Batanes produces 119 more Navy reservists

 From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 10, 2024): Batanes produces 119 more Navy reservists

Over 100 Batanes residents have formally entered the reservist forces of the Philippine Navy as the country aims to boosts its military presence in its northernmost province and territory nearest Taiwan.

A total of 119 Ivatans capped their basic citizen military training with a graduation ceremony on Saturday in the provincial capital of Basco town.

The Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) said another batch of potential recruits made up of 76 Ivatan students had been undergoing training also in Basco since February.

Batanes is being eyed as among the possible sites in April for the next “Balikatan” exercises between Filipino and American forces, according to Philippine Army Col. Michael Logico.

Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr., the Philippine Navy chief, told the new reservists in his speech that they would be vital “in providing a secure and safe environment” in Batanes. He called the archipelagic province the country’s “last and northernmost frontier.”

‘Base for expansion’

“When the government needs mobilization or additional force, you will be the base for expansion,” he said, adding that the recruits could also help in humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

“That is why we should improve our ability to protect it (Batanes) from those who want to invade it,” Adaci said.

He also noted the military infrastructure in Batanes which he said has allowed the Navy and other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct maritime patrols there.

The Navy maintains a detachment at Mavulis Island at the northern extreme of the province—about 140 kilometers from Taiwan’s southern tip.

Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco, herself a reservist, told the new recruits in her speech “to commit yourself to selfless service for the love of our nation.”

“Being a reservist is not an easy duty because we must always be ready to respond to the call of service to defend our beloved country against any kind of invasion, violence and untoward events,” she said, adding that the reservists “are founded on the Ivatan values of resilience and sense of community.”
‘Operational tempo’

In February, Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido urged Ivatans to join the military’s reserve force after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he wanted an increased military presence in Batanes.

READ: Philippines to deploy over 100 naval reservists to Batanes

Teodoro, together with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and other officials, visited the province on Feb. 6, particularly Mavulis.

The defense chief also inspected the construction of the Naval Forward Operating Base in Mahatao town on the province’s main island of Batan.

“Starting 2024, the operational tempo for the AFP will be higher,” Teodoro said during his visit.

Maritime expert Jay Batongbacal, head of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the University of the Philippines’ College of Law, earlier told the Inquirer that improving the military’s outpost in Batanes would “certainly help secure our fishing grounds and fishermen operating there.”
Needing a friend

Maritime security expert Ray Powell posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on March 1 that two Chinese vessels were “loitering” northeast of Luzon at Philippine (Benham) Rise.

Batongbacal said Batanes is “vital in case of Chinese aggression against Taiwan.”

“Taiwan needs the Philippines as a friend in times of both peace and armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait,” he said.

Beijing has long maintained that self-governing Taiwan is part of its territory.

Security analyst Chester Cabalza, president and founder of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said also in his earlier interview with the Inquirer that new military bunkers in Batanes were “necessary to achieve a strong deterrence in protecting the national sovereignty of the Philippines.” —NESTOR A. CORRALES

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1916643/batanes-produces-119-more-navy-reservists

Joint AFP-PNP, Moro Islamic Liberation Front security teams face evolving role in Bangsamoro peace process

 From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 10, 2024): Joint AFP-PNP, Moro Islamic Liberation Front security teams face evolving role in Bangsamoro peace process (By MARTIN SADONGDONG)

(L-R) Moro Islamic Liberation Front and GPH Joint Peace Security Committee (JPSC) co-chairmen Senior Minister Von Al Haq and Maj. Gen. Francisco Ariel Felicidario III (Ret.) give updates on the Bangsamoro peace process during a recent media engagement at the JPSC Operations Center in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. (Photo by Martin Sadongdong / MANILA BULLETIN)

The Joint Peace Security Teams (JPSTs) deployed in Mindanao are facing an evolving role in the ongoing peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), owing to the “very high” expectations from the communities.

Francisco Ariel Felicidario III, the co-chair of Philippine government (GPH) Joint Peace Security Committee (JPSC), said this was the result of an assessment on the efficiency of the JPSTs made by a third-party non-violent force, the International Organization Migration (IOM), with funding support from the Government of Japan.

