Army foils NPA attempt to overrun detachment in N. Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 17): Army foils NPA attempt to overrun detachment in N. Cotabato
  
Suspected communist rebels tossed a hand grenade at an Army base Tuesday night in an effort to get back at the government forces, the Army here said.

1Lt. Nashrullah Sema, speaking for the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the 9 p.m. grenade attack could be part of retaliatory offensive by the New Peoples Army (NPA) Far South Front 72 command following their defeat in skirmishes in Magpet, North Cotabato.

Nobody was hurt in the attack.

Sema said the grenade attack was aimed at taking over the Army detachment but the guerillas failed as the Army was prepared.

The Magpet encounter over the weekend led to the seizing by government forces of an NPA training camp in Barangay Manobo.

Sema said a Suzuki multi-cab passed by the Army detachment located along the highway in Barangay Poblacion and one of its passengers hurled the MK-72 fragmentation grenade toward the roadside detachment.

The blast caused minor damages to the heavily fortified detachment located at the sentry of the 57th IB headquarters.

Sema said the most likely perpetrators were members of the NPA who have suffered heavy losses in various skirmishes in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur.

Earlier, a lady NPA spokesperson publicly announced that the NPA will continue its offensive against government forces in North Cotabato as it accused the Army of violating human rights.

But Sema said the civilians whom the NPA vowed to protect are now turning their backs against the rebel movement because of their own atrocities to civilian populace by extorting money from farmers.

Sema said the Army did not immediately conducted pursuit operations against the grenade thrower as part of its reactionary movement to avoid booby traps or landmines which could have been planted by the rebels.

Sema appealed to the general public to continue cooperating with government law enforcement to defeat lawless elements that continue to harass and mulct civilians.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544951

New military chief assures continuity of programs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 16): New military chief assures continuity of programs

CAMP MELCHOR, DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela  -- Lieutenant Colonel Resureccion Mariano, newly-installed 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army civil military operations battalion chief, has assured that all programs and projects under his command will continuously be implemented. 

Mariano made the assurance as he took over the command from Colonel Loreto Magundayao who is now assistant chief of staff for civil military operations.

Mariano said all programs and projects that have been started by his predecessor will be finished under his leadership especially when the projects are for public’s welfare.

The civil military operation battalion is part of the Army’s operations unit which is mandated to deliver social services to the underserved and least served populace in the country.

The CMO conducts free medical and dental services, help the local government in rescue and relief operations, build schools and houses for less fortunate individuals and other socio-civic activities that benefits the civilian population.

Mariano will also instill the spirit of “bayanihan” to relive the spirit of unity, oneness, and volunteerism to the public as this program is being pushed by the present Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=481373937883

Philippines 'Studying Options' on Proposed US Base-Sharing

From the Voice of  America (Jul 16): Philippines 'Studying Options' on Proposed US Base-Sharing

As the Philippines looks to boost its military at a time of increasing tensions with China over territorial disputes, authorities are laying the groundwork for a military base-sharing arrangement with the United States. 

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Cuisia said officials are combing through already existing security agreements between Manila and Washington to have a better idea of how a base sharing partnership would work.

In particular, Cuisia said they are studying the Visiting Forces Agreement, which, since 2002, has allowed a contingent of about 500 American troops to rotate in and out of the restive area in Mindanao where the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf Group operates.

“Let me stress, whatever we agree to must benefit the Philippines because if it will not benefit us, then we will not agree to it.  It has to be mutually beneficial,” he said.

Cuisia said any shared use of bases would have to be within the framework of the Philippine Constitution. The U.S. had bases in the Philippines for almost 100 years until domestic opposition forced the last of them to close in 1992.

The plan would see more U.S. troops coming and going and American military hardware ready for use at such bases.  Some of the equipment is expected to come from U.S. military hardware being withdrawn from Afghanistan as well as some equipment from Iraq.

Cuisia said the proposal would support the country’s efforts to form a “minimal credible defense” posture and help to strengthen maritime security and maritime domain awareness. 

The Philippines is locked in a diplomatic dispute with China over sovereign claims in the resource-rich South China Sea.  Most recently, competing claims over Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal have raised new tensions.  China, Taiwan and Vietnam claim practically the entire sea, while the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have partial claims.

