21 NPA members surrender in Lanao del Sur after weeklong military operation

From Rappler (Aug 3, 2019): 21 NPA members surrender in Lanao del Sur after weeklong military operation

The 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army foils an attempt by the rebels to establish an operation in Lanao del Sur

CEREMONY. Brigadier General Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, talks to residents of Lumba Bayabao town in Lanao del Sur on August 2, 2019. Photo from 103rd IB Civil Military Operations command

After a weeklong combat operation against New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Lumba Bayabao town in Lanao del Sur, 21 suspected NPA rebels and 4 alleged members of a local terrorist group (LTG) surrendered to the 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army under the command of Brigadier General Romeo Brawner.

On July 28, troops from the 103rd Infantry Brigade encountered the communist terrorist group (CTG) entering Lumba Bayabao in the attempt to establish a foothold in the area and to elude military operations in Bukidnon.

“The relentless offensive of the troops pressured the enemy forces to flee and this prompted their supporters to surrender. The said supporters revealed that they were obliged to support the CTGs in their area due to the fear that they will be hurt or killed if they refuse to support the CTGs”, Brawner said.

Air and artillery strikes pounded the hideout of the NPA rebels who crossed the Bukidnon-Lanao del Sur boundary to set up a stronghold in the province.

The NPA rebels surrendered 10 am, Friday, August 2, according for reports from the 103rd IB obtained by Rappler.
Brawner said that one of the supporters of the CTG was a minor who surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Allan Villanueva, commander of the 49th Infantry Battalion.

CTG is the military designation for NPA rebels, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines which was declared by President Rodrigo Duterte as a terrorist organization. LTG is the designation for local terror groups like Maute and Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and other organizations.

“Two of the surrendered LTGs were involved in the attack of Butig town in the year 2016”, Brawner said.

The surrender was a result of the joint effort with the local government unit of Lumba Bayabao headed by Mayor Mahar Dagalangit and the town police.

The surrenderees yielded one rocket propelled grenade, one M1 Carbine rifle, one 1911A1 cal. 45 pistol, two cal. 38 revolvers and ammunitions.



SEIZED. Part of the cache surrendered by NPA suspects in Lumba Bayabao town in Lanao del Sur on August 2, 2019. Photo from 103rd IB Civil Military Operations command

The former members of the LTG and NPA rebels pledged their allegiance to the constitution and denounced the CPP-NPA.

The Lumba Bayabao town officials also declared the NPA as persona nan grata, the first such declaration made in the province of Lanao del Sur.
Lanao del sur Governor Bombit Adiong said that his province has been coordinating with the security sector and other organizations like the United Nations Development Program to avoid another human-induced disaster like the Maute siege.

"I am relieved to hear of the surrender made by the rebels and terrorists to the 103rd Brigade. We have a current reintegration and deradicalization program for such surrenderees to ensure they will not be lured back to the culture of violence, and this is in partnership with the 103rd Brigade, the UNDP and Balay Mindanao," Adiong said.

Lanao del Sur remains to be one of the country's poorest and least developed province caused by decades of security issues including LTG, CTG and blood feud between ruling families.

“We will assist the surrendees to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. Likewise, separate integration program for the LTGs of Lanao”, Brawner added.

Major Genenel Roberto Ancan, the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, lauded the local government unit of Lanao del Sur on the successful surrender of CTGs and LTGs and the declaration of the CTG as persona non grata.

“Your 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, in collaboration with the LGUs and other stakeholders, remains steadfast in its commitment to attain just and lasting peace in our area of operation thru our campaign against terrorist groups and loose firearms,” said Ancan.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/236984-npa-surrenders-lanao-del-sur-after-weeklong-military-operation-august-2-2019

Military, Basilan execs seek reason for slays of 3 ‘assets’

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 3, 2019): Military, Basilan execs seek reason for slays of 3 ‘assets’ 

The military has joined Basilan local leaders in demanding an explanation from the Philippine National Police’s 84th Seaborne Special Action Force (SAF) for the killing, in a raid on Friday, of three of its military assets.

