From the Manila Standard Today (Feb 26): Lawmakers want military pact ended
The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Monday again called for the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the United States and the Philippines to avoid future intrusion of American vessels in the country’s protected areas.
In House Resolution 3018, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, said the damage created by USS Guardian on Tubbataha National Reef Park last Jan 17 will jeopardize fish production and livelihood at least 100,000 fisher-folks and fish workers in commercial vessels in the West Palawan Sea and the Sulu-Celebes Sea and adjacent waters in Visayas and Mindanao.
The resolution said Tubbataha network of corals helped fish generation and production extending to major fishing grounds in Panay and Guimaras Islands, Negros Islands, Cebu and Bohol Islands and the rest of the Visayan Sea.
“The government should adopt a measure to address the issue on the livelihood of the affected fisher-folks and the possible way on how to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Mariano said.
He said it would take one year for a millimeter of mostly hard corals in the Tubbataha’s South section to go back to its sound condition and 250 years for a meter of coral to mature.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/26/lawmakers-want-military-pact-ended/
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Task Force Tubbataha sets Mar. 23 deadline
From the Manila Standard Today (Feb 27): Task Force Tubbataha sets Mar. 23 deadline
The Philippines and the United States have jointly set a March 23 deadline for the completion of the salvaging operation of the USS Guardian that ran aground last month in the Tubbataha Reef, an area declared by the World Heritage site.
Cdr. Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard chief information officer, said the Malaysian ship-borne crane Jascon-25 has begun dismantling the minesweeper on Monday with the help of other salvage ships.
“We received information from the Task Force Tubbataha that they have started lifting some parts of the USS Guardian. The operation will continue because right now, there is a good weather condition in the area,” he said.
Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, Coast Guard Palawan district commander, said the salvaging operations is on-going for the clearing of equipment below the ship’s weather deck as well as the removal of sonar winch at the bow while the team is already done with lifting of the funnel section.
Other than Jascon-25, the vessels present along the salvaging site includes the Singapore-based Smit Borneo crane barge, USNS Salvor, USNS Safeguard, USNS Wally Schirra, M/Tug Archon Tide, M/Tug Intrepid, M/Tug Trabajador-1 and Barge S-7000 of the Malayan Towage and Coast Guard ship BRP-Pampanga.
Evangelista assured the public that the salvaging team continues the clearing of loose materials in the USS Guardian to prevent it from further damaging the reef.
The US government commissioned Jascon-25, an 800-ton Malaysian ship, to cut into pieces the US minesweeper with the use of power tools. The USS Guardian will be cut into ten sections such as mast, funnel, first and second deck, stack, pulley, fan tail, engine and hull before it will be transferred to a barge.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/27/task-force-tubbataha-sets-mar-23-deadline/
The Philippines and the United States have jointly set a March 23 deadline for the completion of the salvaging operation of the USS Guardian that ran aground last month in the Tubbataha Reef, an area declared by the World Heritage site.
Cdr. Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard chief information officer, said the Malaysian ship-borne crane Jascon-25 has begun dismantling the minesweeper on Monday with the help of other salvage ships.
“We received information from the Task Force Tubbataha that they have started lifting some parts of the USS Guardian. The operation will continue because right now, there is a good weather condition in the area,” he said.
Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, Coast Guard Palawan district commander, said the salvaging operations is on-going for the clearing of equipment below the ship’s weather deck as well as the removal of sonar winch at the bow while the team is already done with lifting of the funnel section.
Other than Jascon-25, the vessels present along the salvaging site includes the Singapore-based Smit Borneo crane barge, USNS Salvor, USNS Safeguard, USNS Wally Schirra, M/Tug Archon Tide, M/Tug Intrepid, M/Tug Trabajador-1 and Barge S-7000 of the Malayan Towage and Coast Guard ship BRP-Pampanga.
Evangelista assured the public that the salvaging team continues the clearing of loose materials in the USS Guardian to prevent it from further damaging the reef.
The US government commissioned Jascon-25, an 800-ton Malaysian ship, to cut into pieces the US minesweeper with the use of power tools. The USS Guardian will be cut into ten sections such as mast, funnel, first and second deck, stack, pulley, fan tail, engine and hull before it will be transferred to a barge.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/27/task-force-tubbataha-sets-mar-23-deadline/
Standoff nearing point of no return
From the Manila Standard Today (Feb 27): Standoff nearing point of no return
PNoy warns Kiram: Recall men or face full force of the law
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday warned Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his followers that they were “fast approaching that point of no return” and would face the full force of the law if they refused to leave Sabah.
“The choices and consequences are yours. If you choose not to cooperate, the full force of the laws of the state will be used to achieve justice for all who have been put in harm’s way,” the President said addressing the sultan, whose followers – about 180 in all – remained holed up in the coastal town of Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia, demanding that they be allowed to remain.
The sultan claims historic ownership of the island state that is now part of Malaysia.
Kiram’s cousin, Salip Asaral Asmad, a resident of Sabah, was arrested by Malaysian security forces on Monday, raising fears that forced deportation would soon begin.
“As President and chief executor of our laws, I have tasked an investigation into possible violations of laws by you, your followers, and collaborators engaged in this foolhardy act. May I remind you as well that as a citizen of the republic, you are bound by the Constitution and its laws,” Mr. Aquino said.
The President said among Kiram’s possible violations is Article II Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy.
Mr. Aquino said the enabling law of the Constitutional provision is Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who “provoke or give occasion for a war…or expose Filipino citizens to reprisals on their persons or property.”
“Thus, you are now fully aware of the consequences of your actions,” Mr. Aquino said.
The President said certain groups may have financed the Filipinos – led by Kiram’s brother Agbimuddin — who crossed to Sabah aboard outrigger boats on Feb. 12 and occupied the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu.
Their arrival and refusal to leave the island state resulted in a standoff with Malaysian authorities.
“We were given reports that they [Kirams] are not in very good financial condition. And we are also told that there was quite a large amount of money involved in ferrying people on launches from Tawi-Tawi to Sabah. Hence, the first logical question would be: Where did the funding come from? And who is funding them? So it seems clear at this point but we are still collating evidence that this was not an action just on their part,” the President said.
He said any collaborators would also be made to answer for their actions.
The Philippine government deployed a ship to fetch Kiram’s followers on Sunday but no one has taken the offer to be brought back to Mindanao.
“This is the time to demonstrate that you are a true leader both in name and deed. The right thing to do now would be to order your followers to return home as soon as possible,” the President said.
