From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Feb 22): PROMPT AND TIMELY II Zamboanga City defender named PMA Cavalier Awardee for Army Operations
For helping defend Zamboanga City against rogue Moro National Liberation Front fighters during their unprovoked Sept. 2013 siege, Col. Oriel Pangcog, formerly of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, was named Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cavalier Awardee for Army Operations.
Pangcog received the award last Feb. 20 during the annual PMA Alumni Homecoming in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City.
Pangcog is a member of PMA Class 1991.
His PMA Cavalier Awardee for Army Operations read:”(Col. Oriel Pangcog) was the former Battalion Commander of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, FSSR, SOCOM (Special Operations Command), PA from 12 May 2012 to 20 February 2014. He led the Battalion in a rapid and timely deployment to Zamboanga City as part of the AFP’s follow-on force in what is now known as the Zamboanga City Crisis. During that operation, he was designated as Commander, Joint Special Operations Task Group Arrow and was placed under the Operational Control of Joint Special Operations Task Force Vector. The prompt and timely arrival of 1st SRBn provided the additional Special Operations capability to critically address the worsening situation that time.”
The Zamboanga City siege started on Sept. 9, 2013 and ended on the 28th. Rogue MNLF fighters attempted to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republik at Zamboanga City Hall.
“At the end of the more than two weeks of intense urban combat never seen in the recent history of the AFP, the 1st SRBn under Cavalier Pangcog was instrumental in the successful clearing of occupied barangays of Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara and was directly credited for the capture of 106 rogue MNLF rebels, killing of 38 others and rescue of 43 hostages and recovery of 100 high-powered firearms,” it further said.
Aside from being named PMA Cavalier Awardee for Army Operations, Pangcog was also decorated with the Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest award in the AFP.
The latter is now the deputy of the Nueva Ecija- based SOCOM.
Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 21): Be patient, uphold the primacy of the peace process: MILF tells Mujaheedin
A midst the
widespread frustration being felt by the Bangsamoro people brought by the
non-passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the leadership of Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) urges its military forces to be patient and uphold the
primacy of the peace process.
“All
Officers, Commanders and Members of the MILF Political Wing and the Bangsamoro
Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) are enjoined to strictly follow and abide by the
instructions and guidelines of the MILF Central committee,“ the MILF Central Committee
said in an official statement released on Thursday (Feb 18).
According to the MILF, the political and military wings of the Front are tasked
to “uphold the primacy of the peace process while maintaining their vigilance
and perseverance as they continue the consolidation and capability building
programs of the organization.”
“The MILF calls upon the Bangsamoro people and the other people in the area to
remain patient. We urge you to become the beacons of hope in the advocacy for
peace with justice,” the statement said.
The House of Representatives and Senate went on recess on February 5 without
passing the BBL. Enacting the BBL is a sole responsibility of the government
base on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the peace deal signed
by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF in 2014.
The MILF conveyed in the statement its “deep disappointment and grave dismay”
because of the non-passage of the BBL which is hoped to end conflict and bring
development in the Bangsamoro region.
“This impasse should not lead anyone of us astray and be swayed by
elements unreasonably instigating for radicalism. Let us always make reason and
wisdom prevail over emotion,” the MILF said.
The MILF said it has done its part by “faithfully complying with all its
obligations and responsibilities under the signed agreements,” as a gesture of
good faith and sincerity to the peace deal.
In a special meeting at Kuala Lumpur
on February 10-11 with the presence of the peace structures and mechanisms, the
GPH and MILF peace panels reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process and
to preserve the gains of the 17-year peace negotiations.
MILF Peace Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said the BBL can be refiled in the
next Congress. The two Parties hope the next president will abide by the peace
deal and finally pass the proposed Bangsamoro law.
Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 21): PCID attends ASEAN CSO leaders’ meeting with the US Nat’l Security Adviser at the White House
The
Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID)joined the meeting of United
States National Security Adviser Susan E. Rice with the Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
member countries held at the White House in USA last February 11, 2016.
PCID
President Amina Rasul, peace and human rights activist, represented the
organization in the gathering where they discussed U.S. Rebalance to Asia, which is centered on civil society, good governance
and human rights; recognition and respect to universal rights and fundamental
freedoms; and expansion of space for civil society.
The meeting provided critical inputs for the recent U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Summit
set in Sunnylands Retreat, California. Philippine President
Benigno S. Aquino III was one of the ASEAN head of states present in the
summit.
US National Security Council Spokesperson Ned Price related in a Statement last
Thursday (Feb 11) that Ambassador Rice reiterated the United States’ steadfast
commitment to sustaining and supporting civil society in Southeast Asia and
around the world, including through the President’s (Obama) Stand with Civil
Society initiative.
The participants were civil society leaders from ASEAN member states who are
advocates of women’s rights, civil-political rights, LGBTI rights, religious
freedom, justice and accountability, and pro-environment economic development.
Rasul imparted in the meeting the initiatives of PCID in supporting the
Bangsamoro peace process and strengthening the sectors of Ulama, Aleemat and
Muslim women peace advocates to help in the drive to curb the emerging
violent extremism in the Philippines.
The PCID is a Non-Government Organization advocating human rights, women’s
rights, environmental protection, and improvement of Madaris education.
The group has been actively engaged in Interfaith Dialogues, initiatives
supporting the Mindanao peace processes and
campaign against violent extremism.
Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 21): BLMI, UNYPAD conduct Seminar-Workshop on Community Organizing and Anti-Corruption Initiatives
Through the collaborative efforts of peace advocates, the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) and United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD) with the support of community leaders in Zamboanga City conducted a two-day Seminar-Workshop on Community Organizing and Anti- Corruption Initiatives in Balisawan, Zamboanga City on February 18-19, 2016.
The activity was aimed to enhance the participants’ skills in community organizing and raising their awareness and understanding of Anti-Corruption Initiatives in both secular and Islamic perspective.
The UNYPAD Regional Coordinator for Western Mindanao who was one of the resource persons touched on the history of Moro struggle and their legitimate assertion for the Right to Self-Determination (RSD).
