From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 27): AFP seeks LGU, MNLF assistance in locating supposedly body of German victim
In wake of unconfirmed reports claiming that Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists have beheaded their German hostage Juergen Kantner last Feb. 26, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has sought the help of the local government units (LGUs) in Sulu and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in locating the body of the victim.
"We have sought the help of the local government and the MNLG in finding and locating the body of kidnap victim Kantner should it be proven true that he was executed by the bandits," said AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in press briefing Monday.
Arevalo, however, stressed they are still to confirm reports that the ASG have carried out its threat to execute their captive German victim should their ransom demand of PHP30 million are not paid before 3 p.m. of Feb. 26.
And until such evidence is obtained showing that the bandits did execute Kantner, the military is presuming that the German is still alive.
"But what we can tell you is that your AFP is still continuing with its search-and-rescue posture and focused military operations to safely recover the remaining ASG hostages and degrade the bandit group's capability to conduct hostile actions against government forces," Arevalo stressed.
"The AFP remains committed (to neutralizing the ASG threat), there will be no let up, we will continue until we were able to degrade their capability to fight (the) government and end their terror threat," he added.
Kantner was kidnapped by the ASG bandits while his yacht "Rockall" was cruising off Sulu waters last November.
His companion, 56-year-old Sabine Mertz, was shot and killed by the bandits and allegedly raped.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=967506
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Military pounds suspected Abu Sayyaf lair in Basilan
From ABS-CBN (Feb 27): Military pounds suspected Abu Sayyaf lair in Basilan
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has launched an offensive against terror group Abu Sayyaf in Al-barka, Basilan early Monday morning, the town's mayor confirmed.
Mayor Darus Ladjid said the military started to bombard Barangay Makalang at about 3 a.m. Monday dawn where the group of Abu Sayyaf Group commander Nurhassan Jamiri is suspected to be holed in.
Ladjid said there is no encounter as of yet.
Jamiri's group, numbering about 70, was reinforced by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group from Sulu.
Ladjid said no kidnap victim was seen with the group. However, some residents in the area have started to flee for fear of being caught in possible crossfire.
Military spokesman Brig. General Restituto Padilla told ANC on Monday that they estimate the Abu Sayyaf to have around 500 members already, most of which are armed.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/27/17/military-pounds-suspected-abu-sayyaf-lair-in-basilan
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has launched an offensive against terror group Abu Sayyaf in Al-barka, Basilan early Monday morning, the town's mayor confirmed.
Mayor Darus Ladjid said the military started to bombard Barangay Makalang at about 3 a.m. Monday dawn where the group of Abu Sayyaf Group commander Nurhassan Jamiri is suspected to be holed in.
Ladjid said there is no encounter as of yet.
Jamiri's group, numbering about 70, was reinforced by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group from Sulu.
Ladjid said no kidnap victim was seen with the group. However, some residents in the area have started to flee for fear of being caught in possible crossfire.
Military spokesman Brig. General Restituto Padilla told ANC on Monday that they estimate the Abu Sayyaf to have around 500 members already, most of which are armed.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/27/17/military-pounds-suspected-abu-sayyaf-lair-in-basilan
Soldiers seize NPA's camp in Davao del Sur
From the Philippine Star (Feb 26): Soldiers seize NPA's camp in Davao del Sur
Soldiers on Saturday overran a camp of the New People’s Army in Bansalan town after an-hour long firefight.
Soldiers on Saturday overran a camp of the New People’s Army in Bansalan town after an-hour long firefight.
In an emailed statement Sunday, the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, which has jurisdiction over Bansalan town in Davao Del Sur, said the camp was taken over by soldiers after its occupants scampered away when they ran out of ammunition.
The camp, located in Barangay Managa, has more than 40 tents that can accommodate no fewer than a hundred NPAs.
The 39th IB said it learned of the presence of a guerilla enclave in the area from vigilant barangay folk complaining about excessive taxation by rebels roaming their villages.
The NPAs at the camp opened fire first on advancing soldiers, sparking a gunfight that lasted for an hour.
Soldiers found an M16 assault rifle, an improvised explosive device and medicines for various ailments in one of the tents at the abandoned rebel camp.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2017/02/26/1675954/soldiers-seize-npas-camp-davao-del-sur
Soldiers on Saturday overran a camp of the New People’s Army in Bansalan town after an-hour long firefight.
Soldiers on Saturday overran a camp of the New People’s Army in Bansalan town after an-hour long firefight.
In an emailed statement Sunday, the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, which has jurisdiction over Bansalan town in Davao Del Sur, said the camp was taken over by soldiers after its occupants scampered away when they ran out of ammunition.
The camp, located in Barangay Managa, has more than 40 tents that can accommodate no fewer than a hundred NPAs.
The 39th IB said it learned of the presence of a guerilla enclave in the area from vigilant barangay folk complaining about excessive taxation by rebels roaming their villages.
The NPAs at the camp opened fire first on advancing soldiers, sparking a gunfight that lasted for an hour.
Soldiers found an M16 assault rifle, an improvised explosive device and medicines for various ailments in one of the tents at the abandoned rebel camp.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2017/02/26/1675954/soldiers-seize-npas-camp-davao-del-sur
2 NPAs killed in Davao del Norte clash, says Army
From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Feb 26): 2 NPAs killed in Davao del Norte clash, says Army
Two members of the New People’s Army were dead after a 40-minute clash with government troops in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, the Army said Sunday.
In a statement, the 10th Infantry Division said troops from 60th Infantry Battalion engaged in a 40-minute clash with NPA at Sitio Alungan, Barangay Sangayen, Asuncion, Davao del Norte at around 10 am Sunday.
New People’s Army in Davao region. (davaotoday.com file photo)
Two members of the New People’s Army were dead after a 40-minute clash with government troops in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, the Army said Sunday.
In a statement, the 10th Infantry Division said troops from 60th Infantry Battalion engaged in a 40-minute clash with NPA at Sitio Alungan, Barangay Sangayen, Asuncion, Davao del Norte at around 10 am Sunday.
“Two bodies of unidentified NPA rebels and two AK-47 rifles were recovered in the said area,” the Army said.
The Army added that two MG520 attack helicopters supported the engaged troops with rocket fires on the position of the NPA rebels.
Major Gen. Rafael C Valencia, 10th ID commander said government troops “must press on the fight and put more pressure on the NPA until they finally realize that armed struggle is not the solution to our problems.
“The CPP-NPA, who recklessly initiated the termination of the unilateral ceasefire earlier, should bear responsibility for the suffering of the people as a result of the renewed fighting in the countryside and should be condemned by the Filipino people,” Valencia said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, military troops also engaged in firefight the NPA at Sitio Tulad, Barangay Nalus, Kiama, Sarangani province around 12:45 pm.
The Army added that two MG520 attack helicopters supported the engaged troops with rocket fires on the position of the NPA rebels.
Major Gen. Rafael C Valencia, 10th ID commander said government troops “must press on the fight and put more pressure on the NPA until they finally realize that armed struggle is not the solution to our problems.
“The CPP-NPA, who recklessly initiated the termination of the unilateral ceasefire earlier, should bear responsibility for the suffering of the people as a result of the renewed fighting in the countryside and should be condemned by the Filipino people,” Valencia said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, military troops also engaged in firefight the NPA at Sitio Tulad, Barangay Nalus, Kiama, Sarangani province around 12:45 pm.
The military statement said no soldier was hurt on these incidents, adding that checkpoints have been placed in different areas to prevent the NPA from fleeing the area.
AFP: 80 NPA rebels killed, surrendered, captured in less than a month
From GMA News (Feb 26): AFP: 80 NPA rebels killed, surrendered, captured in less than a month
More than 80 members of the New People's Army (NPA) have been either killed, captured or have surrendered in the government's all-out war against the communist rebels since President Rodrigo Duterte suspended peace talks with the group.
Col. Edgard Averalo, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office, told radio dzBB that a total of 14 NPA rebels have been killed and 17 others captured since combat operations against the communist group were launched earlier this month.
Arevalo also reported that a total of 51 NPA rebels have surrendered and 37 firearms have been recovered by troops.
Duterte suspended the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) last February 4 after the rebel group lifted its own ceasefire declaration.
Following the termination of talks, Duterte said he was considering the CPP as a terrorist group and ordered the arrest of National Democratic Front consultants who were out on bail to join the peace talks in Oslo, Norway.
Last week, the CPP announced that it will release six "prisoners of war" as a "positive gesture" to return to the negotiating table with the government.
The following day, Malacañang released the "compelling reasons" that may push Duterte to resume the peace talks.
Duterte also met with his leftist Cabinet members to dicuss the peace process.
Localized peace talks Arevalo said during the radio interview that NPA groups in some areas have initiated localized peace talks.
"Sa ngayon ay marami ng grupo ng NPA sa ground na nagpapahayag ng kagustuhan na matuloy ang usapang pangkapayaan sa national level. Sila rin po ay nagmumungkahi ng localized peace talks, meaning yung NPA sa ground ang makikipagusap," Arevalo said.
Arevelo said the AFP welcomes such proposals that can achieve lasting peace in the country.
"Wine-welcome po natin ang lahat ng pamamaraan at paraan upang maasam natin ang pangmatagalang pangkapayapaan," he said.
He said that several NPA members have grown weary in their armed struggle against the government.
He said that based on testimonies from NPA members who have surrendered, they have realized that the communist movement is no longer fighting for an ideology.
"Nagigising na sa katotohanan, at base na rin ito sa impormasyon na nagmula sa nga nagsisukong NPA na sila raw ay napapagod na sa mahabang pakikipaglaban at nakita raw po nila na wala na kumbaga saysay... hindi na ideolohiya ang kanilang ipinaglalaban kung hindi nauwi na lang sila sa pang-aapi sa mga kababayan natin ay paghingi ng extortion money," Arevalo said.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/601103/news/nation/afp-80-npa-rebels-killed-surrendered-captured-in-less-than-a-month
More than 80 members of the New People's Army (NPA) have been either killed, captured or have surrendered in the government's all-out war against the communist rebels since President Rodrigo Duterte suspended peace talks with the group.
Col. Edgard Averalo, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office, told radio dzBB that a total of 14 NPA rebels have been killed and 17 others captured since combat operations against the communist group were launched earlier this month.
Arevalo also reported that a total of 51 NPA rebels have surrendered and 37 firearms have been recovered by troops.
Duterte suspended the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) last February 4 after the rebel group lifted its own ceasefire declaration.
Following the termination of talks, Duterte said he was considering the CPP as a terrorist group and ordered the arrest of National Democratic Front consultants who were out on bail to join the peace talks in Oslo, Norway.
Last week, the CPP announced that it will release six "prisoners of war" as a "positive gesture" to return to the negotiating table with the government.
The following day, Malacañang released the "compelling reasons" that may push Duterte to resume the peace talks.
Duterte also met with his leftist Cabinet members to dicuss the peace process.
Localized peace talks Arevalo said during the radio interview that NPA groups in some areas have initiated localized peace talks.
"Sa ngayon ay marami ng grupo ng NPA sa ground na nagpapahayag ng kagustuhan na matuloy ang usapang pangkapayaan sa national level. Sila rin po ay nagmumungkahi ng localized peace talks, meaning yung NPA sa ground ang makikipagusap," Arevalo said.
Arevelo said the AFP welcomes such proposals that can achieve lasting peace in the country.
"Wine-welcome po natin ang lahat ng pamamaraan at paraan upang maasam natin ang pangmatagalang pangkapayapaan," he said.
He said that several NPA members have grown weary in their armed struggle against the government.
He said that based on testimonies from NPA members who have surrendered, they have realized that the communist movement is no longer fighting for an ideology.
"Nagigising na sa katotohanan, at base na rin ito sa impormasyon na nagmula sa nga nagsisukong NPA na sila raw ay napapagod na sa mahabang pakikipaglaban at nakita raw po nila na wala na kumbaga saysay... hindi na ideolohiya ang kanilang ipinaglalaban kung hindi nauwi na lang sila sa pang-aapi sa mga kababayan natin ay paghingi ng extortion money," Arevalo said.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/601103/news/nation/afp-80-npa-rebels-killed-surrendered-captured-in-less-than-a-month
2 NPA rebels killed in Davao del Norte clash
From ABS-CBN (Feb 26): 2 NPA rebels killed in Davao del Norte clash
Elements of the 60th Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army conducting a focused military operation encountered around 22 New People's Army rebels under Guerilla Front 33 at Sitio Magdao and Sitio Alongan in Barangay Sagayen, Asuncion, Davao Del Norte Sunday morning.
The firefight lasted for 40 minutes which resulted in the death of 2 members of the NPA. Recovered were two AK47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), medicines and a backpack containing personal items and documents owned by the NPA.
Asuncion police identified one of the fatalities as Michael Rosquites, 28, a resident of Barangay Igangon, San Isidro Davao Del Norte, while the other is still unidentified.
More than 200 families from affected barangays are currently staying in the evacuation center of Asuncion.
