Friday, May 18, 2018

DWDD: KOMODO 2018 | PH Navy contingent back home from naval exercise in Indonesia

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (May 18): KOMODO 2018 | PH Navy contingent back home from naval exercise in Indonesia

 

PIER 13, South Harbor , Manila (DWDD) The Philippine Navy (PN) accorded a fitting arrival and welcome ceremony on May 16 at Pier 13 South Harbor, Manila for the returning more or less 200-man contingent onboard BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF15) after the successful participation in the 3rd Multilateral Naval Exercise codenamed, KOMODO 2018 on May 4 to 9, 2018 at Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.



The PN’s participation in KOMODO 2018 was another big leap in enhancing and advancing the organization’s core competency and operational capabilities of surface assets in naval operations to multilateral level, thereby increasing readiness and interoperability.

 

Further, it was an opportunity to showcase that the PN can keep up with its counterparts in the conduct of various naval exercises and maritime operations. NPAO / MCAG

 http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/05/18/komodo-2018-ph-navy-contingent-back-home-from-naval-exercise-in-indonesia/

DWDD: CAPEX 2018 | PA Firing Battery participates in the Joint and Combined Live Fire Exercise

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (May 18): CAPEX 2018  |  PA Firing Battery participates in the Joint and Combined Live Fire Exercise

 

COL ERNESTO RAVENA AIR BASE, Capas, Tarlac (DWDD) – Firing Battery from the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment, participates in the Joint and Combined Live Fire Exercise held at Col Ernesto Ravena Air Base (CERAB), Capas, Tarlac on 15 May 2018.

The activity is part of Balikatan 34-2018 which aims to enhance the capabilities and interoperability of both the Philippine and US forces.



The participation of Philippine Army Artillery personnel in BK-34-2018 provided them additional knowledge and skills in terms of Field Artillery operation in support to Counter-Terrorism/Urban Operations.



Philippine-US Mechanize holds Joint and Combined Live Fire Exercise



Elements of Philippines and US Mechanized units conferred prior to the conduct of Joint and Combined Live Fire Exercise. One of the focus of this year’s Bk-34-2018 is on counter-terrorism aimed at enhancing readiness and response capabilities during real world challenges.

The Joint and Combined Live Fire Exercise boost the capability of Mechanized Infantry Units of the Philippine Army in Counter-Terrorism/Urban Operations. OACPA / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/05/18/capex-2018-pa-firing-battery-participates-in-the-joint-and-combined-live-fire-exercise/

DWDD: BK2018 | PH-US Joint Military Exercise Closing Ceremony

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (May 18): BK2018  |  PH-US Joint Military Exercise Closing Ceremony  

CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Armed Forces formally concluded the 34th iteration of the PH-US Exercise Balikatan 34-2018 in a simple ceremony held at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Club at Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.


The ceremony commenced with an Invocation led by Commodore Tirso Dolina, Chief Chaplain AFP.

This was followed by the Welcome Remarks / Recommendation to close PH-US Exercise Balikatan 2018 by BGen Thomas Weidley USMC – US Officer Conducting Exercise and Lt Gen Emmanuel Salamat – PH Exercise Director.

“We close this year’s Balikatan Exercise with both Philippines and US Forces gained maximum benefits from the various training exchanges and cooperation. It provided venue for lot of more training opportunities but also extended significant community assistance that gained popular support of less fortunate people in selected areas in Northern Luzon. The BK 2018 manifests our commitment and responsibility to pursue cooperation and inter-operability to pursue cooperation and inter-operability of both forces,“ Lt Gen Salamat said.

“Our militaries have grown together in friendship, provided benefit to countless people, and are better prepared to respond as one cohesive team to any crisis or challenge that may threaten the pealce and stability taht our alliance has helped to secure.” BGen Weidley said.

Gen Carlito Galvez, AFP Chief of Staff delivered his Remarks and formally declared the Closing of the exercise.

Lt Gen Salamat and BGen Weidley jointly furled the Balikatan Flag.

Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna gave his Remarks in behalf of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

CSAFP Gen Galvez formally introduced the Guest of Honor and Speaker Michael Klecheski, US Charge d’ Affaires. AES / MCAG / Photos by Emil Palon and AM Glen Gultian PAF














http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/05/18/bk2018-ph-us-joint-military-exercise-closing-ceremony/

DWDD: MILESTONE | Commemoration of the Philippine Rise A Success

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (May 18): MILESTONE  |  Commemoration of the Philippine Rise A Success

CAMP GEN SERVILLANO AQUINO, Tarlac City (DWDD) The commemoration for the awarding of the Benham Rise by the UN Tribunal and renaming it to Philippine Rise was a feat for all Filipinos as it was celebrated by the Area Task Force-North (ATF-North) for two (2) days at different venues.

