Friday, May 20, 2016

How Abu Sayyaf, the Islamist terror gang, made a business out of beheadings

From The Telegraph (May 20): How Abu Sayyaf, the Islamist terror gang, made a business out of beheadings

Filipino soldiers in a military tank on the outskirts of Jolo, Sulu Island, southern Philippines. 

Filipino soldiers in a military tank on the outskirts of Jolo, Sulu Island, southern Philippines.  Credit: EPA/BEN HAJAN

When a British-Canadian mining consultant was beheaded by an Islamist kidnap gang in the southern Philippines, the country’s leaders pledged to unleash the full might of the military to “neutralise” the Abu Sayyaf militia.

But in the weeks since, there was no sign of progress in the “relentless manhunt” for the outnumbered gunmen who murdered John Ridsdel and still hold two other Westerners.

And the kidnappers, whose leaders have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State faction, have now released a chilling new video of the captives wearing orange shirts in a jungle setting, surrounded by hooded, armed men.

In that footage, Robert Hall, a Canadian yachtsman, again pleads for his government to pay a ransom of $6.5 million by June 13 or warns he will suffer the same gruesome fate as his compatriot.

During the last two decades, small bands of Abu Sayyaf fighters have developed an abduction-for-ransom operation that mixes ruthless bandrity and religious zealotry.

But in recent months, they have become increasingly brazen in their speedboat-borne raids, seeking kidnap targets far from their strongholds and raising fears of raids on tourist areas.
Canadian tourists John Ridsdel, 68, who was kidnapped by gunmen.
Canadian tourists John Ridsdel, 68, who was kidnapped by gunmen. Credit: AFP/Getty/Eastern Mindanao Command  

In their lair, the lawless strife-torn Sulu archipelago, the terrain and local support certainly favour the militants. They hide out in jungle-carpeted islands where they divide their time between piracy operations and farming jackfruit and durian.

But regional security experts have now described to the Telegraph how the local economy there is so heavily dependant on the kidnap business that it has become an engrained way of life.

The profits are shared between corrupt officials and military commanders, religious leaders and tribal elders, distributed down to local villagers who provide food and cover, not to mention the foot-soldiers of Abu Sayyaf and their arms procurers.

“The simple fact is that it is in nobody’s interest locally for these kidnappings to end when there are so many beneficiaries from the system,” said a security analyst. “There are millions being pumped into the local economy by this business.”
In an island chain described by regional security expert Michael Vatikiotis as a hotbed of piracy, clan loyalties and warrior culture for centuries, the writ of the presidential palace in Manila and the national military mean little.

Even the deployment of a US special task force in the south – dispatched in 2002 by George W Bush as part of his “war on terror” to train and assist Philippine forces and wound down last year by Barack Obama – only put a lid on the activities.

It will fall to president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, the brash and volatile city mayor who won an election landslide on his crime-busting platform, to deal with the crisis after he takes office at the end of June.

Mr Duterte has given mixed signals about how he will tackle the stand-off. He has both threatened yet another “offensive” but also indicated that he is willing to deal with the rebels, saying “we don’t go to war with our own people”.
Indonesian sailors who were held hostaged by the Abu Sayyaf islamist group, take a meal inside a military camp in the town of Jolo, Sulu island, southern Philippines. 
Indonesian sailors who were held hostaged by the Abu Sayyaf islamist group, take a meal inside a military camp in the town of Jolo, Sulu island, southern Philippines.  Credit: EPA/BEN HAJAN

Mr Ridsdel and his fellow hostages were snatched from on an upmarket marina on the holiday island of Samal, just off  Mr Duterte’s home city of Davao, and carried away 500 miles to Sulu.

And the scourge stretches beyond Philippine waters. Indeed, its piracy operations - striking at commercial vessels and yachts in the high seas off Malaysia and Indonesia - prompted a dire warning from Jakarta that the maritime region could become a “new Somalia”.

Abu Sayyaf, which means Bearer of the Sword, was formed by radical young Muslim insurgents in the 1990s with funding from Osama bin Laden’s brother-in-law.

The group still cloaks itself in the trappings of religious terrorism, though several commanders have now switched loyalty from al-Qaeda to the Islamic State faction (Isil).

The black flag of Isil been used a prop in recent hostage videos when the hostages pleaded for their lives while machetes were held to their throats and captors shouted the battle cry “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greater”).

But Mr Ridsdel, 68, who was born in London and raised in Canada, was beheaded not for some warped interpretation of religion but after a deadline passed for the payment of a ransom of $6.5 million.

“The reality is that the Abu Sayyaf is a group of bandits and pirates, entirely motivated by greed not jihad,” said Matt Williams, country director for Pacific Strategies and Assessments, a risk management and security company.

Their pledge of featly to Isil was a “branding exercise”, he said. “By styling themselves as Islamic terrorists, they can push up their ransom demands by making them stand out from the others.”

At the National War College in Washington, where graduates include several top US commanders, Zachary Abuza, a speacialist in Asian security issues and militant Islam, shared that analysis.
Filipino soldiers are seen in the back of a military truck as they wait for orders during a military offensive on the outskirts of Jolo, Sulu Island, southern Philippines.
Filipino soldiers are seen in the back of a military truck as they wait for orders during a military offensive on the outskirts of Jolo, Sulu Island, southern Philippines. Credit: EPA/BEN HAJAN

The proclamation of allegiance to Isil is “a marketing ploy to further their professional operations”, he said. “It helps attract attention and recruits. And their terror value is upped if Islamic State acknowledges them back, as they have. But this is not an ideological threat. Their business is abductions for ransom.”

There is an unofficial “tariff” for bounties for captives - $10,000 for locals, $100,000 for other South East Asians and as much as can be bargained for Westerners.

Security analysts say the “ante was upped dramatically” after the release of a German couple seized from their yacht in 2014.

They are believed to have been freed for payments of up to $5 million each, although the source of the money is not clear, and both the German and Philippines governments have denied paying ransoms.

So Abu Sayyaf evidently thought they had hit the “jackpot” when they discovered the identity of one of their hostages from the Samal marina. For although semi-retired, Mr Ridsdel was a consultant with a Canadian company that operates gold and silver mines in the volatile Mindanao region.