Hot pursuit operations against the NPA are ongoing.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/17/2-npa-rebels-killed-in-davao-del-norte-clash
Elements of the 60th Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army conducting a focused military operation encountered around 22 New People's Army rebels under Guerilla Front 33 at Sitio Magdao and Sitio Alongan in Barangay Sagayen, Asuncion, Davao Del Norte Sunday morning.
The firefight lasted for 40 minutes which resulted in the death of 2 members of the NPA. Recovered were two AK47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), medicines and a backpack containing personal items and documents owned by the NPA.
Asuncion police identified one of the fatalities as Michael Rosquites, 28, a resident of Barangay Igangon, San Isidro Davao Del Norte, while the other is still unidentified.
More than 200 families from affected barangays are currently staying in the evacuation center of Asuncion.
Hot pursuit operations against the NPA are ongoing.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/17/2-npa-rebels-killed-in-davao-del-norte-clash
Davao blast suspect remains in KL
From The Standard (Feb 27): Davao blast suspect remains in KL
MALAYSIA has yet to complete its investigation on the son of two prominent Muslim leaders now detained in Kuala Lumpur in connection with the Sept. 2 Davao City night market bombing, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.
Mohammad Abduljabbar Sema, 26, has been in Malaysian custody since his arrest on Nov. 24, 2016.
Yasay said the Philippine government continued to monitor his case to make sure Sema’s rights were not violated while in Malaysian custody.
“When Malaysia will make a representation to the Philippines to surrender him after they complete their investigation in this regard, we will be very happy to receive him and for him to face whatever charges he may be facing when he is here,” Yasay told reporters in a briefing on Thursday.
Sema is the son of Muslimen Sema, the chairman of the largest faction in the Moro National Liberation Front and a former Cotabato mayor. His wife is incumbent Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema.
Last month President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed VERA Files’ report on the arrest in Kuala Lumpur of the young Sema but did not give derails. VERA Files sources said the arrest was based on a request from the Philippine National Intelligence Coordinating Council.
“I have not received any reports particularly that his rights have been violated, and I know the parents and they have not come up with any complaint on this matter,” Yasay said.
“I would imagine that he is being treated properly by the Malaysian authorities.”
Sema was arrested at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he arrived from Bangkok after traveling in and out of Thailand and Cambodia. When his 30-day visa-free entry was about to expire he decided to go to Malaysia, intending to return to Thailand after three days.
Security officials in the Philippines have tagged Sema in the bombing that killed 15 people and wounded 69 others. They are looking into reports that he allegedly provided the logistics to the Maute group, an alleged terrorist organization operating in Lanao del Sur.
Sema’s brother Omar Yasser Sema was recently named a member of the expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission that will draft the new Bangsamoro enabling law that will create the new Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
ARMM was part of the peace agreement between the government and the MNLF in 1996 while the BBL is part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in 2014 between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a breakaway group of the MNLF.
(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/top-stories/230399/davao-blast-suspect-remains-in-kl.html
MALAYSIA has yet to complete its investigation on the son of two prominent Muslim leaders now detained in Kuala Lumpur in connection with the Sept. 2 Davao City night market bombing, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.
Mohammad Abduljabbar Sema, 26, has been in Malaysian custody since his arrest on Nov. 24, 2016.
Yasay said the Philippine government continued to monitor his case to make sure Sema’s rights were not violated while in Malaysian custody.
“When Malaysia will make a representation to the Philippines to surrender him after they complete their investigation in this regard, we will be very happy to receive him and for him to face whatever charges he may be facing when he is here,” Yasay told reporters in a briefing on Thursday.
Sema is the son of Muslimen Sema, the chairman of the largest faction in the Moro National Liberation Front and a former Cotabato mayor. His wife is incumbent Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema.
Last month President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed VERA Files’ report on the arrest in Kuala Lumpur of the young Sema but did not give derails. VERA Files sources said the arrest was based on a request from the Philippine National Intelligence Coordinating Council.
“I have not received any reports particularly that his rights have been violated, and I know the parents and they have not come up with any complaint on this matter,” Yasay said.
“I would imagine that he is being treated properly by the Malaysian authorities.”
Sema was arrested at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he arrived from Bangkok after traveling in and out of Thailand and Cambodia. When his 30-day visa-free entry was about to expire he decided to go to Malaysia, intending to return to Thailand after three days.
Security officials in the Philippines have tagged Sema in the bombing that killed 15 people and wounded 69 others. They are looking into reports that he allegedly provided the logistics to the Maute group, an alleged terrorist organization operating in Lanao del Sur.
Sema’s brother Omar Yasser Sema was recently named a member of the expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission that will draft the new Bangsamoro enabling law that will create the new Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
ARMM was part of the peace agreement between the government and the MNLF in 1996 while the BBL is part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in 2014 between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a breakaway group of the MNLF.
(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/top-stories/230399/davao-blast-suspect-remains-in-kl.html
Abu Sayyaf beheads German hostage
From the Straits Times (Feb 27): Abu Sayyaf beheads German hostage
Hostage Mr Jurgen Kantner surrounded by militants before his execution. PHOTO: FACEBOOK
Islamist militants in the Philippines have beheaded a German who survived being held for nearly two months by Somali pirates eight years ago, after talks for his release in exchange for a 30 million-peso (S$854,000) ransom collapsed, according to preliminary reports that security officials said they have yet to fully verify.
"Despite efforts exerted by groups and the security forces, I have received reports about the alleged beheading of a German kidnap victim in Sulu (on) Sunday afternoon," Mr Jesus Dureza, President Rodrigo Duterte's peace adviser and chief hostage negotiator, said in a statement he issued late on Sunday evening (Feb 26).
A police report released earlier in the afternoon said Mr Jurgen Kantner, 70, a sailing enthusiast, was executed at around 3.30pm, on Sunday (Feb 26), in Buanza district, Indanan town, Sulu province, 1,500km south of the capital Manila.
Mr Kantner was beheaded by men under a certain Muammar Askali, alias Abu Rami, purportedly a unit leader of the brutal Abu Sayyaf group, linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Mr Dureza said Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Sulu Task Force commander, told him "validation efforts of such report is still ongoing".
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/abu-sayyaf-beheads-german-hostage
Hostage Mr Jurgen Kantner surrounded by militants before his execution. PHOTO: FACEBOOK
Islamist militants in the Philippines have beheaded a German who survived being held for nearly two months by Somali pirates eight years ago, after talks for his release in exchange for a 30 million-peso (S$854,000) ransom collapsed, according to preliminary reports that security officials said they have yet to fully verify.
"Despite efforts exerted by groups and the security forces, I have received reports about the alleged beheading of a German kidnap victim in Sulu (on) Sunday afternoon," Mr Jesus Dureza, President Rodrigo Duterte's peace adviser and chief hostage negotiator, said in a statement he issued late on Sunday evening (Feb 26).
A police report released earlier in the afternoon said Mr Jurgen Kantner, 70, a sailing enthusiast, was executed at around 3.30pm, on Sunday (Feb 26), in Buanza district, Indanan town, Sulu province, 1,500km south of the capital Manila.
Mr Kantner was beheaded by men under a certain Muammar Askali, alias Abu Rami, purportedly a unit leader of the brutal Abu Sayyaf group, linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Mr Dureza said Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Sulu Task Force commander, told him "validation efforts of such report is still ongoing".
Major-General Carlito Galvez, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, and Colonel Edgard Arevalo, head of the military's public affairs office, said they also received unconfirmed information from the field that Mr Kantner was beheaded.
Colonel Arevalo said security forces were still "on search-and rescue" mode, till they could determine what really happened to Mr Kantner.
Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla, the military spokesman, said: "Until sufficient proof is obtained..., our assumption remains that the subject kidnapped victim is alive and well. Do not believe unvalidated information going around until proven otherwise."
Mr Kantner was abducted while he and his wife, Ms Sabine Merz, were cruising a dangerous area of the Philippines, by the Abu Sayyaf, an insurgent group known for kidnapping and ransoming foreigners.
Ms Merz was killed, purportedly when she tried to fight back with a shotgun.
The couple have been sailing the oceans for many years aboard their 53-footer, the Rockall.
They were held for 52 days in Somalia in 2008 before their captors freed them, reportedly after a six-figure ransom had been paid.
The Abu Sayyaf has defied more than a decade of US-backed military offensives against it and gone a lucrative kidnapping spree in recent years.
In 2014, the militants abducted another German couple off a yacht in the southern Philippines. They released the pair six months later after receiving what they said was the full ransom demand of US$5.1 million.
Colonel Arevalo said security forces were still "on search-and rescue" mode, till they could determine what really happened to Mr Kantner.
Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla, the military spokesman, said: "Until sufficient proof is obtained..., our assumption remains that the subject kidnapped victim is alive and well. Do not believe unvalidated information going around until proven otherwise."
Mr Kantner was abducted while he and his wife, Ms Sabine Merz, were cruising a dangerous area of the Philippines, by the Abu Sayyaf, an insurgent group known for kidnapping and ransoming foreigners.
Ms Merz was killed, purportedly when she tried to fight back with a shotgun.
The couple have been sailing the oceans for many years aboard their 53-footer, the Rockall.
They were held for 52 days in Somalia in 2008 before their captors freed them, reportedly after a six-figure ransom had been paid.
The Abu Sayyaf has defied more than a decade of US-backed military offensives against it and gone a lucrative kidnapping spree in recent years.
In 2014, the militants abducted another German couple off a yacht in the southern Philippines. They released the pair six months later after receiving what they said was the full ransom demand of US$5.1 million.
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/abu-sayyaf-beheads-german-hostage
Philippines: German kidnap victim reportedly beheaded
From Anadolu Agency (Feb 26): Philippines: German kidnap victim reportedly beheaded
File photo
File photo
An elderly German hostage was reportedly beheaded Sunday afternoon by Abu Sayyaf terrorists after their ransom deadline passed, according to a Philippines police source.
"Be informed that on or about February 26 at 3:30 in the afternoon the German kidnap victim was allegedly beheaded," said a text message from the source, who declined to be named as he was not allowed to talk with the media.
Juergen Gustav Kantner, 70, was executed by the group of Muamar Askali, also known as Abu Rami, a self-proclaimed Daesh-linked terror group spokesman, in the town of Indanan, Sulu, it said.
This happened "because of the failure to pay ransom in exchange [for the safe release] of the victim," the intelligence source said, quoting Abu Rami.
"Be informed that on or about February 26 at 3:30 in the afternoon the German kidnap victim was allegedly beheaded," said a text message from the source, who declined to be named as he was not allowed to talk with the media.
Juergen Gustav Kantner, 70, was executed by the group of Muamar Askali, also known as Abu Rami, a self-proclaimed Daesh-linked terror group spokesman, in the town of Indanan, Sulu, it said.
This happened "because of the failure to pay ransom in exchange [for the safe release] of the victim," the intelligence source said, quoting Abu Rami.
It added that police and military forces are still looking for Kantner's body.
Military officials at the Western Mindanao Command said they were still verifying that the German hostage had been executed.
A video posted Feb. 14 on social media showed four masked Abu Sayyaf gunmen, including one aiming what appears to be a sickle at Kantner, setting a deadline threatening to behead him if the German government failed to a pay 30 million Philippine pesos ($600,000) ransom demand.
In a statement, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said that the military has informed him of its efforts to confirm the reports.
Dureza said Joint Sulu Task Force commander Col. Cirilito Sobejana said confirmation efforts are ongoing.
"In the meantime, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other security forces are maintaining their 'search and rescue posture' until all kidnap victims are freed," he said.
Military officials at the Western Mindanao Command said they were still verifying that the German hostage had been executed.
A video posted Feb. 14 on social media showed four masked Abu Sayyaf gunmen, including one aiming what appears to be a sickle at Kantner, setting a deadline threatening to behead him if the German government failed to a pay 30 million Philippine pesos ($600,000) ransom demand.
In a statement, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said that the military has informed him of its efforts to confirm the reports.
Dureza said Joint Sulu Task Force commander Col. Cirilito Sobejana said confirmation efforts are ongoing.
"In the meantime, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other security forces are maintaining their 'search and rescue posture' until all kidnap victims are freed," he said.
Sayyaf beheads German
From the Philippine Star (Feb 27): Sayyaf beheads German
German hostage Juergen Gustav Kantner holds a flag declaring ‘This is my last hour’ in a photo tweeted on Dec. 29, 2016 by user @TerrorEvents.
The Abu Sayyaf has reportedly executed German captive Juergen Gustav Kantner after the deadline the group imposed for the ransom payment lapsed yesterday.
Reports received by the military and police showed the bandit group led by its sub-leader Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, beheaded Kantner at about 3:30 p.m. in Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.
Last Saturday, the military launched air strikes against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu as the deadline approached for the group to behead its German captive.
The Philippine Air Force 3rd Air Division utilized MG520 attack helicopters and pounded about 40 to 60 Abu Sayyaf militants with rockets.
Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command, said ground commander Col. Cirilito Sobejana confirmed that the air strikes were directed against the bandits encamped in the mountains of Patikul, Sulu.
