Soldier killed in NPA attack in Batangas

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20): Soldier killed in NPA attack in Batangas

Despite a New People's Army (NPA) declaration of a Yuletide ceasefire from Dec. 23, 2015 to Jan. 4, 2016, rebels attacked a military detachment in Nasugbu, Batangas, killing one soldier on Saturday afternoon.

The incident took place at 3:15 p.m. at Barangay Calayo, Nasugbu, said Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) spokesperson Major Angelo Guzman

The fatality was identified as Staff Sgt. Armando M. Silvestre of the 730th Combat Group of the 710th Special Operations Wing, Philippine Air Force. He suffered a gunshot wound in the chest that caused his immediate death.

Return fire from government forces repelled the NPAs and caused an undetermined number of casualties to the rebel group.

Guzman said SOLCOM condemned the attack, considering that its troops in Batangas are on standby alert for humanitarian assistance and disaster response in connection with the heavy rains brought by tropical storm "Nona" recently.

Troops were dispatched to track down the perpetrators.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=839976

12 troopers wounded in IED attack in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20): 12 troopers wounded in IED attack in Basilan

Twelve soldiers, conducting clearing operations against Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Albarka, Basilan, were wounded after accidentally triggering an improvised explosive device on Sunday morning.

This was confirmed by Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) spokesperson Major Filemon Tan in a message to the PNA.

He declined to give the names of the wounded and other specifics pending notification of the soldiers' next-of-kin.

Tan said Sunday's clearing operation was part of the WESTMINCOM's ongoing focused military operation against the bandit group which started last Dec. 14 and concentrated at Sitios Bohe Libi and Bohe Buug, Barangay Macalang, Albarka.

In the operations, an estimated 26 ASG bandits were killed while another 16 were wounded.

Government casualties totaled three dead and 26 wounded, including the 12 wounded in Sunday's IED attack.

An ASG encampment, which can accommodate 250 individuals, was seized during the operations.

Tan said the camp has 28 structures, including 10 dug-in bunkers five feet in height, six feet wide and seven feet in length, and capable of holding 10 to 15 men.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=839978

Japan's East China Sea defense plan seeks to turn tables on China

Posted to InterAksyon (Dec 18): Japan's East China Sea defense plan seeks to turn tables on China



Japan Self-Defense Force troops land on Eniyabanare Island during a military drill. (Reuters/Kyodo)

 

Japan is fortifying its far-flung island chain in the East China Sea under an evolving strategy that aims to turn the tables on China's navy and keep it from ever dominating the Western Pacific Ocean, Japanese military and government sources said.

The United States, believing its Asian allies -- and Japan in particular -- must help contain growing Chinese military power, has pushed Japan to abandon its decades-old bare-bones home island defense in favor of exerting its military power in Asia.

Tokyo is responding by stringing a line of anti-ship, anti-aircraft missile batteries along 200 islands in the East China Sea stretching 1,400 kilometers from the country's mainland toward Taiwan.

Interviews with a dozen military planners and government policymakers reveal that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's broader goal to beef up the military has evolved to include a strategy to dominate the sea and air surrounding the remote islands.

While the installations are not secret, it is the first time such officials have spelled out that the deployment will help keep China at bay in the Western Pacific and amounts to a Japanese version of the "anti-access/area denial" doctrine, known as "A2/AD" in military jargon, that China is using to try to push the United States and its allies out of the region.

Chinese ships sailing from their eastern seaboard must pass through this seamless barrier of Japanese missile batteries to reach the Western Pacific, access to which is vital to Beijing both as a supply line to the rest of the world's oceans and for the projection of its naval power.

China's President Xi Jinping has set great store in developing an ocean-going "blue water" navy capable of defending the country's growing global interests.

To be sure, there is nothing to stop Chinese warships from sailing through under international law, but they will have to do so in within the crosshairs of Japanese missiles, the officials told Reuters.

First island chain

As Beijing asserts more control across the nearby South China Sea with almost completed island bases, the string of islands stretching through Japan's East China Sea territory and south through the Philippines may come to define a boundary between US and Chinese spheres of influence. Military planners dub this the line the "first island chain".

"In the next five or six years the first island chain will be crucial in the military balance between China and the US- Japan," said Satoshi Morimoto, a Takushoku University professor who was defense minister in 2012 and advises the current defense chief, Gen Nakatani.

A US warship in late October challenged territorial limits that China is asserting around its new man-made island bases in the Spratly archipelago.