“Educating the People on the history of Bangsamoro people in the grassroots communities is one way of promoting peace by sustaining the gains of the peace process between Philippine Government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by both parties on March 27, 2014 have drawn international support and must be sustained for the realization of the Bangsamoro aspiration”, he said.
The following day, Tirso Tahir of BLMI lectured on community organizing. He elucidated its fundamental principles and applications consistent with the current situation.
“It is imperative upon us to be participative, responsive and organized in our Peace-building endeavor. Peace is everybody’s concern. Our legitimate grievances can be articulated properly and addressed swiftly if we are well-organized”, Tahir stressed.
Tahir also lectured on Anti- Corruption Initiatives and its preventions. He emphasized its various facets both secular and in Islamic perspective.
“Corruption is menace that discredits a person’s face-value and will impoverish the society. Optimizing one’s integrity and strong faith can shun corruption” Tahir added.
Updates on the non-passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and other related matters were also highlighted by the resource persons. They urged the participants not to be swayed by their emotion but share their part in promoting peace in their communities instead through involvement in peace-building activities.
At the end of the program, the participants expressed their profoundest gratitude to the resource persons for the knowledge imparted, to the BLMI, UNYPAD, the organizers and all those behind the undertaking in the pursuit of peace in Mindanao.
Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 20): BIAF-MILF spearheads peace advocacy in Kabacan, North Cotabato
Kabacan,
North Cotabato – Despite the failure of Philippine Congress to pass the
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the Interim Base Command of Central Mindanao Front
Command (IBC-CMFC) of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF spearheaded and
conducted peace advocacy at Barangay Simuni in Kabacan, North Cotabato on
February 15, 2015 attended by nearly 2,000 individuals.
Among the
attendees were members of the MILF Peace Panel, International Monitoring Team
(IMT), the Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), Kapalawan
Provincial Committee, tribal leaders from Manubo Indigenous People (IPs),
students and local folks in the area.
In his opening remarks, the chair of Kapalawan Provincial Committee, expressed
his full support to the peace process and urged the participants to stay foot
in the political line of the MILF.
Yusof Pasigan Al Hadj, a CCCH member welcomed the renewal of mandates of the
ceasefire mechanisms.
Lt. Coronel Azman Bangkol, Al Hadj, IMT Team Site 1 leader and the contingent leader
of Nagara Darussalam of Brunei urged the participants to remain steadfast and
continue supporting the peace process in spite of the non-passage of BBL.
“I wish to reiterate that peace and development must go hand in hand, we must
have peace in order to have development,” Bangkol said.
“Development and equal opportunity are key factors in sustaining peace,
however, development can happen only when there is peace in Mindanao,”
he said further.
Engr. Muhajiren Ali, member of the MILF Peace Panel Secretariat discussed the
importance of peace process and the preservation of the gains of 17 years old
of negotiations.
“There is no appropriate approach for the current status of the peace process
unless to remain patient and steadfast with strong wisdom in order to attain
the self-determination that we worked on and waited for long.” Engr. Ali said.
On his part, Gordon Saifullah Al Hadj, Front Commander of the Central Mindanao
Front Command (CMFC) of BIAF urged the audience to strengthen their unity for
the sake of the Moro struggle towards the right to self-determination.
“We must unite now, whether you are an MNLF or MILF, Manubo or other native
tribes in Mindanao, for it is our strongest
weapon to regain our right for self-rule,” Saifullah cited.
A leader of Manubo tribe Timuay Dabascu Untungan expressed his full support for
the MILF-led struggle for the rights of native inhabitants of Mindanao.
“Our Bangsamoro brothers are our strength, our forefathers were one in fighting
against colonizers”, Untungan said.
Meanwhile, a reliable source said that a unification and reconciliation program
will be held soon in the province.
Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 22): Peace is important for security and stability: IMT Indonesian contingent
Expressing
their strong support to Bangsamoro peace process, an Indonesian contingent of
the International Monitoring Team (IMT) stressed the importance of peace for
the security and stability of the region.
“As members of
the IMT, we strongly support this (GPH-MILF) peace process. And we do believe
that without peace, there will be no more security, no more stability.” said
Muhammad Sahrul Murajjab from IMT Team Site 4 based in GeneralSantosCity.
Murajjab, an official of Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cited how the
Government of the Philippine (GPH) and the Bangsamoro, represented by the Moro
Islam Liberation Front (MILF), are struggling in maintaining the peace process.
He underscored how essential peace is as a factor for development, economic
progress and the empowerment of society.
The guest speaker gave his inspirational message during the 42nd Regional
Qur’an Reading Competition – Socsargen Area held in General Santos City on February 20, 2016.
The IMT is one of the peace structures created during the peace negotiations
whose presence significantly contributed to the reduction of the number of
armed confrontation between the government forces and MILF combatants.
Its main task is to monitor the adherence of the two parties to the ceasefire
agreement. The Philippine government and the MILF had agreed to hold ceasefire
while the peace talk is in progress.
At present, the IMT is comprised of contingents from Indonesia,
Malaysia, Brunei, Libya,
and Japan.
Aside from the IMT, other bodies instituted in the course of the peace process
are the International Contact Group (ICG) and the Third Party Monitoring Team
(TPMT). Foreign diplomats and personalities constitute these peace
structures.
Whenever encounter between the government troops and the MILF forces are
reported, the IMT immediately deploy their designated team to verify and
investigate.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 21): Pension system for military eyed
The Aquino administration might just propose a legislative measure creating a pension system for the military, such that their pensions would not be taken from the national budget, according to Budget Secretary Butch Abad.
Abad said military personnel do not contribute to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the pension fund of civilian employees of the government which pays their pensions on their retirement.
“The decision of the President and the Cabinet is, let us propose a law so that they (soldiers) can have a pension system,” Abad said in a phone interview.
The idea to propose a law came about after the issue of the “indexation” of the pensions of retired military personnel resulted in Congress failing to pass the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) to increase the wages of 1.5 million government employees.
