Task Force Detainees urges release of political prisoners from all rebel groups

From InterAksyon (Jun 24): Task Force Detainees urges release of political prisoners from all rebel groups

 

Juanito Itaas, then and now. (TFDP photos)

As it welcomed impending formal peace talks between the incoming Duterte administration and communist rebels, a human rights group urged both parties “to consider the release of all political prisoners coming from all rebel groups as a major step towards peace and reconciliation.”

Among those Task Force Detainees of the Philippines wants released is Juanito Itaas, the longest-serving political prisoner in the country, who has been behind bars for more than two decades after he was convicted for the killing of American military adviser James Rowe in April 1989.

The Duterte government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which represents rebels led by the Communist Party of the Philippines, are slated to resume formal negotiations in the third week of July.

Indications are President-elect Rodrigo Duterte might release more than 500 political prisoners, including a number of NDFP consultants, ahead of an amnesty law he has said he wants to see enacted.

“TFDP welcomes the release of political prisoners through amnesty,” the rights group said in a statement. “We welcome the immediate release of those who are sickly and those who are covered by the JASIG,” or Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees, the agreement that protects rebel and government negotiators and their staff from arrest and prosecution for the duration of the talks.

However, TFDP said while it was “fully aware that a great number of the political prisoners come from the NDF bloc … we are aware too that a significant number come from our Moro brothers and sisters” as well as other long-serving prisoners aside from Itaas such as Gerry Butial, and Basilides Badion “who have languished in jail since the time of Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos.”

“There are also those coming from other rebel groups such as the RPM-RPA-ABB, the RHB, the MLPP-ABB,” which are breakaway factions from the New People’s Army.

“All of them deserve freedom. All of them long to embrace their loved ones,” TFDP said.

It also said “any meaningful amnesty proclamation must cover all political prisoners coming from all rebel groups” and “any release of political prisoners should not discriminate against their political affiliation and must not exclude any by virtue of a limited period of coverage.”

http://interaksyon.com/article/129505/task-force-detainees-urges-release-of-political-prisoners-from-all-rebel-groups

Abu Sayyaf free Marites Flor as Indonesia says 7 more sailors snatched in Sulu Sea

From IntterAksyon (Jun 24): Abu Sayyaf free Marites Flor as Indonesia says 7 more sailors snatched in Sulu Sea

(UPDATE - 1:10 p.m.) The Abu Sayyaf has released Marites Flor, the Filipina girlfriend of Canadian Robert Hall, who they executed early last week, an intelligence report said Friday.

News of Flor's release came the same day Indonesia confirmed that seven sailors were kidnapped from a tugboat in the Sulu Sea early this week.

The raw report, made available by a police intelligence source who goes by the nickname Pokemon, said Flor was released by Abu Sayyaf gunmen under Mujer Yadah to Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan Thursday night.

"Info received from single source on or about 240730H June 2016, that the ASG under Mujer YADAH had released Filipina Samal KV Flor on the night of 23 June 2016 to Gov TAN," it said.

A ransom was allegedly paid for Flor’s freedom, the report added.

Hall and Flor were among four persons kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf from Samal Island in September last year.

The kidnappers executed their first hostage, Canadian John Ridsdel, in April after a deadline for a P600 ransom for each of the hostages lapsed.

Both Ridsdel and Hall were beheaded, their heads left in Jolo, Sulu.

Flor’s release makes Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad the last remaining Samal hostage still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

In Jakarta, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi said the crew were towing a coal barge in the Sulu sea on Monday when their tugboat was hijacked by armed groups.

Seven sailors were taken hostage in two separate attacks on the vessel around an hour apart, Marsudi added. The six other crew aboard the tugboat were left unharmed.

"The government will do everything possible to free these hostages," Marsudi told reporters.

"The safety of these seven Indonesian citizens is our priority."

A spokesman for the foreign ministry said he could not confirm whether a ransom demand had been made, or if the Abu Sayyaf was responsible for the abductions.

Earlier this year the group kidnapped four Malaysian seamen and 14 Indonesian sailors, holding them in their stronghold in the southern Philippines. They were freed several months later but there was no information on whether a ransom was paid.

A spokesman for the Philippine government said they were working to verify the report.

If confirmed, it would be the third kidnapping of Indonesian sailors this year.

The defence ministers of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia agreed this week to consider coordinated steps including possible joint patrols to tackle a wave of seaborne crime in the Sulu and Celebes seas, which together form a key waterway among the three countries.

http://interaksyon.com/article/129508/abu-sayyaf-free-marites-flor-as-indonesia-says-7-more-sailors-snatched-in-sulu-sea

Abu Sayyaf's Filipina captive freed in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24): Abu Sayyaf's Filipina captive freed in Sulu
 

Marites Flor, one of the four hostages taken by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits during their attack in Samal Island last Sept. 21, is now in the hands of military authorities in Sulu.

This was confirmed by Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan Friday.

Flor, the girlfriend of beheaded Canadian citizen Robert Hall, is now at the custody of Joint Task Force Sulu as of noon.

Tan said Flor is now undergoing medical check-up and debriefing at the unit's medical facility.

Hall was beheaded last June 13 while fellow Canadian John Ridsel was executed by the bandits last April after the Philippine and Canadian governments snubbed the ASG's ransom demand.

It was still unknown on whether ransom was paid to secure Flor's release. Still at the hands of the bandits is Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstand.

Initial reports indicated that Flor was freed 3 a.m. in front of the home of Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan in Busbus, Jolo.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=898258

Pinay hostage Marites Flor released last night by Abu Sayyaf

From Coconuts Manila (Jun 24): Pinay hostage Marites Flor released last night by Abu Sayyaf

The lone Filipina part of the group abducted by the Abu Sayyaf from a resort on Samal island in Sep 2015 was released on the evening of Thu, Jun 23. 

It is not clear if ransom was paid for her freedom.

According to CNN Philippines, Marites Flor is now under the custody of Sulu Gov. Abdusakar “Totoh” Tan II.

Flor was abducted together with Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel, who have both executed by the militant group, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, who is believed to still be alive and being held by the group.

Founded in the early 1990s with seed money from Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, the Abu Sayyaf gained international notoriety for kidnapping dozens of foreign tourists for ransom in the early 2000s.

The group has also been blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks, including the bombing of a ferry off Manila Bay in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.

It is believed to have just a few hundred gunmen, but thrives in lawless sections of the southern Philippines where Muslim rebels have for decades fought for independence or autonomy.

The Abu Sayyaf is known to be holding three other foreigners -- two Malaysians and a Dutch man, according to the military.

An Italian ex-priest, Rolando del Torchio, was also abducted from his pizza restaurant in the southern port city of Dipolog last month.

The Abu Sayyaf is widely believed to be holding him, but authorities have not confirmed this.

