Friday, April 8, 2016

All 'Balikatan' jumps to continue despite fatal mishap

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): All 'Balikatan' jumps to continue despite fatal mishap

Despite the mishap that cost the life of a Filipino parachutist in Zambales on Thursday, airborne exercises in the ongoing "Balikatan" maneuvers will still go on as planned.

This was disclosed by Philippine "Balikatan" public affairs office chief Capt. Celeste Frank Sayson on Friday.

"There are other airborne exercises between US Marines and Philippines Marines, US Special Forces, Philippine Special Forces and Australian Special Forces that will be happening for the next few days and we are hoping that this kind of incident will not happen again," he said.

Sayson stressed that all safety mechanism were implemented during Thursday's static jump over the Subic Bay International Airport in Zambales.

"All safety mechanisms (were) in place. As I have said, the incident happened because of nature’s activity, the packet of wind that brought him to sea," he added.

He identified the fatality as A2C Jover Dumansi of the Philippine Air Force's 710th Special Operation Wing.

Dumansi's fatal jump took place at 3:45 p.m. He was joined by nine other Filipino parachutists who jumped out of United States Air Force (USAF) C-130 cargo plane.

During the jump, the victim, an experienced parachutist, was blown by strong winds and landed in waters which were 30 feet deep.

Sayson said the victim was recovered at 4:55 p.m. by USAF rescue personnel who revived him and rushed him to Unihealth Bay Point Hospital for medical treatment.

However, at around 5:55 p.m., the Filipino soldier was declared dead by attending physicians.

Sayson said all benefits given to personnel killed during the line-of-duty will be extended to Dumansi's next-of-kin.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=874601

INSARAG team visits PA headquarters

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): INSARAG team visits PA headquarters

Members of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) visited the Philippine Army (PA) headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last April 6 to assess and evaluate its disaster response preparedness and capability.

INSARAG is a network of countries and organizations dedicated to urban search and rescue and operational field coordination.

PA chief-of-staff Brig. Gen. Robert Arevalo welcomed the INSARAG Scoping Mission Team, which was headed by Yosuke Okita.

"We are not here to judge you. We are here to support you," Okita said.

In his speech, Arevalo underscored the importance of increasing professional excellence in disaster response and humanitarian assistance.

"Our country will greatly benefit in this INSARAG mission, being a country besiege by typhoons and disasters yearly. This INSARAG capacity assessment mission will definitely widen our understanding and appreciation on the future of disaster response and the needed strategies that will further enhance capabilities," he added.

The 525th Engineering Combat Battalion, the PA's designated disaster response unit, conducted a capability demonstration to showcase its urban search and rescue capabilities.

Meanwhile, the PA continues to develop, organize, train, equip, support and sustain Army forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
 
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=874584

3 possible scenarios as PHL awaits resolution of arbitration case vs China -- Justice Carpio

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): 3 possible scenarios as PHL awaits resolution of arbitration case vs China -- Justice Carpio

Three possible scenarios were detailed by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as the Philippines awaits the resolution of its case questioning China's Nine-Dash Line.

The case is now being handled by the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration which is based in The Hague, Netherlands.

In the first scenario, the Tribunal declares the Nine-Dash Line void; Scarborough Shoal generates only a territorial sea which is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen and the Tribunal does not rule on all other issues.

Possible ramifications of this ruling means that in the northern sector, the Philippines has full 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) except for territorial sea of Scarborough Shoal; Filipino fishermen can exclusively fish within this EEZ; within territorial sea of Scarborough Shoal, Filipino fishermen can also fish together with Chinese fishermen;

In the southern sector, China/Taiwan can still claim that Itu Aba generates an EEZ that overlaps with Palawan's EEZ; in the southern sector, the legal dispute continues in the maritime zone within 200 nautical mile around Itu Aba, which includes a small part of Reed Bank;

Maritime space under legal dispute between the Philippines and China is drastically reduced from over 531,000 square kilometers to only about 23,000 square kilometers(excluding the territorial seas of the disputed islands); freedom of navigation and freedom of over-flight, outside the territorial sea and territorial airspace, in the South China Sea are reinforced.

But Carpio said China is not expected to comply with Tribunal's ruling unless there is a strong world opinion that forces her to comply, and the Chinese people realize their historic claim has no basis.

To offset this, the magistrate said the Philippines can file a new arbitration case specifically raising as issue that Itu Aba does not generate an EEZ, and seeking confirmation of features identified as LTEs (low tide elevations);

Encourage Vietnam and Malaysia to join the arbitration;

Make an educational/media campaign worldwide that the Nine-Dash Line cannot be the source of maritime claims per ruling of the Tribunal;

Diplomatic campaign in the UN/ASEAN/EU/worldwide to demand that China comply with the Tribunal's ruling and abandon the Nine-Dash Line as a claim to maritime zones; cite Taiwan's position;

Seek formal declaration with Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei that none of the islands/high tide elevations in the Spratlys generate an EEZ;

Delimit with Malaysia the EEZ/ECS boundary in the southern sector; delimitation will not affect the Sabah claim;

Delimit with Vietnam the ECS boundary in the southern sector.

While the second scenario, which Carpio calls the best for the Philippines, the Tribunal declares the Nine-Dash-Line void; Itu Aba does not generate an EEZ; confirms the status of LTEs identified by the Philippines; Scarborough Shoal generates only a territorial sea which is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen.

Ramifications for these include in the northern sector, the Philippines has a full 200 nautical EEZ excluding the territorial sea of Scarborough Shoal; Filipino fishermen can exclusively fish within this EEZ; within the territorial sea of Scarborough Shoal, Filipino fishermen can also fish together with Chinese fishermen;

In the Southern sector, Palawan has a full 200 nautical mile EEZ, excluding the territorial seas around the islands/high tide elevations in the Spratlys;

LTEs within the Philippines EEZ, like Mischief Reef, and LTEs within Philippines ECS (extended continental shelf), like Subi Reef, form part of the country's submerged continental shelf; and only the nation can erect structures on such LTEs;

Maritime space under dispute between the Philippines and China is reduced from over 531,000 square kilometers to just about 1,551 square kilometers of territorial sea around every Spratly island/high tide elevation and Scarborough Shoal;

China is not expected to comply with the Tribunal's ruling unless there is a strong world opinion that forces China to comply, and the Chinese people realize their historic claim has no basis.

To preserve the Philippine advantage, Carpio said the country should still conduct educational/media campaign worldwide stressing that the Nine-Dash-Line cannot be a source of maritime claims per ruling of the Tribunal;

Diplomatic campaign in the UN/ASEAN/EU/worldwide to demand that China comply with the Tribunal's ruling and abandon the Nine-Dash Line as a claim to maritime zones; cite Taiwan's position;

Delimit with Malaysia the EEZ/ECS boundary in the Southern sector; the Sabah claim is not affected;

Delimit with Vietnam the ECS boundary in the Southern sector.