He had acquired his love of sailing from his father, a British ophthalmologist who took the family to Canada when John was young. And now he was spending time on Samal on his catamaran after missing a sailing regatta because he was suffering a bout of tuberculosis.

Back in Sulu, the kidnappers issued their most outrageous ransom yet, demanding $20 million for each captive.

“It was just a stupid number,” said a security analyst who knew Mr Ridsdel. “They must have thought they had hit the jackpot when they discovered he worked for a mining company.”

The Telegraph has been told that detailed negotiations conducted via intermediaries were launched with the captors but it was made clear that the sum demanded was impossible.

Only after several months did the kidnappers grudgingly drop their demands to $6.5 million – a figure that was still setting new highs. They released chilling videos showing the emaciated Western captives begging their governments to meet the demands.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Public Affairs Officer, Colonel Noel Detoyato, gives a statement inside the military headquarters in Quezon city, metro Manila regarding the execution of Canadian hostage John Ridsdel by Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines. 
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Public Affairs Officer, Colonel Noel Detoyato, gives a statement inside the military headquarters in Quezon city, metro Manila regarding the execution of Canadian hostage John Ridsdel by Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines.  Credit: REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco/Files

The militants let one deadline pass, as they had with other hostages in the past when negotiations were underway.

But they set a final ultimatum for payment of 3pm on April 25th – and barely an hour later, masked men on a motorbike dumped Mr Ridsdel’s head in a plastic bag on a street corner in the main town in Jolo.

As well as the horror, there was also some surprise, given Abu Sayyaf’s cynical money-making motivations, that they had killed their most valuable “asset”.

But friends of Mr Ridsdel who had seen his pitiful state in the videos believe that he was very sick with tuberculosis – attempts to persuade the captors to meet to pass medication to him had failed – and he was become a liability. Others thought he might have argued back at his captors.

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, denounced the killing “as an act of cold-blooded murder”. And after calling David Cameron to discuss the fate of their dual citizen, he insisted that Canada “does not and will not” pay ransoms to terrorists, citing his British counterpart’s support for the policy.

Ransom negotiations however are reported to have taken place via third parties, but Abu Sayyaf rejected the sum offered as too low.

Indeed, Bob Rae, the former premier of Ontario and an old university friend of Mr Ridsdel apparently confirmed as much, saying that talks had collapsed as Abu Sayyaf refused to lower its “ridiculous” demand.

He told Canadian Television that he had been working my Mr Ridsdel’s family but that Abu Sayyaf refused to lower their demands. “It’s been an extremely frustrating and very, very difficult situation for the families to navigate.”

Mr Rae added that there are still "a lot of conflicting reports about exactly what happened," but that Mr Ridsdel showed "an enormous amount of courage and dignity and honesty throughout the process”.

 Canadian officials warned that the "rampant" speculation about the incident is “off base and "unhelpful". The government is not commenting officially, citing the safety of the remaining hostages.

The crisis has put back in the spotlight the public “no ransom” policies of some Western governments, notably Britain and America, when their tough stance is undermined by other governments that unofficially pay to free their citizens.

Just 17 days before Mr Ridsdel’s murder, a retired Italian priest and businessman seized last year from the southern city of Dipolog, was quietly released.

His family is believed to have excluded the Philippines military from the negotiations and made contact directly with the kidnappers, eventually securing his freedom for about $600,000.

Fourteen Indonesian sailors seized in two raids on the high seas in March and April and held in Jolo have also been freed in recent days after ransoms were reportedly paid.

Warren Rodwell, an Australian ex-soldier and teacher, was abducted from his home in the southern Philippines in late 2011 and released 14 months later after his family reportedly agreed to pay “board and lodging” expenses of less than $100,000.

But a Dutch bird-watcher and a Japanese tourist seized in recent years are feared to have died in captivity, with nothing heard of them and no demands for their lives.

“The kidnap and ransom activities of these groups is a business  - and the business model just gets better with every ransom payment,” said Michael Vatikiotis, Asia director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, a group that works in the southern Philippines.

“The risk of more snatch and grab from holiday resorts in the Philippines or on the high seas is greater now. The only way to address the problem is to replace this business model with another source of income for the people of Sulu so they won't have to rely on the flow of money from local armed group commanders.

This is challenging because of the apparent inability of government security forces to pacify the region, which in turn depends on the successful outcome of a protracted peace process that has been interrupted by the election process and a change of government.”

Abu Sayyaf has its roots in the long-running Muslim insurgency in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic country. It was formed by militants who broke away from existing rebel groups to pursue their dream of an Islamic caliphate rather than regional autonomy.

But the group soon moved into the kidnapping business and then Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi paid several million dollars to secure the release of Western tourists kidnapped from a Malaysian resort in 2000. Abu Sayyaf took another large group hostage in Palawan in 2001, eventually beheading one American tourist while a US missionary was shot dead in a rescue mission.

Abu Sayyaf maintained links to international terror groups in its early years. Ramzi Yousef, the al-Qaeda lieutenant who bombed the World Trade Centre in 1993, trained Abu Sayyaf fighters in the 1990s, and the group had ties to Jemaah Islamiyah, the Indonesian terrorist group that conducted the 2002 Bali bombings.

By that year, Abu Sayyaf had come into the sights of the US “war on terror” oand President Bush struck a deal with Manila to deployed a 600-strong task force to the southern Philippines to train and assist local counter-terrorism operations.

The 13-year US deployment helped keep a lid on their excesses and several top commanders were killed, although the Philippines armed forces continued to sustain heavy casualties too.

Abu Sayyaf in the intervening years was largely seen to have shed its ideological component, though in 2014, its best-known commander, Isnilon Hapilon – the target of a $5 million US bounty – made headlines with his pledge of allegiance to Islamic State.

And in recent months, it has embarked on a kidnapping and piracy binge, with the payment of ransoms followed by a new round of abductions.

For Mr Ridsdel’s former fellow captives – Kjartan Sekkingstad, the Norwegian resort manager, Mr Hall and his Filipina girlfriend Marites Flor – their hopes now may lie with the country’s president-elect.

