New Westmincom chief formally installed

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): New Westmincom chief formally installed (By Priam Nepomuceno)

CHANGE OF COMMAND. AFP chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. (right) hands over the Westmincom flag to its new chief, Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo during the change of command ceremony at the Westmincom headquarters in Zamboanga City on Tuesday (Sept. 5, 2023). Crespillo replaced Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido who was earlier appointed as Philippine Army chief. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army)

MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) vice commander Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo was formally installed on Tuesday as the new commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement Wednesday, said the change of command ceremony at the Westmincom headquarters in Zamboanga City was presided over by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr.

Crespillo replaced Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido who was earlier appointed as Army chief on Aug. 7.

"Before his designation, Maj. Gen. Steve D. Crespillo served as the vice commander of the Headquarters Philippine Army and chief of the Office of the Army Ethical Standards and Public Accountability," he added.

Crespillo, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1990, also served as commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division in 2021; chief of staff of the 6th Infantry Division in 2017; chief of Unified Command Staff of Westmincom in 2016; and commanding officer of the 54th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division.

"I urge everyone to focus on contributing our individual and group efforts to accomplish our campaign objectives. Let us work, serve the people of Western Mindanao for the greater glory of our country, for the Filipino people," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209295

PH Navy to get 2 brand-new corvettes from 2025 to 2026

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): PH Navy to get 2 brand-new corvettes from 2025 to 2026 (By Priam Nepomuceno)

NEW CORVETTES. The BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), one of the two guided-missile frigates of the Philippines, in this undated photo. The Philippine Navy on Wednesday (Sept. 6, 2023) said the arrival of two brand-new corvettes from South Korea starting 2025 would backstop the country's two Jose Rizal-class missile frigates – the BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) is set to receive two brand-new missile corvettes from 2025 to 2026, an official said on Wednesday.

"Marami po tayong parating na barko. Pagdating po ng 2025 tsaka 2026, we will be receiving two brand-new corvettes. Galing po ito sa (South) Korea. Bago po ito (We have a lot of naval ships coming. In 2025 and 2026, we will be receiving two brand-new corvettes from [South] Korea. Both of these ships are new)," PN vice commander Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia said in an interview with DZBB.

Valencia said these brand-new corvettes are expected to backstop the two Jose Rizal-class missile frigates – the BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna that are in service.

He was referring to the corvette acquisition program of the Department of National Defense (DND), which was formally awarded to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on Dec. 28, 2021.

These corvettes are worth PHP28 billion and are designed to be capable of conducting anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions.

Valencia noted that from 2026 to 2028, the PN would also start receiving six brand-new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) worth PHP30 billion and awarded to HHI on June 28, 2022.

"At pagdating po ng 2026-2028, we expect to receive six more brand new OPVs. Ang OPV, ang pinaka main purpose po niya ay magpatrulya sa karagatan (Come 2026-2028, we expect to receive six more brand new OPVs, the main purpose of the OPV is to patrol the seas)," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209305

OPAPRU to assist in MNLF convergence efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): OPAPRU to assist in MNLF convergence efforts (By Priam Nepomuceno)

CONVERGENCE. Ranking officials of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and the Moro National Liberation Front Sema Group meet on Tuesday (Sept. 5, 2023) to discuss convergence efforts between two groups of the organization, the other one led by Nur Misuari. The MNLF-Sema Group said it is amenable to pursue convergence efforts with the MNLF group under Misuari. (Photo courtesy of OPAPRU)

MANILA – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Wednesday announced that it has accepted the role of helping the two Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) groups in its convergence efforts.

This agreement was contained in a resolution signed by OPAPRU Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. and Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin Sema, who is also MNLF chairperson.

The meeting on Tuesday between the OPAPRU and the MNLF-Sema Group underscored the determination of the parties to progress the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace agreement.

In a resolution, the MNLF Sema Group said it is "amenable to pursue convergence efforts with the MNLF group under the leadership of Chair Nur Misuari."

"The OPAPRU shall facilitate the discussion on convergence between the MNLF Groups. As a vehicle for convergence, a Joint MNLF Executive Committee shall be established to be represented by leaders of the two MNLF Groups that shall provide policy guidance on convergence efforts," it added.

It noted that the current partnership between the government and the MNLF-Sema group would be "renamed into GPH-MNLF Coordinating and Implementing Committee."

Galvez on Monday also met with the group of MNLF-Misuari wing led by MNLF vice chairperson Abdulkarim Tan Misuari and agreed to reconstitute its joint Peace Coordinating Committee into the GPH-MNLF Peace Implementing Committee to carry out the continued implementation that the parties signed in 1996.

The parties also agreed to re-engage the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Islamic body that helped facilitate the peace talks between the government and the MNLF, which led to the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement under the Ramos administration.

