PH refutes US, UK, Australia warnings

From Rappler (May 30): PH refutes US, UK, Australia warnings

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, May 30, refuted travel warnings issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia over supposed security threats in Mindanao.

In a press conference, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said “there are no specific threats that have been monitored in that area” based on consultations with the police, military, and other law enforcement agencies.

Hernandez said the US, UK, and Australia might have gotten information from other sources.

He noted issuing travel advisories “is normal for any government.” He said the Philippines itself does this in case of security or safety problems in various parts of the world, such as Libya, Syria, Egypt, and even Boston in the US.

“We nevertheless wish to assure the public including foreign visitors that the Philippine government continues to undertake appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the public,” Hernandez said.

'Credible threat'

The travel warnings from all 3 countries cited threats of kidnapping.

In an emergency message on Wednesday, May 29, the US Embassy warned US citizens about “a credible threat of a terrorist kidnapping-for-ransom plot against foreigners.”

The embassy said the threat affects the Zamboanga area. It said the warning stands until June 12.

“As a result, the embassy advises all American citizens residing in or planning to travel to the Zamboanga area to re-evaluate their personal safety situation and consider postponing travel to this area at this time,” the US Embassy said.

In another warning, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised “against all travel to southwest Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of ongoing terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups.”

The FCO also advised against “all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao for the same reasons.”

The office cited a “high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping.”

Citing the US Embassy's warning, Australia also warned its citizens against travelling to Mindanao.

“We continue to strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga peninsula and Sulu archipelago, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, violent crime, and violent clashes between armed groups,” Australia said.

Last weekend, members of the Abu Sayyaf ambushed Marines in Sulu, killing 7 soldiers. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is in peace talks with the government, has mobilized its forces to help soldiers seize the perpetrators.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/30281-us-uk-australia-travel-warnings

Don't dictate to PH over seas, China told

From Rappler (May 30): Don't dictate to PH over seas, China told
 
So what if a Philippine ship sailed to Ayungin Shoal, a territory also claimed by China in a long-standing conflict over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)?

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, May 30, asserted that the Philippines can do whatever it wants within its seas. “China is not in a position to dictate what the Philippines can do within its maritime domain,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in an interview with reporters.

Hernandez said China, in the first place, “has no right to be there.” He said Ayungin Shoal remains an “integral part” of Philippine territory.

The DFA spokesman said this after a meeting between Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing.

In this meeting, according to Gazmin, Ma said she was concerned that the Philippines was building additional structures on Ayungin Shoal. The defense chief, however, told Ma: “The ship that is moving toward Ayungin Shoal is only for provisions of food and water for the soldiers who are there.”

Hernandez, for his part, said the DFA has not received an official report on the meeting. He said the DFA, however, considers rotation of personnel and provisioning "a sovereign and humanitarian duty."

Ayungin, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is within the Philippines' internationally recognized exclusive economic zone and is surrounded by waters rich for fishing.

Tension erupted over it after the Philippines protested against a Chinese warship circling the reef. The Philippines called the Chinese ship's presence “provocative and illegal.”

'Help PH fishermen'

The diplomatic problem has affected fishermen as well.

Hernandez said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is mandated “to help out our fishermen.”

“We don’t want to put our fishermen at risk and therefore, what is important is that they are able to fish in safe waters. And that’s why we have been asking China to withdraw and leave our exclusive economic zone because those areas are for Filipinos,” he said.

On Wednesday, May 29, BFAR bared plans to develop alternative fishing grounds. The agency said it will develop fishing in Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare area off the coast of Aurora province.

Benham Rise became part of Philippine territory in 2012 after the country secured the approval of the United Nations.

This is on the eastern side of the Philippines and is not subject to any territorial conflict.

 http://www.rappler.com/nation/30293-ayungin-shoal-dictate

Taiwanese probers, NBI team finish parallel work on May 9 shooting

From InterAksyon (May 31): Taiwanese probers, NBI team finish parallel work on May 9 shooting

A six-man team of Taiwanese investigators flew back home Friday morning, wrapping up four days of work almost at the same time as an NBI team doing a parallel inquiry in Taipei into the May 9 fatal shooting of a fisherman off Batanese coast.

The investigators said they were generally satisfied with the cooperation extended by the National Bureau of Investigation, which helped them interview members of the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and view the official video of the incident from the BFAR boat.

The 8-man NBI team, meanwhile, is expected to be back in Manila later Friday.

Atty. Virgilio Mendez, deputy director of NBI, said in radio interviews Friday that more work needs to be done, particularly, to evaluate “the evidence we have gathered,” but added the work isnt’ so much.

