From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22): Stricter measures up as another bus torched in South Cotabato
Stricter measures are up in South Cotabato as another bus was torched by still unidentified gunmen Wednesday night along a major and busy street here.
The burning of Husky Bus of Gen. Santos City-based BIOCOOP transport services occurred at 7:15 p.m. along the national highway in Barangay Morales, according to Supt. Franklin Alvero.
Alvero, South Cotabato police director, said it was the fourth bus burning incident in South Cotabato and the second for Husky Bus firm since Nov. 13.
Alvero said the Husky Bus was heading for Gen. Santos City from Cotabato City via Isulan in Sultan Kudarat and Tacurong City.
Quoting witnesses, police said a man boarded the passenger vehicle in Tacurong City. Upon reaching Barangay Morales, he asked the driver to stop the bus as he would alight.
The driver then pulled over and as the passenger was leaving the bus, about six or eight men armed with hand guns quickly hopped in and, at gun point, told the driver to leave.
A witness told reporters that the man from Tacurong who disembarked told other passengers to alight with him because it would be set on fire.
The men then doused gasoline on the vehicle and set it on fire.
Police said the upper portion of the bus (body number 6833 with temporary licensed plate 1301-658771) was totally burned when responding fire officers arrived.
The bus is owned and operated by the General Santos City BIOCOOP Transport and commonly known as Spartan Bus because it is the only bus plying the Gen. Santos-South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Cotabato City route, passing through Maguindanao's conflict-affected communities.
Mayor Peter Miguel said the burning of Husky Bus was well planned and the attackers could be from outside the city.
It was the second attack against Husky bus since Nov. 27 when gunmen set on fire another Husky bus in Tantangan, South Cotabato.
Two other buses owned by Yellow Bus Lines (YBL) were torched by men who claimed they were communist guerillas in Tupi and Sto. Nino towns since Nov. 13.
The YBL lost four buses in the hands of gunmen since Nov. 13, to include the one torched in Kiamba, Sarangani province and in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.
Aside from buses, gunmen claiming they were NPAs set ablaze construction and quarry equipment in Koronadal City last week and a Dole Philippines banana plantation packing plant in Surallah, South Cotabato.
Alverto said elements of the 27th Infantry Battalion will provide augmentation force to prevent attacks against bus companies.
He said manhunt has been going on in the mountain borders of Koronadal City and Tantangan, South Cotabato where the suspects fled after the incident.
In last night's attack, the gunmen did not identify themselves as New People's Army like in previous cases.
Police investigation was focused on two motives - extortion by suspected NPA rebels or business rivalry.
Alvero said the police will deploy marshal in all buses plying the province as preventive measure. Other steps are also in the operation plan.
Alvero urged bus firms not to pick up or discharge passengers in between bus stations to avoid similar incident in the future.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22): Nothing wrong with accepting Chinese military grant -- AFP
As long as the 100 million yuan weapons grant of the People's Republic of China is not burdened with conditions or impositions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sees no problem in accepting the above-mentioned assistance.
This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a briefing Thursday. He added the offer coming from China only shows the Philippines only demonstrates the two nations long standing friendship and being neighborly.
"There is nothing detrimental in accepting their help, especially if these will help fulfill our needs. And we believe these offers are not imposed or burdened with conditions," Arevalo said in Filipino.
He also expressed belief that the Chinese grant will help boost the AFP's capability to do its constitutional mandate.
“We do not know yet the quantities, but we are looking at fast boats, drones, night vision goggles, and communications equipment," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said on the Chinese grant.
One hundred million yuan is worth US$ 14 million or around Php720 million.
The grant was announced following the meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte with Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua last Dec. 19 at Malacañang Palace in Manila.
The Chinese envoy conveyed that the grant is China’s support to the President’s war on illegal drugs and terrorism.
The Chinese government also offered a low-interest long-term loan amounting to US$ 500 million.
Lorenzana said the DND will study the offer vis-à-vis the current AFP Modernization Program.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22): BRP Malabrigo commissioned to PHL Coast Guard
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has commissioned Japanese-made multi-role response vessel (MMRV) BRP Malabrigo for maritime law enforcement and humanitarian operations in a ceremony held at the PCG Headquarters Thursday.
The BRP Malabrigo will be a primary rescue vessel and a rapid response vessel during relief operations. It shall also be assisting in the protection of maritime environment and safeguarding the country’s territory.
It will be deployed to various PCG districts across the country including Manila, La Union and Palawan.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Maritime Felipe Judan led the commissioning ceremony and thanked Japan for its continued support in helping improve the country’s transportation system.
He also expressed his gratitude to the men and women of the PCG who have shown unwavering dedication to the service.
“Officials and members of the Philippine Coast Guard have the heart to serve, but need equipment and support,” he said.
The 44-meter BRP Malabrigo is equipped with fire monitors, night vision camera, radio direction finder, a work boat, and a bullet-proof navigational bridge.
The BRP Malabrigo will be under Lieutenant Commander Geronimo Tuvilla as Commanding Officer. It is the second of 10 MRRVs built and delivered from Japan as part of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project.
The first MRRV turned over and commissioned to the PCG, the BRT Tubbataha, was deployed to the West Philippine Sea.
It rescued 14 fishermen whose boat was drifted from the Reed Bank to Busuanga, Palawan last week.
Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Dec 21): MILF Panel honors TAF’s Dr. Rood
The MILF Peace Implementing Panel expressed hope toward maintaining a conducive relationship with The Asia Foundation (TAF) even as it bid adieu to outgoing Country Representative Dr. Steven Rood.
In a modest program led by Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal last Saturday afternoon at Cotabato City, Dr. Rood was given a plaque recognizing his contributions to the search for peace in Mindanao.
Iqbal took note of the assistance TAF has extended to the MILF Peace Panel during Dr. Rood’s tenure. Among these were related to the publication of the two-volume compilation of signed agreements between GPH and MILF as well as capacity trainings to the Bangsamoro Leadership & Management Institute (BLMI).
Iqbal said that it is the first time the Panel has given such tribute to an individual, which was kept secret to the honoree until the program began.
A virtually surprised Dr. Rood thought he was just going to give message to the members of the peace mechanisms who attended the expanded MILF panel meeting held earlier that day.
He was also treated with a performance of the blind musician Esmael Akamad of Mamasapano who played the Magindanawn kutyapi and palendag.
Rood said that it is a cultural piece of Magindanawn that he only knew during the program.
Iqbal recalled that it was in 2008 when the TAF had began engagements with the MILF Peace Panel.
Dr. Rood represented TAF in the International Contact Group (ICG) which played key roles during the peace negotiations. He later on moved to the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) which observes the compliance by both the MILF and GPH on the signed agreements.
Dr. Rood has been living in the Philippines for decades. He is married to a Filipina professor and they were blessed with a daughter.
Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Dec 22): SWC holds 2016 Annual Assembly with the theme: “Fulfilling Women’s Role in Islam: A Strength to the New BM Road Map to Peace”
With the unfortunate fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in the hands of the Philippine Congress during the administration of President Benigno Aquino, the Social Welfare Committee (SWC) opted to conduct massive advocacy activities in 2015 on the gains of the peace process to address the frustrations felt by the Bangsamoro (BM) people. Culmination of such massive advocacy activities was done during the SWC’s 7th annual general assembly in 2015 with the objective clearly reflected in the assembly’s theme “Preserving the Gains of the Peace Process.”