While scenario three, which is the worse case for the Philippines, is that the Tribunal does not rule on the validity of the Nine-Dash-Line; declares that Itu Aba generates an EEZ; Scarborough Shoal generates only a territorial sea; does not rule on other issues.

Consequences of this ruling is that China will enforce the Nine-Dash Line as its national boundaries; and this will result in the possible blocking and harassing of Philippine, Vietnamese, Malaysian efforts to supply the islands they occupy in the Spratlys; the legal dispute over the waters enclosed by the Nine-Dash Line continues;

Carpio said that the only defense coastal nations like the Philippines can offer against Chinese encroachment is to acquire warships, warplanes and missiles; naval arms race will accelerate;

This will also prompt the US and its allies will regularly conduct FONOPS (freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea/Spratlys;

However, this is will force China oppose FONOPS, creating more tension.

Maritime space under dispute will remain over 531,000 square kilometers.

Carpio added that with these developments, the Philippines must strengthen substantially its military defenses and alliances;

Invite Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei to sign an international conventiondeclaring the Spratlys an International Marine Protected Area (enclosing the Spratlys up to 12 nautical miles from the outermost islands/high tide elevations);

Invite also China to join; open the convention to accession by other states and by non-state parties so Taiwan and NGOs can also join;

Seek formal declaration with Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei that none of the islands/high tide elevations in the Spratlys generates an EEZ;

Delimit with Malaysia the EEZ/ECS boundary in the Southern sector; Sabah claim is not affected;

Delimit with Vietnam the ECS boundary in the Southern sector.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=874588

PN reactivates NFNL, NFW

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): PN reactivates NFNL, NFW

The Philippine Navy (PN) reactivated two of its operational commands, Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) and Naval Forces West (NFW), during short ceremonies Friday.

This took place at PN headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Caesar Taccad presided in the reactivation ceremonies, said Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo

The reconstitution of NFNL and NFW signified the reversion of PN to its previous organizational set-up prior the establishment of Naval Forces North West (NFNW) on May last year as a result of the merger of the two naval forces.

NFW, located in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, is under the command of Commodore Danilo R. Rodelas while NFNL in San Fernando City, La Union is commanded by Capt. Albert A. Mogol in acting capacity.

The reconstitution followed after PN headquarters approved the nullification of NFNW which was then established in the rationale of employing PN forces in the pro-active control of the country's seas and the denial of its use to an adversary.

While the basis of merging NFNL and NFW to form NFNW last year remains valid, the PN decided to reactivate the two naval forces on the thrust of Higher Headquarters and Unified Commands (UCs) to have a more focused naval operations in their respective area of responsibility.

On this end, both UCs, the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and Western Command (WESCOM), will have distinct naval components to better respond to their territorial defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, while continuing their current internal security operations campaign.

"The PN is a dynamic institution. In the midst of evolving and expanding maritime concerns, transformation and reorganization are continually implemented for it to become a naval force that is adaptive to the emerging and ever changing challenges, while equipping its components with the necessary tools to effectively and efficiently perform its mandates," Domingo added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=874574

Napolcom okays activation of Maritime Special Operations Units

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): Napolcom okays activation of Maritime Special Operations Units

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has approved the activation of three Special Operations Units (SOUs) under the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group (MG) in Tawi-Tawi, Puerto Princesa City and Zamboanga to further improve the protection of the country’s territorial waters.

Interior and Local Government Secretary and Napolcom Chairman Mel Senen S. Sarmiento said that the 1st SOU-MG has jurisdiction over the maritime areas of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Isabela City; the 2nd SOU-MG has jurisdiction over the maritime areas of Palawan province; and the 3rd SOU-MG has jurisdiction over the maritime areas of Zamboanga, Maguindanao, and Lantawan, Basilan.

Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Atty. Rogelio T. Casurao said that the SOUs of the PNP Maritime Group are mandated to conduct security, anti-terrorism and anti-criminality operations, and enforce maritime and environmental laws in maritime areas in support of the Police Regional Offices. They are also tasked to conduct tactical boat operations and maritime forensic investigations.

The SOUs-MG are likewise authorized to collaborate with other operating units of the PNP and other agencies, namely, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the protection of maritime areas. They are also mandated to perform other tasks for the effective enforcement of special laws as may be directed by the Director, Maritime Group.

Casurao said that the Commission approved the operationalization of the Special Operations Units of the PNP-MG to provide rapid and highly mobile seaborne law enforcement response to secure the country’s navigable waters, ports, ferry terminals and coastal areas against human trafficking, terrorism, piracy, smuggling, poaching and other forms of criminal activities.

“The Maritime Group is one of the operational units of the PNP mandated to perform all police functions over Philippine territorial waters and rivers,” Casurao said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=874611

PA maintains excellent net trust rating

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): PA maintains excellent net trust rating

The Philippine Army (PA) has maintained its excellent net trust rating based on the latest nationwide survey conducted by the Club Media Inc.

In a statement, Club Media Inc. said the PA garnered a +75 rating similar to its baseline record in 2015.

PA commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año said survey questions include its nation-building contribution index.

In terms of net satisfaction rating, the Army received a +73 rating, or an increase of +3 points based from its +70 rating the previous year.

The biggest improvement of the PA in the survey results was its nation-building contribution index which got a +74 rating compared to +68 in 2015.

“These figures indicate that your Army is traversing the right track in achieving one of its strategic objectives of being an Army loved by the people,” Año said.

“The survey results also mean that our efforts are felt and the services we provide are appreciated by our people.”

The survey was conducted among 1,032 respondents from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

This is another development for the PA’s transformation program after receiving the coveted Island of Good Governance award from the Institute for Solidarity in Asia in October 2015.

“This is certainly a great anniversary gift for us, your Philippine Army, on our 119th year of existence,” Año said.

“Rest assured that we will continue to serve our people and secure our lands as mandated by our Constitution," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=874586

Lawless elements free ex-Italian priest

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): Lawless elements free ex-Italian priest

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has confirmed that lawless elements suspected to be of the Abu Sayyaf group, have released former priest Rolando Del Torchio Friday evening.

This was disclosed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, citing reports coming from Police Regional Office-ARMM.

"On April 8, 2016 around 1930H kidnap victim Rolando Del Torchio was recovered by the elements of Sulu PPO led by PSSUPT Wilfredo Cayat, Coast Guard, PNP MARITIME, AKG (Anti-Kidnapping Group) and JTFS (Joint Task Force Sulu) at Jolo Port inside M/V KC Beatrice bound for Zamboanga City. Victim is now in the AFP Trauma Center for medical check up," the military official, quoting police reports, said.

He, however, failed to give further details on the captive's release.

Armed men seized Del Torchio at his pizza parlor, Ur Choice Bistro Cafe, in Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte, on October 7, 2015.

Some of the suspects posed as customers before taking Del Torchio, who had been targeted by kidnap-for-ransom groups several times when he was still an active priest.