The Abu Sayyaf demanded P30 million in ransom for the release of Kantner, whom they seized in November.
Government forces searched for Kantner’s remains yesterday. Without the remains, the military and police said that while they received the report about Kantner’s beheading, they could not yet officially confirm it.
Petinglay said they were validating the information.
A naval officer said they received a similar report, but they too were verifying it.
Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said he has not received any feedback from the Sulu provincial police about Kantner’s beheading.
Dela Rosa, who was here yesterday for the 80th Charter Day celebration of Zamboanga City and inauguration of the new city police office, returned to Manila last night.
Sobejana also reported that ground troops were conducting clearing operations on the bombarded site to determine extent of casualties.
The group warned they would behead the 70-year-old German Juergen Kantner if the P30-million ransom was not delivered before 3 p.m. yesterday.
However, the military declared yesterday that intense ground operations would continue against the Abu Sayyaf.
“We will not be cowed by the demands of evil individuals and groups who continue to perpetuate practices contrary to Islam,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement yesterday.
“We put a premium on lives now in danger. The Armed Forces will pursue the enemy and dictate the terms, not the other way around. The operations are not only aimed at rescuing hostages but also to significantly degrade enemy capabilities,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/27/1676160/sayyaf-beheads-german
German hostage Juergen Gustav Kantner holds a flag declaring ‘This is my last hour’ in a photo tweeted on Dec. 29, 2016 by user @TerrorEvents.
The Abu Sayyaf has reportedly executed German captive Juergen Gustav Kantner after the deadline the group imposed for the ransom payment lapsed yesterday.
Reports received by the military and police showed the bandit group led by its sub-leader Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, beheaded Kantner at about 3:30 p.m. in Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.
Last Saturday, the military launched air strikes against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu as the deadline approached for the group to behead its German captive.
The Philippine Air Force 3rd Air Division utilized MG520 attack helicopters and pounded about 40 to 60 Abu Sayyaf militants with rockets.
Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command, said ground commander Col. Cirilito Sobejana confirmed that the air strikes were directed against the bandits encamped in the mountains of Patikul, Sulu.
The Abu Sayyaf demanded P30 million in ransom for the release of Kantner, whom they seized in November.
Petinglay said they were validating the information.
A naval officer said they received a similar report, but they too were verifying it.
Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said he has not received any feedback from the Sulu provincial police about Kantner’s beheading.
Dela Rosa, who was here yesterday for the 80th Charter Day celebration of Zamboanga City and inauguration of the new city police office, returned to Manila last night.
Sobejana also reported that ground troops were conducting clearing operations on the bombarded site to determine extent of casualties.
The group warned they would behead the 70-year-old German Juergen Kantner if the P30-million ransom was not delivered before 3 p.m. yesterday.
However, the military declared yesterday that intense ground operations would continue against the Abu Sayyaf.
“We will not be cowed by the demands of evil individuals and groups who continue to perpetuate practices contrary to Islam,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement yesterday.
“We put a premium on lives now in danger. The Armed Forces will pursue the enemy and dictate the terms, not the other way around. The operations are not only aimed at rescuing hostages but also to significantly degrade enemy capabilities,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/27/1676160/sayyaf-beheads-german
German hostage beheaded by ASG
From Tempo (Feb 27): German hostage beheaded by ASG
The Abu Sayyaf Group beheaded German hostage Jurgen Gustav Kantner at about 3:30 p.m. yesterday in a forested area in Sitio Talibang, Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.
A highly placed police source in Sulu said ASG sub-leader Muammar Askali, alias “Abu Rami,” led the beheading of Kantner.
The source said police are now locating the body and head of Kantner.
The spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command said that they have yet to receive an official report stating that Kantner has been beheaded.
“We have not yet received an official report as of this time. Also, based on our monitoring, the Abu Sayyaf has also yet to give a statement on the incident. Kahit video ng nagsasabi ng pagpugot wala,” Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, said.
A military official said they received information on the beheading and currently validating it. He said that he has met local officials in Indanan to verify the information.
http://tempo.com.ph/2017/02/27/german-hostage-beheaded-by-asg/
The Abu Sayyaf Group beheaded German hostage Jurgen Gustav Kantner at about 3:30 p.m. yesterday in a forested area in Sitio Talibang, Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.
A highly placed police source in Sulu said ASG sub-leader Muammar Askali, alias “Abu Rami,” led the beheading of Kantner.
The source said the ASG decided to behead the 70-year-old Kantner after his family failed to pay a P500-million ransom for his freedom.
The spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command said that they have yet to receive an official report stating that Kantner has been beheaded.
“We have not yet received an official report as of this time. Also, based on our monitoring, the Abu Sayyaf has also yet to give a statement on the incident. Kahit video ng nagsasabi ng pagpugot wala,” Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, said.
A military official said they received information on the beheading and currently validating it. He said that he has met local officials in Indanan to verify the information.
http://tempo.com.ph/2017/02/27/german-hostage-beheaded-by-asg/
Gallant protectors of Kalayaan Island Group welcomed, honored
From Update.Ph (Feb 26): Gallant protectors of Kalayaan Island Group welcomed, honored
NAVFORWEST photo
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (WESCOM) welcomed the outgoing Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) security personnel who have protected the country’s sovereignty in West Philippine Sea for months.
The Arrival Ceremony was conducted Saturday in Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon, Puerto Princesa City. It was graced by Lt. Gen. Raul L. Del Rosario, commander of WESCOM, the Naval Forces West (NAVFORWEST) said. NAVFORWEST is headed by Commodore Danilo R Rodelas.
Among the security personnel who arrived are seven sailors and Marines from NAVFORWEST, and 18 Marines of the 12th Marine Battalion, 3rd Marine Brigade.
“The event was highlighted by the awarding of these gallant sailors and marines that stood as guards and protectors of the eight Philippine-held territories in the KIG which are all located in the West Philippine Sea for four to six months,” NAVFORWEST said.
“The ceremony was concluded by the traditional handshake to show the pride, honor and happiness of the welcoming party for the team’s safe and successful mission,” NAVFORWEST added.
It can be recalled that new batch of KIG security personnel were sent off first week of this month.
http://www.update.ph/2017/02/gallant-protectors-of-kalayaan-island-group-welcomed-honored/14872
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (WESCOM) welcomed the outgoing Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) security personnel who have protected the country’s sovereignty in West Philippine Sea for months.
The Arrival Ceremony was conducted Saturday in Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon, Puerto Princesa City. It was graced by Lt. Gen. Raul L. Del Rosario, commander of WESCOM, the Naval Forces West (NAVFORWEST) said. NAVFORWEST is headed by Commodore Danilo R Rodelas.
Among the security personnel who arrived are seven sailors and Marines from NAVFORWEST, and 18 Marines of the 12th Marine Battalion, 3rd Marine Brigade.
“The event was highlighted by the awarding of these gallant sailors and marines that stood as guards and protectors of the eight Philippine-held territories in the KIG which are all located in the West Philippine Sea for four to six months,” NAVFORWEST said.
“The ceremony was concluded by the traditional handshake to show the pride, honor and happiness of the welcoming party for the team’s safe and successful mission,” NAVFORWEST added.
It can be recalled that new batch of KIG security personnel were sent off first week of this month.
http://www.update.ph/2017/02/gallant-protectors-of-kalayaan-island-group-welcomed-honored/14872
Joint AFP-PNP center to tighten security
From the Sun Star-Davao (Feb 25): Joint AFP-PNP center to tighten security
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) Area Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center in Eastern and Western Mindanao convened Thursday in Panacan, Davao City to strengthen their partnership in providing tight security in their areas of responsibility.
Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Eastern Mindanao (Dipo-EM) director Senior Superintendent Alexander Ignacio and Dipo Western Mindanao (DIPO-WM) director Senior Superintendent Manuel Felix led the convention that was attended by the heads and planners from different police and military units.
Guerrero said the activity was conducted to assess the security situation in Eastern and Western Mindanao and to have a new agreement on their joint action plan for 2017.
He added that through the signing of the joint action plan, the AFP and PNP in Eastern Mindanao and Western Mindanao will continuously conduct regular joint undertakings particularly peace and security assessments.
"We will also continue to deliver community support programs in compliance with the priority thrusts of the national government and maintain the peace and order of Eastern Mindanao and some parts of Western Mindanao," Guerrero said.
The AFP-PNP Area Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center was created in October 2013 to serve as a hub for coordination and collaborative actions between the AFP and the PNP in Eastern Mindanao, particularly in dealing with and addressing various peace and security concerns.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2017/02/25/joint-afp-pnp-center-tighten-security-527919
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2017/02/25/joint-afp-pnp-center-tighten-security-527919
Philippines military launches airstrikes on Abu Sayyaf
From Deutsche Welle (Feb 26): Philippines military launches airstrikes on Abu Sayyaf
The Philippine military has launched airstrikes against a group threatening to behead a German man. The deadline for the delivery of a 566,000-euro ransom has passed with no updates.
The Philippine military has continued airstrikes on Abu Sayyaf ahead of a ransom deadline, a military spokesman said on Sunday.
The militants issued their "final ultimatum" nearly two weeks ago, saying they would behead a 70-year-old German hostage if they did not receive 30 million pesos (566,000 euros/$600,000) by 3 p.m. (0700 UTC) on Sunday. There have been no updates since the deadline passed.
"The armed forces will pursue the enemy and dictate the terms - not the other way around," military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said. "The operations are not only aimed at rescuing hostages, but also to significantly degrade enemy capabilities."
Abu Sayyaf has held the man captive for three months on the island of Jolo, 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) south of the capital, Manila. On Saturday, an attack helicopter targeted a forest in the town of Patikul, where officials say 60 Abu Sayyaf members may have taken refuge. The military also deployed hundreds of ground troops in an offensive ahead of the deadline, and officials have vowed not to stop their offensives despite threats to hostages.
The group has long attempted to finance its endeavors through ransoms. The "Manila Bulletin" newspaper reports that Abu Sayyaf killed two Canadian hostages last June, but released a Filipina woman whom they had threatened to kill and, according to police sources, collected a 30 million-peso ransom for a Norwegian prisoner.
http://www.dw.com/en/philippines-military-launches-airstrikes-on-abu-sayyaf/a-37719574
The Philippine military has launched airstrikes against a group threatening to behead a German man. The deadline for the delivery of a 566,000-euro ransom has passed with no updates.
The Philippine military has continued airstrikes on Abu Sayyaf ahead of a ransom deadline, a military spokesman said on Sunday.
The militants issued their "final ultimatum" nearly two weeks ago, saying they would behead a 70-year-old German hostage if they did not receive 30 million pesos (566,000 euros/$600,000) by 3 p.m. (0700 UTC) on Sunday. There have been no updates since the deadline passed.
"The armed forces will pursue the enemy and dictate the terms - not the other way around," military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said. "The operations are not only aimed at rescuing hostages, but also to significantly degrade enemy capabilities."
Abu Sayyaf has held the man captive for three months on the island of Jolo, 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) south of the capital, Manila. On Saturday, an attack helicopter targeted a forest in the town of Patikul, where officials say 60 Abu Sayyaf members may have taken refuge. The military also deployed hundreds of ground troops in an offensive ahead of the deadline, and officials have vowed not to stop their offensives despite threats to hostages.
The group has long attempted to finance its endeavors through ransoms. The "Manila Bulletin" newspaper reports that Abu Sayyaf killed two Canadian hostages last June, but released a Filipina woman whom they had threatened to kill and, according to police sources, collected a 30 million-peso ransom for a Norwegian prisoner.
http://www.dw.com/en/philippines-military-launches-airstrikes-on-abu-sayyaf/a-37719574
Creation of Bangsamoro gov't antidote to extremism, Hataman says
From the Philippine Star (Feb 26): Creation of Bangsamoro gov't antidote to extremism, Hataman says
In this 2012 file photo, members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) pray together as they gather at their stronghold at Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao province to coincide with the tentative peace-signing agreement between MILF and the government. The MILF has vowed to stick to the peace process in finding a solution to the conflict in Mindanao despite the failure to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). AP/Karlos Manlupig, File
A negotiated settlement of the now four-decade Moro issue is the antidote to the misguided kind of religious extremism now spreading through southern Mindanao, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman said.
In this 2012 file photo, members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) pray together as they gather at their stronghold at Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao province to coincide with the tentative peace-signing agreement between MILF and the government. The MILF has vowed to stick to the peace process in finding a solution to the conflict in Mindanao despite the failure to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). AP/Karlos Manlupig, File
A negotiated settlement of the now four-decade Moro issue is the antidote to the misguided kind of religious extremism now spreading through southern Mindanao, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman said.
Hataman said Moro folks can efficiently address domestic peace and security issues through a self-governing mechanism better than ARMM.
“The creation of a new political outfit tailored-fit to the aspirations of the Moro people will hasten the resolution of the security problems besetting our homeland,” Hataman said on Sunday.
Hataman is referring to a more administratively empowered Moro-led regional government that Malacañang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) want to establish based on a compact—the March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro—that both sides had reached after 17 years of talks.