Mr Duterte’s spokesman has said that that he was prepared to negotiate a peace agreement with Islamist and communist rebels. Although Abu Sayyaf is outside that peace process, the new mood may provide an opportunity for striking a deal on its remaining hostages, if they are still alive when he takes office on June 30.

As mayor of Davao for more than two decades, Mr Duterte regularly reached deals with the rebel groups who once roamed the city. He also has Muslim family links through his mother.

Richard Heydarian, a respected political commentator, described his election as “good news” for the hostages.

“I think that Duterte is the best choice not only for the hostages but to bring together Christians and Muslims to end decades of conflict,” he told the National Post. “As a Mindanaon president he will be in a unique position to end decades of militantism and to stamp out terrorism.”

But Brig-Gen Alan Arrojado, who until last month led the military task force for the Sulu region, gave a blunt assessment of hostages’ prospects if the financial demands are not met. “If there is no ransom payment, they will behead the victims,” he said. “That is their usual practice.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/20/how-abu-sayyaf-the-islamist-terror-gang-made-a-business-out-of-b/

Why it's not easy to eliminate Abu Sayyaf: 'In the jungle, you can't find them'

From Asia One (May 21): Why it's not easy to eliminate Abu Sayyaf: 'In the jungle, you can't find them'



Malaysian Special Forces personnel demonstrate a hostage-rescue operation during the opening day of 15th Defence Services Asia Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

"WHEN are we going to carpet bomb the Abu Sayyaf?" or "Why don't the Philippine special forces wipe out the Abu Sayyaf?" are common reactions on Twitter or Facebook whenever there is a report of a kidnapping on the east coast of Sabah.

Early this year, a few months after Sarawakian Bernard Then was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo island, I met a high-ranking Philippine military commander to ask him these questions.

The commander, a dozen of his men and I had a "boodle fight" (dining in among the Philippine military by sharing the same food without regard to rank) at a restaurant in Zamboanga City, about a two-hour boat ride from Jolo island, an island the size of Perlis.

"We try our best, no matter the handicaps we have, such as lack of troops," said the commander, who requested not to be named.

"Jolo island might be a small dot. But if you are in the area, you can't cover everything."

"It is a jungle. It is not an urban area where the enemies are fixed at a location; you have surveillance of them and you can attack them," said the 50-something military man.

"In the jungle, you can't find them because they are very mobile. They know the terrain and they have the support of the populace (villagers). My troops have to find a way to corner them. It is like a fishing expedition."

"In Malaysia, the public will say how come the Philippine military does not launch an operation to rescue the Malaysian hostages?" I asked him.

"The problem is we have available forces but their numbers are negligible," he said, refusing to give the strength of the army and marine forces in Jolo for security reasons.

"If you attack an enemy, you must have three times the number of men as your enemies. It is not like in the movies where a dozen men can overrun hundreds of bad guys."

He added: "Your enemies are in an advantageous position as they know the terrain. If you don't have the numbers, more often the casualty will be on the government side."

"The Malaysian public will say 'Why don't the Philippines use their special forces to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf?'"

I said."It doesn't matter if they are special forces. There are many factors to consider."I'll give one. We lack the capabilities to find the enemies. We are procuring drones and other equipment. Right now we are doing it manually," he said.

"The Malaysian public ask, why don't the Philippine military just bomb the Abu Sayyaf?" I said.

"That is not possible. I too want to wipe them out - an eye for an eye. But we have international laws and human rights. We want a legitimate encounter with the Abu Sayyaf," he said.

"We can't also antagonise the local populace just to get the Abu Sayyaf. We risk creating another generation who will rise up to become Abu Sayyaf."

"In the last five years, has the Philippine military rescued any of the hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo?" I asked.

"We have rescued four hostages. The latest were the two Filipino coast guards," said the commander.

"The other hostage we rescued was the Swiss bird watcher (who was kidnapped in Tawi island)."

As a result of a military operation on the Abu Sayyaf, the kidnappers became disorganised and the Swiss had a chance to escape."

"What's your advice to Malaysia when a Malaysian is kidnapped and brought to Jolo?" I said.

"My stand is just don't pay ransom, as you will add to their capabilities. They will just buy arms and will repeat another kidnapping," he said.

"But we can't do anything if the relatives of the hostage pay the ransom."

The commander noted that the Abu Sayyaf foot soldiers were getting younger.

He explained that the Abu Sayyaf promised youngsters who were out of school, especially in the hinterlands, 30,000 to 35,000 pesos (about RM3,000 to RM3,500) a month and firearms to join the group.

Many - because they are inexperienced - are killed during military operations. And their families ask for blood money for their deaths.

To replace these dead foot soldiers, according to the commander, the Abu Sayyaf offers 40,000 pesos (RM4,000) a month and firearms to teenagers."These teenagers realise that they have signed up for hardship - always on the move, and lacking food and sleep (because of bombardment). Many times they are not paid," he said.

"Once they realise that life as an Abu Sayyaf was difficult, they would try to escape. Some have gone to Sabah to find safe haven as if the Abu Sayyaf finds them, they will be killed."

Are these recruits trained?" I asked.

"They are actually not trained as they already know how to use a gun. They are employed to guard the area or the hostages," he said.

"There is no time to train them - unless there is a lull - as we are always hunting them."

"How well trained are the foot soldiers?" I asked.

"They are innocent about fighting. Most often, they are the ones who are killed. We have video clips taken by the Abu Sayyaf and more often than not the recruits are the casualities," he said.

"How about the Abu Sayyaf commanders?" I asked.

"They are not trained as fighters. But they have combat experience."They might know how to assemble a bomb but through experience they know how to engage with the army and marines. They are more adept at evading or escaping from the military," he said.

"If they are not well trained then is it easier for your men to hunt them?" I said.

"Yes, ideally. But they have the advantage of the terrain and the populace. Once we enter a barangay (village), the villagers will text message that the military are here and they will get out of the area," he said.

