Young PMA officer killed in Misamis Oriental encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): Young PMA officer killed in Misamis Oriental encounter

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City -- A young army officer died at the military hospital here for serious gunshot wounds inflicted in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels Friday noon in Misamis Oriental, the military said Saturday.

Maj. Leo E. Bongosia, spokesperson of the army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the 2nd Lt. Dennis Avila, 24, of PMA Class 2011, and a native of Tarlac, succumbed to serious gunshot wounds while being treated at the military hospital here around 7:00 p.m. Friday.

He said Avila was one of the military personnel of the army’s 58th Infantry Battalion who was wounded during a running gun battle with NPA rebels in the bordering towns of Claveria in Misamis Oriental and Malitbog in Bukidnon Friday afternoon.

The other wounded army officer was Private First Class Ales Andilong, also of the 58th IB. Andilong who was also brought to the military hospital here is now out of danger, Bongosia added.

He said that Avila’s team was on combat operations in the farming village of Abacahan in Mat-I, Claveria, Misamis Oriental when they encountered about 30 fully armed rebels resulting in a running gun battle that started past 11:00 a.m. Friday.

Bongosia said that Avila’s team pursued the withdrawing NPA rebels toward the borders of Malitbog in a more than an hour intermittent gun battle that resulted in the wounding of Avila and Andilong.

Avila was hit on the side of the body that exited through his shoulder while Andilong was hit on the thighs. Helicopter gunship retrieved the wounded from the encounter site only at about 4:00 p.m. due to heavy rains in the area, Bongosia added.

He said Avila was directly assigned at the army’s 58th IB in Claveria, Misamis Oriental after he graduated from the PMA in 2011.

According to Bongosia, the military mourned the lost one of the most promising military officers here whose courage and dedication to duty were proven during his short stint at the army’s 58th IB.

Bongosia said that Avila’s remains would be airlifted to Manila anytime since his parents and relatives were already informed of his sad fate.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=532407

2 die as MNLF, MILF clash anew in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): 2 die as MNLF, MILF clash anew in North Cotabato
 
Two members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were killed when rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attacked a farming village in North Cotabato on Friday, the military here said Saturday.

Captain Antonio Bulao, local Army spokesperson, said the MILF, in a clear violation of a localized truce, attacked the village of Marbel in Matalam town in North Cotabato Friday, killing two unarmed members of the MNLF.

Bulao identified the victims as Toto Manial and Eddie Buisan, who both died on the spot from gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Quoting reports from village officials and Army stationed in Barangay Marbel, Bulao said the victims were returning to their farmlands when armed MILF, led by Commanders Ali Mansur and Commander Salonga of the MILF’s 108th base command, fired at them.

”It was a clear violation of the localized truce by the MILF,” Bulao said of the MILF attack.

The MNLF retaliated and a shooting war ensued. Fighting ceased when the Army fired warning shots from mortars and howitzers.

Bulao stressed that a local peace agreement was forged between the leaders of the MILF and MNLF with participation of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) and local government units of North Cotabato.

The agreement calls for the repositioning of MILF reinforcement troops from Barangay Marbel where MNLF and MILF clashed before the May 13 elections.

”They did not reposition their troops, instead they continued harassing civilians identified with the MNLF,” Bulao added.

The MNLF-MILF conflict started on May 5 when the MILF was to hold an advocacy forum for the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro in Barangay Marbel, a known bailiwick of the MNLF and declared peace zones after the MNLF forged an agreement with the government in 1996.

Datu Dima Ambel, MNLF leader in the area, allowed the MILF to hold the forum as this was for peace but requested the MILF not to wear fatigue uniform or carry guns.

But the MILF came in full battle gear and fatigue uniforms with high powered firearms which insulted the MNLF leader. Skirmishes between two Moro rebel groups ensued, leaving at least three persons killed and three others wounded.

The Army, LGU and IMT came into the picture and normalized the situation with the localized truce but the MILF violated its provisions, the Army said.

Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the on-off skirmishes between the two warring groups.

Both sides declared that the conflict was not organizational but more of a territorial dispute.

Barangay Marbel is a known sugarcane and corn plantation areas recognized by the government as peace zone.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=532441

PACOM chief reiterates commitment to enhance AFP capability in maritime security

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7): PACOM chief reiterates commitment to enhance AFP capability in maritime security

During his Friday visit to ranking defense and military officials, US Pacific Command (PACOM) head Adm. Samuel Locklear III reiterated Washington's commitment to boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines's maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.