“It must be clear to you that this small group of people will not succeed in addressing your grievances, and that there is no way that force can achieve your aims,” Mr. Aquino added.
The President, however, admitted that Kiram’s letter in 2010 seeking consultations on the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was “lost in the bureaucratic maze.”
But Mr. Aquino said this does not justify an armed incursion.
“Let me say to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: I have just been made aware that a letter to me, from you, was sent through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in the very first weeks of my term, when we were organizing the government. Unfortunately, this letter was lost in the bureaucratic maze,” he said.
“Let me make clear that there was no intention to ignore your letter. Knowing this now, will you let your mistaken belief dictate your course of action?” the President added.
Mr. Aquino appealed to Kiram to open a dialog with the government so that their grievances can be addressed.
“The avenue of peaceful and open dialogue is still available to us. And so this is my appeal to you: These are your people, and it behooves you to recall them,” Mr. Aquino said.
“Once (they have left Sabah), let us ease the tensions within a week or two weeks later, then we can sit down with Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and precisely map out their grievances and see the way forward after that.”
The President revealed that part of the extensive study that he ordered on the country’s Sabah claim was to determine who really represents the Sultanate of Sulu.
Mr. Aquino said based on initial studies on the lineage of the rulers of Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Kiram II’s reign ended in 1936, and that he did not have any direct heirs.
“Based on the research that was handed to me, Sultan Mawalil Wasit was the next designated Sultan, but he unfortunately died before he got crowned. So you have all of these branches as to who should be the direct heir or who should be rulers. And they have at least five people who are claiming to be the sultan of Sulu,” he said.
“So that is one of my first problems, who actually represents the Sultanate of Sulu? So, it’s still a process that is ongoing,” the President said.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/27/standoff-nearing-point-of-no-return/
PNoy warns Kiram: Recall men or face full force of the law
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday warned Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his followers that they were “fast approaching that point of no return” and would face the full force of the law if they refused to leave Sabah.
“The choices and consequences are yours. If you choose not to cooperate, the full force of the laws of the state will be used to achieve justice for all who have been put in harm’s way,” the President said addressing the sultan, whose followers – about 180 in all – remained holed up in the coastal town of Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia, demanding that they be allowed to remain.
The sultan claims historic ownership of the island state that is now part of Malaysia.
Kiram’s cousin, Salip Asaral Asmad, a resident of Sabah, was arrested by Malaysian security forces on Monday, raising fears that forced deportation would soon begin.
“As President and chief executor of our laws, I have tasked an investigation into possible violations of laws by you, your followers, and collaborators engaged in this foolhardy act. May I remind you as well that as a citizen of the republic, you are bound by the Constitution and its laws,” Mr. Aquino said.
The President said among Kiram’s possible violations is Article II Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy.
Mr. Aquino said the enabling law of the Constitutional provision is Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who “provoke or give occasion for a war…or expose Filipino citizens to reprisals on their persons or property.”
“Thus, you are now fully aware of the consequences of your actions,” Mr. Aquino said.
The President said certain groups may have financed the Filipinos – led by Kiram’s brother Agbimuddin — who crossed to Sabah aboard outrigger boats on Feb. 12 and occupied the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu.
Their arrival and refusal to leave the island state resulted in a standoff with Malaysian authorities.
“We were given reports that they [Kirams] are not in very good financial condition. And we are also told that there was quite a large amount of money involved in ferrying people on launches from Tawi-Tawi to Sabah. Hence, the first logical question would be: Where did the funding come from? And who is funding them? So it seems clear at this point but we are still collating evidence that this was not an action just on their part,” the President said.
He said any collaborators would also be made to answer for their actions.
The Philippine government deployed a ship to fetch Kiram’s followers on Sunday but no one has taken the offer to be brought back to Mindanao.
“This is the time to demonstrate that you are a true leader both in name and deed. The right thing to do now would be to order your followers to return home as soon as possible,” the President said.
“It must be clear to you that this small group of people will not succeed in addressing your grievances, and that there is no way that force can achieve your aims,” Mr. Aquino added.
The President, however, admitted that Kiram’s letter in 2010 seeking consultations on the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was “lost in the bureaucratic maze.”
But Mr. Aquino said this does not justify an armed incursion.
“Let me say to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: I have just been made aware that a letter to me, from you, was sent through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in the very first weeks of my term, when we were organizing the government. Unfortunately, this letter was lost in the bureaucratic maze,” he said.
“Let me make clear that there was no intention to ignore your letter. Knowing this now, will you let your mistaken belief dictate your course of action?” the President added.
Mr. Aquino appealed to Kiram to open a dialog with the government so that their grievances can be addressed.
“The avenue of peaceful and open dialogue is still available to us. And so this is my appeal to you: These are your people, and it behooves you to recall them,” Mr. Aquino said.
“Once (they have left Sabah), let us ease the tensions within a week or two weeks later, then we can sit down with Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and precisely map out their grievances and see the way forward after that.”
The President revealed that part of the extensive study that he ordered on the country’s Sabah claim was to determine who really represents the Sultanate of Sulu.
Mr. Aquino said based on initial studies on the lineage of the rulers of Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Kiram II’s reign ended in 1936, and that he did not have any direct heirs.
“Based on the research that was handed to me, Sultan Mawalil Wasit was the next designated Sultan, but he unfortunately died before he got crowned. So you have all of these branches as to who should be the direct heir or who should be rulers. And they have at least five people who are claiming to be the sultan of Sulu,” he said.
“So that is one of my first problems, who actually represents the Sultanate of Sulu? So, it’s still a process that is ongoing,” the President said.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/27/standoff-nearing-point-of-no-return/
Abu Sayyaf attacks power barge in Basilan
From Malaya (Feb 26): Abu Sayyaf attacks power barge in Basilan
SUSPECTED members of the Abu Sayyaf group attacked a power barge of the National Power Corporation off Isabela City in Basilan on Monday night.
“The damage (on the power barge) is negligible,” Col. Carlito Galvez, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, said yesterday.
He also said Napocor authorities shut down power during the fighting as a precaution but restored it after a technical inspection.
Galvez said at least eight suspected Abu Sayyaf men aboard two boats strafed the barge anchored about 20 meters off Tabuc strait at around 10 p.m. Security personnel, including government militiamen aboard the barge, engaged the gunmen in a brief firefight, after which the suspects fled.
He said soldiers from the Army’s Special Forces Regiment who are stationed about 50 meters away also responded.