The joint resolution said the OPAPRU would facilitate the re-engagement with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the implementation of the remaining commitments on the Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund (BDAF) and Tripartite Implementation Monitoring Committee (TIMC).

The BDAF and the TIMC are among the key areas for implementation resulting from the Tripartite Review Process, which culminated in January 2016.

It added that the GPH and MNLF would review the signed documents, such as the Terms of Reference of the BDAF and TIMC vis-a-vis existing policies.

Galvez said the intention of the "Marcos administration is very clear, which is to reconcile and unite the Moro groups in Mindanao and continue with the implementation of all signed Bangsamoro peace agreements."

He said the convergence of the MNLF is critical to ensure the harmonization of the programs and projects as part of the implementation of the peace agreement.

"We are inspired by the convergence effort we have seen in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, wherein all Moro fronts and sectors in the Bangsamoro are now part and running the government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)," the OPAPRU chief noted.

Galvez said it was President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. who took the task of bridging the Moro leaders.

"Just two months into his administration, he helped bridge and reconcile the Moro leaders, and appointed an inclusive new member of the Bangsamoro transition authority – ensuring an equitable composition of the Bangsamoro parliament, composed of young, forward-looking and development-oriented public servants, aims to foster innovation in governance, and at the same time, ensure the meaningful inclusion of women," he said.

Galvez said the engagement between the government and the MNLF-Sema group is currently focused on the transformation of its former combatants, their families, and communities to include those residing outside of the BARMM.

"These efforts to converge the MNLF and the implementation of socio-economic programs for the MNLF communities is part of the Marcos administration's desire that no one should be left behind in the peace process," he said.

Meanwhile, Sema said their group is willing to engage with the MNLF Misuari group and would continue to play its part in the implementation of the peace agreement.

"Collaboration among parties must be maintained. Rest assured that we are ready for the implementation of the Transformation Program," he said.

During the meeting, MNLF Management Committee chairperson Uttoh Salem Cutan turned over to the Presidential Assistant Cesar Yano, the chair of the government management committee, the remaining list of combatants with the corresponding number of firearms to complete the 2,000 slots for this year’s implementation of the Transformation Program.

The remaining list of the combatants is crucial to complete the preparations for the roll-out of the programs in the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.

"We congratulate one of our longtime peace partners in the MNLF for the milestones and small victories we have achieved in the course of the implementation of the peace agreement," Galvez said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209309

Rules-based approach on SCS row shows PH commitment to UNCLOS

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): Rules-based approach on SCS row shows PH commitment to UNCLOS (By Jose Cielito Reganit)

SWARMING. Chinese fishing vessels are seen swarming the Iroquois Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) based on the air patrol by the Western Command on June 30, 2023. At the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits Tuesday (Sept. 5, 2023), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said it is imperative for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to leverage its regional architecture “to serve as a diplomatic bridge that promotes mutual understanding, strategic trust, and peaceful settlement of disputes.” (Photo courtesy of Wescom)

MANILA – Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday backed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call during the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia for the regional bloc to unite in fostering rules-based order to preserve peace and defuse tension in the South China Sea.

In his intervention at the retreat session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Tuesday, President Marcos said it is imperative for ASEAN to leverage its regional architecture “to serve as a diplomatic bridge that promotes mutual understanding, strategic trust and peaceful settlement of disputes.”

“The President’s stance on a rules-based approach in settling the South China Sea territorial disputes underlines our commitment to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” Romualdez said in a statement.

“By reiterating this stand in the ASEAN forum, we are emphasizing the importance of peaceful dialogue and negotiations, ensuring that our sovereign rights are recognized and respected,” he said.

The 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits hosted by Indonesia is being held on the heels of the release of a new map published by the Chinese government depicting its expansive claim over the South China Sea.

The Philippines, along with fellow ASEAN members Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as India, has voiced strong objections over China’s new standard map.

Romualdez pointed out that a united ASEAN working together for the observance of rules-based order in the South China Sea can exert “considerable influence towards peaceful and diplomatic settlement of disputes which would be mutually beneficial for all concerned.”

“This could also push the momentum to achieve progress in the negotiations for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” he said.

In his intervention at the ASEAN summit, Marcos also cautioned against viewing the growing tension in the South China Sea from the perspective of a strategic competition against two opposing powerful nations.

“This not only denies us of our independence and agency but also disregards our own legitimate interests,” Marcos said.

He said the Philippines will continue to uphold and exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

The Chief Executive also called for self-restraint on activities that complicate disputes in the South China Sea and undermine regional peace, stability and security.