Hataman is chairman of the inter-agency regional peace and order council of the ARMM, which covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, all common bastions of the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Malacañang, the MILF and the MNLF are to replace the ARMM with a Bangsamoro government, as a solution to the Moro problem hounding the country since the late 1960s, via the expanded Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC) which President Rodrigo Duterte launched in Davao City Friday.
Hataman and his elected deputy, Regional Vice Gov. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, earlier said they are both ready to vacate their offices once the transition from ARMM to the new Bangsamoro entity begins even as their tenures in office are to last until June 30, 2019.
Hataman, now in his second term as ARMM governor, and members of his regional Cabinet are convinced the BTC can craft an enabling measure for the creation of a Bangsamoro government, subject to approval by Congress, within the next 12 months.
He, however, said while they are ready to relinquish their posts even next year to pave the way for the expected transition process, the incoming Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) should be given at least until 2021 to put in place the foundations of a more powerful regional government that would manage the affairs of the Bangsamoro region.
The BTA shall supersede the expanded BTC once it has achieved its goal of crafting the legislative measure needed to deactivate ARMM and replace it with a new Moro-led Bangsamoro regional political outfit.
“Elections in the new Bangsamoro region can be held simultaneous with the 2022 synchronized local, senatorial and presidential elections so that the BTA can have enough time to put in place all the facets needed to have a progressive and secured Bangsamoro homeland,” Hataman said.
He said giving the BTA enough time to oversee the transition process will provide its members ample opportunity to formulate, along with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces, a comprehensive peace and security plan for troubled areas in the south.
“Foremost of the issues that need to be addressed while the transition process is on is the alarming spread of this misguided kind of religious extremism now plaguing some areas in Mindanao,” Hataman said.
All of the fanatical groups that emerged recently in some areas in Mindanao using the black flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as revolutionary banners are overtly against the current peace overture between the national government and the Moro communities.
Major Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., commander of the AFP's Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City, earlier said there are now more than 50 cells of local ISIS-styled terrorist blocs in Lanao del Sur and in Central Mindanao they are trying to contain.
“These are just very few people. The larger majority wants peace through self-governance. With a stronger Bangsamoro government, the Moro people can nip this misguided kind of Islamic militancy from the bud,” Hataman said.
WATCH: Army, PDEA seize P500K worth of shabu in Maguindanao
From Update.Ph (Feb 26): WATCH: Army, PDEA seize P500K worth of shabu in Maguindanao
Joint operations in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao by the 33rd Infantry ‘Makabayan’ Battalion of the Philippine Army Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) conducted Saturday resulted to the seizing of approximately PHP500,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, drug paraphernalia, cash and an M16 Rifle.
The operations also resulted to the wounding and arrest of suspects who are under the alleged drug lord Abdulatip Pendaliday, alias “Commander Gras Cutter. Two troopers were also injured during the operations.
“We will take active roles now, we will cleanse our AOR of drug personalities,” said Lt. Colonel Harold Cabunoc who recently assumed as 33IB commander.
The 33rd IB, based in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, is responsible for security in towns of Quirino, Isulan, Lambayong, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province and the towns of Buluan, Datu Paglas, Mangudadatu, Paglat and SK Pendatun in Maguindanao.
Joint operations in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao by the 33rd Infantry ‘Makabayan’ Battalion of the Philippine Army Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) conducted Saturday resulted to the seizing of approximately PHP500,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, drug paraphernalia, cash and an M16 Rifle.
The operations also resulted to the wounding and arrest of suspects who are under the alleged drug lord Abdulatip Pendaliday, alias “Commander Gras Cutter. Two troopers were also injured during the operations.
“We will take active roles now, we will cleanse our AOR of drug personalities,” said Lt. Colonel Harold Cabunoc who recently assumed as 33IB commander.
The 33rd IB, based in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, is responsible for security in towns of Quirino, Isulan, Lambayong, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province and the towns of Buluan, Datu Paglas, Mangudadatu, Paglat and SK Pendatun in Maguindanao.
Leftist groups demand 'genuine change' on 31st EDSA anniversary
From Rappler (Feb 25): Leftist groups demand 'genuine change' on 31st EDSA anniversary
Leftist groups ask President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill his campaign promise to seal a peace deal with communist rebels
Leftist groups trooped to parts of major thouroughfare EDSA on Saturday, February 25, to call for "genuine change" on the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
Dubbed as "People's Commemoration," the late morning rally at the EDSA Shrine denounced the "unfulfilled promises" of the bloodless revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
"Hindi natin matatawag na totoong rebolusyon ang nangyari sa EDSA dahil hindi naman po nagbago ang mga naghahari sa ating bayan (We can't call EDSA a real revolution because those wield power in the country has not changed)," Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Secretary-General Renato Reyes said before sectoral groups.
"Nasaan ang pangako na ibagsak ang paghahari na iilan, 'yung mga tinatawag na oligarchs? Wala pa rin hanggang ngayon. Ang pangako ng libreng edukasyon? Wala pa rin hanggang ngayon," Reyes added. (Where is the promise to eliminate the so-called oligarchs? It has not yet been fulfilled. The promise of free education? It has not yet been fulfilled until now.)
The groups also took the opportunity to amplify their call for the restoration of peace talks with communist rebels under President Rodrigo Duterte's leadership.
Duterte earlier cancelled the peace negotiations after the New People's Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, lifted its ceasefire declaration with government forces, and amid NPA attacks on soldiers while the ceasefire was still in effect. (READ: Duterte bats for 'strategic shift' in ending war with Reds)
"Isang pangako na ngayon ay sinisingil natin: nasaan ang kaseryosohan sa usapang pangkapayapaan? Bakit pati ang peace talks nasama na sa pangakong napako?" Reyes asked. (One promise that we want fulfilled now: where is the government's sincerity in pursuing the peace talks? Why is the peace talks among the unfulfilled promises?)
'Marcosian rule'
EDSA 31. Militants march toward the US Embassy on February 25, 2017. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler
The protesters also trooped to Camp Aguinaldo, the military headquarters, to denounce the all-out war declared by the Duterte administration on communist rebels, following the suspended negotiations.
Migrante Spokesperson Arman Hernando warned of Duterte's "rising Marcosian rule" that is leading the country to a "new dark era."
"We call on freedom-loving Filipinos around the world to rise against state fascism," said Hernandez.
"Let us push the Duterte government to address the root causes of the armed conflict theough the resumption of the GRP-NDF Peace Talks. The lesson of EDSA is that collective action and struggle can and will defeat fascism," he added.
Some groups went to the US Embassy in Manila earlier in the day to denounce the joint military exercises with US forces.
"His disgust of American interventionism is apparently only directed at former President Obama and not the policies and militarism they will continue to push for under the Trump administration. Duterte has given the go signal for more than 200 joint military exercises with US troops, along with the Balikatan,” said Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap Secretary-General Carlito Badion.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162512-leftists-genuine-change-edsa-31st-anniversary
Leftist groups ask President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill his campaign promise to seal a peace deal with communist rebels
RESUME PEACE TALKS. Leftist groups call for the restoration of peace talks and the fulfillment of the other promises of the Duterte administration on the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. Photo by Patty Pasion/Rappler
Dubbed as "People's Commemoration," the late morning rally at the EDSA Shrine denounced the "unfulfilled promises" of the bloodless revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
"Hindi natin matatawag na totoong rebolusyon ang nangyari sa EDSA dahil hindi naman po nagbago ang mga naghahari sa ating bayan (We can't call EDSA a real revolution because those wield power in the country has not changed)," Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Secretary-General Renato Reyes said before sectoral groups.
"Nasaan ang pangako na ibagsak ang paghahari na iilan, 'yung mga tinatawag na oligarchs? Wala pa rin hanggang ngayon. Ang pangako ng libreng edukasyon? Wala pa rin hanggang ngayon," Reyes added. (Where is the promise to eliminate the so-called oligarchs? It has not yet been fulfilled. The promise of free education? It has not yet been fulfilled until now.)
The groups also took the opportunity to amplify their call for the restoration of peace talks with communist rebels under President Rodrigo Duterte's leadership.
Duterte earlier cancelled the peace negotiations after the New People's Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, lifted its ceasefire declaration with government forces, and amid NPA attacks on soldiers while the ceasefire was still in effect. (READ: Duterte bats for 'strategic shift' in ending war with Reds)
"Isang pangako na ngayon ay sinisingil natin: nasaan ang kaseryosohan sa usapang pangkapayapaan? Bakit pati ang peace talks nasama na sa pangakong napako?" Reyes asked. (One promise that we want fulfilled now: where is the government's sincerity in pursuing the peace talks? Why is the peace talks among the unfulfilled promises?)
'Marcosian rule'
EDSA 31. Militants march toward the US Embassy on February 25, 2017. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler
The protesters also trooped to Camp Aguinaldo, the military headquarters, to denounce the all-out war declared by the Duterte administration on communist rebels, following the suspended negotiations.
Migrante Spokesperson Arman Hernando warned of Duterte's "rising Marcosian rule" that is leading the country to a "new dark era."
"We call on freedom-loving Filipinos around the world to rise against state fascism," said Hernandez.
"Let us push the Duterte government to address the root causes of the armed conflict theough the resumption of the GRP-NDF Peace Talks. The lesson of EDSA is that collective action and struggle can and will defeat fascism," he added.
Some groups went to the US Embassy in Manila earlier in the day to denounce the joint military exercises with US forces.
"His disgust of American interventionism is apparently only directed at former President Obama and not the policies and militarism they will continue to push for under the Trump administration. Duterte has given the go signal for more than 200 joint military exercises with US troops, along with the Balikatan,” said Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap Secretary-General Carlito Badion.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162512-leftists-genuine-change-edsa-31st-anniversary
Yasay flip-flops on ownership of West PH Sea islands
From Rappler (Feb 26): Yasay flip-flops on ownership of West PH Sea islands
He backpedals on his earlier statement that the Philippines merely exercises 'legal possession' and not 'ownership' of disputed features in the West Philippine Sea
FLIP-FLOPPING. Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr contradicts his earlier statement about the ownership of disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr flip-flopped again – this time on the country's ownership of disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Yasay backpedaled on his statement at the Senate on Wednesday, February 22, that the Philippines merely exercises "legal possession" and not "ownership" of disputed features in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking to reporters at the Diamond Hotel on Thursday, February 23, Yasay contradicted himself and said that "we own these."
These disputed features include Pag-asa Island in the town of Kalayaan, which is home to at least 180 Filipinos and has its own mayor.
Yasay made his controversial statement at his confirmation hearing before the Commission on Appointments (CA) at the Senate on Wednesday.
There, Occidental Mindoro Representative Josephine Ramirez Sato categorically asked Yasay about the territorial dispute: "So what is now the official stand or position of our country on this?"
Immediately, Yasay provided a categorical answer: "The official position of the Philippines in so far as certain features – like Pag-asa, that is occupied by us – is that we have possession, legal possession, of this territory, and it can bloom into ownership, it can bloom into part of our territory, when the appropriate arbitral tribunal in international law will be able to make a determination on that basis."
What is the difference between possession and ownership?
Encyclopedia Brittanica quoted the Roman Law as saying, "Possession is the occupation of anything with the intention of exercising the rights of ownership in respect of it."
Brittanica explained, "Possession is inchoate or incomplete ownership; it is on its way to become ownership."
Philippine territory since Marcos
The Philippines' official position, however, has been clear since at least the time of dictator Ferdinand Marcos: the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines.
In Presidential Decree No. 1596 signed in 1978, Marcos said that Kalayaan "shall belong and be subject to the sovereignty of the Philippines."
While Yasay said disputed features have yet to "bloom into part of our territory," Marcos declared as early as 1978 that Kalayaan is "part of the Philippine territory."
In Republic Act 9522 signed by then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2009, Arroyo also said the Philippines "exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction" over Kalayaan as well as Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal).
What Yasay correctly said before the CA on Wednesday was that the Philippines' legal victory against China on July 12, 2016, "is never a ruling on territorial ownership or sovereignty over the disputed area in the South China Sea."
He added, "And it is on that basis that I'm saying that even while private entities, individuals…legal luminaries have made claims that we own these islands, this is not the official position of the Philippine government, because under international law, we have to prove it in the appropriate tribunal."
[Video: Yasay: We do not own disputed island in South China Sea
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr says the official stance of the government is that the Philippines does not own the disputed islands in the South China Sea. Full story: http://s.rplr.co/YYkH6FE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QwhxbAc2YU]
"I personally believe that we own these islands, your honor. I can argue with anybody on the legal arguments as to why, but I am only telling you that the official position, if I may, your honor, the official position of government did not include a categorical claim that we own this in so far as filing our case before the arbitral tribunal is concerned," he said, seemingly unaware of previous declarations made by past Philippine presidents.
Yasay changes his tune
A day after his CA hearing, Yasay clarified in his annual get-together with journalists: "Have we abandoned our claim in so far as our present occupation of some of the features in this disputed territory is concerned? My answer is a resounding no. No, we have not abandoned that at all."
