From the Manila Standard Today (Jan 31): Jungco heads civil relations
Air Force Brig. Gen. Rolando Jungco, head of the Office of The Adjutant General, has been named commander of the armed forces Civil Relations Service, according to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista. Jungco, of the Philippine Military Academy’s 1982 “Sandigan” Class, will replace Maj. Gen, Rolando Tenefrancia, who is designated head of the Office of the Inspector General. A Batangueno, Jungco, who retires on May 28 next year upon reaching the mandatory age entered the academy along with Bautista in 1980 under “Mapitagan” class.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/01/31/jungco-heads-civil-relations/
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Interview: The Long Struggle For Moro Autonomy In The Philippines
From the Eurasia Review News & Analysis (Jan 30): Interview: The Long Struggle For Moro Autonomy In The Philippines
[Interview with MNLF Central Committee member Commander Haji Ibrahim “Bambi"]
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is a nationalist political organization that has been waging an armed struggle against the Philippine state since its establishment in 1969.
It struggles for the independence of Bangsamoro. As defined by the MNLF, the territory of Bangsamoro covers Sulu, Mindanao, and Palawan—otherwise known as MINSUPALA, encompassing some of the poorest areas of the Philippines.
Unlike its Islamic offshoot, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), MNLF is not a religious organization, and it styles its ideology as Egalitarianism. A racially and religiously inclusive organization, MNLF calls for independence and social justice for the most exploited and marginalized people of the Philippines—a country where according to a 2011 survey, some 20.5 percent of families, or about 4.1 million, go hungry while 51 percent, or some 10.4 million families, consider themselves poor.
MNLF Central Committee member Commander Haji Ibrahim “Bambi,” 67 years old, met the author for an interview in January 2013 at an undisclosed location in Sabah, Malaysia.
AV (Andre Vltchek): Peace process, peace agreements, broken peace agreements, and more process—it appears a never-ending saga. You are facing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), one of the most brutal and corrupt armies in the world, which is determinedly supported by the former colonizers of the Philippines, the United States, Spain, and indeed Europe. Do you have any chance to win the war and consequently the independence for your people?
CB (Commander “Bambi”): It would not be easy. We would all have to unite: MNLF, MILF, and the Marxist groups. MILF would have to agree to join the constitutional process and agree to negotiate, something they are refusing to do. We all have to sit down and talk.
The United States, Europe, and the entire West would then have to join our effort to implement, and then support, a real peace agreement.
The peace process is in danger, because most of the terms agreed on during the Tripoli Agreement of 1976 and later at Jeddah Accord in 1987 were never implemented. The government is now busy dealing with the MILF. On top of it, the peace process would have to go through the constitutional procedure, within the government of the Philippines. It would have to go through the Senate and through the Congress. And the fact that there are more Christians than Muslims in both institutions, even in the Mindanao local Senate, would further complicate things.
Once I attended a meeting sponsored by one of the EU countries. There were also representatives of Colombia there, of Indonesia, as well as three people from the U.S., probably CIA. I told them, “American brothers, you are not our enemies, are you? You were preaching to us about freedom for so many years and decades. But when you are here, you are not seeking peace, instead you are siding with the Philippines government against the will of the people.”
AV: What exactly is the United States trying to achieve by supporting the Philippine regime?
CB: The U.S. goal is to control the entire Pacific. It wants to prevent China from playing any significant role in this part of the world.
The U.S. is playing a very dangerous game by training the Philippine military, justifying it by the “search” for Abu Sayyaf fighters. All this is against the Philippine Constitution—the U.S. military is not allowed to operate on the territory of the Philippines. But conducting joined exercises like “Balikatan” is supposed to give “legitimacy” to illegal military acts.
AV: What are you called by the U.S.?
CB: In the past, they used to call us Maoists or Communists. We are not on that terrorist list of theirs. But they consider us their main enemies. Abu Sayyaf is on their terrorist list, of course. But the CIA created Abu Sayyaf during the government of Ramos, to undermine the MNLF. Both the U.S. and Philippine governments needed more bombs to explode, more weapons to be used, in order to have their military budgets approved. It is also no secret that during the wave of kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf, 80-90 percent of the ransom money used to go directly to the military leaders.
The government and the U.S. say to the MNLF: “Oh, you can’t control your own people—look at Abu Sayyaf!” They say no peace can be reached if we can’t control Abu Sayyaf. It is undeniable that some Abu Sayyaf fighters are former members of MNLF, including Commander Nur.
But what they refuse to say and acknowledge is that we hate Abu Sayyaf! We have nothing to do with them. All over Mindanao, people are distancing themselves from them, seeing them as clients of the U.S. forces. Abu Sayyaf has such a bad image!
The MNLF even fought Abu Sayyaf. Once they kidnapped a female medic from our ranks. We attacked their camp and freed the medic.
AV: Is the U.S. using propaganda to justify its presence in the Philippines?
CB: Yes, the propaganda is used all over the Philippines. The U.S. is always portrayed as liberators, as good guys. People are flooded with movies, books, and shows… Douglas MacArthur is presented as liberator, and people actually believe it, after all those years and decades of propaganda.
And then the story of liberating us from the Japanese! Of course old people in the Philippines were not used to the character of the Japanese, when they occupied the country—like bowing. There were cultural misunderstandings, and even crimes committed by the Japanese. But Japanese invaders never performed mass slaughter of the Philippine civilians, while the U.S. did. What is guarded as some secret is that the U.S. was much more brutal than Japan in this part of the world, and that brutality was occurring even before the Japanese occupation. Just recall the Balangiga massacre.
AV: I heard, from Philippine academics, that the U.S. is igniting the conflict between several regional players in Southeast Asia and China over the Spratly Islands. It apparently found exceptionally willing collaborators in the latest Philippine administration.
CB: Once again: the U.S. wants to have full control over the Pacific. For that it needs countries like the Philippines—client states.
We provoked the problem of the Spratly islands. Our government dares to play this game because it knows that it has U.S. behind it.
It is worth mentioning that the Spratlys were historically part of the Sulu Sultanate. The islands are called, in the local language, “Manangkayan,” or “Giant Clam.” Sulu sultans were extremely close to China. There are graveyards of Chinese people all over Sulu. Chinese emissaries were living right next to the sultan’s palace. China was the closest ally of Sulu before the Spanish conquerors arrived. What followed, you know: things were turned upside down and the Spaniards massacred around 10,000 Chinese people in one go, just because they did not want to abandon their culture, to change their name.
But in the Philippines, very little is known about the history of the region.
Why provoke China? The government is spending so much money on modernizing warships. For what purpose? Is it to go to war with China on someone else’s behalf? Why not improve Philippines instead? There is so much misery there.
AV: You were one of the leaders of MNLF for so many years and decades. Did things change? Is the MNLF aiming at autonomy now?
CB: First we called for independence. Then Islamic countries pressed us. They told us try autonomy first and go from there.
Ideally, we wanted independence of all Mindanao. We felt that this is an essential goal as we were kept behind by Manila—absolutely behind. I personally would have settled in the past for Mindanao being first just one state inside the country, similar to the arrangement they have here in Malaysia. You give the capital 20 to 30 percent of the natural resources, etc. But after achieving such an arrangement, I would still be pushing for full independence.
AV: Would it be a Muslim or a secular state?
CB: It would be, and would have to be, a secular state. There are now more Christians in Mindanao than Muslims. It would be a state for all of us: for Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists, and for Chinese people. In our ranks, we have Christians, and many Chinese support us.
AV: What political and economic system do you envision for it?
CB: A mixed system. Definitely not a purely capitalist system—look at the Philippines; we don’t want that. I wish for open socialism.
AV: What about the Marxists? Would you cooperate with the Marxist guerillas in Mindanao?
CB: Of course! Around 1976, I met and incorporated some of their fighters. More precisely, we joined forces. At that time I was in command of some 70 men and their group in that particular area had only 7 or 8 people. We always see them as our allies. Those who are fighting against the Philippine government, that brutal and corrupt power, are our allies.