“After we deployed the JPSTs, when it was time for us to do the assessment, a third party group shouldered the expenses and they were supported by the Japanese government because we had no funds for that,” Felicidario, a retired Army major general, said during a recent interview with select members of the media in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

“They had researchers who went to the ground, who interviewed the people in the communities. The assessment went well. When they had the report, the feedback was mostly positive from the communities. The only negative thing about the report is that the people are expecting more from the JPSTs. Since they are the only people in those remote areas, they expect that the JPSTs could do a lot more which is already outside their mandate,” he added.

From foe to allies

The JPSTs are a composite force between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

From being adversaries, the security forces from AFP-PNP and BIAF now work as comrades-in-arms to ensure stability in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao following the signing of the final peace agreement between the GPH and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Operating since the creation of BARMM in 2019, the JPSTs assist the communities in efforts to sustain peace, manage conflicts and foster resolution, especially for those impacted by horizontal and vertical conflicts such as “rido” or clan wars. They also track and document lawless elements in areas where they are deployed.

At present, there are 24 JPSTs deployed in various areas in Mindanao: 13 teams in Maguindanao; three in North Cotabato; two each in Basilan, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur; and one apiece in Zamboanga Sibugay and Sultan Kudarat.

Each JPST is composed of 30 members: eight PNP personnel, seven AFP personnel, and 15 decommissioned BIAF members. They are supervised by the Joint Peace Security Committee being co-chaired by Felicidario and his Moro Islamic Liberation Front counterpart, Senior Minister Von Al Haq.

Before the BIAF members are integrated with their AFP-PNP counterparts, they undergo a 45-day basic military training (BMT) at the division training unit of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Once they finish the BMT, the BIAF members can now legally carry a firearm, one thing which they cannot do before since they are part of a rebel group. They are to join another training on peacekeeping and security at the BARMM Police Regional Office in Parang, Maguindanao for almost one month where they learn about peace-building, mediation and harnessing synergy and camaraderie with their AFP-PNP counterparts.

Apart from their role as peacekeepers, the JPSTs are now being sought by the communities when disasters strike such as typhoons, flooding, and earthquakes, and they readily respond while facing limitations in terms of community safeguarding, communications, logistics, and operational infrastructure. The enhanced southwest monsoon (amihan) experienced in Mindanao in recent months even destroyed 10 JPST stations which added to their woes.

“Because the perception of the communities has been high, the JPSTs have been responding to disasters. They are actually not mandated to respond to disasters but the communities seek for their help. So of course they are there, they would provide the support," said Erina Yamashita, IOM Philippines project development officer and head of IOM Cotabato sub-office.

"There has been an evolving role for JPST which is kind of like inevitable in terms of their capacity. We are trying to address some of the recent gaps through our projects,” she added.

Capacitating JPSTs

To address the issue, the JPSTs are now undergoing disaster response training at the 6ID.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front Senior Minister Al Haq admitted that there is an immediate need to provide assistance to JPSTs in order to enhance their resilience and effectiveness as catalyst for peace.

“We know we cannot stand alone except if there is a joint collaboration. I’m very optimistic that out of this collaboration with IOM and Japanese government, our JPSTs would be fully armed with all the aspect of a peacekeeper. This cooperation can truly tackle this issue,” he noted.

Almish Guimba, 37, is a co-team leader of the Joint Peace Security Team (JPST) based in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. (Photo by Martin Sadongdong / MANILA BULLETIN)

Almish Guimba, 37, an Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatant, said that his involvement with the JPST enabled him to send his two children to school, one of them already going to college.

Guimba joined the BIAF in 1994 and served as a general staff officer at Camp Abubakar. On the orders of his Moro Islamic Liberation Front commanders, he joined the JPST and trained with his counterparts from the AFP and PNP in 2019, and now serves as a co-team leader of the JPST based in the JPSC Operations Center in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

“Maganda ang JPST kasi ang mga dating kaaway mo, ngayon brother mo na, kaibigan mo na. Maganda ito para malaya na rin kami (Being with JPST is a good thing because our previous enemies became our brothers and friends now. This is a good thing for us because we have been freed),” Guimba said.

He also hopes that Mindanao will sustain the peace that the Bangsamoro people enjoy now.

