lipa City, Batangas.

PO2 Christian Neil Cuevas, the case officer, said the four suspects gave the police their names.

The report said PO1 Jonathan Dinglasan, a town policeman, happened to be nearby when one of the suspects, using an improvised explosive device, blew up a manhole cover of the Globe Telecommunication Inc.’s cables along Barangay Javalera.

After the bombing, the suspects escaped aboard a Nissan Urvan van (ZFD 262) but they were chased by Dinglasan who was then on his way home, driving a private vehicle. While giving chase, Dinglasan informed the police community precinct in nearby Barangay Manggahan, through his mobile phone, of the bombing.

The responding policemen blocked the road that forced the suspects to alight from the van and scampered towards a grassy area where they were eventually cornered by the lawmen.

When lawmen searched the van, they found a .45 pistol, 106 live ammunition and four magazines; a 9mm pistol with 17 bullets and one magazine; two pieces of blasting caps, one detonator switch and manual, four energizer batteries and cable wires; eight units of mobile phones; one “extortion” letter addressed to an “Aling Adeling” with the letterhead “Bagong Hukbong Bayan” and other documents that police described as “subversive.”

Meanwhile, the bombing destroyed the manhole and temporarily disrupted Globe’s service in the area, the police said.

The suspects were detained at the General Trias police jail.

Last month, five suspected NPA members on a mission to collect “permit to campaign” (PTC) fees and revolutionary taxes were killed in an encounter with government troops in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Military report said the slain rebels were members of a rebel unit from Mindoro Island reportedly tasked to collect revolutionary taxes and PTC fees from candidates in next year’s election in the Southern Tagalog area.
 
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/742067/4-npa-revolutionary-tax-collectors-arrested-in-cavite-police

PH hits China for coral damage: 'Close to catastrophic'

From Rappler (Nov 27): PH hits China for coral damage: 'Close to catastrophic'

In The Hague, the Philippines also slams China's 'deliberate policy to physically expel' Filipinos from parts of the West Philippine Sea

PHILIPPINE TEAM. The Philippines’ lead counsel against China, Paul Reichler (1st from right), speaks with Professor Philippe Sands (2nd) while Professor Alan Boyle (3rd) is in the background as Manila presents its arguments against Beijing in The Hague. Photo by Abigail Valte

PHILIPPINE TEAM. The Philippines’ lead counsel against China, Paul Reichler (1st from right), speaks with Professor Philippe Sands (2nd) while Professor Alan Boyle (3rd) is in the background as Manila presents its arguments against Beijing in The Hague. Photo by Abigail Valte

The Philippines earlier said China's reclamation activities have destroyed 311 hectares of coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea.

During Thursday's hearing, Philippine advocate Alan Boyle also “presented to the tribunal the damage China has done to the marine ecosystem.”
 
Boyle cited examples of harmful fishing practices employed by China, “such as blast fishing, cyanide fishing, harvesting of giant clams, and catching of turtles and other endangered species.”
 
He said China “is responsible for its failure to prevent its fishermen and vessels from engaging in illegal fishing activities.”
 
‘Deliberate policy’ to expel Filipinos
 
“Boyle stated that, if unchecked, China’s activities will continue to pose a significant threat to the marine environment of the South China Sea and of all the states which border the sea,” he said, according to Valte.
 
At the same time, the Philippine team presented other moves by China “which aggravated and extended the dispute.”
 
Philippine team member Bernard Oxman, for one, cited instances when China blocked the Philippines from entering Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) to resupply its troops there.
 
“Oxman stressed that China’s denial of access forms part of ‘a deliberate policy to physically expel the Philippines and its nationals’ from the disputed features and its surrounding waters,” Valte said.
 
Boyle also pointed out “the series of near-collisions” between Philippine and Chinese vessels in April and May 2012.
 
These incidents happened in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea, the site of a standoff between Philippine and Chinese vessels in April 2012 that heightened the sea dispute and eventually led to the filing of the case at The Hague.
 
“These incidents, according to Boyle, displayed China’s ‘deliberate disregard for international law’ on the safety of maritime vessels,” Valte said.
 
A day earlier, the Philippines told the tribunal in The Hague that China’s island building activities have destroyed the seabed in the South China Sea.
 
Before this, the Philippines complained to the tribunal that China has robbed it of its right to fish in the contested waters.
 
The hearings on the merits of the Philippines case will resume and end on Monday, November 30, Valte said.
 

Indonesian bombmaker among 8 killed in Sultan Kudarat clash?

From Rappler (Nov 27): Indonesian bombmaker among 8 killed in Sultan Kudarat clash?