   

Spearheaded by the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), ATF-North has made another milestone as President Rodrigo Duterte has already signed the Presidential Proclamation declaring the Philippine Rise a protective marine source area on May 15, 2018 (Tuesday). Further, the president has given the signal for the conduct of Maritime Scientific Research (MSR) as he graced the send-off ceremony for the All-Filipino Marine Expedition in Casiguran Bay, Aurora onboard BRP Davao Del Sur (LD602) on same day.

The second day of the celebration started with a flag raising at LD602, simultaneous with the laying of underwater flag marker at the shallowest point of Benham Bank on May 16, 2018 (Wednesday). The marker laying was made possible with the concerted and synchronized efforts made by one hundred twenty-six (126) Filipino divers onboard the BRP Tarlac (LD602) of the Philippine Navy. The divers, coming from both uniformed agencies and civilian volunteers, were properly organized and made rehearsals to ensure safety during the underwater activity.

  

This was immediately followed by the first casting of buoy at Philippine Rise, which was designed and fabricated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The buoy and the underwater marker were initially onboard the research vessel MV BFAR before hoisting them to the sea, using an underwater Remote-Operated Vehicle (ROV), sponsored by the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Notably, Filipino fishermen on boats (Bangka) were unexpectedly seen fishing in same site adjacent to the flotilla at the Philippine Rise, justifying that Filipinos before have been fishing in that area of the underwater plateau. As the fishermen got nearer the navy ship, some of the participants for the event had the chance to talk with the fishermen saying they came from the municipality of Infanta in Quezon Province. This was the first occurence that “Bangca Boats” were seen ashore.

The AGR702, research vessel of the Philippine Navy with other scientists onboard, also made the passing-through the LD602 as part of the ceremony. A fly-by of Philippine Airforce, Navy and Coastguard aircrafts signaled the culmination of the event. NOLCOM / MCAG











http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/05/18/milestone-commemoration-of-the-philippine-rise-a-success/

MILF: MNLF, MILF in Sulu release joint declaration in support to Peace Process, BBL and the government anti-terrorism campaign

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 17): MNLF, MILF in Sulu release joint declaration in support to Peace Process, BBL and the government anti-terrorism campaign



IN PHOTO- Guests and Resource Speakers during the MNLF- MILF Bangsamoro Convergence Peace Summit at Jolo, Sulu on May 12, 2018 (LUWARAN PHOTO)

After the culmination of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Provincial Peace Summit on Bangsamoro Convergence in Sulu on May 12, 2018 initiated, and organized by BASULTA Contact Group for Peace and Development Initiatives, Inc. with funding from The Asia Foundation (TAF), the Moro Groups released a Joint Declaration in Support to the Peace Process, Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), and Government Anti-Terrorism Campaign.
In their declaration, they said, “Adhering to all Peace Agreements between the Bangsamoro (MNLF/MILF) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines since 1976 up to now, a genuine autonomy for Muslim Mindanao has been the focal point of negotiations by and between the GRP/GPH, and the Two Moro Fronts;”

“The two legitimate representatives of the Bangsamoro, after series of talks, and negotiation have consensually agreed that their quest for self-determination can be achieved through granting of self-governance for the Bangsamoro;”

“That both Moro Fronts have complied with the consistent and continuous call of the both Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) for the Bangsamoro to continue upholding the agreements for peace and development in Mindanao through policy process and program administration;”

“That the MNLF, and MILF is Sulu conform to President Rodrigo Duterte’s Administrations peace track through enhancement of the peace policies and programs of his predecessors in resolving the Mindanao conflict, and the failure of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM);”

“That we acknowledged the significant success and gains of the Bangsamoro in one hand, and the Philippine Government on the other hand, that the peace and order, security and stability are among the development we have attained now, but full swing and total development yet to be achieved should be the passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that is yet to be done.”

“We the MNLF, MILF, and the Bangsamoro Professionals-Sulu Chapter hereby jointly declare our collective support to the Philippine Government in stopping the spread of terrorism in our homeland Mindanao:”

“We further jointly manifest our sincerest efforts in addressing all forms of violence in Sulu.”