Born in Angera, Italy, Del Torchio was ordained as a priest in 1984 and served as a missionary of the Vatican's Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions.

The Italian was assigned in Muslim-dominated Sibuco, Zamboanga Del Norte, in 1988 and stayed there until 1996, before moving to Dipolog and opening his pizza parlor there.

Del Torchio's abduction occurred barely three weeks after two Canadians, a Norwegian, and a Filipina were seized by gunmen in Samal Island, Davao Del Norte.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=874690

Navy restructures Luzon forces amid sea dispute

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 8): Navy restructures Luzon forces amid sea dispute

The Philippine Navy has reactivated the division of its operational commands in Luzon, almost a year after merging its field units, in its aim to strengthen the country’s maritime domain.

“We reactivated the two naval operations command—the Naval Forces Northern Luzon and the Naval Forces West. It used to be the Naval Forces Northwest,” acting Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo told media on Friday.

Last year, the Navy merged the Naval Forces Northern Luzon in La Union and the Naval Forces West in Palawan under the Naval Forces Northwest to combine their facilities and equipment amid China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

Domingo explained that the units were restored to their previous state for them to have focus on naval operations. While the merged unit had the same responsibilities, it created confusion in communication lines, prompting the leadership to reconstitute it back to its past form.

Navy chief Vice Adm. Caesar Taccad led the ceremonies for the reinstallation of the two units on Friday.

“It does not diminish the two operational commands. It does not diminish the capability and capacity nung two operational commands natin, it’s just that they were given the distinction now, mas naging distinct lang sila, para na rin in support sa ating higher headquarters,” she said.

The Naval Forces West is under the command of the Commodore Danilo Rodelas while the Naval Forces Northern Luzon is commanded by Capt. Albert Mogol in an acting capacity.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/138456/navy-restructures-luzon-forces-amid-sea-dispute

MISTAKEN FOR NPA | Army keeps mum about soldiers who shot boy dead in Davao City

From InterAksyon (Apr 8): MISTAKEN FOR NPA | Army keeps mum about soldiers who shot boy dead in Davao City

Reports reaching Manila indicated that the command of the Philippine Army's 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division, whose elite unit was tagged for the fatal shooting of a 12—year-old boy on April 1 in Davao City has been tight-lipped about the names of the seven soldiers belonging to its 6th Scout Ranger Company (6SRC) who figured in the incident.

The boy's uncle survived the shooting.

According to the division spokesman, Capt. Rhyan Batchar, the aggrieved family of Daniel Ferrer did not press charges, although, as far as military law is concerned, there is a case against the perpetrators of the killing.

"While it is true that the parents of Daniel voluntarily executed an affidavit of desistance, this will not preclude the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), which is the parent unit of the 2SRB, from conducting further investigation in order to determine any administrative liability of the soldiers in this unfortunate incident," Batchar said.

"The seven soldiers are now restricted to barracks while the investigation is on-going. As of now, their names are being withheld until the investigation has clearly established their involvement. The BOI (Board of Inquiry) and the investigation to be made by SOCOM will not preclude any investigation that may be conducted by other agencies," he added.

The military described the incident as an "accidental shooting" that happened in Sitio Mitundo, Barangay Baracatan in Toril district.

Earlier, Batchar said the elite forces were on combat operation when they spotted the boy and a companion carrying what appeared to be a gun. The boy was later identified as Daniel Ferrer and his companion was his uncle Danny Pile.

The soldiers fired at the Ferrer and Pile.

"One was able to jump for cover and run away, leaving behind his firearm," Batchar was quoted as saying in a report.

He said the "firearm" that Pile was carrying turned out to be an airgun.

Batchar said the soldiers violated the Rules of Engagement.

"First, the troops failed to exercise due diligence to ascertain their target before discharging their firearms, contrary to the provision in Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan ROE on the use of force against the enemy, which states that 'identification of target must be by visual means'," he said.

http://interaksyon.com/article/126184/mistaken-for-npa--army-keeps-mum-about-soldiers-who-shot-boy-dead-in-davao-city

Don’t run for governor, gunmen tell Sorsogon bet

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 8): Don’t run for governor, gunmen tell Sorsogon bet

With a gun pointed at his head, a gubernatorial candidate in Sorsogon province was asked by a group of unidentified men to drop his candidacy during a campaign sortie in Sorsogon City on Sunday.

“Do you want me to put a bullet to your head?” Eric Dioneda, a candidate of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan, quoted one of the men as saying.

Dioneda went down on his knees and held his hands up. “The man then told me to back out of the gubernatorial race and then they left,” he said.
 
Senior Supt. Ronaldo Cabral, Sorsogon provincial police director, said the candidate was approached by armed men, who police suspected to be communist rebels, in Barangay Buhatan at 7:45 p.m.

The men, who were carrying sacks loaded with rifles, entered the compound of the barangay hall several minutes after the sortie started, Dioneda said. He said that when he heard a commotion, one of his supporters approached him to tell about the intruders’ presence.

“When I faced [the armed men] and asked what the problem was, they cursed and poked a gun at me,” he said.

Eight candidates are running for governor in Sorsogon, five of them independents.

Dioneda earlier suspected that his rival, Robert Lee Rodrigueza, a candidate of the Liberal Party, as behind the harassment. But Rodrigueza denied the allegation and said the incident was “scripted.”

“They are creating this scenario to gain sympathy from [voters],” he said, adding that his camp would never resort to using violence or intimidation.

During the filing of candidacy at the Commission on Elections office last year, Dioneda and Lee shook hands and promised that they would work to ensure peaceful elections.

Cabral said the incident had nothing to with political rivalry because no private armed groups operated in Sorsogon.

He said New People’s Army rebels had already admitted that they were responsible, noting that the incident was related to the collection of the rebels’ permit to campaign fee.

“Our concern and challenge now is to guard [the city] from a possible attack, since we have reliable information that [rebels were seen in the city],” he said.

Police are checking footage of a security camera, hoping to identity the armed men.

Senior Insp. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Bicol regional police, said police officials were studying the possibility of classifying Sorsogon as an area of “immediate concern” for the elections.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/778329/dont-run-for-governor-gunmen-tell-sorsogon-bet

Local execs show support for propagation of Muslim-Christian unity

From the Philippine Star (Apr 8): Local execs show support for propagation of Muslim-Christian unity



Incumbent public officials Haroun Alrashid Lucman and Esmael Mangudadatu (from left) and Sandra Sema flank Orlando Cardinal Quevedo in this reunion event at the Bishop's Palace in Cotabato City. Philstar.com/John Unson   

So unique now are the peace efforts of Catholic pastoral leader Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, made spiritually intertwined by mounting support from Muslims and hinterland Lumad sectors.

Quevedo, concurrent archbishop of the Cotabato Diocese, which covers many Central Mindanao towns with mixed Muslim, Christian and Lumad residents, is popular for his involvement in the Mindanao peace process, which aims to put closure to the decades-old Moro issue.

