Saturday, June 22, 2019

ASEAN leaders vow self-restraint on South China Sea

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23, 2019): ASEAN leaders vow self-restraint on South China Sea


SELF-RESTRAINT. President Rodrigo Duterte poses with his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, some of whom are shown in the photo with their spouses, after signing the declaration on partnership for sustainability in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday. (photo courtesy of the ASEAN Secretariat)
President Rodrigo Duterte and his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) vowed to exercise self-restraint to maintain peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

Duterte and the leaders of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam said in their Vision Statement on Partnership for Sustainability that it was also important to work actively towards the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

The ASEAN 10 leaders said it was also important to “exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation.”

“Pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, while enhancing mutual trust and confidence,” they added.

They also vowed to maintain the ASEAN region as a peaceful and secure area, even as they pledged to resolve any disputes and difference by peaceful means, such as dialogues.

The ASEAN leaders said maritime cooperation has to be enhanced as well, using internationally-accepted treaties and principles such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Among the disputes include the overlapping South China Sea claims by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam and also involved third parties China and Taiwan.

There is also the boundary dispute between Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei over north Borneo, which involved China and Taiwan.

Aside from the common dispute with China and Taiwan, ASEAN members also have additional disputes, such as the case of the overlapping claims by Indonesia, China and Taiwan over the waters north of the Natuna Islands; the contesting claims of Malaysia and the Philippines over Sabah and many others.

In the partnership for sustainability statement, the ASEAN 10 leaders said they would continue to promote regional peace and stability.

These would be attained through “enhancing confidence-building measures such as the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, the Guidelines for Air Military Encounters, Guidelines for Maritime Interaction and the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure, to promote communication, mutual trust and confidence, and reduce miscalculations and mishaps in the air and at sea.”

They also vowed to “support and promote the conservation and sustainable use of ASEAN’s coastal and marine environment, including to ensure food security, improve nutrition and promote benefits for the people.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073094

ASEAN OK's border cooperation vs terror, other crimes

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23, 2019): ASEAN OK's border cooperation vs terror, other crimes



General Prayut Chan-o-cha (center), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, chaired the Plenary of the 34th ASEAN Summit held in Bangkok on Saturday (June 22, 2019) which was attended by other ASEAN leaders and the ASEAN Secretary-General. (photo from ASEAN Secretariat)

President Rodrigo Duterte and his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations vowed to strengthen border cooperation to combat terrorism, counter the rise of radicalization and violent extremism and transnational crimes, including drug trafficking and human trafficking.

In combatting terrorism, which is a common problem by the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, Duterte and the 9 other Asean leaders said they will continue to follow the 2017 Manila Declaration and the 2018 ASEAN Plan of Action.

The Manila Declaration aims to involve all sectors in preventing the process of radicalization that would give rise to violent extremism and terrorism.

In the Vision Statement on Partnership for Sustainability signed here on Saturday, the ASEAN leaders sais they will also continue to manage their borders “in accordance with domestic laws and policies to better safeguard the increasingly interconnected and integrated ASEAN Community.”

They also vowed to fasttrack negotiations on the ASEAN etradition treaty, which would enable member-countries to try terror and crime suspects in their own courts.

The ASEAN 10 leaders said they will also continue to enhance cooperation on cybersecurity for “an open, safe, secure and resilient cyberspace supporting the digital economy of the ASEAN region through a feasible coordination and discussion mechanism on Cybersecurity issues, promoting voluntary and non-binding cyber norms of responsible State behaviour in cyberspace and adopting cybersecurity Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) as per the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on Cybersecurity Cooperation, as well as supporting the cybersecurity activities and training programmes of the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) in Bangkok and the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE) in Singapore which will complement existing ASEAN efforts in cybersecurity capacity-building.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073095

Kalinaw News: Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process at 7ID

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 22, 2019): Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process at 7ID



FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) conducted a Consultative Meeting with the Army’s 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, today.

Representing OPAPP is retired General Carlito G. Galvez, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who arrived at the 7ID at 10:00 yesterday morning.

During the OPAPP-7ID Consultative Meeting, updates regarding the insurgency situation at 7ID’s area of responsibility (AOR) were presented. An Open Forum led by Colonel Audrey L Pasia, Chief of Staff, 7ID, gave insight on the best approach that the Army could take to further increase the rate of surrenderees and weaken the communist terrorist groups (CTG) thru peaceful means.

Among the concerns raised during the meeting was that of the continued recruitment of students by left-leaning organizations to join the revolutionary movement, and the exploitation of the situation of the urban poor and indigenous peoples to further the cause of insurgency. All these, the Philippine Army continue to peacefully counter through their Community Support Programs.

Major General Lenard T Agustin AFP, Commander, 7ID, said that Consultative Meetings with the OPAPP are necessary to ensure that all machineries with regards to the local peace process are in place and functioning at level best. It also serves as an opportunity to brainstorm and analyze which areas need to be improved upon and what actions need to be taken that will eventually guarantee the successful attainment of peace in 7ID’s AOR.

“The 7ID troops, along with our valuable stakeholders, have achieved much in convincing our brothers in the mountains to lay down their arms as evidenced by the increasing number of rebels and their supporters who seek the pardon of the government. President Duterte’s Whole-of-Nation Approach further empowered us in our peace-keeping efforts and paved the way to the declarations of “persona-non-grata” to members of the CTG in several of municipalities in our AOR. This, along with our aggressive determination to end the insurgency, will inevitably bring us the peace we long for,” added MGen. Agustin.




Division Public Affairs Office 7th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Cpt Catherine H Jubas
Chief, Division Public Affairs Office, 7ID
Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija
09175547417

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

Kalinaw News: Soldiers and stakeholders celebrate 1ID’s 83rd founding anniversary

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 22, 2019): Soldiers and stakeholders celebrate 1ID’s 83rd founding anniversary



CAMP SANG-AN, Pulacan, Labangan, ZDS – Soldiers together with the stakeholders celebrated the Army’s 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division’s 83rd Founding Anniversary here, 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019.

“Serving the Nation with Zeal and Devotion” was this year’s theme with no less than Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, Commanding General, Philippine Army, graced the occasion as the guest of honor and speaker.

“The many milestones you have contributed to winning the peace and pushing the development agenda in recent years are well known and noted”, said Alberto.