Mendez said the NBI probers in Taiwan received cooperation from authorities there.

The NBI men were allowed to examine the vessel, determine the trajectory of bullets from the volley of gunfire unleashed by the PCG team when, they alleged, the Taiwanese fishing boat repeatedly tried to ram their vessel to prevent their boarding the fishing boat suspected of illegal fishing. The NBI also examined slugs retrieved by the Taiwanese from the fishing boat that was towed back to Taiwan, for “comparison with the slugs we extracted from guns turned over to NBI by PCG,” explained Atty. Mendez.

There is yet no formal report from the NBI team which is flying in late Friday, he said.
Mendez acknowledged the possibility there will be differences in the parallel reports of the Taiwanese and Filipino probers, especially on the location of incident---was it within Philippine or Taiwanese waters?

He declined to confirm if the NBI investigation showed it indeed happened in Philippine territory. He wanted to avoid a premature disclosure, saying location is a vital aspect of the investigation.

“We also want to see everything, evaluate everything we have, since we’ve advanced well into this inquiry.” In case of a variance in parallel reports of Taipei and Manila, Mendez doesn’t see a need “to reconcile our findings, since the point of the exercise” was for both sides to do their exhaustive fact-finding and come up with reasonable conclusions into what really happened on Balintang Channel last May 9.

MECO chief: Tensions eased, but precautions taken

Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Amadeo Perez said the situation in Taiwan has eased considerably, and it’s been 13 days since they last received any spot report of tense encounters involving Filipino workers. Still, they advised OFWs to be careful and avoid unnecessary trips outside their homes or work sites.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/62989/taiwanese-probers-nbi-team-finish-parallel-work-on-may-9-shooting

US guided missile destroyer due in Manila Friday

From InterAksyon (May 30): US guided missile destroyer due in Manila Friday



The USS Paul Hamilton (DDG6), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the US Navy, will arrive Friday, May 31, in Manila “for a routine port call,” the United States Embassy said.

During its visit, the Paul Hamilton “will refuel and receive supplies, while its crew will be given opportunity for rest and recreation as well as to render community service at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Fort Bonifacio,” an embassy statement said.

At least 24 Filipino-Americans are among the warship’s crew of 300.

The destroyer was commissioned in 1995 at the US Naval Station in Charleston, South Caroline, and is now based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

It is 505 feet long, displaces 8,300 tons on full load, and has a top speed of more than 30 knots.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/62954/us-guided-missile-destroyer-due-in-manila-friday

Soldiers undergo endurance shooting course in Ilocos Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 30): Soldiers undergo endurance shooting course in Ilocos Sur

Law enforcers in Ilocos Sur underwent an endurance shooting course to enhance their marksmanship skills inside an army camp in Barangay Sulvec in Narvacan town.

Commander Lt. Colonel Desiderio Alaba of the 81st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) said that a firing range for the training course was established to provide enforcers the proper skills.

“We made the endurance shooting course with a corresponding firing range because this is one of the basic requirements of all the units under the command of 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army,” Alaba said.

“Aside from the soldiers, members of other law enforcement agencies like the police may experience this gun’s shooting skills training in our camp,” he added.

Alaba said that the training will equip soldiers with appropriate skills in gun firing to further reduce casualty and collateral damage during encounter or gun battle.

“The course is one of the strategies to provide skills for our law enforcers and extend safety and security to our people. The training program is designed to improve shooting skills which are essential to maximizing shooting performance,” he said.

Alaba clarified that the training course, which is held for three days during special occasions in the camp, have two components such as the orientation and dry shooting, and actual gun firing using four kinds of firearms in four stages.

Part of the training involves the following drill: the participant would run 100 meters before reaching the K3 or the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW); after firing the SAW; the participant will run another 50 meters to reach the M-14 rifle for firing; followed by the firing of M-16 Armalite rifle upon reaching another 50-meter distance; and lastly, firing the Caliber .45 pistol in the last stage of the shooting.

Every stage of the shooting has corresponding distance of target. K3 has target distance of 100 meters; M-14 rifle with target distance of 75 meters; M- 16 armalite rifle with target distance of 50 meters; and Caliber .45 with target distance of 15 meters.

The participant should fire five rounds in every stage of the shooting course and after completing the gun shooting activity, an evaluation will automatically follow.

Any participant, who failed to pass the standard number of hit target will repeat the course until his or her capability improves.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=381369623037

Heavy equipment torched in Surigao City

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30): Heavy equipment torched in Surigao City
 
A heavy equipment owned by a businesswoman engaged in sand and gravel extraction was torched by unidentified suspects at a barangay in Surigao City 11:13 p.m. Tuesday.