Catholic traders, members of the academe, and even Muslim clerics were elated with this week’s separate announcements by high public officials of support to the cardinal’s advocacy for Muslim-Christian-Lumad solidarity.

In separate press communiqués this week, Vice Gov. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao and the congressional representative in the province, Congresswoman Sandra Sema, committed support to Quevedo’s effort.

Lucman, who is a senior member of the ARMM’s regional peace and order council, said he found so interesting Quevedo’s campaign to educate the public on the kind of governance being offered by all candidates for president and aspirants for regional and local elective posts.

“I support the peace efforts of Cardinal Quevedo because it is centered on propagation of Muslim-Christian unity amidst religious diversities. Islam teaches us, Muslims to respect Christians, especially church leaders, and not persecute them because of religious differences,” Lucman had said.

Lucman said even his relatives in Lanao del Sur, home to conservative Maranaws, admire Quevedo for persistently asserting in peace forums that there is a need to correct first the “historical injustices” done to the Moro people as a requisite for the peaceful settlement of the Mindanao conflict.

“Most peace advocates in my province, Lanao del Sur, including myself, are inspired by the examples of Cardinal Quevedo,” Lucman said.

In his official statement, Mangudadatu said many of his nephews and nieces study in Notre Dame academic institutions in Central Mindanao, which are operating under the Notre Dame Educational Association, whose benefactors include the Oblate of Mary Immaculate (OMI) congregation.

Quevedo, who started as a “priest to the barrio” in the 1950s, is an OMI missionary.

“These Notre Dame schools are teaching students the importance of Muslim-Christian fraternalism and respect for one another’s religious differences. We are, in fact implementing projects in Maguindanao province that are guided by these peace principles,” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu said many of his more than 5,000 college scholars, whose studies are being bankrolled by his office, are Christians from across Maguindanao province,

Sema, congressional representative of the first district of Maguindanao and all 37 barangays in Cotabato City, said she too studied high school at the Notre Dame of Cotabato For Girls in Cotabato City, now named Cotabato RVM School, run by the nuns of the Religious of Virgin Mary (RVM) order.

“I support the peace programs of Cardinal Quevedo the way Gov. Mangudadatu and ARMM Vice Gov. Lucman support them,” Sema said.

The OMI congregation, whose pontifical base is in Rome, is involved since the late 1930s in humanitarian missions promoting co-existence among Muslims and Christians in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato and in the islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Three colleagues of Quevedo in the OMI, Jolo Bishop Benjamin De Jesus and missionaries Benjamin Inocencio and Rey Roda, were killed one after another in Sulu province while engaged in missionary works for impoverished Muslim communities there.

Despite their deaths, the OMI never pulled out from the island province, a known haven of the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group.

A Cotabato City-based merchant, Pete Marquez, said the now “cross-sectional character” of Quevedo’s peace efforts will hasten the cardinal’s  propagation of co-existence among Mindanao’s culturally and spiritually pluralistic, Muslim, Christian and Lumad communities.

“It is so inspiring to see Muslim leaders express support for Cardinal Quevedo’s peace initiatives,” said Marquez, also a staunch supporter of the Mindanao peace process.

Susana Salvador-Anayatin, also involved in peace advocacy projects involving Muslim and Christian stakeholders, said what makes Quevedo’s peace programs acceptable to Muslims is his being open and so tolerant of the diversities in Islam and Christianity.

“You can never be an effective peace advocate if you do not have such kind of tolerance, if you are full of prejudices in your heart,” said Anayatin, chairperson for Maguindanao province of the National Movement for Free Elections.

Anayatin said never had she ever thought three members of the Moro nobility, Lucman, a blue-blooded Maranaw, Mangudadatu, a descendant of the 17th century Rajah Buayan clan in the upper delta of what is now Maguindanao, and Sema, a scion of the Sinsuat clan, would come to  Quevedo’s residence in Cotabato City to manifest support for his programs.

“Peace-building is always everybody’s duty,” Anayatin said.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/04/08/1570780/local-execs-show-support-propagation-muslim-christian-unity

Convicted terrorist Umar Patek wants to help in hostage negotiations

From the Jakarta Post (Apr 8): Convicted terrorist Umar Patek wants to help in hostage negotiations

Widespread panic over the fate of 10 Indonesian sailors taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf terror group in Sulu Island, the Philippines, has upset Umar Patek, a convicted terrorist currently serving time at the Surabaya Class 1 Penitentiary in Porong, Sidoarjo, East Java.

Umar says he is ready to help the Indonesian government negotiate with Abu Sayyaf militants, Kompas.com reported. The convicted terrorist claims he is acquainted with the leaders of the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

At the peak of his career, Umar was elected a council member of Abu Sayyaf under the leadership of Khadaffy Janjalani for the period 2005-2006. Council leadership positions were held by senior leaders in Abu Sayyaf. The council determined the policy of the group.

The leaders of the Abu Sayyaf faction currently holding the 10 Indonesians hostage are Al-Habsi Misaya and Jim Dragon, alias Junior Lahab.

Umar claims that when he was still a member of the Abu Sayyaf group, Jim was considered a senior figure. Meanwhile, Al-Habsi was considered a junior member.

At that time, he elaborated, Al-Habsi’s duties were focused more on handling the documentation of hostage executions such as the execution of seven workers from the Philippines in 2007.

“I knew them well. Based on a sense of humanity, I offer myself to help the government. This is because the Indonesian government’s calls to the group, with support from the Philippine government, will not be effective. Abu Sayyaf considers the Philippines an enemy,” says Umar.

The terror convict further said that Indonesia had significant leverage in its bargaining position for the release of the 10 crewmen. This was because the hostages were from Indonesia, a Muslim country.

Moreover, Umar says Al-Habsi and Jim have soft personalities and are open to communicating with anyone. They are not affiliated with the Islamic State movement.

“The chance for success in the negotiation process is about 80 percent. It is likely that they don’t know the 10 hostages are from Indonesia,” says Umar, who once fought in 2005 against a joint Philippine and US task force in Talayan, Sulu Island, the Philippines.

In 2003, an Indonesian citizen, identified only as Zulkifli, was taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf and released shortly after the militant group learned that he was from Indonesia.

It was Umar that persuaded Abu Sayyaf leaders to release Mary Jean Lacaba, a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross. He asked Albader Parad, an Abu Sayyaf leader, to release Lacaba, saying that torturing women is forbidden under sharia. Lacaba was released in April 2009.

Umar was arrested in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on Jan. 25, 2011, four months before Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a security operation conducted by US Special Forces in the same city.

