From GMA News (Dec 5): PNoy assures no special treatment for Pemberton
AFP detention an extension of 'Bilibid'
President Benigno Auqino III has assured that Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who has been convicted for the killing of Filipino transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, is not receiving a special treatment from the Philippine government. "controlled by the Philippines already—has been, ‘di ba, pati ‘nung point of detention.
The facility in the AFP, sa ISAFP yata, is going to be manned by Bureau of Corrections personnel or is already being manned by Bureau of Corrections personnel," Aquino said in a briefing with Filipino journalists in Rome, Italy on Friday.
The President was visited Pope Francis in Italy, as part of his Europe trip. He had just attended the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris.
Aquion said that Pemberton's detention inside the Armed Forces' national headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City is technically "an extension of the [New] Bilibid [Prison] (NBP) and consistent with the agreement under the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement)."
A day after Pemberton was convicted and ordered jailed in the NBP, Department of National Defense spokesperson Peter Paul Galvez announced that the AFP will construct a new jail for the American soldier within the AFP Custodial Center, inside Camp Aguinaldo.
Pemberton is currently detained in an air-conditioned container van inside the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board compound, also in Camp Aguinaldo.
The cost of the new jail's construction will reportedly be shared by the US and Philippine governments.
Aquino clarified that the Philippines has to abide by the VFA, which the Philippine signed with the US government.
"By the very nature doon sa agreement na mayroong ‘agreed upon detention facility,’ sasabihin nila ‘o iba na ‘yung detention facility, special na.’ ‘Yung mga ganoong klaseng tanong wala namang kasagutang maayos e," he said.
The President said that Pemberton was treated fairly by the Philippines, based on the VFA and that the ruling against the American soldier was proof that "rule of law happens in our country."
Aquino also believes that the ruling "enhanced" the relationship between the Philippines and the US.
"Ipinakita natin na mayroon tayong korte na kayang humusga nang maayos. The rule of law happens in our country. It is respected by the other state. Therefore, it redounds to both parties’ benefits na hindi unequal. Mayroon tayong equality among two equally sovereign states na ‘pag may ginawa kang kasalanan, mayroon kang pananagutan na dapat mong pagbayaran," he said.
From The Standard (Dec 4): Militants slam ‘VIP treatment’ for Pemberton
MILITANT groups on Thursday stormed the Department of Justice to express their indignation over what they called the “special treatment” the government was giving US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.
Protest. Student activists denounce the US government’s alleged refusal to turn over custody of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who has been convicted of killing transgender woman Jennifer Laude, to Philippine authorities in a rally in front of the US Embassy in Manila on Thursday. Danny Pata
Pemberton, who is
being held in CampAguinaldo in Quezon
City, was sentenced to six to 12 years in jail by an
Olongapo court on Tuesday for killing transgender woman Jennifer Laude in
October 2014.
The groups, led
by the Gabriela party-list and Confederation for Unity, Recognition and
Advancement of Government Employees or Courage, denounced Malacañang for
allegedly building a special detention facility for Pemberton in CampAguinaldo.
The protesters
urged the department to transfer Pemberton to the New Bilibid Prisons in MuntinlupaCity where all convicted criminals are
incarcerated.
“The Aquino
government has only further unmasked itself as a coddler of torturers, rapists
and killers even as it hurls Philippine sovereignty down the drain,” the groups
said in a statement.
Anakpawis
party-list Rep. Fernando Hicap said the US
government was clearly behind Pemberton’s being lodged in CampAguinaldo
instead of in a regular jail.
“What kind of
government is this that instead of ensuring justice for one of its citizens, it
busies itself in protecting the killer?” Hicap said.
He made his
statement even as Bureau of Corrections chief Ricardo Rainier Cruz III said
Pemberton will be moved to a “bungalow-type” detention facility that can house
50 people from the 20-footer van where he is now being held.
“It’s a big jail
that can accommodate around 50 people,” Cruz said.
The militant
groups on Tuesday also accused the Aquino administration of its alleged
continuing detention of political prisoners.
“President Aquino
has already surpassed the record of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in
terms of the number of political prisoners and even human rights violations and
cases under his term,”the groups said in their statement.