"The Admiral discussed how the US could contribute in enhancing the capability of the AFP in meeting emerging security challenges to include maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR)," the Dept. of National Defense statement on Locklear's visit stated.

Locklear met with DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

Modalities of increased rotational presence of the US in the Asia-Pacific and in the Philippines to include high value and high impact exercises were also tackled during the meeting.

Locklear's two-day visit, his third to the Philippines since becoming PACOM chief, started June 6.

Both the Philippine and US sides reaffirmed the importance of enhancing their bilateral relations as well as promoting multi-lateralism.

Locklear also reiterated that while the US does not take sides as regards the West Philippine Sea issue, the US remains concerned about developments in the area and emphasized that they are opposed to unilateral actions that will change the status quo.

He also gave the assurance that in spite of the on-going crisis in the Middle East, the US remains committed to its policy of re-balancing to Asia, emphasizing that the re-balance includes political economic, and military aspects.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=532271

Military's modernization a government priority, assures Palace official

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): Military's modernization a government priority, assures Palace official

The Aquino administration will remain focused on attaining a minimum credible defense position to protect the country’s sovereignty against both external and internal threats, a Palace official said Saturday.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Aquino government already accomplished a lot in modernizing the country’s police and military.

Lacierda’s statements came amidst some lawmakers' calls to increase the 2014 budget of the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police so these can better address external and internal threats.

He said the current thrust of government is modernizing the Philippine police and military.

“In only a span of three years, we have devoted a substantial amount of money towards modernizing our armed forces,” he said.

Under the AFP Modernization Law, the Aquino administration was able to acquire a Hamilton class cutter from the US — the BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

The navy is also awaiting arrival of another naval ship from the US.

The military also acquired several combat helicopters from Poland with the first four choppers now being used by the Air Force.

There are additional deliveries of more choppers as well as jet fighters most probably from South Korea.

“We are going to achieve what we have always maintained, what the President has always said — a minimum credible defense position - and if the lawmakers would wish to add to the budget of the AFP, again, we are going through a budget deliberation process,” Lacierda said.

“It is within the process itself as to their discretion how they would like to assist in further modernizing our forces.”

He further said if Congress wants to increase the budget for both military and the police, that'll be a great help to the country.

Adding any amount should be in the budget process and budget deliberations, he noted.

Modernizing the Philippine military is seen as a necessity for the country as tension is rising in the West Philippine Sea.

Other countries are also aggressively pursuing respective claims in that area.

Among territorial concerns of the Philippines are the alleged continuous patrols of China near shoals within the former's exclusive economic zone.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=532462

Video on Balintang shooting likely tampered – NBI source

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 8): Video on Balintang shooting likely tampered – NBI source

Forensic video experts from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday cast doubt on the “authenticity” of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) video showing the whole May 9 Balintang Channel shooting incident as probers believed that it was tampered before it was submitted for investigation.

Sources from the NBI said that results from the bureau’s Cybercrime Division showed indications that some of the scenes in the PCG video had already been spliced before it was sent to the bureau at the start of the investigation.

One of the sources quickly noticed that there were some small “cuts” in the two-hour video, a sign that there were scenes in the PCG video that had already been deleted even before the NBI commenced its probe on the Balintang shooting.

Two other sources, who had seen the video, confirmed the statements of the first source.

“Medyo madilim at magulo yung pagkakakuha nung video at medyo green yung screen. Pero habang pinapanuod namin parang putol-putol,” one of the sources said. “Since medyo putol-putol yung video, kinakailangan talaga na i-verify yung kuha nung video. We verified it and found na may na-edit or natanggal sa video.”

The source, however, declined to elaborate on what part of the video had been edited since it will already give an idea of the content of the PCG video, which allegedly showed the footage of the hot pursuit operation made by the PCG personnel against the Taiwanese poachers that led to the accidental, fatal shooting of Taiwanese Hung Shih-chen, 65.

Hung reportedly sustained a gunshot wound on the neck.

They also declined to answer the question whether the editing of the video, which is tantamount to tampering of evidence, can already be considered as an act of obstruction of justice.

“What I can say is the NBI has competent investigators which can look into the authenticity of videos presented as evidence,” the second source said.

PCG spokesman Armand Balilo declined to comment on the report that the video the agency submitted to the NBI had been tampered.

Balilio said they will just wait for the bureau’s final report on the incident.