Umar is serving a 20 year sentence due to his involvement in the first Bali bombing in 2002. After the Bali bombing, he flew to the Philippines to join with Abu Sayyaf.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/04/08/convicted-terrorist-umar-patek-wants-to-help-in-hostage-negotiations.html

IN EXCHANGE FOR ‘SPY’ HOSTAGES IN LANAO--Abductors demand release of comrade

From the Manila Times (Apr 7): IN EXCHANGE FOR ‘SPY’ HOSTAGES IN LANAO--Abductors demand release of comrade

Screenshot photo of jihadists in their recent video uploaded online naming their leader Abdullah Maute alias Abu Hassan (left, front row ) as the head of Dawlah Islamiyah or Islamic State in Lanao del Sur.

Screenshot photo of jihadists in their recent video uploaded online naming their leader Abdullah Maute alias Abu Hassan (left, front row ) as the head of Dawlah Islamiyah or Islamic State in Lanao del Sur

Negotiations are underway for the safe release of six sawmill workers in Lanao del Sur who were abducted for “spying” for the government, officials from the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said on Thursday.

An MILF official privy to the negotiations told The Manila Times that the abductors, believed to be jihadists, demanded the release of their unidentified comrade, who was captured during a military offensive in February, in exchange for the release of the hostages.

The hostage takers, calling themselves Dawlah Islamiyah or Islamic State (IS) in Lanao del Sur led by Abdullah Maute alias Abu Hassan, claimed responsibility for the Monday abduction.

It said they suspected that their hostages were spying for the Philippine government.

The hostages were taken at about 11 a.m. on Monday in a sawmill located at Purok 4, Barangay Sandab in Butig.

Marawi City-based Army 103rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Roseller Murillo identified the victims, five of them surnamed Hanobas as – Tado, Buloy, Makol, Gabriel and Adones Hanobas, and a certain Isoy.

It was believed that the abducted workers have been residing in the area for years, since the time of the late Alim Abdulaziz Mimbantas, founding member of the MILF.
Authorities did not issue a statement on the development of the negotiations.

The IS group was driven away from their main camp in Butig during a 10-day military offensive in February.

The group later released over the Internet a video reaffirming their loyalty to the movement and named Abdullah Maute, alias Abu Hassan, as their leader in Lanao del Sur.

They were previously known as the Khilafah Islamiya Movement (KIM) that had staged atrocities in Mindanao.

In the video, authorities identified that Maute was with the leader of the KIM, Humam Abdul Najid, also known as Abu Abdullah al-Faris al-Mulathim, and other top leaders of the militants.

http://www.manilatimes.net/abductors-demand-release-of-comrade/254746/

US-Philippines joint drill makes Washington's intentions in region clear

From the Straits Times (Apr 7): US-Philippines joint drill makes Washington's intentions in region clear

The annual Balikatan military exercises between the United States and the Philippines are more than just a parade of weapons and men. They also offer a useful lens with which to see Washington's intentions in South-east Asia.

The first Balikatan - which means shoulder-to-shoulder in Tagalog - was held in 1991. Since then, the annual manoeuvres have provided the US with a testing ground not just for its military hardware but also, and more importantly, for tactics that later served it well in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Balikatan allowed the US to hone counter-insurgency tactics in a nation where there is an actual insurgency: US weapons and intel in the hands of the indigenous army, melded with strategies to win over the local population.

In recent years, however, the focus has shifted outwards, amid China's expansion in the South China Sea. In 2012, some manoeuvres were held in Palawan province, the Philippines' nearest point to the South China Sea, where China has created islands out of reefs to press its territorial claims.

The 2012 Balikatan was meant to remind China that the US is still very much engaged in the region.
Last year, it was touted as a major cog in the US' rebalancing to Asia. That message is being reinforced this year, with surface-to-air missiles and supersonic jets on display for the first time.
 
Japan and Australia are also getting more "play time".

Dozens of Australian troops will be participating in a drill that simulates the retaking of an oil rig just off Palawan. Japan, meanwhile, sent a submarine to the Philippines - the first time it has done so in 15 years - a day before the exercise began.

Given the rising tensions in the South China Sea over disputed islands in the area, the exercise serves to make the point that should a conflict that nobody wants break out for whatever reason and however unwittingly, the US stands ready to work with its allies to defend common goals.

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/us-philippines-joint-drill-makes-washingtons-intentions-in-region-clear

Military boosts campaign vs Abu Sayyaf with ‘task group’ activation

From the Business Mirror (Apr 6): Military boosts campaign vs Abu Sayyaf with ‘task group’ activation

MAJ. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos was designated on Wednesday as the new commander of the Armed Forces Joint Task Group Jolo (JTGJ), one day after Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado was relieved as the task force commander.

Military authorities were mum on the reasons for Arrojado’s ambush, although observers said JTGJ was in the midst of an intensified campaign against the Abu Sayyaf and commanders are not usually relieved in the middle of a campaign.

In a statement, the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command said Barrientos, as the new commander of the task group, concurrent to his post as commander of the Army’s First Infantry “Tabak” Division, which is deployed in Western Mindanao.

To ease Barrientos’s assignment as top military commander in Sulu, the Western Command (Wescom)Joint Task Force Sulu was “dissolved,” and in its stead the Joint Task Group Jolo was “activated.”

Although supposed to be a new unit, JTGJ is just composed of all the military units attached to former Joint Task Force Sulu.

In addition, the change of designation of the task force to task group necessitated the appointment of an officer of higher rank than Arrojado as commander of the unit.

Barrientos’s operational jurisdiction as 1ID commander includes the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The Wescom said Barrientos’s designation as the overall commander of military forces in Sulu was part of its ongoing operations in Western Mindanao.

This is “part of this headquarters’ effort to streamline our ongoing operations [and] ensure coverage of all operational areas and synchronize current efforts,” it said.

“This is to allow our brigade commanders to focus on assigned tasks in light of new security challenges in the area,” the area command added without elaborating.

The Wescom also designated Rear Adm. Jorge Amba, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, as head of the Joint Task Group Tawi-Tawi.

Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) gunmen fired at a group of people attending a government program in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, on Wednesday.

Capt. Arvin Encinas, acting public affairs officer of the Army’s Sixth Infantry “Kampilan” Division, said terrorists fired at the group of people, which include mayors, policemen, soldiers, students and media workers in Sitio Balas, Barangay Tee, at around 8:30 a.m.

No one was wounded in the incident.

Encinas said the bullets hit several houses and the roof of a Muslim school.

He said BIFF members also fired at the convoy of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6ID commander, in Sitio Butalo, also in Barangay Tee, at around 10 a.m., while they were on the way to the program.
No one among the member of the convoy was wounded.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/military-boosts-campaign-vs-abu-sayyaf-with-task-group-activation/

Carbon nixes trial by batches for 130 MNLF siege suspects

From the Zamboanga Today (Apr 6): Carbon nixes trial by batches for 130 MNLF siege suspects

City Legal Officer Jesus Carbon Jr. has expressed his opposition on holding the trials of members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) accused in the 2013 siege by batches, citing that this is geared towards the release of the accused for lesser crimes.
 
“We don’t look favorably at this trial in batches because our contention is that there was overall conspiracy to do these things [siege] and you cannot prove conspiracy if you have trial in batches,” Atty. Carbon said on Monday.
 