With the new administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte where new hopes seemed to fill the hearts of the Bangsamoro people although aware of some challenges ahead, SWC is keen in positioning itself to strengthen women’s faith in Islam to fulfill an important role in the peace process.
This year’s 8th SWC Annual General Assembly’s theme: “Fulfilling Women’s Role in Islam: A Strength to the New BM Road Map to Peace,” SWC leadership sends its strong message to all its members with more than 15,000 women to unite and work harder in support for the new BM road map to peace.
This 2016 SWC annual general assembly held at Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on December 17-18, 2016 was graced by no less than the Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Al Haj Murad Ebrahim who was the Guest Speaker and by the MILF Chief of Staff, Sammy Al-Mansor who spoke about SWC’s place in the United BM Justice Party (UBJP).
Al Mansor, who was the first speaker, discussed briefly where SWC is placed in the UBJP structure and emphasized that SWC will never be left out from the UBJP. He also gave the assurance that all MILF members shall also form part of the UBJP. He also warned SWC members especially those single women members that because of the emergence of different terrorist groups they have to be critically observant of men proposing for marriage to avoid being married to an ISIS man or other terrorist group.
The MILF Chair spoke on “SWC Role to the Opportunities and Challenges of the New BM Road Map to Peace” emphasizing on what opportunities are seen that need to be promoted, developed and maximized and the challenges that need to be addressed to neutralize all the road blocks for the peace process to succeed.
Chair Alhaj Murad Ebrahim gave some opportunities for the BM road map to peace and urged SWC to think of what the SWC can do to help maximize these opportunities. The first opportunity he mentioned was the President’s consistent pronouncement to implement all signed peace agreements which include the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) and also his commitment to pass the enhanced Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) or the Bangsamoro Enabling Law (BEL).
Another opportunity he added was the fact that while majority of the Filipinos are anti-Muslim, the President seemed to be different from them with his open claim that he has a Muslim bloodline with a Maranao root.
The other opportunity shared by the MILF Chair, was the President’s recognition of the injustices done to the Bangsamoro. He also stressed that changing the negotiation peace panel to implementing peace panel is another advantage to the Bangsamoro because this will ensure implementation of the CAB.
On the challenges, MILF Chair Al Haj Murad, gave emphasis on the possible delay of the BTC operationalization. He said that the members of the BTC were not yet submitted to the President, almost a month delay on the target date of submission on Nov. 30, 2016.
For the MILF, the list of eleven (11) members, he said, was already submitted to OPAPP on Dec. 14, 2016 while the OPAPP are still on the process of finalizing the list of the ten (10) GPH-BTC members.
He said OPAPP is facing difficulty in the selection process for GPH-BTC members with the withdrawal of MNLF Nur Misuari’s group who will have three (3) supposed members in the GPH side.
Also for the sultanates, OPAPP he said finds it hard to choose who can represent them from among the so many sultanates. However, the delay which can be a major roadblock can be avoided considering that in the drafting of the BEL, the agreed version of the BBL will be the working paper for the drafting of the BEL by the BTC Commissioners, thus, will make the work faster for them.
Another challenge he mentioned was the unconstitutional issues of the CAB which will be parked to wait for the charter change deliberation. Other issue shared by the MILF Chair was on the government’s stand to make the BM continuing peace process a domestic issue which the MILF opposes because MILF believes that without facilitation of a foreign country specifically the Malaysian Government, the peace process will not be pursued accordingly.
Chairman Al Haj Murad ended his message with a reminder to the MILF organization as a whole to work very hard to neutralize the challenges and ensure the peace process to succeed. He finally ended by saying, “Very important is to ready ourselves and do whatever is needed for us to achieve our ideological objective of Li ilahi kalimatullah.”
The second part of the assembly’s program was the awarding ceremony for the best performing provinces in terms of implementing the SWC programs and activities. Ligawasan province is the leading of all the provinces in achieving more awards followed by Maguindanao and the rest of the provinces.
Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Dec 22): ZC Moro Women Leaders hold Organizational Strengthening and Planning for Peace Advocacy
A group of Moro Women Leaders in Zamboanga City’s West Coast area held meeting on Organizational Strengthening and Planning for conduct of Peace Advocacy through Daw’ah at Barangay Tulungatung, Zamboanga City on December 18. 2016.
Organizers realized that there is a need for Moro women and laypersons to be updated on both social and political issues that directly affect their lives and communities particularly on the current state of the GPH-MILF Peace Implementation process.
Imam Omar Alip, Head of local Da’wah Committee reminded the Moro women of their obligations by not only managing their household but also participating in productive undertakings since women occupy a large number in our society nowadays, he said.
He also stressed that Islam has made it imperative to both male and female to help one another when situation dictates for the advancement of any legitimate cause as mentioned in Noble Qur’an as follow:
"The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil, they observe regular prayers, charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise" – Surah At-Tawba-71 (9:71).
Ustadz Taha G. Daranda member of local Muslim Religious organization in Zamboanga City said that the present situation of the Bangsamoro can be improved into a prosperous society from being sluggish in social development if Moro Muslim Leaders and other Moro sectors can do a bearable sacrifice by putting their personal agenda, whims and pride behind their back for greater interest of the Bangsamoro people.
Tirso Tahir from Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) gave updates on the current tract of GPH-MILF Peace deal and the aspect of convergence with other Moro fronts’ organizations and other stakeholders in more inclusive peace roadmap.
Issue on Federalism and its political implication were also discussed and clarified.
Topic on organizational strengthening and sustainable leadership was delivered by Brother “Phix” from United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD). He said that strong organization depends on leadership style on how he leads and manages.
At first, people is simply obeying and observing their leader, if the leader shows less concern and fails to look after his subject’s needs and not manage their frustration at early stage then his leadership is at stake, heading to disaster and will finally collapse for people has an instinct to defy, defect and setting up their own organization if things don’t get well, Brother Phix said.
Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Dec 23): MILF Committees-Davao Region undergo 5-day CAB Implementation and Strengthening MILF Training-Workshop
A 5-day Training-Workshop on Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) Implementation and Strengthening the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was held from December 15 to December 19, 2016 at the Islamic Center, Lupon, Davao Oriental spearheaded and participated by four (4) MILF Provincial Political Committees (Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao City, ComVal, Del Norte, and Davao Oriental) and two (2) Base Commands (111th and 112th) and various MILF line agencies, NGOs, and CSOs.
During the opening program, MILF 2nd Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jaafar, BIAF Deputy Commander Hussein Muñoz, etc were present.
In his message, Jaafar sighted many important issues about federalism. He reiterates that the MILF is not against federalism of any form, but the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) should be given first priority at hand by the government.
On the other hand, BIAF Deputy Commander and former Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Commissioner Hussein Muñoz said that he believes that the said activity would served as an effective tool to unity and solidarity among its members and would served as a best preparation for the challenge to come in the near future.