“Malaking tulong ‘yung kapayapaan, 'yung peace negotiation kasi kami dati hindi kami nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral dahil sa struggle. Ngayon nakapag aral na yung mga pamilya namin (Peace and peace negotiation are really important because we were not able to attain any level of education due to our struggle. Now, we can send our families to school),” Guimba said.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/10/joint-afp-pnp-moroislamicliberationfront-security-teams-face-evolving-role-in-bangsamoro-peace-process#google_vignette

PH’s ‘push back’ vs Chinese aggression gaining int’l traction

From Palawan News (Mar 10, 2024): PH’s ‘push back’ vs Chinese aggression gaining int’l traction (By Rudolph Ian Alama)

A China Coast Guard vessel deploys at around 8:15 a.m. its water cannon on Unaizah May 4 (UM4) during its rotation and reprovisioning mission to BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) at Ayungin Shoal on March 5. (Photo from Armed Forces of the Philippines)

The Philippine government is fighting disinformation and propaganda against its efforts to protect its interests in the West Philippine Sea with a strategic transparency initiative.

“Our aim is to strengthen national resilience and consolidate support for our national interest in the West Philippine Sea; build and drum up international support and recognition for the 2016 arbitral award in our interest in the West Philippine Sea,” said Assistant Secretary Michel Andre del Rosario of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

He said the initiative exposed an entrenched, well-organized, and well-funded maligned influence network of Filipinos, organizations, and institutions, which include local media and public personalities deployed in various channels to carry out propaganda and information against the government efforts in the West Philippine Sea.

Among this propaganda reframing the instigating acts against the Philippines and its allies; it also includes fearmongering and outright slander against officials, including the president.

“We are fighting back; we are gaining ground. Internal polling showed that our people right now outright distrust the People’s Republic of China, from -9 in November 2022 to -46 in November 2023. The decline is precipitous and unprecedented,” del Rosario said.

Also on the diplomatic front, more nations have expressed their support for the Philippine position in the West Philippine Sea.

He added that the initiative leverages the whole of government and the whole of society approach to prepare for instability, volatility, and shocks.

“Communication is crucial in delivering this by informing, preparing, and mobilizing our population,” del Rosario said.

The PCO official said they have seen the power of communication in the past year in countering the adversary’s disinformation.

“Our unified and coordinated approach to strategic communication in the West Philippine Sea, akin to the UK’s communication model, has allowed us to make and deliver high-quality, relevant, consistent, and comprehensive messaging without sacrificing the rigor of what might have been once called ‘peacetime communication’,” del Rosario said during his Zoom lecture at the Strategic Communication Workshop for Philippine Information Agency (PIA) information officers held March 5 in Dapitan City.

Del Rosario said that the PCO, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Information Agency are sustaining the transparency initiative campaign by innovating and adapting and keeping the messaging consistent, coordinated, cohesive, calibrated, and clear.

“We dictate our tempo, sustain the initiative and momentum, save the information landscape, and dominate the information and communication environment,” del Rosario cited the keys to winning the battle against disinformation about the country’s interest in the West Philippine Sea. (RGA/PIA Davao)

https://palawan-news.com/phs-push-back-vs-chinese-aggression-gaining-intl-traction/#google_vignette

AFP: Implementation of new defense concept not meant to escalate tension in WPS

 From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 10, 2024): AFP: Implementation of new defense concept not meant to escalate tension in WPS (By MARTIN SADONGDONG)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) adoption of a new defense concept centered on the protection of the country’s maritime territory is not intended to escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla explained that the implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) is crucial for enhancing the country’s defense posture, but not necessarily to lock horns with any other nation.

The Philippines has overlapping maritime territorial claims with China in the South China Sea.

“The Philippines is an archipelagic country so we are composed of several islands and we have to enhance our defense posture in terms of the territorial waters surrounding our archipelagic country,” Padilla said in a radio interview over dzBB on Sunday, March 10.

Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered his military to coordinate their actions and prepare for potential maritime conflict.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said they are working closely with the AFP for the implementation of the CADC to "[develop] our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)."

“For us, we cannot speculate on the other side. We can only be speaking in terms of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. For our end, our actions are not really meant to escalate tensions, rather, these are regular operations in our territorial waters,” Padilla stated.