In its verdict on
Tuesday, the Olongapo City regional trial court Branch 74 found Pemberton
guilty of homicide—not of murder as charged by the prosecution—and sentenced
him to six up to 12 years in jail.
The issue on
Pemberton’s detention arose after the Olongapo court ordered his transfer to
the New Bilibid Prison. But the Justice Department said Pemberton would remain
in CampAguinaldo despite the conviction.
From The Standard (Dec 5): Lawmaker to CHR: probe August clash in Masbate
A lawmaker has
asked the Commission on Human Rights to conduct a fact-finding investigation
into the possible human rights violations committed during an encounter between
government troops and alleged members of the New People’s Army in Cawayan, Masbate last August.
In House
Resolution 2276, Masbate Rep. Scott Davies Lanete said information gathered by
his office revealed that “overkill occurred and human rights violations were
committed during the encounter between the two groups.”
“It is the
mandate of the Commission on Human Rights to investigate all form of human
rights violations, including the aforementioned incident,” Lanete said as he
pushed for the probe.
“Incidents of
this nature,” Lanete, member for the majority bloc, added, “should not be left
in the dark and hurled towards the realm of the forgotten but strictly
condemned and looked into to avoid further human rights violations.”
It has been
reported that a gunfight ensued between government troops and NPA members in
Cawayan, Masbate at 4:30 p.m. on Aug.
3, 2015.
The alleged
gunfight resulted in the death of a soldier and four suspected NPA members and
injury to three soldiers.
But the initial
findings by a human rights probe team revealed that the four alleged NPA
members were actually habal-habal or tricycle drivers sent by Del Carmen
Barangay Captain Silpicio Abilida Mahinay to help soldiers wounded during the
rebel-staged ambush in Barangay Del Carmen.
Rogelio Mahinay,
27, single; Adam Fajardo, 34, widower with five children; Robert Badillo, 23,
single; and Gary Vistar, 37, married, went to the site to respond but Army
soldiers allegedly intercepted them, shot them on the sport and identified them
as “rebels.”
Lanete asked the
CHR to “initiate criminal proceedings against persons found liable to propose
legislative measure that will provide stringent regulations in the curtailment
of human rights violations of this nature.”
From The Standard (Dec 5): More tribesmen flee new anti-Red action
OVER a hundred
lumad evacuees from CompostelaValley have fled to refugee facilities in DavaoCity,
complaining that militiamen backed by the military have encamped in their
communities purportedly as part of an operation against communist insurgents.
“We evacuated
because the soldiers have occupied our community on November 23, noon time.
When they reached our village they asked me if they can stay in Side 4. I asked
them how many days will you be staying? They told me two years because they
will be providing assistance,” said village leader Oraya Mansayloan.
Despite dialogue
with the troops’ commander, Lt. Danjo Lagula, the soldiers refused to move away
from the civilian houses.
Meanwhile, rights
group Karapatan reiterated calls for the immediate disbandment of paramilitary
groups under the influence of the military, for the lumad evacuees in various
areas in Mindanao to return in their homes for
Christmas.
“We demand the
immediate pull-out of troops from lumad communities to stop the exodus of
people from the villages and to let the [evacuees] go home for the holidays,”
Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said.
“While the Aquino
administration pretended not to hear our demands during the 30-day
Manilakbayan, it continues its fascist attacks in our communities. Aquino’s
‘daang matuwid’ has to end. The people, especially the lumad, will lead Aquino
on the road to prison,” said Manilakbayan spokesperson Kerlan Fanagel.
In 2015 alone,
there are at least 19 incidents of forced evacuation and 7,000 documented
victims in Mindanao, Southern Tagalog and CagayanValley.
The figure does not include the evacuees displaced after the Mamasapano carnage
in Maguindanao last January 2015.
The majority of
the more than 7,000 evacuees came from the Caraga region; most of them are at
the Tandag Sports Complex for three months now. The almost a thousand evacuees
in the UCCP-Haran in DavaoCity are from Talaingod
and Kapalong, Davao del Norte, and from Bukidnon who arrived in UCCP-Haran by
batches since January 2015.
