Joma, Digong set meeting in Europe

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 12): Joma, Digong set meeting in Europe



RENDEZVOUS IN EUROPE Jose Maria Sison,Communist Party of the Philippines founder, hopes to meet presumptive President RodrigoDuterte in Europe before the latter assumes office in Malacañang. INQUIRER FILEPHOTO

Exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison is looking forward to meet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte in Europe before he assumes the presidency.

On his Facebook (FB) page on Wednesday, Sison also urged Duterte to order the arrest of President Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad for plunder in connection with the alleged misuse of the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

He said the President and Secretary Abad were “responsible for looting and unprecedented corruption” in the allocation of  the PDAF, or pork barrel, which the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional.
 “It is the hope that we can meet before his oath-taking as he promised during my Skype conference with him on April 25. He said he would come soon after [he is elected President],” Sison said in an online interview with the Inquirer on Wednesday on his anticipated meeting with Duterte.

Sison said representatives of the CPP and Duterte were holding preparatory talks for the visit, the date of which he did not disclose.

“I expect to meet President Duterte soon in Europe, whether the meeting is preceded by, concurrent with or followed by preliminary meetings of the GPH (Government of the Philippines) and NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) negotiating panels,” Sison said.

The CPP leader hopes that the meeting would be held before Duterte’s oath-taking on June 30.

Video recording

Sison sent a video recording of his Skype conversation with Duterte, where the Davao mayor mentioned his plan to visit the CPP leader based in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Duterte, in the video recording, said his meeting with Sison was aimed at preparing the agenda for the resumption of peace talks and threshing out related issues.

Sison, in the Inquirer interview, also welcomed the declaration of Duterte’s spokesperson, Peter Laviña, that the incoming President may release jailed communist rebels.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse on Tuesday, Laviña also disclosed that Duterte would allow Sison and other exiled communist leaders to return to the country for the resumption of the peace talks and to review the status of political prisoners.
“Of course, I am hoping for the release of all political prisoners,” Sison said.

“They have long been unjustly detained on false charges of common crimes by the Arroyo and Aquino regimes,” he added.

Their release, Sison said, “will be conducive to an immediate mutual ceasefire and cooperation and the accelerated negotiation of the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.”

He said the release of political prisoners had been done during the administrations of Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos.

Sison said communist rebels were open to the crafting of a new democratic Constitution and to Duterte’s proposal to study federalism as a form of government for the country.

Political will

In a previous interview, Sison said “political will,” for the sake of peace, is key to end the more than 40 years of armed conflict between the government and the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the CPP.

Also earlier, Luis Jalandoni, chair of the NDFP peace panel, said the return to the peace table would depend on the release of political prisoners and “peace consultants.”

Among the 528 political prisoners and 17 NDFP consultants are spouses Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, whom the government tagged as top officials of the CPP-NPA. The two were arrested in Cebu province in March 2014.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785188/joma-digong-set-meeting-in-europe

Could Autonomy Bring Lasting Peace in Southern Philippines?

From Economy Watch (May 11): Could Autonomy Bring Lasting Peace in Southern Philippines?

 

Securing a lasting peace in the southern Philippines has been an ongoing problem for the Philippine government. Marginalised Moros in the southern Philippines have legitimate grievances against the Philippine government. This much the Philippine government has recognised in signing peace agreements, most recently with the insurgent group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Muslim indigenous peoples or Moros have organised themselves and fought in a war that has killed 120,000 and displaced 3.25 million people over the last four decades. The Philippine government needs the resources of Moro lands.

The MILF has conceded this in agreeing to pursue autonomy under the framework of the Philippine Constitution. In the last two years, the peace talks have reached a point where government troops and the MILF are conducting joint operations against other armed groups in Mindanao.

However, the MILF is after something else, a law that enables them to determine their own future. The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) implements the signed peace agreements by building a Bangsamoro ministerial government to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The theory is that a self-governing Bangsamoro given more economic and political powers can uplift the Philippines’ poorest region. Endorsed by the President in September 2014, the BBL was expected to pass the bicameral legislature under the current Aquino administration.

However, Aquino himself authorised Oplan Exodus in January 2015, an operation to pursue an alleged terrorist with a US$5 million bounty on his head in Mamasapano, without coordinating with the MILF. The result was the killing of 44 elite police, 17 MILF members, five civilians and the death of the BBL in Congress.

The Mamasapano clash demonstrated how the government talks peace with the MILF, but does not fully trust them as partners in Mindanao. Partly due to unethical media coverage, the dominant public discourses after Mamasapano betray a lack of concern among politicians and the general public about finding a lasting resolution to the conflict in Mindanao, and mirror the Islamophobia often present in global anti-terror campaigns. Perhaps one silver lining of the crossfire in Mamasapano might be renewed public interest in the BBL and its contents.

When Congress resumed BBL deliberations, it was in the form of the Basic Law on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR). A House of Representatives ad-hoc committee voted 50–17 in favour of the BLBAR in May 2015. The Senate, on the other hand, was in no hurry. The Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes reported that the BBL requires substantial revision to withstand Supreme Court scrutiny, delaying proceedings until it was too late.

Senators who suspect that the BBL is unconstitutional include Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Grace Poe, who both ran for president in this week’s election, as well as Allan Peter Cayetano, Chiz Escudero and Bongbong Marcos, who are contenders for vice president.

Still, the binding peace agreements signed by the government and the MILF compel the next Congress to take up BBL and determine its form. Not just any law will do. Peace advocates and the MILF have criticised the current BLBAR as not being compliant with existing peace agreements.

In the current version, the powers of the Bangsamoro entity are weakened by the presence of national government institutions. BLBAR grants the Bangsamoro government limited autonomy, only slightly besting the ARMM in sharing powers with the national government.

The most significant points of the BBL are provisions for economic policies based on social justice and sustainable development (Article XIII), which were pared down in the last version. So far, land reform and creation of new industries are still in the BLBAR. However, if Philippine laws and contracts such as the Mining Act of 1995 and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade prevail in the Bangsamoro, these provisions either will cause contradictions in Philippine law or will be relegated to mere rhetoric.

If provisions for social justice and sustainable development are only rhetorically endorsed, this will be a disservice to the struggle of the Moro peoples. A rhetorical BBL will not solve the conflict in Mindanao, and will frustrate the Moro people’s hopes for peace and development in their remaining ancestral domains.

At most, a symbolic BBL will reconfigure the power holders in the Bangsamoro while reinforcing Moro elite rule. At worse, it will fuel the recruitment drives of armed groups such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Abu Sayyaf Group. The MNLF’s renewed vigour and Abu Sayyaf’s escalated extremism suggest that the BBL alone will not stop violence in Mindanao.

The push to end the conflict in Mindanao must go beyond the BBL in the next Congress. The Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) recommends ‘dealing with the past’ as a joint endeavour of the national government and the Bangsamoro authorities and institutions. Established by the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the TJRC was mandated to study and recommend steps towards reconciliation in Mindanao.