The AFP has been regularly conducting resupply mission in all the nine features it occupies in the Spratly Island, including Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

Last week, the resupply mission was marred by a collision between a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, which supported the indigenous boats chartered by the AFP to bring the supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre outpost in Ayungin Shoal, and a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship. The CCG also fired water cannons against the Philippine vessels.

Four Filipino personnel were hurt in the mission, drawing condemnation locally and internationally towards China.

“The AFP strongly asserts the legitimacy of our operations within the West Philippine Sea. These are guided by international rules-based order and international law, and our commitment to protecting our national sovereignty,” Padilla stressed.

“Any challenges that we will be facing will be addressed with utmost professionalism. However, let it be clear that the AFP is fully prepared to defend ourselves and the lives of our members if necessary,” she added.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/9/afp-implementation-of-new-defense-concept-not-meant-to-escalate-tension-in-wps

Retiring EastMinCom chief lauds JTF Diamond’s accomplishments

From the Mindanao Times (Mar 10. 2024): Retiring EastMinCom chief lauds JTF Diamond’s accomplishments (By RHODA GRACE SARON)



OUTGOING Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) chief Lieutenant General Greg T. Almerol lauded the accomplishments of the Joint Task Force Diamond (JTFD) in ensuring peace and development in its area of operations.

In the Talk to Troops during his farewell visit at the Montalvan Hall at Camp Evangelista, Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City on March 5, Almerol commended the JTFD’s successful operations resulting in significant gains against the communist terrorist group (CTG), such as the dismantling of nine guerilla fronts, neutralization of 208 high-value individuals, the capture of 2,205 firearms, and the neutralization of 1,505 CTG members under his stint as the EastMinCom commander for more than three years.

“Your dedication has been the cornerstone of our collective success, transporting Mindanao into a beacon of peace under your vigilant watch. Over the years, your resilience and commitment have propelled us to become the foremost unified command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Almerol said.

“Your relentless pursuit of strategic victory in your area of operation has not only set a commendable example but has also exceeded initial aspirations marking a triumph for us all,” he added.

Meanwhile, Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, commander of the 4ID and the JTFD, expressed his profound gratitude to Almerol for the support and guidance, which greatly impacted the overall performance of the Diamond troopers, leading to mission accomplishments.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/retiring-eastmincom-chief-lauds-jtf-diamonds-accomplishments/

Resupply missions in West Philippine Sea to continue – AFP

From the Philippine Star (Mar 11, 2024): Resupply missions in West Philippine Sea to continue – AFP (By Pia Lee-Brago)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced a successful third Philippine-US Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in Philippine territorial waters, involving the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar and US Navy’s USS Gabrielle Giffords. Gregorio del Pilar’s AW109 helicopter and Gabrielle Giffords’ MH-60S Sea Hawk were involved in the activity featuring advanced planning and maritime communication operations within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Armed Forces of the Philippines / Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — Amid continuing harassment by China, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the military will continue to carry out rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stressed that – since the AFP strongly asserts the legitimacy of its operations within the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and guided by international rules-based order and international law – “any challenges that we will be facing will be addressed with utmost professionalism.”

“However, let it be clear that the AFP is fully prepared to defend ourselves and the lives of our members if necessary. These RORE missions of ours are for morale and welfare,” Padilla said.

“We are there to support the troops that are deployed in these territorial waters, so we will not be deterred. The AFP will be continuing with these missions to see to the welfare of our troops in our territorial waters,” she added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday summoned Chinese embassy deputy chief of mission Zhou Zhiyong to protest the aggressive actions by China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia personnel against a routine resupply mission for Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal that injured four Filipino crew members.

DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Raphael Hermoso summoned the Chinese envoy and conveyed the Philippines’ protest.

During the meeting, the Philippines stressed, among others, that China’s interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone or EEZ is unacceptable.

The DFA said “China’s actions in Ayungin Shoal infringes upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”

The Philippines demanded that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal immediately.

Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf. In accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, it cannot be appropriated for sovereignty claims.

CCG and maritime militia vessels harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons and executed dangerous maneuvers in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine RORE mission to BRP Sierra Madre.