The House had removed from the SSL the provision on “indexation,” or the pegging of pensions of retired uniformed personnel to current salaries, resulting in Congress failing to approve the bill.
As a result, President Aquino signed Executive Order No. 201 that allowed an increase in civilian government employees’ compensation in four tranches.
EO NO. 201 does not provide for indexation, and states that the uniformed personnel like the military and police will not receive an increase in their basic salaries but will receive an increase in hazard pay, provisional allowance and officers’ allowance.
Abad said increasing the pension of military retirees, based on the base pay of their counterparts in the active service, would entail a huge amount. “We cannot afford it,” he said.
Abad added that, in fact, a soldier may receive three pensions upon retirement: Their regular pension; a pension received once they reach 65 years and are considered veterans; and a temporary administrative staff disability pension when they reach 80 years.
According to Abad, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, a former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, is one retired soldier who receives three pensions, having turned 80 last year.
“Representative Biazon concedes this—he is retired, he gets P80,000 monthly with the past indexation applied. If the indexation is applied now (with EO 201), after four tranches he would be receiving P195,000 a month,” he said.
Abad said that 67 percent of the total pension being paid out by the government to military retirees were now actually given to their survivors, “no longer the original pensioner.”
The position of the Department of Budget and Management is that the indexation provision would require ballooning and unsustainable fund allotments from the government.
Over the past 13 years, the government has accumulated P18 billion in unpaid pension adjustments to military officers based on a decree issued by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos mandating a pension hike for retired military personnel at par with the pay hike of active soldiers.
From InterAksyon (Feb 20): WITH VIDEO | Army presence perturbs tribal community in Compostela Valley
File photograph shows presence of elements of the Philippine Army 25th Infantry battalion right inside the school compound of Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center situated at Purok 4B, Mangayon, Compostela, Compostela Valley Province. Image derived from a KilabBalita video report.
Reports reaching Manila indicated that a tribal community in Compostela town, Compostela Valley has been living in fear for a week already after elements of the Philippine Army 66th Infantry battalion began patrols around their village.
"We have had to practically neglect our farming plots since the soldiers arrived Saturday last week," Rinda Guindoloy of the Matigsalug community of Purok 4, Barangay Mangayon, told InterAksyon.com by telephone. "We are afraid of what might happen if we meet them on the way."
The soldiers arrived a few days after a series of clashes in Compostela between government forces and the New People's Army, during which human rights groups said some communities had come under artillery fire, killing a small-scale miner and wounding a 14-year old boy. (http://www.interaksyon.com/article/123937/army-accused-of-terror-campaign-in-compostela-valley-as-campaign-season-starts)
The military has since claimed that the boy was a rebel "child warrior" captured in the fighting.
Aside from the recent clashes, Guindoloy said, their fear stems from experience gained from past incidents of harassment and threats by soldiers, including the week-long occupation in 2014 of the elementary school in the community run by the nongovernmental Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center. (See video below.)
Guindoloy, an adult, is herself a Grade 7 student, one of more than a hundred pupils who attend the school, and was among those harassed during the 2014 occupation, "when the soldiers told us to stop attending classes."
The military has long openly accused tribal schools, the communities that host them, and the NGOs, including religious organizations, running them of advocating support for communist rebels.
Last year, thousands of indigenous people fled their homes in eastern Mindanao after their villages and schools were occupied by Army troops and military-backed militias, or their leaders and community members killed.
The worst incident was the September 1 murders in Lianga, Surigao del Sur of Emerito Samarca, administrator of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, and Manobo leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Bello Sinzo. The Lianga killings triggered the mass evacuation of up to 4,000 lumad, most of whom remain camped out at the sports center in the provincial capital Tandag City.
When the troops recently arrived in Purok 4, said Guindoloy, "they did not show themselves but camped out around the fringes of the community, moving from place to place each day. But children going to school would catch glimpses of them, and, one time, a group of them cocked their weapons when five boys heading to class passed by."
But, on Saturday, she said, "around 20 of them entered the community and entered the school through its rear fence as the teachers were getting ready to leave for the weekend."
"Their leader asked our teacher, Ma'm Delia, where she hid the rice they claimed to have seen her bring to the village on horseback days before. When Ma'm Delia said she had not brought any rice, he kept on pressing her and asking her to disclose where she had hidden it," Guindoloy shared.
She confirmed that a supply of rice had indeed been delivered to their community for their daycare center but that it was not Teacher Delia who had brought it.
Eventually, she said, the soldiers marched out of their community "but they are still in the vicinity."
Guindoloy said the more than 30 families of Purok 4 worry their food store may run out if they cannot till their farms soon.
Images below extracted from a KilabBalita video report:
Primary school pupils huddled at the Community Learning Center.
School representative engaging soldier in a dialogue, explaining the impropriety of the presence of combatants inside the grounds of a civilian school.
Pupils play in the school grounds, unmindful of the ominous presence of soldiers in the campus.
From Channel News Asia (Feb 20): Kidnapping cases could rise amid Philippine election season: Police
Anti-crime watchdogs say security forces are stretched to their limit with election duties, and kidnapping syndicates are taking advantage of it.
Philippine soldiers patrol the streets of Zamboanga, on the southern island of Mindanao. (AFP/Ted Aljibe)
ZAMBOANGA: Kidnapping cases are on the rise in the Philippines. In 2015, police investigated more than 30 incidents of kidnapping, and they anticipate the pattern to continue this year, especially now with election season in full swing.
Anti-crime watchdogs said security forces are stretched to their limit with election duties at this time, and kidnapping syndicates are taking advantage of it.
The Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group investigated 37 kidnapping cases last year alone, and it is concerned the numbers will only increase with the country now in election mode.
2015 was a particularly bad year for kidnap-for-ransom incidents. Cases involved kidnappings of mining executives, coast guard personnel, a former Italian missionary priest turned restaurant owner, and three westerners and a Filipina in a logistically complex but well-executed raid on a luxury resort in Davao.
Western Mindanao has garnered the unfortunate reputation of being the kidnapping capital of the Philippines as it is the stronghold of a medley of different extremist groups. Most of them started with an ideological purpose – to create a separate Muslim state in the predominantly Catholic Philippines. However, in the last decade, many of these groups have turned to kidnapping-for-ransom in order to raise money.