During the closing program, Dr. Salem Lingasa, a staff from the Office of the MILF Chairman in his message gave emphasis on the gains MILF has reaped as the organization entered into negotiation since 1997 and as it opted to shift from armed to diplomatic struggle.
He pointed out that the MILF has been very successful in the “internationalization” of the issue of right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro.
There were about two hundred thirty three (233) MILF leaders, members of MILF line agencies, representatives of non-government organizations, and civil society organizations who attended the activity.
The 5-day Training-Workshop ended with a very positive response and outlook from the participants.
Source: Banwa Mindanaw, Inc. (BMI)/ Information-EDPC
Posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Dec 19): Pakikiisa sa Kampuhang Bayan ng AMGL
PAKIKIISA SA KAMPUHANG BAYAN NG AMGL, MGA MAGGAGAWANG BUKID AT IBA PANG MARALITANG NAYON SA IKA-19 HANGGANG 21 NG DISYEMBRE
Ni Jose Maria Sison, Punong Pampulitikang Konsultant
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Bilang Punong Pampulitikang Konsultant ng National Democratic Front of the Phillippines, nagpapaabot ako ng maalab na makabayang pagbati at pakikiisa sa AMGL at mga manggagawang bukid kasama na ang iba pang mga maralitang nayon na nakararanas ngayon ng lumulubhang busabos na kalagayan.
Nakikiisa at sumusuporta ako sa paglulunsad ninyo ng KAMPUHANG BAYAN “Pagkatok sa Puso at Panunuluyan—Ang Pighati ng walang kabuhayan at gutom” mula ika-19 hanggang 21 ng Disyembre. Dapat tawagin ang pansin ng buong bansa sa inyong kalagayan. Tiyak na mauunawahan ng malawak na masa ang kahirapan na dinaranas ninyo at tutulong sa inyo ang mga organisasyon at institusyon.
Nakakaantig puso na ang panahon ng gawat o taggutom ay higit na lumalala at humahaba ito dahil kahit sa panahon ng anihan ay wala na kayong magapas. Inaagaw ang inyong kabuhayan ng mga ganid-sakim na panginoong maylupa-kumersyante-usurero na mga may-ari/opereytor ng harvester. Masaklap na ang dating tinatrabaho ng mahigit-kumulang 20 manggagawang bukid sa isang ektarya ay tinatrabaho na lamang ng tatlo katao — ang opereytor, pahinanteng taga-sahod sa sako ng nagiik na palay at ang taga-sara ng sako.
Ang masakit na resulta nito ay ang malaganap na kawalan ng hanapbuhay ng mga manggagawang bukid na karamihan ay mga maralitang magsasakang walang sariling lupang binubungkal. Maging ang mga nagwawagwag na naninimot ng palay mula sa mga pinaggapasan at pinag-giikan ng palay ay wala na ring nakukuha at hanapbuhay.
Isang kahibangan na magpasok at magparami ng mga harvester sa isang ekonomyang agraryo at malapyudal na walang mga malagong industriya na malilipatan ng mga mawawalan ng trabaho sa kanayunan. Dahil sa pagkaganid at kasakiman ng mga panginoong maylupa-kumersyante-usurero hindi nila namamalayan na naglalaro sila sa apoy ng rebolusyon dahil sa pinipilit nilang magbalikwas ang mga walang trabaho at nagugutom.
Mula sa punto de bista ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines at batay sa programa ng demokratikong rebolusyon ng bayan, dapat magkasabay ang tunay na reporma sa lupa at pambansang industrialisasyon. And dalawang ito ang paraan para magkaroon ng trabaho ang tinawag na labis na populasyon sa kayunanan.
Dapat ipamudmod nang libre sa mga magsasakang walang lupa ang mga lupang nasa kamay ng panginoong maylupa. Pinakamahusay na pagkakataon ng mekanisasyon sa agrikultura ay kung ito ay kaugnay ng kooperatibatisayon ng mga magsasaka. At ang mga makina (traktora, seeding machine, irrigation pumps, harvesters, mills, warehouse at mga sasakyang de motor) ay bunga ng pambansang industrialisasyon.
Sa kasalukuyang usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng gubyernong Duterte at NDFP, nasa mesa na ang paggawa ng Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms. Mabuti kung ang mga makabayan at progresibo sa dalawang panig ay magtulungan tungkol sa tunay na reporma sa lupa at pambansng industrialisasyon at mapangibabawan nila ang mga maka-imperyalista at reaksyunaryo na sumusunod sa patakarang neoliberal sa loob ng gubyernong Duterte. Mabuti kung sa usapin ng reporma sa lupa makakasama si Ka Paeng Mariano at DAR sa pananaliksik at paggawa ng kasunduan.
Umaasa akong magiging matagumpay ang KAMPUHANG BAYAN, matutupad nito ang mga itinakdang layunin at makakaani ng masaganang suporta mula sa hanay ng mga magbubukid at lahat ng makabuluhang sektor ng lipunan.
Mabuhay ang AMGL! Mabuhay ang mga magsasaka at manggagawang bukid!
Itaguyod ang tunay na reporma sa lupa at pambansang industrialisasyon!
Ibayong tagumpay ng sambayanang Pilipino sa pambansa at panlipunang pagpapalaya!
Posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Dec 20): Joma Sison: Phone chat with Duterte on peace deal ‘productive’
[Inquirer.net] Jose Maria Sison, chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, had a phone conversation with President Duterte on Monday.
Sison confirmed in an online (Facebook) post that he discussed with Duterte several issues regarding the ongoing peace negotiations.
“I had a friendly and productive phone conversation with President Duterte about advancing the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations at around 7 p.m. last night Utrecht time,” Sison said.
Sison, who is also the founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines, said the unilateral ceasefire declarations will be respected during the holidays.
“The unilateral ceasefire declarations of the GRP and NDFP will stand during the Christmas and New Year holidays,” Sison said.
Both parties had a tradition of declaring short ceasefire declarations during the holidays in the past.
Meanwhile, Sison hinted that no bilateral ceasefire agreement will be signed this year explaining that this will be discussed in the third round of talks in January.
“Bilateral ceasefire agreement and the amnesty and release of the political prisoners listed by the NDFP can be discussed and agreed upon before, during and even after the third round of formal talks in Rome from January 18 to 24,” Sison said.
The NDFP is asserting that the immediate release of at least 434 political prisoners is needed as a compliance of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Dec 22): Ipamalas ang galit ng bayan sa napapakong mga pangakong pangkapayapaan
Mariing pinupuna ng mamamayang Pilipino si Presidente Rodrigo Duterte ng GRP sa mga nakapako niyang pangakong pangkapayapaan. Binabatikos nila ang pagkabigo niyang palayain ang mga detenidong pulitikal, na dalawang ulit niyang ipinangako. Binabatikos rin nila ang pagpapakat ng mga tropang pangkombat sa mga komunidad sa kanayunan sa kabila ng ipinag-utos na magtigil-putok, na ngayo’y nagbunsod ng laganap na abusong militar laban sa masang magsasaka.