One CCG vessel caused a collision with a Philippine vessel due to its dangerous blocking maneuvers. CCG vessels used water cannons that shattered the windshield and injured four personnel on board.
‘CADC ensures safety of troops in West Philippine Sea ’

The adoption and implementation of a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) will ensure the safety, security and well-being of Filipino troops deployed in the WPS, the AFP said yesterday.

Padilla said the policy is not aimed at a particular country.

“Our actions are not meant to escalate tensions, but rather we want to ensure the safety, security and well-being of our military forces in the West Philippine Sea. To our fisherfolk, the Coast Guard and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) are there for you; and we (AFP) are here supporting them in law enforcement operations,” she said in an interview on dzBB.

She explained that it is necessary for the Philippines, composed of several islands, to enhance its defense posture in terms of the territorial waters surrounding the archipelagic country.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Department of National Defense (DND) and AFP have embarked on the implementation of the CADC.

“In plain language, we are developing our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and Exclusive Economic Zone in order to ensure that our people and all the generations of Filipinos to come shall freely reap and enjoy the boundaries of the natural resources that are rightfully ours within our domain,” Teodoro said in a statement.

The secretary emphasized that the CADC is a strategic action and will not need constant directives to carry out. He urged AFP commanders and units to exert all efforts to operationalize it.

Padilla noted that the military exercise with the US and Australia are also not aimed at any country, but based on agreements.

DND, AFP budget hike sought

The Marcos administration needs to beef up its military might by allocating more funds to the DND and modernizing the AFP following the escalation of tensions with China over the WPS, a congressman said.

“It’s about time that the government recalibrates the allocation of funds to include the necessary resources to protect our WPS,” Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, chairman of the special House committee on the West Philippine Sea, said.

“It’s about time when we do the budget, the national government includes this as a major concern. Not only education, not only health, but also the protection of what is supposed to be ours,” the lone Mandaluyong City congressman added, noting the importance of more patrol boats and fighter jets.

Gonzales, a House deputy majority leader, underscored the importance of planning ahead for the upcoming budget cycle, noting the Department of Budget and Management will soon issue a budget call for 2025, which will be shortly after Marcos’ third State of the Nation Address on July 22. — Delon Porcalla

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/03/11/2339656/resupply-missions-west-philippine-sea-continue-afp

Shootout between army and rebels Southern Philippine kills two suspected militants

Posted to The Star (Mar 10, 2024): Shootout between army and rebels Southern Philippine kills two suspected militants (By  Xinhua)

MANILA (Xinhua): Philippine security forces have killed two suspected militants in a clash in the southern Philippines, the military said on Sunday.

In a report, the military said fighting broke out around 5 a.m. local time Saturday after troops chanced upon a group of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in a village in Maguindanao del Sur province.

The BIFF militants fled after the fighting, leaving behind an M16 assault rifle, a .50-caliber homemade barret and two improvised explosive devices, the report read.

The BIFF, a small armed group aligned with the Islamic State group, is blamed for bombings and other atrocities in the Central Mindanao region in the southern Philippines.

The group broke off from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front when the latter agreed to negotiate a peace pact with the government in 2014. 

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/03/10/shootout-between-army-and-rebels-southern-philippine-kills-two-suspected-militants

2 extremists slain in Army offensives in Maguindanao del Sur

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 11, 2024): 2 extremists slain in Army offensives in Maguindanao del Sur

Maguindanao del Sur. INQUIRER FILES

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte — Two alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in a clash with government forces in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town early at the dawn hours of Saturday, March 9, the Army here said.

Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said the Army’s First Brigade Combat Team were conducting a military operation at 5 a.m. in the area when the clash happened, leaving two BIFF members dead.

Brig. Gen. Jose Vladimir Caraga, 1BCT commander, said the remains of the two slain BIFF members were retrieved in the village of Kitango in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, an area where the BIFF operates.

Also found in the clash site were an M16 rifle, caliber 50 homemade Barret rifle, ammunition and two improvised explosive devices, Caraga said in his report to Rillera.

At least 20 BIFF members were seen in the village by residents who alerted a military checkpoint nearby of the presence of the armed group.

READ: 2 gunmen in doctor’s ambush in Maguindanao surrender

Rillera said the Army had been prepared for possible retaliatory attacks from the extremists believed to belong to the Kagi Karialan faction of the BIFF.