AV: When you say “brutal and corrupt power,” do you have in mind the Maguindanao massacre?
CB: Exactly. That was one of the most terrible examples of how corrupt and brutal the power in the Philippines is. It was a terrible story of the Ampatuan clan trying to demonstrate to President Arroyo just what it could do in its own province. And the message was: we can do anything! Because, although the West calls the Philippines a “democracy,” the rulers can do anything they feel like to their own people. In Maguindanao, people who went against the Ampatuan clan got massacred; women, including journalists, were raped before being murdered. The women were shot in their genitals and then decapitated. Fifty-seven people, including 34 journalists, died. Once you go against the rulers, this is what happens to you in the Philippines.
AV: I was once working in Gingook and Cagayan de Oro, in Mindanao. I was invited by one of the mightiest ruling clans in the country, because I was a friend of one of the greatest Philippine musicians, who happens to belong to it. At a dinner party, members of the clan began discussing the upcoming elections: whom they are going to pay, whom they are going to bribe, and how much money will be involved. They knew who I was; some even read my books before they invited me. But they had no fear. They were certain that nothing could endanger their power and their plans. They were even naming names of their allies in the government at the table, in front of me.
CB: You are right: they have absolutely no fear! They buy votes, openly. Everybody knows how much is paid and by whom. It is utter madness.
AV: How many people in Mindanao support the MNLF?
CB: 99 percent of the Muslims. Now we are in the process of explaining to our Christian brothers that ours is not a Muslim cause, and that not all the Muslims are bad.
AV: How bad is anti-Muslim propaganda and discrimination in the Philippines?
CB: Bad, very bad. And it has been spread for centuries.
What they don’t say is that before the Spaniards came to colonize us, all these were actually Muslim lands, even what is now Manila. Then they began destroying our culture, attacking our religion. They forced us to become Pablo or Pedro, instead of Ibrahim or Abdullah. In the past, Spanish people called us “pirates.” But who are really the pirates here? Aren’t pirates those who invade your country and then plunder it?
Under Marcos, Christian militias called Ilaga began chasing away Muslim people from their homes in Mindanao.
There were also large resettlement schemes and many land grabs of Muslim lands, designed to make Muslims a minority in their own areas.
AV: How many people have died in the war so far?
CB: We don’t have exact numbers, but even a long time ago we calculated that well over 100,000 civilians must have died. Often we had no time to bury our dead—they were sometimes eaten by dogs. It was terrible. So just in the 70s, over 100,000 people died.
In Zamboanga Norte in 1976, I could only count human heads—68 heads in all—because the government forces had burned the bodies. All of the victims were highlanders from the Kalibugan tribe. Some skulls were big, those of adult men and women, but some were tiny—those of the babies. And this was just one massacre of so, so many!
Marcos introduced martial law during his administration. We lost more fighters during that period, but the government of Philippines had three times heavier losses than we did.
AV: So what is it going to be now—a war or negotiations?
CB: We have to join forces—all of us who are fighting for independence and justice. But we have already fought so much! We fought during Marcos; once I fought for 6 months, day and night, without any rest.
I am tired. I am tired of fighting. I am 67 years old. I know that this war could go on and on, for another 100 years.
I know the culture of the people in this part of the world. What frightens me is that one day some religious fanatics could influence our young boys. It can happen, you know, if there is no solution to the conflict. It would be extremely dangerous scenario.
AV: At 67, are you still actively involved in the struggle?
CB: Yes, I am still a member of the Central Committee and Commander of the Special Forces of MNLF.But I am now actively looking for peaceful solutions. The peace agreements we had are not solid. I want all the opposition to join, to unite, to negotiate.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/30012013-the-long-struggle-for-moro-autonomy-in-the-philippines-oped/
[Interview with MNLF Central Committee member Commander Haji Ibrahim “Bambi"]
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is a nationalist political organization that has been waging an armed struggle against the Philippine state since its establishment in 1969.
It struggles for the independence of Bangsamoro. As defined by the MNLF, the territory of Bangsamoro covers Sulu, Mindanao, and Palawan—otherwise known as MINSUPALA, encompassing some of the poorest areas of the Philippines.
Unlike its Islamic offshoot, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), MNLF is not a religious organization, and it styles its ideology as Egalitarianism. A racially and religiously inclusive organization, MNLF calls for independence and social justice for the most exploited and marginalized people of the Philippines—a country where according to a 2011 survey, some 20.5 percent of families, or about 4.1 million, go hungry while 51 percent, or some 10.4 million families, consider themselves poor.
MNLF Central Committee member Commander Haji Ibrahim “Bambi,” 67 years old, met the author for an interview in January 2013 at an undisclosed location in Sabah, Malaysia.
AV (Andre Vltchek): Peace process, peace agreements, broken peace agreements, and more process—it appears a never-ending saga. You are facing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), one of the most brutal and corrupt armies in the world, which is determinedly supported by the former colonizers of the Philippines, the United States, Spain, and indeed Europe. Do you have any chance to win the war and consequently the independence for your people?
CB (Commander “Bambi”): It would not be easy. We would all have to unite: MNLF, MILF, and the Marxist groups. MILF would have to agree to join the constitutional process and agree to negotiate, something they are refusing to do. We all have to sit down and talk.
The United States, Europe, and the entire West would then have to join our effort to implement, and then support, a real peace agreement.
The peace process is in danger, because most of the terms agreed on during the Tripoli Agreement of 1976 and later at Jeddah Accord in 1987 were never implemented. The government is now busy dealing with the MILF. On top of it, the peace process would have to go through the constitutional procedure, within the government of the Philippines. It would have to go through the Senate and through the Congress. And the fact that there are more Christians than Muslims in both institutions, even in the Mindanao local Senate, would further complicate things.
Once I attended a meeting sponsored by one of the EU countries. There were also representatives of Colombia there, of Indonesia, as well as three people from the U.S., probably CIA. I told them, “American brothers, you are not our enemies, are you? You were preaching to us about freedom for so many years and decades. But when you are here, you are not seeking peace, instead you are siding with the Philippines government against the will of the people.”
AV: What exactly is the United States trying to achieve by supporting the Philippine regime?
CB: The U.S. goal is to control the entire Pacific. It wants to prevent China from playing any significant role in this part of the world.
The U.S. is playing a very dangerous game by training the Philippine military, justifying it by the “search” for Abu Sayyaf fighters. All this is against the Philippine Constitution—the U.S. military is not allowed to operate on the territory of the Philippines. But conducting joined exercises like “Balikatan” is supposed to give “legitimacy” to illegal military acts.
AV: What are you called by the U.S.?
CB: In the past, they used to call us Maoists or Communists. We are not on that terrorist list of theirs. But they consider us their main enemies. Abu Sayyaf is on their terrorist list, of course. But the CIA created Abu Sayyaf during the government of Ramos, to undermine the MNLF. Both the U.S. and Philippine governments needed more bombs to explode, more weapons to be used, in order to have their military budgets approved. It is also no secret that during the wave of kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf, 80-90 percent of the ransom money used to go directly to the military leaders.
The government and the U.S. say to the MNLF: “Oh, you can’t control your own people—look at Abu Sayyaf!” They say no peace can be reached if we can’t control Abu Sayyaf. It is undeniable that some Abu Sayyaf fighters are former members of MNLF, including Commander Nur.
But what they refuse to say and acknowledge is that we hate Abu Sayyaf! We have nothing to do with them. All over Mindanao, people are distancing themselves from them, seeing them as clients of the U.S. forces. Abu Sayyaf has such a bad image!
The MNLF even fought Abu Sayyaf. Once they kidnapped a female medic from our ranks. We attacked their camp and freed the medic.
AV: Is the U.S. using propaganda to justify its presence in the Philippines?