Army Major Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said the joint raid by the police and National Bureau of Investigation in Hadji Muhammad Ajul town was never coordinated with the military.
“There was no coordination with the unit on the ground before the operation was conducted,” Encinas lamented.

On Friday, August 2, around 3:30 a.m., police and NBI operatives raided the houses of Aljan Mande and two civilian militias in Sitio Kasanyangan, Barangay Candiis.

Mohammad Ajul mayor Ibrahim Ballaho said the raid resulted in the killing of brothers Aljan and Jamsid Mande, and Radjak Ammah, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the barangay.

Encinas said all three victims “supported the military’s campaign in convincing more Abu Sayyaf bandits to return to the fold of the law.”

In the raid, the SAF also arrested a civilian militia identified as Jayyari Sali; Staff Sergeant Leonard S. Adonis, a retired soldier; Omar Jama; and a certain Marvin, Adonis’ farmworker, Ballaho said.

Police Colonel Rufino Inot, Basilan provincial police director, disclosed that the SAF and NBI made no prior coordination with his office for Friday’s operation.
“They operated but they never informed us, we are currently gathering further information here,” Inot said.

Blow to anti-terror drive

The Mande brothers used to be Abu Sayyaf members. They surrendered to the military two years ago and have since joined in the campaign to convince their former colleagues to turn their backs on banditry.

They were recipients of aid from the then Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Program Against Violent Extremism that bridged them into normal civilian life.

After undergoing vocational training with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, the Mandes were enrolled with the Education Department’s Alternative Learning System program.

“This incident is serious. We worry about the others who surrendered and those who are still planning to surrender,” Ballaho said.

Brigadier General Fernando Reyeg, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, is furious at the turn of events.

“I cannot say anything at this time, better ask the SAF Seaborne in Zamboanga City. They operated in our areas without prior coordination,” Reyeg said.

“The local government of Basilan worked hard to bring these people down to live normal lives,” said Dr. Arlyn Jawad Jumaoas, executive director of the nongovernment Save the Children of Basilan from War, expressing dismay at the incident.

Her group is active in activities geared at psychological healing for children of former Abu Sayyaf bandits and other armed groups in Basilan.

Signs of torture

Jumaoas noted that the bodies of the three victims were “riddled with bullets, (and) were all shot at the nape, heart, back and head.”

She said the bodies bore signs of torture.

“There were melted candles in the different parts of their bodies. Their heads and faces bore signs of hematoma, indications that they were beaten before they were shot,” Jumaoas explained.

“If these SAF have prior information about their renewed activities with the Abu Sayyaf, they should have informed the local authorities, or before operating, they should have inquired and coordinated with the security forces,” Jumaoas lamented.

Both the NBI and SAF have kept mum about the Friday incident.

The Inquirer learned that the SAF brought the bodies of the three victims at Villa Funeral homes here.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1149691/military-basilan-execs-seek-reason-for-slays-of-3-assets#ixzz5vaHOC98d

AFP says it had no hand in ‘uncoordinated’ raid in Basilan

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 3, 2019): AFP says it had no hand in ‘uncoordinated’ raid in Basilan

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) clarified Saturday that it did not have a hand in a supposed “uncoordinated” raid, which led to the death of two former members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) turned military assets, and a member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Basilan.

Major Arvin Encinas, WestMinCom spokesperson, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) acted on their own when they raided the house of Aljan and Jamsid Mande, former ASG members, in Sitio Kasanyangan, Brgy. Candiis, Mohammad Ajul town around 3:30 a.m. Friday.

Aljan and Jamsid, who had surrendered to the military and allegedly became “assets,” were both killed in the operation.

The third fatality was Rajak Jama, a member of the MNLF.

The operating troops also arrested a militiaman, retired soldier, another MNLF member, and a local resident in the operation.

“Be [informed] that the AFP has no participation nor it is not a joint operation between military and PNP on the alleged law enforcement operation of team from the police’s Special Action Force and the NBI,” Encinas said.