The commander added: "It is not easy to fight the Abu Sayyaf. It is only incidental, coincidence or good luck that we are able to catch them off guard."And that is a very rare moment."

http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/why-its-not-easy-eliminate-abu-sayyaf-jungle-you-cant-find-them

Left’s top choice for DENR: Bayan Muna Representative Zarate

From Rappler (May 20): Left’s top choice for DENR: Bayan Muna Representative Zarate

Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate, a Davao-based human rights lawyer, has known Rodrigo Duterte since the president-elect's appointment as Davao City OIC vice mayor in 1986

ALLIES. Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate meets with president-elect Rodrigo Duterte on May 17, 2016 in Davao City. Photo courtesy of Ayik Casilao/Bayan Muna

ALLIES. Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate meets with president-elect Rodrigo Duterte on May 17, 2016 in Davao City. Photo courtesy of Ayik Casilao/Bayan Muna

The Commission on Elections has just proclaimed Bayan Muna as among the winning party-list groups in the May 9 elections on Thursday, May 19, but its top nominee as its representative in Congress has a tough choice to make soon.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) is eyeing Bayan Muna party list Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate as its nominee for environment secretary, sources told Rappler.

The NDF is expected to come up with a list of nominees to the 4 agencies offered by president-elect Rodrigo Duterte to the Left on Friday, May 20, the sources said.

Duterte announced on May 16 that 4 government agencies are open to nominations from the Left: the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

"Yes, he is being selected as one of the recommendees. It’s up to Representative Zarate if he accepts the offer, and ultimately it’s up to Mayor Duterte if he will approve it,” one of the sources privy to the selection process being undertaken by the Left revealed on Friday morning, noting that Zarate is on top of the list for DENR chief.

"The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and NDF representatives will personally deliver the list of recommendees along with letters of intent and CVs to Davao very soon," the source added.

Jose Maria "Joma" Sison, NDF chief political consultant, earlier said that a committee has been formed to "choose persons who are people-oriented, competent, honest, and diligent for recommendation to government positions." (READ: Joma: Left welcomes Duterte offers of Cabinet posts)

Zarate to consult family, party

In a phone interview with Zarate, the lawmaker told Rappler that he is aware of the vetting process but has not yet received a formal invitation from the NDF.

“'Di ako magsasalita ng tapos (I won't say anything final). My preference is to work in Congress,” Zarate said.

He noted, however, that if it will be formally offered to him, he will first consult his family, Bayan Muna, and the Makabayan bloc or the group of Left-leaning congressmen.

"Pag-iisipan ko (I will think about it). It’s a new challenge, but we’re very much wiling to give our support. It’s an honor to help the incoming administration na magtulak ng pro-poor, pro-people, at pro-environment na mga polisiya at programa (to push for pro-poor, pro-people, and pro-environment policies.”

Zarate is one of the co-authors of the People's Mining Bill filed by the Makabayan bloc in 2013. During the campaign, he challenged the presidential bets to address the issue of "destructive mining."

"The present liberalized mining regime under the Mining Act of 1995 has only brought strife among our rural peoples, especially indigenous peoples, who are continuously displaced and affected by environmental destruction. The unbridled greed of liberalized mining literally plundered our resources and abused our people,” he stressed.

‪Zarate also said that he is "opposed to coal-fired plants as sources of energy," noting that "climate change is real and coal is one of its culprits."

He had criticized President Benigno Aquino III when he inaugurated a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Davao City in January this year, a month after the Philippines signed the Paris Climate Change Agreement

Meeting with Duterte

Zarate and other progressive leaders in Davao City met with Duterte on Tuesday, May 17. During the 30-minute meeting, the president-elect reiterated his offer to the Left to join his administration, Zarate said.

Zarate, a Davao-based human rights lawyer, has known Duterte since he was appointed as the city’s officer-in-charge vice mayor following the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted the Marcos regime.

He served as a coordinator for the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) in Davao City, as secretary-general of the Union of People's Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), and as National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) vice president for Mindanao. He also headed the local chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Zarate said that Duterte has established rapport with the Left in Davao City, noting that his fellow activists have engaged Duterte several times on various issues.

“In Davao, the progressive forces are independent. Our engagement with him is based on respect. Even if we argue, as long as it’s a principled one, he’ll not take it personally.”

http://www.rappler.com/nation/133672-bayan-muna-representative-zarate-denr

Indictment of 10 Navy personnel in Pestaño slay upheld

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 21): Indictment of 10 Navy personnel in Pestaño slay upheld
The Court of Appeals has affirmed the indictment and the issuance of arrest warrants against 10 active and retired Philippine Navy personnel in connection with the alleged murder of ensign Philip Andrew Pestaño in 1995.

In a seven-page decision dated April 29 and released Friday, the appellate court’s Special Sixth Division said the Manila Regional Trial Court did not commit grave abuse of discretion in finding probable cause and ordering the arrest of the suspects in 2013.

Facing murder charges were retired Naval Capt. Ricardo Ordonez; Commander Reynaldo Lopez; Lt. Commanders Luidegar Casis, Alfrederick Alba and Joselito Colico; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Welmenio Aquino; Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Sandy Miranda, and retired Petty Officer 2nd Class Mil Leonor Igcasan.
The appeals tribunal said rules were complied with since the judge personally read the records of the case and was satisfied that based on the pieces of evidence submitted, a crime had been committed and that the persons to be arrested were probably guilty

“[T]he judge issued the warrants of arrest against the petitioners after finding probable cause existed by personally examining the records of the case.  [T]he judge was satisfied that a crime has been committed and that accused are probably guilty of murder,” the court said in the decision written by Justice Nina Antonio-Valenzuela.

The petitioners, who are currently detained at the Manila City Jail, had argued that there was no probable cause to arrest them because the evidence in the case “overwhelmingly” shows they were not guilty of murder.

But the court said it was not persuaded by the argument, adding the judge was under no obligation to review the evidence of the petitioners in detail.

“At the stage of determining probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest, a judge is not yet tasked to review in detail the evidence submitted during the preliminary investigation.  The judge merely determines the probability, not the certainty, of the guilt of the accused.  He simply personally reviews the prosecution’s initial determination finding probable cause, to see if it is supported by substantial evidence,” the court ruled.

The other division members, Justices Manuel Barrios and Agnes Reyes-Carpio, concurred in the decision.

Pestaño, 23, was found dead of a gunshot wound inside his cabin on the naval supply ship BRP Bacolod City on Sept. 27, 1995.