Their thorough 2016 report demonstrates that with or without the BBL, historical injustices in the Bangsamoro, including land dispossession, serious human rights violations and impunity, must be addressed to provide the necessary conditions for peace in the southern Philippines.

http://www.economywatch.com/features/Could-Autonomy-Bring-Lasting-Peace-in-Southern-Philippines0511.html

Philippine militants release second group of Indonesian hostages

From The Star Online (May 12): Philippine militants release second group of Indonesian hostages



Welcome news: Widodo, accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (left) and military chief Gatot Nurmantyo, speaking during a press conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta to announce the release of the sailors. — EPA

Four Indonesian sailors kidnapped by suspected militants in the strife-torn southern Philippines were released yesterday, the second group of Indonesian hostages to be freed this month.

Gunmen abducted the sailors on the high seas off the east coast of Sabah on April 15, shooting and wounding another crew member.

Philippine rebel group Abu Sayyaf was suspected of having carried out the kidnapping, the latest in a recent spree of abductions that saw them behead a Canadian hostage last month.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced in Jakarta that the men had been released and were in good health.

 

“The hostage release was successfully conducted due to good cooperation between the Indonesian government and the Philippines,” he said.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Rene Almendras thanked the Indonesian government for the “very close coordination” that helped secure the release of the hostages, and said efforts were aided by a recent deal aimed at halting the surge in abductions.

Foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines agreed last week to launch joint patrols of a key waterway between their countries and to set up a hotline to communicate faster in emergencies and improve intelligence sharing. The hostages were dropped off outside the house of local politician Abdusakur Tan on Jolo, a mountainous and jungle-clad island in the far south of the Philippines known to be an Abu Sayyaf stronghold.

Tan – the governor of Sulu province, which includes Jolo – said members of a Muslim rebel group had helped negotiate the release. The Indonesians’ release was secured through “persuasion and joint efforts of the military and police, and the local and provincial government. No ransom was paid for the freedom of the Indonesians”.

However, Abu Sayyaf does not normally release hostages without a ransom.
The Philippine military said the freed Indonesians were taken to a military base for medical check-ups.

“Arrangements are now being finalised for the handover of the Indonesian nationals to Indonesian authorities,” it added in a statement.

The group were abducted from a tugboat carrying coal that was sailing from Cebu in the Philippines back to Tarakan in Indonesian Borneo. Six other seamen, including the wounded man, managed to escape.

On May 1, 10 Indonesian sailors kidnapped five weeks earlier were also released on Jolo, and told harrowing tales about how the militants threatened to slit their throats.
The Abu Sayyaf militants are still holding at least seven other foreign hostages – four Malaysians, a Canadian tourist, a Norwegian resort owner and a Dutch birdwatcher.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2016/05/12/abu-sayyaf-frees-four-sailors-philippine-militants-release-second-group-of-indonesian-hostages/

Gov’t won’t be able to wipe out Sayyaf

From Tempo (May 12): Gov’t won’t be able to wipe out Sayyaf

The Aquino government is unable to promise to totally wipe out the Abu Sayyaf Group before the end of its term.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said security forces would continue to relentlessly pursue the Abu Sayyaf elements but it would be unfair to impose a deadline.

“We are determined to pursue this effort but it will not be reasonable to give a forecast or specific target dates because it is not that simple,” Coloma said in Filipino when asked by reporters if the ASG problem could be resolved before President Aquino steps down from office.

“Let’s just say that up to its final minute, this administration will do everything necessary, will do its best to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos against forces sowing terror in the country,” he added.

At present, Coloma said joint military and law enforcement operations have been launched to recover the hostages taken by the Abu Sayyaf Group in the south. He said these operations are “sensitive” so details cannot be disclosed to the public yet.

“But our countrymen can be assured that these criminal elements will face the full force of the Republic,” Coloma said.

Aquino earlier authorized intensified pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf following the beheading of a Canadian hostage John Ridsdel.

Aquino said he would devote his energy “towards ensuring that, at the very least, this will be a very seriously degraded problem that I will pass on to my successor.”

Apart from targeting to kidnap boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and television host Kris Aquino, the President also revealed there have been threats against his own life from the Abu Sayyaf Group.

“I credit our security services for putting these threats to bed with both professionalism and discretion,” Aquino said.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2016/05/12/news/main/govt-wont-be-able-to-wipe-out-sayyaf/

DFA: AFP-Indon coordination led to release of 4 Abu captives

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 12): DFA:  AFP-Indon coordination led to release of 4 Abu captives

Foreign Secretary Jose Almendras said on Wednesday the close coordination between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Indonesia helped facilitate the release of the four remaining Indonesian hostages by the Abu Sayyaf.

“We thank the Indonesian government, particularly Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, for the very close coordination since this morning,” said Secretary Almendras in a statement on Wednesday.

He lauded the cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Indonesia as key in meeting the objective of getting back the Indonesians alive and safe.

The foreign affairs chief said the Philippines had a trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Indonesia and Malaysia to strengthen efforts to combat criminal activities.

Last April 25, Canadian citizen John Ridsdel was beheaded by his Abu Sayyaf captors.

Hostages who remain in the hands of Abu Sayyaf include Canadian Robert Hall, Hall’s Filipino girlfriend, Marites Flor, and a Norwegian, Kjartan Sekkingstad as well as other Filipinos.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/139401/dfa-coordination-between-afp-indonesia-led-to-safe-release-of-4-from-abu-sayyaf

Next Philippine Leader Could Change S. China Sea Policy

From the Maritime Executive (May 10): Next Philippine Leader Could Change S. China Sea Policy

China's Foreign Ministry called Tuesday for the next leader of the Philippine government to join in a "path of healthy development" to manage the two nations' bilateral relations. The ministry's wish could come true: analysts suggest that the likely winner of the election is an unknown when it comes to foreign policy, and on the South China Sea dispute, he has given mixed signals for his intentions. 

The Philippines and China are engaged in a dispute over Chinese claims in the South China Sea, especially in the Spratly Islands, and the Philippines expects a ruling on the disagreement from the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague sometime this month. Observers expect that the court is likely to rule in favor of the Philippines; China has refused to participate or to recognize the validity of the case, and it is as yet unclear whether China will abide by the ruling.

The South China Morning Post reported in April that the People's Liberation Army expected to begin dredging and land reclamation activity at Scarborough Shoal in the Spratly Islands later this year - a decision that would be seen as an act of open defiance if the court should rule against them.

has signaled that he will enter  But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called instead for a plan for "dual-track" negotiations.  Under this alternative, nations "directly concerned" in maritime disputes would reach diplomatic agreement, while regional body ASEAN and outside actors (including the United States) would remain aside to "jointly maintain peace and stability."

The probable winner of the Philippine presidential election, Rodrigo Duterte – referred to in the press as "the Punisher" and  "Duterte Harry" for his brash style and aggressive stance on crime – has suggested that he would ride a Jet Ski to plant a Philippine flag on disputed island claims. However, Duterte has also said that he would be open to adjusting the Philippines' stance if China were interested in making investments. "Build us a railway just like the one you built in Africa, and let's set aside disagreements for a while," he said in February. He has also expressed skepticism about the arbitration process, and has left open the possibility for bilateral – rather than multilateral – negotiations with China.

http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/next-philippine-leader-could-change-stance-on-china

Guiani siblings win in Cotabato City, MILF son takes a councilor seat

From InterAksyon (May 11): Guiani siblings win in Cotabato City, MILF son takes a councilor seat



The Guiani siblings vying for mayor and vice mayor seats in Cotabato City won.