He also said that the Philippines "will not move an inch in so far as our occupation of these features is concerned."
Then, like Sato, CNN Philippines reporter JC Gotinga asked Yasay pointblank on Thursday, "Would you state please for us: What is the official position of the Philippine government when it comes to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea?"
Yasay contradicted his answer to Sato on Wednesday that the Philippines merely has "legal possession of this territory" that "can bloom into ownership."
Yasay said on Thursday: "Our position is that we own these territorial – not the territorial, uh, the features where we are occupying, that we own these. We have control over these, we exercise jurisdiction over these, in so far as these features are concerned. But that is not an issue that we have brought before the arbitral tribunal."
Yasay in Manila vs Yasay in Laos
This is not the first time Yasay contradicted one of his earlier statements.
After the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in July 2016, Yasay became controversial after he flip-flopped on seeking ASEAN's support for the Philippines' legal victory against China over the South China Sea.
In Laos, Yasay told reporters that he "never" asked to include the South China Sea ruling in the traditional ASEAN foreign ministers' statement.
In Manila, however, he said he "vigorously…pushed for the inclusion and mentioning of the arbitral tribunal award" in the joint communiqué. (READ: Recording shows Yasay didn't want ASEAN to cite Hague ruling)
[Video: Was Yasay misquoted on ASEAN statement?
Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr says he was misquoted on his views about the ASEAN joint statement. But the audio recording of his interview in Vientiane, Laos, shows otherwise. Read full story here: http://bit.ly/2acou4j
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4BEu9RrnWo]
The Philippines' top diplomat, who has no previous experience as a diplomat, has yet to be confirmed by the CA.
Yasay is facing other issues, such as claiming he was never a US citizen.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162557-yasay-ownership-west-philippine-sea-islands
He backpedals on his earlier statement that the Philippines merely exercises 'legal possession' and not 'ownership' of disputed features in the West Philippine Sea
FLIP-FLOPPING. Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr contradicts his earlier statement about the ownership of disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr flip-flopped again – this time on the country's ownership of disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Yasay backpedaled on his statement at the Senate on Wednesday, February 22, that the Philippines merely exercises "legal possession" and not "ownership" of disputed features in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking to reporters at the Diamond Hotel on Thursday, February 23, Yasay contradicted himself and said that "we own these."
These disputed features include Pag-asa Island in the town of Kalayaan, which is home to at least 180 Filipinos and has its own mayor.
Yasay made his controversial statement at his confirmation hearing before the Commission on Appointments (CA) at the Senate on Wednesday.
There, Occidental Mindoro Representative Josephine Ramirez Sato categorically asked Yasay about the territorial dispute: "So what is now the official stand or position of our country on this?"
Immediately, Yasay provided a categorical answer: "The official position of the Philippines in so far as certain features – like Pag-asa, that is occupied by us – is that we have possession, legal possession, of this territory, and it can bloom into ownership, it can bloom into part of our territory, when the appropriate arbitral tribunal in international law will be able to make a determination on that basis."
What is the difference between possession and ownership?
Encyclopedia Brittanica quoted the Roman Law as saying, "Possession is the occupation of anything with the intention of exercising the rights of ownership in respect of it."
Brittanica explained, "Possession is inchoate or incomplete ownership; it is on its way to become ownership."
Philippine territory since Marcos
The Philippines' official position, however, has been clear since at least the time of dictator Ferdinand Marcos: the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines.
In Presidential Decree No. 1596 signed in 1978, Marcos said that Kalayaan "shall belong and be subject to the sovereignty of the Philippines."
While Yasay said disputed features have yet to "bloom into part of our territory," Marcos declared as early as 1978 that Kalayaan is "part of the Philippine territory."
In Republic Act 9522 signed by then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2009, Arroyo also said the Philippines "exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction" over Kalayaan as well as Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal).
What Yasay correctly said before the CA on Wednesday was that the Philippines' legal victory against China on July 12, 2016, "is never a ruling on territorial ownership or sovereignty over the disputed area in the South China Sea."
He added, "And it is on that basis that I'm saying that even while private entities, individuals…legal luminaries have made claims that we own these islands, this is not the official position of the Philippine government, because under international law, we have to prove it in the appropriate tribunal."
[Video: Yasay: We do not own disputed island in South China Sea
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr says the official stance of the government is that the Philippines does not own the disputed islands in the South China Sea. Full story: http://s.rplr.co/YYkH6FE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QwhxbAc2YU]
"I personally believe that we own these islands, your honor. I can argue with anybody on the legal arguments as to why, but I am only telling you that the official position, if I may, your honor, the official position of government did not include a categorical claim that we own this in so far as filing our case before the arbitral tribunal is concerned," he said, seemingly unaware of previous declarations made by past Philippine presidents.
Yasay changes his tune
A day after his CA hearing, Yasay clarified in his annual get-together with journalists: "Have we abandoned our claim in so far as our present occupation of some of the features in this disputed territory is concerned? My answer is a resounding no. No, we have not abandoned that at all."
He also said that the Philippines "will not move an inch in so far as our occupation of these features is concerned."
Then, like Sato, CNN Philippines reporter JC Gotinga asked Yasay pointblank on Thursday, "Would you state please for us: What is the official position of the Philippine government when it comes to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea?"
Yasay contradicted his answer to Sato on Wednesday that the Philippines merely has "legal possession of this territory" that "can bloom into ownership."
Yasay said on Thursday: "Our position is that we own these territorial – not the territorial, uh, the features where we are occupying, that we own these. We have control over these, we exercise jurisdiction over these, in so far as these features are concerned. But that is not an issue that we have brought before the arbitral tribunal."
Yasay in Manila vs Yasay in Laos
This is not the first time Yasay contradicted one of his earlier statements.
After the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in July 2016, Yasay became controversial after he flip-flopped on seeking ASEAN's support for the Philippines' legal victory against China over the South China Sea.
In Laos, Yasay told reporters that he "never" asked to include the South China Sea ruling in the traditional ASEAN foreign ministers' statement.
In Manila, however, he said he "vigorously…pushed for the inclusion and mentioning of the arbitral tribunal award" in the joint communiqué. (READ: Recording shows Yasay didn't want ASEAN to cite Hague ruling)
[Video: Was Yasay misquoted on ASEAN statement?
Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr says he was misquoted on his views about the ASEAN joint statement. But the audio recording of his interview in Vientiane, Laos, shows otherwise. Read full story here: http://bit.ly/2acou4j
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4BEu9RrnWo]
The Philippines' top diplomat, who has no previous experience as a diplomat, has yet to be confirmed by the CA.
Yasay is facing other issues, such as claiming he was never a US citizen.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162557-yasay-ownership-west-philippine-sea-islands
PH Navy awaits leased surveillance planes from Japan
From Rappler (Feb 26): PH Navy awaits leased surveillance planes from Japan
The first batch of 2 TC-90 maritime patrol aircraft is arriving on March 27
Japan is scheduled to transfer two TC-90 maritime patrol aircraft to the Philippine Navy next month, as part of a lease arrangement made by the previous administration that is expected to draw renewed protests from China.
Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said the surveillance planes are arriving on March 27, the first batch out of the 5 planes that will arrive this year.
They will boost the capability of the ill-equipped navy to conduct maritime aerial reconnaissance.
The navy has been using its old Islanders to patrol and deliver supplies to military outposts in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Rappler learned that the navy is planning to retire them with the arrival of the TC-90s.
The lease arrangement between Japan and the Philippines was formalized in May 2016, reportedly among Tokyo's first leases of its Self-Defense Forces' aircraft to another country after it lifted a self-imposed ban on weapons exports.
The deal was immediately met with protests from China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea. The Asian military supepower is ignoring an international ruling dismissing its 9-dash line claim over the disputed waters.
The TC-90s are arriving against the backdrop of the new Duterte administration seeking warmer ties with China, shelving the territorial dispute to focus on economic ties.
Navy spokesman Captain Lued Lincuna said the TC-90s are also crucial in boosting the navy's capabilities for humanitarian and disaster response.
"If calamity strikes, for example, they can be deployed for rapid assessment of affected areas. It is also capable of lifting limited cargoes and personnel. For maritime, they can be deployed for surveillance and reconnaissance," Lincuna said.
The arrival of the TC-90s was announced during a fellowship dinner with the media on Wednesday, February 22, aboard the country's recently acquired warship BRP Andres Bonifacio.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162572-philippine-navy-japan-lease-planes
The first batch of 2 TC-90 maritime patrol aircraft is arriving on March 27
SURVEILLANCE PLANE. A file photo of a TC-90 plane of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Image courtesy of JMSDF
Japan is scheduled to transfer two TC-90 maritime patrol aircraft to the Philippine Navy next month, as part of a lease arrangement made by the previous administration that is expected to draw renewed protests from China.
Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said the surveillance planes are arriving on March 27, the first batch out of the 5 planes that will arrive this year.
They will boost the capability of the ill-equipped navy to conduct maritime aerial reconnaissance.
The navy has been using its old Islanders to patrol and deliver supplies to military outposts in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Rappler learned that the navy is planning to retire them with the arrival of the TC-90s.
The lease arrangement between Japan and the Philippines was formalized in May 2016, reportedly among Tokyo's first leases of its Self-Defense Forces' aircraft to another country after it lifted a self-imposed ban on weapons exports.
The deal was immediately met with protests from China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea. The Asian military supepower is ignoring an international ruling dismissing its 9-dash line claim over the disputed waters.
The TC-90s are arriving against the backdrop of the new Duterte administration seeking warmer ties with China, shelving the territorial dispute to focus on economic ties.
Navy spokesman Captain Lued Lincuna said the TC-90s are also crucial in boosting the navy's capabilities for humanitarian and disaster response.
"If calamity strikes, for example, they can be deployed for rapid assessment of affected areas. It is also capable of lifting limited cargoes and personnel. For maritime, they can be deployed for surveillance and reconnaissance," Lincuna said.
The arrival of the TC-90s was announced during a fellowship dinner with the media on Wednesday, February 22, aboard the country's recently acquired warship BRP Andres Bonifacio.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162572-philippine-navy-japan-lease-planes
AFP: 14 communist rebels, 7 soldiers dead in 3-week offensive
From Rappler (Feb 26): AFP: 14 communist rebels, 7 soldiers dead in 3-week offensive
The military also says 17 New People's Army members have been arrested while 51 others have surrendered since the end of the ceasefire and peace talks
MILITARY OFFENSIVE. The Armed Forces of the Philippines continues its operations against the New People's Army. File photo by Karlos Manlupig
A total of 36 "small unit" operations have been conducted against the New People's Army (NPA) since the ceasefire and peace talks were terminated, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday, February 26.
According to Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, the operations left at least 14 communist rebels dead while government forces reported 7 deaths.
About 17 members of the NPA have also been arrested while 51 of them have surrendered to authorities. Arevalo expects the number to rise as the "all-out war" continues.
"The exodus is expected to continue with numerous others sending their surrender feelers to the AFP," he said. "We see more of them returning to the folds of government. Not only because of battle fatigue, stress, and hunger after years of protracted struggle, but more so because of the realization about the inutility of their fight that has now resorted to banditry and oppression."
The AFP's ongoing offensive started after President Rodrigo Duterte scrapped the ceasefire and peace talks with the communist rebels earlier this month. Duterte said the government was on the "losing end of the bargain" despite walking the extra mile for peace.
The AFP, however, remains open to the possibility of reviving peace negotiations. But as long as the NPA doesn't agree to the conditions, government forces "will continue with operations to stop their atrocities that impair the lives of people in the communities."
"More than anyone, it is our soldiers who want peace," Arevalo said. "This is why the AFP hopes the NPA will heed our government's call and comply with the conditions that shall bring the situation conducive to peace negotiations and towards permanently ending the hostilities that mar this more than 4 decades of insurgency."
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella previously said the communist rebels must agree to a bilateral ceasefire deal that will put an end to their collection of revolutionary taxes. The military calls this tax collection "extortion," but the NPA justifies it as a legitimate function of the revolutionary government.
(READ: Duterte bats for 'strategic shift' in ending war with Reds)
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162605-armed-forces-philippines-new-peoples-army-operations-after-peace-talks
The military also says 17 New People's Army members have been arrested while 51 others have surrendered since the end of the ceasefire and peace talks
MILITARY OFFENSIVE. The Armed Forces of the Philippines continues its operations against the New People's Army. File photo by Karlos Manlupig
A total of 36 "small unit" operations have been conducted against the New People's Army (NPA) since the ceasefire and peace talks were terminated, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday, February 26.
According to Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, the operations left at least 14 communist rebels dead while government forces reported 7 deaths.
About 17 members of the NPA have also been arrested while 51 of them have surrendered to authorities. Arevalo expects the number to rise as the "all-out war" continues.
"The exodus is expected to continue with numerous others sending their surrender feelers to the AFP," he said. "We see more of them returning to the folds of government. Not only because of battle fatigue, stress, and hunger after years of protracted struggle, but more so because of the realization about the inutility of their fight that has now resorted to banditry and oppression."