Authorities suspect that the criminal group, whose leader escaped, is an ISIS sympathizer, based on the presence of the signature black flag in the camp

BLACK FLAG. This 'ISIS' flag was found hoisted in the camp of the criminal group in Palimbang town, Sultan Kudarat. Photo from Palimbang Facebook page

BLACK FLAG. This 'ISIS' flag was found hoisted in the camp of the criminal group in Palimbang town, Sultan Kudarat. Photo from Palimbang Facebook page

Eight members of a criminal group – including an alleged Indonesian bomb maker – were killed in a clash with government troops in Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat on Thursday, November 26.

Colonel Emmanuel Salamat, commanding officer of the 1st Marine Brigade, said the clash started around 5:30 am and lasted until 9:30 am in Sitio Sinapingan, Barangay Butril in Palimbang town on Thursday.

Salamat said a combined military and police team was about to serve a warrant of arrest for the group’s leader, Mohamad Jaafar Sabiwang Maguid, popularly known as “Kumander Tokboy” and “Abu Gaib,” when they were fired upon by the lawless group.

Maguid escaped but 8 of his men were killed. Sources said that based on intelligence information, the casualties included Indonesian bomb maker Ibrahim Ali, Alyas Sucipto, also known as Ustadz Abu Fatah.

Maguid, who is being pursued by troops, is facing criminal charges for extortion, arson, frustrated murder, cattle rustling, and armed robbery.

Authorities suspect that criminal group is a sympathizer of ISIS, also known as the Islamic State, IS, ISIL, based on the signature black flag hoisted on a bamboo pole planted on a big tree covering the group’s hideout.

Salamat said that authorities obtained high powered firearms at the camp, including a home made Barrett sniper riffle, M-16 armalite, and .45 pistol.

“Assorted documents with high intelligence value were also recovered in their camp,” he added.

The operation was coordinated through the Adhoc Joint-Action Group (AHJAG), a joint effort of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that seeks to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/114162-indonesian-bomb-maker-sultan-kudarat-clash

Military propaganda unit attacked in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner (Nov 26): Military propaganda unit attacked in Southern Philippines

The headquarters of a military propaganda unit came under attack in Cotabato City in the Muslim province of Maguindanao, but authorities reported no casualties.

A grenade was hurled towards the 6th Civil-Military Operations Battalion in PC Hill late Wednesday. It exploded just outside the headquarters.

The attack came a week after two unidentified men also exploded a grenade on a group of patrolling soldiers along Sinsuat Avenue in Cotabato City and wounding at least 2 infantrymen and a civilian.

The attackers – riding tandem on a motorcycle – fled after the explosion.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the latest attack and the 6th Infantry Division did not issue any statement on the spate of violence targeting soldiers.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/military-propaganda-unit-attacked-in-southern-philippines/

8 ISIS supporters in Philippines slain in fierce battle

From the Mindanao Examiner (Nov 26): 8 ISIS supporters in Philippines slain in fierce battle

Philippine soldiers have killed at least 8 gunmen whose group has been linked by the military to ISIS in a fierce gunbattle on Thursday in the southern province of Sultan Kudarat, officials said.

Officials said marine soldiers clashed with members of the “Anṣār al-Khilāfah” or “Supporters of the Caliphate” in the village of Butril in Palimbang town,

There was no report of military casualties, according to Major Filemon Tan, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command.

He said soldiers also recovered five ISIS flags, including a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, an M16 automatic rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, assorted improvised explosives, radio communication sets and various documents with intelligence value from the encounter site.

“Troops conducting clearing operations at the encounter site recovered eight bodies of gunmen, a Barrett rifle, a M16 automatic rifle, .45-caliber pistol, assorted IED materials and five pieces ISIS flags and documents. They are small group of terrorists sympathetic to ISIS,” Tan told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

The slain rebels were believed under Mohd Jaafar Maguid, but it was not immediately known whether he was among those killed in the fighting.

Anṣār al-Khilāfah was formed in Homs, Syria in January 2013 to overthrow President Bashar Hafez al-Assad and declare Sharia.

The local members of the radical group have pledged allegiance to the ISIS and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in August 2014. They also released a video in August 2014 threatening to deploy suicide bombers in the Philippines and make the country a “graveyard” for American soldiers, according to a report by the US-based SITE Intelligence Group which tracks online activity of White supremacist and Jihadi organizations.

US troops are deployed in the southern Philippines since 2001 and assisting the government in fighting terrorism in the restive region of Mindanao.