Sa nagdaang ilang buwan, ilang ulit na ipinakita ng Partido, NDFP at mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa ang tiyaga sa pakikipagnegosasyong pangkapayapaan sa rehimeng Duterte laluna sa harap ng mga pagkaantala at bigong pangako at di totoong mga pahayag, at maging sa harap ng traydor na operasyong armado at paniniktik ng mga armadong pwersa ng GRP.
Sa diwa ng pakikipagkaibigan sa rehimeng Duterte, nagpakita ng pleksibilidad ang mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa harap ng kabiguan ng GRP na tuparin ang nauna nang inaasahang pagpapalaya sa mahigit 430 detenidong pulitikal bago Oktubre 26 sa pamamagitan ng proklamasyong amnestiya ng presidente.
Sa hangaring panatilihin ang magkatugmang deklarasyong tigil-putukan, nagpakapleksible ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa pagmamaniobra upang umiwas sa harap ng traydor na mga opensiba at mapandigmang operasyon ng AFP at mga abusong militar ng mga armadong tropa ni Duterte sa saklaw ng mga sona at baseng gerilya.
Sinumpong na nagbagong-isip si Duterte at idineklarang walang bilanggong pulitikal ang palalayain hangga’t walang pinipirmahang magkatugmang kasunduan sa tigil-putukan. Muling nagpapakapleksible ang NDFP sa pag-alok na talakayin at pirmahan ang gayong magkatugmang asunduan sa tigil-putukan na magkakabisa oras na palayain ang lahat ng detenidong pulitikal.
Sa ngayo’y umabot na sa 115 araw ang tigil-putukan ng BHB. Sa kasaysayan, ito na ang pinakamatagal, patunay ng malawig na kahandaan ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa na suportahan ang pagbubuo ng pakikipagtulungan kay Duterte na minsang nagdeklarang siya’y Kaliwa at sosyalista.
Bukod sa pagpapalaya sa mga konsultant ng NDFP at ng napakapositibong ibinunga ng unang serye ng usapan, totoong nahikayat ang mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa ng mga proklamasyong patriyotiko, partikular, ang deklarasyon ng nagsasariling patakarang panlabas at ng pagbabantang wakasan ang presenyang militar ng US at ang magkakasanib na ehersisyong militar at ibasura ang kasunduan sa pagbabase (EDCA).
Subalit batid na batid din ng sambayanang Pilipino at kanilang mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa ang mga patakarang anti-mamamayan at di-demokratiko ni Duterte. Pinakamatingkad rito ang lumalaking bilang ng mga ekstrahudisyal na pagpaslang na inupat ni Duterte at isinagawa ng mga pwersang pulis at ng lumilitaw na lambat ng mga death squad.
Bukod sa ipinag-utos sa AFP na ipagpatuloy ang m
ga operasyong Oplan Bayanihan sa kanayunan, inutusan rin niya ang militar na bigyan ang dating diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos ng pambayaning libing sa lubos na paghamak sa mamamayang Pilipino na labis na nagdusa sa ilalim ng batas militar.
Nananatiling di nakakamit ang hangarin ng mamamayan para sa pagbabago na pinalakas ng mga pangako ni Duterte. Pinalawig din niya ang mga neoliberal na patakaran sa ekonomya (mababang sahod at pleksibleng paggawa, pagkaltas sa mga serbisyong panlipunan, pribatisasyon ng mga serbisyong pampubliko at iba pa) ng nagdaang mga rehimen na malawakang nagpahirap sa mamamayang Pilipino.
Batid rin ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa ang mga pag-urong ni Duterte mula Nobyembre. Pinagtibay niya ang “pakikipagkaibigan at alyansa” sa US at pumayag na maglunsad ang militar ng US ng mahigit 257 magkasanib na mga ehersisyong militar sa susunod na taon.
Malinaw na pinili ni Duterte na bawasan at iatras ang kanyang retorikong anti-US upang siguruhin ang suporta ng tali-sa-US na AFP. Sa harap ng napakong mga pangakong pangkapayapaan ni Duterte, ng pakikipagkaisa niya ngayon sa US at AFP, ng nagpapatuloy na mga operasyong militar at gerang panunupil sa kanayunan, pahirap nang pahirap ang pagpapanatili sa unilateral na deklarasyong inilabas ng PKP. Malinaw nang isinaad ng PKP na ang pagpapalawig ng tigil-putukan nito ay maisasagawa kung tutuparin ni Duterte ang pangako niyang palayain ang mga bilanggong pulitikal at ipag-uutos ang pag-aatras ng mga tropa nito sa mga sona at baseng gerilya.
Sinusuportahan din ng PKP ang pagsisikap ng NDFP Negotiating Panel na buuin ang isang magkatugmang kasunduang tigil-putukan sa GRP na may malinaw na probisyong nagtatanggol sa mga sibilyang komunidad mula sa tinaguriang mga operasyong sibil-militar at magkakabisa pagkatapos ng pagpapalaya sa lahat ng bilanggong pulitikal. Nakahanda ang mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa na dagdagan pa ang tiyaga at hintaying maisagawa ang gayong mga hakbang hanggang sa buwan ng Enero.
From ABS-CBN (Dec 22): Alleged MNLF members arrested in Bukidnon
TALAKAG, Bukidnon - Two suspected members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were nabbed in Sitio Sta. Victoria, Brgy San Rafael, Wednesday for allegedly looting livestock and harassing residents from a nearby community.
Two fully loaded shotguns, a rifle, and ammunition were recovered from Junie Barton, 38, and Nurli Polinda, 21, authorities said.
The suspects claimed to be members of the MNLF and were also wearing fatigue uniforms bearing the MNLF patch, officials added.
The two are still detained as authorities believe Barton is the primary suspect in a shooting incident at Sitio Anahaw, Brgy Dominorog, Talakag where one man was killed.
From ABS-CBN (Dec 22): China seizure of US drone a test for PH, Trump: analyst
[Video Interview]
MANILA - China may be testing the relationship of the United States and the Philippines and is sending a message to President-elect Donald Trump with its seizure of an underwater drone from the US off Philippine shores, an analyst said.
Author and international columnist Richard Heydariannoted in an interview Mornings@ANC, China "unilaterally and in violation of international law" seized the drone 50 nautical miles off Subic Bay, well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
"That drone was marked and the other thing was China has no business to operate within our EEZ because per international law, we have no overlapping exclusive economic zone," he said.
"That was part of some sort of a maritime surveillance or reconnaissance mission that the US was running, and the US was actually sending a vessel, a civilian vessel to retrieve that, and China just took it away," he added.
Heydarian believes this is a way for China to test Philippines’ alliance with the US, with whom it has a mutual defense treaty, because this is "quite a provocative move within the Philippine waters."
"If China can just come in and take away American assets, then that could kind of undermine America’s ability in an event of conflict to help us under the Mutual Defense Treaty," he said.
Second, China may also be testing newly elected US President Trump's resolve in pushing the envelope in terms of its military spending in the South China Sea.
This, after Trump had talked with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen few weeks ago and even venturing into saying he may "somehow de facto acknowledge Taiwan as an independent nation," added Heydarian.