And a 74-year-old South Korean kidnapped in January was found dead on Jolo at the weekend. The military said the Abu Sayyaf abandoned the hostage after he died from a "severe illness".

Philippine military spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla declined to comment to AFP on Wednesday about the new video.

The Philippine government has repeatedly said it has a "no-ransom policy". But parties linked to captives frequently pay.

In October last year, the Abu Sayyaf claimed it received 250 million pesos ($5.3 million) in exchange for two German hostages they held captive for six months. Security analysts said a large ransom was paid.

http://manila.coconuts.co/2016/06/24/pinay-hostage-marites-flor-released-last-night-abu-sayyaf

Abu Sayyaf frees Filipina hostage

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 24): Abu Sayyaf frees Filipina hostage

The Abu Sayyaf Group on Friday released Marites Flor, the Filipino kidnapped with three foreigners on Samal Island in September last year.

Citing initial information, a report by Radyo Inquirer 990AM said Flor was brought to the house of Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan after being freed Friday morning.

As of 12 noon, Flor is in the custody of Joint Task Force Sulu for medical checkup, according to Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Maj. FIlemon Tan.

Flor is the girlfriend of Canadian Robert Hall, who was beheaded by the bandits last week after the deadline for his ransom expired. Another Canadian hostage, John Ridsdel, was beheaded in April.

Flor was kidnapped with Hall, Ridsdel and Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkinstad from a marina on the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte in September last year.
.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/792224/abu-sayyaf-frees-filipina-hostage

Abu Sayyaf free Marites Flor - intel report

From InterAksyon (Jun 24): Abu Sayyaf free Marites Flor - intel report

The Abu Sayyaf has released Marites Flor, the Filipina girlfriend of Canadian Robert Hall, who they executed early last week, an intelligence report said.

The raw report, made available by a police intelligence source who goes by the nickname Pokemon, said Flor was released by Abu Sayyaf gunmen under Mujer Yadah to Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan Thursday night.

"Info received from single source on or about 240730H June 2016, that the ASG under Mujer YADAH had released Filipina Samal KV Flor on the night of 23 June 2016 to Gov TAN," it said.

A ransom was allegedly paid for Flor’s freedom, the report added.

Hall and Flor were among four persons kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf from Samal Island in September last year.

The kidnappers executed their first hostage, Canadian John Ridsdel, in April after a deadline for a P600 ransom for each of the hostages lapsed.

Both Ridsdel and Hall were beheaded, their heads left in Jolo, Sulu.

Flor’s release makes Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad the last remaining Samal hostage still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

http://interaksyon.com/article/129508/abu-sayyaf-free-marites-flor---intel-report

1 dead, 4 wounded in BIFF attacks

From the Manila Times (Jun 23): 1 dead, 4 wounded in BIFF attacks

The jihadists’ Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) resumed attacks in North Cotabato and Maguindanao, killing one soldier and wounded four others, including a bystander.

The recent attack was a roadside bombing on Wednesday in Midsayap town, North Cotabato injuring two soldiers and a student bystander.

Midsayap Police chief, Supt. Tom Tuzon, identified the wounded as Private First Class (PFC) Jestoni Bauzon and Sergeant Edwin Soria, all belonging to Army’s 62nd Reconnaissance Company, 6th Infantry Division; and high school student Miriam Akis who was hit by shrapnel.

 

Tuzon said the blast occurred near the Dabpil Sampulna High School in Barangay Ulandang when troopers, aboard an Army vehicle, were traversing the area at around 5 p.m.

The bomb was made of 105mm howitzer shell and rigged with nails, metal sheets and mobile phone, as its triggering device.

The BIFF group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

It happened the same day when the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) released its propaganda video online signalling their fighters in the country to wage war against “crusaders.”

Another attack was recorded in Sitio Matilac, Barangay Butilen in Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao that killed Sgt. Alexander Salgado and wounded PFC Brian Callaga.

http://www.manilatimes.net/1-dead-4-wounded-in-biff-attacks/269534/

Next AFP chief defends Rody’s military aircraft priorities

From the Philippine Star (Jun 24): Next AFP chief defends Rody’s military aircraft priorities



Critical of the procurement of the supersonic FA50 fighter jets, president-elect Rodrigo Duterte said that the jets are no match to China’s aircraft and the government had just wasted money in acquiring the aircraft. KAI/Released

Incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya defended yesterday president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s stand on prioritizing acquisition of modern helicopters instead of fighter jets to address the country’s internal security problems.

Visaya said Duterte wanted to first bolster the military’s internal defense capabilities before gradually shifting to external defense.

“The president-elect only wanted the military to have modern helicopters with night-flying capability as well as naval fast craft for internal security operations,” Visaya said.

He added that the AFP modernization program will still push through, but the priority would be internal security operations first.

Critical of the procurement of the supersonic FA50 fighter jets, Duterte said that the jets are no match to China’s aircraft and the government had just wasted money in acquiring the aircraft.

The Aquino administration has invested billions of pesos in the AFP modernization program in light of the current security situation in the region spawned by China’s bullying and aggressive occupation of the country’s maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte has declared that he will not go to war with China on maritime issues, saying he will not risk the lives of Filipino soldiers in pushing the country’s claim over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

Visaya said the AFP needs more helicopters that could fly at night and could be used against lawless elements.

“We don’t have enough helicopters with night-flying capabilities. The president-elect noticed that during the Samal abduction, the AFP lacked the needed equipment,” Visaya said.

Abu Sayyaf bandits kidnapped three foreigners and a Filipina in a resort in Samal Island in Davao last year and the bandits brought the hostages to Sulu.

Currently, the Air Force has 50 operational helicopters but only a few have night-flying capability, while the Navy has 60 fast-attack craft, including patrol gunboats.

“The president-elect might just be misinformed or ill-advised as to the objective why we have procured these aircraft,” an Air Force official, who asked not be named, said.

The official stressed that these FA50s are a vital component of the Air Force capability upgrade and modernization program that is aimed at rebuilding the country’s air power that is now lagging behind other countries in the region.

He said that the two delivered jets are trainer aircraft to prepare Filipino fighter pilots in handling supersonic fighter jets.

“If we want other countries to respect us, we should be also carrying a big stick and we are already heading towards that objective,” he said.

However, he said that if the modernization program is shelved, the AFP as a professional organization would have no other choice but to follow the wisdom of the country’s political leadership.

Under the modernization program of the Aquino administration geared towards territorial and external defense, the AFP is also working out the acquisition of two brand-new frigates worth P18 billion, two long-range patrol aircraft worth P5.9 billion, two anti-submarine helicopters for P5.3 billion and surveillance radar worth P2.6 billion.