Belated report from Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office stated that a pay loader owned by a certain Gloria P. Jovita, a businesswoman and a resident of Purok 7, Navalca, Brgy. San Juan was burned by the suspects at the boundary of brgys. Ipil and Danao, all of Surigao City, after the latter failed to pay allegedly the P50,000.00 demanded by a certain Ricardo Gonzales alias "Kumander Gonzales".

The damage to the torched equipment was estimated by the police to be around P300,000.00. Police is conducting a deeper investigation on the incident to really identify the suspect, determine the motive and to file the appropriate charges against him.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=529436

Zambo mayor: U.S. travel advisory ‘very unfortunate and unfair’

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30): Zambo mayor: U.S. travel advisory ‘very unfortunate and unfair’
  
Mayor Celso Lobregat on Thursday described as “very unfortunate and unfair” the latest travel advisory issued by the United States Embassy against Zamboanga City, saying that no less than U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. was in the city Wednesday and nothing untoward happened.

“The U.S. Embassy was asking its nationals to re-evaluate their travel plans to Zamboanga and I am also asking the U.S. Embassy to re-evaluate its travel advisory,” Lobregat said, adding that when Ambassador Thomas was in this city Wednesday there was no mention about any travel advisory.

“Of course, any travel advisory from anywhere in the world will always have an effect,” Lobregat said when asked whether the latest U.S. travel advisory would affect this city’s tourism programs.

Thomas visited this city Wednesday, probably his last prior to his scheduled transfer to another country, to launch three projects of the United State Agency of International Development (USAID) namely; the Enhancing Governance, Accountability and Engagement (ENGAGE) Project, the Mindanao Youth Development (MYDEV) Project, and Mindanao Health Project.

Lobregat was invited to a breakfast with the ambassador together with USAID and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) officials hours before the launching of the three projects.

The mayor also had a chance to speak with Thomas at the project launching at noon after the ambassador had delivered his speech.

“But nothing was mentioned about any threats to the Americans in this city and no less than the ambassador was here on the day the embassy issued its travel advisory. That is very, very unfortunate and unfair,” Lobregat reiterated.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=529474

4 cops survive ambush in Jiabong, Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): 4 cops survive ambush in Jiabong, Samar

The chief of police of the Paranas municipal police station and his three companions were able to escape death when ambushed by undetermined number of suspected rebel group past 1 p.m. Thursday at Jiabong, Samar province.

C/Insp. Doughlas Antonio B. Eloja, the chief of police, and his men PO3 Cayetano Abantao, PO2 Romulo Tabique Jr and PO2 Rodrigo Agbon Jr were on board the patrol car of Paranas MPS on their way to Catbalogan City, initial report reaching the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) here stated.

The team was traversing the Maharlika Highway along Tagbayaon village when ambushed by the suspected New People’s Army with the use of landmine.

While no casualty was reported the vehicle was slightly damaged.

A hot pursuit operation is now ongoing while an investigation is being conducted by the Jiabong MPS, Scene of the Crime Operatives and the Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO).

Meanwhile, C/Supt Elmer R. Soria, regional director of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) said that they will “pursue the terrorists and bring them to the bar of justice” even as he called the incident “another cowardly and treacherous act perpetrated by lawless elements.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=529503

Eastern Visayas top cop condemns NPA ambush in Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): Eastern Visayas top cop condemns NPA ambush in Samar

The New People’s Army (NPA) has violated the international humanitarian law on the use of landmine when they ambushed a police patrol car Thursday afternoon in Samar province.

This was the reaction of the top cop in Eastern Visayas as he condemned the cowardly and treacherous act of the rebel group.

“This is clearly an evil and terroristic act. We will pursue these lawless elements and bring them to the bar of justice,” said Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) director C/Supt. Elmer R. Soria as he ordered pursuit operations against the rebels who ambushed his men past 1:00 P.M. on Thursday.

The police regional director informed that communist rebels set off a roadside bomb and opened fire on a police patrol car carrying members of Paranas Municipal Police Station along the Maharlika Highway in Brgy. Tagbayaon, Jiabong town in Samar.

Paranas police chief, C/Insp. Doughlas Antonio B. Eloja, and his men -- PO3 Cayetano Abantao, PO2 Romulo Tabique and PO2 Rodrigo Agbon Jr., were en route to Catbalogan City, some eight kilometers northwest from the ambush site, to attend a court hearing when undetermined number of communists-terrorists detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) and sprayed the vehicle with gunfire, he added.

The policemen were able to maneuver towards the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility at nearby Brgy. Lagundi and escaped death.