Alberto also congratulated the officers, enlisted personnel, civilian workforces and stakeholders that were given a fitting recognition for demonstrating dedicated and meritorious service during the previous year.

He also urged the Tabak troopers to recommit themselves to excellence and professionalism and contribute to the attainment of the vision of being a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Roberto T. Ancan, 1st Infantry Division Commander, congratulated every Tabak trooper, past and present, for the heroism and sacrifices they offered to the unit.

“We are very much delightful that this unit has reached its 83 years of existence providing outstanding service to the Filipino nation”, said Ancan.

“Let us continue to work hard, strengthen our capabilities and uphold our commitment to service,” Ancan added.

Ancan also extended his sincerest thanks to all the stakeholders, for their continued commitment and collaboration, and for sharing ownership with the 1ID in sustaining peace and development in Basilan, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces.

The founding anniversary was celebrated with a month-long series of activities such as wreath laying ceremony for the fallen soldiers, fun and ball games, color run, Tabak Got Talent, squad and disaster response operation challenge, barrio fiesta, and the 1st Tabak commander’s cup shoot fest.

The 83rd Founding Anniversary was culminated with a K-pop themed Tabak night or socials held at the camp’s gymnasium.




Division Public Affairs Office 1st Infantry Division Philippine Army
CPT CLINT ANTIPALA
Chief, Division Public Affairs Office, 1st Infantry Division
E-mail: tabakdpao@gmail.com
Mobile Number: 09177938341

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

Kalinaw News: NPA rebel killed in clash with troops in South Cotabato

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 22, 2019): NPA rebel killed in clash with troops in South Cotabato



GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with government troops in a remote village in Tupi town, South Cotabato province on Monday.

Lt. Col. Jones Otida, commanding officer of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion, said in a report on Tuesday that their troops were responding to reports on the presence of armed men at a portion of Sitio Pangi, Barangay Lunen in Tupi around 12:30 a.m. when they clashed with at least 10 NPA rebels.

He said the firefight lasted for about 30 minutes, with the rebels eventually withdrawing towards the boundary area of Banga town.

There was no casualty on the side of the troops but one still unidentified rebel was confirmed killed as a result of the encounter, he said.

The Army official said they recovered at the scene an M14 rifle, an M653 “Baby Armalite” rifle, assorted ammunition, various personal belongings, food packs and subversive documents.

Citing reports from the field, Otida said the NPA rebels were under the group’s Front 73 and led by a certain “Kumander Kidlat”.

The unit is reportedly operating in the boundary of Tupi and Banga towns in South Cotabato, he said.

Otida said the presence of the rebels in the area was earlier reported to their unit by concerned residents.

He said they immediately verified it and launched “focused military operations” to locate the rebels.

“This was (the) result of the continuing support of the local populace. It shows that they were already tired of the extortion activities and threats from the group,” he said.

Otida added that pursuit operations are ongoing against the rebels in the hinterlands of Tupi and Banga towns. 




27th Infantry Battalion 10th Infantry Division Philippine Army
1LT Efren James C Halawig (INF) PA
0948-737-8176
0997-691-2064

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

Kalinaw News: Two CPP-NPA terrorists killed in their own attack against CAFGU Detachment

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 22, 2019): Two CPP-NPA terrorists killed in their own attack against CAFGU Detachment



CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – Two (2) unidentified members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist killed in their own attack against a CAFGU Detachment in Sitio Kakha, Barangay Talalak, in Sta. Catalina town, Negros Oriental at about 4:55 in the morning of June 21, 2019.

The 94th Infantry (Mandirigma) Battalion reported that more or less ten (10) fully armed members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist attacked the said CAFGU Detachment which prompted the troops to immediately fire back. The exchange of fire lasted for about thirty (30) minutes which resulted to recovery of two (2) slain bodies, and various war items including one (1) magazine long (plastic) of M16; two (2) magazine short (steel) of M16; twenty-five (25) ammunitions of M16; three (3) ammunitions of M14; one (1) unexploded hand grenade (w/o pin); electrical wire; one (1) empty shell of M203; one (1) bandolier; assorted medicines, and other personal belongings. No one was hurt on the government’s side.

MGen Dinoh Dolina, the Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division emphasized that “This is another cowardly act of anti-people, anti-peace and anti-development communist-terrorists who are desperate enough to hamper the peace and security efforts of our troops in the area. Unfortunately, they failed to do so, since our troops managed to counter the attack. This clearly shows that our troops are always ready for any attacks, and prepared to defend the people at all times”. “That’s why I am always telling our troops to never stop hunting this traitor and cold-blooded CPP-NPA

Terrorist so as to prevent them from destroying not only peace and development but also innocent lives of the Negrenses,” MGen Dolina stressed. Further, Dolina reiterated his call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist to lay down their arms, abandon armed movement and embrace the culture of peace. “Armed struggle cannot solve any of your problems. It will only make your situation even worse and will cause suffering to your families. Many of your comrades have already received assistance from the government’s integration program; why not follow their path for you to start a new life. Your Army and PNP together with the community are willing to help you on your mainstreaming,” he added.

Sta. Catalina along with other municipalities in Negros Oriental used to be the hotbed of the CPP-NPA Terrorist in Eastern Negros taking advantage of the poor economic situation of the populace; hence the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) passed a resolution declaring the communist-terrorist group persona non grata last March, 12, 2019. The PPOC believed that the atrocities perpetrated by the group are manifestation of betrayal of achieving peace, thus, disrupting peace and order situation in the province.





Division Public Affairs Office 3rd Infantry Division Philippine Army
CPT EDUARDO A PRECIOSO JR (INF) PA
Chief, 3rd Division Public Affairs Office
Camp General Martin T Delgado, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City
Contact: dpao.3idpa@gmail.com / 0917-857-9157

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/two-cpp-npa-terrorists-killed-in-their-own-attack-against-cafgu-detachment-2/

Kalinaw News: NPA Surrenders, Yields Explosives

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 22, 2019): NPA Surrenders, Yields Explosives



BUNAWAN DISTRICT, Davao City – A ranking NPA political officer surrenders to the Army in Paquibato District today, turning over a number of explosives.