“The PCG has already submitted all the documents they were asking, including the video taken by the MCS-3001. The PCG has nothing to hide,” Balilo said.

The two-hour video of the PCG reportedly showed how the Taiwanese fishing vessel taunted those aboard the MCS-3001, a patrol vessel owned by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources but manned by coast guard, by moving in circles.

After engaging in a high seas chase, the coast guard aimed for what they thought was the engine room to stop the boat but they accidentally hit Hung in the process.

But contrary to earlier reports, only a few coast guard personnel laughed after one of the M-16 rifles of the PCG got stuck up and failed to fire.

As this developed, the Taiwanese investigators and NBI had already ironed out some of the supposed “discrepancies” in their parallel probes, including the exact coordinates of the shooting incident and the number of rifles used by the PCG.

http://mb.com.ph/News/Main_News/16142/Video_on_Balintang_shooting_likely_tampered_–_NBI_source#.UbMOR47D9jo

DFA wants pinoy peacekeepers pulled from Golan Heights

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 7): DFA wants pinoy peacekeepers pulled from Golan Heights

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday reiterated its recommendation for the immediate pull out of Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights due to the worsening security situation in the area.

The call came after Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez confirmed that a Filipino peacekeeper suffered leg injury when a wayward indirect fire landed at Camp Ziouni in Golan Heights Thursday morning (Thursday afternoon Manila time).

According to Hernandez, he is now in good condition and has returned to the camp after being treated at a hospital.

The DFA said the incident happened while there was fighting ongoing between Syrian government and rebel forces, some 3 to 4 kilometers away from Camp Ziouni, the logistics base of the United Nations Field Operations Division (UNFOD) where different peacekeeping missions are based including the 6PCGH.

“We have made recommendations to the President to pull out the peacekeeper in Golan Heights due to the security situation there," announced the DFA Spokesperson.

Last month, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario personally recommended to President Benigno Aquino III the withdrawal of Filipino peacekeepers.

Malacanang has yet to issue a decision about the issue.

The Philippines has 843 peacekeepers over 8 missions throughout the world.

There are 341 Filipino members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has monitored a ceasefire between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights since 1974.

On Thursday, Austria announced it would withdraw its 377 troops, which is more than one third of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) after Syrian rebels briefly seized a crossing on the Israel-Syria ceasefire line.

The Austrian pullout would leave the force with just 341 troops from the Philippines and 193 from India.

"The AFP continues to monitor the situation in the area, likewise we assure the safety and wellbeing of our peacekeepers will remain a priority," said DFA Spokesperson Raul Hernandez in a statement issued Friday morning.

http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/16066/DFA_wants_pinoy_peacekeepers_pulled_from_Golan_Heights#.UbMNW47D9jo

Rebel killed in Samar encounter

From the Leyte Samar Daily Express (Jun 8): Rebel killed in Samar encounter

TACLOBAN CITY- A member of the rebel group, New People’s Army, was killed in one of the encounters that occurred in Samar Island last Tuesday afternoon.

Captain Amado Gutierrez, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, said that the separate encounters between government troops and the rebels took place in remote villages of Matuguinao, Samar and Las Navas in Northern Samar.

Both towns are still considered by the government troops where presence of the NPA remains to be felt.

Gutierrez said that the encounter at the vicinity of Barangay Poponton, Las Navas last Tuesday at around 4 p.m. has resulted to the death of one rebel and the recovery of two M16 rifles.

Members of the 63rd Infantry Battalion, which is based Brgy. Upong, Catubig, also in Northern Samar and under the command of Lt.Col.Arvin Lagamon, where in the area as part of their peace and security operations when they chanced upon the undetermined numbers of NPA members which resulted to a fire fight.

On that same day, another skirmish between the two warring sides took place in Matuguinao, Samar with no casualty or injury reported to either side, Gutierrez said.

The fire fight in Barangay Ligaya of said town took place at around 3p.m. and lasted for 15 minutes with the rebels going to different directions on their way to escape, the spokesperson of the 8th ID said.

Members of the 43rd Infantry Battalion, based in Brgy.Cagsumjie, Sta. Margarita and headed by Lt.Col. Glenn Jun Calambuhay, also in Samar, were conducting their security patrol when they saw the rebels that immediately resulted to the fire fight, Gutierrez said.

Meantime, Major General Gerardo Layug, commanding general officer of the 8th ID, said that they would intensify their campaign on internal security of the region, particularly the Samar Island, against the rebels.