But Beijing may already have established "facts on the ground" in securing military control of the South China Sea, some officials and experts say.

"We may delay the inevitable, but that train left the station some time ago," a senior US military source familiar with Asia told Reuters, on condition he was not identified because he was not authorized to talk to the media.     

China's "ultimate objective is hegemony over the South China Sea, hegemony over the East China Sea", said Kevin Maher, who headed the US State Department's Office of Japan Affairs for two years until 2011. "To try and appease the Chinese would just encourage the Chinese to be more provocative," said Maher, now a consultant at NMV Consulting in Washington.

Turning the tables

Japan's counter to China in the East China Sea began in 2010, two years before Abe took power.

The predecessor Democratic Party of Japan government pivoted away from protecting the northern island of Hokkaido against a Soviet invasion that never came to defending the southwest island chain.

"The growing influence of China and the relative decline of the US was a factor," said Akihisa Nagashima, a DPJ lawmaker who as vice minister of defense helped craft that change. "We wanted to do what we could and help ensure the sustainability of the US forward deployment."

China is investing in precision missiles as it seeks to deter the technologically superior US Navy from plying waters or flying near Taiwan or in the South China Sea.

Beijing in September gave friends and potential foes a peek at that growing firepower in its biggest ever military parade, which commemorated Japan's World War Two defeat. Making its debut was the Dongfeng-21D, a still untested anti-ship ballistic missile that could potentially destroy a $5-billion US aircraft carrier.

It joins an arsenal the US Congress estimates at 1,200 short-range missiles and intermediate missiles that can strike anywhere along the first island chain. China is also developing submarine- and land-launched radar-evading cruise missiles.

"Rather than A2/AD, we use the phrase 'maritime supremacy and air superiority'," said Yosuke Isozaki, Abe's first security adviser until September and a key author of a national defense strategy published in 2013 that included this phrase for the first time.

"Our thinking was that we wanted to be able to ensure maritime supremacy and air superiority that fit with the US military," he added.

Toshi Yoshihara, a US Naval War College professor, said Tokyo could play an important role in limiting China's room for maneuver through the East China Sea to the Western Pacific, enhancing US freedom of movement and buying time for the alliance to respond in the event of war with China.

"You could say Japan is turning the tables on China," Yoshihara said.

Memories of Japanese aggression in World War Two still haunt Tokyo's relations with its near neighbors, and tensions have sharpened since the return to power of Abe, who critics view as a revisionist who wants to downplay Japan's wartime past.

“Any Japanese military trend will elicit close attention and misgivings from Asian neighboring countries," China's National Defense Ministry told Reuters by email in reply to questions about Japan's island strategy.

"We urge the Japanese side to take history as a mirror, and take more actions in the interests of growing mutual trust."

Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, commander of the US Seventh Fleet, cast Japan's build-up in the East China Sea as complementary to a broader US strategy.

"The US planning process for any theater takes into consideration the capabilities and forces of friends and potential adversaries," Aucoin told Reuters. "The U.S plans with the ultimate objective of maintaining peace and stability not only for Japan, but also for the region."

Missile batteries, radar stations

Over the next five years, Japan will increase its Self-Defense Forces on islands in the East China Sea by about a fifth to almost 10,000 personnel.

Those troops, manning missile batteries and radar stations, will be backed up by marine units on the mainland, stealthy submarines, F-35 warplanes, amphibious fighting vehicles, aircraft carriers as big as World War Two flat-tops and ultimately the US Seventh Fleet headquartered at Yokosuka, south of Tokyo.

Already cooperating closely, the Japanese and US navies will draw closer than ever after Abe's new security legislation legitimized collective self-defense, allowing Japan to come to the aid of allies under attack.

One crucial change, said Maher: the US and Japanese military can now plan and practice for war together and deliver a "force multiplier."

Bigger defense outlays are adding potency. Japan's military is seeking spending in the next fiscal year's budget that would top 5 trillion yen ($40 billion) for the first time, including money for longer-range anti-ship missiles, sub-hunting aircraft, early-warning planes, Global Hawk drones, Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and a new heavy-lift, long-range transport jet.

In some areas, however, Japan's military is making do. Anti-ship missiles designed 30 years ago to destroy Soviet landing craft heading for Hokkaido are being deployed to draw the defensive curtain along the southwest island chain.