According to a military source, the operation “has no coordination from the ground troops” that’s why it led to the death of two valued assets and an MNLF member.
Accordingly, the rebel-turned-assets were able to convince their Abu Sayyaf comrades to lay down their arms and surrender to the military.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/08/03/afp-says-it-had-no-hand-in-uncoordinated-raid-in-basilan/

BME eyes to boost Islamic studies in BARMM

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3, 2019): BME eyes to boost Islamic studies in BARMM



BOOSTING ISLAMIC STUDIES. Principals of Madaris schools across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) gather in Cotabato City on Friday (Aug. 2) to improve Islamic studies in the region. The BARMM - Bureau of Madaris Education is pushing for a balanced Arabic and English education system for a better understanding of the Islamic faith coupled with the use of the English language to cope with the usage of modern technology vastly using the English medium. (Photo courtesy of BARMM-BME)

Some 700 Mudaras (principals) of Madrasah (Islamic schools) gathered Friday in this city to discuss ways on how to strengthen the traditional Madaris education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Madaris (plural is Madrasah) refers to a Muslim private school with a core emphasis on Islamic studies and Arabic literacy.

Madaris education is considered as the oldest in Mindanao and is recognized to be the single most important factor in the preservation of the Islamic faith and culture in the Philippines.

With the theme “Strengthening Madrasah Education Geared towards Attainment of Quality Balance Education,” the gathering was an opportunity for the Mudaras to clarify issues and concerns in providing BARMM with quality education.

“The vision of the BARMM- Bureau of Madaris Education (BME) is to have a balanced and quality education for all the areas under the region,” said Dr. Ismael Abdullah, BME director-general, in a statement on Saturday.

“What does it mean to have a balanced education? It is for our next generation to completely understand the Arabic and English language,” he said.

Abdullah said the children in the Madrasah should learn the Arabic language for them to fully understand the Holy Qur’an, and also absorb the English language since technology in the country is mostly taught in English.

“Studying both Arabic and English is the children’s key to attain the good here in the world and, in the hereafter,” Abdullah said.

During the program held at EM Manor Hotel here, the participants also received inputs on proper Madrasah management, rules, duties and responsibilities of Madaris principals.

The BARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur; the cities of Lamitan, Basilan, and Cotabato; and 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1076859

Troops rescue NPA rebel with dengue in Zambo Sur town

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3, 2019): Troops rescue NPA rebel with dengue in Zambo Sur town



John, a sick member of the New People Army, was rescued Monday (July 29, 2019) by patrolling troops in Barangay Pisompongan, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur. He was taken to a hospital in Pagadian City and was found positive for dengue. (Photo by Leah D. Agonoy)

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- Government troops have rescued a sick member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who was abandoned by his comrades in the hinterlands of the nearby town of Midsalip, this province, a military official said on Saturday.

Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, identified the rescued NPA rebel as a certain John, a teenage member of the Main Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU) of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Patria said his troops from the Alpha Company were on foot patrol Monday when they found John with high fever inside a nipa hut in Barangay Pisompongan, Midsalip.

He said troops recovered from the possession of John a pistol with ammunition.

“Gibiyaan ko nila, wala ko nila gitabangan kay nagkasakit na ko(“They abandoned me, they did not help me although I was sick),” John said.

Patria said John, who was taken by the troops to a hospital in this city, was later found positive for dengue.

“Our soldiers were well-briefed on how to treat the members of the NPA lalo't higit doon sa wala ng kalaban-laban, either may tama [ng bala] o may sakit (especially those helpless who are either wounded or sick),” said.

John said he was thankful the troops rushed him to the hospital.

Patria said John will be assessed and processed if he could avail of the government assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

John vowed not to return to the NPA organization realizing he will not have a good future in joining the rebel group.

John, whose parents are farmers, is the youngest of the seven children in the family.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1076864

The Biggest Threat to the US Indo-Pacific Strategy? Washington Itself.

Posted to The Diplomat (Aug 1, 2019): The Biggest Threat to the US Indo-Pacific Strategy? Washington Itself (By Derek Grossman)

The strategy’s success depends on continued forgiveness from allies and partners.