CB: Yes, the propaganda is used all over the Philippines. The U.S. is always portrayed as liberators, as good guys. People are flooded with movies, books, and shows… Douglas MacArthur is presented as liberator, and people actually believe it, after all those years and decades of propaganda.
And then the story of liberating us from the Japanese! Of course old people in the Philippines were not used to the character of the Japanese, when they occupied the country—like bowing. There were cultural misunderstandings, and even crimes committed by the Japanese. But Japanese invaders never performed mass slaughter of the Philippine civilians, while the U.S. did. What is guarded as some secret is that the U.S. was much more brutal than Japan in this part of the world, and that brutality was occurring even before the Japanese occupation. Just recall the Balangiga massacre.
AV: I heard, from Philippine academics, that the U.S. is igniting the conflict between several regional players in Southeast Asia and China over the Spratly Islands. It apparently found exceptionally willing collaborators in the latest Philippine administration.
CB: Once again: the U.S. wants to have full control over the Pacific. For that it needs countries like the Philippines—client states.
We provoked the problem of the Spratly islands. Our government dares to play this game because it knows that it has U.S. behind it.
It is worth mentioning that the Spratlys were historically part of the Sulu Sultanate. The islands are called, in the local language, “Manangkayan,” or “Giant Clam.” Sulu sultans were extremely close to China. There are graveyards of Chinese people all over Sulu. Chinese emissaries were living right next to the sultan’s palace. China was the closest ally of Sulu before the Spanish conquerors arrived. What followed, you know: things were turned upside down and the Spaniards massacred around 10,000 Chinese people in one go, just because they did not want to abandon their culture, to change their name.
But in the Philippines, very little is known about the history of the region.
Why provoke China? The government is spending so much money on modernizing warships. For what purpose? Is it to go to war with China on someone else’s behalf? Why not improve Philippines instead? There is so much misery there.
AV: You were one of the leaders of MNLF for so many years and decades. Did things change? Is the MNLF aiming at autonomy now?
CB: First we called for independence. Then Islamic countries pressed us. They told us try autonomy first and go from there.
Ideally, we wanted independence of all Mindanao. We felt that this is an essential goal as we were kept behind by Manila—absolutely behind. I personally would have settled in the past for Mindanao being first just one state inside the country, similar to the arrangement they have here in Malaysia. You give the capital 20 to 30 percent of the natural resources, etc. But after achieving such an arrangement, I would still be pushing for full independence.
AV: Would it be a Muslim or a secular state?
CB: It would be, and would have to be, a secular state. There are now more Christians in Mindanao than Muslims. It would be a state for all of us: for Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists, and for Chinese people. In our ranks, we have Christians, and many Chinese support us.
AV: What political and economic system do you envision for it?
CB: A mixed system. Definitely not a purely capitalist system—look at the Philippines; we don’t want that. I wish for open socialism.
AV: What about the Marxists? Would you cooperate with the Marxist guerillas in Mindanao?
CB: Of course! Around 1976, I met and incorporated some of their fighters. More precisely, we joined forces. At that time I was in command of some 70 men and their group in that particular area had only 7 or 8 people. We always see them as our allies. Those who are fighting against the Philippine government, that brutal and corrupt power, are our allies.
AV: When you say “brutal and corrupt power,” do you have in mind the Maguindanao massacre?
CB: Exactly. That was one of the most terrible examples of how corrupt and brutal the power in the Philippines is. It was a terrible story of the Ampatuan clan trying to demonstrate to President Arroyo just what it could do in its own province. And the message was: we can do anything! Because, although the West calls the Philippines a “democracy,” the rulers can do anything they feel like to their own people. In Maguindanao, people who went against the Ampatuan clan got massacred; women, including journalists, were raped before being murdered. The women were shot in their genitals and then decapitated. Fifty-seven people, including 34 journalists, died. Once you go against the rulers, this is what happens to you in the Philippines.
AV: I was once working in Gingook and Cagayan de Oro, in Mindanao. I was invited by one of the mightiest ruling clans in the country, because I was a friend of one of the greatest Philippine musicians, who happens to belong to it. At a dinner party, members of the clan began discussing the upcoming elections: whom they are going to pay, whom they are going to bribe, and how much money will be involved. They knew who I was; some even read my books before they invited me. But they had no fear. They were certain that nothing could endanger their power and their plans. They were even naming names of their allies in the government at the table, in front of me.
CB: You are right: they have absolutely no fear! They buy votes, openly. Everybody knows how much is paid and by whom. It is utter madness.
AV: How many people in Mindanao support the MNLF?
CB: 99 percent of the Muslims. Now we are in the process of explaining to our Christian brothers that ours is not a Muslim cause, and that not all the Muslims are bad.
AV: How bad is anti-Muslim propaganda and discrimination in the Philippines?
CB: Bad, very bad. And it has been spread for centuries.
What they don’t say is that before the Spaniards came to colonize us, all these were actually Muslim lands, even what is now Manila. Then they began destroying our culture, attacking our religion. They forced us to become Pablo or Pedro, instead of Ibrahim or Abdullah. In the past, Spanish people called us “pirates.” But who are really the pirates here? Aren’t pirates those who invade your country and then plunder it?
Under Marcos, Christian militias called Ilaga began chasing away Muslim people from their homes in Mindanao.
There were also large resettlement schemes and many land grabs of Muslim lands, designed to make Muslims a minority in their own areas.
AV: How many people have died in the war so far?
CB: We don’t have exact numbers, but even a long time ago we calculated that well over 100,000 civilians must have died. Often we had no time to bury our dead—they were sometimes eaten by dogs. It was terrible. So just in the 70s, over 100,000 people died.
In Zamboanga Norte in 1976, I could only count human heads—68 heads in all—because the government forces had burned the bodies. All of the victims were highlanders from the Kalibugan tribe. Some skulls were big, those of adult men and women, but some were tiny—those of the babies. And this was just one massacre of so, so many!
Marcos introduced martial law during his administration. We lost more fighters during that period, but the government of Philippines had three times heavier losses than we did.
AV: So what is it going to be now—a war or negotiations?
CB: We have to join forces—all of us who are fighting for independence and justice. But we have already fought so much! We fought during Marcos; once I fought for 6 months, day and night, without any rest.
I am tired. I am tired of fighting. I am 67 years old. I know that this war could go on and on, for another 100 years.
I know the culture of the people in this part of the world. What frightens me is that one day some religious fanatics could influence our young boys. It can happen, you know, if there is no solution to the conflict. It would be extremely dangerous scenario.
AV: At 67, are you still actively involved in the struggle?
CB: Yes, I am still a member of the Central Committee and Commander of the Special Forces of MNLF.But I am now actively looking for peaceful solutions. The peace agreements we had are not solid. I want all the opposition to join, to unite, to negotiate.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/30012013-the-long-struggle-for-moro-autonomy-in-the-philippines-oped/
AFP to adopt 'transitional justice' in dealing with wanted MILF fighters
From GMA News (Jan 30): AFP to adopt 'transitional justice' in dealing with wanted MILF fighters
The military will use “transitional justice” in dealing with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members with pending arrest warrants, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said Wednesday.
“We support 'yung peace process, but we also are after 'yung justice, 'yung rule of law,” Bautista told reporters. “Kaya nga pinag-uusapan 'yung transitional justice mechanism natin ito.”
Bautista did not elaborate on transition justice, which is an approach to achieving justice in times of transition from conflict.
“These matters are in fact being discussed under the framework agreement… The panels are meeting. In fact, one of the things discussed is transitional justice. So, let's wait for the final outcome of the negotiations,” he said.
He was referring to the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, which will pave the creation of a new political entity in Mindanao. Government and MILF negotiators are in the process of finalizing the annexes and other details of the agreement.
The military chief gave the statement weeks after Col. Carlito Galvez, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, made a public appearance with MILF commander Dan Laksaw Ansawi in Basilan for a peace dialogue.