Able to lob a 225-kg (500-lb) warhead 180 km, they have enough range to cover the gaps between the islands along the chain, said Noboru Yamaguchi, a Sasakawa Peace Foundation adviser and former general who procured them three decades ago.

Japan's military planners must also figure out how to transform an army used to sticking close to its bases into a more mobile, expeditionary force.

Decades of under-investment in logistics means Japan has too few naval transport ships and military aircraft to carry large numbers of troops and equipment.

A more delicate task for Japan's government, however, may be persuading people living along the islands to accept a bigger military footprint. After decades hosting the biggest concentration of US troops in Asia, people on Okinawa are voicing greater opposition to the bases.

For now, communities on the long chain of islands, home to 1.5 million people, that have been asked to host Japanese troops are happy to do so, said Ryota Takeda, a lawmaker who as vice defense minister until Sept. 2014 traveled there frequently to win residents' approval for new deployments.

"Unlike officials sitting in the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo they are more attuned to the threat they face every day."

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/121612/japans-east-china-sea-defense-plan-seeks-to-turn-tables-on-china

Statement of GPH-MILF Joint committee on cessation of hostilities

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 18): Statement of GPH-MILF Joint committee on cessation of hostilities

The two-day 44th Regular Meeting of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) and the 23rd Tripartite Meeting with the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) ended today with the resolution of all the outstanding issues and concerns. Both parties have also reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthen and enhance further their security and ceasefire functions in order to bolster confidence building measures. The body also highlighted the crafting of a new set of ceasefire mechanism activities that will solve the emerging issues vis-à-vis the maintenance of the Ceasefire Agreement.

In his opening statement, BGEN GLENN G MACASERO AFP, Chairman of the GPH CCCH outlined the details of the ceasefire mechanism’s activities and specified tasks to perform better its powers and functions. The template will also guide both parties in identifying and responding to relevant issues and concerns and to determine priority areas and activities to be more pro-active. He is also optimistic that the mechanism will remain focus to its noble intention of sustaining the gains of the ceasefire mechanisms and the peace process, as well.

For the part of the MILF CCCH, Honorable Butch Malang, OIC-Chairman of the MILF CCCH expressed his gratitude for the resumption of the joint meeting in order to address various reports on ceasefire violations as it weakens faith and trust in the ceasefire. The MILF CCCH OIC-Chairman considered the event as an obligatory task of the CCCH and IMT to amplify the common commitment to work together as partners in the sustenance of the ceasefire especially in the ground.

His excellency, MGEN DATO’ SHIEKH MOKHSIN BIN SHIEKH HASSAN, Head of Mission of the IMT M10, on his message, highlighted the mechanism’s endeavor as part of team work and mutual understanding among the members of the mechanisms towards stability of the Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao (CAAM). The Head of Mission urged both CCCH to do more efforts to perform their duties as ceasefire mechanisms. MGEN DATO’ SHIEKH MOKHSIN believes that the current development in the peace process is also the achievement of the peace mechanisms. For his final message, the Head of Mission is hopeful that peace will prevail in God’s will.

The following are the highlights of the meeting:

{C}1.    {C}On issue of MILF providing sanctuary to criminal elements, the MILF CCCH explained the allegations of codling Cmdr Tokboy, a lawless element, in Brgy. Butril, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat is baseless. According to the MILF AHJAG Chair, the MILF leadership is also running after Cmdr Tokboy whom they considered as a lawless element. This matter be referred to AHJAG who is mandated to handle this kind of problem.

{C}2.    {C}On the series of incidents of “rido” involving some BIAF-MILF elements, the MILF CCCH informed the body regarding the efforts of the MILF Task Force on Conflict Resolution Management (TFCRM) that handles “rido” concerns involving their members. The MILF CCCH will seek clearance from their principal regarding the sharing of the updates on the series of their efforts to settle “rido” to the GPH-CCCH.

{C}3.    {C}On the conduct of Law Enforcement Operation (LEO) by the MILF, particularly commander Abdullah Macapaar aka Bravo, GPH CCCH stressed that proper coordination should be followed by tapping the AHJAG and CCCH.

{C}4.    {C}On the concept and activities relative to the campaign against illegal drugs, the GPH requested a copy of the framework/concept, plans, directions and activities from the MILF CCCH relative to the said campaign which will be relayed to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), who will be the lead agency to the conduct of LEO against the suspects.