Image Credit: Prime Minister's Office of Japan

It is an open secret that U.S. implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy has been rocky at best. Nagging questions about the strategy’s purpose, whether it can be sustained, if it even constitutes a strategy, and why allies and partners apparently must choose between Washington and Beijing hang a dark cloud over U.S. plans.

Nevertheless, U.S. allies and partners have generally supported Washington’s core security objectives of keeping the Indo-Pacific “free and open” from Chinese coercion. Their bottom line is that the maintenance of a rules-based order and international norms of behavior are critical to mitigating the challenges posed by Beijing’s growing economic and military power in the region and globally. These include the staunchest of allies in Australia, Japan, Taiwan, and, recently, South Korea, as well as those who are quieter on the benefits of the strategy but have likewise endorsed U.S. goals, such as India and Vietnam. American allies and partners that have strenuously sought to avoid picking the United States or China, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, all seem to at least acknowledge the importance of maintaining great power balance in contested regions such as the South China Sea.

Unfortunately for Washington, the greater threat to the success of the Indo-Pacific Strategy is the apparent divergence between the letter and spirit of the strategy, on the one hand, and President Donald Trump’s statements on the other. But even in these cases, allies and partners to date have been quite forgiving because they seem to be willing to distinguish between the two. Following the president’s trip to the G-20 summit hosted by Japan in late June, for example, a senior Japanese foreign affairs official noted, “We should not react to a tweet by the president each time… if it’s their official position, we need to deal with it, but the president says various things.”Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.

Moreover, allies and partners, at least so far, seem to have prevented the numerous trade wars against many of them from negatively impacting enhancements in security cooperation with the United States. For instance, New Delhi last month responded to U.S. import tariffs by circumscribing its retaliation to raising export tariffs on 28 different U.S. products. Yet, as if operating in a completely parallel universe, U.S.-India bilateral defense and security exchanges have improved significantly. After last year’s first-ever “two-plus-two dialogue,” held between the U.S. secretaries of state and defense and their Indian counterparts, New Delhi and Washington inked a military information sharing agreement and operationalized a military logistics agreement. In early May, the United States and India also conducted a joint navy exercise along with Japanese and Filipino forces in the South China Sea.

Even the most harmful U.S. decision in 2017 to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which left several key allies and partners in the lurch, has not appreciably impacted their security relationships with Washington. The Indo-Pacific Strategy has probably benefited from the decision by former TPP members, namely Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, to pick up the pieces of TPP and establish their own trade bloc, known as the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Washington has simultaneously ramped up trade pressure bilaterally on U.S. allies Japan and South Korea, and early in June, the president was reportedly considering the implementation of trade tariffs against Australia. Once again, these actions do not appear to have adversely impacted security cooperation in the region. However, on his way to the G-20 in late June, Trump criticized another increasingly valuable Indo-Pacific partner, Vietnam, stating it was “almost the single worst abuser of everybody” on trade. It is too early to tell whether his comments will impact growing U.S.-Vietnam security relations, though Hanoi has decided to buy more American products.

To be sure, the president has occasionally weighed in counterproductively on select security aspects of the Indo-Pacific Strategy as well. For example, while on his way to the G-20 in Tokyo, Trump argued that the U.S.-Japan alliance was imbalanced. Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to unilaterally suspend large U.S.-South Korea military exercises meant to deter North Korea in 2018 has resulted in regional consternation (though the exercises are apparently back on now), particularly among U.S. allies, but among partners as well. It is difficult for them to trust U.S. security commitments to the region.

But implementation of the strategy is not all bad. Indeed, the Trump administration has done important work in several key areas and continues to push hard in many others. Notably, Washington has significantly boostedU.S.-Taiwan defense ties, reiterated U.S. security alliance commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty to the Philippines in the South China Sea, and has conducted several multinational exercises while keeping up its own pressure using freedom of navigation operations there.

Implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy is nevertheless hamstrung by too much uncertainty surrounding the secretary of defense position. Secretary of Defense James Mattis was clearly a steady hand on Asia, and he was involved in the crafting the National Defense Strategy, which ultimately served as the underlying analysis for the Indo-Pacific Strategy. But Mattis is long gone and his acting successor, Patrick Shanahan, who said that “China, China, China” would remain top priorities of the Pentagon, was only in the job for a short while. Recently confirmed Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has testified that the National Defense Strategy remains his top priority, but he neglected to mention the Indo-Pacific Strategy. With so much change at the top, one has to wonder whether the Indo-Pacific Strategy is still relevant these days.