Galvez said two bullets penetrated the ventilation plant of the barge, and a fuse that was dislodged as a result of the attack was promptly put back.
Asked who the gunmen are, Galvez said, “Most probably, these are ASGs.”
As to their motive, he said, “Most probably extortion or possibly this is just a diversion. We don’t know.”
Galvez said the military is checking if the suspects fled to Tipo-tipo, Lamitan or Lantawan, all towns in Basilan.
“We have ongoing operations against whose details we cannot divulge,” he said.
Maj. Edgardo Amores, spokesman of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said checkpoints were established and waterborne patrols were conducted “to prevent further eventualities in the area and possible apprehension of the perpetrators.
Amores said the power barge, which has a capacity of 7.2 megawatts, supplies power to the entire Basilan province, a known bailiwick area of the Abu Sayyaf.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/25235-abu-sayyaf-attacks-power-barge-in-basilan
SUSPECTED members of the Abu Sayyaf group attacked a power barge of the National Power Corporation off Isabela City in Basilan on Monday night.
“The damage (on the power barge) is negligible,” Col. Carlito Galvez, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, said yesterday.
He also said Napocor authorities shut down power during the fighting as a precaution but restored it after a technical inspection.
Galvez said at least eight suspected Abu Sayyaf men aboard two boats strafed the barge anchored about 20 meters off Tabuc strait at around 10 p.m. Security personnel, including government militiamen aboard the barge, engaged the gunmen in a brief firefight, after which the suspects fled.
He said soldiers from the Army’s Special Forces Regiment who are stationed about 50 meters away also responded.
Galvez said two bullets penetrated the ventilation plant of the barge, and a fuse that was dislodged as a result of the attack was promptly put back.
Asked who the gunmen are, Galvez said, “Most probably, these are ASGs.”
As to their motive, he said, “Most probably extortion or possibly this is just a diversion. We don’t know.”
Galvez said the military is checking if the suspects fled to Tipo-tipo, Lamitan or Lantawan, all towns in Basilan.
“We have ongoing operations against whose details we cannot divulge,” he said.
Maj. Edgardo Amores, spokesman of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said checkpoints were established and waterborne patrols were conducted “to prevent further eventualities in the area and possible apprehension of the perpetrators.
Amores said the power barge, which has a capacity of 7.2 megawatts, supplies power to the entire Basilan province, a known bailiwick area of the Abu Sayyaf.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/25235-abu-sayyaf-attacks-power-barge-in-basilan
Ranking NPA commander nabbed by AFP-PNO operatives
From the Daily Tribune (Feb 26): Ranking NPA commander nabbed by AFP-PNO operatives
A ranking New People’s Army (NPA) commander was captured by combined military and police operatives during an operation over the weekend in Negros Occidental province, belated reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo said yesterday.
Joel Danioso, who uses the aliases Ewen and Ewel, commanding officer of the Yunit Milisya in Calatrava, Negros Occidental under the communist’s North Negros Front, was arrested in Sitio Minatipik, Barangay Winaswasan in Calatrava town at around 5:30 a.m.
Danioso, 34, was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant for robbery with homicide and physical injuries.
The NPA commander was subsequently brought to the Tobos Municipal Police Station for detention.
The military tagged Danioso as the leader of the NPA band that raided Polopangyan detachment in Barangay Bug-ang, Tobos, Negros Occidental on Aug. 28, 2010.
“This is a continuous law enforcement operation as part of your Army’s commitment in protecting the communities, government and private establishments so that the people will live in a more secure and peaceful environment,” said Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commanding general of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Col. Oscar Lactao, commander of the Army’s 303rd Brigade, said that Danioso’s arrest only proves that no one can evade the long arms of the law forever.
“The arrest of Danioso shows that the long arm of the law will eventually catch lawless elements of our society. Our government is gaining grounds in our peace and security efforts and the Army in Negros together with the police will continue to protect our people,” said Lactao.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/item/11001-ranking-npa-commander-nabbed-by-afp-pno-operatives.html
A ranking New People’s Army (NPA) commander was captured by combined military and police operatives during an operation over the weekend in Negros Occidental province, belated reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo said yesterday.
Joel Danioso, who uses the aliases Ewen and Ewel, commanding officer of the Yunit Milisya in Calatrava, Negros Occidental under the communist’s North Negros Front, was arrested in Sitio Minatipik, Barangay Winaswasan in Calatrava town at around 5:30 a.m.
Danioso, 34, was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant for robbery with homicide and physical injuries.
The NPA commander was subsequently brought to the Tobos Municipal Police Station for detention.
The military tagged Danioso as the leader of the NPA band that raided Polopangyan detachment in Barangay Bug-ang, Tobos, Negros Occidental on Aug. 28, 2010.
“This is a continuous law enforcement operation as part of your Army’s commitment in protecting the communities, government and private establishments so that the people will live in a more secure and peaceful environment,” said Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commanding general of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Col. Oscar Lactao, commander of the Army’s 303rd Brigade, said that Danioso’s arrest only proves that no one can evade the long arms of the law forever.
“The arrest of Danioso shows that the long arm of the law will eventually catch lawless elements of our society. Our government is gaining grounds in our peace and security efforts and the Army in Negros together with the police will continue to protect our people,” said Lactao.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/item/11001-ranking-npa-commander-nabbed-by-afp-pno-operatives.html
Cops arrest NPA rebel in Bukidnon attack
From the Business Mirror (Feb 27): Cops arrest NPA rebel in Bukidnon attack
POLICEMEN arrested a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel who participated in the attacks in Bukidnon on February 19.
Chief Supt. Catalino Rodriguez Jr., Northern Mindanao police commander, identified the suspect as Valeriano Anonsaon Jr. alias Junior. Anonsaon was arrested by a team from the Libona Municipal Police Station and the Regional Public Safety Battalion at around 10 p.m. on February 26 in Barangay Sil-ipon, Libona, Bukidnon.
Police records indicate that Anonsaon is the subject of a pending arrest warrant for attempted homicide issued by Judge Lourdes Eltanal-Ignacio of the 1st Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Bukidnon covering the towns of Talakag, Baungon and Malitbog.
“His arrest was a result of the continuous manhunt operations conducted jointly by members of the [police] and the [military] after NPA rebels harassed Del Monte and Dole plantations in Bukidnon last February 19, 2013. Two rebel suspects were arrested on this date immediately after a joint [Police]-Army follow-up operation in Barangay Kihare, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon,” Rodriguez said.