“This is the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines so we cannot afford to waste time. Our mission and goal is to make the island of Samar a manageable conflict and development-ready just like Biliran, Bohol, Leyte and Southern Leyte. We are determined to do this to serve the people of Samar so we can attain a just and lasting peace,” Layug, in an emailed statement, said.

http://leytesamardaily.net/2013/06/rebel-killed-in-samar-encounter/

Navy sends gunboat after Vietnamese vessel spotted off Tubbataha

From InterAksyon (Jun 8): Navy sends gunboat after Vietnamese vessel spotted off Tubbataha

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines -- Naval Forces West in Palawan is deploying a patrol gunboat to Tubbataha Reef National Park following reports a Vietnamese fishing vessel was spotted off the protected site’s North Atoll Friday night.

NFW commander Commodore Rustom Peña said the deployment of the gunboat was in response to a call from Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) chief Angelique Songco early Saturday morning to report the incident.

According to the report, around 9 p.m. Friday, the Tubbataha Park Ranger Station radar spotted an unidentified vessel flying a Philippine flag approximately 3.4 nautical miles east of North Atoll.

On seeing the vessel, which was towing bright lights behind it, a mere half nautical mile from the reef, park rangers decided to approach.

The vessel was described as 60 gross tons and of Vietnamese origin.

When its crew saw the park rangers approaching, the vessel immediately sailed away towards the northeast, refusing to stop despite warning shots until it reached the marine park’s boundary.

Earlier this year, an American minesweeper ran aground on the reef and was removed only after a month. Soon after, a Chinese fishing vessel was apprehended within the marine park.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63601/navy-sends-gunboat-after-vietnamese-vessel-spotted-off-tubbataha

Killing of 2 MNLF men triggers renewed fighting between rival Moro groups in North Cotabato

From InterAksyon (Jun 8): Killing of 2 MNLF men triggers renewed fighting between rival Moro groups in North Cotabato



MATALAM, North Cotabato -- Two members of the Moro National Liberation Front were killed when fighters of the rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front attacked a farming village in North Cotabato on Friday, the military said.

Captain Antonio Bulao, local Army spokesman, accused the MILF of violating a local truce when it attacked the village of Marbel in Matalam town.

He said the slain MNLF members were unarmed.

Bulao identified the victims as Toto Manial and Eddie Buisan, who both died on the spot from gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Quoting reports from village officials and Army troops stationed in Barangay Marbel, Bulao said the victims were going to their farms when the MILF fighters, led by Commanders Ali Mansur and Salonga of the 108th Base Command, shot them.

”It was a clear violation of the localized truce by the MILF,” Bulao said.

The MNLF retaliated, with fighting stopping only when the Army fired warning salvos from mortars and howitzers.

Bulao said the rival rebel groups had earlier declared a truce brokered by the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team and local government units.

The agreement calls for the repositioning of the MILF from Barangay Marbel, where the two groups clashed before the May 13 elections.

”They did not reposition their troops, instead they continued harassing civilians identified with the MNLF,” Bulao said.

The conflict started on May 5 when the MILF was to hold an advocacy forum on the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro in Barangay Marbel, a known bailiwick of the MNLF that was declared a peace zone after the MNLF forged an agreement with the government in 1996.

Datu Dima Ambel, MNLF leader in the area, allowed the MILF to hold the forum but requested them not to wear military uniforms or carry weapons.

However, the MILF came in full battle gear.

This triggered skirmishes that left at least three persons killed and three others wounded.

Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the skirmishes between the two warring groups.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63603/killing-of-2-mnlf-men-triggers-renewed-fighting-between-rival-moro-groups-in-north-cotabato

INFOGRAPHIC | 6 clues Serendra blast was caused by a gas leak

Posted to InterAksyon (Jun 7): INFOGRAPHIC | 6 clues Serendra blast was caused by a gas leak



http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63560/infographic--6-clues-serendra-blast-was-caused-by-a-gas-leak

Authorities tag Army sarge as leader of gun-for-hire group

From the Daily Tribune (Jun 7): Authorities tag Army sarge as leader of gun-for-hire group

An Army sergeant is now under custody after being tagged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as the leader of a gun-for-hire group operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Army spokesman Col. Randolph Cabangbang said T/Sgt. Robert Yadao, 42, was placed in the custody of the Army Provost Marshall (APM) after he was tagged by the NBI as leader of a gun-for-hire group operating in the National Capital Region and other areas in Luzon.