{C}5.    {C}On coordination protocol, prior coordination is stressed before movement of GPH and MILF forces near or within MILF communities. Both the GPH CCCH and MILF CCCH agreed to improve the feedback system to avoid misinterpretations regarding the purpose of the movement of GPH and MILF forces.

{C}6.    {C}Both parties agreed to fully cooperate through various ceasefire mechanisms in the protection of vital installations, civilian targets, AFP/PNP personnel and BIAF-MILF members from the attacks of lawless elements.

{C}7.    {C}On the role of the CCCH and IMT with the normalization bodies, such as Joint Normalization Committee (JNC), Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) and Joint Peace And Security Teams (JPST), the group agreed that a separate briefing from the officials of JNC will be coordinated for a better understanding of its mandate and its relationship to the other ceasefire mechanisms.

{C}8.    {C}On the proposed templates of activities (composed of Pro-active activities, Response to armed confrontation between the GPH and MILF Forces, Post-conflict activities-Investigate) that will serve as a guide of the CCCH members to implement its mandate, the MILF CCCH suggested that they will present it first to their Principals for comments before it will be adopted. Included in the proposed CCCH template is an action plan that will establish the Joint Ceasefire Crisis Team (JCCT), CCCH hotline, and telephone director of CCCH/IMT/LMT/JCMP/AHJAG/GPH-MILF Comdrs.

Done this 15th day of December 2015 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City.

For the full statement visit http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/joint-statement-44th-jccch-meeting-23rd-tripartite-meeting

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3001450337391/statement-of-gph-milf-joint-committee-on-cessation-of-hostilities-

NPA camp, war materials seized in Calbiga, Samar

From the Sun Star-Tacloban (Dec 18): NPA camp, war materials seized in Calbiga, Samar

CATBALOGAN CITY -- Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division personnel who are based in this city have seized a New People’s Army (NPA) camp and recovered war materials in the hinterlands of Samar.

Captain Isagani Viernes, acting chief of the 8ID Public Affairs Office, said Thursday that the NPA camp located in Barangay Antol, Calbiga, Samar, were seized last Friday after an hour of firefight with around 40 NPA rebels manning the area.

Two soldiers were wounded during the firefight while a number of rebels were wounded or killed, as blood stains were seen in their route of withdrawal, said Lieutenant Colonel George Domingo, commanding officer of 87th Infantry Battalion based in Calbiga town.

He said the seized NPA encampment has 30 makeshift huts, two kitchens, and three "bulwagan" (halls) that can accommodate 50 persons.

Recovered from the scene of the encounter were a M60 General Purpose Machine Gun with 90 rounds ammunition, one M653 rifle (Baby Armalite), two pieces of Claymore-type landmines, one flat screen TV (32”), one set of Cignal cable transceiver, one generator set, one chainsaw, several medical equipment and medicines, assorted foodstuffs and subversive documents.

“The successful operation was the fruit of the ongoing partnership between the 87IB and the local government units of Pinabacdao and Calbiga, Samar, headed by their respective local chief executives and the local populace in safeguarding their communities,” Domingo said.

Major General Jet Velarmino, commander of the 8ID, thanked the civilians who informed them about the presence of the NPA camp in the area.

He said the encounter was a big blow to the NPA rebels who will be celebrating their anniversary on December 26.

He again appealed to the NPA rebels to return to the folds of law and help stop "senseless killings" among fellow Filipinos.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/local-news/2015/12/18/npa-camp-war-materials-seized-calbiga-samar-447669

18 wounded soldiers cited

From the Sun Star-Davao (Dec 19): 18 wounded soldiers cited

OFFICIALS of the Eastern Mindnao Command and the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) cited 18 soldiers wounded while performing their duty at the Camp Panacan in Davao City.

Army's 10th Infantry Division (ID) commander Major General Rafael Valencia visited the wounded soldiers and honored them at the Camp Panacan Station Hospital last Friday.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the wounded soldiers were assigned from Paquibato District in Davao City and Mabini town in Compostela Valley.

She added that they were hurt during the encounters last December 11 and 12 in their areas.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) and NFEM also rendered departure honor to the late Private First Class (Pfc.) Johnhill Victor Alarcon, Valencia said.

He added that the three offices also distributed gift packs to the wounded soldiers.

Batchar recalled that on December 11 and 12, the troops of 69th Infantry Battalion (IB) engaged in a series of armed engagements in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City.

The first incident happened when the platoon of 69IB was hit by landmine explosion where Pfc. Johnhill Victor Alarcon was killed and another enlisted personnel was wounded.