“Forced
evacuation due to intensified military and paramilitary counterinsurgency
operations has brought so much damage to the lives of the Filipinos, especially
among children,” Palabay said.
“The continuing
attack against lumad communities and schools, including the recent evacuation
in Compostela, show both the hypocrisy and desperation of the US-Aquino regime,
especially with Oplan Bayanihan’s failure,” added Fanagel.
From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 5): NPA killings geared at extortion – Army
“More on election activities.”
This was how Army Col. Francisco Delfin, 303rd Infantry
Brigade commander, yesterday described the motive in the series of killings
perpetrated by the New People's Army, most of which had taken place in the
Cauayan and Ilog hinterland areas.
The NPA Armando Sumayang Jr. Command of the New People's
Army has claimed responsibility for the killing of Romualdo Dollente and Rene
Villar, active and former members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical
Unit, respectively, former NPA members Jojo Grande and Jose Siplao, who later
joined the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade.
Rebel spokesperson Andrea Guerrero justified their deaths by
claiming they were either involved in illegal activities, or were military
informants.
Ex-CAFGU member Jimboy Nalagon was also shot and killed by
four armed men on Dec. 1 in Brgy. Camalandaan, Cauayan, police records show.
Delfin, who supervises the security operations of Army units
in Negros Island Region, however, dismissed it as an isolated incident, saying that
they have so many ongoing security operations against the NPA.
But he advised government troops to take extra security
precautions by adopting the “buddy system” and to always be vigilant .
Delfin also slammed the NPA for killing unarmed individuals,
who cannot defend themselves.
The 303rd Infantry Brigade is now helping the family of
Dollente, in coordination with other government agencies, to cushion the impact
of the loss of their “bread winner”. Delfin said.
The Communist Party of the Philippines, a political wing of
the NPA is marking its 46th founding anniversary on Dec. 26.
Because of the killings, Delfin said the NPA may also be
trying to project to candidates in next year's election, and the businessmen
that they are still alive.
This also bolstered by the activities of NPA of sending
extortion letters to private companies demanding revolutionary taxes, he added.
Although they have not received any complaints yet from
candidates being victimized by the NPA, Delfin said he is discouraging them
from complying with the rebel demands.
Should there be any, he advised candidates to share the
information with them, so they can act on it, in coordination with the
Philippine National Police.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 5): DND allocates Php1.1-B for acquisition of night fighting systems
The Department of National Defense (DND) is allocating about
Php1.1 billion to purchase 4,464 brand-new units of night-fighting systems.
The money will be sourced from the agency's Capability
Upgrade Program 2013-2017.
DND did not give specifics on what equipment would be
purchased but night fighting system usually includes night vision goggles and
rifle targeting systems that can illuminate targets at night.
Winning bidders are required to deliver the items within 180
calendar days, DND bids and awards committee chair Assistant Secretary Ernesto
D. Boac said.
Interested bidders must have completed a similar project
within the last five years.
Pre-bid conference is scheduled on December 10, 2015, 10
a.m. at the DND bidding and awards committee conference room, left wing,
basement, DNDBuilding,
CampAguinaldo,
Quezon City.
Bid opening is on December 22, 10 am, in the same venue.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 4): 152 new officers join AFP
One hundred and fifty-two new officers of the Major Services
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) formally graduated Friday morning.
These officers are under the newly implemented common
curriculum for all Officer Candidate Courses (OCC), said AFP public affairs
office chief Col. Noel Detoyato
The synchronized graduation ceremonies, the first in
Filipino military history took place at the AFPMuseum and Multi-Purpose Theater in CampAguinaldo,
Quezon City.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP chief-of-staff
Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri graced the event and welcomed the new officers into
the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force.
Of 152 graduates, 58 were from Army OCC, 52 were from the
Navy OCC and 42 were from the Air Force OCC.
Probationary (P)2nd Lt. Paul John C. Valencia (PAF),
P/Ensign Gay T. Famero (PN) and P2nd Lt. Rey Gaezzel M Anfone topped the list
of graduates in their respective branches of service.
They were all given the Presidential Saber for being top one
in their OCC batches.
P2nd Lt. Gemadel J. Maquiling and P2nd Lt. Tyrone T.