On Tuesday, a day after the elections, incumbent and third-term Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. and his sister Vice Mayor Atty Cynthia Guiani- Sayadi were proclaimed winners.

This is a first in Cotabato City that siblings took the two top elective positions of the city.

Both thanked their supporters for their trust and support in their leadership.
They also promised to continue the projects begun in the city.

The Guianis defeated Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Datu Muslimin Sema and incumbent Vice Mayor Hadji Abdullah Andang.

Aside from the siblings, the winning councilors were also formally proclaimed at the Sangguniang Panglungsod (city council).

In relation to this, Johari “Butch” Abu, son of Moro Islamic Liberation Front Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar, won a seat as city councilor. 

http://interaksyon.com/article/127605/guiani-siblings-win-in-cotabato-city-milf-son-takes-a-councilor-seat

Sison: Interview with Prof. Jose Maria Sison on the Election of Duterte as President

Posted to the Website of Jose Maria Sison, founder and chief ideologue of the Communist Party of the Philippines (May 11): INTERVIEW WITH PROF. JOSE MARIA SISON ON THE ELECTION OF DUTERTE AS PRESIDENT

 

By Angel Tesorero
Correspondent of Khaleej Times
Dubai, UAE
May 10, 2016

Halong Filipino-English ang tanong ko, pero pasagot na lang po sa English. tapos pahingi rin po ng profile pic nyo at kung may photo kayo with Duterte mas maganda (or maghahanap na rin kami ng photo ni Duterte nung nakaraang pinalaya ang 5 POWs)

1) Assessment: Bakit naging run-away winner si Duterte? Is this a protest vote against the current administration? Did the Left contribute to Duterte’s win?

JMS: Duterte became a landslide winner because he responded to the people’s clamor for change and voiced out their protest against the Aquino regime, its corruption and criminality, especially the widespread drug trade. He captured the protest vote because he clearly and strongly opposed the Aquino regime and its presidential candidate Mar Roxas.

The Left contributed to the victory of Duterte because it opposed the US-Aquino regime strongly and for a long time against its puppetry, corruption, brutality and mendacity. But the Grace Poe Independent Party chosen by the Makabayan Coalition was soft on the Aquino regime even if it was occasionally critical of some Aquino cabinet officials during the campaign.

2) You said you are planning to return should Duterte win, when will this happen?

JMS: I will return to the Philippines if Duterte fulfills his promise to visit me. I must be sure of the substantial grounds for my return home. I can easily return home if Duterte releases all the political prisoners unjustly imprisoned by Arroyo and Aquino in violation of the Hernandez political offense doctrine and JASIG and if there is an agreement on mutual ceasefire, cooperation and the acceleration of the peace negotiations to address the roots of the civil war.

3) Duterte was your student (in Lyceum, which subject?); he was a member of KM and he said he will be the first Leftist/ Socialist president – how was he as a student? He said he’s an anti-oligarch, did you personally contribute in the molding of his political views?

JMS: He was my student in Political Thought in the Lyceum of the Philippines in the late 1960s. He became a member of the Kabataang Makabayan. He describes himself as a socialist and promises to be the first Left president . He talks against the oligarchs. As a student, he was modest and laid back but he learned much. He himself told me so. I am very proud to have a part in his political moulding against imperialism and the local oligarchs. I hope that he will actually serve the Filipino people in their fight for national liberation, democracy, social justice, development

4) Did you personally congratulate your student after you’ve learned of his impending win?

JMS: Yes, I congratulated him through Arlyn dela Cruz, news director of Radyo Inquirer, and Sonny Mallari of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. They interviewed me as soon as the results of the exit polls became known and the Comelec count showed the strong trend in favor of Duterte.

5) How do you think will the progressive movement (Makabayan bloc in Congress) deal with a Duterte presidency? How will the revolutionary forces also deal with him?

JMS: I think that the Makabayan bloc will support all the patriotic and progressive policies and acts of the Duterte presidency. I hope that there will be a government of national unity, peace and development. The revolutionary forces will be very often in touch with Duterte after an agreement is made on mutual ceasefire, cooperation and acceleration of peace negotiations is made. We shall have reciprocal advisors and liaison officers.

6) What are the prospects of peace talks between a Duterte administration and the NDFP? What should he do to address social and economic reforms, peace and order, social justice?

JMS: The prospects seem to be bright at the moment. But Duterte as well as his negotiators should meet with the NDFP representative as soon as possible. There should be comprehensive agreements on social justice and economic reforms as well as on political reforms. The NDFP immediately supports the campaign of Dutere against corruption and criminality. We look forward to the arrest and trial of Aquino, Abad and other corrupt high officials and the eradication of the drug trade and kidnapping for ransom.

7) Duterte rode high on the issue of anti-criminality (actually, for OFWs this is their number one concern, based on my interviews with them), but his opponents are projecting him as a punisher and a dictator-in-the-making. Do you think Duterte will resort to an iron-fist rule? He’s campaign salute/ sign (clinched fist, ready to punch) might be seen as a conditioning for an iron-fist rule.

JMS: I think that the campaign against criminality can be carried out without violating due process and other human rights. Only those armed and dangerous suspects who violently resist arrest can be killed by the arresting police units. Duterte has repeatedly made this point clear. He has even taunted the racist policemen in the US for whimsically killing blacks.

8) The OFWs (and I can say in particular for our kababayans in Dubai) are ecstatic over Duterte’s win. Why do you think Duterte is popular among OFWs? There was no political party nor machinery but OFWs volunteered to work for Duterte’s campaign. Some people have even taken a month off to serve as poll watchers during the month-long Filipino overseas voting here in Dubai

JMS: Duterte was able to capture the protest sentiment of the electorate. The people have been long fed up with the Aquino government, the corruption and rampant criminality. That’s why there is magnetism between Duterte and his followers. That is also true with his followers among the OFWs in The Netherlands.

9) On another note, what can you say about Bongbong Marcos’ “strong showing” in the elections?

JMS: Bongbong was strong for a while because he also opposed the much hated Aquino regime. But Leni Robredo was also effective in condemning the brutality and corruption of the Marcos fascist dictatorship and the complicity of Bongbong Marcos in hiding the billions of dollars stolen by Marcos from the people. She demanded from him the return of the loot to the people.

10) People here who voted for Duterte voted either for Cayetano (because he is the running mate) and Marcos (because they also see him as strong leader). Why do voters have this kind of view?

JMS: I have already pointed out that Bongbong Marcos benefited from a strong opposition to the Aquino government. One more thing: he had more financial resources than Cayetano in propagandizing himself. Cayetano also did not focus on himself but on defending Duterte from attacks.