Epifanio Blas, 49, married and a resident of barangay Malabog, Paquibato District acted as assistant secretary of the NPA’s underground mass organization known as “Hingpit Organisadong Masa” or Local Party Branch in barangay Malabog. He surrendered nine Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) designed as anti-personnel mines.

Subject revealed too that he finally surrendered after realizing the sincerity of the peace-building efforts of 16th Infantry Battalion troops in the area.

“Such welcome development in Paquibato is a result of our continuing effort to completely clear the barangays from NPA influence. Paquibato is transforming into a tourist destination largely due to the combined peace and development efforts of the unit with Davao City Peace 911.”, Col Nolasco A Mempin, Commander of 1003rd Brigade said.

Source: 1003rd Infantry Brigade

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/npa-surrenders-yields-explosives/

Kalinaw News: Army General Refutes Karapatan Claims in Mindoro

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 22, 2019): Army General Refutes Karapatan Claims in Mindoro



BANSUD, Oriental Mindoro –The statement of Karapatan – Southern Tagalog that they were harassed by the PNP and Military in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro is not true.

According to Brigadier General Marceliano Teofilo, Commanding Officer of 203rd Infantry Brigade, who has jurisdiction over Mindoro Island, there is no such thing as harassment on the members of Karapatan – ST headed by its Paralegal Team Ms Nievefe Numeron and Pastora Gleofe Balontong of Methodist Church in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.

“All we ask is that legal procedures will be observed such as making sure that the remains will be claimed by their relatives. The statement of Karapatan puts malice on the efforts of the PNP and the Army who has been the partners of the LGU in protecting our fellow Mindoreños from CPP-NPA atrocities. Surprisingly, they are so quick to cry out harassment from the government forces yet no condemnation of any of the terroristic actions of the CPP-NPAs in Mindoro”, BGen Teofilo added.

The Karapatan members went to Mansalay days after the successful encounter of joint PNP and Military against CPP-NPA wherein three (3) NPA terrorists were killed and capturing five (5) high powered firearms, two (2) improvised explosive device (IED), live ammunitions and other subversive materials last 13 June 2019.

BGen Teofilo assures every Mindoreños that their Army will continue to defend them from this NPA terrorists, protecting them from harm and ensuring that their human rights will not be violated.

He also urge Karapatan and NUPL to condemn the killings made by the NPA to Mr Jose Barera of San Jose, Mr Kenndy Dam-in Aquino of Rizal, both of Occidental Mindoro and Mr Jun-jun Ysog of Panaytayan, Mansalay. Help their families to achieve justice and show to the people of Mindoro that Karapatan and their allies are for peace and protection of the real victims of CPP-NPA atrocities.

Further, BGen Teofilo wanted to convey a message to them not to waste their lives being activists and being members of progressive bloc of the CPP-NPA. They are not threatened because they are members of Karapatan or NUPL, but as they carry weapons to destroy our people and disrupt the peace, they will definitely meet their end trying to engage in armed conflict with our Army Peace Operators.



203rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Philippine Army
MAJ RODERICK G DEPOLONIA (INF) PA
CMO Officer
Bansud Oriental Mindoro
09178407053

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

Kalinaw News: Turning Dreams to Reality: Thousands take Army Exam in 4ID

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 22, 2019): Turning Dreams to Reality: Thousands take Army Exam in 4ID



CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – Around 2,000 applicants are turning their dreams into reality by hurdling the first step of taking the Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) examination at the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army, Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City yeaterday June 19, 2019.

The Army Recruitment Office Mindanao (AROM) and the personnel office of 4ID are jointly facilitating a 3-day AFPSAT and AQE/SWE examination from June 19-21, 2019.

The Army hopefuls came from Regions 9, 10, 11, CARAGA and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. These young individuals took the challenge of answering the 150 AFPSAT questions consists of verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning.

Kate Marice C Dumaquit, 21, a MedTech graduate from Manoto, Quezon, Bukidnon said, “I am chasing my dreams and I dont want this opportunity to pass. I want to join the Army to help my community and explore the life of our modern day heroes. The salary and good compensation for me is just a bonus.” “Sir, keep inspiring the youth and thank you very much for the good service of 4ID troopers,” Kate added.

Major Deo R Martinez, Chief AROM said, “We are overwhelmed by the number of determined examinees who came to take the AFPSAT. We started screening as early as 6AM but until 8PM, there are still hundreds of applicants who refuse to leave the camp just to get a chance to take the exam. This shows how determined and committed they are of attaining their dreams to join the Army.” “We are expecting more applicants who will take the exam. We are also confident that we will be able to select the best and the brightest aspirants and meet the quota for calendar year 2019,” Martinez added.

Maj Martinez also emphasized that they need to get 56 points to pass and qualify for the Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) and 88 points for the Officer Candidate Course (OCS) and Officer Preparatory Course (OPC).

Major General Franco Nemesio M Gacal, Commander 4ID said, “I am happy to see that we have an overwhelming number of Army applicants who aspire to serve our country by joining the noble profession of arms. Notably, they are inspired and motivated by the good deeds and quality of service that the Philippine Army has exemplified throughout the years. These young individuals, whom our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal refer to as the hope of our future, have chosen the right path. They must be aware of the many sacrifices in the service, yet, they decided to apply and start the journey of becoming a soldier.” “To the applicants, congratulations for hurdling the first step but be patient for you have to undergo a rigid selection process. We need honorable, patriotic and dedicated soldiers who are always ready to uphold the Army’s mandate of serving the people and securing the land,” Gacal added.

It can be noted that inquiries about examination schedules, requirements, recruitment process and quota for training, flood the 4ID and AROM Facebook Pages daily.




Division Public Affairs Office 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Cpt Regie H Go
OIC DPAO 4ID
armydiamond@ymail.com

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

Kalinaw News: 48th IB Participates in the Supreme Student Council Peace Building Seminar

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 22, 2019): 48th IB Participates in the Supreme Student Council Peace Building Seminar



DOÑA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD, Bulacan – The 48th Infantry (Guardians) Battalion participated in the Supreme Student Council Peace Building Seminar in San Fernando City, Pampanga at 8:00 a.m. yesterday.

Two specialized teams for youth and student sectors of the 48IB participated in the Supreme Student Council Peace Building Seminar initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the 703rd Brigade at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.