“We cannot emphasize enough that actions, not words, should be the ultimate measure of our commitment to securing peace and stability in the South China Sea. Anything else will not suffice,” Marcos said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209330

PBBM maintains bid for peaceful resolution of SCS row

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): PBBM maintains bid for peaceful resolution of SCS row (By Joann Villanueva)

PEACEFUL RESOLUTION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. calls on his colleagues from ASEAN to continue to push for a resolution of the South China Sea dispute in a peaceful way. In his intervention during the 43rd ASEAN Summit Retreat on Tuesday (Sept. 5, 2023), Marcos said the Philippines will continue to coordinate with other countries regarding the use of rules-based international order. (PND photo)

MANILA – The Philippines continues to prefer a peaceful resolution of the South China Sea dispute and encourages Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to not be swayed by "any single power".

“The challenge for us remains: that we should never allow the international order to be subjected to the forces of might applied for a hegemonic ambition,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in his intervention during the 43rd ASEAN Summit Retreat on Tuesday in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“History will ultimately judge whether the supremacy of the rule of law prevails, ushering in an era where all nations truly stand as equals, independent and unswayed by any single power," he added.

The Philippines is among the countries in the region
fighting for its rightful area in the South China Sea, which is being claimed by China.

In 2016, the country won an arbitration case against China, the world’s second largest economy, on the territorial issue that was filed before the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations.

China, however, continues to reject the Arbitral’s decision, and even recently came out with an updated map using a 10-dash line map.

Amidst this development, Marcos said the government will continue to coordinate with other countries regarding the use of rules-based international order.

He also ensured the continued exercise of the freedom of navigation and overflight over the disputed waters in line with international laws such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“The Philippines firmly rejects misleading narratives that frame the disputes in the South China Sea solely through the lens of strategic competition between two powerful countries. This not only denies us of our independence and agency but also disregards our own legitimate interests,” he said.

Marcos also called against any move that will complicate the issue.

“We therefore seek your support for the operationalization of practical measures such as the ADMM (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting) Guidelines for Maritime Interaction, which we envision will be expanded to our external partners in due time,” he said.

He said the recently concluded 2nd ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX), which the Philippines hosted in Zambales and Bataan, and the 40th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea are moves eyed to hasten the negotiations on a peaceful manner.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209382

13 N. Cotabato village chiefs yield 27 loose firearms

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): 13 N. Cotabato village chiefs yield 27 loose firearms (By Edwin Fernandez)

LOOSE FIREARMS. Lt. Col. Rey Rico, the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion commander (at the podium), presents the firearms surrendered by village officials to military and local officials Tuesday (Sept. 5, 2023) in Midsayap, North Cotabato. The guns were turned in by 13 village officials from Midsayap and its neighboring town of Aleosan who wanted to help the government's campaign for a peaceful and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

COTABATO CITY – Thirteen village officials from two towns in North Cotabato surrendered Tuesday afternoon 27 assorted firearms in support of the government’s “Balik-Baril” program.

In a report Wednesday, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran, the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade chief, received the firearms during ceremonies at the headquarters of the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

The 13 village chiefs are from communities in Midsayap and Aleosan towns in North Cotabato now under the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM).

They turned in their firearms, with some owned by civilians, to help the government in its campaign for peaceful and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections next month.

The firearms included three sniper rifles, an M14 rifle, three Garand rifles, eight .45-caliber pistols, a .30-caliber Barrett rifle, seven .38-caliber revolvers, a 9mm Ingram machine pistol, two 12-gauge shotguns, and an M16 rifle.

Gumiran said the village officials also signed a pledge of commitment to help authorities in peaceful and orderly elections.

Since January, at least 513 assorted firearms have been recovered, surrendered, and captured by the military in the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) area of responsibility (AOR) in Central Mindanao.

The 6ID’s AOR includes the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and parts of Sarangani, North Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209314

Army official: NPA rebels tagged as ‘roving bandits’

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): Army official: NPA rebels tagged as ‘roving bandits’ (By Sarwell Meniano)

Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division. (Philippine Army photo)

TACLOBAN CITY – The remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar Island now are classified as roving bandits with no single village official supporting their ideology, an Army official said Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division told reporters that the remaining NPA rebels are jittery with the continued deaths, capture, and surrender of their leaders.

“The remaining 180 active regular NPA members are now roving bandits with the dismantling of two guerilla fronts and weakening of two others. They refuse to surrender since they are facing criminal charges,” Ligayo said in an interview Wednesday.

The official is confident in eradicating insurgents in three Samar provinces before the end of the year.

There are about 10 army battalions assigned in Samar province as the government heightened its fight against communist insurgents.

Only two NPA guerilla fronts in Samar Island remain in existence after the dismantling of one front and the weakening of another early this year.

But these fronts are already weakened with the surrender of mass supporters in communities.

Ligayo said the rebel’s Front Committee 2 that operated at the border of Samar and Northern Samar has been demolished after the capture and surrender of some of their combatants and recovery of firearms.