The Navy said Pestaño committed suicide but his parents Felipe and Evelyn said their son was murdered because he was about to expose anomalies on the ship.

In 2012, the Office of the Ombudsman recommended the filing of murder charges against the Navy men and ordered their dismissal from service.

A separate division of the Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissals while another division denied a plea by the accused to quash the criminal case against them.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/786850/indictment-of-10-navy-personnel-in-pestano-slay-upheld

Reclamation in Scarborough may force US to defend PH

From the New York Times posted to the Manila Bulletin (May 21): Reclamation in Scarborough may force US to defend PH
 
President Aquino said Thursday that the United States (US) would be obligated to take military action in the South China Sea if China moved to reclaim Scarborough Shoal, a hotly contested reef directly off the shore of Zambales province.
 
Aquino said he had no indication that China had imminent plans to develop the reef, also known as Panatag Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc, which sits 185 nautical miles from Manila.
 
But he suggested that there would be a harsh response if China decided to do so, saying that in his view the United States would be forced to defend the Philippines or risk losing its credibility in the region.
 
“It has to maintain its ascendancy, moral ascendancy, and also the confidence of one of its allies,” Aquino said during an interview in Malacañang.
 
China has moved swiftly in recent years to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea, one of the world’s major shipping routes, by building artificial islands equipped with airstrips and radar on top of rocks and shoals. Its actions have angered neighboring countries, including the Philippines, which claim many of the territories as their own.
 
If China were to succeed in making Scarborough Shoal a strategic outpost, it would be a major coup, given its proximity to US and Philippine military forces. The United States recently gained approval from the Philippines to begin stationing troops at five bases, in hopes of deterring China.
 
Aquino said he had not seen any recent intelligence reflecting a Chinese buildup at the shoal, which China effectively took control of in 2012, after a long standoff. But he said the Philippines would be prepared for any action by China. “We don’t subscribe to the notion that it’s theirs,” he said.
 
In recent weeks, Chinese military commentators have indicated that Beijing would like to begin developing the shoal, possibly by adding an airstrip. A recent report by Xinhua, the official news agency, called Scarborough Shoal an “inalienable part of the Chinese territory” since ancient times.
 
Military analysts have suggested that efforts by China to reclaim the shoal could prompt an aggressive response from the United States.
 
The United States and the Philippines have a mutual defense treaty, though experts said it would probably not be applied unless the Chinese military attacked Philippine forces unprovoked.
 
“Scarborough is a red line,” said Gregory B. Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “It would clearly change the balance of power.”
 
The Philippines has disputed China’s claims in the South China Sea before an international court at The Hague, Netherlands. A decision is expected in the coming weeks, though China has vowed to ignore it.
 
In the interview, Aquino, whose six-year term as president ends next month, compared the dispute in the South China Sea to a boxing match, saying China, with its vast population and considerable economic and military assets, was capable of knocking out the Philippines at any time.
 
“I think it would be foolhardy for us to devote all of our resources to getting weapons of mass destruction,” he said.
 
Aquino brushed aside concerns that his successor, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, would take a softer approach toward China, saying the president-elect might come to see things his way once he had a full briefing.
 
Duterte has indicated that he would be open to negotiating directly with the Chinese rather than pursuing international methods to resolve the dispute.
 
At the same time, Duterte has made patriotic statements about the sovereignty of the Philippines. During the campaign, he said he would ride a Jet Ski to the disputed territories and plant a Philippine flag.

http://www.mb.com.ph/reclamation-in-scarborough-may-force-us-to-defend-ph-aquino/

7 US warships in RP amid rising tension in WPS

From the Daily Tribune (May 21): 7 US warships in RP amid rising tension in WPS

Amid the rising tension in the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS), a United States Nnavy strike group –composed of seven warships, arrived yesterday in Subic Bay, Zambales for a routine visit to Manila.

In a statement, the US Embassy Manila announced that the USS John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) is scheduled to begin a routine port visit to the Philippines May 20 in Subic Bay.

The US Embassy said that the strike group will be in Manila today.

The JCSSG is consists of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 embarked, guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

The visit of the US strike group happened following May 17 “unsafe intercept” of a US spy plane by two Chinese jets in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.

The US Department of Defense is now reviewing the intercept of a US reconnaissance aircraft by two Chinese tactical aircraft.

Rear Adm. Marcus Hitchcock, commander of JCSSG, the centerpiece of US Great Green Fleet (GGF), expressed excitement in the visit citing many crew members of the strike group have Filipino roots.

“We are excited to visit Manila and Subic Bay. This is a great opportunity for our Sailors to see the sights and experience the warm hospitality of the Filipino people,” said Hitchcock.

“Many of our Sailors look forward to reconnecting with family and friends in the local area,” he added.

It is not the first time that the JCSSG in the Philippines as it participated in the US-Ph Balikatan exercise last April.

While in the Philippines, the US Embassy said that the strike group personnel will conduct cultural exchanges with the people of the Philippines by participating in community relations projects (COMRELS). Sailors plan to visit local elementary schools, cemeteries, memorials, and a medical center.

JCSSG sailors will also take part in morale, welfare and recreation tours to experience the island and the practices of the Filipino people. Sailors from Chung-Hoon and William P. Lawrence will also participate in friendly sporting matches with locals.

Approximately 8,500 sailors make up the strike group, of which at least 238 are of Filipino heritage. The Commanding Officer of USS Stockdale (DDG 106), Cmdr. Raphael Castillejo, is among those sailors.

Castillejo was born at Makati Medical Center and moved to the United States as a boy. He has served in the Navy for 23 years and is looking forward to returning to his hometown for this port visit. He plans to lead a wreath-laying ceremony at a local cemetery to remember those lost liberating the Philippines during World War II.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/7-us-warships-in-rp-amid-rising-tension-in-wps

‘Overrated’ ties with communists pose coup risks, Duterte warned

From the Daily Tribune (May 21): ‘Overrated’ ties with communists pose coup risks, Duterte warned

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is at risk of being unseated should he decide to pursue his “overrated” friendship with the communist insurgents, two retired uniformed officers yesterday said.