Led by 1LT ROMEL L JORDAN, Platoon Leader, CMO Specialized Team together with LTC FELIX EMETERIO M VALDEZ, Commanding Officer 48thIB and 1LT KINLEY S COCJIN, CMO Officer

The Peace Building Seminar was held alongside the launching of Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo or KKDAT with the theme: “Kabataang Bagani, Bagong Bayani” which aims to give awareness to the high school students of Pampanga of their role in peace and nation building, anti- illegal drug awareness, and the communist terrorist group (CTG) recruitment tactics.

800 public high school students from the different secondary schools of Pampanga attended the seminar. Likewise, subject matter experts from the different government agencies to include the DILG, PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) delivered their respective topics and presentations.

Police Colonel. Jean S Fajardo, Provincial Director of the Pampanga PPO; Col. Joseph Norwin D Pasamonte, Deputy Brigade Commander, 703rd Bde; and Ms. Myrvi-Apostol Fabia, Provincial Director of DILG, Pampanga were present during the event.

To highlight the occasion, an oath taking ceremony was conducted as a symbol of unity of the participants in the fight against terrorism and use of illegal and prohibited drugs.

Major General Lenard T Agustin AFP, Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, commended the 48IB for taking an active role in the formation of youth. He further thanked the different government agencies of Pampanga for working hand-in-hand with the Philippine Army in ensuring that the youth of the province are well-guided and armed with the knowledge of knowing what is right and doing what is right.

Relatedly, Col. Pasamonte added that the seminar is a substantial effort of the different government agencies to address common problems, especially in the youth sector. He said that the fight against illegal drugs and terrorism should be a collaborative effort and must continue to create an impact towards internal peace and development.

Lieutenant Colonel Felix Emeterio M Valdez, the 48IB Commander said, “The vulnerability of the youth and the students in the recruitment of CTG paved a way to create a significant step through this peace building seminar. It is necessary to give these youth heightened awareness not only against terrorism but also on the effects of prohibited drugs so that they will learn to discern and be wise enough to avoid it.”

Source: 48 Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division Philippine Army

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/48th-ib-participates-in-the-supreme-student-council-peace-building-seminar/

Army strengthens ties with farmers

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 22, 2019): Army strengthens ties with farmers

The 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army recently spearheaded a two-day tripartite workshop at Balay Kauswagan in Sagay City that was attended by 113 leaders of 28 farmer associations in Negros Occidental.

The activity aims to empower the farmers and combat social injustices so they will not be influenced by the communist rebels, Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commanding officer of the 79IB, said, adding that it will also uplift the socio-economic well-being of the farmers.


He said they are trying to bridge the gap in terms of basic social services by bringing the government closer to its people. As we introduced a collaborative approach in addressing social issues, we let the people in the grassroots level identify their own issues to ensure a collective and community-based approach,” he said.

Logan said the participants were informed about the atrocities of the New People’s Army, as well as their land-grabbing schemes. He added that the farmers were also told to stay vigilant and to ask help from the government if ever they encounter problems in the future.

He said their initiative has inspired farmer's organizations to trust the government and its programs, especially on land reforms.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/June/22/topstory11.htm

Harassment backfires, two NPA rebels killed

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 22, 2019): Harassment backfires, two NPA rebels killed

The harassment of a remote military outpost by suspected New People’s Army rebels yesterday in Sitio Kakha, Brgy. Talalak, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, resulted in the death of two suspected NPA red fighters.

Brig. Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said about 10 NPA rebels opened fire on the military outpost early yesterday morning and that triggered a fire fight.

The Special Cafgu Active Auxiliaries manning the detachment led by Cpl. Rainier Artieda retaliated by firing at the rebels, who positioned themselves about 300 meters away from the military outpost.


The NPA rebels later scampered in various directions, leaving their two slain comrades, whose identities are still being established, Madriaga said.

Aside from the cadavers of the two slain rebels, government troopers also recovered at the rebel vacated positions three magazines of an M-16 rifle containing 25 ammunition, three M-14 rifle live ammunition, an unexploded fragmentation grenade without a safety pin, an electrical wire, an empty shell of an M-203 grenade launcher, one bandoleer, assorted medicines, a sling bag and brown bull cap.

Nobody was hurt among government troopers manning the detachment.

Pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels were ongoing yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, 3rd Infantry Division commander, in statement, said the troopers managed to counter the attack staged by desperate communist rebels, who wanted to hamper their peace and security efforts, and resulted in the death of two of the attackers.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/June/22/topstory1.htm

2 Reds surrender in Agusan del Norte

From Politiko Mindanao (Jun 22, 2019): 2 Reds surrender in Agusan del Norte

Two alleged members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to government forces.

Philippine Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade in Butuan City
identified the two surrenderees as BJ, 22, and Boyka, 35 (not their real names).

“They are said to be members of the Sentro De Gravidad 16 (SDG16), Guerilla Front Committee 16 (GFC16) of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC),”
Lt. Col. Isagani Criste, commander of 29th Infantry Battalion (IB).

The said group has claimed responsibility for numerous atrocities in the Agusan provinces over the past years.

The duo surrendered to the 29th IB in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte and brought with them one M4A1 rifle, one shotgun, two anti-personnel mines and subversive documents, including extortion letters and list of NPA contacts and supporters, Criste said.


The military, quoting BJ, said he surrendered out of fatigue and fear for his life due to the intense operations being conducted by the government troops.

“Gikapoy na kug dagan ug tago sa bukid tungod sa maling prinsipyo at pagtuo ng mga NPA. Abe ko sa una sakto sila pero dili diay. Gusto na kug malinawun akung pagpuyo. Gustu na ku mag bag-o sa akung kinabuhi,” BJ said.

Criste said that from January to date, the 29th IB has received six surrenderees from different towns. The former NPA members also handed over assorted firearms, war paraphernalia and communist-terrorist documents.

The surrenderees are being debriefed as part of their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP). Should they qualify, they would become recipients of assorted livelihood and financial assistance from national and local government agencies. E-CLIP provides up to P65,000 cash assistance, free education and free housing for eligible recipients.

https://mindanao.politics.com.ph/2-reds-surrender-in-agusan-del-norte/

Sara vows insurgency-free by 2020

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 22, 2019): Sara vows insurgency-free by 2020

City Mayor Sara Duterte yesterday vowed to further improve security aspect and increase the overall economic growth of the city as she took her oath for her third term as city mayor during the inauguration of local government officials on Friday.