Before the arrest of Anonsaon, Rodriguez said the Libona police received information that he was last spotted in Barangay Sil-ipon where he stayed with his wife’s uncle and was recuperating from the injuries he suffered in an encounter with Army troops on February 23.
“He revealed that three more rebels were injured and three others were killed in the same reported encounter. The management of Del Monte is now coordinating with the local police in the filing of arson cases against the arrested rebel suspect,” Rodriguez said.
Malaysian police enter Sabah standoff village after 'last warning'
From InterAksyon (Feb 27): Malaysian police enter Sabah standoff village after 'last warning'
A text message sent by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram from Sabah relaying the Tausug 'last warning' written on leaflets dropped on him and his followers in Sabah by a Malaysian military aircraft. (photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.com)
Malaysian security forces briefly entered the village in Lahad Datu town where followers of the Sulu sultanate have been holding out for the last two weeks but were driven off, the leader of the group said Wednesday.
Raja Muda (crown prince) Agbimuddin Kiram, said in a radio interview that he was in a meeting when six Malaysian soldiers entered the village of Tanduo.
However, Agbimuddin said, the soldiers retreated when his followers went to meet them.
The incident happened soon after a Malaysian aircraft dropped leaflets on Lahad Datu's Tanduao village containing a “last warning” for Agbimuddin, brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, and his followers to “surrender now.”
The crown prince led close to 200 of the sultanate’s followers to Sabah.
"Anim nagpunta sa area namin (Six of them went to our area) while we were conducting (a) meeting in the house where I'm staying … tapos nakapunta diyan ‘yung kasama namin nag-inform sa’min. ‘Yung mga kawal namin immediately ran. Sabi nila raw anim ang Malaysian soldiers armed with Armalite. ‘Nung nakita sila ay tumakbo (then one of our companions informed us. Our warriors immediately ran. They said there were six Malaysian soldiers armed with Armalite rifles. When they saw our men they ran away)," Agbimuddin said.
The leaflet drop happened around 2 p.m.
Datu Abdil Nasser Kiram, second to the youngest brother of Kiram III, translated excerpts from the message, written in Tausug that Agbimuddin relayed to him.
"This is our last warning to you or you will regret what will happen to you," the leaflets said. "Think of the loved ones you have left behind in the Philippines."
The message also said the leaflets would serve as a safe conduct pass for those who want to leave Sabah.
The leaflets were dropped after Malaysian authorities said they were “set to end” the standoff with the Sulu sultan’s followers, possibly within the next 24 hours, as reported by Malaysian news site The Star.
The possibility came after the sultan calls on Tuesday, including one from President Benigno Aquino III, for him to order his followers home.
In his other text messages to his family in the Philippines, Agbimuddin said he and his group were leaving everything to Allah, do or die, make or break.”
Also, Agbimuddin said the Malaysian soldiers who wento to Tanduao were “either provoking them or testing their strength or capability.”
Malaysia had also given the sultan’s followers three deadlines the last of which expired Tuesday night, to leave.
Asked by The Star if a move against the Sulu sultan’s followers would be made within the next 24 hours, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar replied: “Maybe. We are set to end the standoff.”
The Star also managed to interview the sultan’s brother by phone and quoted him as saying they expected to be attacked but were “ready to defend ourselves, we are not afraid.”
“We are not afraid because we know we are right. This is our land,” he told the Malaysian news outfit.
He also said he would take orders only from his brother the sultan.
The Star reported that Malaysian security forces had deployed “at several strategic locations in and outside the surrounding Feld plantations” on Tuesday and that “government and army medical teams are on standby should the green light be given to deport the Sulu group.”
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55960/malaysian-police-enter-sabah-standoff-village-after-last-warning
A text message sent by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram from Sabah relaying the Tausug 'last warning' written on leaflets dropped on him and his followers in Sabah by a Malaysian military aircraft. (photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.com)
Malaysian security forces briefly entered the village in Lahad Datu town where followers of the Sulu sultanate have been holding out for the last two weeks but were driven off, the leader of the group said Wednesday.
Raja Muda (crown prince) Agbimuddin Kiram, said in a radio interview that he was in a meeting when six Malaysian soldiers entered the village of Tanduo.
However, Agbimuddin said, the soldiers retreated when his followers went to meet them.
The incident happened soon after a Malaysian aircraft dropped leaflets on Lahad Datu's Tanduao village containing a “last warning” for Agbimuddin, brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, and his followers to “surrender now.”
The crown prince led close to 200 of the sultanate’s followers to Sabah.
"Anim nagpunta sa area namin (Six of them went to our area) while we were conducting (a) meeting in the house where I'm staying … tapos nakapunta diyan ‘yung kasama namin nag-inform sa’min. ‘Yung mga kawal namin immediately ran. Sabi nila raw anim ang Malaysian soldiers armed with Armalite. ‘Nung nakita sila ay tumakbo (then one of our companions informed us. Our warriors immediately ran. They said there were six Malaysian soldiers armed with Armalite rifles. When they saw our men they ran away)," Agbimuddin said.
The leaflet drop happened around 2 p.m.
Datu Abdil Nasser Kiram, second to the youngest brother of Kiram III, translated excerpts from the message, written in Tausug that Agbimuddin relayed to him.
"This is our last warning to you or you will regret what will happen to you," the leaflets said. "Think of the loved ones you have left behind in the Philippines."
The message also said the leaflets would serve as a safe conduct pass for those who want to leave Sabah.
The leaflets were dropped after Malaysian authorities said they were “set to end” the standoff with the Sulu sultan’s followers, possibly within the next 24 hours, as reported by Malaysian news site The Star.
The possibility came after the sultan calls on Tuesday, including one from President Benigno Aquino III, for him to order his followers home.
In his other text messages to his family in the Philippines, Agbimuddin said he and his group were leaving everything to Allah, do or die, make or break.”
Also, Agbimuddin said the Malaysian soldiers who wento to Tanduao were “either provoking them or testing their strength or capability.”
Malaysia had also given the sultan’s followers three deadlines the last of which expired Tuesday night, to leave.
Asked by The Star if a move against the Sulu sultan’s followers would be made within the next 24 hours, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar replied: “Maybe. We are set to end the standoff.”
The Star also managed to interview the sultan’s brother by phone and quoted him as saying they expected to be attacked but were “ready to defend ourselves, we are not afraid.”
“We are not afraid because we know we are right. This is our land,” he told the Malaysian news outfit.
He also said he would take orders only from his brother the sultan.