11) Do you honestly think you can come home? There are several ‘rightists’ in Duterte’s camp, and he even mentioned former general Esperon will be included in his cabinet?

JMS: I have already said before that I must be sure first of the substantial grounds for my return home. I will not dive into any situation in which the Duterte government is still unsettled and there are unwieldy elements who are inside or outside of that government and who violently oppose my homecoming. I am most useful abroad in the negotiation of the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.

12) And finally, how will you compare Duterte to Trump (some media entities are calling Duterte as the Asian Trump); and Duterte to socialist presidents in Latin America.

JMS: Instead of analyzing any kind of namecalling relative to Duterte, I would rather test and find out soon how far he can serve the best interests of the Filipino people. I give him the benefit of a doubt when I prefer to wish that he proves himself Left ala Hugo Chavez. I also enjoy much of his sense of humor but not necessarily all his jokes.
Please feel free to add more, if you think I missed anything.

JMS: You have already asked many questions. Thank you.

Shukran (thank you in Arabic), Prof. Sison

http://josemariasison.org/interview-with-prof-jose-maria-sison-on-the-election-of-duterte-as-president/

Sison: President-elect Duterte through the eyes of his mentor

Posted to the Website of Jose Maria Sison, founder and chief ideologue of the Communist Party of the Philippines (May 11): President-elect Duterte through the eyes of his mentor

 

Khaleej Times got in touch with his mentor Jose Maria Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines and Duterte's former college professor. AdTech Ad

Rodrigo Duterte – who is known for his deadpan wit and wry humour – describes himself as the first leftist-socialist Philippine president. What does he stand for? What do people expect from the presumptive 16th President of the Philippines?

Khaleej Times got in touch with his mentor Jose Maria Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines and Duterte’s former college professor, to get a glimpse of his political ideology and upcoming plans.

In an online interview, Sison outlines the policies the Davao City mayor, an open critic of the outgoing Aquino regime, is likely to adopt to establish law and order in the country. The former professor has a message for Duerte opponents who call him the Asian Trump: Duterte will be Philippines’ Hugo Chavez.

Early days

Remembering the early days of the anti-oligarch, who advocates extra-judicial killings to eradicate criminality in society, 77-year-old Sison said: “As a student, he was modest and laid back but he learned much. I am very proud to have a part in his political moulding against imperialism and the local oligarchs.

“I hope that he will actually serve the Filipino people in their fight for national liberation, democracy, social justice, development.

“(Duterte) was my student in Political Thought at the Lyceum of the Philippines in the late 1960s. He became a member of the Kabataang Makabayan (patriotic Filipino youth group),” Sison added.

Sison, who has been living as a political exile with his family in The Netherlands for the past three decades, said: “I will return to the Philippines if Duterte fulfils his promise to visit me.

“I can easily return home if Duterte releases all the political prisoners unjustly imprisoned by (former president) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and (outgoing) President Benigno Aquino Jr. and if there is an agreement on mutual ceasefire, cooperation and the acceleration of the peace negotiations to address the roots of the civil war.”

Speaking from Utrecht, Sison admitted that “the (Philippine) Left contributed to the victory of Duterte because it opposed the US-backed Aquino regime strongly and for a long time against its puppetry, corruption, brutality and mendacity.”

Speaking from Utrecht, Sison said: “Duterte became a landslide winner because he responded to the people’s clamour for change and became their voice to protest against the Aquino regime, its corruption and criminality, especially the widespread drug trade.

Not an Asian Trump

The exiled communist leader also cautioned those calling Duterte as the ‘Asian Trump’.

“Instead of analysing any kind of name-calling, I would rather test and find out soon how far he can serve the best interests of the Filipino people,” Sison said.

“I give him the benefit of a doubt when I prefer to wish that he proves himself a true leftist like Hugo Chavez (former socialist president of Venezuela). I also enjoy much of his sense of humour but not necessarily all his jokes.”

Champion of peace

During the campaign period Duterte vowed to order an immediate ceasefire to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks with communist rebels and militant groups in Mindanao, south of Philippines. “The revolutionary forces will be very often in touch with Duterte after an agreement is made on mutual ceasefire, cooperation and acceleration of peace negotiations. We shall have reciprocal advisers and liaison officers.”

“The Makabayan (progressive) bloc (in congress) will support all the patriotic and progressive policies and acts of the Duterte presidency. I hope that there will be a government of national unity, peace and development.

On his campaign against criminality, Sison said: “I think that the campaign against criminality can be carried out without violating human rights. Only those armed and dangerous suspects who violently resist arrest can be killed by the arresting police units.

Duterte has repeatedly made this point clear. He has even taunted the racist policemen in the US for whimsically killing Blacks.”

No doubt, the new president’s biggest challenge is how to bring about social justice and equitable economic development.

http://josemariasison.org/president-elect-duterte-through-the-eyes-of-his-mentor/

Joma Sison hopes to end exile under Duterte admin

From GMA News (May 12): Joma Sison hopes to end exile under Duterte admin

Philippine communist rebel leader Jose Maria Sison has expressed hopes of ending nearly three decades in exile under the new presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.

Sison, 77, fled to Europe soon after peace talks failed in 1987 and has stayed abroad since, while one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies continued to claim thousands of lives.

"I will return to the Philippines if Duterte fulfils his promise to visit me," the Netherlands-based Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder said in comments posted on his Facebook page late Wednesday.

"The prospects (for peace talks) seem to be bright at the moment."

Sison, a political science professor, established the party in December 1968 and it launched a guerrilla campaign three months later.

The rebellion has left at least 30,000 people dead, by official account.

The New People's Army is believed to have fewer than 4,000 soldiers, down from a peak of 26,000 in the 1980s, according to the military. However, it retains support among the deeply poor in the rural Philippines.

President Benigno Aquino III shelved peace talks in 2013, accusing the rebels of insincerity in efforts to achieve a political settlement.

The talks got bogged down after the communists demanded the release of all of their jailed comrades, which the Aquino government rejected.

Duterte, who was Sison's student at a Manila university in the 1960s, is the longtime mayor of the southern city of Davao. Some of the communists strongholds today are near Davao, and Duterte has maintained relations with them.

Last week, local television station ABS-CBN released footage of Duterte chatting with Sison via Skype on his laptop.

"I'm a socialist," said Duterte, who leads the partial and unofficial tally of election results.

The network said the chat took place shortly after communist rebels freed five police hostages last month in Davao.

Peace hopes

Duterte signalled after Monday's vote that he was ready to release some jailed rebels and restart peace negotiations.

Sison said in the comments posted on Facebook he had congratulated Duterte via an intermediary on his win and called for the resumption of peace talks, a ceasefire, the release of political prisoners, and the "arrest and trial of Aquino."

Sison's comments were a transcript of an interview he gave to Dubai's Khaleej Times newspaper.

Sison said he hoped to return home after Duterte was sworn into office on June 30, but the communist leader added the new government must first take steps to ensure his personal safety.

"I will not dive into any situation in which the Duterte government is still unsettled and there are unwieldy elements... who violently oppose my homecoming," he added.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a Duterte critic and former military rebel, warned last week that Duterte could face a coup if he shut down Congress.