But Cuisia emphasizes that having U.S. forces around is not meant to address threats from any specific country.

Carl Baker, program director of the Pacific Forum of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said a base-sharing plan would likely be similar to the Joint Special Operations Task Force program in Mindanao.

“I think that’s sort of the model that they’re following.  So they can put people on these bases on a more permanent basis without calling it ‘permanent basing,’” he said.

Baker said by hosting American forces the Philippines wants to demonstrate to the world that the United States is prepared to live up to its commitment in the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty.  Still, the U.S. maintains a neutral position regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea and elsewhere.  Baker added that U.S. officials want ready access to bases for air and sea forces in Southeast Asia.

Cuisia said the proposal is still in “informal talks” and various departments involved are waiting for President Benigno Aquino’s signal to enter into formal talks.  Aquino has indicated he is open to the plan and Cuisia confirmed the Philippines wants something in place before 2016 when the president’s term ends. 

http://www.voanews.com/content/philippines-studying-options-on-proposed-base-sharing-deal-with-us/1702580.html

Philippines to use drones to fight illegal logging in rebel areas

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jul 16): Philippines to use drones to fight illegal logging in rebel areas

The Philippines is set to use unmanned aerial vehicles to combat illegal logging in the southern provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, a known stronghold of communist rebels.

The use of drones in combating illegal logging is a joint project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

But for League of Filipino Students (LFS) and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), the use of spy planes in the country is not new despite the “colossal denial” of President Benigno Aquino.

They said a recent New York Time article by Mark Mazzeti called “The Drone Zone” claims that the United States conducted at least one drone strike in Mindanao.

“Under the Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan, Davao is the most militarized region in the country with the presence of 21 military battalions under the three infantry divisions of AFP - 1st ID, 4th ID and 10th ID - and this resulted to 11 cases of extrajudicial killing in the region alone and widespread displacement of lumads and farmers due to military atrocities,” Arnielyn Nudalo, LFS-UM spokesperson, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

“The Aquino government and AFP cannot fool the people. If it is truly sincere in protecting the environment, then the Aquino regime should not allow foreign and large scale mining and logging in the region,” he added.

LFS said the reasoning of DENR and AFP in using drone to intensify anti-illegal logging operation is “unbelievable and unthinkable.”

“It is dubious to say that drone plane be deployed in the region just to track down illegal loggers and be used for the implementation of national greening program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It is a common knowledge that Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley are the strong-hold areas of the New People’s Army,” it said.

Bayan said unmanned aerial vehicles fall into two categories - those that are used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes and those that are armed with missiles and bombs. A low-cost drone, it said, for instance cost anywhere from $5 million to $10 million.

According to a 2010 report of Philip Alston, a UN human rights rapporteur, the use of drone planes has become a vaguely defined and unaccountable to thousands of killings in Iraq and Afghanistan.

An article in The Guardian, the American Civil Liberties Union stated that as many as 4,000 people have been killed in U.S. drone strikes since 2002. Of those, a significant proportion was civilians. The numbers killed have escalated significantly since Barack Obama became president, according to LFS.

The Philippine military has previously used China-made hobby helicopters and air planes controlled remotely to monitor rebel strongholds. But U.S. troops deployed in Mindanao have a fleet of UAVs that they commissioned to spy on communist and Moro rebel areas in the region and that some of them had crashed at sea or recovered by rebels themselves.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/philippines-to-use-drones-to-fight.html

Naval forces in Mindanao kick off maritime exercises

From the Philippine Star (Jul 16): Naval forces in Mindanao kick off maritime exercises

Naval forces and reservists in Western Mindanao kicked off on Tuesday a maritime exercise that aims to enhance their interoperability during emergency situations.

The exercise, dubbed as Pagsasama 2013, will be held from July 17 to 22 in the Basilan Strait and Sulu Sea.

A total of 133 Navy reservists and affiliated reserve units and 470 regular personnel participate in the drills.

The Navy said the scenario-driven activity was designed to test the readiness and interoperability of reservists and reserve units with the regular forces.

The six-day exercise also aims to train reserve forces in naval operations, maritime security, interagency cooperation and mission planning.