The Star reported that Malaysian security forces had deployed “at several strategic locations in and outside the surrounding Feld plantations” on Tuesday and that “government and army medical teams are on standby should the green light be given to deport the Sulu group.”
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55960/malaysian-police-enter-sabah-standoff-village-after-last-warning
China navy gets new stealth frigate, to boost maritime defense
From InterAksyon (Feb 26): China navy gets new stealth frigate, to boost maritime defense
Photo shows Type 056 of the Chinese stealth frigate newly acquired to boost China's maritime defense amid its continuing row with several neighbors. Photo from chinesemilitaryreview.blogspot.com
China's navy has taken delivery of a new type of stealth frigate that is expected to bolster the country's maritime defenses amid territorial disputes, state media reported Tuesday.
The ship, identified by the official Xinhua news agency as a "Type 056 stealth frigate", was delivered to the navy Monday afternoon in a ceremony in Shanghai.
Navy commander Wu Shengli emphasized the importance of mastering its equipment and capabilities amid ongoing maritime disputes, according to a front-page article Tuesday in the PLA Daily newspaper, published by the People's Liberation Army.
Wu, also a member of the Communist Party's powerful Central Military Commission, called for continuous improvement and growth of an elite naval force capable of fighting and winning so as to reassure Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other members of the commission.
In January state media reported that the armed forces were instructed to raise their fighting ability in 2013 and "focus closely on the objective of being able to fight and win battle".
President Hu Jintao, set to step down next month and be replaced by Xi, said in November at a Communist Party congress that China should become a "maritime power".
Tuesday's report did not specify the ship's size, but said it possesses "good stealth performance and electromagnetic compatibility" and needed just one-third the number of crew members as its predecessor, the Type 053.
The report said the new ship symbolizes the start of a transformation in China's naval defense strength and more of the ships are in production.
The vessels will mainly be used for escort missions and anti-submarine operations, it added.
China is involved in a sovereignty dispute with Japan over Japanese-administered uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.
Tensions have risen in recent months, with both sides scrambling jets to ward off moves by the other, and fishing boats and government patrol ships playing cat-and-mouse in the vicinity of the islands.
Japan alleged earlier this month that a Chinese frigate locked its weapons-targeting radar on a Japanese destroyer in what it characterized as a dangerous escalation. Beijing denied the charge.
Beijing is also at odds with several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, over islands in the South China Sea.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55923/china-navy-gets-new-stealth-frigate-to-boost-maritime-defense
Photo shows Type 056 of the Chinese stealth frigate newly acquired to boost China's maritime defense amid its continuing row with several neighbors. Photo from chinesemilitaryreview.blogspot.com
China's navy has taken delivery of a new type of stealth frigate that is expected to bolster the country's maritime defenses amid territorial disputes, state media reported Tuesday.
The ship, identified by the official Xinhua news agency as a "Type 056 stealth frigate", was delivered to the navy Monday afternoon in a ceremony in Shanghai.
Navy commander Wu Shengli emphasized the importance of mastering its equipment and capabilities amid ongoing maritime disputes, according to a front-page article Tuesday in the PLA Daily newspaper, published by the People's Liberation Army.
Wu, also a member of the Communist Party's powerful Central Military Commission, called for continuous improvement and growth of an elite naval force capable of fighting and winning so as to reassure Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other members of the commission.
In January state media reported that the armed forces were instructed to raise their fighting ability in 2013 and "focus closely on the objective of being able to fight and win battle".
President Hu Jintao, set to step down next month and be replaced by Xi, said in November at a Communist Party congress that China should become a "maritime power".
Tuesday's report did not specify the ship's size, but said it possesses "good stealth performance and electromagnetic compatibility" and needed just one-third the number of crew members as its predecessor, the Type 053.
The report said the new ship symbolizes the start of a transformation in China's naval defense strength and more of the ships are in production.
The vessels will mainly be used for escort missions and anti-submarine operations, it added.
China is involved in a sovereignty dispute with Japan over Japanese-administered uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.
Tensions have risen in recent months, with both sides scrambling jets to ward off moves by the other, and fishing boats and government patrol ships playing cat-and-mouse in the vicinity of the islands.
Japan alleged earlier this month that a Chinese frigate locked its weapons-targeting radar on a Japanese destroyer in what it characterized as a dangerous escalation. Beijing denied the charge.
Beijing is also at odds with several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, over islands in the South China Sea.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55923/china-navy-gets-new-stealth-frigate-to-boost-maritime-defense
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
CPP-NPA claims victory over Oplan Bayanihan
From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Feb 26): CPP-NPA claims victory over Oplan Bayanihan
THE Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) claimed victory over Oplan Bayanihan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Negros citing increase in their strength by forty percent since the start of said campaign until the early part of 2013.
In a press statement, spokesman of the Leonardo Panaligan Command LPC of the NPA in Central Negros claimed that their mass base also grew from 35 to 40 percent.
In reaction, Col. Oscar Lactao of the 303rd Brigade commander said that "as our society continues to develop socially, politically and economically, their irrelevance is irreversible."
It said that since December 2012 until the first part of January 2013 it was proven that Oplan Bayanihan failed in Central Negros citing that with the support of the masses the LPC-NPA claimed victories in their military offensives.
Regalado said that the NPA confiscated 12 high-powered firearms, four M16, one M203 grenade launcher, one carbine, one sub-machine gun, one shotgun, one caliber 38 pistol, one 357 pistol and a .45 caliber pistol.
Other items they confiscated included one handheld radio, goggles and three cellular phones.
Regalado said that in their military offensives, four soldiers were killed, one policeman, one military asset, two village chiefs and three BPAT members.
As far as the Barangay Puso massacre is concern, Regalado accused 302rd Brigade commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio, 303rd Brigade commander Col. Oscar Lactao and NOPPO acting director Sr. Supt. Celestino Guara of allegedly mobilizing the social democrats as well as the fascists-clergy in allegedly calling for the NPA to surrender those behind the ambush massacre that left nine dead and 14 others injured.
Regalado also called on the civilians not to allow them to be used as human shields by the military at the same time not to ride in vehicles being used by the military and the police.
Earlier, the military here claimed that no amount of justification can redeem what the NPA rebels did in the La Castellana massacre.
Major Gen. Jose Mabanta, 3rd ID commander, said the La Castellana massacre was a big blunder on the part of the NPA as most of the casualties were civilians.