This was followed by another encounter when the reinforcing soldiers of 69IB pursued the fleeing New People's Army (NPA) rebels that resulted to wounding of the three soldiers.

On December 12, another soldier and a Cafgu member died and 14 others were hurt after a landmine explosion hit their platoon while conducting Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in Mabini, Compostela Valley.

Two civilians were also killed during the blast while travelling along the barangay road of Cabuyuan.

Valencia said that the division will continue to serve the people of Davao Region despite suffering several casualties.

He added the body of Pfc Alarcon was already airlifted Sunday morning to Iloilo City.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2015/12/19/18-wounded-soldiers-cited-447964

Communist rebels hunted in Surigao

From the Sun Star-Davao (Dec 19): Communist rebels hunted in Surigao

TROOPS belonging to the Eastern Mindnao Command (Eastmincom) launched Friday a pursuit operation against suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) involved in a recent encounter in Lianga town in Surigao del Sur.

Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division officer 1st Lieutenant Karl Jan Devaras said the troops are looking into the members of the NPA's Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad, Sub-Regional Committee-South Land, and Guerilla Fronts 19-A and 19-B of the North Eastern Mindanao.

Devaras said the encounter took place at Kilometer 9, Sitio Han-ayan in Barangay Diatagon while the troops were responding to reports about suspected rebels planned to burn the houses in the area to prevent lumad evacuees in Tandag City from returning to their homes.

Recovered from the encounter site were one AK47 assault rifle, three loaded AK47 magazines, two rifle grenades, and two M203 grenades.

The troops also recovered two jungle packs, six blasting caps for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), several assorted empty shells, subversive documents and letters addressed to well-known businessmen.

Devaras said there are also letters written in a form of a permit to campaign (PTC) and permit to win (PTW) addressed to some aspiring politicians in Surigao del Sur.

He added that the troops also traced several blood stains believed to be from the rebels.

"We would like to reiterate our call for the NPA rebels to return to the folds of the law. We are willing to facilitate on their reintegration to the community with the help of the local government units," Devaras said.

 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2015/12/19/communist-rebels-hunted-surigao-447963

NPA rebels in Paquibato closely watched

From the Sun Star-Davao (Dec 19): NPA rebels in Paquibato closely watched

THE 10th Infantry Division (10th ID) assured on Wednesday that the peace and order situation is being addressed in Paquibato District in Davao City after series of armed encounter took place between the government troops and suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in the past weeks.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th ID, said that they have deployed additional military personnel in the area.

"Nasa process of normalization sa area of Paquibato after the series of armed encounter with the NPA rebels," Batchar told reporters during the AFP-PNP press conference held at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases last Wednesday morning.

Batchar said that the 69th Infantry Battalion (IB) unit based in Paquibato area will continue to strengthen the security measures for the yuletide season even with the 12-day unilateral ceasefire issued by the NPA rebels last Tuesday.

An army soldier was killed and four others were wounded after series of gunbattle happened last December 11 and 12.

The first encounter happened while soldiers belonging to the 69th IB engaged in a gunbattle around Friday noon at Sitio Kalaw in Barangay Malabog in Paquibato District.

The second encounter happened when pursuing 60th IB soldiers caught up with several fleeing NPA rebels around 4:30 p.m., Saturday at Sitio Bal-oing in Barangay Malabog still in Paquibato District.

Soldiers recovered live ammunition for M14 and M16 rifles, empty shells of assorted high-powered firearms, 150-meter electrical wire and personal bags.

All armed attacks were allegedly perpetrated by NPA rebels belonging to the Pulang Bagani Command-1 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2015/12/19/npa-rebels-paquibato-closely-watched-447965

Oro, Iligan safe from terrorists, Army official says

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Dec 18): Oro, Iligan safe from terrorists, Army official says

AN OFFICIAL of the 4th Infantry Division said Friday that the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan are not under immediate threat from terrorists this Christmas season, citing a report by the National Intelligence Board (NIB).

Captain Jo Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the NIB, a special monitoring committee under the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), reported that Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities are under Category 2 with moderate terror threats and security concerns from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Martinez said the intelligence group released the report after a security committee meeting held last November 26 in Davao City.

Martinez said they are, however, monitoring security matters especially since both cities are major cities in Mindanao.