“Exercise Pagsasama seeks to enhance competencies and capabilities of participating units and to further strengthen camaraderie among participating personnel,” the Naval Forces Western Command said in a statement.

“The annual exercise highlights the commitment of the Navy to protect the country from lawless maritime elements and pave the way towards peace and development,” it added.

The event was organized by the Naval Forces Western Command in coordination with the Naval Reserve Command and the Fleet-Marine Ready Force.

Among the drills to be conducted are the maritime interdiction operation exercise and gunnery exercise and amphibious operations.

The event will also involve exchanges of expertise, refresher trainings, and civil-military operations.

This year’s Pagsasama exercise is the fourth of its series that aims to boost the relationship between the reserve and regular forces. Similar drills were held in the Visayas in 2010, Northern Luzon in 2011, and Eastern Mindanao in 2012.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/07/16/977421/naval-forces-mindanao-kick-maritime-exercises

OPAPP Sec. Ging Deles: Bangsamoro peace deal a 'breakthrough'

From GMA News (Jul 16): OPAPP Sec. Ging Deles: Bangsamoro peace deal a 'breakthrough'

Months after the landmark peace agreement was signed by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, it is far from being implemented. Nevertheless, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita ‘Ging’ Quintos-Deles went on record Tuesday to say that the very existence of the agreement is a “breakthrough.”

“It was a breakthrough because it was a roadmap. May commitments na as how this is going to happen. Kung ano yung aspiration, ano yung end result na gusto, talagang na-layout na. So no question, it's a breakthrough talaga,” Deles said in an interview on GMA News TV’s News to Go.

Deles explained that the two peace panels had much to accomplish before the Bangsamoro could become a reality, including the signing of four annexes to the framework which will guide the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The most recent breakthrough came Sunday dawn when, after an extension of several days, negotiators of both panels finally reached agreement on wealth-sharing in the future Bangsamoro in their latest round of talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

After initially proposing a 50-50 deal, the government agreed to more favorable terms for the Bangsamoro: 75 percent of taxes collected in the Bangsamoro, as well as 75 percent of income from metallic minerals, would go to the Muslim-governed region.

Three aspects of ‘wealth’

The wealth-sharing annex, the second of four to be completed, was signed four months after the Transitional arrangements and modality annex was signed in February.

Deles explained that the wealth-sharing aspect became contentious due to the different components of the particular annex.

“Actually, hindi ‘yan iisang regime sa natural resources. In fact, nakatukoy diyan: tatlong klaseng natural resources ang pinag-uusapan. Ang isa non-metallic minerals na alam natin LGU na gumagawa niyan,” Deles explained, adding that under the signed annex, the local government units will most likely retain control of the non-mineral wealth of the region, particularly in quarrying.

“Lahat ng shares ng local government, hindi gagalawin yan. Dito sa framework, sinasabi hindi magagalaw ang mga karapatan ng LGU,” Deles said.

In terms of metallic minerals like gold and nickel, Deles explained that the Bangsamoro will receive an increase in percentage profits.

“The next one is metallic minerals. ‘Yan ay 75-25 inclusive of the share of LGU. This is an increase of 5 percent from the current law,” she said.

Finally Deles explained that the last aspect of the wealth sharing annex was of fossil fuels and other energy resources.

“Pangatlo ay fossil fuels, which means natural gas, coals, oil, petroleum at binanggit din ang uranium na hindi natin alam kung meron tayo noon,” she said.

However, Deles clarified that the exact amount of the wealth in the Bangsamoro has yet to be determined, noting the longstanding conflict in the region has rendered exploration of the resources impossible in the past.

“All of this is in the future. All of this, ‘pag tinatanong exactly the amount we are talking about, we don’t know, the fact na is that this armed conflict has made any exploration not even possible. So, you’re really talking something about kung magta-translate nga into actuality, it’s going to take a while,” she said.

Revenues

Deles also made a distinction between the division of resources and their ownership, noting that the wealth-sharing refers to revenues to be extracted from the existing resources.

“Let me also clear, kasi ‘pag sinasabi hatian sa resources, this is not ownership. Pangalawa, this is a share in the government revenues. Ibig sabihin, na menos mo na ang actual cost of having developed those resources,” she said.

Deles also explained that the perceived delay in the signing of the wealth sharing annex was due to both parties’ desire to flesh out the entire annex.