Earlier on March 3, a BIFF member was killed and another one who turned out to be the father, was arrested in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, following a firefight that ensued at 1:30 a.m. Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1916802/2-extremists-slain-in-army-offensives-in-maguindanao-del-sur

Kin of slain soldiers in Lanao clash receive financial aid from gov’t (

 From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 10, 2024): Kin of slain soldiers in Lanao clash receive financial aid from gov’t (By: Zeus Legaspi)

Wounded soldier Cpl. Argie B Son-oc receives from Cagayan De Oro 1st. District Rep. a total of P280,000 of financial, educational, and livelihood assistance from Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. The delivery of the assistance package was in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to extend aid to the families of soldiers killed and hurt during the February 18 clash with members of the terrorist group Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute.

MANILA, Philippines — The bereaved families of six soldiers who were killed following a clash with the extremist group Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute in Lanao del Norte have received financial assistance from several government officials and agencies, House Deputy Majority Leader for Communications Rep. Erwin Tulfo said on Sunday.

According to Tulfo, the families of slain soldiers, Corporal Rey Anthony Salvador, Corporal Reland Tapinit, Corporal Rodel Mobida, Private First Class (PFC) Arnel Tornito, Private Micharl John Lumingkit, and Private James Porras, have received an aid package worth at least P400,000 to P430,000.

READ: 6 soldiers killed in clash with terrorists in Lanao

Pagasa predicts rain in Bicol due to northeast monsoon or amihanPagasa predicts rain in Bicol due to northeast monsoon or amihan

Of this total, P300,000 came in cash, P30,000 came in schooling aid for each of the fallen soldiers’ children, and P100,000 in livelihood assistance.

Apart from the slain soldiers, six others were wounded in the clash with the extremist group on February 18, namely, Corporal Jaymark Remotigue, PFC Marvien Aguipo, Private Amiril Sakinal, Corporal Rey Mark Limare, Corporal Ernil G Quiñones and Private Nazareno Provido.

The wounded soldiers received P150,000 in cash aid, P30,000 in schooling aid for each of their children, and P100,000 in livelihood assistance.

According to Tulfo, the aid which was given to the 12 soldiers and their families totaled to P4.14 million which came from House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s personal calamity and emergency funds.

READ: Six soldiers, three Maute fighters killed in Lanao del Norte clash

“The amount was released to them as per the instructions of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. This cannot compensate for the lives lost or the damage caused by the war, but hopefully, it can help the families of our brave soldiers,” Romualdez said in a statement.

On top of these, Tulfo said theDepartment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Commission on Higher Education (Ched) will also provide livelihood and educational assistance to the victims and their dependents as instructed by the President.

Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute clashed with soldiers from the 44th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Ramain, Munai town in Lanao del Norte last Feb. 18.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1916756/rep-tulfo-on-govt-giving-assistance-to-dead-wounded-soldiers

Abu Sayyaf fighter surrenders in Zamboanga City

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 10, 2024): Abu Sayyaf fighter surrenders in Zamboanga City (By LIZA JOCSON)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An Abu Sayyaf Group member designated as a Person with Significant Role (PSR) surrendered to the police here on Friday, March 8.



SAJIRIN (Photo via Liza Jocson)

Police identified the surrenderer as Wanhar A. Sajirin, alias Wanhar, an associate of ASG sub-leader Mujir U. Yadah.

Sajirin turned himself in to the Regional Intelligence-9 headquarters in Camp Batalla. He yielded a .45 caliber pistol.

Yadah is detained at the Sulu Provincial Jail in Jolo, Sulu following his arrest on June 17, 2022 for kidnapping in Davao del Norte.

Sajirin figured in an encounter with the military in Sitio Kan Alas, Patikul, Sulu in 2018 where 10 persons were killed. Four of them were members of the Abu Sayyaf, including Taha Sawadjaan, the younger brother of ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

Sajirin served as the errand boy of Mundi Sawadjaan in 2020 and was included in the PSR by end of the year.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/9/abu-sayyaf-fighter-surrenders-in-zamboanga-city#google_vignette

Military adopts defense concept to defend PH territory in WPS

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 8, 2024): Military adopts defense concept to defend PH territory in WPS (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said the military has adopted the new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept to defend Philippine territory including its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

This, as Chinese President Xi Jinping called for coordination of military strategy at sea and prepare for potential maritime conflicts.