“Hindi pa nakarating sa atin ang report na yan pero we are proactive sa lahat ng sitwasyon and rest assured na mapepre-empt natin yan,” Martinez said.

Martinez said there have been instances when soldiers intercepted the entry of terrorists within their areas of concern citing an interception of an Abu Sayaff group in Agusan del Sur which planned to abduct foreigners.

“Na-confirm natin na members ng Abu Sayaf pero hindi sila na-filan ng kaso wala silang outstanding case walang firearms when they were intercepted. Nakabalik na sila sa area nila somewhere in Western Mindanao,” Martinez said.

No threats on terrorism have been monitored yet for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, according to Martinez, saying that their intelligence unit are consistent in reporting if there is such.

Martinez believes that the report discussed in the conference in Davao City is not to create confusion or chaos in the minds of the people but to create awareness.

Martinez said the army’s intelligence arm is sharing information with the Philippine National Police and other state security forces to strengthen intelligence gathering.

“Without interoperability and the sharing of information like sa PNP we can’t evaluate sa aming product lang we need to compare notes to confirm that info is correct,” Martinez said

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/12/18/oro-iligan-safe-terrorists-army-official-says-447793

DWDD: SUCCESSFUL MIL OPERATION // Army Troopers Preempts NPA Planned Atrocity in Surigao Del Sur

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Dec 18): SUCCESSFUL MIL OPERATION // Army Troopers Preempts NPA Planned Atrocity in Surigao Del Sur




Lianga, Surigao del Sur— Troops of Alpha Company, 75th Infantry (MARAUDER) Battalion, Philippine Army were engaged by fire with the members of New People’s Army belonging to a combined armed elements of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad, Sub Regional Committee-South Land, Guerrilla Front 19A and 19B, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee while they were conducting security patrol at vicinity Kilometer 16, Han-ayan, Diatagon of the said municipality on December 17, 2015 at around 2:00 o’clock in the morning.

An Information from a concerned civilian disclosed that the New People’s Army will conduct an atrocity by burning the houses in Kilometer 9 and Sitio Han-ayan in Barangay Diatagon in order to prevent the lumad evacuees in Tandag City from returning to their homes and; in order to generate another issue and to further blame it to the government troops who are currently securing the area.
 

Lieutenant Colonel Haron S Akaz, Commanding officer of the 75th Infantry Battalion immediately sent additional troops to preempt the planned atrocity of the NPA.
 

Upon reaching the area, the government troops were indiscriminately fired upon by heavy gun fires, grenade launchers and improvised explosive devices (IED’s) by the NPA. The said government troops immediately returned fire and maneuvered to an advantage position to avoid hitting any civilians nearby.
 

Some government troops were injured while it is believed that several NPA’s were killed and wounded during the said armed engagement. Civilians have seen the NPA carrying their wounded comrades while withdrawing from the encounter area.

There were also some foreign nationals who were reported to have been trying to interfere with the current armed engagement at Barangay Diatagon Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Support to Law Enforcement Operation is ongoing up to this post.

 

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/46479-2/

DWDD: STATEMENT On NPA ambush of AFP HADR delivering relief goods to storm ‘Nona’ victims

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Dec 18): STATEMENT On NPA ambush of AFP HADR delivering relief goods to storm ‘Nona’ victims



Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, DWDD–The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) strongly condemns the ambush done by the NPA against Army troops of 546 Engineering Battalion with 81st Division Reconnaissance Company involved in HADR operations that transpired in Pinabacdao, Samar at 7:30 a.m. today, December 18. Two of our soldiers were wounded in the incident.

Our troops were on their way back to Tacloban City to gather more relief goods to give to victims of typhoon “Nona”. They were with two female personnel from DSWD who were going back to their base at OCD Region 8 when they were waylaid by an undetermined number of NPA rebels in the boundary between Barangays Madalunot and Pahug in the town of Pinabacdao in the Second District of Samar Province.

This clearly shows the NPA’s disregard to the plight of our brothers and sisters in Samar who were devastated by the onslaught of storm “Nona”. This is also a clear indication that the NPAs continuously and deliberately conduct atrocities against our troops and public servants who are only doing their job to alleviate the suffering experienced by storm victims in Visayas.

Rest assured that this attack will not hamper our ongoing HADR operations for the victims of “Nona” who are in need of our help. We will continue with our relief and assistance operations for the victims of the typhoon.