A picture published in a newspaper showed Galvez embracing Asnawi, who had been linked to the July 2007 killing of 14 Marine soldiers—10 of them beheaded—in Al Barka town in Basilan.
Asnawi has pending arrest warrants for various atrocities, including the October 2011 killing of 19 Special Forces officers and men in Al Barka town.
Bautista reiterated that both the government and the MILF are concerned about the peace process and rule of law. “There is an understanding na kailangang merong transitional justice,” he said.
Asked if the discussions on the “transitional justice” have virtually suspended the enforcement of arrest warrants against MILF rebels with pending arrest warrants, Bautista said it is better to wait for the final outcome of the negotiations.
“There is no final outcome yet on the negotiations. Let's just wait for the negotiations, on what will be the disposition of those issues,” he said.
“We must be very patient in this,” Bautista added. “It's not an easy thing and gaya ng nasabi ko, it's better that we talk about this issue rather than fight over this issue.”
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/292637/news/nation/afp-to-adopt-transitional-justice-in-dealing-with-wanted-milf-fighters
The military will use “transitional justice” in dealing with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members with pending arrest warrants, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said Wednesday.
“We support 'yung peace process, but we also are after 'yung justice, 'yung rule of law,” Bautista told reporters. “Kaya nga pinag-uusapan 'yung transitional justice mechanism natin ito.”
Bautista did not elaborate on transition justice, which is an approach to achieving justice in times of transition from conflict.
“These matters are in fact being discussed under the framework agreement… The panels are meeting. In fact, one of the things discussed is transitional justice. So, let's wait for the final outcome of the negotiations,” he said.
He was referring to the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, which will pave the creation of a new political entity in Mindanao. Government and MILF negotiators are in the process of finalizing the annexes and other details of the agreement.
The military chief gave the statement weeks after Col. Carlito Galvez, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, made a public appearance with MILF commander Dan Laksaw Ansawi in Basilan for a peace dialogue.
A picture published in a newspaper showed Galvez embracing Asnawi, who had been linked to the July 2007 killing of 14 Marine soldiers—10 of them beheaded—in Al Barka town in Basilan.
Asnawi has pending arrest warrants for various atrocities, including the October 2011 killing of 19 Special Forces officers and men in Al Barka town.
Bautista reiterated that both the government and the MILF are concerned about the peace process and rule of law. “There is an understanding na kailangang merong transitional justice,” he said.
Asked if the discussions on the “transitional justice” have virtually suspended the enforcement of arrest warrants against MILF rebels with pending arrest warrants, Bautista said it is better to wait for the final outcome of the negotiations.
“There is no final outcome yet on the negotiations. Let's just wait for the negotiations, on what will be the disposition of those issues,” he said.
“We must be very patient in this,” Bautista added. “It's not an easy thing and gaya ng nasabi ko, it's better that we talk about this issue rather than fight over this issue.”
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/292637/news/nation/afp-to-adopt-transitional-justice-in-dealing-with-wanted-milf-fighters
USS Guardian to be dismantled, but may further damage Tubbataha
From GMA News (Jan 30): USS Guardian to be dismantled, but may further damage Tubbataha
After wrestling with various other options, the US Navy has announced that it has no other choice but to dismantle the minesweeping vessel that has been stranded on Tubbataha Reef since January 17, according Defense News, a news site about the US military.
The US Navy had been preparing to lift the entire ship with giant floating cranes to deeper water or onto another ship. But the close proximity of salvage ships to the reef for the lifting operation would pose a greater risk to the reef, the US Navy has determined.
“Our only supportable option is to dismantle the damaged ship and remove it in sections,” Capt. Darryn James, spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told Defense News on Tuesday.
"If they're not careful, it could be messy," he added.
The grounding of the USS Guardian is an unprecedented problem for the US Navy with a complex mix of crucial factors, including unpredictable weather conditions, the coordination between the two governments, and environmental concerns.
After wrestling with various other options, the US Navy has announced that it has no other choice but to dismantle the minesweeping vessel that has been stranded on Tubbataha Reef since January 17, according Defense News, a news site about the US military.
The US Navy had been preparing to lift the entire ship with giant floating cranes to deeper water or onto another ship. But the close proximity of salvage ships to the reef for the lifting operation would pose a greater risk to the reef, the US Navy has determined.
“Our only supportable option is to dismantle the damaged ship and remove it in sections,” Capt. Darryn James, spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told Defense News on Tuesday.
Lory Tan, president of WWF Philippines, lamented that dismantling the ship is the "least desirable" solution because the operation, though now apparently unavoidable, would entail more movement on the reef than if the ship were lifted intact.
"It's too early to say, but basta may gumalaw dyan, may pwede mangyari," said Tan, who is also a member of Tubbataha's protected area management board."If they're not careful, it could be messy," he added.
The grounding of the USS Guardian is an unprecedented problem for the US Navy with a complex mix of crucial factors, including unpredictable weather conditions, the coordination between the two governments, and environmental concerns.
"We suggested in the beginning that (the Tubbataha Task Force) develop various (recovery) scenarios. The last option was the breakup," he added.
The US Navy has apparently decided that the last and least desireable option is now probably the only option.
The US Navy has apparently decided that the last and least desireable option is now probably the only option.
Leftist rebel killed in clash with military in S. Philippines
From the Global Times (Jan 30): Leftist rebel killed in clash with military in S. Philippines
A leftist rebel was killed Tuesday in a clash with government security forces in the southern Philippine province of Davao del Sur, a military official said on Wednesday.
The soldiers were on a patrol mission at Kiblawis village in the town of Kiblawan when they encountered undetermined number of New People's Army rebels, said William Rodriguez, spokesman for the Army's 1002nd Brigade.
He said a fire fight ensued, leaving one dead on the enemy side, adding "We have no casualties. We have recovered the slain rebel's body."
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades. The military estimates that the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/759091.shtml
A leftist rebel was killed Tuesday in a clash with government security forces in the southern Philippine province of Davao del Sur, a military official said on Wednesday.
The soldiers were on a patrol mission at Kiblawis village in the town of Kiblawan when they encountered undetermined number of New People's Army rebels, said William Rodriguez, spokesman for the Army's 1002nd Brigade.
He said a fire fight ensued, leaving one dead on the enemy side, adding "We have no casualties. We have recovered the slain rebel's body."
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades. The military estimates that the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/759091.shtml
Brother of anti-mining tribal leader slain
From Rappler (Jan 30): Brother of anti-mining tribal leader slain
The brother of fugitive Blaan tribal leader Daguil Cafeon was slain in an alleged encounter with soldiers in the remote village of Kimlawis in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur Tuesday morning, January 29. Killed was Kitari Cafeon who, according to the military, was hit in the hip and rushed to the Allah Valley Hospital in Koronadal City but died several hours later.
Army Capt. William Alfred Rodriguez, spokesman of the 1002nd Brigade based in Sarangani province, said a squad of soldiers from Task Force Kitako led by Sgt Edwin Olpoc was conducting foot patrol when it was reportedly fired upon by the armed tribal group led by Daguil Cafeon. After a brief encounter, Cafeon and his group reportedly withdrew, leaving behind Kitari.
The Cafeon (not Capion as previously reported) brothers and their group have been called bandits by the military.
In October 2012, Cafeon’s wife Juvy was killed together with his son and his wife’s son by first marriage when a platoon of soldiers strafed their house in nearby Sitio Datal-Alyong, also in Kimlawis, during an early morning raid.
Cafeon was unharmed because he had opted to sleep the night before in a nearby farm. The military then claimed the killing was a result of an encounter but human rights groups called it a massacre.
Cafeon himself had told media there was no exchange of gunfire as he was some 200 meters away from their house when the soldiers fired at his wife and children. Following protests, the military investigated its men and put them under court martial.
Anti-SMI
The Cafeon brothers are wanted for a string of ambuscades that left at least 6 people dead, most of them security guards, drill contractors and consultants of Sagittarius Mines Inc.. Several arrest warrants have been issued against them and their group.