Terrorist group Abu Sayyaf is one of the main groups accused of making an industry out of kidnapping.
Professor Octavio Dinampo, who works at Mindanao State University, has experienced the harrowing ordeal of being taken hostage by them. The peace advocate, who used to be part of separatist movement Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), was captured in 2008.
He said the main unit is very small, consisting of around 80 members, but the wider network of external groups which help in the kidnapping – from the actual taking of the hostage to the transportation – is much bigger. The total amount ransomed then gets divided among the people who worked on a particular kidnapping.
“Suddenly because of lack of funds and for being infiltrated by several groups; infiltration by the military, infiltration by politicians, influence under taken by family members, one thing leads to another. Basically (there is a) lack of finance.
Requirement of finance has evolved into something that would make kidnapping an enriching enterprise,” said Professor Dinampo.
While kidnappings usually involve locals, the prized targets are foreigners because of the higher ransom amount they can command.
According to the anti-kidnapping group department in Zamboanga city, most kidnappings occur in coastal areas where kidnappers can make a quick getaway, usually bringing victims to an Abu Sayyaf stronghold in the island of Sulu. It is a well-orchestrated mission involving multiple groups.
There are more than two months to go before polls take place in the Philippines. Security forces will be deployed to their fullest for election duties during this time, increasing the temptation for kidnapping syndicates to raise their game.
From The Standard (Feb 20): Carigara farmers get mill facility
CARIGARA, Leyte—The Department of Labor and Employment turned over two corn mill facilities for the farmers of Barangays Tigbao and Baruguhay Sur here on Friday.
The two corn mill facilities worth P540,000.00 will benefit more or less 200 members of the Tigbao Farmers Association and Baruguhay Sur Farmers Association, including the Municipal Farmers Association Municipality of Carigara.
In the turnover ceremony, Bernardita Navarra, chief labor officer of DoLE Regional Office VIII, mentioned that the establishment of the corn mill facilities is the result of the approved project proposal during DoLE and Army partnership in 2015.
The 19th Infantry Battalion and 8th Civil Military Operations Battalion achievement during the conduct of Bayanihan Team Activity soldiers were proven active partners in bringing basic social services to the people.
Under this scheme, social issues are identified and are subsequently communicated to concerned government agencies for appropriate actions.
From the Philippine Star (Feb 22): Terror threat on Saudi carriers bared
The STAR was able to view the “confidential information” from an airport insider who showed an “extremely urgent” note verbale from the Saudi Arabian embassy addressed to the DFA’s Intelligence and Security Unit dated Jan. 22, 2016, requesting the installation of X-ray machines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 for flights from Manila to Saudi and vice versa. File photo/RUDY SANTOS
The threat of terrorist attack on Saudi Arabian airliners in Southeast Asia is real, eminent, and allegedly in the final stage of implementation, which reportedly includes the hijacking or bombing of Saudi aircraft.
The Saudi Arabian embassy in Manila notified the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the Saudi government received from concerned authorities that the “Iranian Revolutionary Guards” are allegedly initiating and supervising a plan to hijack or bomb a Saudi Arabian airplane.
The STAR was able to view the “confidential information” from an airport insider who showed an “extremely urgent” note verbale from the Saudi Arabian embassy addressed to the DFA’s Intelligence and Security Unit dated Jan. 22, 2016, requesting the installation of X-ray machines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 for flights from Manila to Saudi and vice versa.
According to the note, the terrorists are reportedly in Southeast Asia. The team – consisting of 10 persons, including six Yemenis – were tasked to execute the plan.
The note stated that six of the terrorists have been identified and authorities believe they left for East Asia through Turkey on two separate flights to execute the plan.
While their names have been withheld from media, immigration officials have been alerted to their entry into the country.
The terror plot may be launched in Southeast Asia, most likely in Malaysia, Indonesia or the Philippines, the source said.
The Manila International Airport Authority has coordinated with the Office of Transportation Security, whose personnel are responsible for examining the luggage of passengers.
Last month, Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic ties with Iran after an attack on its embassy in Tehran following the kingdom’s recent execution of Shiite religious leader in Saudi.
Saudi also suspended all flights of its airliners to and from Iran.
From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 21): 2 killed in blast in Southern Philippines
A grenade explosion late Sunday has killed at least 2 people and injured over a dozen others in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines, reports said.
It said the blast in Esperanza town occurred barely two days after security forces disarmed an improvised explosive in President Quirino town also in Sultan Kudarat.
Two grenades had been tossed to a crowd, but only one exploded and killed the two. The explosion injured at least 14 people.
The attack coincided with the town’s Catholic feast. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack.
The explosion occurred just as troops were battling Moro Islamic Liberation Front members in the town of Butig in Lanao del Sur province in the restive Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.
From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 22): Army soldier killed in MILF attack in Philippines
A government soldier was killed in a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces before dawn Sunday in Lanao del Sur’s Butig town in the restive Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said dozens of MILF gunmen attacked army soldiers
belonging to the Charlie Company of the 2nd Platoon under First
Lieutenant Joseph Plumentra of the 51st Infantry Battalion in the
village called Bayabao.
The attack triggered 6 hours of fighting that killed Corporal Julairin Tutuan.
The motive of the attack is unclear, but there had been increased clashes between MILF and military forces in the region after Congress thumbed down the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law earlier agreed by the Aquino government with rebel leaders.
The two sides signed an interim peace deal in 2014 that would pave the way for an expanded region for Muslims in Mindanao. Lawmakers, who opposed the BBL, said many provisions in the proposed laws were unconstitutional.
The MILF has repeatedly warned that violence may erupt if the BBL fails.
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 21): CAB implementation will continue – Ferrer
The 16th Congress’ failure to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will not be a deterrent to the continued implementation of the signed 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the peace accord between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
While the passage of the BBL remains to be the keystone in the Bangsamoro peace process, GPH chief negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said that the peace panels will continue the programs that do not require legislative action.