The AFP's ongoing offensive started after President Rodrigo Duterte scrapped the ceasefire and peace talks with the communist rebels earlier this month. Duterte said the government was on the "losing end of the bargain" despite walking the extra mile for peace.
The AFP, however, remains open to the possibility of reviving peace negotiations. But as long as the NPA doesn't agree to the conditions, government forces "will continue with operations to stop their atrocities that impair the lives of people in the communities."
"More than anyone, it is our soldiers who want peace," Arevalo said. "This is why the AFP hopes the NPA will heed our government's call and comply with the conditions that shall bring the situation conducive to peace negotiations and towards permanently ending the hostilities that mar this more than 4 decades of insurgency."
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella previously said the communist rebels must agree to a bilateral ceasefire deal that will put an end to their collection of revolutionary taxes. The military calls this tax collection "extortion," but the NPA justifies it as a legitimate function of the revolutionary government.
(READ: Duterte bats for 'strategic shift' in ending war with Reds)
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162605-armed-forces-philippines-new-peoples-army-operations-after-peace-talks
Rescue of Abu Sayyaf hostages continues amid beheading reports
From Rappler (Feb 26): Rescue of Abu Sayyaf hostages continues amid beheading reports
Chief presidential peace adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza receives a report that the local terrorist group has beheaded its German hostage, but he says this is still unverified information
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162628-rescue-abu-sayyaf-hostages-continues-beheading-reports
Chief presidential peace adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza receives a report that the local terrorist group has beheaded its German hostage, but he says this is still unverified information
ABDUCTED. German nationals Juergen Kantner and his wife Sabine Merz (R) pose for a photograph on May 5, 2009 in Berbera. File photo by Mustafa Abdi/AFP
The military will continue search and rescue operations to free the remaining hostages of the Abu Sayyaf Group, said chief presidential peace adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza on Sunday night, February 26.
Dureza received a report that the local terrorist group beheaded German hostage Juergen Kantner on Sunday afternoon, although the information has yet to be verified, he said.
Dureza received a report that the local terrorist group beheaded German hostage Juergen Kantner on Sunday afternoon, although the information has yet to be verified, he said.
The information came from Joint Task Force Sulu commander Colonel Cirilito Sobejana.
"Despite efforts exerted by groups and the security forces, I have received reports about the alleged beheading of a German kidnap victim in Sulu Sunday afternoon. Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, as of 8:30 pm Sunday informed me by phone that validation efforts of such report is still ongoing," Dureza said.
"In the meantime, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other security forces are maintaining their 'search and rescue posture' until all kidnap victims are freed," he added.
Military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said Sunday night they will continue to assume that Kantner is "alive and well" until validated information shows otherwise.
"We are still in the process of authenticating and validating all these information you are receiving. Until sufficient proof is obtained that supports this information, our assumption remains that the subject kidnapped victim is alive and well. Do not believe unvalidated information going around until proven otherwise," Padilla said.
Major General Carlito Galvez, chief of the military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), called on the communities to support the fight against the Abu Sayyaf.
"Our troops are continuously conducting focused military operations to rescue the remaining hostage.... We are calling for the people of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi for renewed cooperation in order to stop the un-Islamic and barbaric activities of the Abu Sayyaf particularly on the kidnapping of innocent civilians," Galvez said.
Kantner appeared in a video two weeks ago to announce that the bandits set a February 26 deadline for his beheading if ransom was not paid.
Last November 7, the military reported finding Kantner's yacht, Rockall, adrift off the southern Philippines.
The body of a woman with a bullet wound, later identified by the hostage as his partner, Sabine Merz, was found on board the vessel.
"Despite efforts exerted by groups and the security forces, I have received reports about the alleged beheading of a German kidnap victim in Sulu Sunday afternoon. Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, as of 8:30 pm Sunday informed me by phone that validation efforts of such report is still ongoing," Dureza said.
"In the meantime, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other security forces are maintaining their 'search and rescue posture' until all kidnap victims are freed," he added.
Military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said Sunday night they will continue to assume that Kantner is "alive and well" until validated information shows otherwise.
"We are still in the process of authenticating and validating all these information you are receiving. Until sufficient proof is obtained that supports this information, our assumption remains that the subject kidnapped victim is alive and well. Do not believe unvalidated information going around until proven otherwise," Padilla said.
Major General Carlito Galvez, chief of the military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), called on the communities to support the fight against the Abu Sayyaf.
"Our troops are continuously conducting focused military operations to rescue the remaining hostage.... We are calling for the people of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi for renewed cooperation in order to stop the un-Islamic and barbaric activities of the Abu Sayyaf particularly on the kidnapping of innocent civilians," Galvez said.
Kantner appeared in a video two weeks ago to announce that the bandits set a February 26 deadline for his beheading if ransom was not paid.
Last November 7, the military reported finding Kantner's yacht, Rockall, adrift off the southern Philippines.
The body of a woman with a bullet wound, later identified by the hostage as his partner, Sabine Merz, was found on board the vessel.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/162628-rescue-abu-sayyaf-hostages-continues-beheading-reports
SPOOKED BY QUIRKY DONALD | China ramps up naval abilities
From InterAksyon (Feb 26): SPOOKED BY QUIRKY DONALD | China ramps up naval abilities
J-15 fighters from China's Liaoning aircraft carrier conduct drills somewhere in the South China Sea in January 2, 2017 file photo. REUTERS
The PLA Navy is likely to secure significant new funding in China's upcoming defense budget as Beijing seeks to check US dominance of the high seas and step up its own projection of power around the globe.
China's navy has been taking an increasingly prominent role in recent months, with a rising star admiral taking command, its first aircraft carrier sailing around self-ruled Taiwan and new Chinese warships popping up in far-flung places.
Now, with President Donald Trump promising a US shipbuilding spree and unnerving Beijing with his unpredictable approach on hot button issues including Taiwan and the South and East China Seas, China is pushing to narrow the gap with the US Navy.
"It's opportunity in crisis," said a Beijing-based Asian diplomat, of China's recent naval moves. "China fears Trump will turn on them eventually as he's so unpredictable and it's getting ready."
Beijing does not give a breakdown for how much it spends on the navy, and the overall official defense spending figures it gives - 954.35 billion yuan ($139 billion) for 2016 - likely understates its investment, according to diplomats.
China unveils the defense budget for this year at next month's annual meeting of parliament, a closely watched figure around the region and in Washington, for clues to China's intentions.
China surprised last year with its lowest increase in six years, 7.6 percent, the first single-digit rise since 2010, following a nearly unbroken two-decade run of double-digit jumps.
"Certainly, the PLA Navy has really been the beneficiary of a lot of this new spending in the past 15 years," said Richard Bitzinger, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Military Transformations Programme at the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
"We don't how much they spend on the navy, but simply extrapolating from the quantity and the quality of things that are coming out of their shipyards, it's pretty amazing.
Rapid development
The Chinese navy, once generally limited to coastal operations, has developed rapidly under President Xi Jinping's ambitious military modernization.
It commissioned 18 ships in 2016, including missile destroyers, corvettes and guided missile frigates, according to state media.
Barely a week goes by without an announcement of some new piece of equipment, including an electronic reconnaissance ship put into service in January.
Still, the PLA Navy significantly lags the United States, which operates 10 aircraft carriers to China's one, the Soviet-era Liaoning.
Xu Guangyu, a retired major general in the People's Liberation Army now senior adviser to the government-run China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said China was keenly aware of the US ability to project power at sea.
"It's like a marathon and we're falling behind. We need to step on the gas," Xu said.
Trump has vowed to increase the US Navy to 350 ships from the current 290 as part of "one of the "greatest military buildups in American history", a move aides say is needed to counter China's rise as a military power.
"We’ve known this is a 15-20 year project and every year they get closer to being a blue-water navy with global aspirations," said a US administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
"What you have seen this last year and what I think you will see with the new budget is that they are moving ahead with the short-term goal of being the premier naval force in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, with the mid-term goal, of extending all the way to the Indian Ocean."
In January, China appointed new navy chief, Shen Jinlong, to lead that push.
Shen has enjoyed a meteoric rise and is close to Xi, diplomatic and leadership sources say.
"The navy has gotten very lucky with Shen," said a Chinese official close to the military, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Now they know for certain their support goes all the way to the top."
Recent PLA Navy missions have included visits to Gulf states, where the United States has traditionally protected sea lanes, and to the South China Sea, Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, in what the state-run website StrongChina called Shen's "first show of force against the United States, Japan and Taiwan".
Last month, a Chinese submarine docked at a port in Malaysia's Sabah state, which lies on the South China Sea, only the second confirmed visit of a Chinese submarine to a foreign port, according to state media.
The submarine had come from supporting anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, where China has been learning valuable lessons about overseas naval operations since 2008.
Chinese warships have also been calling at ports in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, unnerving regional rival India.
"It's power projection," said a Beijing-based Western diplomat, of China's navy.
http://interaksyon.com/article/137313/spooked-by-quirky-donald--china-ramps-up-naval-abilities
J-15 fighters from China's Liaoning aircraft carrier conduct drills somewhere in the South China Sea in January 2, 2017 file photo. REUTERS
The PLA Navy is likely to secure significant new funding in China's upcoming defense budget as Beijing seeks to check US dominance of the high seas and step up its own projection of power around the globe.
China's navy has been taking an increasingly prominent role in recent months, with a rising star admiral taking command, its first aircraft carrier sailing around self-ruled Taiwan and new Chinese warships popping up in far-flung places.
Now, with President Donald Trump promising a US shipbuilding spree and unnerving Beijing with his unpredictable approach on hot button issues including Taiwan and the South and East China Seas, China is pushing to narrow the gap with the US Navy.
"It's opportunity in crisis," said a Beijing-based Asian diplomat, of China's recent naval moves. "China fears Trump will turn on them eventually as he's so unpredictable and it's getting ready."
Beijing does not give a breakdown for how much it spends on the navy, and the overall official defense spending figures it gives - 954.35 billion yuan ($139 billion) for 2016 - likely understates its investment, according to diplomats.
China unveils the defense budget for this year at next month's annual meeting of parliament, a closely watched figure around the region and in Washington, for clues to China's intentions.
China surprised last year with its lowest increase in six years, 7.6 percent, the first single-digit rise since 2010, following a nearly unbroken two-decade run of double-digit jumps.
"Certainly, the PLA Navy has really been the beneficiary of a lot of this new spending in the past 15 years," said Richard Bitzinger, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Military Transformations Programme at the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
"We don't how much they spend on the navy, but simply extrapolating from the quantity and the quality of things that are coming out of their shipyards, it's pretty amazing.
Rapid development
The Chinese navy, once generally limited to coastal operations, has developed rapidly under President Xi Jinping's ambitious military modernization.
It commissioned 18 ships in 2016, including missile destroyers, corvettes and guided missile frigates, according to state media.
Barely a week goes by without an announcement of some new piece of equipment, including an electronic reconnaissance ship put into service in January.
Still, the PLA Navy significantly lags the United States, which operates 10 aircraft carriers to China's one, the Soviet-era Liaoning.
Xu Guangyu, a retired major general in the People's Liberation Army now senior adviser to the government-run China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said China was keenly aware of the US ability to project power at sea.
"It's like a marathon and we're falling behind. We need to step on the gas," Xu said.
Trump has vowed to increase the US Navy to 350 ships from the current 290 as part of "one of the "greatest military buildups in American history", a move aides say is needed to counter China's rise as a military power.
"We’ve known this is a 15-20 year project and every year they get closer to being a blue-water navy with global aspirations," said a US administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
"What you have seen this last year and what I think you will see with the new budget is that they are moving ahead with the short-term goal of being the premier naval force in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, with the mid-term goal, of extending all the way to the Indian Ocean."
In January, China appointed new navy chief, Shen Jinlong, to lead that push.
Shen has enjoyed a meteoric rise and is close to Xi, diplomatic and leadership sources say.
"The navy has gotten very lucky with Shen," said a Chinese official close to the military, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Now they know for certain their support goes all the way to the top."
Recent PLA Navy missions have included visits to Gulf states, where the United States has traditionally protected sea lanes, and to the South China Sea, Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, in what the state-run website StrongChina called Shen's "first show of force against the United States, Japan and Taiwan".
Last month, a Chinese submarine docked at a port in Malaysia's Sabah state, which lies on the South China Sea, only the second confirmed visit of a Chinese submarine to a foreign port, according to state media.
The submarine had come from supporting anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, where China has been learning valuable lessons about overseas naval operations since 2008.
Chinese warships have also been calling at ports in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, unnerving regional rival India.