For her third term as mayor, among her goal is for the city to be 100% insurgency-free by 2020 and to further reduce poverty incidence.

In the incoming weeks, she said the executive department will meet with the city council to plant out programs that the elected officials will espouse and implement in the next three years.

“I will end this term and start a new one with an assessment that while much have been accomplished, much more are yet to be done,” Duterte said.

She also noted that for the past three years there have been an impressive economic acceleration for the entire region, making it the second best performing region in the country in terms of gross regional domestic product with a growth of 8.6% last year.

In the next three years, she said the city’s development will be guided by the Infrastructure Modernization for Davao City (IM4Davao) projects conceptualized with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“We are grateful to our partners from the private sector and from the international community who are helping us achieve the goals we have set for Davao City,” she said.

She also assured that as the city welcomes robust economy, sustainable development and quality of life will always be the top priority.

CPP won’t abandon ‘outdated’ ideology

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 22, 2019): CPP won’t abandon ‘outdated’ ideology

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Friday hit back at President Rodrigo Duterte for calling the organization’s ideology as “outdated,” branding his own as “fascist.”


This file photo shows members of the New People’s Army celebrating the founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippine in their lair in the Sierra Madre mountain range. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

In a recent speech before the Philippine Army in Samar, Duterte, at the same time, urged members of the New People’s Army, the CPP’s armed wing, to surrender to the government.

“In fact, it is Duterte’s ideology — fascism — that is old and rotten,” the CPP said in a statement.

“It is an ideology based on hatred of the poor and dispossessed who have learned to stand up and speak out against tyranny and oppression,” it added.

The CPP said fascism should be considered as a “worst ideology of the reactionary classes who aim to perpetuate their power and wealth accumulation.”


This ideology, which it added was being carried out by Duterte, was also used by Adolf Hitler during the Holocaust and by various “bloody dictatorial regimes” from Europe to the Americas and Asia.

Such regimes, according to the CPP, were those of Fulgencio Batista, ex-president of Cuba; the Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua; Suharto, ex-president of Indonesia; and Ferdinand Marcos, ex-president of the Philippines.

PH Armed Forces Chaplain, Senior Staff Team Visits Guam

From the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (Jun 21, 2019): PH Armed Forces Chaplain, Senior Staff Team Visits Guam

PH Armed Forces Chaplain, Senior Staff Team Visits Guam



PHOTO: A 15-member delegation from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chaplain and Senior Staff team led by Brigadier General Tirso A. Dolina was in Guam to participate in the Guam-Philippines State Partnership Program-Armed Forces of the Philippines (SPP-AFP) Chaplain Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) and Senior Staff Exchange on 10-15 June 2019.
The Senior Staff team led by Colonel Neneveigh L. Alcovindas called on Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja, at the Philippine Consulate General in Guam on 11 June 2019. Major Jumariel Castro from the State Partnership Program of the Guam National Guard (GUNG) accompanied the group.

Former Guam Museum curator William Hernandez also handed over his donation of military-relevant publications and DVDs for the AFP.

Photo shows Consul General Marciano R. de Borja (seated right) with Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy (leftmost), Vice Consul Alex O. Vallespin (rightmost), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Senior Staff team led by Colonel Neneveigh Alcovindas (seated left). (Agana PCG photo)



Consul General Marciano R. de Borja delivers his remarks during the office call of the AFP delegation. (Agana PCG photo)


Mr. William Hernandez, former Guam Museum curator, turns over his donation of military-related reference materials to the AFP. (Agana PCG photo)

2,000 take exam to join the Army

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 22, 2019): 2,000 take exam to join the Army

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Around 2,000 applicants have hurdled the first step of joining the Army by taking the Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) examination Wednesday at the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army, Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City.



4th Infantry “Diamond” Division / MANILA BULLETIN

The Army Recruitment Office Mindanao (AROM) and the personnel office of 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4thID) facilitated the 3-day examinations that ended on Friday, June 21.

The applicants came from Regions 9, 10, 11, CARAGA and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

One of the examinees, Kate Marice C.Dumaquit, 21, a MedTech graduate from Manoto, Quezon, Bukidnon said: “I am chasing my dreams and I don’t want this opportunity to pass. I want to join the Army to help my community and explore the life of our modern day heroes. The salary and good compensation for me is just a bonus.”

Major Deo R. Martinez, chief AROM said they were “overwhelmed by the number of determined examinees who came to take the AFPSAT. We started screening as early as 6 a.m. but until 8 p.m., there were still hundreds of applicants who refused to leave the camp.”

“This shows how determined and committed they are of attaining their dreams to join the Army,” he said.

Maj. Martinez said a successful applicant needs to get 56 points to pass and qualify for the Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) and 88 points for the Officer Candidate Course (OCS) and Officer Preparatory Course (OPC).

Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio M.Gacal, commander 4thID said, “I am happy to see that we have an overwhelming number of Army applicants who aspire to serve our country by joining the noble profession of arms. Notably, they are inspired and motivated by the good deeds and quality of service that the Philippine Army has exemplified throughout the years.”

China's Paramilitary Navy Just Sank a Philippine Fishing Boat (and the U.S. Said Nothing)

Posted to the National Interest Blog (Jun 22, 2019): China's Paramilitary Navy Just Sank a Philippine Fishing Boat (and the U.S. Said Nothing)  By Timothy Robbins and Monica Michiko Sato

What does this mean for U.S. allies?



As the media fixates on the U.S. response to the June 13 attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman, simmering tensions more than 3,700 miles away in the South China Sea may soon come to a boil. On June 12, the Philippine government released a statement on the sinking of an anchored Philippine fishing boat, the FB Gem-ver 1, after it was rammed by a Chinese vessel in a blatant display of aggression in the South China Sea. Both of these events, in the context of an increasing prevalence of hybrid warfare and gray zone tactics in the maritime domain, constitute potential crises capable of disrupting the global economy and escalating into a military conflict. Combined, they form an impending maelstrom that would quickly strain U.S. military capacity and threaten its ability to uphold its security agreements with its allies. In this new security environment, the United States needs substantive reflection of its national security priorities juxtaposed to its standing security commitments.