Cabangbang said Col. Benedicto Jose, the APM, initially conducted an investigation on Yadao.

The NBI on Wednesday raided the house of Yadao in Payatas, Quezon City where operatives reportedly recovered 100 caliber .45 pistols. The Army sergeant, however, was nowhere in the place during the raid.

Follow-up operations at a safehouse on Commonwealth Avenue led to the arrest of three of Yadao’s alleged cohorts.

According to the NBI, authorities managed to track down the group with the help of one of their alleged targets, identified as Butch Cosme, whose photograph was reportedly recovered from the group’s safehouse.

“Yadao denies owning 100 caliber .45 pistols, he denies being a member of a gun-for-hire group and evading arrest. In fact, he is on-leave up to June 8 but decided to report to his superiors early when he was informed that his house was raided,” Cabangbang said.

The Army spokesman said Yadao will subsequently be turned over to the Army Custodial Management to ensure his availability for any investigation by other agencies.

“The APM will turn over Yadao to the Custodial Management Unit to ensure that he will be available for investigation by concerned agencies,” Cabangbang said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/15064-authorities-tag-army-sarge-as-leader-of-gun-for-hire-group

PCG personnel may face criminal raps, says NBI

From the Daily Tribune (Jun 8): PCG personnel may face criminal raps, says NBI

ON BALINTANG SHOOTING INCIDENT

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) involved in the bloody shooting incident in Balintang Channel last May 9 may face criminal charges.

According to National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Virgilio Mendez, this was one of the matters they are reviewing that will be included in their findings.

However, Mendez clarified they still need additional evidence for their final report and recommendation.

Some of the evidence still needed by the NBI in the investigation, Mendez said, are the medico-legal report and ballistic report from Taiwan which are written in Mandarin and needs to be translated and authenticated.

Aside from this, Mendez said, the NBI wants the slug taken from the Taiwanese fishing boat involved in the incident to be presented to them.

Mendez added they also want to determine whether the Taiwanese investigators have the record to prove who was in possession of the firearm who shot the slain fisherman.

However, Mendez could not directly say whether they can submit the report to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima next week because the drafting of the report depends on the availability of the documents they are asking.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/15116-pcg-personnel-may-face-criminal-raps-says-nbi

AFP chief: Pinoy troops’ pullout from Golan Heights up to gov’t

From the Daily Tribune (Jun 8): AFP chief: Pinoy troops’ pullout from Golan Heights up to gov’t

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday said that pulling out of its peacekeepers from the strife-torn Golan Heights remained a “political decision” even after one Filipino soldier was reported wounded amid intense fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels.

However, the military leadership maintained that all Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights in Syria will remain in the area until a decision is reached by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista confirmed that one Filipino peacekeeper was “slightly wounded” in Golan Heights where there were reported fightings between Syrian armed forces and insurgents.

Bautista said there is no order yet to pull out from the troubled region.

“That is a political decision... it’s a foreign relations issue and we submit to whatever the decision is going to be. We just implement,” Bautista said.

He stressed that the AFP is ready to face the risks that come with its mandate, whether locally or outside the country.

As member of the United Nations, the Philippines is committed to send peacekeepers in UN-sanctioned peace mission in various parts of the world, including Golan Heights.

“We are committed to perform our mandate and we lay our lives on the line whether it be here or somewhere else,” Bautista stressed.

The AFP chief said that risk in Golan Heights is very manageable, adding that the Philippines had faced even tougher conditions when it deployed around 8,000 Filipino soldiers during the Korean War.

“There was combat then and yet we deployed our people,” Bautista said.

The soldier, who sustained shrapnel wounds in the right ankle, is a member of the 6th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights.

Maj. Ramon Zagala, AFP public affairs office chief, said that the injured soldier is now in stable condition.

He added that the incident took place as Syrian government and rebel forces clashed some three to four kilometers away from Camp Ziouni.

The latter base is the logistic base of the UN Disengagement Observer Force.

Zagala said that the AFP is constantly monitoring the situation in the area even as he stressed that the safety and well-being of all Filipino peacekeepers is the military’s priority.

About DFA’s recommendation last month to President Aquino that the country should withdraw its peacekeepers because of security concerns, the Malacañang said no decision had yet been made.

“The recommendation re (regarding) the deployment of forces is being studied as of the present time,” presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said.

According to DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez, the department’s position remained that the Filipino troops should be pulled out.