"It's power projection," said a Beijing-based Western diplomat, of China's navy.
http://interaksyon.com/article/137313/spooked-by-quirky-donald--china-ramps-up-naval-abilities
COMMENT: Good! Enough? In All Honesty … (3)
Commentary by Patricio P. Diaz posted to the MindaViews section of MindaNews (Feb 26): COMMENT: Good! Enough? In All Honesty … (3)
Last of three parts
III. Not That Simple
When Secretary Jesus Dureza hailed the release of the names of the members of the New Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) as a signal to start drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to create a genuine political autonomy for the Moros and the IPs, some, if not many, must have seen the New BTC as the only body tasked for the job and their mandate coming only from EO 08. The end will be as planned and expected – the formal establishment of the Bangsamoro after the 2019 election. However, it is not that simple.
Besides the complications that will inevitably arise from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)-Misuari separate engagement with the Duterte government for the full implementation of the 1996 FPA, the New BTC may come up with a BPDR-compliant (Bangsamoro Peace and Development Roadmap) Bangsamoro enabling law but least CAB-compliant (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro) – a must in Section 3 of EO No. 120, s, 2012 deleted when amended by EO 08.
EO 120, Sec 3a states: “To draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law with provisions consistent with the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.” Note: The CAB, after signing in 2014, took precedence over the FAB.
EO 08 amended this by substituting: “To draft proposals for a Bangsamoro Basic Law which shall be submitted to the Office of the President for submission to Congress.”
While the BPDR (Ways Forward for the Bangsamoro Process) provides the “Issuance of an EO to amend the composition and mandate of the BTC”, the functions of the New BTC in EO 08 are not as the BPDR mandates. There is no direct reference to the BPDR in EO 08.
New BTC Mandate in BPDR:
The mandate of the New BTC as provided in the BPDR: (The Bangsamoro Peace Process: Peace and Development Roadmap – Two Simultaneous Tracks: Federalism + Enabling Law Approach” and “The Bangsamoro Transition Commission”):
“Mandate: (I) Recommend amendments to the Constitution via the federalism project to establish the Bangsmoro government. (II) Craft the enabling law for submission to Congress. (III) Spearhead the dialogue and conversation of people in Mindanao on the Bangsmoro peace process.” [Note: There is no reference to the CAB.]
Note: “(I)” and “(III)” are Sec 3b and Sec 3d of EO 120, respectively, as amended by Sec 2 of EO 08.
The following are specific mandates under the two simultaneous tracks:
“A. Enabling Law or Legislative Track: (1) Consolidate and converge all peace agreements and legislations (e.g. 1996 FPA with MNLF, 1995 IPRA Law for IPs; RA 9054 or ARMM law). (2) If there are constitutional issues in the proposed Bangsamoro enabling law, these are to be “parked” and, await Supreme Court ruling and ConCon deliberations. (3) New BTC will call for an inclusive ALL-Moro Assembly to approve the new draft. (4) New BTC will submit to the new version of enabling law by July 2017.”
Note: Only “A(3)” is in EO 08, Sec 2 .an amendment to EO 120 as Sec 3c.
Note further: While the CAB is not among the examples in parenthesis, this is within the meaning of the phrase “all peace agreements and legislations”.
“B. Federalism or Convention Track: (1) New BTC will call for an inclusive All-Moro Assembly to discuss its submission to ConCon. (2) New BTC will submit proposals compliant with peace agreements to the ConCon within six months. (3) The Bangsamoro governance until installed will serve as pilot federal state.”
Note: “(3)” is not a mandate for the New BTC.
Crossing the Bridge
MindaNews quoted Iqbal (MN 2/10/17: GPH, MILF …) as saying that they are “not starting from scratch” as “there are existing drafts that can be made as the working draft to hasten the process of the drafting”. He was referring to the drafts for the ill-fated Draft BBL. But the draft proposal the New BTC will submit to the President must be free of constitutional issues. These issues must be culled from the old drafts amd Draft BBL; the process will slow down the New BTC.
The final drafts after the four-month review and revision of Draft BBL was considered consistent with the 1987 Constitution. What unconstitutional provisions will the New BTC remove? By the Supreme Court’s November 20, 2016 decision dismissing the complaints against the CAB without ruling on the issue of constitutionality, the CAB can be presumed constitutional until proven otherwise.
What will the New BTC do? EO 08 only provides the general mandate for it to draft proposals for a Bangsmoro basic law to be submitted to the President. The specific mandates are in the BPDR.
What option has the MILF? Its implementing panel accepted the BPDR during the August 14, 2016 meeting in Kuala Lumpur. As leaders of the New BTC, how will they cross the bridge?
The New BTC is implicitly being told to do these:
First: Submit to President Duterte a Draft BEL that, FOREMOST, is BPDR-compliant even if it is LEAST CAB-compliant. Play safe. As working draft, use the BLBAR (Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region) – the substitute bills of the House and the Senate of the 16th Congress. The Moros should settle for a watered-down – least CAB-compliant – BEL if they want the 17th Congress to pass the BEL by July 2018 and the Bangsamoro inaugurated after the election of 2019.
Second: The forty or so provisions of Draft BBL that the MILF study group had asked the 16th Congress to restore should be included as proposed constitutional amendments to be submitted to the Congress as the Constitutional Commission under the federalism track of the BPDR.
Two crucial questions: (1) How certain is the New BTC’s BEL will prevail over the MNLF-Misuari draft to amend RA No. 9054 to strengthen the ARMM? (2) Even if it does prevail, what if the ConCom rejects the proposed amendments? Will the Moros settle for good with the least CAB-compliant Bangsamoro?
In Duterte’s Hands
What is the crucial option? The New BTC uses Draft BBL as its primary working draft. Converge to this all the other peace agreements and legislations as provided in “(1)” of the “Legislative Track” of the BPDR. President Duterte convinces the 17th Congress to presume the ensuing CAB-compliant Draft BEL as constitutional. Let the constitutional issues, if any, be decided by Supreme Court. Constitutional amendments may still be proposed to the ConCom.
But this option will be futile if MNLF-Misuari will continue its engagement with the Duterte government, The Congress has been entrusted with the task to consolidate the two draft bills; but the impossibility to abolish the ARMM as proposed by one and to keep and strengthen it as proposed by the other can be an excuse for the 17th Congress to write a substitute bill unacceptable to the Moros.
To recapitulate: That President Duterte, finally signalled the New BTC to start drafting the Basic Enabling Law for the Bangsamoro is good. But, in all honesty, that is not enough. Complications will arise from the separate negotiation of the government and the MNLF-Misuari to implement fully the 1996 FPA and from the BPDR. Does President Duterte have the wisdom, prudence, tack and, above all, political will to preempt these complications?
Like the proverbial bird, whether “the clamor for a genuine political autonomy for the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao” – Bangsamoro in the CAB or Autonomy for the Muslims in Southern Philippines in the 1976 Tripoli Agreement – will be fulfilled or be denied AGAIN is in the hands of President Duterte NOW.
http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2017/02/comment-good-enough-in-all-honesty-3/
Last of three parts
III. Not That Simple
When Secretary Jesus Dureza hailed the release of the names of the members of the New Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) as a signal to start drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to create a genuine political autonomy for the Moros and the IPs, some, if not many, must have seen the New BTC as the only body tasked for the job and their mandate coming only from EO 08. The end will be as planned and expected – the formal establishment of the Bangsamoro after the 2019 election. However, it is not that simple.
Besides the complications that will inevitably arise from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)-Misuari separate engagement with the Duterte government for the full implementation of the 1996 FPA, the New BTC may come up with a BPDR-compliant (Bangsamoro Peace and Development Roadmap) Bangsamoro enabling law but least CAB-compliant (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro) – a must in Section 3 of EO No. 120, s, 2012 deleted when amended by EO 08.
EO 120, Sec 3a states: “To draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law with provisions consistent with the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.” Note: The CAB, after signing in 2014, took precedence over the FAB.
EO 08 amended this by substituting: “To draft proposals for a Bangsamoro Basic Law which shall be submitted to the Office of the President for submission to Congress.”
While the BPDR (Ways Forward for the Bangsamoro Process) provides the “Issuance of an EO to amend the composition and mandate of the BTC”, the functions of the New BTC in EO 08 are not as the BPDR mandates. There is no direct reference to the BPDR in EO 08.
New BTC Mandate in BPDR:
The mandate of the New BTC as provided in the BPDR: (The Bangsamoro Peace Process: Peace and Development Roadmap – Two Simultaneous Tracks: Federalism + Enabling Law Approach” and “The Bangsamoro Transition Commission”):
“Mandate: (I) Recommend amendments to the Constitution via the federalism project to establish the Bangsmoro government. (II) Craft the enabling law for submission to Congress. (III) Spearhead the dialogue and conversation of people in Mindanao on the Bangsmoro peace process.” [Note: There is no reference to the CAB.]
Note: “(I)” and “(III)” are Sec 3b and Sec 3d of EO 120, respectively, as amended by Sec 2 of EO 08.
The following are specific mandates under the two simultaneous tracks:
“A. Enabling Law or Legislative Track: (1) Consolidate and converge all peace agreements and legislations (e.g. 1996 FPA with MNLF, 1995 IPRA Law for IPs; RA 9054 or ARMM law). (2) If there are constitutional issues in the proposed Bangsamoro enabling law, these are to be “parked” and, await Supreme Court ruling and ConCon deliberations. (3) New BTC will call for an inclusive ALL-Moro Assembly to approve the new draft. (4) New BTC will submit to the new version of enabling law by July 2017.”
Note: Only “A(3)” is in EO 08, Sec 2 .an amendment to EO 120 as Sec 3c.
Note further: While the CAB is not among the examples in parenthesis, this is within the meaning of the phrase “all peace agreements and legislations”.
“B. Federalism or Convention Track: (1) New BTC will call for an inclusive All-Moro Assembly to discuss its submission to ConCon. (2) New BTC will submit proposals compliant with peace agreements to the ConCon within six months. (3) The Bangsamoro governance until installed will serve as pilot federal state.”
Note: “(3)” is not a mandate for the New BTC.
Crossing the Bridge
MindaNews quoted Iqbal (MN 2/10/17: GPH, MILF …) as saying that they are “not starting from scratch” as “there are existing drafts that can be made as the working draft to hasten the process of the drafting”. He was referring to the drafts for the ill-fated Draft BBL. But the draft proposal the New BTC will submit to the President must be free of constitutional issues. These issues must be culled from the old drafts amd Draft BBL; the process will slow down the New BTC.
The final drafts after the four-month review and revision of Draft BBL was considered consistent with the 1987 Constitution. What unconstitutional provisions will the New BTC remove? By the Supreme Court’s November 20, 2016 decision dismissing the complaints against the CAB without ruling on the issue of constitutionality, the CAB can be presumed constitutional until proven otherwise.
What will the New BTC do? EO 08 only provides the general mandate for it to draft proposals for a Bangsmoro basic law to be submitted to the President. The specific mandates are in the BPDR.
What option has the MILF? Its implementing panel accepted the BPDR during the August 14, 2016 meeting in Kuala Lumpur. As leaders of the New BTC, how will they cross the bridge?
The New BTC is implicitly being told to do these:
First: Submit to President Duterte a Draft BEL that, FOREMOST, is BPDR-compliant even if it is LEAST CAB-compliant. Play safe. As working draft, use the BLBAR (Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region) – the substitute bills of the House and the Senate of the 16th Congress. The Moros should settle for a watered-down – least CAB-compliant – BEL if they want the 17th Congress to pass the BEL by July 2018 and the Bangsamoro inaugurated after the election of 2019.
Second: The forty or so provisions of Draft BBL that the MILF study group had asked the 16th Congress to restore should be included as proposed constitutional amendments to be submitted to the Congress as the Constitutional Commission under the federalism track of the BPDR.
Two crucial questions: (1) How certain is the New BTC’s BEL will prevail over the MNLF-Misuari draft to amend RA No. 9054 to strengthen the ARMM? (2) Even if it does prevail, what if the ConCom rejects the proposed amendments? Will the Moros settle for good with the least CAB-compliant Bangsamoro?
In Duterte’s Hands
What is the crucial option? The New BTC uses Draft BBL as its primary working draft. Converge to this all the other peace agreements and legislations as provided in “(1)” of the “Legislative Track” of the BPDR. President Duterte convinces the 17th Congress to presume the ensuing CAB-compliant Draft BEL as constitutional. Let the constitutional issues, if any, be decided by Supreme Court. Constitutional amendments may still be proposed to the ConCom.
But this option will be futile if MNLF-Misuari will continue its engagement with the Duterte government, The Congress has been entrusted with the task to consolidate the two draft bills; but the impossibility to abolish the ARMM as proposed by one and to keep and strengthen it as proposed by the other can be an excuse for the 17th Congress to write a substitute bill unacceptable to the Moros.
To recapitulate: That President Duterte, finally signalled the New BTC to start drafting the Basic Enabling Law for the Bangsamoro is good. But, in all honesty, that is not enough. Complications will arise from the separate negotiation of the government and the MNLF-Misuari to implement fully the 1996 FPA and from the BPDR. Does President Duterte have the wisdom, prudence, tack and, above all, political will to preempt these complications?