Incoming defense chief Delfin Lorenzana said that he believes that insurgency is not solely a military problem but that of the community as well, but he is leaving this to current commanders of the AFP to formulate the strategy regarding security concerns.

He belied reports that he is planning to replicate the anti-insurgency tactics that involved the community aspect that he employed while still an Army battalion commander in Davao.

Lorenzana, then commander of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion based in Davao in 1987, closely supported then Davao City mayor Duterte in clearing the city of insurgents and criminal syndicates.

“The insurgency situation in 1987 is very different from today. It could be a model (his own approach before) in a way that it involved the community in a very big way – meaning insurgency is not solely a military problem but a community’s. We can only succeed in fighting it if we are in it together – the people, local government, and the police,” Lorenzana said.

As this developed, Visaya ordered Bicol-based troops not to relax or lower their guard but to sustain their anti-insurgency operations.

 http://www.philstar.com:8080/headlines/2016/06/24/1596154/next-afp-chief-defends-rodys-military-aircraft-priorities

Abu Sayyaf’s Hapilon recruiting members

From the Manila Times (Jun 23): Abu Sayyaf’s Hapilon recruiting members

A FACTION of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) identified with sub-leader Isnilon Hapilon has been recruiting new members in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Basilan province during the past weeks, a source from the police intelligence community disclosed on Wednesday.

The Manila Times source, an intelligence officer based in Camp Crame, said that the recruitment of new members is centered in the hinterland villages of the towns of Tipo-Tipo and Al-Barka, both in Basilan.

The same source said that the recruitment of the Isnilon group is continuing, indicating that they have their own funding.

“They have already recruited at least 20 new members, mostly belonging to the Yakans,” the intelligence source said, adding that the group was limiting recruitment to no more than 20 members to avoid detection.

This is so, the source added, since Isnilon, who comes from Yakan tribe, is favoring the recruitment of his fellow tribesmen for better command and control.

The recruited Yakans are jobless and hail from hinterland villages.

The source, who uses the code name Pokemon, said that recruits are promised to be paid P5,000 cash, plus an M-16 rifle for every meeting they attend. So far, they have already held three meetings.

ASG is one of the Islamic militant groups in Southern Mindanao that have pledged allegiance to ISIS, an offshoot of the Al-Qaeda network of Osama Bin Laden which has taken huge swathes of territories in the Middle-East.

The other known Islamic militant groups in the Southern Philippines that have pledge loyalty to ISIS are the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the radical Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM).

http://www.manilatimes.net/abu-sayyafs-hapilon-recruiting-members/269532/

Second trilateral meeting on Sulu threat fast-tracked to next week

From the Malay Mail Online (Jun 23): Second trilateral meeting on Sulu threat fast-tracked to next week



















Hishammuddin said the meeting was brought forward due to the urgency of the matter\. — Picture by Kamles Kumar

The next trilateral meeting among defence officials from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines to strategise ways to contain militant threats from the Sulu region will be held in Jakarta next week.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the meeting was brought forward due to the urgency of the matter.

"The next will be at the end of the month. It has been fast-tracked," he told reporters after launching the 2017 edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition here.

The three nations had met on Monday to discuss measures to tackle rising security challenges in the waters bordering their countries.

"Let’s wait for the (other) meeting first," Hishammuddin said.

Monday’s meeting, the second such discussion among the three nations, saw the countries agreeing in principle to explore several measures to boost maritime security, including setting up a designated “transit corridor” within maritime areas of common concern.

The countries also agreed to step up air and sea patrols in common maritime areas to fend off potential hijacks, kidnaps and robberies.

Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines had in 2002 signed a pact to tighten security against cross-border attacks by militants from the notorious Abu Sayyaf terror network.

Most recently, the network said to be responsible for numerous kidnappings off Sabah’s porous borders, released four Malaysian captives after holding them hostage for over two months.

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/second-trilateral-meeting-on-sulu-threat-fast-tracked-to-next-week

Southeast Asian Islamic State unit being formed in southern Philippines — officials

From GMA News (Jun 24): Southeast Asian Islamic State unit being formed in southern Philippines — officials

Southeast Asian militants who claim to be fighting for Islamic State in the Middle East have said they have chosen one of the most wanted men in the Philippines to head a regional faction of the ultra-radical group, security officials said on Thursday.

The claim was made in a video that was recently posted on social media, possibly last week, a military intelligence official in the Philippines told Reuters.

The video is significant, experts say, because it shows that Islamic State supporters are now being asked to stay home and unify under one umbrella group to launch attacks in Southeast Asia, instead of being drawn to the fight in the Middle East.

Authorities in the region have been on heightened alert since Islamic State claimed an attack in the Indonesian capital Jakarta in January in which eight people were killed, including four of the attackers.

In the 20-minute video seen by Reuters, young men and some children in military fatigues are shown carrying and training with weapons, and holding Islamic State flags.

A section of the video showed some of these men engaging in gunbattles in jungles but it was not clear where and with whom.

The video also showed three men apparently being executed, but it was not clear where and who they were.

The authenticity of the video and when it was taken could not be independently verified.

In the video, a man authorities in Malaysia have identified as Mohd Rafi Udin, a Malaysian militant currently in Syria, says in Malay: "If you cannot go to (Syria), join up and go to the Philippines."

In the video, Udin also urges Muslims to unite under the leadership of Abu Abdullah, a Philippine militant leader who pledged allegiance to Islamic State in January.

Abu Abdullah, also known as Isnilon Hapilon, is a leader of the Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf. He is on the FBI's most wanted list for his role in the kidnapping of 17 Filipinos and three Americans in 2001 and carries a bounty of $5 million.

The video was released to mark Islamic State's acceptance of allegiances from jihadists in the Philippines, the first formal recognition of a Southeast Asian group, said Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, chief of Malaysia's police counter-terrorism unit.

"This video is not just propaganda, but is a serious threat. We are definitely expecting more attacks in this region," Pitchay told Reuters.

Hapilon is known to be based in the interior hills of the island of Basilan in the Mindanao region of the southern Philippines.

In April, at least 18 Philippine soldiers were killed and 53 wounded in an attack on his followers on the island.

KIDNAP GANG

For decades, Abu Sayyaf has been known for extortion, kidnappings, beheadings and bombings, and is one of the most brutal Muslim rebel factions in the south of the largely Christian Philippines.

The group has posted videos on social media sites this year pledging allegiance to Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

The latest video appears aimed at recognising Hapilon as the Southeast Asian leader of the group, anti-terrorism experts said.

"I think this is a very significant video," said Sidney Jones, a Jakarta-based security expert.

"This acknowledges support from Indonesia and Malaysia."

"It suggests there will be more efforts to get people to actually go to Mindanao to launch operations from there."