According to Carbon, who attended the final pre-trial of the case in Manila last March, the trial judge intends to speed up the case by holding partial and separate trials, and render partial decisions for the MNLF accused who surrendered to then police chief Malayo, those who allege that they were merely invited to a peace rally, and those who allege that they were merely boat operators.
 
“The trial judge is trying her best to speed up the cases but we don’t take favorable view on this because we perceive this is just geared towards the release of many accused,” he said.
 
Atty. Carbon, a former trial court judge, said cases will be filed to stop the proceedings should the trial judge force the conduct of trial in batches.
 
“There was an overall conspiracy, it did not happen unplanned. Several people coming from different directions converging to the city, there should be conspiracy,” he said.
 
There are around 130 accused and at least 365 witnesses to be presented by the prosecution team, and this is why the trial may possibly go even slower than that of the Maguindanao massacre case, explained Carbon.
 
To date, trial by teleconferencing has been rolled out, and the city maintains its stand versus any plea bargaining agreement.
 
“The city is not inclined to enter into this,” Carbon said. “That is not the desire of the people of Zamboanga.”-
 

Jihadists abduct 6 ‘spies’ in Lanao

From the Manila Times (Apr 6): Jihadists abduct 6 ‘spies’ in Lanao

Jihadists abducted six non-Muslim sawmill workers in the hinterland of Butig town in Lanao del Sur they suspected to be “spying” for the government.

Local military and the police officers said the abduction occurred at about 11 a.m. on Monday in a sawmill located at Purok 4, Barangay Sandab, Butig. They belied reports that the victims were government agents.

Initial investigation showed that gunmen seized the lumber site, captured the workers and brought them to an undisclosed site near the camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The Marawi City-based Army 103rd Infantry Brigade headed by Col. Roseller Murillo identified the victims, five of them surnamed Hanobas – Tado, Buloy, Makol, Gabriel and Adones Hanobas, and a certain Isoy.

No ransom was demanded as of Wednesday, but authorities were readying a rescue mission if negotiations fail.

It was believed that the abducted workers have been residing in the area for years, since the time of the late Alim Abdulaziz Mimbantas, founding member of the MILF.

The military said it was coordinating with local MILF leaders, who are negotiating the possible release of the hostages.

They suspected the group of “Maute brothers” to be behind the abduction.

It added that the plight of the victims was not certain in the hands of their abductors, who are IS supporters that pledge allegiance to the international group also known as ISIS or Daesh.

The group was driven away from their main camp in Butig during a 10-day military offensive in February.

After the aggression, the group calling themselves Dawlah Islamiya or Islamic State released over the Internet a video reaffirming their loyalty to the movement and named Abdullah Maute, alias Abu Hassan, as their leader in Lanao del Sur.

They were previously known as the Khilafah Islamiya Movement (KIM) that had staged atrocities in Mindanao.

In the video, authorities identified that Maute was with the leader of the KIM Humam Abdul Najid, also known as Abu Abdullah al-Faris al-Mulathim, and other top leaders of the militants.

Other sources said the groups’ covert unit, Ghuraba (strangers or foreigners) was part of the armed militants.

Last month, other IS-inspired militants in Sarangani province captured and beheaded a 43-year-old man they suspected of being a government spy.

http://www.manilatimes.net/jihadists-abduct-6-spies-in-lanao/254527/

Roxas blasts Duterte's advice on paying NPA tax

From ABS-CBN (Apr 8): Roxas blasts Duterte's advice on paying NPA tax

The word war between presidential candidates Mar Roxas and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte continues, and this time around, Roxas struck back at Duterte's capability to manage the economy.
Roxas was asked in Cebu on Friday about Duterte being his strongest rival in the area since Duterte also speaks Cebuano.

Roxas twitted the tough-talking mayor's recent advice to businessmen.

"Well, fact of life yan. Pero ako, patuloy akong naniniwala na sa dulo, ang pipiliin ng mga Cebuano yung marunong magpaunlad ng ekonomiya. Sa kabuuan ng Cebu, nakikita nila yung pag-usbong ng eco-zones, ng mga trabaho dito. Mga Cebuano mismo ang nakakaalam na tayo ang naghatid ng call center, BPO (business process outsourcing) sa buong mundo," Roxas said.

"Nagtatanong ang mga Cebuano papaano papaunlarin ni Digong ang ekonomiya, eh ang kaniyang abiso sa mga negosyante eh bayaran yung revolutionary tax ng NPA (New People's Army). Papaano uunlad ang ekonomiya kung nagbabayad ng revolutionary tax sa mga NPA na rebelde, na siyang sumisira sa ekonomiya. Yun ang kaibahan ni Mar Roxas at saka ni Digong Duterte. Tayo ay para sa tama, tayo ay para sa maunlad na ekonomiya, at may napatunayan na tayo, hindi yung mga teorya lang," he added.

Roxas also countered the Davao City chief executive's tirades against him over the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Roxas was former secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

"Alam niyo, ito sa katandaan at sa kahinaan ni Mayor Duterte, ang umaandar na lang sa kanya eh yung kanyang bibig. Hindi na umaandar ang utak. Wala namang katotohanan yung sinasabi niya. Nung isang araw, binigyan natin siya ng datos, ng facts, ito yung mga katotohanan, ano ang sinagot? Wala, pangungutya, name-calling, pang-iinsulto," he said.

READ: Mar hits Duterte on 'bayot' tag: 'Di ka ba nahihiya?

"Ganun ba ang uri ng pamamahala na ihahatid niya sa ating bansa? Kung may mga problema at napatunayan na hindi ayon sa kanyang pananaw, hindi ayon sa kaniyang opinyon, ang katotohanan ay mumurahin na lang niya. Ay, hindi po iyan ang tamang pamumuno sa ating bansa at hinding-hindi iyan ang ugali na nais natin matutuhan ng ating mga kabataan."

The administration standard-bearer rebutted Duterte's claim that the MRT trains have no engines.
"Walang makina? Hindi ba nagta-trial na yang mga MRT na yan? So papaano na walang makina eh umaandar na yan. Yan ang ibig ko sabihin na wala na namang basehan ang kanyang sinasabi. Kathang isip lang eh," said Roxas.

DUTERTE RETORTS

Duterte, for his part, on Friday also continued to attack the Liberal Party (LP) candidate, saying the Filipino people are suffering due to lack of infrastructure in the country.

The PDP-Laban standard-bearer vowed that if elected President, he will improve the country's transportation systems -- airport, trains, highways, among others.

"He cannot lead, he's a weak person," Duterte said.

READ: Duterte fires back at critics: I'll show you how to do it

http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/04/08/16/roxas-blasts-dutertes-advice-on-paying-npa-tax

EastMinCom aims to rescue 2 soldiers, 3 cops from NPA

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 8): EastMinCom aims to rescue 2 soldiers, 3 cops from NPA

THE EASTERN Mindanao Command is pursuing the communist guerillas who abducted two soldiers and three police officers following road blockades in Barangay Lower Olave, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.
 