Practically all the human rights groups here except the militant Karapatan condemned the La Castellana massacre saying that it was a total disregard for human rights by the NPA rebels, Mabanta said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2013/02/26/cpp-npa-claims-victory-over-oplan-bayanihan-270138
THE Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) claimed victory over Oplan Bayanihan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Negros citing increase in their strength by forty percent since the start of said campaign until the early part of 2013.
In a press statement, spokesman of the Leonardo Panaligan Command LPC of the NPA in Central Negros claimed that their mass base also grew from 35 to 40 percent.
In reaction, Col. Oscar Lactao of the 303rd Brigade commander said that "as our society continues to develop socially, politically and economically, their irrelevance is irreversible."
It said that since December 2012 until the first part of January 2013 it was proven that Oplan Bayanihan failed in Central Negros citing that with the support of the masses the LPC-NPA claimed victories in their military offensives.
Regalado said that the NPA confiscated 12 high-powered firearms, four M16, one M203 grenade launcher, one carbine, one sub-machine gun, one shotgun, one caliber 38 pistol, one 357 pistol and a .45 caliber pistol.
Other items they confiscated included one handheld radio, goggles and three cellular phones.
Regalado said that in their military offensives, four soldiers were killed, one policeman, one military asset, two village chiefs and three BPAT members.
As far as the Barangay Puso massacre is concern, Regalado accused 302rd Brigade commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio, 303rd Brigade commander Col. Oscar Lactao and NOPPO acting director Sr. Supt. Celestino Guara of allegedly mobilizing the social democrats as well as the fascists-clergy in allegedly calling for the NPA to surrender those behind the ambush massacre that left nine dead and 14 others injured.
Regalado also called on the civilians not to allow them to be used as human shields by the military at the same time not to ride in vehicles being used by the military and the police.
Earlier, the military here claimed that no amount of justification can redeem what the NPA rebels did in the La Castellana massacre.
Major Gen. Jose Mabanta, 3rd ID commander, said the La Castellana massacre was a big blunder on the part of the NPA as most of the casualties were civilians.
Practically all the human rights groups here except the militant Karapatan condemned the La Castellana massacre saying that it was a total disregard for human rights by the NPA rebels, Mabanta said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2013/02/26/cpp-npa-claims-victory-over-oplan-bayanihan-270138
Rebel leader behind Army camp attack nabbed
From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Feb 26): Rebel leader behind Army camp attack nabbed
THE leader of the New People's Army (NPA) group, which attacked an Army detachment in northern Negros more than two years ago, was arrested in Calatrava town last Saturday.
Arrested by elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Special Action Force was a certain Joel Danioso alias Ewen, commanding officer of the Yunit Milista (YM) of Barangay Malatas, Calatrava town.
Danioso was arrested in Sitio Minatipik, Barangay Winaswasan, Calatrava by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the crime of robbery with homicide and physical injuries issued by presiding judge Katherine Go of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 59 in San Carlos City.
Danioso, a resident of Sitio Minatipik, Barangay Winaswasan, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, 34, led the raid of Polopangyan detachment in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso Negros Occidental on August 28, 2010.
He was brought to Calatrava PNP after the arrest and further brought to Toboso PNP for detention.
"We will continue to help the PNP in implementing arrest warrants issued by courts. We are serious in enforcing our laws. Let the rule of law apply to these people who are menace to the society," said 62IB commander Efren Morados.
3rd Infantry Division Commander MGen Jose Mabanta Jr said, "This is a continuous law enforcement operation as part of your Army's commitment in protecting the communities, government and private establishments so that the people will live in a more secure and peaceful environment."
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2013/02/26/rebel-leader-behind-army-camp-attack-nabbed-270139
THE leader of the New People's Army (NPA) group, which attacked an Army detachment in northern Negros more than two years ago, was arrested in Calatrava town last Saturday.
Arrested by elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Special Action Force was a certain Joel Danioso alias Ewen, commanding officer of the Yunit Milista (YM) of Barangay Malatas, Calatrava town.
Danioso was arrested in Sitio Minatipik, Barangay Winaswasan, Calatrava by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the crime of robbery with homicide and physical injuries issued by presiding judge Katherine Go of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 59 in San Carlos City.
Danioso, a resident of Sitio Minatipik, Barangay Winaswasan, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, 34, led the raid of Polopangyan detachment in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso Negros Occidental on August 28, 2010.
He was brought to Calatrava PNP after the arrest and further brought to Toboso PNP for detention.
"We will continue to help the PNP in implementing arrest warrants issued by courts. We are serious in enforcing our laws. Let the rule of law apply to these people who are menace to the society," said 62IB commander Efren Morados.
3rd Infantry Division Commander MGen Jose Mabanta Jr said, "This is a continuous law enforcement operation as part of your Army's commitment in protecting the communities, government and private establishments so that the people will live in a more secure and peaceful environment."
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2013/02/26/rebel-leader-behind-army-camp-attack-nabbed-270139
Police overruns NPA camp in Agusan del Sur
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 26): Police overruns NPA camp in Agusan del
Sur
The Philippine National Police (PNP) overran a New Peoples Army (NPA) camp Monday morning after a 20-minute gunbattle at the hinterlands of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.
Reports from Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office reaching the regional headquarters here stated that members of the Agusan del Sur Provincial Public Safety Company and the 131st Regional Public Safety Company led by Insp. Jessie P. Soriano were conducting a combat patrol operation around 11:10 a.m in Barangay San Andres, Bunawan when they were harassed by an undetermined number of rebels resulting to a 20-minute firefight before the rebels withdrew to the mountainous part of the area.
During the clearing operations, the policemen, augmented by members of the 75th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, discovered the abandoned NPA camp near the site of the encounter.
Police believe the armed group were members of the CPP/NPA under the Southeastern Command of the Northeastern Mindanao revolutionary Committee. Police stations near the area were ordered to establish checkpoints and intensify intelligence operations to apprehend the insurgents.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=501501
The Philippine National Police (PNP) overran a New Peoples Army (NPA) camp Monday morning after a 20-minute gunbattle at the hinterlands of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.
Reports from Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office reaching the regional headquarters here stated that members of the Agusan del Sur Provincial Public Safety Company and the 131st Regional Public Safety Company led by Insp. Jessie P. Soriano were conducting a combat patrol operation around 11:10 a.m in Barangay San Andres, Bunawan when they were harassed by an undetermined number of rebels resulting to a 20-minute firefight before the rebels withdrew to the mountainous part of the area.
During the clearing operations, the policemen, augmented by members of the 75th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, discovered the abandoned NPA camp near the site of the encounter.