In hybrid warfare, state and nonstate actors offset conventional military capabilities with a range of irregular tactics to achieve military and political objectives. Within the maritime domain, hybrid warfare and gray zone tactics have complicated the security environment where the United States has become accustomed to operating with impunity. Russia’s implementation of cyber warfare during the annexation of Crimea and China’s use of its commercial fishing fleet to implement its cabbage strategy are both examples of hybrid warfare. The escalation and method of conflict are kept within the unconventional arena to prevent provoking a conventional response from another state.

As the United States navigates its response to this practice by its adversaries and competitors, it must be cognizant of the danger of operational overreach when comparing threats with standing defense commitments. The U.S. Department of Defense’s recent Indo-Pacific Strategy is the latest rhetorical extension of the U.S. rebalancing toward Asia, detailing an extensive agenda of partnership and capacity-building in Southeast Asia to contain a rising China. Though this strategy is predicated on an underlying framework of defense alliances backstopped by U.S. military superiority, it fails to adequately address the spectrum of conflict that fall below the threshold of conventional warfare.

Alliance networks are only as strong as the relational fabric and underlying security guarantees that connect them together. If the United States becomes involved in another conflict in the Middle East, resources will inevitably be redirected, and the Southeast Asian maritime domain will once again become relegated to a lesser priority. As U.S. allies and partners are well aware of this, it is understandable that they are wary of how seriously the U.S. takes its security commitments. Although U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s clarification on the U.S. willingness to uphold Article IV of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty may have been meant to be an audible warning to China, the United States has been rather silent in the wake of the sinking of the FB Gem-ver 1.

China, Iran, and Russia do not need to be on the same team to understand that compounding chaos in more places means less overall U.S. capacity. For the United States, the first step to fixing this strategic dilemma is admitting it has one. Materiel and political resources are limited, so the United States must critically examine its willingness, and ability to make good on the security commitments it has bound itself to, the cost of such honoring those commitments, and determining what it can realistically support. Otherwise, the best outcome the United States can hope for is a loosely woven defense network waiting for its credibility to be tested under circumstances that may not be on U.S terms.

[Timothy Robbins is a former Marine Corps Officer who has studied international relations and security studies.]

[Monica Michiko Sato is a graduate student in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University, where she focuses on Southeast Asian security.]

Philippine Security Adviser Says Discussed South China Sea With Russia's Patrushev

From Urdu Point News/Sputnik (Jun 21, 2019): Philippine Security Adviser Says Discussed South China Sea With Russia's Patrushev

Philippine Security Adviser Says Discussed South China Sea With Russia's Patrushev

Philippine National Security Adviser and Director General of the National Security Council Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon told Sputnik that he addressed the country's dispute with China over the South China Sea at his talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev on Friday
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st June, 2019) Philippine National Security Adviser and Director General of the National Security Council Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon told Sputnik that he addressed the country's dispute with China over the South China Sea at his talks with RussianSecurity Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev on Friday.

"We did. We shared some on the West Philippine Sea [the name for the disputed South China Sea in Philippine official government use] and the South China Sea because it is a really contentious area," Esperon said, when asked whether his talks with Patrushev touched upon the issue of tensions in the South China Sea.

The national security adviser reiterated that the Philippines were seeking peaceful resolution to the dispute, citing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's position that the country's relations with Chinashould not "start and end with the West Philippine Sea.

"While we intend to protect and preserve our sovereign rights, we are conscious also that the dispute could affect our other areas of relations like trade, economic trade, culture and other things," Esperon said.

The official noted that it was "fortunate" that Russia took the position of "non-interference" on the issue, while wishing the peace in the dispute-ridden waters.

The Philippines and China, in particular, have long been in dispute over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea a major shipping route and home to fishing grounds that is also potentially rich in gas and oil.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/philippine-security-adviser-says-discussed-so-650880.html

Philippine Security Adviser Lauds Russia's Help In Rebuilding Marawi After Clashes With IS

Posted to Urdu Point News/Sputnik (Jun 21, 2019): Philippine Security Adviser Lauds Russia's Help In Rebuilding Marawi After Clashes With IS

Philippine Security Adviser Lauds Russia's Help in Rebuilding Marawi After Clashes With IS

The Philippines values Russia's help in rebuilding the city of Marawi in the country's southern region of Mindanao, which was attacked by Islamist militants affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia), Philippine National Security Adviser and Director General of the National Security Council Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon told Sputnik
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st June, 2019) The Philippines values Russia's help in rebuilding the city of Marawi in the country's southern region of Mindanao, which was attacked by Islamist militants affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia), Philippine National Security Adviser and Director General of the National Security Council Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon told Sputnik.

"The more notable of Russian cooperation is the reconstruction and rebuilding the city of Marawi. Remember, we are very proud that it is the Islamic capital city in the Philippines, but the terrorists have destroyed it," Esperon said, noting that Russia provided funds and construction trucks for rebuilding the city.

The national security advisor also noted that Moscow was providing Manila with data on terrorists that might come to Southeast Asia from hotspots in other regions, including Syria.

"Russia also supplied us with armaments which we needed very badly ... While we were fighting the war, we received several AK-47s ... So Russia has been very helpful," Esperon said.

The battle for Marawi between Philippine security forces and extremists affiliated with Islamic State, including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf jihadist groups, ravaged the city for several months in mid-2017. The battle left the city largely ruined, completely destroying thousands of buildings and partially destroying thousands more. The crisis displaced virtually the entire 200,000-strong population. In October 2017, the government declared the city liberated from militants. Restoration work began in 2018.

Philippine security forces find nine 'sea gypsies' kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf off Sabah

From The Straits Times (Jun 22, 2019): Philippine security forces find nine 'sea gypsies' kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf off Sabah

Philippine security forces have found nine men abducted in waters off Sabah's east coast last week by bandits linked to the Abu Sayyaf extremist group.

A report on Saturday (June 22) from a task force hunting militants said a patrol team spotted the men walking along the road in Talipao town, Sulu province, on Friday.

The nine men were later identified as those taken from a fishing boat by the Abu Sayyaf on Tuesday. They are all believed to be Bajau Laut, a community of sea gypsies who are mostly without documents.