“Just to explain ‘yung delay dito, maari mong sabihin it is a good concept but the reality is...we have to put in technical language that had to be explained. So, that’s just to explain why some of these things took a little longer. In principle, may agreement kayo, pero for government to say na talagang magagawa ‘yan, we have to put the language in that there are technical requirements here, otherwise i-cha-challenge ito, nagpa-promise kayo, hindi naman ‘yan magagawa,” she said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/317720/news/nation/opapp-sec-ging-deles-bangsamoro-peace-deal-a-breakthrough

PH, US widen talks for military deal

From ABS-CBN (Jul 16): PH, US widen talks for military deal

- Security allies expand scope of military cooperation talks

- Aim is to ease path for U.S. funding to build facilities

- U.S. may seek storage of gear, humanitarian relief supplies

MANILA - Washington and Manila have expanded talks on military cooperation to include possible U.S. funding to build facilities and the storage of U.S. humanitarian relief supplies, the Philippine envoy to the United States said on Tuesday.

The wider scope of the talks for joint use of civilian and military facilities signals rapidly warming security ties between the allies as the Philippines looks to the U.S. administration to help counter a newly assertive China.

The Philippines has ruled out granting permanent basing rights to Washington, Ambassador Jose Cuisia said, but it would give U.S. warplanes and warships wider access to Philippine bases on a temporary and rotational basis, helping the Asian nation improve its minimum defence capability.

The increasing rotational presence of U.S. forces in the country is covered by the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement, but a new arrangement would be needed if Washington built facilities to support its temporary deployment to the Philippines.

"We need to expand (the 1998 pact) further because we may have to build some additional facilities," Cuisia told reporters in the Philippine capital.

The two countries have been in talks since 2011 for "joint use" of civilian and military facilities in the former U.S. colony.

The informal talks had reached ministerial level, Cuisia said, with both sides hoping for a deal before President Benigno Aquino steps down from office in June 2016.
"There has to be some agreement to support it. Especially if they spend money, there will have to be some agreement."

Cuisia said a new pact might involve a U.S. request for the storage of equipment and supplies in the Philippines to prepare for humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.
That would reduce delays in bringing in equipment from elsewhere, such as bases in Guam and Honolulu, he said.

"Then whenever it's needed it's so much easier to use that equipment because it's already here."

But funding construction activities could be a problem for the United States following huge cuts in its defense spending, Cuisia said.

Last month, the Philippine military told Reuters about plans to revive air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy facility that American forces could use to counter China's creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea.

Military and diplomatic sources familiar with security talks between the allies told Reuters Washington had identified fewer than a dozen civilian and military facilities to which it wanted greater access, most of them facing the South China Sea.

In some civilian locations, the military would need to build facilities for security and storage of supplies, spares and equipment. These facilities could later be offered for joint use with the United States.

Last December, the two nations also started informal talks on the pre-positioning of materials and gear, including that to be withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan as some U.S. forces return home, an air force colonel familiar with the talks said.

"The U.S. military would like to keep tonnes of humanitarian equipment, like tents, generators and shelter materials here," he told Reuters, adding that the latest two-way exercises on disaster response focused on this type of operation.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/16/13/ph-us-widen-talks-military-deal

NPAs torch container van in Surigao del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 16): NPAs torch container van in Surigao del Sur

Armed men believed to be New People's Army members flagged down a container van loaded with banana fruits from DOLE Philippines along the road at a municipality in Surigao del Sur.

Reports from Surigao del Sur police mentioned that the container van which was owned by a certain Allan Bernal, a contractor of DOLE located at Guinhalinan, Barobo town of the said province was traveling along the road of Brgy. Javier, Barobo, Surigao del Sur. It was flagged down and was set on fire by the armed men, 5:00 p.m. Monday.

The owner accordingly refused to give in to the extortion demand of the NPAs, which resulted to the burning of the container van. Pursuit and clearing operations are now conducted by the police and the military personnel against the perpetrators.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544590

2 NPA rebels killed in Bicol clash

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 16): 2 NPA rebels killed in Bicol clash

Two communist rebels were killed in an encounter with government soldiers in Bicol Tuesday morning, a military spokesman said.