Trillanes warned some in the military were "strongly averse" to Duterte's long-standing ties with communists, and that the reaction "could be violent."

Duterte may visit Sison in The Netherlands to push forward the peace process, but no schedule had been confirmed, his spokesman, Peter Laviña, told reporters in Davao on Thursday.

Lavina also said Duterte would consider communist figures for his Cabinet.

"The country needs to unite. We need everyone's help. There are plenty of talents within the nationalist and democratic movement as well as the underground CPP-NPA so we will see," he said, referring to the political and military wings of the communist movement. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/566014/news/nation/joma-sison-hopes-to-end-exile-under-duterte-admin

4 Indonesian hostages freed by Abu Sayyaf

From Malaya Business Insight (May 12): 4 Indonesian hostages freed by Abu Sayyaf



FOUR Indonesians seized by the Abu Sayyaf last month have been released and were turned over yesterday to the military by the local government of Jolo, Sulu.

The four, all crewmembers of the tugboat Henry, were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf off Tawi-Tawi last April 15.

They are apart from another group of Indonesian tugboat crewmembers kidnapped in March off Tawi-Tawi and released on May 1.

Details of the release of the four Indonesians were unclear but reports said the four were dropped off by unidentified men in front of the house of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan in Jolo.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the release was due to the efforts of both Philippine and Indonesian authorities.

“We thank the Indonesian government, particularly Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, for the very close coordination since this morning. We thank the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Indonesia for their coordination,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Rene Almendras said in a statement.

He said the coordination was achieved “because of the trilateral meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia of the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as the Armed Forces of the three countries to combat these criminal activities.”

AFP spokesman Brig Gen. Restituto Padilla said the four Indonesians were turned by Tan to the Western Mindanao Command at around 2 p.m. yesterday.

The four were   brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista in barangay Busbus, Jolo, Sulu for medical examination prior to their turnover to Indonesian authorities.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/4-indonesian-hostages-freed-abu-sayyaf

Photo: Challenge

From The Standard (May 12): Photo: Challenge



In this March 30, 2016 US Navy handout photo, the guided missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) transits the Philippine Sea. The US on May 10, 2016, sailed a warship close to a disputed South China Sea reef Beijing has built up into an artificial island, officials said, prompting China to express ‘dissatisfaction and opposition.’ Guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence navigated within 12 nautical miles of the Fiery Cross Reef, occupied by China and also claimed by Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines, the Pentagon said. ‘This operation challenged attempts by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam to restrict navigation rights around the features they claim,’ Pentagon spokesman Commander Bill Urban said in a statement.  AFP

http://manilastandardtoday.com/news/-news-in-photos/205420/challenge-20160512.html

China deploys 2 jets, 3 warships to intercept American destroyer

From Update.Ph (May 11): China deploys 2 jets, 3 warships to intercept American destroyer

The Chinese Defense Ministry said the People’s Liberation Army has dispatched two J-11 fighter jets and three warships – a guided missile destroyer, a guided missile frigate, and a frigate – to intercept a United States vessel that sailed close to Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef in West Philippine Sea and warned it to leave on Tuesday, May 10.

The Chinese ministry said described the move by US military as provocation and intends “to disrupt the regional situation and reap gains from it, and further proved that China’s construction of defense facilities on – islands and reefs in the Spratly Islands is totally justified and very necessary.”

Kagitingan Reef is a Chinese government-held reef, part of Spratly Islands in West Philippine Sea. The Chinese government has created a fake island over the said reef and has built an airfield.

“USS William P. Lawrence exercised the right of innocent passage while transiting inside 12 nautical miles of Fiery Cross Reef, a high-tide feature that is occupied by China, but also claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam,” US Defense Department said in a statement.

US Defense Department spokesman Bill Urban, in a report from Reuters, said that the pass by Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence was meant to “challenge excessive maritime claims of some claimants in the South China Sea.”

“These excessive maritime claims are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea convention in that they purport to restrict the navigation rights that the United States and all states are entitled to exercise,” Urban said.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/china-deploys-2-jets-3-warships-to-intercept-american-destroyer/5487

Navy’s first strategic sealift vessel to arrive in three days

From Update.Ph (May 11): Navy’s first strategic sealift vessel to arrive in three days



The Philippine Navy (PN)’s first strategic sealift vessel (SSV) is expected to arrive off Manila this coming May 14. This was disclosed by PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna Wednesday in a message to the PNA.

Her arrival is well in time with the PN’s 118th founding anniversary on May 20.
He added that the SSV, which is named BRP Tarlac (LD-601), departed the PT PAL (Persero) shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia last Monday.

“The ship will anchor at designated area and crew will undergo Custom Immigration and Quarantine before she will dock at Pier 13 on May 16,” Lincuna stressed.

Prior departure, BRP Tarlac has successfully concluded her sea trials, he added. Sea trials refer to the testing phases which aims to check the performance of all machineries and equipment of the SSV.

“It is also conducted to check and measure the ship’s general performance and seaworthiness,” he added.

The Philippines has a two-SSV order with PT PAL (Persero) for PHP3,870,000,000 which is sourced from the AFP Modernization Fund.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/navys-first-strategic-sealift-vessel-to-arrive-in-three-days/5505

Navy’s research vessel BRP Gregorio Velasquez now at Pearl Harbor

From Update.Ph (May 11): Navy’s research vessel BRP Gregorio Velasquez now at Pearl Harbor  



The Philippine Navy’s first dedicated research vessel BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR 702) is currently at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Department of Foreign Affairs said BRP Gregorio Velasquez arrived at the historic Pearl Harbor on May 7.

The reaserach vessel will continue its sail home tomorrow, May 12. It will make another stop in Guam and then sail to the Philippines.

DFA said officers and crew of BRP Gregorio Velasquez received lei garlands as symbols of aloha from the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu led by Consul General Gina Jamoralin and Captain Rey dela Cruz, AFP Liaison Officer to US Pacific Command and some members of the Fiipino community led by Mr. Allan Alvarez, President of the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCH).

BRP Gregorio Velasquez commanding officer Commander Edwin Nera said that he and his crew were looking forward to visit Hawaii after a nine-day journey at sea from San Diego.

The vessel, formerly R/V Melville, was officially transferred from United States Navy to Philippines during a ceremony April 27 at Naval Base San Diego.

The Philippine Consulate General staff and Filipino community members were given a briefing and tour of the research vessel.

Aside from helping map the country’s vast maritime domains, BRP Gregorio Velasquez will also help develop the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna previously said. “Also, said vessel will enhance capacity and build capability to support the environmental protection efforts and exploration of the country for economic purpose,” Lincuna added.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/navys-research-vessel-brp-gregorio-velasquez-now-at-pearl-harbor/5507

Communist party founder urges Duterte to release political prisoners, speed up peace talks

From Update.Ph (May 11): Communist party founder urges Duterte to release political prisoners, speed up peace talks  

“The revolutionary movement of the people led by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) supports Duterte’s determination to fight corruption and crime and celebrates his promise to declare a ceasefire with the armed revolutionary movement and be the first president of the left in the history of the Philippines,” CPP founder José María Sison said in a Facebook post.