Cafeon and several Blaan residents Bong Mal, Tampakan town of South Cotabato took arms to protest the ongoing mining operations of SMI in their area. Daguil Cafeon is accusing SMI of encroaching into their ancestral domain. Cafeon’s two other brothers have also joined him and are likewise wanted by the government.
http://www.rappler.com/business/special-report/whymining/whymining-latest-stories/20775-brother-of-anti-mining-tribal-leader-slain
The brother of fugitive Blaan tribal leader Daguil Cafeon was slain in an alleged encounter with soldiers in the remote village of Kimlawis in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur Tuesday morning, January 29. Killed was Kitari Cafeon who, according to the military, was hit in the hip and rushed to the Allah Valley Hospital in Koronadal City but died several hours later.
Army Capt. William Alfred Rodriguez, spokesman of the 1002nd Brigade based in Sarangani province, said a squad of soldiers from Task Force Kitako led by Sgt Edwin Olpoc was conducting foot patrol when it was reportedly fired upon by the armed tribal group led by Daguil Cafeon. After a brief encounter, Cafeon and his group reportedly withdrew, leaving behind Kitari.
The Cafeon (not Capion as previously reported) brothers and their group have been called bandits by the military.
In October 2012, Cafeon’s wife Juvy was killed together with his son and his wife’s son by first marriage when a platoon of soldiers strafed their house in nearby Sitio Datal-Alyong, also in Kimlawis, during an early morning raid.
Cafeon was unharmed because he had opted to sleep the night before in a nearby farm. The military then claimed the killing was a result of an encounter but human rights groups called it a massacre.
Cafeon himself had told media there was no exchange of gunfire as he was some 200 meters away from their house when the soldiers fired at his wife and children. Following protests, the military investigated its men and put them under court martial.
Anti-SMI
The Cafeon brothers are wanted for a string of ambuscades that left at least 6 people dead, most of them security guards, drill contractors and consultants of Sagittarius Mines Inc.. Several arrest warrants have been issued against them and their group.
Cafeon and several Blaan residents Bong Mal, Tampakan town of South Cotabato took arms to protest the ongoing mining operations of SMI in their area. Daguil Cafeon is accusing SMI of encroaching into their ancestral domain. Cafeon’s two other brothers have also joined him and are likewise wanted by the government.
http://www.rappler.com/business/special-report/whymining/whymining-latest-stories/20775-brother-of-anti-mining-tribal-leader-slain
A local crisis committee working to free rebel hostages
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): A local crisis committee working to free rebel hostages
The local government unit of Laak, Compostela Valley province will be negotiating with New Peoples Army rebels for the freedom of an abducted soldier and a policeman who have been in the hands of the latter for the past 12 days.
Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said Private First Class Jezreel Culango and PO1 Ruel Pasion remain in the hands of their captors after they were held captived by the rebels disguised as soldiers on January 17 in Barangay Imelda.
He said that a local crisis committee has been formed to talk to the rebels and facilitate for their release.
The soldier was about to visit his girlfriend in Barangay Mangloy, Laak while Pasion, a member of the San Isidro Police Station just happened to pass by in the area when they were accosted by the rebels.
Paniza called the incident, a desperate move by the rebels to get public attention, after their front organizations failed in their propaganda to hit government efforts in reaching out to areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo.
In a separate interview, Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of the Police Regional Office 11 also confirmed the initiative of the local government of Laak to negotiate the release of the captives.
He also hoped that just like in previous abductions of government personnel, victims will be treated well and will be released unharmed.
“Wish the captives will be freed soon to appease their respective families,” Morente said.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381359428050
The local government unit of Laak, Compostela Valley province will be negotiating with New Peoples Army rebels for the freedom of an abducted soldier and a policeman who have been in the hands of the latter for the past 12 days.
Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said Private First Class Jezreel Culango and PO1 Ruel Pasion remain in the hands of their captors after they were held captived by the rebels disguised as soldiers on January 17 in Barangay Imelda.
He said that a local crisis committee has been formed to talk to the rebels and facilitate for their release.
The soldier was about to visit his girlfriend in Barangay Mangloy, Laak while Pasion, a member of the San Isidro Police Station just happened to pass by in the area when they were accosted by the rebels.
Paniza called the incident, a desperate move by the rebels to get public attention, after their front organizations failed in their propaganda to hit government efforts in reaching out to areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo.
In a separate interview, Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of the Police Regional Office 11 also confirmed the initiative of the local government of Laak to negotiate the release of the captives.
He also hoped that just like in previous abductions of government personnel, victims will be treated well and will be released unharmed.
“Wish the captives will be freed soon to appease their respective families,” Morente said.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381359428050
Army repairs 82 houses, gov't buildings in typhoon areas
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Army repairs 82 houses, gov't buildings in typhoon areas
A total of 82 houses, nine government facilities and one chapel had been repaired by the Joint Task Force Tambayayong, an initiative of soldiers to help areas hardest hit by Typhoon Pablo which struck the region last December 4, 2012.
Captain Severino David, spokesperson of the EastMinCom disclosed the information based on the report of Colonel Edgardo Clerigo, commander of the JTF Tambayayong.
The number of rehabilitated structures comprised of 60 houses repaired in Compostela Valley, 22 houses in Davao Oriental, six school buildings in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo, Compostela Valley, a police installation in Montevista, one chapel in New Bataan and two day-care centers in Boston and Baganga, respectively, from January 14 to 26 this year.
David said the repair works will continue in order to help survivors bring back their lives to normalcy.
Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the EastMinCom said the effort to assist communities will go on as part of the recovery and rehabilitation effort by government on the disaster- affected areas.
He said it is the soldiers’ way of going beyond the call in giving service to the people which they are sworn not only to protect but also to assist in times of great need.
Segovia also thanked the support of the local government units and non-government organizations for this pursuit.
He also urged other sectors to extend their support by providing donations by way of construction materials.
“This support will assist greatly in the mobilization to help the affected areas re-establish and to expedite their move towards recovery. More than ever, the Joint JTF Tamabayayong exhibits the inherent nature of Filipinos to uphold the spirit of Bayanihan,” Segovia pointed out.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381359512271
A total of 82 houses, nine government facilities and one chapel had been repaired by the Joint Task Force Tambayayong, an initiative of soldiers to help areas hardest hit by Typhoon Pablo which struck the region last December 4, 2012.
Captain Severino David, spokesperson of the EastMinCom disclosed the information based on the report of Colonel Edgardo Clerigo, commander of the JTF Tambayayong.
The number of rehabilitated structures comprised of 60 houses repaired in Compostela Valley, 22 houses in Davao Oriental, six school buildings in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo, Compostela Valley, a police installation in Montevista, one chapel in New Bataan and two day-care centers in Boston and Baganga, respectively, from January 14 to 26 this year.
David said the repair works will continue in order to help survivors bring back their lives to normalcy.
Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the EastMinCom said the effort to assist communities will go on as part of the recovery and rehabilitation effort by government on the disaster- affected areas.
He said it is the soldiers’ way of going beyond the call in giving service to the people which they are sworn not only to protect but also to assist in times of great need.
Segovia also thanked the support of the local government units and non-government organizations for this pursuit.
He also urged other sectors to extend their support by providing donations by way of construction materials.
“This support will assist greatly in the mobilization to help the affected areas re-establish and to expedite their move towards recovery. More than ever, the Joint JTF Tamabayayong exhibits the inherent nature of Filipinos to uphold the spirit of Bayanihan,” Segovia pointed out.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381359512271
Peace committee to bring dev't projects to Tabuanlasa Islands
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Peace committee to bring dev't projects to Tabuanlasa Islands
The Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee will visit Tabuanlasa municipality on Jan. 30 - 31 to bring development projects and government services to this hard-to-reach islands south of Basilan.
Dubbed “Bayanihan sa Tabuanlasa Tungo sa Kapayapaan,” the residents of Sulloh and Lanawan islands will benefit from the services and programs that participating agencies and organizations will be bringing.