Aside from Anṣār al-Khilāfah, the Abu Sayyaf group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the southern Philippines also pledged allegiance to ISIS and vowed to put up a strict Islamic state in Mindanao.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/8-isis-supporters-in-philippines-slain-in-fierce-battle/

Happy Thanksgiving

I had an enjoyable day celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Senate to pass Bangsamoro law before campaign period —Drilon

From GMA News (Nov 26): Senate to pass Bangsamoro law before campaign period —Drilon

Senate President Franklin Drilon has expressed confidence that the Senate will manage to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law before the campaign period starts in February.

He said senators will resume deliberations on the BBL once the proposed 2016 national budget is passed in the first week of December.

Drilon said there is only one senator who has expressed his intention interpellate the bill's sponsor Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when the measure is taken up in plenary.

"Pagkatapos ng budget ay yung Bangsamoro Basic Law. We have only one senator who will interpellate, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. We are not aware of any other senator," Drilon said.

"Assuming that this is the case, we should be able to terminate the period of debates by the first week of December. Assuming that there will be no senator who will interpellate, except Senator Enrile, then afterwards, we will go to the period of amendment," he added.

Drilon, however, will not speak for the BBL's chances of approval in the House of Representatives.

The BBL is the embodiment of the peace talks and agreements between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government.

Drilon said senators had already finished the debates on the 2016 national budget Wednesday night. "We expect to pass the budget on second and third reading today," he said.

He said next week would be devoted for the bicameral conference committee meetings between the Senate and the House of Representatives to thresh out the differences in their respective versions.

"So we expect the bicam will finish its work by December 4. We will ratify the Bicam report the week of December 7 to December 11, including the printing of the budget itself," he said.

He added they expect to submit the budget to President Benigno Aquino III by December 14.

"That’s our target date so that the President will have a week to 10 days to review the budget and see whether he will exercise his line-item veto as he would traditionally," Drilon said.

"We are very confident that we will have the budget finished by the month of December," he added.

Aside from the BBL, the proposed Salary Standardization Law IV is also a priority of Senate.

"It is so important because in the budget there is P57 billion for the Salary Standardization Law IV. Ang kabuuan po ng alokasyon para sa SSL ay P225.8 billion which will be given in four years beginning 2016 with an allocation of about P57 billion," Drilon said.

"It is important that the budget becomes effective by January 1, 2016 so that we can expect this SSL IV," he added.

Drilon said senators would prioritize the passage of the SSL IV which will define the salary grades of government employees.

"We also want to pass the SSL IV within December so that in January it will be implemented with the funds coming from the authorization in the 2016 national budget," he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/545882/news/nation/senate-to-pass-bangsamoro-law-before-campaign-period-drilon

PHL arbitration case a ‘political provocation under the cloak of law,’ says China

From GMA News (Nov 26): PHL arbitration case a ‘political provocation under the cloak of law,’ says China

China has criticized the ongoing hearing by an international court on the Philippines’ arbitration case that seeks to denigrate its claim in the South China Sea, calling it a provocation under the guise of law.

Emphasizing its firm stance on the issue, China, which asserts “indisputable” sovereignty over most of the resource-rich waters despite growing international concern, stressed that it will not accept any decision that will be handed down by tribunal.

“The Philippines' unilateral initiation and obstinate pushing forward of the South China Sea arbitration is a political provocation under the cloak of law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

“It is in essence not an effort to settle disputes but an attempt to negate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea,” Hong added.

The hearing in The Hague, Netherlands by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which began on Tuesday and is expected to end on Nov. 30, was attended by top Philippine officials and their legal counsels to try to convince the five-man panel of judges to rule that China’s massive sea claim is illegal and a violation of international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.

In its complaint, Manila has accused China of incursions in its territorial waters and preventing it from exercising its right to manage, explore and exploit the waters within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone as allowed by the UNCLOS.

Hong reiterated Beijing’s position that the court does not have the authority to hear Manila’s case, insisting the subject matter of the arbitration involves “territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation”—issues they say are outside its jurisdiction.

However, the court has debunked China's stance and ruled that it will proceed to tackle the merits of the Philippine case.

A final decision, the court added, is expected sometime in 2016.

Disregarding the tribunal’s decision to proceed with the hearing, China said it will “not accept any solution imposed on it or any unilateral resort to a third-party dispute settlement.”

“The Philippines' attempt to negate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea through arbitral proceeding will lead to nothing,” Hong said.

Besides China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are also locked in the years-long territorial squabble over the waters, a major trading route where vast oil, natural gas and mineral deposits have been discovered in several offshore areas.

Analysts warned of a military conflict if the overlapping claims are left unresolved.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/545842/news/nation/phl-arbitration-case-a-political-provocation-under-the-cloak-of-law-says-china