The Jakarta attacks in January were claimed by Islamic State. But the attack did not bear the hallmarks of other spectacular strikes by the radical group - the militants lacked sophisticated weaponry and were amateurish in the execution.

Some security officials fear a more organised and better trained militant group could launch far deadlier attacks in the region.

But Philippine military officials dismissed these concerns, saying the video was just propaganda and should be ignored.

"People should not be bothered by this," said Philippine military spokesman Restituto Padilla "Authorities are working on this. They can be identified, and they can be hunted down." 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/571116/news/nation/southeast-asian-islamic-state-unit-being-formed-in-southern-philippines-officials

Indonesian, Malaysian IS Figures Recognize Philippine Leader in Islamic State Video

From BenarNews (Jun 23): Indonesian, Malaysian IS Figures Recognize Philippine Leader in Islamic State Video



Philippine soldiers display an Islamic State flag that they captured while overrunning a militant camp in Butig, a town in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Sur.

In a new Islamic State propaganda video, Malaysian and Indonesian fighters declare their support for an IS leader in the southern Philippines and urge IS supporters in their home countries who have been unable to travel to Syria to go to the Philippines instead.

The two men and a Filipino also carry out what appears to be the beheading of three prisoners who kneel in front of them, hands bound, in orange jumpsuits. If real, they would mark the first filmed beheadings by Indonesian and Malaysian members of the so-called Islamic State.

The 21-minute video, viewed by BenarNews, combines footage apparently shot in the Middle East and a Southeast Asian country. It was recently uploaded to social media, possibly last week, Reuters reported, citing a military intelligence official in the Philippines.

The three executioners take turns addressing followers in their own countries. One of the three is Mohd Rafi Udin, a member of Kumpulan Mujahiddin Malaysia (KMM) who went to Syria in 2014, according to the Malaysian newspaper New Straits Times.

“People in Bukit Aman, you will not be safe. We will slaughter you … when we return. Our friends back home will hunt you down,” he says, warning members of the Royal Malaysia Police that they will be targeted in attacks.

He urges IS supporters at home to use any means to kill non-Muslims and non-believers “wherever you meet them.”

One step closer

The video also names Abdullah al-Filipini – also known as Isnilon Totoni Hapilon – as the leader of IS’s Southeast Asian wing Khatibah Nusantara.

Isnilon is a former deputy leader of Abu Sayyaf Group based in the southern Philippines island of Basilan, whose followers pledged allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2015.

Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute of Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC), called the video significant.

“[F]or the first time, Indonesians and Malaysians are indicating that they accept an emir from the Philippines (Isnilon Hapilon, ex-Abu Sayyaf), bringing us one step closer to the declaration of a Southeast Asian province (wilayat) of IS,” she told BenarNews.

Rohan Gunaratna, director of the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said counter-terrorism forces in Malaysia had so far disrupted nine attempted IS-directed or inspired attacks in the country.

“With IS plans to declare a wilayat in the southern Philippines, the Malaysian government will have to work very closely with their foreign counterparts to assist the Philippines to fight the threat,” Gunaratna, who is also a BenarNews columnist, said Thursday.

“The threat to Southeast Asia and beyond will grow dramatically unless the Manila government neutralizes the IS nucleus in Mindanao, as Southeast Asian and other nationalities will travel to the Philippines when it is difficult to travel to Syria and Iraq,” he said.

Ready

About 1,000 Southeast Asians had joined IS in Iraq and Syria by the end of 2015, according to the U.S. State Department.

IS claimed an attack in downtown Jakarta in January 2016 that left eight people dead, including the four attackers.

More attacks are likely in the region, security officials said, with IS aiming to prove its potency as its so-called caliphate is beaten back in Iraq and Syria by the governments of those countries and international forces.

“We are preparing for potential attacks within six months by two sources, Khatibah Nusantara in the Philippines, and central IS,” Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, the head of the Malaysian police’s counter-terrorist special branch, told the New Straits Times, commenting on the new video.

“Targeted attacks will likely be carried out the minute the pledge of allegiance to IS from these groups outside Syria is accepted and the areas they operate in are declared theirs,” he added.

Malaysian Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said his forces had kept IS threats at bay thus far.

“Malaysian police are ready at the very highest level for any eventual attacks by IS,” he told BenarNews.

Philippine military officials, meanwhile, dismissed the threats, according to Reuters.

“People should not be bothered by this,” the news agency quoted Philippine military spokesman Restituto Padilla as saying. “Authorities are working on this. They can be identified, and they can be hunted down.”

http://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/is-leader-06232016160716.html

Joma Sison: Gina Lopez as DENR chief is acceptable

From Rappler (Jun 22): Joma Sison: Gina Lopez as DENR chief is acceptable

The Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman describes Lopez as a 'dedicated activist against abusive mining'



GREEN THUMB. ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation chairperson Gina Lopez (L) presses her thumb on the Green Thumb Coalition banner during the coalition's launch in UP Diliman on February 5, 2016. File photo by Greenpeace Philippines

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) may have initially been offered to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), but the party's founding chairman does not mind that it ended up in Gina Lopez's hands.

"Gina Lopez is acceptable because she is a dedicated activist against abusive mining that ruins the indigenous communities, environment, agriculture, and our chances of processing the mineral ores and industrializing our country," Jose Maria "Joma" Sison told Rappler in an online interview.

Sison, the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), which selected the nominees for the posts offered to the Left, recognized Lopez's stance "against the dirty types of energy that result in global warming and more frequent and worse droughts and typhoons."

Lopez, the daughter of the late ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Eugenio Lopez Jr, heads the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation.

During the campaign, Lopez helped launch the Green Thumb Coalition, a network of over 40 civil society organizations that raised the following 9 environmental issues with presidential bets:

• Biodiversity and ecosystem integrity
• Natural resource and land use management and governance
• Human rights and integrity of creation
• Climate justice
• Mining, extractives and mineral resource management
• Energy transformation and democracy
• Sustainable food sovereignty
• People-centered sustainable development
• Waste

Then-presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte vowed that he would only allow mining if environmental laws are strictly followed.

 

ACTIVIST SECRETARIES. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte earlier announced that 4 departments are up for grabs for the Left, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The Left does not mind that the DENR post was eventually offered to environmental activist Gina Lopez.

Duterte's prerogative

There was talk that Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate was the Left's choice for the post. However, Sison said he understood that it was ultimately up to Duterte to decide.

The president-elect offered the DENR post to Lopez on Monday, June 20. The environmental advocate accepted the next day, June 21.

"The CPP and NDFP have declared that they are pleased so long as a position goes to someone highly qualified and who is patriotic and progressive," Sison said.

He also noted that the activist environmental group Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan) earlier expressed support for Lopez.