The project was conceived to rehabilitate the municipality, particularly in rebuilding some shelters destroyed in past conflicts that displaced a number of families, said Tahira Ismael, provincial administrator.
The 104th Philippine Army Brigade in Basilan will lead in the rebuilding of 37 permanent shelters, particularly in the village of Sulloh, Tapiantana. This housing project is supported by the provincial government of Basilan and the regional government of ARMM.
More than a hundred visitors are expected to arrive in Tabuanlasa, to include several participating government agencies, non-government organizations, the military and police, and media.
The Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. and the Basilan Advocates for Peace, Environment, and Sustainable Development Association Inc. (Bapesda) are expected to conduct psycho-social intervention to the children; they will also be distributing school supplies.
The Provincial Health Office and the Tabuanlasa municipal health office will lead in the conduct of medical and dental program in tandem with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The provincial Social Welfare and Development personnel and the AFP will conduct feeding sessions with the kids, too. Local teachers will also have a dialogue session with the Department of Education-ARMM.
The Basilan Jaycees Inc. is also expected to turn-over to the local schools around 20 boxes of books. The Asia Foundation, through Bapesda, had promised to donate books to the elementary schools.
At the preparatory meeting in Isabela City, Tabuanlasa Mayor Muktar Y. Junaid was elated, expressing his gratitude to the Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee also known as Team Basilan for the initiatives.
Tabuan-Lasa is one of the 11 municipalities and a city that comprise the province of Basilan in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The town is politically subdivided into 12 barangays, and is part of the lone congressional district of Basilan with a population of 13,384 people.
The 12 barangays that make up Tabuan-Lasa, which were formerly part of the municipality of Sumisip, are situated in the islands and detached from mainland Basilan.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421359451553
The Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee will visit Tabuanlasa municipality on Jan. 30 - 31 to bring development projects and government services to this hard-to-reach islands south of Basilan.
Dubbed “Bayanihan sa Tabuanlasa Tungo sa Kapayapaan,” the residents of Sulloh and Lanawan islands will benefit from the services and programs that participating agencies and organizations will be bringing.
The project was conceived to rehabilitate the municipality, particularly in rebuilding some shelters destroyed in past conflicts that displaced a number of families, said Tahira Ismael, provincial administrator.
The 104th Philippine Army Brigade in Basilan will lead in the rebuilding of 37 permanent shelters, particularly in the village of Sulloh, Tapiantana. This housing project is supported by the provincial government of Basilan and the regional government of ARMM.
More than a hundred visitors are expected to arrive in Tabuanlasa, to include several participating government agencies, non-government organizations, the military and police, and media.
The Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. and the Basilan Advocates for Peace, Environment, and Sustainable Development Association Inc. (Bapesda) are expected to conduct psycho-social intervention to the children; they will also be distributing school supplies.
The Provincial Health Office and the Tabuanlasa municipal health office will lead in the conduct of medical and dental program in tandem with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The provincial Social Welfare and Development personnel and the AFP will conduct feeding sessions with the kids, too. Local teachers will also have a dialogue session with the Department of Education-ARMM.
The Basilan Jaycees Inc. is also expected to turn-over to the local schools around 20 boxes of books. The Asia Foundation, through Bapesda, had promised to donate books to the elementary schools.
At the preparatory meeting in Isabela City, Tabuanlasa Mayor Muktar Y. Junaid was elated, expressing his gratitude to the Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee also known as Team Basilan for the initiatives.
Tabuan-Lasa is one of the 11 municipalities and a city that comprise the province of Basilan in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The town is politically subdivided into 12 barangays, and is part of the lone congressional district of Basilan with a population of 13,384 people.
The 12 barangays that make up Tabuan-Lasa, which were formerly part of the municipality of Sumisip, are situated in the islands and detached from mainland Basilan.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421359451553
Army doubles efforts to rid Samar of insurgents
From the Philippine Information Agecny (Jan 30): Army doubles efforts to rid Samar of insurgents
“We have reduced the enemy’s capabilities,” said Colonel Romeo Labador, the commanding officer of the 801st Infantry Brigade as he reports to the Samar Peace and order Council, Monday. He cited a decline in the number of insurgents collectively known as CNN meaning, CPP/NPA/NDF.
“We have cleared 42 barangays,” he added. By this he meant barangays that have been influenced by the CNN and now have withdrawn support to the insurgents. He added that they also have reduced the enemy capabilities citing a reduced number of insurgents and firearms.
He reported that their forces focused more efforts on the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) which target the hearts of the local populace. This approach involves governance, delivery of basic services, economic reconstruction and sustainable development and security sector reform.
So that presently, Labador and other army battalions focus their resources in converging with their civilian partners in government bringing them to the hinterlands which they called peace and development forum. Government agencies lay out their programs to the locales and accommodate their reasonable needs, the army also bring their medical/dental services.
One army commander said that Samarnons have become insurgents because they feel neglected by the government, through the army, government services will be brought to their barangays.
While there is no let-up in their security measures, the army feels that combat does not necessarily end the war.
The team of Labador also proudly declared that for the past year, there was no report of any human rights violation of their troops based at Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221359507854
“We have reduced the enemy’s capabilities,” said Colonel Romeo Labador, the commanding officer of the 801st Infantry Brigade as he reports to the Samar Peace and order Council, Monday. He cited a decline in the number of insurgents collectively known as CNN meaning, CPP/NPA/NDF.
“We have cleared 42 barangays,” he added. By this he meant barangays that have been influenced by the CNN and now have withdrawn support to the insurgents. He added that they also have reduced the enemy capabilities citing a reduced number of insurgents and firearms.
He reported that their forces focused more efforts on the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) which target the hearts of the local populace. This approach involves governance, delivery of basic services, economic reconstruction and sustainable development and security sector reform.
So that presently, Labador and other army battalions focus their resources in converging with their civilian partners in government bringing them to the hinterlands which they called peace and development forum. Government agencies lay out their programs to the locales and accommodate their reasonable needs, the army also bring their medical/dental services.
One army commander said that Samarnons have become insurgents because they feel neglected by the government, through the army, government services will be brought to their barangays.
While there is no let-up in their security measures, the army feels that combat does not necessarily end the war.
The team of Labador also proudly declared that for the past year, there was no report of any human rights violation of their troops based at Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221359507854
Soldiers too are protectors of the environment
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Soldiers too are protectors of the environment
Sixty soldiers assigned in Western Visayas underwent a three-day training recently on environmental laws, policies, and regulations in compliance with the 3rd Infantry Division's Executive Order No. 23 also known as "Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force."
The training also gave the soldiers a better understanding of guidelines in the implementation of anti-illegal logging operations.
Livino B. Duran, technical director, FMS of DENR-6 lauded the initiative of the 3rd Division for this training saying, "As law enforcers, we are in charge of handling and apprehension of forest violators and as partner agencies, we continue to collaborate to protect our environment and its resources."
Col. Wilson Leyva, chief of staff 3ID, said, "At this time when we are directly feeling the adverse effects of climate change, it is imperative upon us to take a pro-active measures including the implementation of the National Greening Program to ensure the protection of our environment from degradation caused by illegal activities."
The creation of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force will allow the troops together with the DENR and PNP top enforce the moratorium and lead the anti-illegal logging campaign.
The Task Force is also mandated to ensure the implementation of the Executive Order under the supervision of the DENR and likewise assist the agency in the enforcement of other environmental laws.
In Region 6, Resolution No. 2012-002 series of 2012 prescribing the mechanics of operation for Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign was signed last March 2,2012 in Iloilo City by then Regional Executive Director Julian Amador of DENR, Dir. Evelyn Trompeta of DILG, PC/SUPT Cipriano E. Querol of PNP 6 and MGen Jose Z. Mabanta Jr, Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=971359453809
Sixty soldiers assigned in Western Visayas underwent a three-day training recently on environmental laws, policies, and regulations in compliance with the 3rd Infantry Division's Executive Order No. 23 also known as "Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force."