"In plain language, we are developing our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and EEZ in order to ensure that our people and all the generations of Filipinos to come shall freely reap and enjoy the bounties of the natural resources that are rightfully ours within our domain," he said in a statement.

"I emphasize that this a strategic action and will not need constant directives to carry out. I, thus, urge our commanders and units in the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to exert all efforts to operationalize the CADC," he added.

In a forum in January, Teodoro said the defense concept would allow the military to protect and guarantee "Philippine nationals, Philippine corporations, and those authorized by the Philippine government the unimpeded and peaceful exploration and exploitation of all natural resources within our EEZ and other areas we have jurisdiction."

This will also allow the Philippines to project its military power into areas that must be protected and preserved according to the country's Constitution.

The Philippines and China are locked in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, majority of which is being claimed by Beijing.

However, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in a 2016 arbitral ruling ruled in favor of the Philippines' claims in the area located within its 200-nautical mile EEZ or the West Philippine Sea.

Early this week, four Filipino personnel were injured when a Philippine Coast Guard ship collided with a Chinese Coast Guard when the latter performed dangerous maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220368

PH needs to bolster maritime, air capabilities, analysts say

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 9, 2024): PH needs to bolster maritime, air capabilities, analysts say (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

TERRITORIAL DISPUTE. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Tuesday (March 5, 2024) that one of their vessels sustained a minor damage after it figured in a collision with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel during a resupply mission for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal. Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the collision was a result of what he described as dangerous maneuvers of Chinese vessels in an attempt to block Philippine vessels. (Screenshot from PCG video)

MANILA – The Philippines must strengthen its maritime and air capabilities to defend and protect its territory from the threat of foreign invasion, an analyst said on Saturday.

De La Salle University professor Renato de Castro even suggested that the Marcos administration should now focus on external threats, particularly China’s provocative actions towards the Philippines in the latter’s waters.

“Ang pinaka-essence nito is of course, develop our capability to project ‘yung comprehensive power natin sa ating exclusive economic zone (EEZ), hindi lang sa West Philippine Sea, hindi lang sa South China Sea, kundi sa kabuuan (The very essence of this, of course, is to develop our capability to protect our comprehensive power in our exclusive economic zone. Not just in the West Philippine Sea, not just in the South China Sea, but in the entirety of our territory),” he said in a weekly forum in Quezon City.

“Of course, this will entail a huge amount of money kasi talagang (because indeed), we literally have to start from scratch. But this is of course our effort to address what we call a quintessential security threat, which is, of course, China literally knocking on our door.”

University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea Director Jay Batongbacal, meanwhile, said the government must take an unconventional approach to defend the country’s territory.

Batongbacal said the “big” challenge for the Marcos administration is the Philippine waters and maritime natural resources “are being taken actively” by China.

Agreeing with Batongbacal, de Castro added that the government must come up with “comprehensive” strategies and suggested that it may conduct a unilateral exploration of the country’s resources and develop the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) tri-service composed of the Army, Air Force, and Navy units.

Given that China “has the largest navy in the world,” de Castro proposed amending the AFP Modernization Law to allow the military to acquire its warships from local manufacturers.

De Castro made the recommendation, as he emphasized the need to improve the country’s port facilities and develop the shipbuilding industry.

“You cannot develop a credible navy kung wala tayong matibay na (if we do not have a strong) shipbuilding industry,” he said. “Dapat maghanda ho tayo (We have to get ready) and, of course, ang first noon (thing that we have to do) is we have to understand the issue.”

De Castro acknowledged that the current administration’s response to China’s recent actions is “very rigorous,” citing the efforts to heighten the Philippines’ presence in its maritime territory.

Batongbacal agreed with de Castro’s statement, saying the country is “leveling up” since most of the AFP personnel from its three units are getting involved in addressing the external threats, specifically China’s presence in Philippine waters.