The joint declaration was signed by 17 MNLF, and MILF Officers of Sulu.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1331/mnlf--milf-in-sulu-release-joint-declaration-in-support-to-peace-process--bbl-and-the-government-anti-terrorism-campaign

MILF: House Joint Committee delivers majority votes on BBL-BTC version

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 16): House Joint Committee delivers majority votes on BBL-BTC version

 

IN PHOTO- Members of House Joint Committee on BBL during the deliberation on the proposed law on May 15, 2018

QUEZON CITY - The House Joint Committee on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) have delivered a majority vote on the proposed law drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to pave the way for the approval of the committee report on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) without amendments on Tuesday, May 15 here at the Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City.

The result of the voting were as follows: Committee on Local Government, voted 32-3; the Committee on Muslim affairs, voted 27-3; and the Special Committee on Peace, Unity and Reconciliation, voted 27-3.

However, before the joint committee concluded yesterday’s committee report session, BBL well-known critics Zamboanga 1st District Rep. Celso Lobregat, Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo and 2nd District Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo vehemently opposed the inclusion of Moro dominated areas in Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga City.

Among who voted “no” was Shernee Abubakar Tan of the Party List Kausug-Tausug.



Rep. Lobregat quoted and argued that what President Rodrigo Duterte was saying “the BBL will not pass in Congress” but one observer said during the committee session that Rep. Lobregat is blind and constant in his argument against the BBL.

It is recalled that President Duterte has reiterated his commitment during the turnover of hundreds of loose fire arms in Buluan, Maguindanao that he will resign if the BBL is not passed by May this year.

Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Dimaporo questioned the process of voting last April 16 when Deputy Speaker Rep. Bai Sandara Sema approved without amendments the HB 6475 authored by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Rep. Juan Pablo “Rimpy” P. Bondoc, Senior Deputy Majority Floor Leader said, they have gone trough the process as stipulated in the committee on rules of the house. “We did not muscle you or estoppel you,” he said, explaining why the house decision should be respected.

He said they must go to the given timeline with due process in order to avoid further delay on the passage of BBL.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said they hope to approve House Bill 6475 by May 30.

"Kailangang ma-approve namin itong BBL by May 30," Fariñas said.

Fariñas said all the concerns of the opposing camps will be heard in the upcoming all-party caucus on HB 6475, before the plenary deliberates on the bill.

The next meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) after making explanation of their votes, the committee report would then be referred to the committee on rules and to schedule for plenary deliberations where HoR members who would like to raise concern on the BBL will be entertained.

The BBL is long overdue since the 16th Congress. It encountered so many challenges, and criticisms on its constitutionality, such as the 2015 Mamasapano fiasco, the 2017 Marawi Siege.

Yet, it hurdled the test of time, and in due time expected to be passed by congress under the Duterte administration so that once and for all the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro are addressed.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1330/house_joint_committee_delivers_majority_votes_on_bbl_btc_version

CPP/NDF-Bohol: Armadong pakigbisog sa Bohol, magpadayon hangtud dili masulbad ang gamut-hinungdan sa kalisud

NDF-Bohol propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website: Armadong pakigbisog sa Bohol, magpadayon hangtud dili masulbad ang gamut-hinungdan sa kalisud

Jose Ignacio, Liaison Officer
NDFP Bohol

18 May 2018

Ang nahitabong panagsangka tali sa New People’s Army (NPA) ug mga sakop sa 47th Infantry Batallion sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa Sitio Ilawod, Brgy. Campagao, Bilar, Bohol niadtong sayong kabuntagon sa miaging Mayo 15, usa ka dili gayud malikayan nga panghitabo sulod sa usa ka nasud nga adunay nagpadayong civil war diin nagtunhay ang duha ka gobyerno – ang usa niini naglunsad og makatarunganong gubat sa katawhan pinaagi sa nasudnon demokratikong rebolusyon, batok sa nagtunhay’ng dunot ug reaksyunaryong pangagamhanan.
Desperado ang AFP ug pangagamhanan sa probinsya sa Bohol nga tabunan kini nga kamatuoran busa gigamit nila ang tanang porma sa pagpamakak ug pagpanglingla. Sa pagpamakak, ilang gipala-um ang katawhan nga ang mga gihimong ginagmay’ng reporma sa gobyerno nga sa pagkatinuod pagpaka-aron ingnon lang, mao na ang makasulbad sa kalisod sa mga Bol-anon.