Duterte has already named at least 3 personalities endorsed by the Left who will join his administration. They are University of the Philippines professor Judy Taguiwalo (Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary), former Anakpawis party list representative Rafael Mariano (Department of Agrarian Reform secretary), and Joel Maglunsod, a leader from the progressive labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (Department of Labor and Employment undersecretary).

http://www.rappler.com/nation/137268-joma-sison-gina-lopez-denr-chief-acceptable

Duterte to free political prisoners ahead of amnesty law—Bello

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 23): Duterte to free political prisoners ahead of amnesty law—Bello
Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte is bent on releasing several political prisoners even before he signs a general amnesty, according to a member of his incoming Cabinet who is involved in the expected resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.

Silvestre Bello III, incoming Labor Secretary and peace panel chair in the upcoming peace negotiations, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Tuesday that Duterte wished to grant freedom to several political prisoners upon his assumption to power.

Duterte will officially become the 16th President at noontime of June 30.

“We seek the release political prisoners who are reportedly covered by JASIG (Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees). Those who are elderly and sick will also be released on humanitarian considerations,” Bello said.

He did not name who would be included in the initial batch of political prisoners to be released.

Human rights group Karapatan earlier said 18 NDF consultants were among at least 543 political prisoners detained all over the country.

Karapatan said of the total number of political prisoners, 88 were ill while 48 others were already in their senior years.

The JASIG was signed by the Philippine government and NDF peace panels in 1995 to ensure the safety of individuals from both sides to freely participate in the peace process.

Alleged violations of JASIG, including the arrests of the NDF consultants, were among the major reasons the talks collapsed during the Aquino administration.

Bello said that the initial release would be done without preconditions and Duterte would do it as a gesture of confidence in the sincerity of the NDF in the peace process.

“We are doing it before the proposed the amnesty. This will be a gesture of goodwill,” Bello said.

In the recently concluded preliminary talks between the incoming government and the NDF, which were held in Oslo, both parties agreed that the government panel would recommend to Duterte the immediate release of all NDF consultants and other JASIG-protected individuals so that they can participate in the resumption of the peace negotiations.

The stalled talks will formally resume in the third week of July, according to a joint statement the negotiators released after the Oslo meeting.

Duterte’s peace negotiators and the NDF also agreed to discuss five agenda items in the formal talks, including the affirmation of previously signed agreements, like the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

The second item discussed was the “accelerated process for negotiations, including the timeline for the completion of the remaining substantive agenda for the talks: socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces.”

The third agenda was the reconstitution of the JASIG list while the fourth agenda was the amnesty proclamation for the release of all political prisoners, subject to concurrence of Congress.

The fifth agenda evolved around the mode of the interim ceasefire, which would include mechanisms and coverage of the agreement. 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/791987/duterte-to-release-some-political-prisoners-ahead-of-amnesty-law-bello

Army Artillery Regiment, kinilala ang mga natatanging kapartner

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 24): Army Artillery Regiment, kinilala ang mga natatanging kapartner  (Army Artillery Regiment, recognized as a unique partner)

Kinilala ng Army Artillery Regiment o AAR, sa okasyon ng ika-siyam nitong anibersaryo, ang mga natatangi itong kapartner sa pagbibigay serbisyo sa mga mamamayan.

Kabilang na riyan sina DWNE Broadcast Program Producer-Announcer Melicia Ciriaco, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology Extension Services Director Rachel Moralde, Department of Trade and Industry Senior Trade and Industry Officer Richard Simangan, at Central Luzon State University Public Affairs Office Head Ainee Joy Edquiban.

Kinilala rin ang mga natatanging kanyonero at kanyonera na sina Staff Sergeant Sonny Susvilla, Sergeant Jayson Dagang, Captain Joel Mejia, 1st Lieutenant Aubrey Gale Maddul, Corporal Rogelio Obra, at Corporal Felipe Santillas.

Ayon kay AAR Commander Colonel Erwin De Asis, malaking bahagi sa naging tagumpay ng yunit ang mga sakripisyo at gampanin ng bawat kawani na nasasakupan gayundin ang pundasyong itinaguyod ng mga naunang pinuno.

May tema ang kanilang pagdiriwang ngayong taon na "AAR: Committed to Genuine Transformation.”

Itinampok rin sa naging selebrasyon ang ceremonial tree planting at ang eksibit tampok ang walong banyagang kumpanya na nagpakita ng kani-kaniyang imbensyon at mga produktong pandigma.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1961466662415/army-artillery-regiment-kinilala-ang-mga-natatanging-kapartner

Walong banyagang kumpanya, lumahok sa eksibit sa AAR

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 24): Walong banyagang kumpanya, lumahok sa eksibit sa AAR  (Eight foreign companies participated in the AAR exhibition)

Naging tampok sa isang eksibit sa Army Artillery Regiment o AAR ang mga produktong pandigma ng walong banyagang kumpanya.

Kabilang na riyan ang Diehl Defense, Lockheed Martin, Thales UK, Elbit Systems, Rafael  ADS, LIGNex1, Kompanija  Sloboda  A.D., at Hybrid Info Corporations.

Ayon kay AAR Field Artillery Capability Development Office-Force Structure Branch Chief Captain Edbert Abringe, layunin ng naturang eksibit na makapagbigay kaalaman sa lakaran ng mundo patungkol sa pagtatanggol ng bayan.

Hangad din aniya nito na maipakilala sa bansa ang mga makabagong artillery weapon system na maaaring makatulong sa Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas.

Ilan sa kanilang mga ipinakita ay ang mga bagong kagamitan gaya ng mga kanyon, sasakyan, at iba pang mga fire support sa maritime at air defense.

Dagdag pa ni Abringe na ilan sa mga kanyong ginagamit ng AAR ay mula sa mga kumpanyang nabanggit gaya ang 155 Howitzer na inaasahang madaragdagan pa sa susunod na taon.

Ang eksibit ay bahagi ng selebrasyon ng ika-siyam na anibersaryo ng AAR na may temang AAR: Committed to Genuine Transformation.”

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1961466670140/walong-banyagang-kumpanya-lumahok-sa-eksibit-sa-aar

90 Candidate Soldier, nagsasanay maging artillero

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 24): 90 Candidate Soldier, nagsasanay maging artillero (90 Candidate Soldiers, training to be artilleryment)

Nasa 90 Candidate Soldier ang sinasanay ngayon ng Army Artillery Regiment o AAR na daragdag pwersa sa combat operation ng yunit.

Ayon kay Artillery Training School Commander Major Erwin Albesa, Hunyo uno nang pumasok at magsimula sa pagsasanay ang mga bagong recruit na sundalo na gugugol ng nasa apat na buwang pag-aaral.