A retired Philippaine National Police (PNP) general, who used to be a part of a rebel-soldier coup member, and a retired Army general, in separate interviews with The Tribune, said Duterte, who has created enemies with vows to embrace communist rebels, must be watchful of  his ties with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“Although we should be supportive of President Duterte, we must remind him to be watchful of communist opportunists in the government for the benefit of their movement which, as we know well, terrorize people,” the retired police general said.

He added, historically speaking, the late President Corazon Aquino’s favorable relations with the communist group which led to the freedom of then detained CPP founder Jose Maria Sison “allowed the expansion of the NPA and its atrocities.”

Sison has been living in exile in the Netherlands since 1987.

The former Army general, for his part, noted that “keeping the communists close is dangerous.”


“It is his prerogative and that the public should be respective of it, as well as the men in uniform. But we should be careful knowing their deceptive measures,” he told The Tribune in a phone interview.

“But we should still be supportive of President Duterte. The people elected him after all. And who knows, this might be a big step not only in negotiating peace but to end their rebellion,” the retired general added.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes, a former Navy officer famous for leading failed military uprisings in 2003 and 2007, has earlier said some in the military were “strongly averse” to Duterte’s long-standing ties with communists, and that the reaction “could be violent.”

The communists are waging one of Asia’s longest-running insurgencies, with tens of thousands killed since the rebellion began in 1969. Dozens still die each year as the communists retain support among the poor.

Duterte has ruled the major southern city of Davao, which was one of the communist hotspots, as mayor for most of the past two decades, ending violence there by forging close ties with the rebels.

He has vowed to offer communist leaders posts in his government.

Meanwhile, in a separate phone interview, leftist Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate told The Tribune that the public has nothing to be afraid of the communist rebels.

He stressed Duterte knows how to manage the leftist group and the military well.
“Of course, it is natural that Duterte must coordinate with uniformed men since he is the chief of the Philippine government. But that does not mean that he should continue with what went wrong with the way military men handle both the (legal and underground) left,” Zarate said.

“Duterte was able to win friendly relations and coexistence with the CPP-NPA and the state forces and even the Moro revolutionaries,” he added.

London School of Economics fellow and UST political analyst Prof. Ernesto Gonzales, for his part, said it is a welcome opportunity to allow those who have ties with the communist group to work in the government.

“Instead of proposing their plans as long they are for the people’s welfare, we could now actually see them do it,” Gonzales said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/overrated-ties-with-communists-pose-coup-risks-duterte-warned

MILF insists on BBL despite Duterte gov’t federalism offer

From the Daily Tribune (May 21): MILF insists on BBL despite Duterte gov’t federalism offer

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has stressed the peace process with the government of the Philippines should start, upon the assumption of presumptive President Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, where it stopped under the outgoing Aquino administration — which is the passing of a law for the establishment of Bangsamoro government.

But the MILF’s call for the passage of BBL may be overridden by Duterte’s plans to grant regions autonomy through federalism.

The MILF, in an editorial posted over its Website, however, said the administration of Duterte should immediately work for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) where the Aquino government left off.

It stressed that the negotiation is completed following the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the MILF and GRP peace panels.

Strictly speaking, at present, negotiation; peace process, yes, the parties are still engaged. But the issues deliberated on are subsidiary matters like serious ceasefire violations, socio-economic interventions, transitional justice, etc.,” the MILF said.

“Currently, the parties are in implementation stage, mainly the passage of the BBL in Congress, which is a government responsibility,” it added.

Thus, the MILF said the new administration under Duterte, upon assuming office on June 30, shall start where the Aquino administration left off – to work for the early passage of BBL in Congress.

At the same time, the MILF batted to retain “familiar faces” in the Duterte peace team.
The Aquino administration’s GRP peace panel, which inked both the FAB and CAB with its MILF counterpart, was headed by Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, with Secretary Teresita Deles as chief of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

“We hope sincerely that the peace team of the new administration would include men and women whose track record, integrity, and commitment are beyond reproach, because an honest-to-goodness negotiation and a problem- solving exercise would require negotiators on both sides to have high regard and trust with each other,” the MILF said.

In March 2014, the MILF signed a peace deal with the government that brought to a close 17 years of negotiations and ended a decades-old armed conflict in the country’s south.

But the BBL — which would have sealed the deal but critics claimed was unconstitutional — was stalled earlier this year as Congress adjourned for campaigning for the May 9 election.

“If the negotiation between the MILF and GPH had achieved sterling successes during the Aquino administration, it is because the Parties have developed high regards and respect with each other. How we wish that the names we know will find space in the new peace team of the new administration!” it added.

Duterte has already mentioned that he wants Jesus Dureza, who previously served as peace negotiator for the government under the Arroyo administration, to talk peace with the Muslim groups – the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front.
No to BBL

Meanwhile, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, Duterte’s ally in the lower chamber, said the country’s push for federalism has almost the same concept of the BBL.

“The BBL will be absorbed by the federal form of government, because that’s the same. The concept of BBL is the same in federal form of government,” he said.
Alvarez stressed Muslim insurgents, especially the MILF, “were taken for a ride” by the Aquino administration on the issue of BBL.

“How can you implement the provisions of the BBL without amending the Constitution? You cannot do it because there are provisions in the BBL that run contrary to the provisions of the Constitution,” said Alvarez.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/milf-insists-on-bbl-despite-duterte-gov-t-federalism-offer

China has stopped harassing Filipino fishermen in Scarborough —officials

From GMA News (May 21): China has stopped harassing Filipino fishermen in Scarborough —officials

Filipinos can now fish in the disputed Scarborough Shoal without being harassed by Chinese authorities, officials said Saturday.

"Ngayon ang sitwasyon sa Scarborough Shoal ay nagkakaroon ng pagbabago. Ang mga mangingisda natin ay hindi na nakakaranas ng matinding harassment sa Chinese coast guard," Professor Rommel Banlaoi, chairman and executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, told radio dzBB in an interview.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Asis Perez confirmed to dzBB in another interview that Filipinos are now freely fishing in the shoal.

"Wala po tayong naririnig [na reklamo] ngayon. That can be an indication na wala pong nangyayaring adverse o hindi magandang nangyayari sa mga mangingisda," Perez added.