On the socio-economic projects for the transformation of MILF camps into productive communities, Ferrer said that "solar power systems will be installed to provide communities their needs for electricity, hanging bridges will be constructed to connect villages, and water supply systems will be built in some other areas."
The GPH chief negotiator added that in the next five months before President Benigno S. Aquino III steps down in June, the panels would attempt to “identify more projects” for “the remote parts of Maguindanao and Lanao provinces, and the island provinces.”
During the two-day meeting of the peace panels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia early last week, the report of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) was presented. The TJRC is the body tasked to work out a program to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and address human rights violations. Steps are underway to operationalize the TJRC's recommendations. (OPAPP)
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 22): PAMANA project helps residents of Nona-devastated town rebuild their lives
NORTHERN SAMAR, Feb. 22 -- One of PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program's project is helping residents Silvino Lobos to start all over again after Typhoon Nona devastated their town.
Known locally as Little Baguio, the town sits in the slope of hills and mountains.
Before PAMANA built a bridge and a concrete road linking the town proper to two barangays, people in the community needed a day to get to the town from their villages.
Lorenzo Anterio, one of the oldest residents of the community, recounted with a joke that he had been walking on the muddy, rocky and slippery hills of Silvino Lobos for 83 years of his life.
PAMANA oversaw the need to construct of a 50-meter bridge and a 3.1 kilometer road that will connect Brgy. Santonio with Brgy.Sulong in Silvino Lobos.
“Matagal ko nang pangarap na makapaglakad sa sementadong kalsada (I had been dreaming all my life to walk on a cemented road),” he said in an interview.
The construction of concrete road between the two barangays cut the transportation cost in the area, thus easing the flow of goods to and from Silvino Lobos. From a solid 24-hour travel by foot, residents can now reach the town proper in less than an hour.
After typhoon Nona’s wrath, the people of Silvino Lobos now find it easier to rebuild their lives with the concrete-paved roads built by PAMANA helping them transport goods to and from the town proper.
Business in the once isolated route has also flourished with farmers setting up small stores and habal-habal terminals along the way, creating new jobs and income opportunities for the residents.
“Mas mabilis kami makabangon ngayon kasi may daan na nakarating na ang tulong sa amin dito (Now we can recover faster with the because now we have a road where help can come to us),” said Anterio.
This year, the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG), an implementing agency of the PAMANA program, will build an 8-kilometer concrete road and two more bridges in Silivio Lobos for P295 million.
PAMANA is the government’s program and framework for peace and development in areas affected by armed conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements. It seeks to help address the root causes of conflict through programs to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities.
To date, PAMANA has reached 48 provinces and has implemented more than 10,000 projects nationwide. (PAMANA)
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 22): No rebuffed peace deal with communist rebels—GPH negotiator Padilla
The government
chief negotiator for the talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New
People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) on Friday chided the
chair of the NDF panel for telling half-truths to cover up for the Communist
Party’s atrocities, and belied assertions that President Aquino rebuffed a
peace deal between the government and the communist rebels
“He’s not telling
the whole story,” said government peace panel chair Alexander Padilla,
responding to NFP peace panel chair Luis Jalandoni’s claims that a signed peace
pact was snubbed by the government in 2014. “There was no peace deal.”
“What Mr.
Jalandoni is referring to was not an agreement. In December 2014, there were
reports of peace talks resuming between the Government of the Philippines (GPH)
and the NDF. We clarified then that what was happening was, a group of private
individuals we consider ‘friends of the process’ was shuttling between the two
parties to explore possible parameters for restarting the talks at the earliest
possible time. It was this private group that initialed a proposed agreement
subject to approval by the two Panels.”
The government
chief negotiator confirmed that the “government was studying that proposal and
was prepared to discuss it with the NDF Panel in January 2015” until the
Mamasapano incident happened.
“In February
2015, the private group again went to Utrecht
and returned with another proposal from the NDF to resume the talks, this time
with a stronger demand for the release of hundreds of its leaders and followers
in detention, the withdrawal or dismissal of cases against their detained
alleged consultants, and other pre-conditions. With the NDF asserting even
more than its usual demands, like many other initiatives undertaken in the past
to explore the resumption of the talks, that one also did not pan out.” he
said.
Padilla added,
“The NDF’s usual strategy is to use the negotiations to get as many concessions
as it can from government without giving anything in return. In spite of this,
GPH continued to pursue all possibilities for the resumption of talks.”
“We tried two
more times in 2015, based on proposals offered by our Norwegian facilitator to
the parties, but to no avail. On the first one, the NDF said they needed
more time to consult the ground while the RNG and the government
waited. On the second one, the NDF expressed its reservation on the RNG’s
facilitation process for generating goodwill measures that would benefit the
people.“
Padilla recalled
that in an interview in July 2015, Jalandoni reiterated the NDF’s demand
saying, “The group’s return to the negotiating table still depended on the
release of political prisoners and peace consultants…” and returned to the
protracted and immoveable regular track.
Padilla
challenged the NDF to go beyond its usual practice of making unreasonable
demands then putting the blame on the government for the failure to resume
talks.
“Instead of
continuing to wage armed conflict against our democracy, the CPP/NPA/NDF must
seek ways to deliver peace, especially to the communities on the ground that
have been sorely affected by their armed struggle. (OPAPP)
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): North Cotabato police on red alert vs BIFF attacks
Police authorities here and the rest of North
Cotabato province are on red alert following the Thursday attack
by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) militants at a para-military
detachment in Aleosan town.
Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum, provincial police
director, has ordered the setting up of additional checkpoints along the North Cotabato highway and doubled police visibility in
public places to deter possible terrorist attacks.
Tagum said a close coordination between police and military
units in the province has also been set up to monitor BIFF movements in the
boundary of North Cotabato and Maguindanao, particularly in the municipalities
of Aleosan, Midsayap, Pikit, Mlang, and Kabacan, where the rebels are
oftentimes sighted.
“Village officials from these towns are tapped to send
on-time reports and information on armed group movements,” he said.