In addition, the critical implementer position of assistant secretary of state for East Asia Pacific took longer than normal to confirm. Assistant Secretary David Stilwell only recently started his job — two and a half years into the Trump administration. My conversations with Asian interlocutors clearly reflect an angst about how long it took to fill this key role, suggesting Washington does not actually consider the Indo-Pacific a priority. Fortunately, there are other steady hands within the administration on Asia who have served for quite some time now, including Senior Director for Asia at the National Security Council Matt Pottinger and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver.

The Indo-Pacific Strategy has certainly faced many challenges. However, the strategy on the whole has proven thus far successful, probably because U.S. allies and partners have nowhere better to turn in order to balance China’s growing military and economic power. In this vein, it is useful to revisit then-Secretary of Defense Bob Gates’ statement in 2010 after WikiLeaks had put intelligence sources at risk and exposed secret American critiques of friends. With concerns swirling over whether the United States could be relied upon to keep secrets in the future, Gates calmly observed:

The fact is, governments deal with the United States because it’s in their interest, not because they like us, not because they trust us, and not because they believe we can keep secrets. Many governments—some governments deal with us because they fear us, some because they respect us, most because they need us. We are still essentially, as has been said before, the indispensable nation.

Indo-Pacific countries similarly need Washington and are likely to look past U.S. missteps so long as it supports their national security strategies. This is not to say that Washington has a never-ending blank check, because it almost certainly does not, but the U.S. is yet to reach the real tipping point in the Indo-Pacific Strategy, when partners decide they can no longer ignore the inconsistencies raised here and compartmentalize the negative effects. That day may eventually arrive, however, if Washington demonstrates that it can no longer lead in the region due to displacement by China, its own shortcomings, or a combination of both.

[Derek Grossman is an expert in Indo-Pacific security affairs and a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles. He formerly served as the daily intelligence briefer to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs at the Pentagon.]

https://thediplomat.com/2019/08/the-biggest-threat-to-the-us-indo-pacific-strategy-washington-itself/

No militarization of barangays – Army

From Panay News (Aug 2, 2019): No militarization of barangays – Army

Teams facilitate gov’t services in villages

Its community support team deployment is not meant to “militarize” villages, clarified the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).

Its Community Support Program (CSP) teams are meant to hear the sentiments and issues being faced by the people in the villages, explained Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB),

Entering houses in the villages to hear the people’s concerns have the permission of the homeowners, he stressed.

“We do not persist if we do not have their permission,” said Batara.

CSP teams are also very mobile and are prohibited to live in people’s houses, he added.

Last month, CSP teams from the 61IB were deployed in the villages of Guinbonyugan, Supanga, Binolosan Grande, Binolosan Pequeño, and Manaripay in Calinog town.

“There is no such thing as militarization. If their (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) issue with us is militarization, what about their presence in the villages because they are armed and they are called the New People’s Army?” said Captain Ruel Llanes, Civil-Military Operation (CMO) officer of the 301st Infantry Brigade.

Meanwhile, Captain Cenon Pancito III, 3ID Public Affairs Office chief, reiterated that the Army facilitates the entry of government services in villages.

He said the CSP connects to the local government units and national agencies on the needs of the people in the villages.

In Cuartero, Capiz, Llanes said, the Army was able to facilitate the entry of farm equipment to the farmers in a village covered by the CSP.

“We requested the equipment from the Department of Agriculture – Western Visayas. We are following up the request to issue our farmers of what they need,” he said.

https://www.panaynews.net/no-militarization-of-barangays-army/

Dengue-stricken NPA guerrilla recuperates in Pagadian hospital

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 2, 2019): Dengue-stricken NPA guerrilla recuperates in Pagadian hospital

PAGADIAN CITY –– A New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla is now recovering from dengue infection in a hospital here after Army troops rescued him in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur on Monday, July 29.