"They were released by their captors since they have no money or anything to give as ransom," the Joint Task Force Sulu said in its report.


Philippine security officials had identified the nine men, aged between 17 and 60, as Malaysians. But Sabah police chief Omar Mammah said they were Bajau Laut, not Malaysians.

The Bajau Laut community is a subgroup of the Sama-Bajau people who traditionally hail from the many islands of the Sulu archipelago in the Philippines. Most of them are stateless and live at sea off Lahad Datu and Semporna.

Some of those abducted are believed to possess Lepa-Lepa cards. These cards, purportedly signed and issued by village chiefs, are a form of recognition for their existence, allowing them to live at sea in Malaysian waters. They are not legal identification documents as they are not recognised by the authorities.

The Abu Sayyaf officially has a separatist, Islamist agenda, but it has capitalised on decades of instability in the war-torn southern Philippine island of Mindanao to generate tens of millions of dollars from piracy and ransom payments.

The militants prowl waters separating Sulu and Sabah in search of tourists and fishermen. A number of Malaysians had been taken as hostages. One of them, engineer Bernard Then, was beheaded in 2015.

The last of the Abu Sayyaf's foreign hostages, Dutchman Ewold Horn, 59, from Groningen in the Netherlands, died while trying to flee during an early-morning gunbattle in the jungles of Sulu's mountainous Patikul town on May 31.

Mr Horn was abducted with Swiss Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 53, during a bird-watching expedition in Tawi-Tawi, the Philippines' southernmost province, in February 2012. Mr Vinciguerra managed to escape in 2014 during a gunbattle between soldiers and his captors.

The last Malaysian to be abducted, fisherman Jari bin Abdullah, 24, was rescued in April, but later died from his wounds.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippine-security-forces-found-nine-sea-gypsies-kidnapped-by-abu-sayyaf-off-sabah

NO RANSOM MONEY//9 hostages found in Sulu after being freed by Abu Sayyaf —reports

From GMA News Online (Jun 22, 2019): NO RANSOM MONEY//9 hostages found in Sulu after being freed by Abu Sayyaf —reports

The Abu Sayyaf group has released nine hostages earlier abducted off Sabah because the latter had no ransom money to give to their abductors, Philippine and Malaysian authorities were quoted in reports as saying Saturday.

The reports said the nine men were found walking along a road in Talipao town in Sulu on Friday. They were reportedly abducted in the waters off eastern Sabah around 2 a.m. last Tuesday and freed Saturday morning.


Singaporean news outlet The Straits Times said the Sulu police identified the nine men, aged between 17 to 60, as Malaysians, but the Sabah police said they were "Sama-Bajau" people from the Philippines, most of whom are stateless and live at sea.

Malaysian news website Borneo Today said the nine were part of a group of 16 fishermen from Lahad Datu who were traveling to Sempora on board two boats when they were snatched by alleged Abu Sayyaf members.


From Lahad Datu, the men were taken to Sitangkai Island in Tawi-Tawi in southern Philippines.

Sabah police officer, Datuk Omar Mammah, was quoted as saying the men were freed after their captors found no "economic value" in them. The Joint Task Force Sulu, meanwhile, said they were released for having "no money or anything to give as ransom."

The Straits Times report said the men carried "Lepa-Lepa cards" which allow them to live at sea in Malaysian waters, though these are not legally accepted IDs.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/698573/9-hostages-found-in-sulu-after-being-freed-by-abu-sayyaf-reports/story/

Nine fishermen kidnapped in Lahad Datu waters released

Bernama article posted to Malaysiakini (Jun 22, 2019): Nine fishermen kidnapped in Lahad Datu waters released

Nine out of the 10 fishermen kidnapped by militants believed to be linked to the Abu Sayyaf terror group in Lahad Datu waters on Tuesday, have been released and are now under the care of the security forces in the southern Philippines.

Sabah Police Commissioner Omar Mammah when contacted by Bernama today confirmed the matter and said further discussions with the Philippine authorities were underway as the kidnapped victims had no documents.

“The discussions will be conducted before a decision (whether they are to be brought back to Sabah) is made because they (victims) have no personal identity documents.


“The Philippine authorities met with the victims on the street in a town in an island in the southern Philippines at 10 pm yesterday as they walked in a group after being released by the kidnappers who knew they had no money to pay,” he said.

Omar said the fate of the other victim was still unknown.

Commenting on a local newspaper report stating that the kidnapped victims were not Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies), he said police would conduct an inquiry into the matter. Meanwhile, in SEMPORNA, the wife of one of the victims, Hamidah Lallah, 22, said she received the news from her brother-in-law who came to her residence this morning.

“My brother-in-law received a call on their release at 11am, maybe now they are with the military (of the Philippines) there,” she told Bernama.

However, Hamidah said she was unable to find out if her husband, Abdul Nasir Nuli (Inai), was one of the nine released victims.

So far, she has not been contacted by the police on the matter.

At around 2am on June 18, 10 out of 16 crew members of two fishing boats in the waters of Lahad Datu were abducted by a group of gunmen as they were heading to Semporna from Tambisan, Lahad Datu. The other six managed to esacape.

The abducted fishermen were brought to an island in the southern Phliippines. Police, prior to this, had said no ransom demands were made for the 10 and viewed it was because they were “low value” targets.

Meanwhile, Abdul Nakhil Ahmad, whose younger brother Abdul Nazar (Bongosan) was one of the victims, said his family was unaware of this latest development.

“You (reporter) call me, only now I know this (the release of nine kidnapped victims), I don’t know about this release. If it's true, ‘Alhamdulillah’ (Praise be to Allah)… but why only nine (released), I hope everyone will be freed,” he said. -- BERNAMA

Philippines: Suspected Abu Sayyaf Members Release 10 Fishermen

From BenarNews (Jun 22, 2019): Philippines: Suspected Abu Sayyaf Members Release 10 Fishermen

Philippine National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin, left, talks to suspected Abu Sayyaf Group members in Manila following their arrest, June 11, 2019.

Philippine National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin, left, talks to suspected Abu Sayyaf Group members in Manila following their arrest, June 11, 2019.

Gunmen suspected to be linked with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) released 10 captive Filipino “Badjao” tribesmen or sea gypsies unharmed late Friday night apparently after they could not meet a ransom demand, Philippine police reported.