Police believe the armed group were members of the CPP/NPA under the Southeastern Command of the Northeastern Mindanao revolutionary Committee. Police stations near the area were ordered to establish checkpoints and intensify intelligence operations to apprehend the insurgents.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=501501
US, AFP gird up for Operation Pacific Angel 2013 in Negros Oriental
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 26): US, AFP gird up for Operation
Pacific Angel 2013 in Negros Oriental
The United States and the Philippines are finalizing plans to conduct a humanitarian assistance mission known as Operation Pacific Angel, set to kick-off on March 4 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
About 80 members of the U.S. military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a number of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) led by the Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN) are participating in Operation Pacific Angel 2013 from March 4 to 9 in at least five areas in the province.
The U.S. Embassy in Manila, in a news release, also said Operation Pacific Angel 2013 will include medical, dental, optometry and engineering programs as well as various subject-matter expert exchanges.
ONCAN head Marrietta Jambora confirmed that Operation Pacific Angel 2013 will be held in Dumaguete City, specifically at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex, and mobile teams in Pamplona, Amlan, Tanjay City and Dauin.
Part of the activity include the repair of three classrooms, namely, the Tugawe Elementary School in Dauin, the Bio-os Elementary School in Amlan and the Pamplona Elementary School in Pamplona, according to Jambora.
Jambora said the provincial government of Negros Oriental and the local governments are partners in the said activity. The Dumaguete City Tourism Office will provide nightly cultural presentations while partner NGOs will be allowed to set up booths at the vicinity of the Macias Sports Center.
According to Jambora, ONCAN sought free internal and external humanitarian and disaster relief assistance for Negros Oriental as early as August last year following two major calamities that struck the province, namely Tropical Storm Sendong in December of 2011 and the magnitude 6.9 killer earthquake on February 6, 2012. A final planning was held last December here in Dumaguete.
Meanwhile, according to the US Embassy-Manila news release, Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance led by Pacific Air Forces and is now on its sixth year.
“The exercise is a capacity-building and experience-sharing effort hosted by U.S. Pacific Command and implemented jointly with other governments, non-governmental agencies, and multilateral militaries in the Asia Pacific region to provide medical, dental, optometry, and engineering assistance to their citizens.”
“The experience gained through participation in this mission can be applied during future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts”, the news release added.
During the previous Pacific Angel in the Philippines in 2012, more than 8,500 people in the Bicol Province of Albay received medical, dental, and optometry care. Hundreds more were the beneficiaries of subject-matter expert exchanges, to include sessions on women's health, oral hygiene, and water sanitation.
Four additional Pacific Angel missions are scheduled for 2013 in the Asia Pacific region. They include Indonesia (April 22 to 26) in Yogyjakarta, Java Island; Vietnam (June 10 to 14) in Quang Binh Province; Sri Lanka (August 5 to 10) in Jaffna Province; and Cambodia (September 9 to 14) in the Ratanakiri area.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=501671
The United States and the Philippines are finalizing plans to conduct a humanitarian assistance mission known as Operation Pacific Angel, set to kick-off on March 4 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
About 80 members of the U.S. military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a number of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) led by the Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN) are participating in Operation Pacific Angel 2013 from March 4 to 9 in at least five areas in the province.
The U.S. Embassy in Manila, in a news release, also said Operation Pacific Angel 2013 will include medical, dental, optometry and engineering programs as well as various subject-matter expert exchanges.
ONCAN head Marrietta Jambora confirmed that Operation Pacific Angel 2013 will be held in Dumaguete City, specifically at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex, and mobile teams in Pamplona, Amlan, Tanjay City and Dauin.
Part of the activity include the repair of three classrooms, namely, the Tugawe Elementary School in Dauin, the Bio-os Elementary School in Amlan and the Pamplona Elementary School in Pamplona, according to Jambora.
Jambora said the provincial government of Negros Oriental and the local governments are partners in the said activity. The Dumaguete City Tourism Office will provide nightly cultural presentations while partner NGOs will be allowed to set up booths at the vicinity of the Macias Sports Center.
According to Jambora, ONCAN sought free internal and external humanitarian and disaster relief assistance for Negros Oriental as early as August last year following two major calamities that struck the province, namely Tropical Storm Sendong in December of 2011 and the magnitude 6.9 killer earthquake on February 6, 2012. A final planning was held last December here in Dumaguete.
Meanwhile, according to the US Embassy-Manila news release, Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance led by Pacific Air Forces and is now on its sixth year.
“The exercise is a capacity-building and experience-sharing effort hosted by U.S. Pacific Command and implemented jointly with other governments, non-governmental agencies, and multilateral militaries in the Asia Pacific region to provide medical, dental, optometry, and engineering assistance to their citizens.”
“The experience gained through participation in this mission can be applied during future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts”, the news release added.
During the previous Pacific Angel in the Philippines in 2012, more than 8,500 people in the Bicol Province of Albay received medical, dental, and optometry care. Hundreds more were the beneficiaries of subject-matter expert exchanges, to include sessions on women's health, oral hygiene, and water sanitation.
Four additional Pacific Angel missions are scheduled for 2013 in the Asia Pacific region. They include Indonesia (April 22 to 26) in Yogyjakarta, Java Island; Vietnam (June 10 to 14) in Quang Binh Province; Sri Lanka (August 5 to 10) in Jaffna Province; and Cambodia (September 9 to 14) in the Ratanakiri area.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=501671
PHL objects to China routine fishery patrols in WPS
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 26): PHL objects to China routine fishery
patrols in WPS
The Dept. of Foreign Affairs Tuesday protested China’s routine fishery patrols in the disputed South China Sea as part of it would include areas within the Philippines’ territorial waters.
China’s Fishery Bureau last week announced that patrols in the resource-rich waters where Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims will be a "top priority" in 2013 and 2014. The patrols, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency, aim to safeguard the "legitimate interests of Chinese fishermen."
China’s announcement came a week after it rejected Manila’s initiative to let a United Nations arbitration body hear the Philippines’ complaint over what it calls Beijing’s “excessive” claim to waters where undersea gas deposits have been discovered in several areas.
China said Manila’s case was legally infirm and carried unacceptable allegations. “The Philippines strongly objects to the Chinese patrol of Philippine maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea.
Such activities would not validate the nine-dash line and are contrary to China’s obligation under international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Hernandez told a press briefing.