"China is also saying to Trump: If you’re going to ramp up your military presence in the area, if you’re going to question the foundations of the modus vivendi we have in the past three to four decades, then we are also willing to push the envelope in other areas," he said.
Heydarian noted, China exerting pressure to a significant nation undergoing leadership transition is not unique to the present scenario, and this was recently seen in the country's relation to its Asian neighbor, Vietnam.
Earlier this year, Vietnam also had an election, and according to Heydarian, China sent another oil rig to Vietnamese waters, the same they sent in 2014 that caused a showdown between the two countries.
"When some important countries are going to transition, the Chinese actually tend to up the ante and send a clear signal that the next leadership has to be careful—if you change your tone to a more aggressive approach towards China, we will respond accordingly," he said.
With Trump's phone call to the Taiwanese leader, the maverick businessman-turned-politician had just broken a decades-long tradition of recognizing the One China Policy, and Heydarian supposes, the drone issue was a warning to him.
"This is a clear signal to Donald Trump that America will pay a price and China is willing to up the ante if he’s going to make Obama’s pivot to Asia even more military-oriented than it would have been," he said.
"We have to brace for more tensions," he added.
"This is going to be more frequent as the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea becomes more and more congested—you have more military facilities of China in the area, you have more American drone in the area, and you have the Philippines essentially slug it out together," he said.
From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 22): TF Davao reaches out to IPs and urban poor this holiday season
More than 500 Moro residents at the Muslim Village in Barangay 76-A received Christmas gifts from the Task Force Davao as part of the Pinaskuhan sa Lumad activity.
Major Mario Tena, civil-military operations officer of the Task Force Davao said the residents have helped a lot in the campaign against terrorism.
He said the residents have been effective as eyes and ears of the authorities, since they immediately report suspicious individuals in the neighborhood.
“They are part of our beneficiaries to the gift-giving activity,” Tena said.
The Task Force conducted their gift-giving initially in December 5 simultaneous with the medical and dental activity at the Ramon Magsaysay Park where more than a thousand residents were benefitted.
Beneficiaries came from Barangay Leon Garcia, Agdao District and Barangay 27-C Poblacion District which are near the TF Davao Headquarters.
A total of 64 military doctors participated in the event.
Tena said their unit will always keep the peace and reaches out to poor communities.
From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 22): Duterte to soldiers: Epitomize AFP’s core values
Epitomize the core values of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, thus President Rodrigo R. Duterte, also the Commander-in-chief main message to the country’s soldiers during the celebration of the AFP’s 81st founding anniversary celebration, Wednesday held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
He also commended the AFP for implementing a new campaign plan which is attuned with the government’s vision of peace.
“I commend AFP for implementing plans under “Ambisyon Natin 20140,” the President said.
The President said the government will also rationalize the management of AFP facilities by crafting a management facility plan.
“We’ll craft master development plan for AFP camps,” he said.
Duterte also declared ceasefire beginning December 23 to 27, Dec. 31 to January 3.
He also encouraged the NPA, MILF, MNLF to leave their arms and visit their family.
“It’s time for cessation of hostilities,” Duterte said, “Nakakatamad mag-away ng Pasko,” he added.
Meanwhile, AFP chief Lieutenant General Eduardo Año, in his anniversary statement said, “The anniversary celebration has never been only about us, although we always see it fit to showcase our troops and our equipment as a show of our advancement as an institution. More than this, the ‘AFP Day’ is a celebration of our shared aspirations with the Filipino.”
“We dedicate our efforts today to the Filipino people we have sworn to serve and protect, and this we have done each year with dedication and pride, as it is a fact that only with their unyielding support that we as an institution came to where we are now,” Año added.
Outstanding soldiers were also recognized for their accomplishments in the service.
The AFP’s 81st founding anniversary celebration has the theme: “Conquering Challenges, Harnessing Change."
From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 22): 54th IB commander calls for community support
A military officer enjoined every “Immipuggo” (Ifugao) to support the Philippine Army in the fulfillment of its mandate.
“As we do our best to fulfill these endeavors, we recognize and accept the reality that we, the members of the 54th IB, cannot achieve our mission and objectives alone. We need the support of other agencies, the cooperation of the private sectors and each and every one in the community,”appealed Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Quemado, Jr., 54th Infantry Battalion (Magilas) commanding officer based in the province , during the unit's 31st anniversary recently.
“Let’s put our efforts together to bring light to those who are still blinded by the promise of prosperity by people who do not believe in democracy for a lasting peace in our land,” the army officer stated.
Every Magilas trooper he said has expressed his or her commitment to continue serving the people and securing the land for the benefit of every Filipino.
Quemado also disclosed that when he assumed command of the unit, he prioritized the morale and welfare of personnel. “I believe that human resources are the most important component of an organization. A unit composed of people with high morale is a unit that could maximize the potentials of the personnel to become prolific,” he said.
More than 100 stakeholders and soldiers were given commendation for their contribution to the success of the 54th IB's programs and services.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22): SM Foundation renovates Naval Station hospital in Zambales
Giant retail-chain store SM Foundation has turned over to Philippine Navy a fully renovated Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Station Hospital in San Miguel, San Antonio, Zambales.
The turnover marks SM Foundation’s 15th improved health facility for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
SM Foundation’s executive director for health Connie Angeles said that "we dedicate SM Foundation’s program on the improvement of the AFP health facilities to our beloved soldiers who risk their lives and limbs that we may enjoy the power of freedom.”
The renovation of NETC Station Hospital started on October 24 that included floor retiling, repainting of the interior and exterior partitions and interior design.
Furniture, appliances and medical supplies are also part of the donation to create a conducive environment for treatment and recuperation of patients.
Done under the SM’s Felicidad T. Sy (FTS) Wellness Program, the renovation of the station hospital will greatly contribute to its goal of being a DOH licensed Primary Care Facility capable of providing various healthcare services to cadets and officers of the NETC with enhanced equipment, facilities and competent health workers.
At present, the NETC Station Hospital is being headed by Ltc. Aurora Lozano, medical corps and a staff of two medical service officers, 12 enlisted personnel and two civilian employees. It provides ECG, X-ray, pharmacy and ambulance transport services to all command and student’s activities.
Vice Admiral Joseph S. Mercado AFP, flag officer-in-command expressed his gratitude to the foundation’s assistance in providing better healthcare to the soldiers of AFP.
“On behalf of the Philippine Navy, I would like to thank SM Foundation for this very noble project that you are giving to this particular command," Mercado said.
Other SM Foundation renovated military facilities include: Air Force City Hospital in Clark, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Station Hospital in Cabanatuan; and Air Force General Hospital in Pasay City; NAVSOG Sick Bay in Sangley Cavite;; Camp General Aguinaldo Station Hospital in Quezon City; Fernando Air Base Hospital in Lipa City; Police National Training Institute in Canlubang Laguna; Camp Nakar Station Hospital in Lucena, Quezon; and the Pediatric Ward of the AFP General Hospital in Pasay City.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22): DND to tailor equipment list to fit into Chinese 100-M yuan grant
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they are now tailoring the list of equipment which they intend to acquire under China's one-time grant worth 100 million yuan.