A police mobile patrol recovered the victims who were apparently abandoned by their captors along Kahawa village, in Sulu’s Talipao town. Military and police forces have been on high alert in the province following the recent abduction off Sabah, in Malaysia.

The Sulu Provincial Police Office said reports from Talipao town police station chief Napoleon Lango disclosed the victims were freed Friday night because “they have no money to pay as ransom.”

The victims told police they were fishing before dawn Tuesday in waters off eastern Malaysia’s Sabah state when they were intercepted about 2:45 a.m. by gunmen aboard two speedboats who abducted 10 of them and left six others.

Malaysian authorities reported the suspects headed toward Tawi-Tawi, an island province in Mindanao, Philippines, with their captives, but local military forces could not confirm the reports at the time.

The victims were described to be in good condition and were brought to the Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital Office to be examined. They were returned to Talipao Police Station to be questioned about their captors.

The abductions took place a week after Malaysian police chief Abdul Hamid Bador warned that ASG continued to pose a security threat. The United States has listed the group as a foreign terrorist organization.

ASG is the smallest but considered the most brutal of several armed groups operating in the restive Philippine south. It is notorious for abducting foreigners, including citizens of neighboring Southeast Asian nations, and often holding them for ransom.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/fishermen-freed-06222019085912.html

Peacekeepers sent to stop 'rido' in S. Kudarat-SoCot border

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 22, 2019): Peacekeepers sent to stop 'rido' in S. Kudarat-SoCot border


Google map of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat

The Philippine Marines deployed peacekeepers to Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat while police in South Cotabato also sent a team to prevent the escalation of hostilities involving Moro clans locked in "rido" (family feud) that erupted Friday and left one student dead.

Elements of the 1st Marine Brigade based in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat were sent to the mountains of Palimbang to serve as peacekeepers
in coordination with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to prevent the warring families from fighting.


A statement from the 1st Marine Brigade said normalcy has slowly returned to the affected village of Molon in Palimbang after local officials intervened.

Policemen from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato were also sent to Barangay Ned, the village at the border with Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat to serve as peacekeepers and to attend to the displaced families, according to Maj. Nathaniel Panaguiton, Lake Sebu town police chief.

Panaguiton identified the slain student who was hit by stray bullets as Richard Tungkay, 19, a resident of Barangay Molon, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

Tungkay was crossing the border to attend classes in Barangay Ned Proper National High School in South Cotabato.

Panaguiton said involved in the armed confrontation were Moro families locked in “rido” due to a territorial dispute.

Involved in the clan war are the families of Mike Binago and Adlam Saliod, who have relatives in the MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), two former rebel groups operating in Palimbang.

The displaced families from Barangay Molon of Palimbang and Sitio Kumilat of Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu are now housed at the village covered court of Barangay Ned proper.

In April, more than 200 families consisting of about 1,000 individuals from remote communities along the borders of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces have fled to safer grounds after Moro people locked in a clan war have figured in armed clashes, police and disaster officials said.

Local leaders from both local government units and the military are trying to bring the protagonists to the negotiating table for a peaceful settlement of their misunderstanding, Panaguiton said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073049

Cops recover 10 kidnap victims in Sulu town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 22, 2019): Cops recover 10 kidnap victims in Sulu town



Government authorities have recovered the 10 Filipino fishermen kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits on Tuesday in Lahad Datu, Malaysia.

The Sulu Provincial Police Office said the fishermen were sighted by the men of Talipao Municipal Police Station around 10 p.m. Friday in Barangay Kahawa, Talipao in Sulu.

The Talipao mobile patrol saw a group of people walking along the Barangay Kahawa road and when questioned they learned that they are the fishermen seized in Lahad Datu and were released by the ASG.

“They were released by their captors since they have no money or anything to give as ransom,” the police added.


The police identified them only by one name: Ogan, 20; Bongosan, 30; Ekong, 17; Samsul, 22; Hadji Kand, 60; Amil, 31; Apak, 50; Inai, 22; Kassim, 22; and, Memek, 28.

They were immediately taken to the police station for custodial debriefing.

It was reported earlier that they were aboard two vessels in the waters off Tambisan, Lahad Datu and sailing to Semporna when hijacked by gunmen on speedboats around 2 a.m. Tuesday.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073065

Panelo maintains MDT doesn't apply to Reed Bank incident

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 22, 2019): Panelo maintains MDT doesn't apply to Reed Bank incident



Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (File photo)

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Saturday reiterated that Senator Panfilo Lacson's proposal to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty on the Recto (Reed) Bank incident involving a Filipino fishing boat was not possible.

Panelo made the statement anew after Lacson accused him of lawyering for China.

“It appears that my good friend Senator Ping Lacson is smarting from a response I made to his proposal to invoke the Mutual Defense pact with the US in relation to the Reed Bank incident. He said that we didn't have to wait for an armed aggression to take place before we invoke its application. I shot down the proposal by saying that the treaty cannot apply, simply because there is no armed aggression committed by China, adding that it was reckless and premature because we do not know yet what happened at the Reed Bank,” Panelo said in a statement.

He said the perception that he was lawyering for China was also not correct.

“As a lawyer I have been trained to dissect a situation, to arrive at an intelligent and rational study of the whys and wherefores of a subject of an inquiry,” Panelo added.

He reiterated that the incident was being “dressed with misplaced emotionalism and pretended nationalism by those who are bent on politicizing an otherwise ordinary navigation incident into an international fracas.”

Panelo said the politicization of the situation was being done by critics in the hope of convincing other nations that the Philippines was being subservient to China.

He said this was “both wrong and unacceptable.”

“While we are friendly to all countries and enemies to none, we remain steadfast in asserting and protecting our sovereignty against any assault and/or intrusion from whatever source. Our sovereignty, we repeat, is non-negotiable,” Panelo added.

He said that regardless of the nature of the incident, the government had condemned it as an “uncivilized and inhuman act.”

The Filipino fishermen were abandoned at sea by the crew of the Chinese vessel that hit their fishing boat. They were later rescued by fishermen from Vietnam.

“There must be accountability and compensation,” Panelo added.

He said both the Philippines and China must dig deeper into the incident to come up with a credible result that will put the issue to rest.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073047