“In this regard, the CPP has urged him to release hundreds of political prisoners, speed up the peace negotiations and address the roots of the civil war through the adoption of economic, social and political reforms,” he added.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is a former a student of Sison in the Political Thought at the Lyceum of the Philippines. Sison said Duterte was an activist of the antimperialista and antifeudal youth organization, Kabataang Makabayan, and was a long time member of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

Duterte vies in the presidential race under Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in which he is the current chairman.

“The CPP has challenged Duterte to affirm the national sovereignty of the Filipino people and defending the territorial integrity of the Philippines, to allow the masses worker and peasant empowered themselves against the oligarchs, to develop the Philippine economy through industrialization and a national Genuine Agrarian Reform, to promote a culture of patriots and progressive and broaden the public school system and to promote international solidarity for peace and development,” Sison added.

The CPP founder also highlighted the need for Leni Robredo to win as vice president.
“The importance of the electoral victory of Leni Robredo goes beyond take a stop to the dynasty of the Marcos in their willingness to regain political power in the Philippines. The Liberal party [is] expected to serve as a system of control to the government of Duterte and a constant reminder of their vulnerability to a coup d ‘ état or his dismissal by the House of Representatives and the Senate, still dominated by the Liberal Party,” he added.

In a separate interview, Sison said he will go back to the Philippines if Duterte fulfill’s his promise to visit him in Netherlands. “I can easily return home if Duterte releases all the political prisoners unjustly imprisoned by Arroyo and Aquino in violation of the Hernandez political offense doctrine and JASIG and if there is an agreement on mutual ceasefire, cooperation and the acceleration of the peace negotiations to address the roots of the civil war,” he said.

Meanwhile, Duterte spokesman Peter Lavina said Duterte admin would not be against the release some of detained communist rebels so they could take part in peace talks, and allow ailing detained communists to get treatment. Lavina said Duterte would go for review of the status of “political prisoners”.

Peace talks with the communists under President Aquino collapsed in 2013.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/communist-party-founder-urges-duterte-to-release-political-prisoners-speed-up-peace-talks/5532

Army launches eco-recreational park

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 11): Army launches  eco-recreational park

After three months of renovation, the 6th Infantry (KAMPILAN) Division, Philippine Army (PA) officially unveils the Matikas ’83 Eco-Recreational Park (ERP) on May 5, 2016.

The park that has a total area of 1.4 square meters formerly serves as the garbage dump of the Division.

According to 6ID Commander Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, the first thing he envisioned when he assumed last May 2014 as division commander was to make   this camp suitable and comfortable for the officers, men, women and their families  living in the compound.

“Renovations, repairs and beautification activities were done to make this camp more warm and appealing not only to the soldiers and their dependents but also to the visitors and our stakeholders,” Pangilinan said.

Having been assigned in Central Mindanao, Pangilinan explained, one of the greatest challenges facing the command was s to conduct teambuilding activities for uniformed men and women through the recreation park where military personnel can relax and unwind.

“It was late in February when the renovations started through the efforts of the Division’s post engineers, headquarters service battalion and other office personnel,” he added.

Major General Pangilinan and Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt. General Eduardo Año led the distribution of plaque of appreciation to those uniformed men who shared their time, effort and talent for the transformation of a former garbage dump area to an eco-recreational park.

“Sa napakatagal na panahon, nakatiwangwang lamang ang lupang ito. In fact this lot has been used as tambakan ng mga basura at ito nga we have converted into something useful and beautiful,” Pangilinan points out. (For a quite sometime this areas has been idle and unutilized.   In fact this lot has been used as garbage dumping site and now, we have converted into something useful and beautiful.)

The Matikas ’83 Eco-Recreational Park, Pangilinan said, is just one of many projects they have undertaken during the last two years.

Describing the Kampilan Division as an open camp, Pangilinan said, people are welcome to visit and see the beautiful scenery subject to strict observance of certain rules and policies.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Año recognized the Kampilan troopers’ commitment and support to contribute to the nation’s social and economic development.

He said, despite their busy schedule including efforts to putting an end to the group threats here in Mindanao they still find time to come up with ways to bring a little piece of serenity to the people in their area of responsibility.

“As defenders of the Filipino people, we must also learn   to put our weapons down once in awhile instead use our hands for nation-building,” Año said.

Año said, the park has 40 sq. meters swimming pool, jogging lane, man-made fishpond and garden landscaping – that will soon be open to the public to enhance and boost the eco-tourism potentials within the area.

“This park will serve as a symbol of peace and harmony in the years to come,” Lt.Gen. Año said

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1661462948606/army-launches-eco-recreational-park-

Aquino government determined to neutralize Abu Sayyaf

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 12): Aquino government determined to neutralize Abu Sayyaf

The government remains optimistic in neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group, as well as in freeing its remaining hostages before President Benigno S. Aquino III steps down from office in 52 days, a Palace official has said.

During a media briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the administration is determined to achieve this goal but declined to give specific forecast or target dates, given the sensitivity of the combat operations.

"Sabihin na lang natin na hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang minuto ng administrasyong ito ay gagawin ang nararapat, gagawin ang pinakamahusay, at pagkatapos ay isasalin ang responsibilidad, dahil ito naman ay 24 by 7 by 52 -- 24 hours, 7 days a week, 52 days," he said.

"Walang humpay dapat itong pagkilos na ito dahil ang ating tinutukoy ay ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino laban sa mga pwersa na naghahasik ng ligalig, panganib at kamatayan."

Secretary Coloma noted that joint military and law enforcement operations are ongoing to free the hostages.

He however declined to give detailed information, given the sensitivity of the tactical operations.

"Pero makaka-tiyak ang ating mga kababayan na buong tapang at buong sigasig na tinutugis ng mga pwersa ng Republika sa kanilang military at law enforcement operations ang mga kriminal at bandidong elemento na iyong nabanggit," he said.

The bandit group is holding a Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipino as hostages. A few weeks ago, the Islamist militants beheaded Canadian John Ridsdel after his family failed to meet their ransom demand.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141462947267/aquino-government-determined-to-neutralize-abu-sayyaf

Cops, Army hunt down suspects in rifle grenade attack in Maguindanao that hurt 4

From the Philippine News Agency (May 11): Cops, Army hunt down suspects in rifle grenade attack in Maguindanao that hurt 4

Police authorities in Maguindanao are hunting down gunmen who fired a rifle grenade at the house of a mayoral candidate in Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Maguindanao on election day.

Senior Supt. Nickson Muksan, Maguindanao police provincial director, said the manhunt involved elements of the provincial public safety battalion, Gen. SK Pendatun police office and elements of the 33rd Infantry Battalion.

Citing reports from Gen. SK Pendatun town police office, unidentified armed men fired M-79 grenade toward the house of Datu Pendatun Ali in Barangay Poblacion shortly before the voting commenced on Monday.

Ali is running for mayor as an independent candidate.