Banlaoi that it could be the result of his group's continuous negotiations with their counterparts in China.

He said that the Philippines has been asking the Chinese to allow Filipinos to fish in the shoal as a gesture of their sincerity in declarations that they want to peacefully resolve the territorial dispute.

He also attributed the softer stance of the Chinese in the disputed shoal to the perceived "paradigm shift" of the Philippines-China relations under the administration of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte.

Banlaoi said that he believes Duterte intends to repair the damaged relationship of China and the Philippines due to disputes over some territories in the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, called Panatag Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc by the Philippines.

Duterte has said that he is open to returning to bilateral talks with China on the territorial disputes.

Duterte has met with Chinese ambassador Zhao Jianhua in Davao City.

Banlaoi also believes that Duterte will not move to withdraw, but will not push the Philippines' case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration against China.

"Hindi niya iwi-withdraw ang posisyon sa international tribunal, pero 'di niya itututlak ito dahil ang [intensyon] niya ay to repair the damaged relations," he said.

"KUng hindi magtagumpay ang bilateral... bubuhayin ang [kaso] sa international tribunal at gagamitin niyang leverage," Banlaoi added.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/567118/news/nation/china-has-stopped-harassing-filipino-fishermen-in-scarborough-officials

Commander of this US warship is of Filipino heritage

From Update.Ph (May 20): Commander of this US warship is of Filipino heritage

Approximately 8,500 Sailors make up the USS John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) currently in Philippine visit, of which at least 238 are of Filipino heritage, the United States Navy said. The Commanding Officer of USS Stockdale (DDG 106), Cmdr. Raphael Castillejo, is among those Sailors.

Castillejo took over the command of the said American warship May 12, from Cmdr. Sean Grunwell.

The strike group consists of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 embarked, guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), and guided- missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

Castillejo was born at Makati Medical Center and moved to the United States as a young child. He has served in the Navy for 23 years. He plans to lead a wreath-laying ceremony at a local cemetery to remember those lost liberating the Philippines during World War II.

Another is Logistics Specialist First Class Don Salamero, a USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) crew member. He was born and raised in Daet Camarines Norte, in the Bicol region of the Philippines. Salamero enlisted in the Navy 17 years ago to explore and learn about different cultures, and he is excited to return to the Philippines for this port visit.

The strike group entered US 7th Fleet area of operations February 4, to participate in a number of exercises during this deployment; training, integrating and building capacity with allies in the Pacific region as part of an ongoing rotation of US forces supporting maritime security operations in waters around the world, the US Navy said.

Five of the seven US Mutual Defense Treaties are with countries in 7th Fleet area of operation which are Republic of the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/commander-of-this-us-warship-is-of-filipino-heritage/5848

Indian stealth frigates arriving in Philippines

From Update.Ph (May 20): Indian stealth frigates arriving in Philippines  

Four Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet warships which consist of two guided missile stealth frigates, fleet support ship, and guided missile corvette are set to arrive in Philippines within the warship’s 2 1/2-month long operational deployment to West Philippine Sea and North West Pacific.

“In a demonstration of its operational reach and commitment to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral SV Bhokare, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, sailed out on 18 May 16 on a 2½ month long operational deployment to the South China and North West Pacific,” the Indian Navy said in a press release.

The warships of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet will make port calls at Cam Rahn Bay in Vietnam, Subic Bay in Philippines, Sasebo in Japan, Busan in South Korea, Vladivostok in Russia, and Port Klang in Malaysia.

The Indian Navy said indigenously built guided missile stealth frigates, IN Ships Satpura and Sahyadri, commanded by Captain AN Pramod and Captain KS Rajkumar respectively, INS Shakti, a sophisticated fleet support ship, commanded by Capt Gagan Kaushal and INS Kirch an indigenous guided missile corvette commanded by Commander Sharad Sinsunwal are participating in this deployment.

“The visits to each port will last four days and are aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing inter-operability between the navies. During the stay in harbour, various activities such as official calls and professional interaction between naval personnel of both the nations have been planned,” it added.

The Indian warships are also joining the MALABAR-16, a trilateral naval exercise joined by US, Japan, and India. Originally a MALABAR is between India and the US, Japan became a permanent partner in 2015.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/indian-stealth-frigates-arriving-in-philippines/5841

US Navy carrier strike group visits Philippines

From Update.Ph (May 20): US Navy carrier strike group visits Philippines  

USS John C. Stennis Strike Group

United States Navy USS John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) is conducting a routine port visit to the Philippines, John C. Stennis Strike Group Public Affairs said. The carrier strike group will be in Subic May 20 and May 21 in Manila. The strike group has been operating in West Philippine Sea and participated in exercises involving ASEAN armed forces including the recently concluded Balikatan 2016.

In the Philippines, strike group personnel will conduct cultural exchanges with the people of the Philippines by participating in community relations projects (COMRELS). Sailors plan to visit local elementary schools, cemeteries, memorials, and a medical center.

JCSSG consists of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 embarked, guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), and guided- missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

The strike group is the centerpiece of the Great Green Fleet (GGF) and uses energy conservation measures and operational procedures in the course of its normal tasking to increase energy efficiency. JCSSG has been underway as part of the GGF since January 2016 and participated in Exercise Balikatan 2016 in April.

“We are excited to visit Manila and Subic Bay. This is a great opportunity for our Sailors to see the sights and experience the warm hospitality of the Filipino people,” said Rear Adm. Marcus Hitchcock, commander, JCSSG. “Many of our Sailors look forward to reconnecting with family and friends in the local area.”

The strike group entered US 7th Fleet area of operations February 4, to participate in a number of exercises during this deployment; training, integrating and building capacity with allies in the Pacific region as part of an ongoing rotation of US forces supporting maritime security operations in waters around the world, the US Navy said.

Five of the seven US Mutual Defense Treaties are with countries in 7th Fleet area of operation which are Republic of the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/us-navy-carrier-strike-group-visits-philippines/5845

NPA owns killing of Malaybalay IP representative

From InterAksyon (May 21): NPA owns killing of Malaybalay IP representative

Communist rebels in Bukidnon province acknowledged responsibility for killing the mandatory indigenous people’s representative to the Malaybalay City council early this week.