The patrol car was slightly damaged by shrapnels and bullets.

Troops set up roadblocks and dispatched reinforcements to track down the assailants, said Soria.

The incident occurred three days after an ambush carried out by NPA rebels in a far-flung village in Allacapan, Cagayan that left eight police commandos of the PNP’s elite unit, the Special Action Force, dead and seven others wounded.

Soria said government forces have heightened their pursuit operations against the perpetrators.

In Eastern Visayas, the most notorious barbaric act staged by NPA terrorists in recent years was on August 21, 2010 in a remote area of Sitio Elembo, Brgy. Imelda in Catarman, Northern Samar when eight policemen, now known as “Catarman 8,” were mercilessly executed by the communists.

The lawmen were on their way to investigate the killing of a village official perpetrated by the rebels when their patrol car was hit by a landmine. After the explosion, the NPAs also peppered the policemen with bullets; most were shot on the head, ensuring their death.

The rebels also took the policemen’s personal belongings like wallets, uniforms, and service firearms.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=529801

USS Paul Hamilton to arrive in Manila Friday

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30): USS Paul Hamilton to arrive in Manila Friday
 
The USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer of the US Navy, will arrive in Manila on Friday for a routine port call.

The US Embassy in Manila, in a statement, said the visits highlight the strong historic, community, and military relations between the United States and the Philippines.

During its visit, the Paul Hamilton will refuel and receive supplies, while its crew will be given opportunity for rest and recreation as well as to render community service at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The ship has a crew of 300, including 24 Filipino-Americans.

Named after the third Secretary of the Navy of the U.S., the Hamilton was commissioned in 1995 at the US Naval Station in Charleston, South Caroline, and is now based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

It is 505 feet long, displaces 8,300 tons on full load, and has a top speed of more than 30 knots.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=529551

BRP Ramon Alcaraz can be used as radar picket

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): BRP Ramon Alcaraz can be used as radar picket

Once the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's second Hamilton-class cutter arrives in August, the ship can be used as a radar picket by the Philippine Navy (PN) in its efforts to protect our extensive maritime domains.

Radar pickets are ships equipped with powerful radar and deployed in the high seas to detect ships or aircraft attempting to violate the country's territories.

"As a platform, radar equipment like that of the littoral observation stations (coast watch stations) can be mounted for wider range data gathering. All of these will be linked in a shore facility for better command and control for effective decision making," PN spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said on Friday.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz is expected to leave the US for the Philippines by the first week of June and will be here in August.

Aside from this capability, the impending arrival of the country's second Hamilton-class cutter will boost the PN's maritime domain awareness capability, Fabic said.

At present, the Filipino warship is believed to be carrying a 76mm Oto Melara automatic cannon, two 25 Bushmaster guns and assorted machine guns.

It is also reported to be carrying a Harpoon anti-ship missile system.

"As an additional asset it will greatly improve our maritime domain/situational awareness (capability) because it is capable of long range deployment," the PN spokesperson added.

Also, since the ship is fitted with hangar facilities, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz can host a naval helicopter that can further extend its monitoring and detection capability.

"Also a helicopter can be launched from the vessel allowing wider and further coverage," Fabic stressed.

The ship is "fully mission capable" on her arrival.It has a complement of 167 officers and men.

Maritime observers said that this developments speak well of the Philippine Navy (PN) efforts to modernize itself and boost its power projection capabilities.

"With the arrival of our Hamilton-class cutters, which are being converted to frigates, the PN has started its first step in developing its blue-water capability or the ability to detect or engage intruders in the high seas," they added.

At present, the PN is rated only as coastal protection naval force and nothing else.(

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=529681

All PAF W-3A 'Sokols' operational

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): All PAF W-3A 'Sokols' operational

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Friday said that all of the country's eight W-3A "Sokol" combat utility helicopters are operational and mission capable.

"They are all operational," said PAF spokesperson Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol.

Okol said that six of the helicopters are now being used for various missions from search-and-rescue, to administration lift duties.

"While two are for transition training. All are with the 505th Search and Rescue Group," the PAF spokesperson said.

The last batch of four W-3A "Sokol" arrived in pairs last Nov. 26, 2012 and Feb. 17 this year.

This is the last batch of four out of the eight ordered from Augusta PZL Swidnik of Poland sometime in 2010.

The four earlier delivered was commissioned and put in service on March 9, 2012.

The PAF's W3-A "Sokols" or "Falcon" combat utility helicopters are equipped with the latest navigation and avionics systems including a night vision goggle compatible cockpit, allowing it to operate day and night in all weather conditions.

This six-ton class helicopter can transport up to 11 troops in the cabin or can lift up to 2,100 kilograms using its external cargo hook.