Ali was meeting with his supporters and allies when the rifle grenade landed inside the compound that injured four persons. The injured were rushed to a hospital in Tacurong City.

The suspects, according to witnesses, fled to Liguasan marshland.

Voting commenced as scheduled in other parts of the municipality.

Canvassing is still on going at the municipal town council building. The Comelec said due to internet problem, transmission of votes cast had been slow from outlying villages where the signal was very low or none at all.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=884374

Number of ERIs now at 210 -- PNP

From the Philippine News Agency (May 11): Number of ERIs now at 210 -- PNP

The number of election-related incidents (ERIs) is now at 210 on Wednesday, according to Philippine National Police (PNP).

Out of this figure, 29 incidents were validated as election related incidents.

Meanwhile, there are 121 suspected ERIs and 60 non-ERIs from January 10 - May 8.

The 29 validated ERIs has 68 victims: 16 killed, persons; nine wounded and 43 unharmed.

On Monday, the PNP monitored 32 incidents happened from midnight until 11:59 p.m.

PNP said that the most recorded ERIs are shooting incidents at 10; followed by explosion/bombing at eight; vote buying at six; ballot/VCM snatching at four; indiscriminate firing at two; grenade throwing and missing candidate at one each.

The PNP also said that 4,214 persons, mostly civilians, have been apprehended for carrying firearms since the implementation of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) gun ban on January 10.

This figure includes 4,033 civilians, 50 security guards, 35 government officials, 33 police officers, 22 from threat groups, 18 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, 10 also from Private Armed Groups (PAGS), eight employees of a law enforcement agency three members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), and two Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel.

The PNP confiscated 3,478 firearms, 39,350 deadly weapons and 37, 422 pieces of ammunition.

The gun ban is being implemented by the PNP and other law enforcement agencies which started on Jan. 10 and will last until June 8.

Meanwhile, police authorities arrested a total of 127 individuals from 41 incidents who violated the liquor ban implemented on Sunday.

PNP said that majority of apprehended violators are from the NCRPO with 88, followed by Region 4A with 14; Region 9 with nine; Region 11 with 4; Cordillera Region and Region 10 with three; and Region 1 and Region 8 with two; and Region 3 and Region 5 with one.

Meanwhile, among the four provinces put under Comelec control, only Tawi-Tawi has reported a shooting incident.

In the nine election hotspots, three separate shooting incidents happened in Abra, Samar and Maguindanao.

Burning of four classrooms and grenade throwing happened in Lanao Del Norte.

In addition, two fire incidents, one ballot snatching incident and one incident of illegal discharge of firearms (FAs) was reported in Lanao del Sur.

In Maguindanao, the PNP has recorded one incident of mauling or stone throwing, one vote buying incident and two explosions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=884299

DND-GA to acquire 1,503 metric tons of metallic raw materiel

From the Philippine News Agency (May 11): DND-GA to acquire 1,503 metric tons of metallic raw materiel

The Department of National Defense-Government Arsenal (DND-GA) has allocated the sum of PHP502,084,239 for the acquisition of 1,502 metric tons of metallic raw materiel.

This is three years' worth of supply of metallic raw materials for the DND-GA which is the mandated manufacturer of all bullets used by government security forces.

Funding will be sourced from the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2016 and Multi-Year Obligation Authority 2015.

Delivery for 2016, which is 460 metric tons and worth PHP153,561,384, must be delivered within 180 calendar days upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed.

While those intended for 2017, which is equivalent to 500 metric tons and worth Php167,138,236, must be delivered not later Feb. 15 of that year.

For 2018, the last shipment of 542 metric tons of metallic raw materiel worth PHP181,384,619, must be delivered not later than Feb. 15, 2018.

Interested bidders must have completed a similar project within the last five years.

Pre-bid conference is slated for May 17, 11 a.m. at the DND-Bids and Awards Committee Conference Room, Basement, Left Wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Meanwhile, bid opening is on May 31, 11 a.m. at the same venue.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=884303

BRP Tarlac, PN's first SSV, to arrive off Manila on May 14

From the Philippine News Agency (May 11): BRP Tarlac, PN's first SSV, to arrive off Manila on May 14

The Philippine Navy (PN)'s first strategic sealift vessel (SSV) is expected to arrive off Manila this coming May 14.

This was disclosed by PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna Wednesday in a message to the PNA.

Her arrival is well in time with the PN's 118th founding anniversary on May 20.

He added that the SSV, which is named BRP Tarlac (LD-601), departed the PT PAL (Persero) shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia last Monday.

"The ship will anchor at designated area and crew will undergo Custom Immigration and Quarantine before she will dock at Pier 13 on May 16," Lincuna stressed.

Prior departure, BRP Tarlac has successfully concluded her sea trials, he added.

Sea trials refer to the testing phases which aims to check the performance of all machineries and equipment of the SSV.

"It is also conducted to check and measure the ship's general performance and seaworthiness," he added.

The Philippines has a two-SSV order with PT PAL (Persero) for PHP3,870,000,000 which is sourced from the AFP Modernization Fund.

The SSV acquisition project for the PN was initiated upon the approval of Acquisition Decision Memorandum Number 2012-060 by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin last Oct. 30, 2013.

The Department of National Defense declared Persero as the Single Calculated Responsive Bidder with a bidding price of PHP3,870,000,000 on Nov. 18, 2014.

The SSVs are programmed to be the PN’s floating command center carrying out their main purpose as military sealift and transport vessels and also for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The ships are estimated to weigh around 7,300 gross register tons.

Further, these vessels are critical assets for civil-military operations due to their capability of transporting large number of soldiers, logistics, and supplies.

Moreover, each SSV has the capacity to house three helicopters. The Navy’s Augusta Westland-109s are programmed to be on-board components of these vessels.

These forthcoming landing platform dock strategic sealift vessels will improve the transport capability of the PN and boost the defense capabilities of the country.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=884331

AFP confirms release of 4 Indon ASG hostages

From the Philippine News Agency (May 12): AFP confirms release of 4 Indon ASG hostages

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the release of four Indonesian hostages from the hands of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits Wednesday afternoon.

"At about 2 p.m. today the Local Government in Jolo, Sulu turned over to the AFP's Joint Task Force Sulu the four remaining Indonesian hostages who were earlier kidnapped off the waters of Tawi-Tawi," AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

The four were immediately taken to Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Busbus, Jolo for physical and medical examination.Brig. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command deputy chief, and 501st Infantry Brigade commander Col. Jose Faustino, Jr., received the Indonesian hostages from Sulu Gov. Abdusakur "Toto" Tan.

"Arrangements are now being finalized for the hand over of the Indonesian nationals to Indonesian authorities," Padilla said.

Intelligence report from Sulu indicated the four Indons were freed around 9 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Silangkan, Indanan, Sulu.

The four Indonesian sailors are crew members of M/V Masfive 6 that was steaming off the waters of Tawi-Tawi around 6:00 p.m. of April 15 when eight ASG gunmen on a speedboat intercepted and seized them.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=884419

Taccad to formally welcome BRP Tarlac, crew on May 16

From the Philippine News Agency (May 12): Taccad to formally welcome BRP Tarlac, crew on May 16

Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Caesar C. Taccad will lead the welcoming ceremonies for BRP Tarlac (LD-601), the country's first strategic sealift vessel (SSV), this coming May 16.