Kabilang aniya sa mga panuntunan upang maging sundalo ay ang naging antas sa pag-aaral na dapat ay college o vocational course graduate, dapat ay nasa taas na 5 feet pareho sa kababaihan at kalalakihan gayundin ay physically fit at may mabuting pag-uugali.

Paliwanag pa ni Albesa ay mayroong dalawang module ang Candidate Soldier Course na dapat ay makabisa ng bawat sundalo gaya ang Basic Military Training Module at Specialization Module.

Ang Basic Military Training ay binubuo ng tatlong bahagi na magsisimula sa orientation na magsasanay sa kanila upang mapalakas ang kanilang mga pangangatawan na susundan ng doctrination na magtuturo ng tuwid na disiplina, at professionalism ng bawat kasundaluhan.

Dagdag pa ni Albesa, hinahasa ang bawat kasundaluhan sa paggamit at pagmando ng weapon system na mayroon ang yunit tulad ng M15 rifles, grenade launchers at iba pa.

Matapos ang mga pagtuturo ay ipakikita naman ng mga Candidate Soldier ang lahat ng mga natutunan sa field training exercises.

Ang mga makapapasa aniya ay silang magtutuloy sa Specialization Module na sasanayin sa larangan ng Field Artillery, Fire Direction Center, at Field Artillery Battery.

Kanyang nilinaw na matapos ang mga pagsasanay ay inaasahang madedestino na ang mga bagong artillero sa mga yunit sa Luzon, Vizayas at Mindanao.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1961466672252/90-candidate-soldier-nagsasanay-maging-artillero-

Army, nagsagawa ng earthquake drill kaisa sa NSED 2016

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 22): Army, nagsagawa ng earthquake drill kaisa sa NSED 2016

Nakiisa ang mga opisyal, kawal at mga kawaning sibilyan mula sa 9th  Infantry Division ng Philippine Army sa isinagawang National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill para sa ikalawang National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) ngayong taon na ginanap kaninang umaga sa loob ng Camp Elia Angeles dito.

Ipinakita sa nasabing drill ang kasanayan at kahandaan ng mga opisyal, kawal at mga kawani ng 9ID ng Army sa mga ginawang scenario na posibleng mangyari kung sakali mang tamaan ng malakas na lindol ang lugar.

Ang nasabing aktibidad ay isinagawa rin ng mga iba pang military units na nasasakupan ng 9ID ng Army sa rehiyon ng Bicol.

Isa ang 9ID ng Army sa mga pangunahing magreresponde kung sakaling magkakaroon ng mga di inaasahang sakuna sa rehiyon kung kaya maliban sa paglulunsad ng mga earthquake drills puspusan din ang pagsasagawa ng 9ID ng mga Disaster Response Training para sa mga sundalo.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3211466581629/army-nagsagawa-ng-earthquake-drill-kaisa-sa-nsed-2016

Pacific Partnership 2016 brings humanitarian mission in Albay

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 22): Pacific Partnership 2016 brings humanitarian mission in Albay

The Southern Luzon Command (SolCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the provincial government of Albay will host this year’s Pacific Partnership 2016 with a multinational force led by the US Armed Forces and four other countries namely Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand.

Philippines was identified as one of the host countries laterally with Indonesia, Timor Leste, Malaysia and Vietnam to accommodate the participating multinational force.

Albay was chosen for PP16 as the site for various civic-action projects, community health exchanges, medical symposiums, and humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) drills.

The humanitarian mission will be conducted from June 27 to July 10 this year.

Part of the medical services offered in this year’s engagement, the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) will anchor off the coast of Albay Gulf for medical services, surgeries and ship’s visit/ tour.

Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), HADR Trainings and Drills with both military and civilian participants will take place at different venues in Legazpi City.

Engineering Civic-Action Programs (ENCAP) offer the construction and repair of classrooms in three (3) different sites that will promote better learning environment for our students.

Talents among the AFP and US armed forces shall also be showcased through band engagements in specific venues in the province.

The Pacific Partnership came to be in response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters, the December 2004 tsunami that devastated parts of Southeast Asia.

Over the years, mission has evolved primarily as direct care mission to an operation focused on enhancing partnerships through host nation subject matter expert and civil-military exchanges.

The undertaking will have its formal opening on the 27th of June and will last until the 10th of July 2016. By then, all activities and constructions have been completed and the primary mission of the endeavor accomplished.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3211466582892/pacific-partnership-2016-brings-humanitarian-mission-in-albay

SurSur army chief: Insurgency still lingers in some areas of province

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 22): SurSur army chief: Insurgency still lingers in some areas of province

Col. Isidro Purisima, commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), this province, admitted that insurgency problems had continued to thrive but only in some areas here.

The government’s campaign to purge the province of rebels had already gained broad support from the public, he stressed.

On June 10, the army brigade here held an Area Clearing Validation (ACV) with Gov. Johnny Pimentel and Brig. Gen. Paul Atal, respective chairs of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), this province, and Area Clearing Validation Board (ACVB) of the army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) aimed at assessing the insurgency situation.

During the occasion, all four battalion commanders of the 402nd Infantry Brigade under Col. Purisima were in attendance together with the mayors or their alter egos.

In a recent interview, Purisima said that the lawless armed groups (LAG), referring to the New People’s Army (NPA), had still managed to have their presence felt.

This occurred on June 15 when a container van loaded with banana products owned by the DOLE Philippines was set on fire at the national highway of Barangay Amaga in Barobo town, 105 kilometers south, this city.

It was learned however that, together with the police, the counteraction made by government troopers was pinned on the company’s vicinity instead.

Col. Purisima had issued a statement condemning the violent act, urging the public to do the same.  Such incident was already carried out twice in a row in the same town this year.

The brigade commander said that schoolchildren who happened to witness the burning incident made by some 15 lawless elements, according to P/CInsp. Dominador Plaza, the town’s chief of police (COP), were even threatened that something bad was going to be done.

Companies here which do not yield to the rebels’ way of extorting money, had incurred heavy losses, reports indicated.

Col. Purisima had expressed hope that the incoming Duterte administration would put an end to the lingering problem on insurgency in the country.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1741466592159/sursur-army-chief-insurgency-still-lingers-in-some-areas-of-province

1CAV spearheads distribution of school supplies to children in remote village

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 20): 1CAV spearheads distribution of school supplies to children in remote village

Looking around  Man-ilan Elementary School in the rural community of Tukuran, one might think it is for privileged children.

Arnold Tagalog, the school head said it has large classrooms, a computer laboratory, a small garden, and large playground. “Children not only get traditional education here but they learn about art, technology and the English language,” he said.

“But the children who attend this school, which is more than 20-kilometers from the town proper don’t come from rich families. Instead, most are poor, and their parents struggle to provide for basic needs, so buying school supplies like pad papers, notebooks, pencils, crayons, erasers, and rulers is a luxury,” Tagalog explained.