Army Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, said his troops found 19-year-old “John” (not his real name) alone in a nipa hut in Barangay Pisompongan while they were on foot patrol, seeking out information from villagers if armed men passed by the barrio.

The soldiers stopped by the hut, allowing John to ask for help.

He was found to have high fever hence, rushed to a hospital here, where he was later diagnosed to have dengue infection, which is also affecting many residents of Midsalip.

John narrated that when the soldiers chanced upon him, he had been sick for several days after doing regular walk and community visits in Midsalip’s remote barrios.

“I admitted to them I was part of the group of armed men doing the rounds in the community,” said John.

Because of his sickness, his comrades left him in the hut to pursue their version of community patrols, John added.

He revealed that he belonged to the NPA’s Main Regional Guerrilla Unit. A pistol was found in his possession when he was rescued last Monday.

John, the youngest of seven children of farmer parents, thanked the Army for facilitating his immediate treatment.

Patria commended the soldiers for “their humane treatment” of the sick NPA guerrilla.

Patria said he would undergo processing and assessment under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and could qualify for cash assistance and livelihood training.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1149261/dengue-stricken-npa-guerrilla-recuperates-in-pagadian-hospital

Indonesia, Philippines Officially Adopt 2014 Maritime Boundary Agreement

From BenarNews (Aug 2, 2019): Indonesia, Philippines Officially Adopt 2014 Maritime Boundary Agreement

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attends a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Bangkok, July 31, 2019.  AP

Neighbors Indonesia and the Philippines this week officially adopted a maritime boundary in the Celebes Sea that they had agreed to in a treaty signed five years ago, officials from both countries announced.

The agreement established the longest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary in the world, stretching 1,162 kilometers (627.5 nautical miles) in the Celebes Sea, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, calling it “an extraordinary achievement.”

Retno and her Philippine counterpart, Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., signed protocols of exchange Thursday on the sidelines of meetings of foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok, officially approving the bilateral treaty struck in Manila in 2014. Discussions on the boundary began 25 years ago, in 1994.

“We had a strong commitment to solve this complex issue through dialogue and negotiations under the framework of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” Retno said in a statement released by the foreign ministry.

The Philippines and Indonesia, the two largest archipelagic nations in the world, are parties to UNCLOS and are entitled to EEZs that run 200 nautical miles out from their shorelines for the length of their boundaries.

“The agreement is expected to benefit both countries, economically and politically, by promoting more bilateral cooperation in the EEZ in order to advance the common interest of managing and preserving the resources in the EEZ and further strengthening maritime security cooperation between the two countries,” the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah praised the outcome reached after more than two decades of negotiations.

“From the aspect of law enforcement, it’s clear that there are no more obstacles to activities within the area and maritime cooperation between the two countries,” he told BenarNews.

“We hope there won’t be any more incidents in waters between Indonesia and the Philippines,” he said.

The Sulu-Celebes Sea, encompassing the waters around Indonesia, Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state and the Philippines, has become an area of growing concern because of attacks carried out by Abu Sayyaf, a southern Philippine-based militant group.

In 2017, the three nations launched trilateral air and maritime patrols over the waterways to combat kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf and to prevent militants in Indonesia and Malaysia from sneaking into the southern Philippines to help pro-Islamic State militants there.

In addition, Indonesia has asserted its maritime claims by cracking down on illegal fishing in its territory since President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo came to power in 2014. In that time, nearly 500 foreign boats linked to illegal fishing, following legal proceedings, according to the Ministry of Fisheries.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/maritime-boundary-08022019133242.html

DSWD DROMIC Report #2 on the Armed Conflict in Brgy. Kalilangan, Iligan City as of 01 August 2019, 5PM

Posted to the Relief Web (Aug 2, 2019): DSWD DROMIC Report #2 on the Armed Conflict in Brgy. Kalilangan, Iligan City as of 01 August 2019, 5PM

REPORT from Government of the Philippines

Published on 01 Aug 2019 —View Original

Download PDF (517.84 KB)


SUMMARY

On 25 July 2019 at around 7 AM, an encounter transpired between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Brgy. Kalilangan, Iligan City which resulted to the displacement of families and individuals in the area.