The training also gave the soldiers a better understanding of guidelines in the implementation of anti-illegal logging operations.
Livino B. Duran, technical director, FMS of DENR-6 lauded the initiative of the 3rd Division for this training saying, "As law enforcers, we are in charge of handling and apprehension of forest violators and as partner agencies, we continue to collaborate to protect our environment and its resources."
Col. Wilson Leyva, chief of staff 3ID, said, "At this time when we are directly feeling the adverse effects of climate change, it is imperative upon us to take a pro-active measures including the implementation of the National Greening Program to ensure the protection of our environment from degradation caused by illegal activities."
The creation of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force will allow the troops together with the DENR and PNP top enforce the moratorium and lead the anti-illegal logging campaign.
The Task Force is also mandated to ensure the implementation of the Executive Order under the supervision of the DENR and likewise assist the agency in the enforcement of other environmental laws.
In Region 6, Resolution No. 2012-002 series of 2012 prescribing the mechanics of operation for Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign was signed last March 2,2012 in Iloilo City by then Regional Executive Director Julian Amador of DENR, Dir. Evelyn Trompeta of DILG, PC/SUPT Cipriano E. Querol of PNP 6 and MGen Jose Z. Mabanta Jr, Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=971359453809
Nine NPA rebels abandon armed struggle in Catanduanes
From Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Nine NPA rebels abandon armed struggle in Catanduanes
The Army unit in the island province of Catanduanes continues to win the peace as a significant number of NPA rebels abandoned the armed struggle and joined the main stream of the society this January.
“Nine NPA rebels made the right decision to go down the mountains from the period Jan 17-27 this year,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rodolfo Batang, commanding officer of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in San Andres town in Catanduanes.
Batang said the primary activities the unit is focusing now is the enrichment of knowledge of the former rebels through livelihood programs and seminars that they hope would enable them to support themselves when they are taken back to the mainstream society.
In 2012, also eight NPA rebels surrendered to the 83rd Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Batang.
“Through our Bayanihan Teams (BTs) which are deployed in insurgency influenced areas in Catanduanes, the citizens are educated on the importance of the IPSP 'Bayanihan' campaign of the AFP against insurgency,” said Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya AFP, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade in Daraga, Albay.
The brigade has operational jurisdiction of Army units in Albay and Catanduanes.
“The active presence of our BTs and the continuous operations drove them to voluntarily go down the mountains because they are no longer able to move freely among the masses from whom they used extortion money and other insurgency tactics,” Visaya said.
He also said that these surrenderees should set as examples for other rebels to follow.
Aside from the “snowball” of surrenders, Visaya said that through the efforts of the Bayanihan Teams, an M16 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher and 46 pieces of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition were also surrendered last January 20, 2013 in San Vicente, Virac, Catanduanes.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=771359527288
The Army unit in the island province of Catanduanes continues to win the peace as a significant number of NPA rebels abandoned the armed struggle and joined the main stream of the society this January.
“Nine NPA rebels made the right decision to go down the mountains from the period Jan 17-27 this year,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rodolfo Batang, commanding officer of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in San Andres town in Catanduanes.
Batang said the primary activities the unit is focusing now is the enrichment of knowledge of the former rebels through livelihood programs and seminars that they hope would enable them to support themselves when they are taken back to the mainstream society.
In 2012, also eight NPA rebels surrendered to the 83rd Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Batang.
“Through our Bayanihan Teams (BTs) which are deployed in insurgency influenced areas in Catanduanes, the citizens are educated on the importance of the IPSP 'Bayanihan' campaign of the AFP against insurgency,” said Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya AFP, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade in Daraga, Albay.
The brigade has operational jurisdiction of Army units in Albay and Catanduanes.
“The active presence of our BTs and the continuous operations drove them to voluntarily go down the mountains because they are no longer able to move freely among the masses from whom they used extortion money and other insurgency tactics,” Visaya said.
He also said that these surrenderees should set as examples for other rebels to follow.
Aside from the “snowball” of surrenders, Visaya said that through the efforts of the Bayanihan Teams, an M16 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher and 46 pieces of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition were also surrendered last January 20, 2013 in San Vicente, Virac, Catanduanes.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=771359527288
Prayer rally held for slain victims of La Castellana ambush
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): Prayer rally held for slain victims of
La Castellana ambush
A prayer rally was held Tuesday in Barangay Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental as tribute to the nine fatalities in the ambush early Sunday morning believed perpetrated by members of the New People’s Army.
The prayer rally was attended by residents particularly families of the victims and military personnel led by 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Oscar Lactao. Local officials of La Castellana led by Mayor Albert Nicor and officials of Barangay Cabacungan and Barangay Puso also joined the prayer rally.
A mass was also held for the victims of rebel atrocities after which Mayor Nicor expressed his sorrow for the untimely demise of the victims and hope that this gruesome incident will not happen again. The families of the victims cried for justice for their kin who were indiscriminately sprayed with bullets, with rebels not even sparing innocent minors and civilians. They strongly condemned the rebels who perpetrated the gruesome crime. Despite the fear gripping the two hinterland barangays the days following the bloodbath, anxious residents hope the terror-filled atmosphere will fade away so that they could go back to normal life. Col. Lactao, however, observed that the tense situation has somehow stabilized in the two adjoining barangays days after the grisly incident where a police officer and eight civilians mostly members of the Barangay Peace-keeping Action Team were killed and 12 others including two police officers and four minors were wounded. He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will extend a helping hand particularly financial assistance to the bereaved families of the slain victims. The military authorities also making validation relative to the information on the suspected lairs where the rebel perpetrators are holed. Earlier, C/Supt. Agrimero Cruz, regional director of the Police Regional Office 6 based in Camp Delgado here ordered the creation of Task Force La Castellana headed by Negros Occidental provincial director S/Supt. Celestino Guara to investigate the incident and track down the suspects.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=492608
A prayer rally was held Tuesday in Barangay Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental as tribute to the nine fatalities in the ambush early Sunday morning believed perpetrated by members of the New People’s Army.
The prayer rally was attended by residents particularly families of the victims and military personnel led by 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Oscar Lactao. Local officials of La Castellana led by Mayor Albert Nicor and officials of Barangay Cabacungan and Barangay Puso also joined the prayer rally.
A mass was also held for the victims of rebel atrocities after which Mayor Nicor expressed his sorrow for the untimely demise of the victims and hope that this gruesome incident will not happen again. The families of the victims cried for justice for their kin who were indiscriminately sprayed with bullets, with rebels not even sparing innocent minors and civilians. They strongly condemned the rebels who perpetrated the gruesome crime. Despite the fear gripping the two hinterland barangays the days following the bloodbath, anxious residents hope the terror-filled atmosphere will fade away so that they could go back to normal life. Col. Lactao, however, observed that the tense situation has somehow stabilized in the two adjoining barangays days after the grisly incident where a police officer and eight civilians mostly members of the Barangay Peace-keeping Action Team were killed and 12 others including two police officers and four minors were wounded. He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will extend a helping hand particularly financial assistance to the bereaved families of the slain victims. The military authorities also making validation relative to the information on the suspected lairs where the rebel perpetrators are holed. Earlier, C/Supt. Agrimero Cruz, regional director of the Police Regional Office 6 based in Camp Delgado here ordered the creation of Task Force La Castellana headed by Negros Occidental provincial director S/Supt. Celestino Guara to investigate the incident and track down the suspects.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=492608
Photo Essay: UP community says: Save Tubbataha, Junk VFA (Palma Hall, UP campus)
Photo essay posted to the Arkibong Bayan (People's Archive) (Jan 30): Photo Essay: UP community
says: Save Tubbataha, Junk
VFA (Palma Hall, UP campus)
UP Community Says Save Tubbataha Junk VFA
January 30, 2013
January 30, 2013
Concerned members of the University of the Philippines
(UP) Diliman community express outrage over the wanton damage of the Tubbataha
Reef by the USS Guardian, a US mine sweeper that initially docked at Subic last
January 12 and was supposed to make a stopover at Puerto Princesa City before
going to Indonesia.