Speaking on Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press conference held at Garden Oases Ritz Hotel, Capt. Roda Leoncito, spokesperson of EastMinCom, told reporters that they have no clear intel yet on the whereabouts of the New People’s Army rebels.
 
“But we are also in close coordination with the PNP to file appropriate charges  against the perpetrators,” she said.
 
The EastMinCom also condemned the road blockades set-up by the NPA on Sunday .
 
“Their action of setting up a road blocks in Barangay Rojales, Carmen, Agusan Del Norte, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon and Talisayan, Misamis Oriental are forms of intimidation and coercion victimizing people,” Leoncito said.
 
“The conduct of a roadblock is a desperate move after the NPA’s series of setbacks as a result of law enforcement operations and withdrawal of support of a number of their members and supporters in Northern and Southern Mindanao,” she added.
 
Reportedy, a grade 5 student, the son of a police officer, was also handcuffed by rebels but was later released.
 
Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of 4th Infantry Division, said Pfc. Glen R. Austria and Pfc. Devin A. Tawide of the 23rd Infantry Battalion was onboard a motorcycle traveling the provincial road heading to the headquarters at Barangay Rizal in Buenavista.
 
They were flagged down by more or less 20 members of Guerilla Front 4A.
 
Prior to the incident, a police officer was also abducted by alleged rebels in Barangay Mandahilig, Talisayan in Misamis Oriental at 6:20 p.m.
 
According to Martinez, around 30 NPAs, believed to be members of the Guerilla Front 4, were wearing military uniforms and holding high-powered weapons while conducting a checkpoint in the area.
 
Reportedly, SPO4 Rene Rombo from Kinoguitan Municipal Police Station was abducted while SPO1 Gilbert Agiman from Giingoog Police Station was disarmed.
 
“According to the chief of police of Medina in Misamis Oriental, Agiman and his son were able to escape,” he said.
 
SPO1 Warren Conales was also abducted in Sitio Patulangan in Barangay Capitan Bayong in Impasugong town. The rebels also took away his .9mm firearm.
 
PO3 Edwin Panis Castor, assigned in Wao Police Station, was also captured along with a retired police Orlando Magamay but was released due to his poor health condition.
 
Prior to the abduction, troops of the 23rd IB clashed with fleeing rebels who were reported to have conducted extortion activities along the highway of Barangay Rojales Carmen at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
 
The 10-minute clash occurred at the outskirts of Sitio Tagaytay ,Barangay Sangay and vicinity of Barangay Olave. Before the NPAs withdrew, they took the policeman as hostage.
 
Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., the division commander, said what the rebels did was plain kidnapping.
 
“They will be facing charges as stated under Sec. 2, Art. 267 of the constitution,” he said. “Any private individual who shall kidnap or detain another shall suffer the penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period.”
 

NPA raids agri-company takes away 2 shotguns

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 8): NPA raids agri-company takes away 2 shotguns

ALLEGED New People’s Army rebels took two firearms when they ransacked a business establishment in Barangay Kulasi, Sumilao in Bukidnon on Wednesday morning.
 
According to the report of Sumilao Police Station, more or less 20 fully armed NPAs entered into the Chen and Yap Agriculture  Development Incorporated  (CYADI) Farm owned by Cecel Chen at around 4 a.m.
 
Reportedly, the rebels also took money from the company apart from the two shotguns from the security guards.
 
Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of 4th Infantry Division, said that the owner has been receiving extortion demands from the NPA but he refused to give in.
 
Lt. Col. Peter Edwin R. Navarro, commander of 1st Special Forces Battalion, confirmed Martinez’s statement.
 
“They even demanded from the establishment  to increase  the wage of the workers,  but eventually the rebels robbed the workers,” Navarro said.
 
Navarro further said that they will help the PNP  in bringing  the culprits  to justice.
 
”We will not let them threaten the people who are peacefully living in our area,” he said.
 

US 'working closely' with PH probers on Filipino soldier's death

From Rappler (Apr 8): US 'working closely' with PH probers on Filipino soldier's death

The US embassy conveys its condolences to the family of the Filipino airman, who died in a 'tragic accident' during the annual PH-US joint military exercises

JOINT EXERCISES. Flag bearers from the Philippine and the US await the entrance of colors at the opening ceremonies the annual RP-US Balikatan in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on April 4, 2016. Photo by Ben Nabong/Rappler

JOINT EXERCISES. Flag bearers from the Philippine and the US await the entrance of colors at the opening ceremonies the annual RP-US Balikatan in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on April 4, 2016. Photo by Ben Nabong/Rappler

US authorities are "working closely" with Philippine investigators probing the death of a Filipino airman participating in their countries' annual joint military exercises, the US embassy in Manila said on Friday, April 9.

"We are working closely with our Filipino counterparts to investigate the incident," the US embassy said in a statement.

It conveyed its condolences to the family of the airman, whose name has yet to be made public.

"The US Embassy expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Filipino airman who passed away yesterday in a tragic accident during Balikatan. He will be remembered for his great courage and service to his country," the US embassy said.

The soldier died when he encountered an accident during a joint parachute jump exercise of Filipino soldiers and American troops at Subic airport on Thursday, April 7, as part of Balikatan 2016.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/128714-us-working-closely-probe-ph-soldier-death

(Features) Australia returns to PHL WWII vintage table of Gen. Valdes

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): (Features) Australia returns to PHL WWII vintage table of Gen. Valdes

Australia has turned over to the Philippine government a vintage table used by the late Armed Forces chief of staff Maj. Gen. Basilio Valdes which he brought with him when then President Manuel L. Quezon escaped to Down Under aboard a US PT-Boat a month before the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942.

The vintage desk measuring about five feet by three feet is now in the office of retired Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina, administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), in Camp Aguinaldo in suburban Quezon City.

“The Australian government earlier turned over the table to the next-of-kin of President Quezon residing in Brisbane, Australia before turning it over to us,” said retired Brig. Gen. Resty Aguilar, PVAO acting chief for Veterans and Historical Division.

Aguilar said that the table, which is 75 years old, is a very significant war relic which PVAO will turn over to the AFP Museum in Camp Aguinaldo for public display.

“The table was used by Gen. Valdes when he was the commanding general of the Philippine Army during the Commonwealth period,” Aguilar told the Philippines News Agency on the eve of the 74th anniversary of the “Araw ng Kagitingan.”

Tracing back its origin, Aguilar said that the table survived the blistering Battle of Manila between the Japanese Imperial Army and American and Filipino soldiers at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Aguilar said that Valdes held office in the Lawton area in Manila where Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the commander of Allied Forces in Pacific in World War II, also established his headquarters.

Before Manila was captured, Gen. Valdes was able to evacuate the table and brought it to Corregidor Island near the Bataan Peninsula.