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/afp-statement-on-npa-ambush-of-afp-hadr-delivering-relief-goods-to-storm-nona-victims/

DWDD: CONFIRMED! // CA Approved 77 AFP Officers

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Dec 18): CONFIRMED! // CA Approved 77 AFP Officers



Camp  Aguinaldo, Quezon City, DWDD–The nomination of the 77 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA).
The CA verified the promotion of the following AFP members.

Andre Costales Jr., Guillermo Molina Jr., Rodolfo Santiago and Elmer Pabale advanced to the rank of major general.

For the position of Brigadier generals are Archimedes Viaje, Maximo Ballesteros, Alvin Parreño, Arleen Gorreon, Diosdado Respecio, Romeo de la Cruz, Raul Farnacio, Demy Tejares, Rafael Sera Jose, Rhoderick Parayno, Harold Cabreros and Alvin Francis Javier.

The AFP members that upgrade to Commodores are Rene Medina, Robert Empedrad, Jande Francisco and Gaudencio Collado Jr.

Moreover, the following names are elevated into Colonels: Joselito Lopena, Sofronio Marquez Jr., William Peñafiel Jr., Angel Madarang, Abe Arenga, Milton Beset, Anthony Cacayuran, Romulus Joseph Canieso, Eduardo Gubat, Jesus Rico Atencio, Joselyn Bandarlipe, Gilmar Galicia, Christopher Calulot, Michael Samson, Ferdinand Barandon, Noel Baluyan, Jovencio Gonzales, Leonel Nicolas, Noel Detoyato, Rogelio Ulanday, Vincent Iringan, Noe Alberto Peñafiel, Febie Lamerez, Victor Tanggawohn Jr., Alexis Noel Bravo, Leandro Abeleda III, Rogelio Percol, Potenciano Camba, Cornelio Arboleda, Nolie Anquillano, Haroun-Al-Rashi Jaji, Georgie Domingo, Irineo Sebastian, Oliver Maquiling, Rodrigo Sosmeña, Agustin Ganaden, Robert Dancel, Faisal Nawang, Neneveigh Alcovindas, Emmanuel Garcia, Eduardo Dalit, Miguel Hortelano, Edgar Yerro, Jose Clet, Edwin Ureta, Edgar Pulohanan, Arturo Asiñero, Juan Jancilan, Danilo Detalla, Royland Orquia and Joeni Salvador Lopez. (LMC/ECA)

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/46486-2/

MILF: Passage of the BBL will show government’s sincerity to peace deal: Maguindanaon royalty

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 12): Passage of the BBL will show government’s sincerity to peace deal: Maguindanaon royalty

Saddened with the non-passage the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL)  when Congress ended its last day of session for this year on Wednesday, Members of the Maguindanaon royal house in Southern Mindanao urge the lawmakers to continue working for the the enactment of the proposed legislation saying it will “demonstrate the government’s sincerity on its commitment to the peace agreement.”

“BBL should be passed for it will show the sincerity of the government to the peace process,” Datu Jahal Adat, Datu Kastiri sa Sugoda Buayan, said in an interview.

He said the measure will help a lot in the economic development of the Bangsamoro people. 

“Mindanao island is rich in terms of natural resources,” Adat said citing the need to establish peace in the region first for the investors to come in.

“Dapat ibigay na ng gobyerno ang BBL (the government should give the BBL) to show its sincerity to the peace talks and to the Bangsamoro people,” said Datu Imam Jimmy Ubpon.

He said with passage of the measure is a good starting point for the Bangsamoro people to develop their communities. 

The religious leader believes that with Shari’ah law integrated in the BBL, domestic problems among the Bangsamoro people will be solved. 

He stressed that the BBL will help strengthen peace and order for “it will give power for us Muslims to discipline our own people.”

“We are finding solution to Bangsamoro problem and this BBL should be given to help resolve the issues in Mindanao,” said Dr. Janena Tito, Bae a Labi sa Sugoda Buayan.

Tito, an educator and former Education Secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the measure is needed “because this is the struggle of the Bangsamoro people, to have a government of their own.”

“How can we prove our worth if they won’t try us,” she asked the government.

Tito is certain that with the Bangsamoro government in place with its people united, “peace and development which everybody desire shall be realized.”

“There is no perfect law, but there is nothing wrong if we give it a try,” Datu Al-Nezzar B. Ali, a renowned Moro visual artist opined.

“It might give us a better result,” he said considering the there are lots of educated Bangsamoro people to run its own government with the support of majority who have been yearning for better life.