Estillero placed second and third, respectively, on the list of topnotchers in
the PAF Air Education and Training Command.
P/Ensign Mechelle T. Amores placed second followed by
P/Ensign Christy A. Raterta on the third place in the list of OCC graduates of
Naval Education and Training Command.
P2nd Lt. Arnold A. Quiñon and P2ndLt. Stephanie C. Collado
garnered the second and third places, respectively, among the graduates of the
Army’s Training and Doctrine Command.
Top two OCC graduates received the Secretary of National
Defense Saber while the top three OCC graduates were given the Chief-of-Staff
Saber.
Air Force OCC top one P2nd Lt. Valencia graduated Bachelor
of Science in Aviation Electronics Technology from Philippine State College of
Aeronautics in Basa Air Base, Pampanga before deciding to become a cadet at PAF
OCC.
He is 25 years old and a native of Porac, Pampanga.
Army OCC top one P2nd Lt. Anfone holds a degree of Bachelor
of Science in Nursing from SanPedroCollege in DavaoCity.
She is from CotabatoCity. She is 24 years
old.
Navy OCC top one P/Ensign Famero is a graduate of RomblonStateUniversity
in Odiongan, Romblon where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
She is 27 years old and a native of Odiongan, Romblon.
The new curriculum took effect last year which gave way to
overlapping of classes among the Major Services Officer Candidate Schools to
realize the upper class-underclass system and standardize the awards given to
OCC graduates.
Beginning 2015, the Major Services Officer Candidate Schools
will synchronize their graduation to facilitate the projected summative
evaluation that will measure the effect of the implemented curriculum and
leadership development to the graduates as a result of the new program.
The Army OCC graduates took up their course in Training and
Doctrine Command based in CampO’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
The Navy OCCs had their training in Naval Education and
Training Command based in Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui in San Antonio, Zambales while the Air Force OCCs had their
in PAF Air Education and Training Command based in Fernando Air Base, LipaCity.
Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Dec 2): Editorial -- If BBL passes, whose credits?
The Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not engaged in blaming game. We do not get
anything in finger-pointing. We still believe in and pursue constructive
partnership in the search for peace and justice in Mindanao.
Be
this as it may, if at the end, however, the BBL does not pass, we have to
examine why it did not pass. We cannot just say that it is due to the biases,
hatred, and prejudices of the majority population against the Moros, which are
shared by many if not most of the lawmakers in Congress, as pointed out
correctly by Cardinal Orlando Quevedo. Someone or groups have to assume
responsibility.
There is no
need to push for answers to this question. Perhaps, we can reverse the
formulation to make it positive or non-adversarial. Suppose the BBL passes
Congress, who would be credited for it?
Right now
the fate of the BBL is in the hands of Congress, the Senate and the Lower
House. This is crystal clear. Decision lies in their hands; they can pass
it or they don’t. The people can only lobby against or in favor of it, but they
are not part of decision-making. No amount of reasons can smokescreen the
decisiveness or indecisiveness of lawmakers especially the leadership. Lack of
quorum (in the Lower House) is not a viable reason; why no quorum is raised if
the BBL is under deliberation and no question of quorum if it is the national
budget. Come to think of it!
Until this
time our trust of President Benigno Aquino III is safely intact. We never waver
in this trust. For this reason, we hope that he will push for the passage of
the BBL in Congress now. The last two minutes, so to speak, can make a
difference. Many lawmakers are urging him now to certify the BBL as urgent
bill. This would abbreviate the discussion.Only eight session days are left to
enact the bill. Time is running out but there is still to do it. We hope to see
the enlightened decisiveness of the President once again.
From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 3): ‘Sense of alienation, neglect fuel terror threats in Mindanao’
The threat of radicalization lingers in most parts of Mindanao largely due to the some sectors who continue to feel alienated and neglected.
This was the pronouncement made by government peace panel (GPH) chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer during the awarding of an art contest sponsored by the PAMANA program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on Wednesday, December 2 at the SM City here.
Ferrer said the threat of radicalization after the infamous Paris and Mali incidents continue in the country, particularly in Mindanao.