“We at the DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines are still preparing our list,” he added.
“We do not know yet the quantities, but we are looking at fast boats, drones, night vision goggles, and communications equipment," Lorenzana stressed.
One hundred million yuan is worth USD14 million or around PHP720 million.
The grant was announced following the meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte with Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua last Dec. 19 at the Malacañang Palace in Manila.
The Chinese envoy conveyed that the grant is China’s support to the President’s war on illegal drugs and terrorism.
The Chinese government also offered a low-interest long-term loan amounting to USD500 million.
Lorenzana said the DND will study the offer vis-à-vis the current AFP Modernization Program.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22): GMA files bill to protect, modernize Veterans Memorial Medical Center
Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wants to give the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) its own juridical personality and modernize it to serve the medical needs of Filipino veterans, retired soldiers and their dependents.
Arroyo has filed House Bill No. 1240 which seeks to protect any sale or disposition of VMCC and provide it greater flexibility and autonomy in its operations in order to serve its mission.
"Recognizing the invaluable sacrifices and services of our veterans and military retirees, it is only imperative that a medical facility dedicated to serve their medical needs as well as their dependents must be provided stability, viability and ample resources to ensure that they receive quality medical and health services,” Arroyo said.
VMMC is under the control and supervision of the Department of National Defense (DND), receiving 1 percent of DND’s annual budget.
VMMC does not have its own charter and no other source of income to support the free care and treatment of veterans, retirees and their dependents unlike other government hospitals.
Arroyo's bill proposes to give VMMC a corporate entity which shall be governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by the DND Secretary and vice-chaired by the hospital’s medical director.
Other members will be the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Defense and Security; Chairperson of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare; Secretary of Health; Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office; Chairman of the Philippine Veterans Bank; President of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines; and three appointive members who are distinguished veterans in their professions.
While the board may approve the implementation of contracts, mechanisms and financial instruments to give the hospital the flexibility to generate revenues and other resources from land grants and other properties, such arrangements shall sustain and protect the hospital in accordance with law and be exclusive of the medical core zone of the hospital, she noted.
“(Any) mechanism and arrangements shall not conflict with the medical or health services and academic mission of the hospital; and any plan to generate revenues and other sources from land grants and other real properties entrusted to the hospital shall be consistent with the hospital mission and orientation as a vehicle to extend health services to veterans and their dependents,” she said.
The bill also stipulates that the VMCC's core zone “shall not be sold, transferred, ceded, conveyed, assigned and encumbered.”
"The preservation of the value of the assets of the hospital shall be of primordial consideration,” she said.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 22): AFP lauds Duterte decision to increase gratuity of Medal of Valor awardees
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed its gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for increasing the montly gratuity of Medal of Valor awardees from PHP25,000 to PHP75,000 effective January 2017.
”We are grateful to our Commander-in-Chief (as the increase in gratuity pay) will serve as inspiration to all of our soldiers as this shows the President’s concern for the sacrifices and heroism demonstrated by all our troops,”AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said in Filipino.
The Medal of Valor is the nation’s highest combat medal, being awarded to only 40 military personnel of which 17 are still surviving to date.
It was first awarded to Filipino military and constabulary personnel early in the 1900s.
The medal is awarded by the President of the Philippines to members of the AFP and allied military personnel, including recognized guerrilla forces.
It is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
With this privilege now in the offing, Arevalo is hopeful that this incentive will push all AFP personnel into serve the country and nation further so that lasting peace will reign in the land.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 21): AFP will not bother Yuletide-bound rebels as long they are not carrying any weapons
Rebel fighters returning home to their families this Yuletide Season will be not be arrested and bothered by military as long as they arrive home without any weapons or any implements of war.
This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in an interview Thursday.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a ceasefire for the Christmas holidays from December 23 to 27 and another for the New Year from December 31 to January 3.
Arevalo said the ceasefire declared by the Chief Executive is no different from the current ceasefire those implementation started on August 21.
The latter was done to facilitate the ongoing peacetalks with the New People’s Army.
”We are hoping they (rebels) will take opportunity of this season to go home and be with their loved ones,” the AFP public affairs chief said in Filipino.
However, he reminded the rebels not to bring their weapons to prevent any untoward incident.
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 21): Pres. Duterte declares Christmas, New Year ceasefire with NPA, Moro rebels
The communist and Moro rebels can join their families during Christmas and New Year days after President Rodrigo Duterte declared on Wednesday ceasefire with the New People’s Army (NPA), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
"I would like to declare it officially on my part so that you can go home to your families. All of you, except the criminals," President Duterte said in his speech during the 81st Anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at the Camp Crame in Quezon City.
President Duterte made the declaration following a consultation with religious leaders, well-meaning individuals and peace process officials.
President Duterte also said he talked with National Democratic Front (NDF) chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison early Tuesday morning and they agreed to pursue peace process.
"Now as agreed with some local and religious leaders, I will honestly and sincerely ask you for a ceasefire beginning December 23 to 27 and then in New Year from December 31 to January 3 depending on the response of those who would like to embrace us as brothers," the President said.
"To the NPA, although you do not declare any cessation of hostilities somewhere, I would like to invite everybody, leave your firearms where you are now, and you can come down in the cities where you leave, you visit your family," he added.
The President assured the rebels that no arrest and oppression will be imposed during Christmas and New Year’s Day ceasefire.
"I guarantee you that there will be no arrest, no oppression. If you meet a soldier, you shake hands and if you don’t like, just ignore them," President Duterte said.
"You know those people in farms who’ll join the NPAs, I’m sure you have not seen, or if at all, in fleeting moments with your family, I would like you to come down and be with your family on Christmas day," he added.
President Duterte has urged the soldiers to treat the rebels as brothers by allowing them to eat with them inside their military camps.
"It’s very tiring see each other fighting on Christmas. For the military camps, especially the Army, kindly open you gates and allow the people to break bread with you even on Christmas day," the President said.
President Duterte said he will order to deliver branded canned goods and ‘odong’ in the military camps.
The President, however, clarified that the ceasefire does not cover criminals and terrorists.
"The Maute? I’m sorry. You just burned so many buses the other day. You have to pay for that. It will be no quarters given, no quarters asked. You know that," the President said.
President Duterte assured that he is not conceding “anything in this Republic”.
"Not of it will be surrendered to the enemies of the state but I cannot for the life of me, be forever fighting," he said.
From Asia One (Dec 22): Abu Sayyaf gets rid of middlemen, contacts families
Mr Abdul Rahim Summas (in blue), one of the five Malaysians abducted by Abu Sayyaf gunmen from Lahad Datu waters in the east coast of Sabah on July 18, 2016. An SOS message has been sent out by one of the Malaysian hostage held by Abu Sayyaf, pleading for help as he has been starving and beaten up.
Abu Sayyaf gunmen holding five Malaysians and others appear desperate to cash in on their hostages held in and near their stronghold of Jolo island in southern Philippines.
The gunmen no longer rely on intermediaries and instead are dealing directly with the families of the captives for the ransom.