Source: DSWD-FO X

I. Status of Affected Families / Persons

A total of 180 families or 1,049 persons were affected by the armed conflict in Brgy. Kalilangan, Iligan City (see Table 1).

II. Status of Displaced Families/ Persons

a. Inside Evacuation Center

There are 22 families or 110 persons who are currently staying at the Rogongon Barangay Hall and Kalilangan Mosque (see Table 2).

b. Outside Evacuation Center

There are 158 families or 939 persons who are temporarily staying with their friends and/or relatives (see Table 3).

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/dswd-dromic-report-2-armed-conflict-brgy-kalilangan-iligan-city-01-august-2019

MILF: JPST: Transforming former warriors into catalysts of peace and development

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Aug 3, 2019): JPST: Transforming former warriors into catalysts of peace and development

CAMP LUCERO, CARMEN, NORTH COTABATO (AUGUST 2, 2019) — Under the bristling heat of the noonday sun, more than 200 men stood in perfect formation in the grounds of this sprawling military facility.

With their freshly-shaved heads and identical white t-shirts and navy-blue jogging pants, they could easily be mistaken for new recruits of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or Philippine National Police (PNP) undergoing their baptism of fire.

However, these 225 sunbaked men are not neophyte soldiers or policemen but are grizzled fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF). Today is the start of their basic military training as members of a Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs).

Unimaginable

“Many years ago, this type of event was simply unimaginable,” declared Abdulraof Macacua, minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy, in today’s ceremonial kick off of the JPST training.

Macacua, who spoke on behalf of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim Al-Haj, is also the chief of staff of the BIAF.

“No one ever thought that the MILF would ever be in a military camp such as Camp Lucero to undertake military training…and with soldiers at that,” Macacua said.

He underscored the significance of the occasion, noting the basic military training for the MILF-BIAF comes just a month before the decommissioning of the former combatants and their weapons will commence.

Under the Normalization Track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the decommissioning process aims to transform former combatants of the MILF into peaceful and productive members of society and put their weapons beyond use.

“The MILF has taken the mantle of leadership over the Bangsamoro government and its partnership with the government of the Philippines, especially the AFP, is growing stronger,” Macacua said.

“The political track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is being faithfully implemented, while the Normalization process is taking advanced steps,” he added.

Peacekeeping forces

JPSTs will function as peacekeeping forces that will be deployed to ensure the security of residents within the six government-acknowledged MILF camps during the decommissioning process which officially begins on September 7.

The JPSTs are composed of members of the MILF-BIAF, AFP and Philippine National Police.

Two hundred teams will be created with a total of 6,000 personnel.

These teams will carry out their duties until the Exit Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF is signed in 2022.

“This first phase will give the real signal of putting beyond use our combatants’ weapons and their formal return to normal civilian life characterized by productivity and opportunities for personal, familial and collective growth,” Macacua said.

A leap of faith

Macacua acknowledged that “of all the aspects of the Annex on Normalization, the decommissioning is the hardest act to be done by our combatants.”

“We will be turning over our guns to the Independent Decommissioning Body or IDP even if the security situation in our communities is not yet stable,” he said, adding, “And the chances for the swift availment and access to alternative livelihood may still be forthcoming.”

He also reaffirmed the MILF’s unwavering commitment to the GPH-MILF peace agreement, saying, “But as Muslims and gentlemen, we in the MILF will honor and abide by the CAB that we signed with the GPH.”

“In that respect, we have no doubt in the sincerity and support of His Excellency Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for the establishment of genuine and lasting peace that all of us are struggling for in Bangsamoro and in Mindanao at large,” Macacua said.

Amazing turn of events

For Mujahid Abdullah, 36, his participation in the JPST training is something he never imagined would happen being a combatant who fought tooth and nail against government forces.

“Iba talaga ang pakiramdam. Dati kasagupa namin ang sundalo, ngayon magkasama na kami sa iisang kampo,” Abdullah shared.