On Thursday, some 50 BIFF rebels attacked the detachment of
the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit of the Army’s 38th Infantry Battalion
in Barangay Pagangan, Aleosan.
A 15-minute firefight ensued until the rebels retreated when
military reinforcement arrived to augment the CAFGU members.
Barely an hour before the harassment, an improvised bomb
believed to be the handiwork of same rebel group, rocked the national highway
near the Aleosan town center though no one was hurt in the incident.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 21): NPA rebels abduct man in front of kin in Masbate
New People’s Army rebels executed a fisherman after
abducting him in front of his relatives at 7:35 a.m. at Sitio Cogtong, Barangay
Quezon, Claveria, Masbate.
The lifeless body of victim Aurillo Riva, 39, married and
resident of Barangay San Antonio, Milagros, Masbate,
was found by villagers in an isolated area of Barangay Quezon where the rebels
shot him dead.
Riva, his son and nephews were temporarily staying at the
residence of his cousin, Leonica Riva, in the village when the communist
dissidents approached them and took the victim with them.
Patrolling village volunteer security men found Riva’s
bullet-ridden body and brought it to the Claveria municipal hall for autopsy.
Residents believe that the rebels had suspected the victim
of being a military-police asset as he was not from the place, which is under
the influence of the rebels.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 21): Mangudadatu condemns BIFF roadside bombings that hit civilians, non-combatants
Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu has condemned the
rash of roadside bombings in Maguinanao highways that the military blamed on
outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Speaking to reporters Saturday, Mangudadatu said these acts
of terrorism are against the law of Islam, against the Constitution and against
humanity.
At least 11 road side bombings have been carried out by the
BIFF since the Maguindanao conflict started on Feb. 5.
The military launched law enforcement operations against the
BIFF because the lawless group have harassed a flood control project in
Barangay Butalo, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.
Since February, two soldiers were killed and 12 others
wounded, including an Army captain. More than 25 BIFF were also killed based on
miitary reports on the ground.
Mangudadatu said the project aims to prevent flooding
whenever the rainy season comes.
"It's still dry season, in fact dry spell, and it is
the best time to put up flood control dikes to spare communities from
floods," Mangudadatu said.
"I am sad that some groups were opposed to it when in
fact they, including armed group, will benefit from it," he added.
The road side bombings according to military was carried out
by the BIFF to divert military attention from Datu Salibo.
Since Feb. 5, bombings attributed to the BIFF including one
in Buluan town, the capital of Maguindanao, and in Datu Salibo-Datu Saudi
Ampatuan highway that killed the town treasurer of Datu Salibo and his family
members.
The latest roadside bombing by the BIFF, according to Capt.
Joann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, were two incidents in a
national highway in Barangay Pagangan, Aleosan, North
Cotabato.
"I am appealing to the armed groups to spare the
civilians, they are innocent and not a party to this conflict," he said.
Rep. Bai Sandra Sema of Maguindanao said all stakeholders
should protect the gains of the government peace process in Mindanao.
In his recent visit, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hernado
Ireberri directed the 6th ID to sustain pursuit operations to protect the gains
of the peace process.
Lawless elements and terrorists have no place in society.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 21): ASG brigands free college student in Sulu
A 20-year-old college student was released on Saturday,
barely six days after the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands seized him in Sulu, a
top military official said on Sunday.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander,
identified the released college student as Omar Carlo Masdal, a student of Sulu
State College.
Arrojado, quoting a police report, said Masdal was released
at around 11 a.m. Saturday in Barangay Latih, Patikul town.
Arrojado said Masdal was released following series of
negotiations initiated by “unidentified” commanders of the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF).
He said the commanders initiated the negotiations since
Masdal is “allegedly” the nephew of the late MNLF commander Khabier Malik.
He said ASG brigands who are members of the “Ajang-Ajang”
group headed by sub-leader Ben Saudi abducted Masdal on Feb. 14 in Barangay
Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.
Arrojado said the ASG brigands seized Masdal on suspicion
that the victim belongs to a wealthy family.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): PHL has 'worst case' scenario plans for Woody Island row
Western Command head Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said the
Philippines has already planned for the "worst case scenario" in
connection with China's decision to install surface-to-air missiles in the
disputed Woody Island of the Parcels Group.
This was disclosed by the official during an interview
during the annual PMA Alumni Homecoming Saturday at Fort Del Pilar, BaguioCity.
"Basically there will be no adjustment (in our security
preparations) as we have made up plans to be vigilant, how we are going to be
updated (about possible incidents in the West Philippine
Sea). We are not expecting any to happen but that's how we plan,
we plan for the worst. That's how the military plans, so we take into
consideration the worst case scenario," he added.
Satellite imagery and US intelligence reports have confirmed
earlier Taiwanese claims that China
had deployed surface-to-air missile batteries in WoodyIsland, which is being claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
It is over 200 nautical miles away from KalayaanIsland.
Lopez also said Chinese decision to install the offensive
weapons had the effect of militarizing the region.
Reports of China’s
positioning of missiles on the island came after the conclusion on Tuesday of a
leaders’ summit between the United States
and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Sunnylands, California,
where they jointly called for the peaceful resolution of disputes and respect
for legal and diplomatic processes without resorting to threat or use of force.
China is
locked in years-long territorial conflicts with the Philippines,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei
and Taiwan
over the resource-rich waters, where undersea minerals and huge oil and gas
deposits have been discovered in several areas. Without an immediate resolution
in sight, analysts feared that the overlapping claims can result into a
full-blown military conflict.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): 100 BIFF IEDs disarmed in Datu Salibo town
Military explosive ordnance disposal teams has so far
disarmed and defused around 100 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) laid by
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) during clearing operations at
Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao
Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla
revealed this during the sidelines of the PMA Alumni Homecoming held in Fort
Del Pilar, BaguioCity Saturday.
He added that the more than week-long clearing operations
resulted in the wounding of three troopers engaged in the disarming of the IEDs
Padilla also clarified that there were no more BIFF bandits
in the area but he warned residents from returning yet as the brigands
indiscriminately scattered IEDs and other booby traps during their retreat where
they mixed with the local populace, making their identification difficult and
time consuming.