Jolo-based anti-kidnapping activist Prof Octavio Dinampo said the gunmen were finding it more difficult to hold on to their captives amid an intensifying Filipino military offensive against them.
He said the military was stepping up operations against the gunmen with skirmishes occurring about 1km from Jolo town.
The gunmen could be finding it too slow to go through intermediaries and that was why they were contacting the families of the captives directly, he said.
The five Malaysians - Abd Rahim Summas, 62, Tayudin Anjut, 45, Fandy Bakran, 26, Mohd Zumadil Rahim, 23, all from Tawau, and Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32, from Pahang - are reportedly being held in the hinterlands of Talipao in Jolo.
The five tug boat crewmen were abducted on July 18 in waters off Dent Haven near Lahad Datu in what is believed to be the first ever such incident in broad daylight.
Mohd Ridzuan's wife Hariyanti Hamsih, 31, had been quoted as saying that she had been getting calls from the gunmen who allowed her to speak to her husband.
Hariyanti said in the conversation, Mohd Ridzuan pleaded for them to raise the ransom as all of the hostages were suffering.
The kidnappers are said to have demanded about 100 million pesos (S$2.9 million) for the release of the hostages.
Hariyanti said the families managed to raise RM30,000 (S$9,670) from public donations and relatives were looking at other ways to get more money.
From the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 22): Sayyafs demand P100 million ransom for 5 Malaysian sailors
Abu Sayyaf rebels were demanding P100 million ransom for the safe release of 5 Malaysian sailors being held captive in southern Philippines, reports said.
The notorious grouped tied to the Islamic State did not give any ultimatum and released a photo which showed one of the hostages being surrounded by gunmen and probably taken in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
The five captives – Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32; Tayudin Anjut, 45; Mohd Zumadil Rahim, 23; Fandy Bakran, 26; and Abd Rahim Summas, 62 – were seized by the Abu Sayyaf from a Malaysian tugboat off Sabah’s Lahad Datu town during a daring cross-border raid in July.
The Abu Sayyaf has phoned the families of the hostages to demand ransoms, according to Malaysian media.
There was no immediate statement from the Philippine military on the rebels’ demand, although it has repeatedly said that security forces were tracking down the Abu Sayyaf to rescue the kidnapped sailors – at least 2 dozen Indonesian and Vietnamese hostages are still being held by the group in the restive region.
Military propaganda claimed that over 300 rebels had been reportedly killed and wounded in Sulu and in nearby province of Basilan in fierce clashes in recent months.
President Duterte has ordered an intensified military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf and other jihadist groups operating on Mindanao Island, south of the Philippines in an effort tom put an end to the violence that affected tens of thousands of civilians in the autonomous region where Muslims are demanding a separate homeland.
From The Star Online (Dec 22): Cops confirm identity of kidnap leader killed in Semporna gunfight
Police shot dead three kidnappers, including Abraham, and arrested two others during a gunfight off Pulau Gaya in Semporna on Dec 8.
Police have confirmed that the notorious kidnap leader shot dead in a gunfight in Semporna was Abraham @ Ibrahim, who was linked to several kidnappings in Sabah's east coast.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said police had rechecked the identity of the dead suspect and are now looking deeper into his possible links with the Abu Sayyaf group based in the southern Philippines island of Jolo.
"We believe that Abraham was involved in several kidnap for ransom cases. We are investigating further into this," he told reporters when visiting the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters in Karamunsing here Thursday.
The Star, quoting intelligence sources, had reported earlier this month that Abraham, a fisherman based in the Tawi Tawi island chain, had resorted to kidnappings after his fishing nets were allegedly destroyed by encroaching Sabah fishing boats.
The sources had claimed that Abraham had borrowed a boat belonging to a prominent Tawi Tawi politician to carry out kidnappings earlier this year to pay off a loan taken from the politician.
On Dec 8, police shot dead three kidnappers, including Abraham, and arrested two others during a gunfight off Pulau Gaya in Semporna.
They also rescued a kidnap victim, but two other kidnappers and a second kidnap victim are still missing at sea.
Rashid said police are prepared for any retaliation by the kidnapping or Abu Sayyaf groups following the shootout.
"We are aware that there is possibility they might be planning revenge," he said adding that all agencies under the Eastern Sabah Security Command are trained to face any threats.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 22): Bus torched by armed men in South Cotabato; no one hurt Unidentified gunmen set on fire a bus plying South Cotabato and this city at 7:15 p.m.Wednesday, the fourth bus torched by armed men in the province and the sixth attack against bus companies since Nov. 13, police said.
Supt. Franklin Alvero, South Cotabato police provincial director, said the Husky Bus was heading for General Santos City from Cotabato City via Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat and Tacurong City.
Quoting witnesses, police said a man boarded the passenger bus in Tacurong City. Upon reaching Barangay Morales here, he asked the driver to stop so he could get out of the bus. The driver then pulled over.As the passenger was leaving the bus, about six or eight men armed with hand guns quickly hopped in and, at gun point, told the driver to leave.
A commuter told police that the man from Tacurong who wanted to disembark in front of a hotel told other passengers to get out of the bus with him because it would be set on fire. He was saying it as soon as the gunmen boarded the bus.
The armed men then doused the bus with gasoline and set the vehicle on fire.
Police said the upper portion of the bus (body number 6833 with temporary licensed plate 1301-658771) was burning when responding fire officers arrived.
Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel believed the attackers were from outside the city.
Unlike in previous attacks against bus units, Miguel said the arsonists did not identify themselves or the organization they belonged to. They simply asked everyone to leave the bus, doused the bus with gasoline, set it on fire and rushed away.
It was the second attack against the Husky Bus line since Nov. 27 when gunmen set on fire another Husky bus in Tantangan, South Cotabato.
Two other buses owned by the Yellow Bus Lines (YBL) were torched by men who claimed they were communist guerillas in Tupi and Sto Niño towns since Nov. 13.
The YBL had lost four buses in the hands of gunmen since Nov. 13, to include the one torched in Kiamba, Sarangani province and in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 22): Man killed, 8 others hurt in Shariff Aguak; family feud eyed.
An unidentified man was killed while eight others were injured when two men riding in tandem on a motorbike fired on a tricycle in Barangay (village) Timbangan in Shariff Aguak on Wednesday evening, a military official said Thursday.
Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade based in Tacurong City, said the slain man was walking on a dirt road where the tricycle was also passing by when he was hit by a stray bullet.
Sobejana’s unit has jurisdiction over Shariff Aguak and other parts of Maguindanao.
Sobejana said the attack could have been triggered by a long-standing family feud involving the wounded victims and the suspects.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 22): IED ‘meant for troops’ explodes in Shariff Aguak
Suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) gunmen set off a powerful improvised explosive device along the national highway in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao as a military convoy was passing by around 7 a.m. Thursday, the Army said.
Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade based in Tacurong City, said the military convoy was heading toward the headquarters of the 6th Infantry Division in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao when a blast rocked the roadside in Barangay (village) Satan.
“Luckily, nobody was hurt, it was really meant for our troops,” Sobejana said.
He said post-blast investigation was still going on at the blast site located about a kilometer away from the headquarters of 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Poblacion Shariff Aguak.