Ali said the displacement of people because of war should only be a story of the past and the Bangsamoro people should start to move on with the support of the national government. 

“Yes for BBL,” Bae Janisah Mending, an active young Moro professional exclaimed. 

“We deserve equitable access to resources and opportunity,” she explained.

“I am calling all the Bangsamoro people to pray, unite and rally behind the passage of the BBL,” Datu Jahal Adat said. 

He added, “This law will give opportunity to develop, not only Mindanao but the whole country in general.”

The members of the royal house of Sugoda Buayan joined in a cultural mapping initiated by the University of the Philippines on Thursday at Sydney Hotel in General Santos City.

The BBL is the product of the peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that will provide the establishment of an autonomous political entity for the Bangsamoro people.

The measure, which was drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, is hoped to usher peace and development in the Mindanao.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/743-passage-of-the-bbl-will-show-government-s-sincerity-to-peace-deal-maguindanaon-royalty

MILF: Debates on BBL at the House of Representatives ends

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 18): Debates on BBL at the House of Representatives ends              



Six months after it was introduced to the plenary, debates on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law at the House of Representatives finally ends during Wednesday session. 

When Congress session resumes by January 19 , 2016, the measure moves on to the period of amendments before it is put to vote for second reading.

Lanao del Sur Representative Pangalian Balindong moved to terminate the period of interpellation upon noticing none of his colleagues signified to speak. 

He said, "Given that no member has registered to speak against the bill, I move in the spirit of Christmas that we end the period of sponsorship and debate on HB 5811.”

His motion was seconded by Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong. 

Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chairman Mohagher Iqbal was present at the audience seat observing the proceedings of the said session.

The BTC is an institution created by the Aquino Administration which was mandated to draft the proposed law.

Peace advocates, Civil Society Organizations and other supporters of the peace process have been calling the lawmakers to pass a basic law that is acceptable to the Bangsamoro people, preferably the BBL in its original form.

The BTC Chair has earlier said they are open for amendment of the proposed law as long is it is for improvement and not for dilution.

The BBL translates the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) into legislation.

The measure will establish a more improved autonomous political entity which is hoped to bring the aspirations for self-governance of the Bangsamoro people into reality.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/742-debates-on-bbl-at-the-house-of-representatives-ends

MILF: Kadtabanga Foundation Facilitates community orientation on the Peace Process

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 18): Kadtabanga Foundation Facilitates community orientation on the Peace Process

Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao – A Community Orientation on the Peace Process was conducted by Kadtabanga Foundation on December 13, 2015 at Sitio Sawa Madrasah, Barangay Tuka, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao to educate residents on the gains of the peace process.

Kadtabanga Foundation Executive Director Giobay S. Diocolano said in her Opening Message that the orientation is part of the activities of a project they are currently implementing in selected municipalities of Maguindanao entitled “Building Autonomous and Stable Institutions and Communities for Bangsamoro Advancement through National-level and Grassroots Organizations and Networks or B-BANGON.”

“Generally, this project seeks to ensure that the peace process is more credible and widely supported by all stakeholders, and strengthens local mechanisms for averting the escalation of violence that could affect the progress of the peace process. It was implemented by four local CSOs, such as Kadtabanga Foundation, Moro Women Development and Cultural Center (MWDECC), Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives (MAPAD), and Bangsamoro Center for Justpeace in the Philippines (BCJP) in partnership with Australian Government and The Asia Foundation (TAF),” she elaborated.

“This project is being implemented in the 23 municipalities of Maguindanao with Peace and Development Communities (PDCs) and/or those areas where settlers and indigenous peoples (IPs) are predominant,” she added.

Prof. Raby Angkal briefly discussed Bangsamoro History and some salient provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Open Forum followed to give chance to the participants to share views and ask questions.

Most of the questions raised by the participants were about the status of the BBL. They articulated their hope that Congress, both the Senate and House of Representatives will pass a BBL acceptable to the Bangsamoro people.

The Local Government Units of Barangay Tuka expressed their full support to the peace process and all peace-related undertakings of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Kadtabanga Foundation is a NGO organized after the signing of the peace accord between the GPH and MILF. It was organized to provide an avenue for the members of the Front and peace and development advocates to develop their vision, organization and program, and becomes  more responsive partners in the development of the Bangsamoro.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/741-kadtabanga-foundation-facilitates-community-orientation-on-the-peace-process