The Tubbataha Reef, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, is part of the Coral Triangle which contains at least 40% of the world fish and 75% of the world’s coral. It also serves as one of the key sources of coral and fish larvae of the greaterSulu Sea which sustains
the fishing activity in the surrounding area. (Source:
http://tubbatahareef.org/wp/global_ecological_significance)
US US
That the US Navy will only be fined US$300 (or roughly PhP12,000) for every damaged square meter is unacceptable even if it may be legal. The Coral Reef is priceless and its damage is made worse by the blatant and arrogant disregard of theUS
First, the warship ignored the warning of the Park Rangers that they were entering a protected area and should not proceed. Instead theUS
Second, when the ship ran aground, the crew prevented the Park Rangers from boarding the ship by going into a battle formation.
This is not the first time thatUS
brought harm to our people and our environment and encroached on our sovereignty. TheUS has not
yet cleaned up the toxic wastes that they left in Subic and Clark
since 1992. Just recently, a US Naval contractor dumped solid and human waste
in the vicinity of Subic Bay . Drone and
missile testing is being done inside our territory. The New York Times reported
the admission by US officials that in 2006 an American Predator unmanned aerial
vehicle, or drone, fired a “barrage of Hellfire missiles” in the “jungles of
the Philippines US drone
was discovered floating off the island
of Masbate Philippines
US military forces, battle ships, and warplanes can move around Philippine territory and do damage to the people and environment with impunity because of the Visiting Forces Agreement.
It is in this light that concerned members of the UP Diliman community strongly call on the Aquino administration to make the US Navy accountable for the damage to the Tubbataha Reef and to assert thePhilippines
We renew our call to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement. This call is consistent with the patriotic tradition of the University of thePhilippines
Save the Tubbataha Reef!
US Troops Out Now!
Junk the Visiting Forces Agreement
The Tubbataha Reef, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, is part of the Coral Triangle which contains at least 40% of the world fish and 75% of the world’s coral. It also serves as one of the key sources of coral and fish larvae of the greater
That the US Navy will only be fined US$300 (or roughly PhP12,000) for every damaged square meter is unacceptable even if it may be legal. The Coral Reef is priceless and its damage is made worse by the blatant and arrogant disregard of the
First, the warship ignored the warning of the Park Rangers that they were entering a protected area and should not proceed. Instead the
Second, when the ship ran aground, the crew prevented the Park Rangers from boarding the ship by going into a battle formation.
This is not the first time that
brought harm to our people and our environment and encroached on our sovereignty. The
US military forces, battle ships, and warplanes can move around Philippine territory and do damage to the people and environment with impunity because of the Visiting Forces Agreement.
It is in this light that concerned members of the UP Diliman community strongly call on the Aquino administration to make the US Navy accountable for the damage to the Tubbataha Reef and to assert the
We renew our call to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement. This call is consistent with the patriotic tradition of the University of the
Save the Tubbataha Reef!
US Troops Out Now!
Junk the Visiting Forces Agreement
US lawmaker apologizes for grounded USS Guardian, silent on destruction to reef
From the Daily Tribune (Jan 30): US lawmaker apologizes for grounded USS Guardian, silent on destruction to reef
At the height of crisis facing the United States Navy involving its grounded minesweeper USS Guardian, a congressional delegation composed of the members of the United States Congress and a city mayor from the state of California arrived in Manila conveying apologies, particularly on the Tubbataha incident, in a meeting with President Aquino yesterday morning in Malacañang.
“We had a courtesy call by the congressional delegation headed by Rep. Ed Royce of California. He was together with Congressmen Tom Marino of Pennsylvania, Vernon Buchanan of Florida, Matt Salmon of Arizona, and Eliot Engel of the 16th District of New York,” said Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesman, who gave the information that Royce officially extended the apology to the President. “The US congressional delegation also, through Congressman Ed Royce, expressed regrets over the Tubbataha Reef (incident),” Lacierda said.
Aside from the congressional delegation, Lacierda said, the city mayor of Daly City has also tendered for a courtesy call along with other city officials.“We had a courtesy call from Mayor Raymond Buenaventura of Daly City. He is a Fil-Am. He is the second Filipino-American mayor of Daly City,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda refused to provide details of the discussion done by the delegation with the President which according to him lasted for almost an hour. He only said that it was a “fruitful discussion.” “So it was a very fruitful discussion. So, overall, we had a very good courtesy call by these two delegations. And, again, we look forward to deeper business relations and the opening up of more economic opportunities between the US and the Philippines,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda insisted that the courtesy call to the President was meant for trade discussion. “This is primarily a trade delegation. They were talking about business opportunities. In fact, to strengthen their economic ties with the Philippines and to explore more opportunities here was the emphasis of our discussion. In fact, after the meeting with the President, this particular congressional delegation was going to have lunch or did have lunch with the economic cluster team,” Lacierda added.
He said he was uncertain whether the courtesy call was scheduled before of after the day of Tubbataha incident in Sulu sea on Jan. 17. He said the regular protocol was that a courtesy call has to be arranged through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “We’ll verify that but it’s always coursed through the DFA. For instance, apart from the congressional delegation (there was also) a request to pay a courtesy call on the President by Mayor Buenaventura of Daly City. So everything is done through DFA when it comes to foreign government officials who would like to pay a courtesy call on the President,” Lacierda said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/item/9880-us-lawmaker-apologizes-for-grounded-uss-guardian-silent-on-destruction-to-reef
At the height of crisis facing the United States Navy involving its grounded minesweeper USS Guardian, a congressional delegation composed of the members of the United States Congress and a city mayor from the state of California arrived in Manila conveying apologies, particularly on the Tubbataha incident, in a meeting with President Aquino yesterday morning in Malacañang.
“We had a courtesy call by the congressional delegation headed by Rep. Ed Royce of California. He was together with Congressmen Tom Marino of Pennsylvania, Vernon Buchanan of Florida, Matt Salmon of Arizona, and Eliot Engel of the 16th District of New York,” said Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesman, who gave the information that Royce officially extended the apology to the President. “The US congressional delegation also, through Congressman Ed Royce, expressed regrets over the Tubbataha Reef (incident),” Lacierda said.
Aside from the congressional delegation, Lacierda said, the city mayor of Daly City has also tendered for a courtesy call along with other city officials.“We had a courtesy call from Mayor Raymond Buenaventura of Daly City. He is a Fil-Am. He is the second Filipino-American mayor of Daly City,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda refused to provide details of the discussion done by the delegation with the President which according to him lasted for almost an hour. He only said that it was a “fruitful discussion.” “So it was a very fruitful discussion. So, overall, we had a very good courtesy call by these two delegations. And, again, we look forward to deeper business relations and the opening up of more economic opportunities between the US and the Philippines,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda insisted that the courtesy call to the President was meant for trade discussion. “This is primarily a trade delegation. They were talking about business opportunities. In fact, to strengthen their economic ties with the Philippines and to explore more opportunities here was the emphasis of our discussion. In fact, after the meeting with the President, this particular congressional delegation was going to have lunch or did have lunch with the economic cluster team,” Lacierda added.
He said he was uncertain whether the courtesy call was scheduled before of after the day of Tubbataha incident in Sulu sea on Jan. 17. He said the regular protocol was that a courtesy call has to be arranged through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “We’ll verify that but it’s always coursed through the DFA. For instance, apart from the congressional delegation (there was also) a request to pay a courtesy call on the President by Mayor Buenaventura of Daly City. So everything is done through DFA when it comes to foreign government officials who would like to pay a courtesy call on the President,” Lacierda said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/item/9880-us-lawmaker-apologizes-for-grounded-uss-guardian-silent-on-destruction-to-reef
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