Ilang gipasi-atab nga malinawon kun “peaceful” ang Bohol, limod sa kamatuoran nga ang presensya sa militar ug grabe ka militarisado nga kabukiran sulod na sa hapit duha ka dekada, nagpamatuod nga anaa ang gamut-suliran nga nagsugnod kanunay sa pakig-rebolusyon. Ang pagyaka sa 302nd Infantry Brigade hangtud karon ug pagsulod-guwa sa lain-laing mga tropa sa militar nga walay laing gibuhat kun dili ang pagtisok og kahadlok sa mga mag-uuma ug mananagat, pagsulay sa pagsiak- siak sa mga organisasyon nga nag-inisyatiba aron mulambo ug muhimo og lakang sulbad sa kakabus, ug pagpahunong kanila aron muhilom taliwa sa naghitak nga korapsyon, anti-katawhan nga mga polisiya ug pagpangabuso sa mga anaa sa pangagamhanan – mao kini ang gipanghambog nga “kalinaw” nga nanukad sa kahadlok ug paghikaw sa katungod ug kagawasan sa mga mag-uuma, mamumuo, trabahante, ug uban pang kabus nga Bol-anon.

Ang Oplan Kapayapaan nga gipatuman sa pangagamhanan ni Chatto pinaagi sa CDP-PPM, usa ka baliktad nga kalinaw tungod kay kini ang nagpagrabe sa malangkubong militarisasyon sa kabukiran ug kadagatan aron himuong legal ang pagpangyatak sa tawhanong katungod ug pagpakuyanap og mga intriga ngadto sa mga lehitimong organisasyon sa mga mag-uuma, mananagat ug kababayen-an aron siak-siakon ang katawhan sa baryo. Apan pakyas sila sa pagbungkag sa panaghiusa’ng napundar sa mga tawo.

Ang CDP-PPM ni Chatto, nagpa-away-away sa mga lumulupyo pinaagi sa mga intriga ug pagpanghambog ug pagpanghaylo pinaagi sa pudyot nga mga serbisyo kunohay aron buta-an ang mga Bol-anon sa mas lawom pa nga kamatuoran nga ang gobyernong Chatto nagpaka-itoy lang sa mga dagkong kapitalista nga migunit sa kontrol sa ka-mahal sa isda, bugas ug gasolina sa Bohol. Hino-noa, nga gipasumanginlan pa ang mga mag-uuma nga mao kunoy nagtapol sa pagpananom, mga mananagat nga mao kunoy nagdawo sa pagbaligya sa ilang mga isda, mga tricycle drivers ug motorista nga mao kunoy walay disiplina, mga ideya nga gipasi-atab sa radio commercials nga nagduot sa batakang masa nga sila ang hinungdan sa ilang kalisod.

Baliktad usab ang giingon ni Col. Madriaga nga mibiya na ang masa sa Bohol sa armadong pakigbisog. Sama siya sa nagdamgo sa udtong tutok o nagpa-buta-buta lang sa kamatuoran. Sa pagka-tinuod nag-umido ang kasuko sa masang mag-uuma nga hangtud karon, pila na ka eleksyon ang nilabay, wala pa gihapoy kaseguroan sa ilang yutang gitikad ilabi na niadtong nawad-an og baol tungod sa pugos nga pagpananom og kahoy sa probinsyal nga kagamhanan aron kapuy-an sa mamag (tarsier). Nasuko ang mga mamumuo sa umahan sa kaubos sa suholan, habal habal drivers ug mga motorista nga nagping-it sa kataas sa presyo sa gasolina ug mao ray madaog-daog og dakop sa mga awtoridad, mga gagmay’ng mananagat nga naapektohan sa R.A. 10654 nga mao ra say mahiagom sa pagpanakop, ug uban pang kabus nga nahiagom sa ka-walay pagtagad sa gobyerno, grabeng krisis ug militarisasyon. Ang istatistiko nga ilang gipanghambog numero lang nga mahimong doktoran, apan ang gutom nga tiyan ug buslot nga bulsa sa katawhan, dili gyud malimdan.

Taliwa niini, daghang mga Bol-anon ang nanawagan nga muadto ang NPA sa ilang dapit. Daghan usab kanila nga mitanyag sa ilang pinaka-maayong anak nga musampa sa NPA. Sa laktud, ang pagpang-lingla ug pagtabon sa gobyernong Chatto sa tinuod nga kahimtang ug pagpanghambog niini pinaagi sa CDP-PPM duyog sa pagpanupil sa militar sa mga lehitimong organisasyon, maoy nakapa- mata sa katawhan, ug ang ilang binuhatan mismo maoy numero unong “rekruter” sa mga NPA sa Bohol.