He called these acts as "anti-people" and
"anti-development" as atrocities effectively stalled ongoing
development projects in the area.
The military spokesperson also added that Barangay Tee
seemed to be the center of the BIFF bomb-making effort due to the number of
IEDs recovered and disarmed in the locality.
Padilla said disarming efforts would continue at a pace safe
for the EOD teams.
He stressed that a foreign terrorist seemed to have provided
the BIFF with assistance in constructing these deadly weapons.
Padilla declined to identify the name of the foreign
terrorist nor the latter's group affiliation pending a more detailed
investigation.
Military offensive against the bandit group went in a high
pitch after the BIFF harassed ongoing development projects, including dredging
works in the Butilen River in Datu Salibo last Feb. 5.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): Bill filed to institutionalize Barangay Peace and Order Council
A lawmaker has proposed to create and institutionalize the
Barangay Peace and Order Council to engage the community and establish
effective machinery in maintaining peace and order.
This proposal is embodied in House Bill 6408 authored by
Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III (5th District, Quezon City), who believes that the
Council will help in the prevention of crime, resolve traffic, manage disasters
and assist in the implementation of national and local projects for the benefit
of the community.
Vargas said the measure was in consonance with the policy of
the State, which affirms that the maintenance of peace and order, protection of
life, liberty and property and the promotion of the general welfare essential
for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.
According to the lawmaker, under Executive Order No. 355 of
1996, the Barangay Peace and Order Committee serves as an implementing arm of
the City/Municipal Peace and Order Council at the Barangay level.
“While several local government units have already adopted
their individual action plans and policies in promoting public safety, it is
observed that these strategies are not effectively implemented in the barangay
level. Also, the country still faces the issue of lack of police officers,” Vargas
said.
Under the measure to be known as the “Barangay Community
Peace and Order Council Act,” every barangay shall organize a Barangay
Community Peace and Order Council to serve as primary government institution
that prevents and suppresses criminality and maintains public order and safety
in the community level.
The Council shall formulate the Barangay Community Peace and
Order Plan, which shall be incorporated in the Barangay Development Plan, and
recommend measures to improve and enhance peace and order and public safety in
the community.
It shall also monitor and coordinate with the Local
Government Unit (LGU) concerned, the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau
of Fire Protection (BFP), City and Municipal Disaster Office, Public Order and
Safety Department and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in the
implementation of peace and order programs and projects at the Barangay level.
The bill also provides that the Council serves as an
information-gathering mechanism and maintains the profile of all residents in
the Barangay, monitor and check the nefarious activities of criminal elements
and identify barangay constituents with strong deviant behavior for referral to
appropriate authorities.
Further, the Council is directed to maintain continuing dialogue,
close coordination and rapport with the higher levels of the peace and order
councils and law enforcement units, monitor, coordinate and supervise the
operation of all community-based anti-crime movements within the barangay.
The Council is mandated to make periodic assessment of the
prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of
responsibility and submit reports with appropriate recommendations to the
higher level Peace and Order Council.
It shall also recommend purchase of equipment and other
materials necessary for the discharge of their duties and functions.
The Sangguniang Barangay shall allocate at least five
percent of the barangay’s total budget appropriation to fund the program.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 21): Navy public affairs office head named PMA Cavalier Awardee for Naval Operations
For his outstanding services at sea which greatly
contributed to the country's security for the past five years, Philippine Navy
(PN) public affairs office chief Capt. Lued Lincuna was named as the Philippine
Military Academy (PMA) Cavalier Awardee for Naval Operations Saturday.
The awarding took place during the annual PMA Alumni
Homecoming activity at Fort Del Pilar, BaguioCity.
Lincuna is a member of PMA Class 1993 and his citation read:
"During the last five years, Lincuna served as
Commanding Officer of three commissioned PN vessels BRP Apolinario Mabini
(PS-36); BRP Salvador Abcede (PG-114); and BRP Felix Apolinario (PG-395); and
as commander of various Naval Task Groups. He frequently spent his sea-duty
tour in the operational areas particularly in Naval Forces Western Mindanao,
Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao and Naval Forces West."
"He was Commander, Naval Task Group (CNTG) Mariqui,
that extensively conducted Naval Gun Fire Support and maritime interdiction
operations during the 'Zamboanga Siege' (September 2013) and he spearheaded his
unit to vigilantly scour the vast stretch of Philippine-Malaysia border during
the Sabah Crisis (in February 2013) in order to deter illegal ingress and
negate unlawful egress of notorious groups. In Naval Forces West AOR, he was
CNTG Malampaya that provided a round-the-clock security to the Malampaya
Natural Gas-To-Power Project and its established exclusion zone, and also
attended to the requirements of Sea Areas 3, 4, and 5 in the West Philippine
Sea during the 'Ayungin Crisis' (February 2014) against foreign intrusion."
According to North Luzon Renewable Energy Corporation president Miguel De Jesus, it was only determined during early morning of Friday, February 19, that two of its transmission towers in Barangay Tadao in the Municipality of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, had toppled.
"Initial investigations indicate that explosives were used to take down the transmission towers. No one has claimed responsibility at this time,” NLR said in a statement.
NLR added that there were no fatalities or injuries related to the incident.
The 81-megawatt wind farm is a joint venture of Ayala Corporation’s AC Energy Holdings Incorporated, Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure, and UPC Renewables.
An Inquirer report said residents protested the launch of the wind farm last November 2014. They also appealed to the operator NLR to relocate its transmission lines, as these are passing through their properties, the news report added.
NLR will continue to work with local and national law enforcement agencies, as well as the local government, to continue investigating this incident.
From Update.ph (Feb 19): FA-50PH pilots gaining proficiency: 2 more jets arriving before 2016 ends
Pilot training for aircrews tasked to man the country’s brand-new FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” light interim fighter aircraft has been going smoothly. This was stressed by Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya in an interview Wednesday.