A statement in Bisaya signed by Ka Ariel “Inda” Magbanwag, spokesman of the New People’s Army South-Central Bukidnon sub-regional operation command, confirmed that a rebel “sparrow unit” gunned down Datu Benjamin “Otto” Omao at his office at the Indigenous People’s Apostolate in Purok 3, Casisangn, Malaybalay on Tuesday morning, May 17.

The attack also wounded Bae Thelma Saieto, mandatory IP representative of Barangay Aglayan, who was hit in the arm, and Sammy Talucdo, a member of Omao’s staff, who was hit in the leg.

The rebels promised to give financial aid to the two, saying they were not able to do so immediately “because of the difficulty of establishing a line of communication.”

Magbanwag said Omao was targeted for being an alleged “criminal, land grabber” and “counterrevolutionary” who was “feared” because of his links to the “criminal bandit” Delamance group, which has been accused of the recent killings and threats against lumad in the province’s hinterlands.

The slain datu was also allegedly active in organizing the military-backed Alamara militia and of exhorting lumad communities to kill any NPA members they came across.

“The masses in many barangays of Malaybalay City and Cabanglasan have demanded the punishment of Omao,” the rebel spokesman said.

Magbanwag also called on the Malaybalay local government “not to install an IP mandatory representative with a criminal record and to closely examine the record” of anyone it planned to install as IP representative.

Among the alleged crimes Magbanwag accused Omao of committing were the 2004 murder of his nephew Bata and his own brother Boyboy in 2005 over a land dispute.

He also claimed Omao had been involved in selling marijuana in Cabanglasan, for which an associate of his, Datu Andabaw Diawangan, was killed by the NPA in June 2007.

http://interaksyon.com/article/128066/npa-owns-killing-of-malaybalay-ip-representative

56th IB Philippine Army has a new battalion commander in Aurora (Bio data)

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): 56th IB Philippine Army has a new battalion commander in Aurora

The 56th Infantry (Tatag) Battalion, Philippine Army stationed in Barangay Calabuanan here has a new battalion commander following a change of command ceremony held on Friday morning.

Major General Angelito M. de Leon, commander of 7th Infantry “Kaugnay Division, Philippine Army congratulated the outgoing and incoming battalion commanders and urged the soldiers to continuously do their best in maintaining, winning the peace and people’s minds, hearts and developments as they will be led by their new battalion commander in this province.

Lt. Col. Louie DS. Villanueva replaced Lt. Col. Joey A. Escanillas and assumed post as the 22nd battalion commander of 56IB.

Escanillas' next assignment will be at the 4th Infantry Division, Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao as division commander staff.

Villanueva was the former battalion commander of the 84th IB, Philippine Army for nine months from August 2015 to May 2016.

He entered in military profession in 1994 as officer candidate soldier and upon graduation as young lieutenant. Villanueva was assigned for eight years in Eastern Samar from 1995 to 2001 under the 8th IB.

On 2001 to 2004, Villanueva was assigned in Fort Bonifacio.

He was also assigned in Davao City from 2004 to 2008 and returned to Fort Bonifacio from 2008 to 2010.

The new battalion commander was also assigned in 202nd brigade, 2nd division at Camp General Mateo Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.

Likewise , Villanueva was also one of the UN peace keeping Force in Haiti from November 2011 to October 2012. He returned to the Philippines and was assigned to 702nd Brigade which was based in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

From November 2012 to August 2013, he became the assistant division commander/adjutant (G1) at Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City.

On November 2013 to March 2014, Villanueva was assigned at Northern Luzon Command in Tarlac and got on schooling for Command and General Staff Course at Camp Aguinaldo.

After schooling, he returned to Fort Magsaysay as assistant division staff/adjutant from January to July 2015 until became a battalion commander at the 84th IB.

Meanwhile, the change of command ceremony started at around 10 a.m. and was attended by various stakeholders and government officials from the provinces of Aurora, portion of Nueva Ecija and Alfonso Castaneda in Nueva Vizcaya.

Villanueva vowed to continue the army transformation roadmap being implemented by Escanillas in this province.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=887158

MILF, local leaders welcome Pinol's appointment as incoming agriculture secretary

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): MILF, local leaders welcome Pinol's appointment as incoming agriculture secretary

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Friday lauded the appointment of former North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pinol as agriculture secretary.

MILF peace panel chair Mohaqher Iqbal said as a farmer and as Mindanaon, he deserved the support of all Mindanaons.

"This is a good development because he is from Mindanao and a true farmer," Iqbal told reporters.

The MILF has distanced itself from Pinol when he was the governor of North Cotabato in 2008 for spearheading the campaign against the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

Because of his campaign, the deal was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

"His anti-MOA-AD stance is a thing of the past," Iqbal said.

Meanwhile, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu and North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza lauded presumptive Duterte for naming Pinol as agriculture chief.

"Pinol knows the needs of Moro farmers, I hope he can consider that because the Moro farmers really need government assistance," Mangudadatu said.

Mendoza, Pinol's political archrival, posted a streamer at the entrance of provincial capitol grounds in Amas, Kidapawan City congratulating her political nemesis.

"I am a proud Cotabatenia with Pinol's apppointment," Mendoza also said in her FB page.

Pinol welcomed all his well wishers, especially the farmers who he vowed to serve in compliance of Duterte's marching orders for him to ensure food sufficiency.

"I am only human, let's all help to help the agriculture sector," Pinol said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=887246

Navy in the market for 3,430 rounds of 81mm HE

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): Navy in the market for 3,430 rounds of 81mm HE

The Philippine Navy (PN) is in the market for 3,430 rounds of 81mm high-explosive mortar munition.

Budget for the program is placed at Php31,556,000. The 81mm high-explosive rounds are for the use of the Philippine Marine Corps, a specialized force under the control and supervision of the PN.

The 81mm mortar is one of the fire support weapons being used by the PMC in its counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist operations.

Pre-bid conference is slated on May 25, at 1 p.m. at the Philippine Navy Hall of Justice, NJAG, Naval Station Jose Francisco Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=887020