“When President Quezon escaped to Australia, again Gen. Valdes brought the table with him to Brisbane, Australia aboard a US-PT Boat before they transferred to an American submarine at mid-sea in the Southwest Pacific,” he added.

Aguilar said after President Quezon arrived in Australia, his party proceeded to the United States where he established an exile government when the Japanese occupied the Philippines, but the table was left behind in Brisbane,” Aguilar said.

When MacArthur liberated the Philippines after crushing the Japanese resistance in a bloody battle, Valdes came back and was named as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) immediately after the war ended.

He said when the table was turned over to Quezon’s relatives in Australia, the problem was who would foot the bill in transporting it to Manila?

Beth Dapiton, administrative officer of the AFP Museum, contacted Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III, officer in charge of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning, and told him about the problem.

When PVAO learned about it, he assured that PVAO was ready to shoulder the shipment, Aquilar said.

For the record, it is during the time of Gen. Carolina as PVAO chief that preserving historical records has been intensified such as printing books on the heroism of the Filipino soldiers in defending freedom and democracy as easy reference for the present generation and the generations yet unborn.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=874573

PAF allocates 10.7-M for F-28 jet spares

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): PAF allocates 10.7-M for F-28 jet spares

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is allocating at least PHP10.7 million for the acquisition of spare parts needed for the maintenance of its lone Fokker F-28 "Fellowship" jet liner.

The jet is used for domestic flights of an incumbent president and is named "Kalayaan".

Pre-bid conference is scheduled is on April 11, 9 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City while submission and opening of bids is on April 26, 9 a.m. also on the same venue.

PAF bids and awards committee chair Brig. Gen. Nicolas Parilla, in a bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System, said prospective bidders should have an experience in a similar project within the last five years.

The F-28 is a short range jet airliner designed and built by Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=874444

M-16 rifle, IED, assorted war materiel seized from rebels in Camarines Norte clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): M-16 rifle, IED, assorted war materiel seized from rebels in Camarines Norte clash

Troopers from the 49th Infantry Battalion captured an M-16 automatic rifle, improvised explosive device (IED) and other war materiel during a clash with 10 New People's Army (NPA) bandits in Labo, Camarines Norte Thursday noon.

Lt. Col. Angelo Guzman, Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) spokesperson, said the encounter took place at Barangay Malaya.

No one was hurt among the soldiers during the 15-minute firefight while the rebels sustained an undetermined number of casualties.

Meanwhile, 10 NPA guerrillas with two "Amazons" (female rebels) clad in camouflage uniforms attacked the Algemar Construction in Barangay Poypoy in Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro at around 10 p.m. on April 6.

The rebels burned a grader and a backhoe before retreating.

Guzman said the attack aimed to project that the NPAs are still a strong force in order to enhance their extortion demands.

"They are hitting soft targets. Attacks on businessmen, construction companies, politicians are done to scare and set as an example to others, hence, a higher possibility of getting paid," he added.

"That's why we are asking businessmen, construction companies, candidates to coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) so that we can arrange and do measures on their security concerns," Guzman said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=874482

Hostages in The Philippines in good condition: minister

From Antara News: Hostages in The Philippines in good condition: minister

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said Indonesian citizens being detained by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the southern Philippines are in good condition.

"Based on the information we received in Manila, as well as Jakarta, the condition of all ten members of the Indonesian crew is good," Marsudi said here on Thursday.

The ministry continues to coordinate with Philippines authorities to free the hostages. She added that all activities by the hostages are being monitored by the Philippines security agency.

Further, Retno said that the Indonesian government is working to free the hostages.

Additionally, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said the cooperation of the ships owners includes their willingness to pay the ransom being demanded by the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

Binsar said the company is ready to pay the ransom to see the release of the vessel's crew.

He noted that the Indonesian government is still coordinating with Philippines authorities to free the hostages.

Indonesia, says Binsar, cannot deploy security personnel to the Philippines, due to constitutional regulations.

"We understand the regulation. The best effort that we can provide is through the assistance from Indonesian special forces," the Minister said.

According to the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), besides the 10 Indonesian citizens, there were also 11 citizens from Canada, the Netherlands, Norway and the Philippines who are being held by the group.

The Abu Sayyaf group has demanded a 50 million peso ransom, or about Rp14.2 billion, with a deadline of March 31, 2016 to release the 10 Indonesians hostages taken aboard the Anand 12 vessel. The deadline has been extended by six days.
http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/104072/hostages-in-the-philippines-in-good-condition-minister

Stopping cross-border trade will lead to complex smuggling network, says lecturer

From The Star Online (Apr 8): Stopping cross-border trade will lead to complex smuggling network, says lecturer

Sandakan jetty

KOTA KINABALU: The move to cease sea border trade between Sabah and southern Philippines is unlikely to have any long-term impact on cross border crimes but will likely give rise to a more complex smuggling network.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) academic Prof Dr Kamarulzaman Askandar said that the move to freeze the centuries old barter trade could be seen as a ``knee jerk’’ reaction towards the latest April 1 kidnapping of four Malaysian sailors off Pulau Ligitan by Abu Sayyaf gunmen.

``If you close one door, another door opens. Even with the blocking of legal channel, it will only be a matter of time before illegal smugglers appear. This would become a more complex and difficult situation to handle,’’ Prof Kamarulzaman, a lecturer from the humanities, arts and heritage faculty.

The professor, who specialises in conflict and peace making, said that the real issue was security and there was a need for Malaysia to strengthen its own borders with high levels of patrols and also have good collaboration with Philippines.

He said the move to block the cross border sea trade was also unlikely to see much reaction from the Philippines government as the country was now busy with its May 2016 Presidential elections as well issues pertaining to South China Sea.

``Kidnapping in the Philippines is happening all the time and there is little priority given to it.  Abductions occur more often during elections as part of fund raising for certain political groups.

``It is unlikely they are going to put any priority towards our kidnapping problems with their people on the border. They may just be seen taking some action to address Malaysian concerns,’’ he said, adding that it is more important for Malaysia to strengthen its patrols and enforce curfew.

Prof Kamarulzaman said that merchant ships and tugboats operating along the sea borders should consider hiring armed guards as a measure to protect themselves against the criminals.

Sandakan-Zamboanga City Business Council chairman Chai Soon said barter trade in the east coast towns of Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau totalled between RM150mil and RM300mil annually.

“It is definitely going to impact us. The move to stop barter trade will hurt Sabahan businesses including traders, transporters and even hotels and restaurants,’’ he said when asked to comment on moves to stop sea border barter trading.

Federation of Sabah Industries president Datuk Seri Wong Ken Thau also called on authorities to step up cooperation with Philippines security forces to resolve the longstanding kidnap for ransom threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf group based in Jolo island.

The impact of halting barter activities with southern Philippines will likely be felt in the months ahead.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/04/08/stopping-crossborder-trade-will-lead-to-complex-smuggling-network-says-lecturer/