(The feeling is really different. Before, we were fighting soldiers. But now, we are together in one camp.)

The former warrior said that he was amazed with the turn of events, especially now that he is training side by side with members of the AFP and PNP who were his fierce adversaries before.

“Masaya ako. Sana magtuloy tuloy na itong kapayapaan at wala nang giyera,” he said.

(I am happy. I hope that this peace will continue and there will no longer be war.)

Sustaining the dividends of peace

Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito G Galvez Jr said the JPST training is a clear indication of the national government and the MILF’s desire to sustain the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process by fully implementing the Normalization Track.

“This activity is a testament that the national government, military, police and MILF are united and committed in their desire to bring long-lasting peace [in Mindanao],” Galvez said.

According to the peace adviser, he has spoken separately with PNP Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde and AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr, both of whom have thrown their full support behind the Normalization Process

“All of us can be sure that the AFP and the PNP to help transform the trainees as partners of peace,” Galvez said.

He stressed that JPSTs are among the groups that would ensure the successful implementation of the Normalization Track, specifically the decommissioning of combatants and the transformation of MILF camps into peaceful, progressive and resilient communities.

“More importantly, this exercise is another way of further strengthening the mutual trust of both parties (GPH and MILF) in the peace process. At this stage in our relationship, we are no longer peace stakeholders but peace partners,” Galvez said.

A heart for the Bangsamoro

Galve assured the MILF of President Rodrigo Roa’s Duterte’s full support to the Normalization process.

“We all know that the President’s heart is very close to the Bangsamoro. And because he has Moro blood coursing through his veins, he loves all of you and does not want the resurgence of conflict in your areas,” Galvez said.

“The passage of the CAB is one of the greatest legacies President Duterte will leave behind, especially for the people of Mindanao,” he said.

Although Galvez admitted that the implementation of the Normalization phase may seem a daunting task which will require a lot of hard work on the part of the national government and MILF, he remains optimistic that this can be accomplished.

“With the dedication you have shown, I believe that we would be able to realize the objectives of the Normalization Track,” he said.

Band of brothers

Galvez then called on the AFP and PNP to help the MILF-BIAF members cultivate a greater sense of direction, as well develop a stronger love for country as they and their families make the crucial transition to civilian life.

“Treat them like your brothers. We are now more than a band of brothers,” Galvez said.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1863/jpst--transforming-former-warriors-into-catalysts-of-peace-and-development

AFP-CRS: Awareness campaign in universities, a way of preventing CPP-NPA from recruiting youth, students as armed fighters

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2019): Awareness campaign in universities, a way of preventing CPP-NPA from recruiting youth, students as armed fighters



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA, recruiting young fighters from the universities

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2019): CPP-NPA, recruiting young fighters from the universities



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA, gumagamit ng mga kabataang mandirigma sa Southern Luzon

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2019): CPP-NPA, gumagamit ng mga kabataang mandirigma sa Southern Luzon



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: Bicol airport attack proves CPP-NPA are just extortionists, bandits

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2019): Bicol airport attack proves CPP-NPA are just extortionists, bandits



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: Another Barangay in ComVal declared CPP-NPA unwelcome

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2019): Another Barangay in ComVal declared CPP-NPA unwelcome



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: 470 CPP-NPA Members surrender in Agusan Del Norte

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2019): 470 CPP-NPA Members surrender in Agusan Del Norte



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: US Army 1st corps commanders visits Philippine Army chief

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 1, 2019): US Army 1st corps commanders visits Philippine Army chief



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA members and supporters surrender

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 2, 2019): CPP-NPA members and supporters surrender



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: Education, awareness: Best way to prevent CPP-NPA recruitment among youth

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 2, 2019): Education, awareness: Best way to prevent CPP-NPA recruitment among youth



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: Instilling better ideals to CPP-NPA members for a better country

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 2, 2019): Instilling better ideals to CPP-NPA members for a better country



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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AFP-CRS: Tribong Mindanao: CPP-NPA ang lumalabag sa karapatan namin

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 2, 2019): Tribong Mindanao: CPP-NPA ang lumalabag sa karapatan namin



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[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

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