This helicopter can also be fitted with a M-60D machine gun on each side of the cabin.

PZL-Swidnik is Poland’s the biggest aerospace manufacturer with the capability to design, develop and manufacture its own helicopters.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=529706

President Aquino declares the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque as national historical landmark in Tawi-Tawi

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): President Aquino declares the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque as national historical landmark in Tawi-Tawi

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque, considered as one of the country’s oldest existing Muslim Houses of Prayer or Mosques located in Tawi-tawi, as a national historical landmark.

The Chief Executive signed on May 24 the Republic Act No. 10573 otherwise known as "An Act Declaring the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque, considered as the site of one of the oldest existing Muslim houses of prayer or mosques in the Philippines, at Tubig Indangan, Simunul, province of Tawi-Tawi, as a National Historical Landmark and for other purposes."

The Act, which originated in the House of Representatives, was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on March 23, 2011 and February 4, 2013, respectively.

President Aquino said it is the policy of the State to preserve historical sites, monuments and other relics that represent the Filipino heritage and culture and should therefore be under the protection of the State.

Consistent with the constitutional mandate to conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage, President Aquino declared the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque located at Tubig Indangam, Simunul, province of Tawi-Tawi a national historical landmark to underscore the immense contribution of the Islamic faith to the enrichment, vibrance and diversity of our culture and civilization.

The newly-declared national historical landmark Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque was constructed in 1380 A.D.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) shall exercise supervision over the preservation of the site and shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to fulfill its functions, the President noted.

The President tasked the chairman of the NHCP to immediately include in the Commission’s program the operationalization of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque as a national historical landmark, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

In order to afford the people an opportunity to participate in financing the preservation, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of the shrine, President Aquino authorized the NHCP to organize and undertake a national fund campaign for the purpose of raising funds from private sources.

The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=529806

Gazmin: China violating code of conduct

From the Business Mirror (May 30): Gazmin: China violating code of conduct

DEFENSE Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday said China violates with impunity the Declaration on the Code (DOC) of Parties in South China Sea of 2002 by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

 

“Well, we’ve been adhering to the [Code of] Conduct; we’ve been following the DOC [and] we did not violate it. They [China] were the ones violating it and that’s why we had filed several protests already,” Gazmin said in an interview.

 

The Philippines has brought the territorial dispute for arbitration before the International Court of Justice of the United Nations, a move that China protested.

 

Gazmin held a bilateral dialogue on Wednesday with Chinese Ambassador to Manila Ma Ke Qing and they talked about the situation in Ayungin Reef.

 

 Recently, Chinese frigates, maritime surveillance ships and fishing boats intruded into Ayungin and conducted illegal fishing activities, including the harvesting of corals.

During the dialogue, Ma said China is finding ways of “cooperation” and “exchanges” to ease tension in the Spratly Islands.

 

Gazmin said Ma told him that the Chinese forces were in Ayungin to “monitor” the activities of Philippine forces, particularly the possible construction of additional structures in the area.

 

Ayungin is one of the three reefs and seven islets that compose the municipality of the Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan. It is currently led by re-elected Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon.

 

The reef is guarded by Marines.

 

Meanwhile, Gazmin said he will have bilateral talks with representatives from the United States, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia during the conference of defense ministers that would be held in Singapore.

 

“We will have time for bilateral talks with these countries. Japan’s [defense minister] is set to come here for our bilateral meeting. We had bilateral talks with China during the Shangri-La Dialogue. Anyway, we’ve already had a dialogue with China [through its ambassador] yesterday [Wednesday],” Gazmin said, adding he had also talked with the representative of Brunei Darussalam.

 

The so-called Shangri-La Dialogue is a venue where security officials meet and interact with each other regarding issues of security concerns in the international community.

 

Gazmin said he is not sure if the territorial dispute with China and other nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Burnei, as well as Taiwan, will be raised during the conference.

 

“If the issue will pop up then we will discuss it,” he said.

 

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/14257-gazmin-china-violating-code-of-conduct

Soldiers injured in Bukidnon road accident

From the Mindanao Examiner (May 30): Soldiers injured in Bukidnon road accident

At least 9 soldiers were injured after their truck crashed early Thursday on a concrete wall in the southern Philippine province of Bukidnon, officials said.

Officials said the truck driver avoided a collision with a motorcycle in the town of Maramag and lost control of the wheel.

The soldiers are all members of the army’s 4th Infantry Division sent to fight communist rebels in the province.

The military did not release the names of the injured, but officials said they were rushed to hospital in the province.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/05/soldiers-injured-in-bukidnon-road.html