The chief negotiator talked of “the alienated segment of the Islamic population”, mostly the young generation but not necessarily members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who are prone to be influenced deeply by the radicals.
Ferrer pointed out that disillusionment if the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is not passed can further fuel their feeling of alienation and neglect from the government.
“Kung hindi ito matuloy (the BBL) alam natin yong magiging dangers. Maraming impatient, not necessarily the MILF. (If the BBL is not passed, we know the dangers. There are impatient sectors and groups out there, not necessarily the MILF). There are those younger members of their communities who feel alienated more and more from the government.”
Ferrer said the BBL will help the government maintain peace and order and close the doors of the influence of the more radical ideologies in the country especially in Mindanao.
She added that there are armed groups who are willing to lay down their arms and pursue peaceful lives once the BBL is passed.
“We have a significant chunk of former rebels yet still armed but are willing to put down their arms and become civilians and put their weapons beyond use as long as political and economic reforms stipulated in the BBL are made available to them,” she added. http://www.mb.com.ph/sense-of-alienation-neglect-fuel-terror-threats-in-mindanao/
Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 4): Minister Macoto Iyori of Japanese Embassy and Director Hanatani of JICA Headquarters visit MILF Leadership at Camp Darapanan
Early
morning on Wednesday, December 2, a delegation from the Japanese Embassy in Manila and JICA Officers,
arrived at the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Administrative Camp in
Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
The group
was composed of Minister Macoto Iyori from the Japanese Embassy, Director
Atsushi Hanatani, Infrastructure and Peace Building Dept., JICA Headquarters;
Deputy Director General Kei Toyama of Southeast Asia & Pacific Regional
Dept., JICA Headquarters, other officers and staff of JICA- Philippines.
MILF Vice
Chairmen Ghazali Jaafar and Aleem Ali Sulayman along with other members of the
Central Committee warmly welcomed the guests. Also in attendance during the
program was Sammy Al-Mansour, Chief of Staff of the MILF Bangsamoro Islamic
Armed Forces (BIAF), at the same time the Secretary General of United
Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).
In
his welcome message, 1st Vice Chairman Jaafar thanked the Japanese Government
for its continued support, with its Comprehensive Capacity Development Project
for the Bangsamoro ((CCDP-B) Programs, thru the implementation of Quick Impact
Projects (QIP).
Director
Hanatani said that the objectives of their visit aside from making a courtesy
call, is to familiarize themselves with the MILF leadership and the
situation on the ground, pay courtesy visits to the stakeholders of the peace
process in Mindanao.
Another
purpose is to convey their continuing support to the peace process, despite the
delay of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). With or without the BBL
yet, there would be a firm commitment of Japan and JICA to continue to
support Peace Process, Director Hanatani added.
Moreover,
JICA will continue to extend economic support thru livelihood projects. After
their visit at CampDarapanan, they will also attend a turn-over
ceremony of a multi-purpose hall building in Simsiman, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, on the same day.
The
multi-purpose hall building was funded by the Japanese Government through the
JICA under the BTC-JICA CCDP-B.
As the
short meeting winds up, Vice Chairman Jaafar, in behalf of the MILF Central
Committee members expressed once again, their thanks and gratitude for Japan’s
commitment in supporting the peace process in the Bangsamoro.
Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 4): BDA-CenMin volunteers conduct Orientation on the Gains of GPH-MILF Peace Process
Over a
hundred volunteers of Bangsamoro Development
Agency-Central Mindanao (BDA-CenMin) conducted orientation on the
gains of peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held on November 25 at Mahad Matanog,
T'ba, Matanog, Maguindanao.
The
orientation was aimed at raising the awareness of the participants on the gains
of the GPH-MILF Peace Process.
Ustazah
Jehan A. Ariman, one of the volunteers of BDA-CenMin said, "This
orientation reminds us that the gains of the peace process were achieved as a
result of tedious and long peace negotiations between the GPH and the MILF
Peace Panels to appropriately address the centuries-old Bangsamoro
Question".
Ariman also
said that, "The orientation further aims to remind the participants that
the gains of the GPH and the MILF Peace Process were realized through the
strong support of the Bangsamoro and all other peace-loving people".