Like the proverbial bird, whether “the clamor for a genuine political autonomy for the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao” – Bangsamoro in the CAB or Autonomy for the Muslims in Southern Philippines in the 1976 Tripoli Agreement – will be fulfilled or be denied AGAIN is in the hands of President Duterte NOW.
http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2017/02/comment-good-enough-in-all-honesty-3/
NPA accepts Mayor Sara Duterte’s offer to talk peace
From MindaNews (Feb 26): NPA accepts Mayor Sara Duterte’s offer to talk peace
The New People’s Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao has agreed to talk with Davao City mayor and Presidential daughter Sara Duterte who earlier offered her “hand in peace” to the rebels.
In a statement e-mailed to the media late Sunday afternoon, NPA-Southern Mindanao spokesperson Rigoberto Sanchez said they will suspend their operations for a few hours and order any NPA camp in the city and nearby areas to host the talks with the mayor at a mutually agreed time and date.
The New People’s Army has accepted Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s offer to talk peace. MindaNews file photo by ANTONIO L. COLINA IV
“The NPA would gladly discuss any matter that she would like to take up with the revolutionary movement, the duties and responsibilities of the people’s democratic government, the role of the NPA, the on-going all-out war of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the GRP-NDFP (government-National Democratic Front of the Philippines) peace negotiations,” he said.
He said they are looking forward to substantial negotiation with Duterte for the welfare of the masses.
He said he was optimistic the mayor would “judiciously discern the realities of the civil war, not merely through the statistics of AFP casualties and its civilian victims but by seeing the imperative to address the roots of the armed conflict.”
He said the talks would be “auspicious,” following the encounter between military and rebel forces last February 16 in Paquibato and Calinan Districts that resulted in the death of five persons (two soldiers, two NPAs, and a civilian) with 17 soldiers injured.
“The revolutionary forces recognize Sara Duterte’s willingness to talk to the NPA as a group and not to individuals amid the growing public clamor to resume the suspended GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and achieve substantial gains in the peace process,” he said.
But Sanchez said the NPA finds “ominous” the mayor’s statement that should the NPA decline her gesture, a viable alternative would be to “leave it everything to the AFP.”
In the mayor’s statement issued on February 20, the mayor said she wants to talk with the rebels as a group to discuss her plans.
“My offer is limited by my authority over the area of my responsibility,” the mayor said, as she urged the NPA to “think about this offer seriously since this will benefit you, our fellow Dabawenyos, and our beloved city.”
But the mayor added that “in the event that you will decline my offer, I can only pray that there will be no more deaths and leave everything to AFP and to God.”
Sanchez said the mayor must know the “AFP is a corrupt, wily and mercenary organization that makes a mockery of the peace process and continuously sabotages her father’s and the NDFP’s efforts at peace every chance it gets.”
In a statement issued at around 8 p.m. Sunday, City Information Office head Jefry Tupas said the mayor has received the NPA’s reply to her appeal and will come up with a statement in the coming days.
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2017/02/npa-accepts-mayor-sara-dutertes-offer-to-talk-peace/
The New People’s Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao has agreed to talk with Davao City mayor and Presidential daughter Sara Duterte who earlier offered her “hand in peace” to the rebels.
In a statement e-mailed to the media late Sunday afternoon, NPA-Southern Mindanao spokesperson Rigoberto Sanchez said they will suspend their operations for a few hours and order any NPA camp in the city and nearby areas to host the talks with the mayor at a mutually agreed time and date.
The New People’s Army has accepted Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s offer to talk peace. MindaNews file photo by ANTONIO L. COLINA IV
“The NPA would gladly discuss any matter that she would like to take up with the revolutionary movement, the duties and responsibilities of the people’s democratic government, the role of the NPA, the on-going all-out war of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the GRP-NDFP (government-National Democratic Front of the Philippines) peace negotiations,” he said.
He said they are looking forward to substantial negotiation with Duterte for the welfare of the masses.
He said he was optimistic the mayor would “judiciously discern the realities of the civil war, not merely through the statistics of AFP casualties and its civilian victims but by seeing the imperative to address the roots of the armed conflict.”
He said the talks would be “auspicious,” following the encounter between military and rebel forces last February 16 in Paquibato and Calinan Districts that resulted in the death of five persons (two soldiers, two NPAs, and a civilian) with 17 soldiers injured.
“The revolutionary forces recognize Sara Duterte’s willingness to talk to the NPA as a group and not to individuals amid the growing public clamor to resume the suspended GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and achieve substantial gains in the peace process,” he said.
But Sanchez said the NPA finds “ominous” the mayor’s statement that should the NPA decline her gesture, a viable alternative would be to “leave it everything to the AFP.”
In the mayor’s statement issued on February 20, the mayor said she wants to talk with the rebels as a group to discuss her plans.
“My offer is limited by my authority over the area of my responsibility,” the mayor said, as she urged the NPA to “think about this offer seriously since this will benefit you, our fellow Dabawenyos, and our beloved city.”
But the mayor added that “in the event that you will decline my offer, I can only pray that there will be no more deaths and leave everything to AFP and to God.”
Sanchez said the mayor must know the “AFP is a corrupt, wily and mercenary organization that makes a mockery of the peace process and continuously sabotages her father’s and the NDFP’s efforts at peace every chance it gets.”
In a statement issued at around 8 p.m. Sunday, City Information Office head Jefry Tupas said the mayor has received the NPA’s reply to her appeal and will come up with a statement in the coming days.
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2017/02/npa-accepts-mayor-sara-dutertes-offer-to-talk-peace/
Telecom firms cut off cell phone services in Zamboanga City
From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 26): Telecom firms cut off cell phone services in Zamboanga City
NO SIGNAL. A cell phone status bars shows no signal from both Smart Telecommunications and Globe Telecom services. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Telecommunication companies on Sunday cut off all cell phone services in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines for fear the rebels may set off improvised explosives during the Charter Day celebration here.
Zamboanga, a former capital of the Moro province, celebrated its 80th founding anniversary with soldiers and policemen deployed in many areas here. Philippine police chief Ronald dela Rosa was also invited to grace the occasion.
In an advisory sent out to its subscribers, Globe Telecommunication said they cut off all call, text and mobile data services for 5 hours as part of security measures imposed by authorities in Zamboanga City.
“As part of security measures during the Dia de Zamboanga, our signal will be blocked on February 26 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Zamboanga City. Call, text and mobile data will be unavailable during this period. This is in compliance with the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission,” it said.
Smart Communications also cut off all its mobile phone services in Zamboanga without informing their customers.
Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels have previously exploded improvised bombs in Zamboanga using cell phones as remote detonator.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/telecom-fims-cut-off-cell-phone-services-in-zamboanga-city/
NO SIGNAL. A cell phone status bars shows no signal from both Smart Telecommunications and Globe Telecom services. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Telecommunication companies on Sunday cut off all cell phone services in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines for fear the rebels may set off improvised explosives during the Charter Day celebration here.
Zamboanga, a former capital of the Moro province, celebrated its 80th founding anniversary with soldiers and policemen deployed in many areas here. Philippine police chief Ronald dela Rosa was also invited to grace the occasion.
In an advisory sent out to its subscribers, Globe Telecommunication said they cut off all call, text and mobile data services for 5 hours as part of security measures imposed by authorities in Zamboanga City.
“As part of security measures during the Dia de Zamboanga, our signal will be blocked on February 26 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Zamboanga City. Call, text and mobile data will be unavailable during this period. This is in compliance with the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission,” it said.
Smart Communications also cut off all its mobile phone services in Zamboanga without informing their customers.
Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels have previously exploded improvised bombs in Zamboanga using cell phones as remote detonator.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/telecom-fims-cut-off-cell-phone-services-in-zamboanga-city/
NPA rebels willing to talk peace with presidential daughter
From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 26): NPA rebels willing to talk peace with presidential daughter
Communist rebels on Sunday said they are open in holding peace talks with presidential daughter and Davao City mayor Sarah Duterte and even offered to temporarily suspend offensives to allow peaceful negotiations.
“To pursue lasting peace and advance the welfare of the masses, NPA open to hold talks with Sara Duterte,” Rigoberto Sanchez, a spokesman for the New People’s Army, said.
Sanchez said the gesture was in response to Duterte’s offer of peace talks with the rebels. “The Regional Operations Command of the New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao reciprocates the gesture made by Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte by suspending for a few hours the NPA operations and ordering any NPA camp in NDF territories in Davao City and nearby areas to host the talks with her at a mutually agreed time and date,” he said.
He said they recognize Duterte’s willingness to talk to the NPA as a group and not to individuals amid the growing public clamor to resume the peace negotiations and achieve substantial gains in the peace process.
President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the peace talks with the NPA after the rebels ended its unilateral truce in January and resumed attacks on military and police targets after the government failed to release over 400 political detainees, mostly leaders of the communist group. The president also ordered an all-out war against the rebels.
“The NPA would gladly discuss any matter that she would like to take up with the revolutionary movement, the duties and responsibilities of the people’s democratic government, the role of the NPA, the on-going all-out war of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the peace negotiations,” Sanchez said.
The rebel spokesman also accused the military of being corrupt and reminded the mayor how it sabotaged the peace talks. “Mayor Sara must know by now that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a corrupt, wily and mercenary organization that makes a mockery of the peace process and continuously sabotages her father’s and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NPA’s political wing) efforts at peace every chance it gets,” Sanchez said.
“Furthermore, we are optimistic that Mayor Sara would judiciously discern the realities of the civil war, not merely through the statistics of Armed Forces of the Philippines’ casualties and its civilian victims, but by seeing the imperative to address the roots of the armed conflict. Certainly, the heavy burden being borne every single day by Filipinos because of the continued exploitation of the oligarchs and US imperialism prods the masses and the revolutionary forces to wage and advance the people’s war.”
“The NPA in Southern Mindanao is looking forward to a substantial discussion with Mayor Duterte on the common ground of advancing the welfare of the masses, especially in Davao City. In the same manner that she expresses her willingness to meet for the sake of peace, the NPA advances the people’s war and adheres to the victories of the negotiations to ensure that peace will be just and lasting,” he said.
There was no immediate statement from the president or from any of the government peace panel headed by Jesus Dureza.
Just recently, rebels detonated a roadside bomb in Davao City and killed 2 soldiers and injured over a dozen more in the village near Lamaman in Calinan district. Two rebels were also killed in an ensuing gun battle. The NPA has been fighting for the establishment of communist state in the country.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/npa-rebels-willing-to-talk-peace-with-presidential-daughter/
Communist rebels on Sunday said they are open in holding peace talks with presidential daughter and Davao City mayor Sarah Duterte and even offered to temporarily suspend offensives to allow peaceful negotiations.
“To pursue lasting peace and advance the welfare of the masses, NPA open to hold talks with Sara Duterte,” Rigoberto Sanchez, a spokesman for the New People’s Army, said.
Sanchez said the gesture was in response to Duterte’s offer of peace talks with the rebels. “The Regional Operations Command of the New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao reciprocates the gesture made by Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte by suspending for a few hours the NPA operations and ordering any NPA camp in NDF territories in Davao City and nearby areas to host the talks with her at a mutually agreed time and date,” he said.
He said they recognize Duterte’s willingness to talk to the NPA as a group and not to individuals amid the growing public clamor to resume the peace negotiations and achieve substantial gains in the peace process.
President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the peace talks with the NPA after the rebels ended its unilateral truce in January and resumed attacks on military and police targets after the government failed to release over 400 political detainees, mostly leaders of the communist group. The president also ordered an all-out war against the rebels.
“The NPA would gladly discuss any matter that she would like to take up with the revolutionary movement, the duties and responsibilities of the people’s democratic government, the role of the NPA, the on-going all-out war of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the peace negotiations,” Sanchez said.
The rebel spokesman also accused the military of being corrupt and reminded the mayor how it sabotaged the peace talks. “Mayor Sara must know by now that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a corrupt, wily and mercenary organization that makes a mockery of the peace process and continuously sabotages her father’s and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NPA’s political wing) efforts at peace every chance it gets,” Sanchez said.
“Furthermore, we are optimistic that Mayor Sara would judiciously discern the realities of the civil war, not merely through the statistics of Armed Forces of the Philippines’ casualties and its civilian victims, but by seeing the imperative to address the roots of the armed conflict. Certainly, the heavy burden being borne every single day by Filipinos because of the continued exploitation of the oligarchs and US imperialism prods the masses and the revolutionary forces to wage and advance the people’s war.”
“The NPA in Southern Mindanao is looking forward to a substantial discussion with Mayor Duterte on the common ground of advancing the welfare of the masses, especially in Davao City. In the same manner that she expresses her willingness to meet for the sake of peace, the NPA advances the people’s war and adheres to the victories of the negotiations to ensure that peace will be just and lasting,” he said.
There was no immediate statement from the president or from any of the government peace panel headed by Jesus Dureza.
Just recently, rebels detonated a roadside bomb in Davao City and killed 2 soldiers and injured over a dozen more in the village near Lamaman in Calinan district. Two rebels were also killed in an ensuing gun battle. The NPA has been fighting for the establishment of communist state in the country.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/npa-rebels-willing-to-talk-peace-with-presidential-daughter/