He said the NPA Front Committee 3, which operated near the borders of Northern and Eastern Samar, has been dismantled after a series of operations by government forces.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209313

PH, Indon Navy to hold maritime drills in Cebu, Negros waters

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): PH, Indon Navy to hold maritime drills in Cebu, Negros waters (By John Rey Saavedra)

MARITIME DRILLS. The Philippine Navy landing craft, BRP Batak (foreground), will be one of the naval vessels that will participate in the Philippine-Indonesian Maritime Training Activity off the coast of Cebu and Negros Oriental on Sept. 24 to 30, 2023. The BRP Gener Tinangag and BRP Ramon Alcaraz warships and patrol craft BRP Enrique Jurado will also join in the maritime drills along with the Indonesia naval warships, KRI Sampari and KRI Hiu, the Naval Forces Central reported. (Photo courtesy of Navforcen)

CEBU CITY – The coast off Cebu and Negros islands will be the venue for the weeklong bilateral maritime training exercises between the Philippine and Indonesian Navies.

Lt. Bernabe Jay Zambale Jr., public affairs officer of the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen), said Wednesday they will host the Maritime Training Activity (MTA) PhilIndo 2023 on Sept. 24 to 30 in the waters of this city up to the southwest of Negros Oriental province.

“MTA PhilIndo 2023 is a yearly Navy to Navy exercise between the Philippine Navy and the Indonesian Navy conducted in different naval operating forces in the Philippines, which will be reciprocated with the same event in Indonesia,” Zambale said.

The activity is expected to enhance interoperability between the two navies and strengthen situational awareness and mutual cooperation as it will involve navigation and operations training and developing combined operational doctrines, practices, and naval tactics.

It will also highlight maritime security operations, surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime interdiction operations, gunnery exercises, and air operations training.

“It will be conducted in three phases – preparation, harbor, and sea phase. There will also be subject matter expert exchange participated by the personnel of two warships, a landing craft, and a patrol craft of the Philippine Navy and two warships from the Indonesian Navy,” Zambale said, adding that they are also looking at the possibility of including the naval reservists in the familiarization boarding tour over any of the Indon naval vessels.

Zambale said the KRI Sampari and KRI Hiu will participate in the maritime drills for the Indonesian side while the BRP Gener Tinangag (PG-903), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16), BRP Batak (LC299), and BRP Enrique Jurado (PC371) for the Philippine side.

The Philippine Navy Seals and Naval Air Wing will deploy a fighter plane and an AW-109 attack helicopter for the drills.

He said the participating sailors and their warships will converge at the Captain Veloso Pier along the Naval Base Rafael Ramos in Lapu-Lapu City on Sept. 24 and will commence the drills off the waters of Cebu and up to the southwestern tip of Negros Island on the following day.

The closing ceremony and the send off of the participating ships will be held on Sept. 29 and 30 at the Naval Base Rafael Ramos.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209347

OPAPRU beefs up local peace engagement program for ex-rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6, 2023): OPAPRU beefs up local peace engagement program for ex-rebels (By Che Palicte)

TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM. Lawyer Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Eastern Mindanao director, bares in a press briefing in Davao City Wednesday (Sept. 6, 2023) that they are currently strengthening the agency's local peace engagement to better address the needs of rebels. To date, the OPAPRU Eastern Mindanao says it has bolstered the capacities of regional and provincial task forces on peace engagement through the adoption of sustainable approaches. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

DAVAO CITY – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) is firming its engagement with local communities through the Transformation Program (TP) to better address the needs of former rebels (FRs).

Lawyer Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña, the OPAPRU Eastern Mindanao director, said Wednesday the TP program seeks to further push for sustainable support as former insurgents reintegrate into their communities.

“There are a lot of insurgents who surrendered, but the problem is the sustainability on how can we prevent them from going back to the New People’s Army group. So this is where the TP comes in - focusing on our FRs, their families, and communities,” she said in a press briefing here.

She pointed out that the TP has been a critical component of the peace-building initiatives under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Through the program, we are paving the way for genuine peace and reconciliation in Mindanao by empowering FRs to rebuild their lives and become positive change catalysts within their communities," she said.

Lapiña added that by strengthening the local peace engagement, the OPAPRU reached out to the communities and looked at the concerns, so they could figure out how the government could respond.

To date, the OPAPRU Eastern Mindanao said it has fortified the capacities of regional and provincial task forces regarding conflict-sensitive and peace-promoting local peace engagement through the adoption of peace-building approaches for effective TP program implementation.

She said LGUs have been equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to develop their customized plans for TP implementation.

“After the workshop we conducted, they will come up with a TP plan output. The provincial government or LGU will adopt the plan and if they can’t make it, the OPAPRU will look into it,” Lapiña added.

She said they have to work hand-in-hand with several LGUs, providing them with the technical know-how to develop their customized plans for the TP implementation at their level.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209311