The ceremony will be held at Pier 13 of the Manila South Harbor, said PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna.

Taccad will act as the event's guest-of-honor and speaker. Its highlights are the tribute and recognition to the laudable efforts of the sailors who were instrumental for the ship’s safe and successful voyage to the Philippines.

The BRP Tarlac left the Surabaya shipyard of Indonesian builder PT PAL (Persero) last Monday It is expected to arrive in Manila Bay on Saturday.

The SSVs are programmed to be the PN’s floating command-and-control centers especially in the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster response and serving other purposes as military sealift and transport vessels.

These vessels are also critical assets for civil-military operations due to their capability of transporting large number of soldiers, logistics, and supplies. Moreover, each SSV has the capacity to house three helicopters.

The ships are estimated to weigh around 7,300 gross register tons.

The Philippines has a two-SSV order with PT PAL (Persero) for PHP3,870,000,000 which is sourced from the AFP Modernization Fund.

The SSV acquisition project for the PN was initiated upon the approval of Acquisition Decision Memorandum Number 2012-060 by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin last Oct. 30, 2013.

The Department of National Defense declared Persero as the Single Calculated Responsive Bidder with a bidding price of PHP3,870,000,000 on Nov. 18, 2014.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=884493

Washington limits waiting time for Filipinos to join WWII veteran kins in US

From the Philippine News Agency (May 12): Washington limits waiting time for Filipinos to join WWII veteran kins in US

The United States has announced a discretionary grant of parole that limits long waiting periods for Filipinos to join their petitioning World War II veteran family members, who are already American citizens or permanent residents.

Such policy by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services enables eligible families to come to the US to become permanent residents and provide care and support for their aging veteran family members or their surviving spouses. Waiting time for visas under this category usually lasts up to 20 years.

“The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program honors the thousands of Filipinos who bravely enlisted to fight for the United States during World War II,” USCIS Director León Rodríguez said in a statement.

An estimated 2,000-6,000 Filipino-American World War II veterans are living in the United States today.

“This policy will allow certain Filipino-American family members awaiting immigrant-visa issuance to come to the United States and be with their loved ones,” said Rodriguez.

Grant of parole will be on a case-to-case basis, the USCIS said.

Interested eligible individuals may file their applications within a five-year period starting June 8.

The number of family-sponsored immigrant visas available by country of origin in any given year is limited by statute, a USCIS statement said.

In limited cases, certain eligible relatives will be able to seek parole on their own behalf when their Filipino World War II veteran and his or her spouse are both deceased.

USCIS will review each case individually to determine whether authorizing parole is appropriate.

When each individual arrives at a US port of entry, US Customs and Border Protection will also review each case to determine whether to parole the individual.

Legal authority for this parole policy comes from the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to parole certain individuals, on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=884568

Sayyaf frees 4 Indon sailors in Philippines (Photos)

From the Mindanao Examiner (May 12): Sayyaf frees 4 Indon sailors in Philippines

 

A former Indonesian army general Kivlan Zein and Tarhata Misuari, wife of MNLF chairman Nur Misuari, with freed Indonesian sailors – Mochammad Ariyanto Mijnan, Lorens Peter, Dede Irfan Hilmi and Samsir – at the house of Sulu Gov. Totoh Tan. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Abu Sayyaf jihadists have freed four Indonesian sailors on Wednesday after a series of negotiations by the former rebel group Moro National Liberation Front in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.

MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari has persuaded the Abu Sayyaf to free the sailors without ransom, according to provincial governor Totoh Tan, who received the Indonesians in his home in Jolo town. Misuari’s wife, Tarhata, and former Indonesian army general Kivlan Zein accompanied the sailors – Mochammad Ariyanto Mijnan, Lorens Peter, Dede Irfan Hilmi and Samsir and handed them over to Tan.

Zein sought Misuari’s help – for the second time – in the safe release of the hostages who were freed in Indanan town. Zein also briefed Tan on the role of Misuari in persuading the Abu Sayyaf to release the sailors, who were all tugboat crew members kidnapped last month at sea off Tawi-Tawi province near the Sabah border, and brought them to Sulu province.

“It was MNLF Islamic persuasion and joint efforts of the military and police, and the local and provincial government. No ransom was paid for the freedom of the Indonesians,” Tan, chairman of the local crisis management committee, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Exminer.

No one from among the hostages spoke, but they all thanked Tan and shook hands with him. Sulu Vice Governor Salur Tan was also present during the meeting.

Zein also praised Misuari and Tan and the Philippine government in their role in securing the freedom of the Indonesians. “We thanked Brother Nur, the MNLF, Governor Tan and the Philippine government and all those who helped in securing the safe release of the hostages,” he said.

Tan said the Indonesians were brought to a military hospital in Jolo town for a routine medical examination before being handed over to Indonesian government officials.

Just last month, Misuari also sought the release of 10 Indonesian tugboat crew members kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Tawi-Tawi province after Zein appealed to the MNLF to help Jakarta in freeing the hostages. The seamen were brought by the MNLF at the residence of Tan who handed the, over to the authorities.

The Abu Sayyaf – which pledged allegiance with the Islamic State militant group – is still holding four Malaysian sailors, a Canadian man, a Norwegian resort manager, a Dutch photographer and a Japanese treasure hunter in southern Philippines



http://mindanaoexaminer.com/sayyaf-frees-4-indon-sailors-in-philippines/

Threat to behead hostages looms again

From The Star Online (May 11): Threat to behead hostages looms again

The threat of execution hangs over the four abducted Malaysian sailors after Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines set an “early” May deadline for talks to begin for their release.

Anti-kidnapping activist Prof Octavio Dinampo said killing captives appeared to be easier for the gunmen now following the beheading of Malaysian Bernard Thien in Nov 17 last year and Canadian John Ridsdel on April 25 in Jolo island.

“They have no qualms about executing their hostages. They don’t have any conscience and are willing to carry out their brutal acts,” he told The Star on Wednesday.

He added that the the beheadings were not only carried out to pressure the families and governments of the remaining captives to negotiate for their release but were also to get rid of those who were sick and ailing.

Octavio said Philippines military operations had forced the militants and their captives to be on the move constantly in the mountainous interior of Jolo island. Hostages who were slow and weak were executed as a result.

The four sailors – Sarawakians Wong Teck Kang, 31, Wong Hung Sing, 34, Wong Teck Chii, 29, and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21 – were abducted by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in the waters off Ligitan Island in Sabah on April 1.

They were part of a nine-member crew aboard a tugboat which was returning from the Philippines to Malaysia.

The gunmen, in telephone calls to the victims’ families, reportedly set an early May deadline for them to begin negotiations for the hostages’ release.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said on May 4 that intelligence reports indicated that the four Malaysian captives had been treated well by the gunmen and were safe and healthy.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/05/11/beheading-threat-malaysian-sailors/