Over the weekend, the 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, 1st Field Artillery Battalion (1FAB), Army Artillery Regiment and the Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFCIFIC)   provided school supplies to 120 schoolchildren.

Students, parents, teachers, and barangay officials of Man-ilan were surprised by the generous gift.
“All the students were happy and parents were happy too. It’s really nice to receive these gifts from generous people,” Tagalog said.

Mayor Francisvic S. Villamero said the basic school supplies bring hope for children whose education is hindered by poverty. “I encourage you to strive hard in your studies. And I hope that you will grow as intelligent and industrious students,” the good mayor quoted.

Capt. Gabriel Lastimosa, civil-military operations officer of the 1st Cavalry Squadron said the distribution of school supplies project will motivate children to attend school and to take continued interest in their schooling.

“I believe that you will be motivated to go to school. We wish you success in your studies and become professionals in the future,” Lastimosa urged.

PAFCIFIC Manager Romelie Lawagon said they partnered with the project of 1CAV and 1FAB because this would help ease the financial burden of parents and give kids a good start of the school year.

She encouraged the children to study seriously, and not allow poverty to hinder their education, as she believes that education is a proven way to break the vicious cycle of poverty.

Lawagon said like them, she came from a poor family but along with her brothers and sisters, they strived hard in their studies and fulfilled their dreams of becoming professionals.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371466390799/1cav-spearheads-distribution-of-school-supplies-to-children-in-remote-village

Tabak sends off new soldiers

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 22): Tabak sends off new soldiers

"When you are already in the field, learn from your seniors, recognize the differences in people, and relate to cultural diversity.”

This was the advice of Brigadier General (BGen.) Demy Tejares, assistant commander of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, to the new soldiers during the entrustment of firearms and sendoff ceremony held on Monday at the Tabak headquarters in Kuta Major Cesar L. Sang-an, Barangay Pulacan in this municipality.

Tejares also emphasized to the soldiers that the firearms entrusted to them would serve as their “friend, wife and companion in the field” while protecting the rights of the Filipino people.

In the same occasion, Mayor Leonardo Babasa of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur also told the young soldiers “the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is a co-manager in providing the basic services to the people."

Babasa traced the roots of insurgency in the country to poverty, social injustice, ignorance or lack of education, corruption, absence of economic opportunities, and fulfillment of personal goals.

To solve this problem, he said, there should be coordination, cooperation and collaboration between and among the AFP, civilian government, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs), and other stakeholders.

Babasa also cited discipline as the best formula to drawing support from the masses saying, “The best Civil-Military Operation (CMO) is a well-disciplined soldier."

Representatives from the government line agencies, NGOS, POs, religious groups, youth groups, indigenous peoples (IP), business organizations and farmers’ association personally handed the firearms to 200 privates who are due for deployment within Tabak’s area of jurisdiction which covers the whole of Zamboanga Peninsula region including the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the province of Misamis Occidental of region 10.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1431466567241/tabak-sends-off-new-soldiers

One of 6 injured cops in Sarangani grenade blast dies

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): One of 6 injured cops in Sarangani grenade blast dies

One of the six police officers who were injured in a grenade explosion on Monday in Maasim, Sarangani Province has succumbed to “multiple blast injuries.” late Wednesday night.

Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., public information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12, said Thursday Police Officer (PO) 1 Almasir Tingkasan died while undergoing treatment in a hospital here.

He said Tingkasan had sustained serious injuries as a result of the explosion near a waiting shed in front of the Maasim municipal health station at around 8:35 p.m. on Monday.

The late police officer and five other members of the Maasim police station were then securing the area for an activity in line with the town’s Kestebeng Festival.

Two other civilians, a nurse and a tricycle driver, were also injured in the incident.

Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Region 12 police director, expressed sympathy to PO1 Tingkasan’s family and vowed to make sure that justice will be served to all victims of the incident.

"We strongly condemn this act of violence, which was not only against our men but also against the people of Maasim,” he said.

The police official said he will “see to it that thorough investigation will be conducted to identify the perpetrators behind the incident.”

Train assured that the PRO-12 will provide the necessary assistance to the family of Tingkasan and the five other police officers.

He also called on concerned residents of Maasim to coordinate with local authorities should they have any information that could assist in the swift resolution of the case and in the delivery of justice to the victims.

A report from the Maasim police station earlier said an unidentified person aboard a motorcycle hurled an object at the waiting shed infront of the town’s health center prior to the explosion.

The other injured policemen were Insp. Danilo Abataya, the deputy police station chief of Maasim; PO1 Romel Badua, Rowell Sobretodo and Sukran Donisa Sugod; and, PO2 Mark Victor Naya.

The injured civilians were identified as Jetphunie Navales and Leonardo dela Peña.

Galgo earlier said investigators are looking at a number of angles, including the disruption of the town’s festivities, as possible motive of the incident.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=898011

Cause-oriented groups express support to Duterte administration

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Cause-oriented groups express support to Duterte administration
 

Eight cause-oriented organizations based in this city launched today, Thursday, their readiness to support the incoming Duterte administration.

For the first time, these groups headed by Bayan Western Visayas, will not hold a protest action but will deliver their agenda -- People’s Agenda for the First 100 days -- to President Rodrigo Duterte on June 30 as the latter starts his six-year term.

Aside from Bayan, the leftist groups include Anakbayan WV, Kaisog, Pamanggas, KMU WV, Gabriela- Iloilo and ACT out to give support to the First 100 Days of the Duterte Administration.

Reyland Vergara of Bayan WV said they are holding a rally on the same day of Duterte’s oath-taking as the 16th President of the country to welcome and support the administration’s pro-people policies and programs and to highlight the people’s agenda meant to give immediate relief and change.

Considered as among the good pronouncements of the incoming President are the resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the release of more than 500 political prisoners with immediate consideration of NDF consultants including Concha Araneta-Bocala of Panay Island who was arrested in August 2015.

As for the workers, Elmer Forro of KMU welcomes the appointment of former Anakpawis representative and KMU Mindanao vice chair Joel Maglunsod as undersecretary of DOLE.

Other new presidential appointees are Rafael Mariano as Cabinet secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Judy Taguiwalo and Hope Hervilla as secretary and undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), respectively.

The KMU, however, is set to demand a Php750 daily across the board minimum wage nationwide.

 

On the other hand, Pamanggas will lobby for the passage of a genuine agrarian reform bill now that the Aquino administration’s CARPER is dead.

Youth group Anakbayan is pushing to stop the implementation of K-12 program while Gabriela is demanding assistance to victims of abuses, especially to women and children.

Urban poor group Kaisog will support Duterte’s “walang relokasyon, walang demolisyon” policy but the relocation program should include livelihood opportunities for the poor.