Anuar
Cabalo, Regional Coordinator of Peace Building Program emphasized that,
"This orientation is meaningful as it reminds us of the historical
tribulation and other difficulties of the Bangsamoro struggle for freedom and
self-determination".
"Specifically,
it makes us aware on the gains of the GPH and the MILF Peace process that
provided great contribution in attaining true peace and holistic development
not only in Mindanao but throughout the country as a whole', Cabalu further
said.
"And
once the Bangsamoro and other stakeholders are not aware of the gains of the peace
process, they may not be able to avoid things that may hamper the smooth
implementation of the gains of the peace process”, Cabalu added.
Ustadz
Ahmad Hassan, one of BDA-CenMin Provincial development Catalyst (PDC) mentioned
the gradual return of normal life of those who were adversely affected, the
internally-displaced persons (IDP’s), as one of the gains of the peace process.
“Reduction
of poverty among people in the Bangsamoro, illiteracy rate and number of
unskilled individuals were also gradually addressed”, Hassan also said.
Hassan
pointed out that "due to the peace process, peace and holistic development
are gradually and partly achieved".
"And,
failure to sustain the gains of peace process will tantamount to returning to
the abnormal and uncertain conditions of IDPs", Hassan added.
Ameril
Guimba, BDA-CenMin Regional Coordinator for Economic Program said, "As
part of orienting the participants on the gains of the peace process, we must
be aware of the consequences of war that will affect not only the Bangamoro
people but the Filipino people as well".
"Thus
the gains of the peace process between the GPH and the MILF is worth sustaining
for", concluded Guimba.
BDA-CenMin
is the proponent of Muslim Blood Donation (MBD) and Youth Development Program
(YDP) which is among the seven regions of the agency.
Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 4): BTC-JICA Quick Impact Project turned-over to community organization in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato
Officials
of Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) led by BTC Chair Mohagher Iqbal and Atshusi Hanatani, Director
for Infrastructure and Peace Building Department of JICA Headquarters in Tokyo,
Japan, respectively, turned-over a quick impact project (QIP) Multi-Purpose
Hall Building on December 2 at Barangay Simsiman, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato to
Simsiman Bangsamoro Organizastion headed by its President Akmad T. Alimuden.
A day
before Director Hanatani paid courtesy visit to the Office of the BTC, in CotabatoCity.
Barangay
Simsiman is one of the fortunate barangays that passed the site validation and
selection process identified by the Quick Impact Project (QIP) Task
Force.
In his
acceptance speech, Mr. Alimuden said, “We must be thankful to Allah because our
barangay was chosen as recipient of QIP Task Force. Simsiman is among the
five hundred barangays in North Cotabato but
was the one identified as beneficiary of the Multi-Purpose Project, funded by
the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)”, Mr. Alimuden added.
He told his
audience that the multi-purpose building will be utilized by the people where
programs such as conduct of meetings, reading of the Holy Qur’an, meeting and
other community programs are held.
This
multi-purpose building was given to us and so we must take care of it, Mr.
Alimuden added.
BTC and
MILF Peace Panel Chair Iqbal said, “Thank you to Government of Japan and the
people of Japan in helping
search for the elusive peace in Mindanao. Even
if there is Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) or not, the Japanese government will
continue to support the peace process between Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH).
Chair Iqbal
also gave updates on the status of the BBBL.
He said, on
status of BBL, we don't know if Congress can pass it or not. There are only
eight (8) sessions left for Congress to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Law. On
the chances of passing the BBL, there is hope but the ratio of chances is
getting too small. Optimism has been dead but there is still hope.
BTC is the
key partner of JICA in the peace process in Mindanao
particularly with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Director
Hanatani said, “Let us not lose hope and we come and stay to engage with you
until we see the fruits of the peace process.
We, JICA
and the people of Japan
will remain trusted partner of the Bangsamoro people, Director Hanatani added.
Hashim
Mantikayan , BDA Regional Manager for Central Mindanao
reminded the Simsiman Bangsamoro Peoples Organization on the operation,
maintenance and sustainability of the Multi-Purpose building.
He
said anyone can use the building but you must (PO’s)
maintain the cleanliness of the building.
Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 3): Director Hanatani of JICA Headquarters pays courtesy visit to BTC
Director
Atsushi Hanatani of JICA Headquarter in Tokyo, Japan and his delegation paid courtesy visit to
the Office of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) in CotabatoCity
on December 1, at around 3:30 in the afternoon.
Hanatani is Director for Infrastructure and Peace Building Department of Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
He was accompanied by Mr. Naoyuki Ochiai, Head and Chief Leader JICA-CPO/CCDP-B
based in CotabatoCity.
Also present were Engr. Muhajirin Ali, Head of BTC Socio-Economic Component of
JICA-BTC, BTC Commissioners Atty. Raissa Jajuri, Froilyn Mendoza, Talib
abdulhamid Binito, and Sheikh Ibrahim Ali.
Mohagher M. Iqbal, Chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and the
MILF Peace Negotiating Panel said, “It is an honor on the part of the
Bangsamoro Transition Commission as well as the Commissioners who are with us
this afternoon to welcome the JICA and the Japanese delegation headed by
Director Atsushi Hanatani.
Dir. Hanatani said, “We would like to pay courtesy call to the leaders of peace
process in Mindanao. This is one of our
objectives in coming to Mindanao to
familiarize ourselves with the leaders and the happenings in area.
“I Know the political process is still under way in Manila, I would to
show that JICA and the people of Japan are committed to provide our outmost
support to the peace process” and provide peace dividends to the people
in Mindanao”.
BTC is the key partner of JICA in the peace process in Mindanao
particularly with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “On March 28, 2014, JICA President Dir. Akiko Tanaka and MILF Chairman Al Haj
Murad Ebrahim agreed and committed that the peace dividends should be realized
swiftly and inclusively to create confidence and mutual trust among the
stakeholders of the peace process through the implementation of Quick Impact
Projects (QIP)”.
BTC Socio-Economic Office is responsible in the overall coordination for QIP
while the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) is the implementing agency in
cooperation with JICA Cotabato Project Office (CPO).
QIP is under the Component of Improvement of Public Service Delivery of
Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro (CCDP-B) and this
is funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Under QIP, twenty (20) barangays in the core and outside core territory of the
Bangsamoro were provided with one of the following social infrastructures;
a) Multi-Purpose Hall
b) Renovation/expansion of school buildings or classrooms
c) Warehouses with solar dryer.
The site selection and validation is based on the selection criteria identified by the QIP Task Force.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 4): Formal turnover of 2 FA-5OPHs, 6 attack helis, and 1 C-295 to PAF up on Saturday
The Philippine Air Force (PAF)aircraft inventory will get a
much-needed boost as two South Korean FA-50PHs, six AgustaWestland AW-109E
"Power" attack helicopters and one Airbus C-295 medium transport will
be formally turn over Saturday.
Turnover and blessing ceremonies will take place at 1:30
p.m. at the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, RampColonel Jesus Villamor Air
Base, PasayCity.
PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said President Benigno
S. Aquino III would be the guest-of-honor and speaker.
The first two Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50PH arrived
last Nov. 28 in Clark Air Base, Pampanga while the C-295 medium, the second to
be acquired this year, was delivered in Sept. 15, also in Clark Air Base.
The first C-295 arrived last March 22.
While the six attack versions of the AW-109Es were all
delivered in the last quarter of 2015.
The PAF has ordered eight attack AW-109Es with the first two
being commissioned last Aug. 17.
These aircraft, especially the Mach 1.5 capable FA-50PHs,
are expected to boost the PAF's external defense capabilities.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 4): ASG bandit captured in Sulu hospital
Government security forces arrested an Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG) bandit during operations in Jolo, Sulu Friday morning.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander,
identified the arrested ASG bandit as Kadaffy Muktadil/Khadaffy Camsa, a
resident of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.
He was nabbed while undergoing treatment at the IntegratedProvincialHospital
in Sulu at around 11:10 a.m.
The suspect has an outstanding warrant of arrest for
kidnapping issued by courts in Sandakan, Sabah.
Arrojado said Muktadil is now being secured by the Jolo
Municipal Police.