Troops from the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion were on patrol when they received a report at 6:45 a.m. that New People’s  Army guerrillas were extorting from villagers in Brgy. Badbad in Oas town in Albay, Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said.

Two NPA rebels, identified only as alias Dennis, team leader of the group, and an alias Peter, were killed in a five-minute firefight, Zagala said.

Two M16 rifles, bandoleers, and personal belongings were seized from the rebels, he said.

The NPA guerrillas withdrew towards Mayag and Matara villages, also in Oas, Zagala said.

No casualties were reported on the military side.

“We want to settle this in a peaceful manner, however, the Army is mandated to safeguard the peace and protect the people from internal threat groups,” said Col Raul Farnacio, 901st Brigade Commander.

“We are reaching out to them to abandon the armed struggle and return to the mainstream of society and live a normal life like many of their comrades did. The AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] is sincere and the government will accept and help them,” he said.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a Maoist rebellion for 44 years now.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/445967/2-npa-rebels-killed-in-bicol-clash

Army general faces rap for allegedly using soldiers to construct his house

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 16): Army general faces rap for allegedly using soldiers to construct his house
An Army general is facing a complaint for allegedly using soldiers in the construction of his three-storey house in Taguig City, prompting the military leadership to order an investigation.

“The [AFP] Chief of Staff [General Emmanuel Bautista] is already aware of the issue and has taken steps to address it. He has already recommended the complaint to the proper investigating body. We will make sure that this will undergo due process for the benefit of those concerned,” military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala told reporters Tuesday.

In a letter of complaint submitted by a “concerned citizen,” Brigadier General Dante Costes, chief of the Communications Electronics and Information Systems Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP) at Camp Aguinaldo was accused of allegedly using soldiers to manpower the construction of his three-storey house at Armed Forces of the Philippines Officers Village Association Inc. [AFPOVAI] in Fort Bonifacio.

The complainant also provided the complete address and map of the officer’s house.

“Tama po ba na ang trabaho ng mga sundalong ito ay mapapabayaan na lamang at unahin ang personal na kapakanan ni Brig Gen. Costes sa paggawa ng sarili niyang bahay? (Is it right that the duty of our soldiers should take a backseat for the sake of Brig Gen. Costes’s personal needs, which is the construction of his house?),” the letter of the complainant said.

The complainant said there are about 20 to 30 soldiers who are forced to work as construction workers every day who are not paid, and even “cursed” when they make a mistake.

Some of the officers and personnel from the CEISSAFP are allegedly involved in the construction, serving as engineers and foreman.

The complainant also revealed an alleged discriminatory gas allocation at CEISSAFP, saying that an enlisted personnel cannot get a share of the supposed large distribution, but civilians, friends, and Costes easily have access to it.

Costes is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1980.

Zagala said the AFP chief received the copy of the complaint two weeks ago, and will make a decision based on the recommendation of the investigative body.

Costes will remain in his position as CEISSAFP chief pending the investigation, Zagala said, adding that he will be given “due process.”

The Army general is “the primary person of interest” in the case, but “if there is a need to investigate others in the process of their probe then they will make the necessary adjustment,” Zagala said.

The spokesman also encouraged personnel to formalize their complaints through the military’s grievance system.

“When we write something against the organization, if you have a complaint against someone or an activity within the organization, you can help by using the grievance system that is already established in the AFP,” he said.

“The system is there it was established so that we can resolve issues and file complaints and make the necessary actions not only to go against people with issues but to improve the organization,” he added.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/446155/army-general-faces-rap-for-allegedly-using-soldiers-to-construct-his-house

Arbitral tribunal hearing on PH case vs China kicks off

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 16): Arbitral tribunal hearing on PH case vs China kicks off
The arbitral tribunal hearing of the territorial dispute case brought by the Philippines against China has officially begun, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Tuesday.

DFA assistant secretary Raul Hernandez told reporters that a draft set of rules to govern the proceedings has been approved and has been sent to both the Philippines and China for their views.

“The Philippine Government is pleased that the Arbitral Tribunal is now formally constituted, and that the arbitration process has begun,” Hernandez said.

On the first meeting of the Tribunal last July 11, it “approved a draft set of Rules of Procedure to govern the proceedings and sent it to the parties for their comments which were requested by August 5, 2013,” he said.