China’s nine-dash line is a U-shaped map that covers nearly 90 percent of the South China Sea. “We again call in China to respect our territorial sovereignty and exclusive economic zone,” he said.
The Philippines, he asserted, “exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights over the waters and features in the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea.”
“Therefore, we continue to call on China to act responsibly and to refrain from taking further action that would heighten tensions in the region.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=501716
The Dept. of Foreign Affairs Tuesday protested China’s routine fishery patrols in the disputed South China Sea as part of it would include areas within the Philippines’ territorial waters.
China’s Fishery Bureau last week announced that patrols in the resource-rich waters where Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims will be a "top priority" in 2013 and 2014. The patrols, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency, aim to safeguard the "legitimate interests of Chinese fishermen."
China’s announcement came a week after it rejected Manila’s initiative to let a United Nations arbitration body hear the Philippines’ complaint over what it calls Beijing’s “excessive” claim to waters where undersea gas deposits have been discovered in several areas.
China said Manila’s case was legally infirm and carried unacceptable allegations. “The Philippines strongly objects to the Chinese patrol of Philippine maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea.
Such activities would not validate the nine-dash line and are contrary to China’s obligation under international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Hernandez told a press briefing.
China’s nine-dash line is a U-shaped map that covers nearly 90 percent of the South China Sea. “We again call in China to respect our territorial sovereignty and exclusive economic zone,” he said.
The Philippines, he asserted, “exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights over the waters and features in the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea.”
“Therefore, we continue to call on China to act responsibly and to refrain from taking further action that would heighten tensions in the region.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=501716
Malaysian security forces get green light to disarm sultanate followers - report
From InterAksyon (Feb 26): Malaysian security forces get green light to disarm sultanate followers - report
Malaysian security forces have received the green light to disarm followers of the Sulu sultanate who have occupied a village in Sabah, a Malaysian news site reported Tuesday.
The Star quoted Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib as saying: “It is only a question of right timing for us to act.”
Since the sultanate’s followers, led by Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, occupied a village in Lahad Datu town three weeks ago, Malaysian authorities have so far set three deadlines for them to return to Sulu, but have decided not to act as efforts continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the matter.
However, on Tuesday, President Benigno Aquino III appealed to them to leave Sabah, saying the “point of no return” was “fast approaching.”
Kiram is brother to Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who has refused to order his followers to return from Sabah, saying they were determined to stake their claim to the territory, which is historically part of the sultanate but was ceded by the British to its former colony, Malaysia.
The Philippines has sent a ship and offered to ferry back the sultanate’s followers but the Kirams have declined.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55864/malaysian-security-forces-get-green-light-to-disarm-sultanate-followers---report
Malaysian security forces have received the green light to disarm followers of the Sulu sultanate who have occupied a village in Sabah, a Malaysian news site reported Tuesday.
The Star quoted Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib as saying: “It is only a question of right timing for us to act.”
Since the sultanate’s followers, led by Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, occupied a village in Lahad Datu town three weeks ago, Malaysian authorities have so far set three deadlines for them to return to Sulu, but have decided not to act as efforts continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the matter.
However, on Tuesday, President Benigno Aquino III appealed to them to leave Sabah, saying the “point of no return” was “fast approaching.”
Kiram is brother to Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who has refused to order his followers to return from Sabah, saying they were determined to stake their claim to the territory, which is historically part of the sultanate but was ceded by the British to its former colony, Malaysia.
The Philippines has sent a ship and offered to ferry back the sultanate’s followers but the Kirams have declined.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55864/malaysian-security-forces-get-green-light-to-disarm-sultanate-followers---report
Kiram letter seeking consultation on peace talks 'lost in the maze' - Aquino
From InterAksyon (Feb 26): Kiram letter seeking consultation on peace talks 'lost in the maze' - Aquino
President Benigno Aquino III admitted Tuesday that a letter from Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to him in 2010 asking to be consulted on the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had been "lost in the bureaucratic maze."
But Aquino stressed that this was not enough reason for Kiram to feel left out of the peace talks process, much more for the sultanate to order the armed incursion of its followers into Sabah.
Early this month, more than 200 followers of the sultanate, led by Kiram’s brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, landed in Lahad Datu town in Sabah and occupied the village of Tanduo to press their ownership of the territory. Since then they have engaged in a standoff with Malaysian security forces.
"Let me say to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: I have just been made aware that a letter to me, from you, was sent through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in the very first weeks of my term, when we were organizing the government. Unfortunately, this letter was lost in the bureaucratic maze," Aquino said.
"Let me make clear that there was no intention to ignore your letter. Knowing this now, will you let your mistaken belief dictate your course of action?" he added.
Aquino appealed to Kiram to sit down with the government "as brothers" to address their grievances "in a peaceful, calm manner according to our laws and according to correct processes when your people arrive home."
"The avenue of peaceful and open dialogue is still available to us. And so this is my appeal to you: These are your people, and it behooves you to recall them," Aquino said.
"It must be clear to you that this small group of people will not succeed in addressing your grievances, and that there is no way that force can achieve your aims," he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55861/kiram-letter-seeking-consultation-on-peace-talks-lost-in-the-maze---aquino
President Benigno Aquino III admitted Tuesday that a letter from Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to him in 2010 asking to be consulted on the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had been "lost in the bureaucratic maze."
But Aquino stressed that this was not enough reason for Kiram to feel left out of the peace talks process, much more for the sultanate to order the armed incursion of its followers into Sabah.
Early this month, more than 200 followers of the sultanate, led by Kiram’s brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, landed in Lahad Datu town in Sabah and occupied the village of Tanduo to press their ownership of the territory. Since then they have engaged in a standoff with Malaysian security forces.
"Let me say to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: I have just been made aware that a letter to me, from you, was sent through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in the very first weeks of my term, when we were organizing the government. Unfortunately, this letter was lost in the bureaucratic maze," Aquino said.
"Let me make clear that there was no intention to ignore your letter. Knowing this now, will you let your mistaken belief dictate your course of action?" he added.
Aquino appealed to Kiram to sit down with the government "as brothers" to address their grievances "in a peaceful, calm manner according to our laws and according to correct processes when your people arrive home."
"The avenue of peaceful and open dialogue is still available to us. And so this is my appeal to you: These are your people, and it behooves you to recall them," Aquino said.
"It must be clear to you that this small group of people will not succeed in addressing your grievances, and that there is no way that force can achieve your aims," he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55861/kiram-letter-seeking-consultation-on-peace-talks-lost-in-the-maze---aquino
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