He added that it is very likely the captured ASG bandit was
among the group who abducted Malaysian Bernard Then and a female companion
during a raid in Sandakan
early this year.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 4): ‘Swiss Challenge’ stays in dev’t of Fort Boni property–SC Voting 3-2, the Supreme Court maintained that the unsolicited proposal of SM Land, Inc. (SMLI) to develop the 33.1-hectare government property in Bonifacio South in Taguig City for P25.9 billion should be subjected to competitive challenge, or “Swiss Challenge,” and not competitive bidding.
In a 13-page decision released to the media on Friday, the high court’s special Third Division through Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco dismissed the second motion for reconsideration filed by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) which seeks to allow them to terminate the Swiss Challenge process for the development of the property.
A “Swiss Challenge” is a form of public procurement of a property or services which requires the government to publish the unsolicited proposal and invite third parties to match or exceed it.
The high court also dismissed the motions for intervention jointly filed by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which sought to reverse the high court’s Aug. 13, 2014 decision and resolution dated March 18, 2015 denying BCDA’s motion.
The decision also denied BCDA’s bid to elevate the case to the high court’s en banc and set it for oral argument.
The high court pointed out that there exists a valid contract between the government and SM Land Inc.
Under the agreement and the National Economic Development Authority Joint Venture Guidelines, the BCDA is duty-bound to proceed with and complete the “Swiss challenge.”
Failure to honor such a valid agreement, the high court said, is “to allow the government to trample on the very rules it itself issued and to renege on its contractual and legal obligations by invoking the all too familiar mantra of public interest, at any time it pleases, will only result in uncertainty in the application of laws, a trait inimical to the Rule of Law.”
“In holding respondent-movants accountable for the representations they made during the long drawn-out negotiation process and during the times the competitive challege repeatedly encountered roadblocks in the form of constant delays and postponements, the Court endeavors to concretize into a norm the government’s strict adherence to its statutory enactments, and its fulfilment in good faith of the commitments it made and of the covenants it entered into.”
The Court added that its ruling which granted SMLI’s petition was intended to send a strong message that “this is the conduct that the public should reasonably expect of the government.”
The high court added that the government also failed to provide evidence that granting a second motion for reconsideration which is, as a general is a prohibited pleading under the rules would be “in the higher interest of justice.”
It likewise did not give weight to the claim of DND and AFP that being the beneficiaries of the proceeds from the conversion, development and disposal of the camps transferred to BCDA, which include the subject property, their military’s modernization program stand to suffer if the ruling is not reversed
But, the Court states: “This ‘right to the proceeds’ is far from actual as it veritably rests on the success of the bidding process, such that there will be no proceeds that will accrue to their benefit to speak of if the project does not push through.”
“Consequently, the said right does not constitute sufficient legal interest that would qualify the DND and AFP, in this case, to intervene,” it added.
Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta and Jose Catral Mendoza while Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. and Marvic Leonen dissented.
In its ruling last March 18, the high court affirmed with finality its August 13, 2014 decision directing the BCDA to subject to Swiss challenge the unsolicited proposal of SM Land Inc. (SMLI).
From CNN Philippines (Dec 3): Suspected ASG kidnapper nabbed near Zamboanga City Hall
The suspected ASG kidnapper was identified as as Arasad Saidjuwan/Arasad Amin Sahid, also known as Abu Ayob or Abu Mara/Amama.
A notorious Abu Sayyaf kidnapper was arrested by combined PNP elements just meters away from the Zamboanga City Hall on Thursday morning (December 3).
Chief Insp. Joel Tuttuh, spokesperson of the Zamboanga City Police Office, identified the suspect as Arasad Saidjuwan/Arasad Amin Sahid, also known as Abu Ayob or Abu Mara/Amama.
The suspect was arrested by police during a joint law enforcement operations Thursday at 9:30 a.m. along Valderrosa Street.
Tuttuh said that the suspect is a known Abu Sayyaf member reported to have participated in the kidnapping incident in Tairan, Basilan.
Saidjuwan has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Criminal Case 3570 issued by Judge Leo Principe of the Regional Trial Court, 9th Judicial Region, Branch 1, Isabela, Basilan.