There are 341 Filipino peacekeepers now deployed in Golan Heights, 25 of whom were abducted and later on released during separate incidents in March and May.

The abductions prompted the DFA to recommend the pull out of Filipino troops from Golan Heights.

On Thursday, Austria pulled out 377 peacekeepers from Golan Heights amid tense fighting in the area.

Japan and Croatia earlier also pulled out their peacekeepers from Golan Heights.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/15120-afp-chief-pinoy-troops-pullout-from-golan-heights-up-to-gov-t

2 injured in a skirmish between two warring groups in N. Cotabato

From Business World (Jun 7): 2 injured in a skirmish between two warring groups in N. Cotabato

KORONADAL -- Armed members of warring clans in the hinterlands of Pikit, North Cotabato clashed on Thursday displacing local residents and injuring two persons, the local police said.

Herberto M. Paculanang, deputy chief of police of nearby Aleosan town, said in a radio interview on Friday that the fight was triggered by a longstanding land dispute between a clan with members of civilian volunteers organizations and the clan of Commanders Kuyo and Nasser of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) 105th base command.

The local police office and the local government unit are still confirming reported number of families affected by the conflict. Anwar Esamel, a third year high school student was hit by a bullet while tending to his carabao near the conflict area, the police said. Also wounded was Rafani Sahban, said to be a member of one of the two warring factions.

Mr. Paculanang confirmed on Friday that members of 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) and 40th IB were deployed to guard the conflict area and help Pikit town officials to resolve the conflict between the two groups.

The conflict between and among groups are considered by the government and the MILF as one of the challenges in attaining peace in this part of Mindanao. The MILF and the government are currently negotiating for a lasting peace on the island.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=2-injured-in-a-skirmish-between-two-warring-groups-in-N.-Cotabato&id=71488

Serendra blast caused by LPG leak

From Business World (Jun 7): Serendra blast caused by LPG leak

AUTHORITIES officially declared on Friday that the explosion in at the Two Serendra condomium in Taguig City a week ago was caused by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leak, but its source is still unknown.

“In view of all the foregoing, the blast was most consistent with a gas explosion, most likely LPG (liquefied gas petroleum),” said Interior department Secretary Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas, III, in a press conference. “For Two Serendra, the gas that is most readily available and does not require a specialized container is the LPG.”

“The next part of the investigation should pinpoint where the leak came from [and] what triggered the explosion,” said Carlos Primo C. David, part of the team from the Department of Science and Technology and the University of the Philippines-Diliman’s National Institute of Geological Sciences who joined the probe.

Mr. David told reporters that the incident fulfilled the requirements of a gas explosion, such as minimal post-blast residue. He explained that if a explosive caused the blast, there would be parts of a bomb left. This follows the initial report that there the incident was not bomb-related as trained dogs did not find traces of explosives.

The blast was also “almost instantaneous” and covered a large area, similar to gas explosions in the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, and California and New York in the US from September 2010 to June this year.

There was also no blast crater found at the site, while fire caused by the explosion disappeared quickly. Nearly no soot was left in the site.

The possibility that diesel or kerosene caused the blast was also set aside as authorities did not find any trace of a container for the substances.

Investigators learned that the unit was renovated last year to convert the property from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom unit. Mr. Roxas said that they are still checking to see if there was other work done in the unit.

Meanwhile, the cabinet secretary suggested that gas systems in buildings in the area be checked to avoid a similar mishap.

“We recommend all residents and establishments of Serendra to immediately have your gas system checked not only in your units but the whole building as well.”

In a related development, authorities have taken the spotlight off Angelito San Juan, who had leased the unit where the explosion occurred. Mr. Juan was earlier declared a “person of interest” by the police.

“What I can say is according to the investigations, testimonies, we consider his behavior normal. [We are] not anymore that interested in him,” Mr. Roxas told the media.

Mr. San Juan, 63, is suffering from second degree burns covering 72% of his skin. He is now conscious but still remains in the intensive care unit of St. Luke’s Hospital in the same city.

Police learned that Mr. Juan is based in the US and has no known criminal history.

The owner of the unit he leased, Marianne Cayton-Castillo, also based in the US, returned to the Philippines on Friday morning.

Mr. San Juan rented the unit through Ms. Castillo’s aunt, Herminia Ochoa, his “batchmate” and the caretaker of the property.

Three people were immediately killed in the explosion when a concrete slab from the condo unit slammed down on a delivery van. 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Serendra-blast-caused-by-LPG-leak&id=71493