“Our pilots [undergoing FA-50PH training] are now gaining proficiency [with the aircraft] as they are now regularly flying it,” he added.
Canaya expects the training phase to accelerate once two more FA-50PHs are delivered within the latter part of 2016. Remaining eight jets are scheduled to be delivered on staggered basis within eight months after delivery of third and fourth units.
“Once the additional aircraft arrives, we will train more pilots,” he added.
Prior to the delivery of the first two FA-50PH jet aircraft last Nov. 28, four PAF fighter pilots, with high jet time, were sent to South Korea to undergo training in the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)-made aircraft.
Two of these are test pilots while the other two operational or squadron pilots.
The PAF has a 12-plane FA-50PH order with KAI worth PHP18.9 billion. This is a full squadron by Philippine standards.
From Update.ph (Feb 20): Filipino fighters are among the best in the world, but…
“We have been on track with our modernization program in the past three years with the acquisition of PHP53 billion worth of equipment,” saidPhilippine Army Commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año during his visit on Thursday to the Army’s 8th Infantry Division camp.
The Aquino administration has already acquired PHP53-billion equipment for the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since the implementation of the Revised AFP Modernization Program of 2013.
He said President Benigno Aquino III has surpassed efforts of the past three administrations since the enactment of the AFP Modernization Act in February 1995.
On the part of the Philippine Army, among the delivered fighting equipment are R4 assault rifles, armored personnel carriers, hand-held radios, and night fighting equipment.
“We are expecting the delivery of trucks, more weapons and mortars. We are also improving our facilities to meet the world-class standard. This is part of transforming our Philippine Army into territorial defense mode,” Año said in a press briefing.
Under the Army’s Transformation Roadmap, government troops aim to achieve a status of “fully equipped Army with respectable image in Southeast Asia, capable of addressing any internal threats.”
“Filipinos are considered as one of the best fighters in the world because we have the values and resolve, but we need equipment to achieve that,” he added.
Republic Act No. 7898 also known as AFP Modernization Act was first made into law on February 23, 1995, intended to last for 15 years with an initial funding of PHP50 billion for the first five years.
The move to improve the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Air Force was disrupted by 1997 Asian financial crisis and was eventually halted and neglected until the law expired in 2010, according to Año.
In December 11, 2012, the law was amended by Republic Act No. 10349 also known as the revised AFP Modernization Act, which extends the program for another 15 years with an initial budget of PHP75 billion.
From Update.Ph (Feb 21): Obama: We will continue to test China over disputed islands
The US has declared that they will push China on the issue of disputed islands, promising to “test” China while accusing them of abusing their “might.”
President Barack Obama said in an interview with Channel News Asia that his administration will “continue to test” Beijing’s pledge to not militarize the disputed South China Sea.
He accused China of abusing their power in the region by placing missiles on islands in the disputed Parcel archipelago.
“We think China is resorting to the old style of might makes right, as opposed to working through international law and international norms to establish claims, and to resolve disputes,” Obama said.
The US President made the comments following a summit of Southeast Asian nations and after reports that included satellite imagery purporting to show missile systems being set up on the islands.
China and other nations — including Vietnam and Taiwan — all claim islands in the region but China has argued that the chain belongs exclusively to them.
According to China Cheat Sheets, the Chinese Defense Ministry called reports about the missile deployment “hype by certain Western media outlets,” adding that it has controlled the Paracels since the end of the Vietnam War. However, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of it.
From Update.Ph (Feb 21): LOOK: US supercarrier fires Close-In Weapons System in the Philippine Sea
United States Navy Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) has fired a Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) during a pre-action aim and calibration test in the Philippine Sea February 19. “Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment,” the US Navy said.
Five of the seven US Mutual Defense Treaties are with countries in 7th Fleet area of operation which are Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
“The Great Green Fleet (GGF) is a year-long, Department of the Navy initiative that demonstrates the sea service’s efforts to transform its energy use,” US Office of the Secretary of the Navy said. “The purpose of the GGF is to make our Sailors and Marines better warfighters, able to go farther, stay longer and deliver more firepower.”
John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) is the centerpiece of the Great Green Fleet. JCSSG consists of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 embarked, guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).
US Navy photo
The strike group expects to participate in a number of exercises during this deployment; training, integrating and building capacity with allies in the Pacific region as part of an ongoing rotation of US forces supporting maritime security operations in waters around the world, the US Navy said.
“The Sailors of this strike group are ready, willing and able to go wherever is necessary to protect American interests,” said Rear Adm. Ron Boxall, commander, JCSSG. “We will continue the great tradition of projecting power and enhancing US partner relationships around the world.”
From Update.Ph (Feb 21): Navy officer who led response to Sabah Crisis, Ayungin Crisis, Zambo siege awarded
For his outstanding services at sea which greatly contributed to the country’s security for the past five years, Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief Capt. Lued Lincuna was named as the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cavalier Awardee for Naval Operations Saturday.
The awarding took place during the annual PMA Alumni Homecoming activity at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City.
Lincuna is a member of PMA Class 1993 and his citation read:
“During the last five years, Lincuna served as Commanding Officer of three commissioned PN vessels BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36); BRP Salvador Abcede (PG-114); and BRP Felix Apolinario (PG-395); and as commander of various Naval Task Groups. He frequently spent his sea-duty tour in the operational areas particularly in Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao and Naval Forces West.”
“He was Commander, Naval Task Group (CNTG) Mariqui, that extensively conducted Naval Gun Fire Support and maritime interdiction operations during the ‘Zamboanga Siege’ (September 2013) and he spearheaded his unit to vigilantly scour the vast stretch of Philippine-Malaysia border during the Sabah Crisis (in February 2013) in order to deter illegal ingress and negate unlawful egress of notorious groups. In Naval Forces West AOR, he was CNTG Malampaya that provided a round-the-clock security to the Malampaya Natural Gas-To-Power Project and its established exclusion zone, and also attended to the requirements of Sea Areas 3, 4, and 5 in the West Philippine Sea during the ‘Ayungin Crisis’ (February 2014) against foreign intrusion.”