Kun magpadayon ang CDP-PPM ni Chatto ug ang militarisasyon sa kabanikanhan taliwa sa kakabus ug kalisud, mosulbong ang pagdako sa mga yunit sa NPA sa Bohol ug makatampo sa pagpadali sa kadaugan sa rebolusyon sa tibuok nasud. Busa seguradong mapakyas ang militar ug ang lokal nga gobyernong Chatto sa ilang gihimong pagpanumpo sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan dinhi sa isla.

Ang rebolusyonaryong gobyerno sa katawhan nga nakabase sa kabukiran nga girepresentahan sa NDFP, naninguha alang sa tinuod nga kausaban sa nasud ug dili bulag ang Bohol niini. Kausaban ang gitinguha sa lapad nga katawhang Pilipino nga giulipon sa nagtunhayng gobyerno sa nagkumboyang dagkong komprador kapitalista ug agalong yutaan nga gipaluyohan sa Imperyalistang US.

Samtang anaa pa ang pagkontrol sa Imperyalistang US sa ekonomiya, pulitika ug kultura sa atong nasud ginamit ang papet nga gobyerno nga karon gipangulohan ni Duterte uban sa AFP, dili usab mahunong ang pagtumaw sa armadong pakigbisog ug uban pang porma sa pakigbisog nga gilunsad sa katawhan labina sa mga mag-uuma ug mamumuo nga maoy grabeng apektado sa kalisod.

Kinahanglang pulihan na sa usa ka bag-ong sistema ang korap ug dunot nga sistemang alang-alang kolonyal ug alang-alang pyudal sa Pilipinas nga padayong gitay-og sa krisis. Pulihan kini sa sistemang sosyalista diin ang katawhang Pilipino na ang makatagamtam sa bahandi sa nasud ug dili ang pipila ka adunahan ug langyaw’ng kapitalista lamang lakip na ang China nga karon buot sab makig-ilog sa US sa pagpahimulos sa ka-abunda sa nasud ilabi na sa atong teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea. Kini ang kaugmaon kun magmadaugon ang nasudnon demokratikong rebolusyon sa katawhan.

Ang NPA ug NDF sa Bohol, pinangulohan sa Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) nag-awhag sa katawhan nga magmatuki-on kanunay sa atong kahimtang aron dili malingla sa mga pasalig sa mga anaa sa dunot nga panggobyerno. Sa pikas bahin musalig kita sa atong kaugalingong kusog, sa panaghiusa sa masa aron isulong ang nasudnong demokratikong rebolusyon hangtud sa kadaugan isip bugtong kasulbaran. Ang masang katawhan mao ang tinuod nga bayani. Ang masang katawhan lamang ang tigmugna sa kasaysayan ug dili ang mga mapahimuslanon.

CPP/NPA-Negros: Troops of the 303rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army conducting operations punished by the NPA!

NPA-Negros propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 17): Troops of the 303rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army conducting operations punished by the NPA!

Dionesio Magbuelas, Spokesperson
NPA-Negros Island (Mt. Cansermon Front Operations Command)

17 May 2018
    
The New People’s Army unit under the Mt. Cansermon Command (MCC-NPA) was victorious in launching a tactical offensive in the form of ambush against a column of the 62nd IB troops of the Philippine Army on May 12, 2018, 5:10 in the morning at Sitio Bonsad, Brgy Tan-awan, Kabankalan City. Within the hour and a half firefight the enemy sustained at least five (5) soldiers killed in action (KIA) and not less than ten (10) were wounded in action (WIA). The NPA confiscated several military items: 1 m203 rifle, 1 K3 chain of bullets (more than 100 rounds), 6 backpacks and other military articles. The NPA salutes martyred red fighter Ka Bebe. The NPA had 2 WIA. The NPA launched the tactical offensive to protect the people in the countryside from the intimidation and terrorism of military forces of the reactionary state of the US-Duterte Regime. The tactical offensive was a response to the call of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines to fortify the ranks of the NPA and heighten the revolutionary armed struggle to defend the people against the worsening terrorism and tyranny of the US-Duterte Regime.

Starting January up to April of 2018, military operations of the troops of the 62nd IB Phil Army, Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC), CMO Coys and CAFGUs were constant and widespread in the barangays of Buenavista, Carabalan, Mahalang, Caradio-an and San Antonio, parts of Himamaylan City; barangay Biao and Santol in Binalbagan City; barangay Tan-awan, Hilamonan and Carol-an in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental; in the barangays of Bago, Pindahan, Tanglad and Lag-it in Tayasan and barangays in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.

The sole purpose of the constant and widespread military operations of reactionary state troops is to ens.....

[Part of statement is missing]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180517-troops-of-the-303rd-brigade-3rd-infantry-division-of-the-philippine-army-conducting-operati