No one has claimed responsibility but military and police officials said they were looking at the possible involvement of the BIFF.
Prior to the blast, BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama warned of attacks against the military in Maguindanao.
He also said the BIFF would not declare a unilateral ceasefire this Christmas and New Year.
Sobejana said government forces had been placed on double red alert since Dec. 16 to ensure the safety of commuters passing by Maguindanao and those having Church-related activities.
More checkpoints were put up along the highway from Shariff Aguak to Cotabato City as a preventive measure.
Sobejana sought understanding from commuters on the delays the checkpoints might be causing them but he stressed it was for the safety of everybody.
Last week, at least four IED attacks occurred in the towns of Datu Salibo and Datu Piang, also in Maguindanao.
In the attacks last week, a soldier and a civilian were wounded.
From the Sun Star-Manila (Dec 22): Moro rebels set-off IED as Army convoy passes by in Maguindanao
A BLAST occurred along a national highway in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao as a military convoy was passing by the area Thursday morning.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) police director Reuben Theodore Sindac said suspected rebels set off an improvised explosive devised in Barangay Satan while a military truck of the 601st Infantry Brigade (IB) is passing through the area.
The military convoy, he said, was heading towards the 6th Infantry Division headquarters in Datu Odin Sinsuat.
No one was hurt in the incident. Sindac said the police and military are conducting post-blast investigation in the blast scene.
Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, 601st IB commander, said the rouge Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) could be behind the attack.
Earlier, BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama said attacks against the military in the area will continue despite the Yuletide holiday.
From the Philippine Star (Dec 22): Marine sniper honored for terrorists’ slay
Soldiers parade during the 81st anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday. Kriz John Rosales
A Marine sniper who killed eight suspected terrorists during heavy fighting in Sultan Kudarat last year was among the top awardees in yesterday’s 81st anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) held at Camp Aguinaldo.
President Duterte, the commander-in-chief and guest of honor and speaker, pinned the Gold Cross Medal on Cpl. Felipe Barbadillo.
“The Gold Cross is hereby awarded to Cpl. Barbadillo, for gallantry in action while serving as the lead sniper of Special Operations Platoon of Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 tasked as main effort to conduct law enforcement patrol to neutralize the armed group of Jafaar Sabiwang Maguid, a local terrorist believed to be linked with the foreign terrorist group ISIS at Sinapingan, Barangay Butril, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat,” the Marine sniper’s citation reads.
At the height of the fighting, Barbadillo led his team in out-maneuvering the Islamic State-inspired terrorist group, killing eight of them, including Indonesian bomb-maker Ibrahim Ali, alias Sucipto, and Ustadz Abu Fatah.
The leader of the group, Mohammad Jaafar Sabiwang Maguid, alias Kumander Tokboy and Abu Gaib, was able to escape and now leads a local and foreign IS-inspired terrorist cell.
Aside from Barbadillo, this year’s top awardees include Maj. Dennis Guillermo, who was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal (OAM) for being project officer of the intelligence operation against the three members of the Maute and Tokboy groups tagged as brains behind the deadly Davao City night market bombing.
The President also pinned the Distinguished Conduct Star medal on Navy Ltjg. Reginald Balidoc for his conspicuous courage and gallantry against more than 50 foreign and local terror groups under Omarkhayan and Abdullah Maute in the recent fighting at Ragayan, Butig, Lanao del Sur.
This year AFP’s Gold Cross medal awardee was Lt. Jay Maravalla for his combat exploits against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Bungkaong, Patikul, Sulu.
The Gold Cross is the second highest military medal in combat, next only to the Medal of Valor.
Awardees of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran (GSK), Bronze Cross, Kagitingan sa Barangay (KSB) or Maginoo medals were Maj. Eduardo Sia-ed (GSK); Maj. Mark Lester Gannaban (Bronze); S/Sgt. Ritche Navales (Bronze) and militiaman Andy Sentelices (KSB).
In yesterday’s celebration, the AFP paraded its land-based big-ticket assets before President Duterte.
Aside from its armored assets and heavy disaster equipment, the AFP under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año showcased its elite ground troops from the major services – the Army, Air Force and Navy – before the President, who in return said that he takes pride in the soldiers’ successes, one of which is the culmination of the six-year Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan.
“All these armored assets, trucks and heavy military equipment were all acquired under the Aquino-backed AFP Modernization Program,” one senior military official said, referring to the military assets acquired during the term of former president Benigno Aquino III.
From Relief Web (Dec 22): The Philippines – Conflict and population displacement (DG ECHO, OCHA, UNICEF, NGOs, Local Media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 21 December 2016)
The Armed Forces and the Maute Group, a known ISIS-affiliate, clashed after the town hall of Butig Lanao Del Sur in Mindanao was sieged by the Maute Group, where it hoisted the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
The government forces have regained control of the Butig town hall and clearing operations are ongoing. The number of deaths on both sides is unconfirmed.
It is estimated that between 11 000 to 16 000 people have been displaced during the conflict, seeking refuge in nearby villages. The government has declared that people have started to move back to their homes.
From The Standard (Dec 21): Power sharing with Reds ruled out
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte told exiled Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison that his demand for power sharing was impossible, and said a ceasefire agreement was needed before any political prisoners are released.
Speaking before soldiers and policemen at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, Duterte reiterated that a coalition government that the communist rebels want will not prosper.
“It will never happpen. I said that I cannot share power with him. He knows that,”Duterte said, referring to his phone call with Sison early Tuesday at about 2 a.m. Manila time.
President Rodrigo Duterte
Duterte said he also told Sison, his former professor at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, that there would be no release of political prisoners unless they have a ceasefire agreement.
“Some of them are sick and maybe I might consider [releasing them on] humanitarian grounds,” he added.
Citing his “friendly and productive phone conversation” with Duterte on advancing the government and the NDF’s peace negotiations, Sison said that the ceasefire currently in effect will continue throughout the holidays.
The communist leader also said that the bilateral ceasefire agreement between the two groups can be signed next year.
In the same speech, Duterte said that he reiterated his commitment to ending contractualization.
“He kept on complaining about endo. But the one who first raised the howl about endo is me,” Duterte said, referring to the practice of letting go of contractual workers before they become regular employees.
The government peace panel is set to leave for Rome for the third round of talks with the NDF from January 18 to 25.
Topping the agenda in the Rome round of talks are the social and economic reforms that the rebels are putting across the negotiating table.
Negotiators from both sides are also expected to tackle and agree on the mechanics and guidelines for a bilateral ceasefire agreement and political and constitutional reforms.
Duterte on Wednesday announced the government’s new counter-insurgency program to replace Oplan Bayanihan, which the communists have denounced.
The new program, he said, would be in tune with ongoing peace talks with the communist rebels.
Duterte also called for the cessation of hostilities between the government and the communist rebels during the Christmas and New Year season.
At the same time, he vowed that “nothing will be conceded to the enemies of the state,” referring to the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group.
“We will conduct focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group and the other local and foreign terrorist groups and continue to strive to restore civil order in the conflict-ridden areas,” he said.