“Sineseryoso talaga ng gobyerno yung challenges natin ng external defense kasi matagal na, ilang dekada na, maraming administrasyong nagdaan na parang masyado talagang naabsorb ang atensyon ng defense sa internal security operations (The government is really taking our external defense challenges seriously because for a long time, for several decades, the past administrations seem to have absorbed the attention of defense in internal security operations)," he said.

“‘Pag hindi sila (China) napigilan diyan, siguardong in the future, papasok talaga sila sa ating mga inter-island resources at water resources kaya kailangan talaga ito (If they are not stopped there, surely in the future, they will intrude into our inter-island resources and water resources so this is really necessary),” Batongbacal added.

China, he said, is “clearly violating international law and trying to force us to submit to it.”

“We are pursuing our interest. We are trying to defend our resources. We are asserting our rights and entitlements in accordance with international law,” he said.

On Friday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced that the AFP has adopted the new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept to defend the Philippine territory, including its EEZ.

The defense chttps://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220430oncept would allow the Philippines to project its military power into areas that must be protected and preserved according to the country’s Constitution.

The move comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping called for coordination of military strategy at sea and to prepare for potential maritime conflicts. 

High trust rating reflects AFP commitment to nation’s security

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 10, 2024): High trust rating reflects AFP commitment to nation’s security (By Zaldy De Layola)

Philippine Army 102nd Division Reconnaissance Company (Photo courtesy of AFP Facebook)

MANILA – The high trust rating obtained by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a recent survey was a reflection of the dedication, professionalism and commitment to the nation's security.

The OCTA Research survey “Tugon ng Masa” conducted Dec. 10 to 14, 2023 and released March 7 showed 86 percent of adult Filipinos are satisfied with the AFP and its overall accomplishments.

Twenty-three percent were "very satisfied" and 63 percent were "somewhat satisfied" with the military.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who praised the AFP in a news release on Sunday, said the survey result came at a time when the country is facing internal and external threats.

"I express my sincerest gratitude to the men and women of the AFP for their unwavering service and sacrifice. Thank you very much for your services and concern to our people. Your sacrifice to ensure the safety of our nation from any threat or danger is incomparable," he said.

He said the level of satisfaction is consistent with the previous rating posted in October 2023 (+83), demonstrating steady confidence and trust in the military institution.

He reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ commitment to supporting the AFP in its mission to defend the country by providing the military with necessary resources and legislation that would ensure that they can perform their duties effectively.

“We are grateful to the Filipino people for continuously trusting the Armed Forces of the Philippines!” the AFP posted on Facebook after the results were released.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220461

Army, Samar gov’t step up dialogue with rebels’ kin

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 8, 2024): Army, Samar gov’t step up dialogue with rebels’ kin (By Sarwell Meniano)

PEACE FORUM. Family members of active New People’s Army combatants attend a peace forum organized by the Philippine Army and Samar provincial government during a gathering on March 5, 2024 in Basey, Samar. The military said they are strengthening the Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families program to completely wipe out insurgency in Samar province. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – Military and local government officials in Samar will hold more peace forums and dialogue to convince the remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA) through their families to return to the folds of the law and avail of the benefits offered by the government.

Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. General Noel Vestuir said Friday they are strengthening the Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families (FReE Families) project to completely wipe out insurgency in Samar province.

During the launch on March 5, the army and the local government gathered family members of active NPA members in upland Bacubac village in Basey, Samar, with 29 family members present. Their kin are among the 17 active rebels who are residents of Samar.

Vestuir said they would hold the same dialogue in other areas of Samar province next week.

“The familial influence held by the family and relatives of the remaining active NPA members under the NPA sub-regional committee plays an integral role in our aim to end the armed struggle in Samar through peaceful means,” Vestuir said.

The FReE Families program optimizes the local government’s efforts to link and convince the remaining NPA members through the active participation of the rebels’s families to work for the peaceful surrender of their loved ones and take advantage of the benefits through the Enhanced Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

E-CLIP is a government strategy to convince active rebels to return to the fold of the law by providing financial packages and assistance.

In a statement, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan said she is optimistic that “the current efforts through the engaged families will work for the surrender of the remaining rebels who are still in the mountains.”

The governor said the identified families and relatives of NPA members are the principal actors for this program, with the end goal of having the NPA members, our target, leave the armed struggle and join them in living a peaceful life.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220350