Government workers especially the teachers will lobby for the Php16,000 minimum wage and a stop to public hospitals' privatization.

Vergara stressed that while they welcome many of Duterte’s policies, they will remain vigilant and watchful over his anti-people pronouncements. They will also employ the strategy of unity and struggle with the Duterte government.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=897975

PA in the market for 294,522 rounds of 7.62mm linked match cartridges

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): PA in the market for 294,522 rounds of 7.62mm linked match cartridges

The Philippine Army (PA) is looking for manufacturers capable of supplying it with 294,522 rounds of 7.62mm linked match cartridges for its light machine guns and sniper rifles.

Budget for the project is placed at PHP29,893,983. The 7.62mm round is used both by infantry and on mounted and crew-served weapons mounted to vehicles, aircraft and ships.

Pre-bid conference is on June 29, 9:00 a.m. at the Bids and Awards Committee Conference Room, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, PA BAC Secretariat head Cmdr. Demetrio A. Calderon said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=897917

AFP modernization to continue, more focus to be given on platforms to curb internal threats

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): AFP modernization to continue, more focus to be given on platforms to curb internal threats

The continuation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program will give more focus on platforms that can be used to address the country's internal security threats.

This was stressed by incoming AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya Thursday.

"(President-elect Rodrigo Duterte) would like to start by improving and updating equipment use for internal security operations so he will prioritize the acquisition of modern helicopters and fastcrafts, with nightfighting capabilities," he added.

Such platforms are useful in dealing with the country's ongoing campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and New People's Army threats.

Visaya said acquisition of such equipment are included in the AFP Modernization Program as emphasized by the procurement of the night-capable AgustaWestland AW-109 attack helicopters of the Navy and Air Force.

The lack of night-capable helicopters and fastcrafts, according to the incoming AFP chief, hampered the military response when the ASG attacked Samal Island and kidnapped Canadians John Ridsel, Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Hall's girlfriend Marites Flor last during their Sept. 21 attack on a posh resort in Samal Island.

Ridsel was beheaded last April 25 while Hall was executed last June 13 after the Philippine and Canadian governments snubbed the ASG ransom demand amounting to around PHP600 million for the two Canadians.

Visaya also clarified that acquisition of equipment that will beefed up the external capabilities of the AFP will continue as part of the ongoing modernization program.

"It (modernization program) will continue, but items needed for internal security operations will be prioritize," he said in Filipino.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=897933

Sayyaf propaganda taunts Rody

From Malaya (Jun 23): Sayyaf propaganda taunts Rody

A DAY after President-elect Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte vowed to crush the Abu Sayyaf, a video purportedly coming from the international terrorist group Islamic State surfaced, calling on Filipinos to support the Abu Sayyaf which is notorious for its kidnapping for ransom activities.

A man in the video said Muslims should wage jihad by attacking government leaders, politicians, and Muslims who have rejected Islam in exchange for money. He said their houses and localities should be bombed.

“Do not pity them. Stab them with the use of bolo, pour gasoline on their residences. Be careful and be strong and don’t be misled by the tactics of the newly-elected President of the Philippines in the person of (Rodrigo) Duterte,” he said.

The Armed Forces, through spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, dismissed the video as “propaganda.”

He also said there is nothing new in the video which spread through social media.

In the video, a man brandishing a rifle urged Muslims to unite under Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, who he said is the “amir” or prince of mujahiden in the Philippines. Hapilon, in a video released in 2014, was shown showing allegiance to the IS, a radical Islamic group.

Several other groups in Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, have been linking themselves to the IS which has been suffering defeats in Iraq and Syria from US-backed military troops.

Padilla said, “People should not be bothered by this because its part of their propaganda they are propagating.”

Padilla said asked members of the social media community not to spread the video.

“If you are a member of the social media community, let us not dignify this. Let us not give importance to this (video). Let’s do what is right which is to delete it and don’t pass it to others,” Padilla said.

Duterte has vowed to crush Abu Sayyaf during his term. The Abu Sayyaf has about 300 to 400 members, mostly operating in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

Duterte has the image of being tough against crimes. He is also waging war against illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, three Abu Sayyaf men were killed while 10 others were wounded in a firefight with troops in  Patikul town in Sulu on Tuesday afternoon.

Sixteen soldiers were also wounded.

Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion were on a security operation when they encountered about 200 Abu Sayyaf men in Sitio Bud Duwa in barangay Pansul around 2:20 p.m. Tuesday.

Tan said the Army troopers clashed with the Abu Sayyaf men for one-and-a-half hours, until the bandits “scampered towards several directions.”

The fighting occurred eight days after the group beheaded Canadian Robert Hall in the nearby town of Talipao town for failure of authorities to pay ransom for him and his fellow Samal kidnap victims.

Hall was among the four people abducted from a resort on Samal island in Davao del Norte last September. He was beheaded on June 13.

The three others are Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor, who are still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf, and Canadian John Ridsdel who was beheaded last April 25 also in Talipao.

http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/sayyaf-propaganda-taunts-rody

China plans construction activities in Scarborough Shoal — Golez

From GMA News (Jun 23): China plans construction activities in Scarborough Shoal — Golez

China reportedly plans to build several structures on Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in preparation for its eventual occupation of the a part of the Philippine territory, former national security adviser Roilo Golez said Thursday.

In a press conference, Golez showed a map of Panatag Shoal with markings indicating China’s construction plans for a lagoon as big as Quezon City in the area.

Pointing at the map, the former Parañaque lawmaker said China plans to build a port and 3,000-meter long runway for the northern portion of the lagoon.

On the eastern side, meanwhile, will rise a “tropical and holiday area” eyed to attract tourists.

Government buildings and a hotel will be constructed at the southern portion of the lagoon while the mouth of the shoal is eyed as an entryway for Chinese ships.

Golez said he obtained the map from reliable sources.

The former lawmaker sounded the alarm on Beijing’s purported plans to build structures in Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, amid the ongoing maritime row between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.

“This will be a huge military base and it’s so close to the Philippines. It’s a dagger that will be aiming at our vital economic installation. It will be a clear threat to us and to the region, Golez said.

China already occupies Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, which now features several structures and an airstrip.

An airstrip has already been constructed by Beijing on Fiery Cross Reef, also known as Kagitingan Reef.

Last April, China began operations of a lighthouse in Subi Reef, which is only 26 kilometers southwest of Pag-asa Island.

The three reefs where Beijing has built structures are part of the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Citing statements made by senior defense officials during two Senate hearings on the Scarborough Shoal dispute in 2013 and 2015, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said last May that the area remains a part of the Philippines even if there is a prevailing perception that it has been seized by Beijing.

The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration is expected to issue a ruling soon on the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China.

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