The Philippines will be represented by lawyer Paul Reichler as lead counsel while the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will be headed by the government’s representative.

“The DFA and the OSG have pledged their fullest cooperation with the Tribunal, in order to assure a fair, impartial and efficient process that produces a final and binding judgment in conformity with international law,” Hernandez said.

The Philippines has filed a complaint before the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas (Unclos) against China over several cases of intrusion into the country’s exclusive economic zone by its navy and fishing vessels.

China claims the entire South China Sea including the West Philippine Sea as part of its territory and has been sending Maritime Surveillance and fishing ships into Philippine waters, particularly in Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal).

The DFA previously said that China was taking a hard-line stance against the Philippines which made bilateral talks with Beijing almost impossible.

China has also previously stated that it does not want to participate in third-party arbitration proceedings, insisting bilateral talks.

When asked what would happen to the arbitration proceedings if China refuses to submit comments, Hernandez said that the case will proceed.

“With or without China’s comments, the case will proceed,” he said.

“If they really do not comment then our pleadings will take prominence in the case but having said that the judges will still look at the merits of the whole case,” Hernandez said.

The DFA reiterated that China’s territorial claim over the entire sea is illegal and against the Unclos.

“We brought this case because we feel that we have a big advantage considering the provisions of international law particularly Unclos,” Hernandez said.

“It has always been our position that the 9-dash line claim of China has been expansive, excessive, and illegal as far as the international law is concerned,” he said.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/80809/arbitral-tribunal-hearing-on-ph-case-vs-china-kicks-off

Manila says UN tribunal meets on South China Sea

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 16): Manila says UN tribunal meets on South China Sea
The Philippines says a United Nations arbitration tribunal has convened in The Hague to look into a case it lodged to question the legality of China’s massive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez told a news conference Tuesday that the five-member tribunal under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea convened last week in the Netherlands and approved a set of rules to look into the legal challenge the Philippines launched against Beijing in January.

The Philippines says that China’s claim over virtually the entire South China Sea, including its seizure of several islets and reefs, is illegal and violates UNCLOS, the 1982 U.N. convention which sets territorial limits for coastal states.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/80817/manila-says-un-tribunal-meets-on-south-china-sea

175 ASG rebels neutralized in 2 1/2 years - AFP

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 16): 175 ASG rebels neutralized in 2 1/2 years - AFP

Government efforts against threat groups, especially in Mindanao,  continue to make strides with 175 members of the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) neutralized in a span of two-and-a-half years, military records show.

"To date the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has (been) able to neutralize 175 (ASG) personalities and gained 69 firearms since the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan  (IPSP) Bayanihan," stated a military briefing paper.

The AFP briefing paper also stated that during the said period, the military was able to preempt 25 IED (improvised explosive device) attacks, while cases were also filed in court against 26 ASG personalities.

On the 175 ASG personalities neutralized, officials said this means they were either killed, captured, apprehended, or surrendered during massive military operations against the bandit group.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said the neutralization of 175 ASG men indicates the military is on track in achieving stability in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu, which are known operating areas of the terrorist group.

“The neutralization ensures that we are a step closer to having a secured environment in the region especially in Sulu and Baislan area,” said Zagala.

“Their neutralization is an assurance that we’re headed to a more secure and stable security environment,” he added.

From a peak of about 1,200 in 2000, the military estimates the current strength of the ASG to be around 385.

"Our timeline for the Abu Sayyaf is to defeat them at the soonest possible time. They are priority,” according to the AFP-PAO chief.

The military said that since implementation of IPSP "Bayanihan" in January 2011, government forces have been able to limit the ASG's capability to conduct violent acts  against civilians and communities.

At present, the AFP said the ASG's semi-autonomous sub-groups' operations and activities are mostly confined  in some municipalities of  Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga City, and Tawi-Tawi.

ASG, also known is described as the "smallest and most radical of the Islamic separatist groups operating in the southern Philippines."

It split from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1991 under the leadership of Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani, who was killed in a clash with government forces on December 18, 1998.

Among the activities of the Abu Sayyaf are bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and extortion.

http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/22356/175_ASG_rebels_neutralized_in_2_1/2_years_-_AFP#.UeU2Po7D_mQ

Navy team nabs two NPAs in wild chase

From Malaya (Jul 16): Navy team nabs two NPAs in wild chase

NAVY personnel captured two suspected communist New People’s Army rebels following a chase off the waters of Palawan on Saturday, a military spokesman said yesterday.

1Lt. Cheryl Tindog, spokeswoman of the AFP’s Western Command, said the police-supported operation also resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms, some of them   seized by the rebels in a recent raid of a pearl farm in the province.

Tindog said forces from the Naval Special Operations Group, an elite unit of the Navy, chased a boat carrying a number of NPA rebels off San Vicente town around 6 a.m. Saturday. She said the rebels’ whereabouts were provided by civilian informants.

She said the operation was conducted principally to arrest rebel leader Dionisio Almonte alias Inol and Maeng, who has a standing warrant for an unspecified case.

“They were to serve an arrest warrant but they escaped, ensuing a chase...The armed men scampered and escaped from the pursuing Navy commandos,” said Tindog of the rebels.

She said the rebels proceeded to Sitio Naonao in Port Barton village where they were again chased by the troops. Moments later, the troops caught up with the two rebels and arrested them but Almonte and some of his men were able to flee.

Tindog  said the operation and subsequent follow up operations resulted in the recovery of eight shotguns, a cal. 50 machinegun, three 9 mm pistols, a cal. 45 pistol,a cal. 50 improvised sniper rifle, two improvised bombs, combat boots and their boat.

She said six of the seized shotguns were established to be among the cache of firearms seized by the rebels during the raid of the Salvamar Pearl Farm in Taytay town last April.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/36078-navy-team-nabs-two-npas-in-wild-chase

Manila, Washington discussing US -funded 'joint use' facilities

From InterAksyon (Jul 16): Manila, Washington discussing US -funded 'joint use' facilities

Washington and Manila have expanded talks on military cooperation to include possible US funding to build facilities and the storage of US humanitarian relief supplies, the Philippine envoy to the United States said on Tuesday.

The wider scope of the talks for joint use of civilian and military facilities signals rapidly warming security ties between the allies as the Philippines looks to the US administration to help counter a newly assertive China.

The Philippines has ruled out granting permanent basing rights to Washington, Ambassador Jose Cuisia said, but it would give US warplanes and warships wider access to Philippine bases on a temporary and rotational basis, helping the Asian nation improve its minimum defense capability.

The increasing rotational presence of US forces in the country is covered by the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement but a new arrangement would be needed if Washington built facilities to support its temporary deployment to the Philippines.

"We need to expand (the VFA) further because we may have to build some additional facilities," Cuisia told reporters in Manila.

The two countries have been in talks since 2011 for "joint use" of civilian and military facilities in the former US colony.

The informal talks had reached ministerial level, Cuisia said, with both sides hoping for a deal before President Benigno Aquino III steps down from office in June 2016.
"There has to be some agreement to support it. Especially if they spend money, there will have to be some agreement."

Cuisia said a new pact might involve a US request for the storage of equipment and supplies in the Philippines to prepare for humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.
That would reduce delays in bringing in equipment from elsewhere, such as bases in Guam and Honolulu, he said.

"Then whenever it's needed it's so much easier to use that equipment because it's already here."

But funding construction activities could be a problem for the United States following huge cuts in its defense spending, Cuisia said.

Last month, the Philippine military told Reuters about plans to revive air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former US Navy facility that American forces could use to counter China's creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea.

Military and diplomatic sources familiar with security talks between the allies told Reuters Washington had identified fewer than a dozen civilian and military facilities to which it wanted greater access, most of them facing the South China Sea.

In some civilian locations, the military would need to build facilities for security and storage of supplies, spares and equipment.

These facilities could later be offered for joint use with the United States.

Last December, the two nations also started informal talks on the pre-positioning of materials and gear, including that to be withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan as some US forces return home, an air force colonel familiar with the talks said.

"The US military would like to keep tons of humanitarian equipment, like tents, generators and shelter materials here," he told Reuters, adding that the latest two-way exercises on disaster response focused on this type of operation.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/66503/manila-washington-discussing-us--funded-joint-use-facilities