Rebels own up killing of tribal leader accused in murder of Italian missioner

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jul 8): Rebels own up killing of tribal leader accused in murder of Italian missioner

Communist rebels on Friday owned up to the killing of a tribal leader they accused as behind the murder of an Italian missionary in southern Philippines.

Rigoberto Sanchez, a spokesman for the New People’s Army, said rebel forces killed Ruben Labawan, a leader of the notorious militia group called Alamara, in Panabo City on July 6. He said Labawan was also working for the Philippine military and behind numerous killings of indigenous people and civilians suspected of supporting or aiding the NPA.

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) troops, with Labawan’s  Alamara and other paramilitaries at their heels, have committed the most fanatic and barbaric acts of war crimes around the region, such as the cold-murder of Fr. Fausto Tentorio,” Sanchez said.

Tentorio, who was accused by the Alamara group as a sympathizer of the NPA, was shot outside his convent in Arakan town in North Cotabato province in October 17, 2011.

“The New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao and the Lumad and peasant masses in the region commend the  NPA-1st Pulang Bagani Battalion in successfully carrying out the standing order of the People’s Revolutionary Court in dispensing justice against Ruben Labawan last June 6 in Panabo City.”

“Labawan was guilty of blood debts and thereby meted with the death penalty for serious crimes against the people, especially the Lumads and peasant settlers of Davao City and North Cotabato. He was also guilty of grave acts of collusion in the reactionary regime’s campaign of duplicity and disunity among Lumads,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said most recently, Labawan’s group was allegedly responsible for the rape and summary killing of two NPA members in Paquibato district in Davao City and the brutal slaying of rebel leader Noel Gulmatico on July 1 in Magpet town also in North Cotabato.

He said government forces captured and tortured Gulmatico before brutally killing him and mutilating his body. “His eyes gouged out of their sockets, tongue severed from his mouth, slash wounds riddled his neck and the back of his head was smashed by some hard object,” he said. 

He said Labawan was a fanatic implementer of the AFP’s counter-revolutionary military campaigns that resulted to the numerous deaths, displacement, suffering and hardships of tribesmen and civilians in Davao City and North Cotabato.

Labawan, according to Sanchez, threatened hapless indigenous people of violent retaliation in order to force them to enlist in the Alamara. He said last year, alongside troops from the 69^th and 72^nd Infantry Battalions coerced 70 tribesmen to join pro-government militia groups and tagged those who resisted as rebel supporters.

“He deputized his minions to carry out widespread land-grabbing and cattle-rustling that victimized poor Lumads and settlers in Paquibato, Marilog, Malabog and other areas in Davao City. He peddled the occultist deception of being impervious to bullet wounds, carrying wherever he went to his mysterious oils and amulets. At the time of his death, he was carrying a  .45-caliber pistol along with an assortment of oils and amulets,” Sanchez said.

The indigenous organization Kalumuran Mindanao has called on President Rodrigo Duterte to give justice to the killing of Labawan. It said many tribesmen had been killed by rebels in recent months for simply rejecting the communist ideology. It appealed to the government to protect them from harm and threats and intimidation by the NPA.

The NPA is fighting for a separate Maoist state in the country.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/rebels-own-up-killing-of-tribal-leader-accused-in-murder-of-italian-missioner/

Duterte to hold simultaneous talks with MILF, MNLF

From CNN Philippines (Jul 8): Duterte to hold simultaneous talks with MILF, MNLF



The President was back in his hometown for the weekend, attending a Muslim celebration.

President Rodrigo Duterte says the government is now ready to talk simultaneously with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

In fact, he is planning to go to Jolo to talk to Nur Misuari, Chairman of the MNLF.

Misuari is currently at large and is facing an arrest warrant for rebellion in connection with the 2013 Zamboanga siege.

If the talks with the MILF and MNLF would succeed, the President said on Friday that he expected a framework for federalism to be drafted by the end of the year.



MILF and MNLF leaders met with then President-elect Rodrigo Duterte in mid-June to discuss peace in Mindanao.

Duterte said there would be reconfiguration of territories — and many MILF and MNLF members would occupy regional and state positions.

If Filipinos reject federalism in the plebiscite, he said he would  push for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The President emphasized that what the MILF would get, the same would be given to the MNLF.

Related: New AFP Chief vows ‘unrelenting’ ops vs. Abu Sayyaf, terror groups

As for the Abu Sayaff Group, Duterte said he did not consider their actions criminal.

He believed they were radicalized because they were driven to desperation due to the lack of governance in Mindanao.

Duterte was at the Hariraya Eid'l Fitr event in his hometown a day after his son, Acting Davao City Mayor Mayor Paolo Duterte, said  the city was facing threats from international terrorist group, ISIS.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has since denied ISIS presence in in the country.

But the PNP admitted that the younger Duterte's statement was taken into consideration when they secured the venue for the Hariraya activity.

Security measures at the SM Lanang and surrounding areas were tight — with over 300 policemen, 249 soldiers from Task Force Davao, and more than a hundred Presidential Security Group members.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/08/Duterte-simultaneous-talks-MILF-MNLF.html

Narco Politics/PNP Chief: 23 mayors on Duterte’s list of officials linked to illegal drugs

From CNN Philippines (Jul 8): Narco Politics/PNP Chief: 23 mayors on Duterte’s list of officials linked to illegal drugs

 

After naming five active and retired police officers as protectors of drug syndicates and three drug lords, President Rodrigo Duterte may soon identify 23 mayors also allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, the national police chief said Friday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa said the information is from verified intelligence reports received by  the President.

“I hope na yung mga mayor na yan ngayon, nag-aarmas na ng husto,” Dela Rosa said. “Gerahin natin yun,” Dela Rosa said. [Translation: I hope these mayors are now arming themselves well. We will be waging a war against them.]

In his first trip outside Manila as PNP chief, Dela Rosa visited Central Luzon (Region 3), one of the focus areas of the PNP’s anti-drug war.

Central Luzon accounted for the second highest number suspected drug dealers killed. From June 27 to July 3, PNP figures show 31 have been killed by the police in the region.

Calabarzon and Mimaropa together account for 43 killed, the biggest number.

With 124 taken into custody in the region, Central Luzon also ranked third with the most number of individuals arrested for links to drugs.

Dela Rosa said illegal drugs pass through both seaports and airports in Central Luzon.

“Yung mga private plane na direkta pumapasok dito sa Clark – I don't know how properly ang pagche-check ng mga Customs diyan,” Dela Rosa said.[Translation: Those private planes that directly fly into Clark – I don’t know how properly the Customs checks them.]

He also said the ships that dock in Subic could be used to smuggle illegal drugs. “We do not know how clean are these ships,” he said.

Dela Rosa met and had lunch with more than 600 drug dependents in Bataan who voluntarily turned themselves in. He thanked them for deciding to turn a new leaf but he said he will be tough against those who continue using and dealing drugs.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, regional PNP officer-in-charge, said there are at least a hundred policemen in Central Luzon who could be involved in drug trafficking.

“Yun nga minsan, mahirap mag-operate dahil hindi mo alam kung sino ang kakampi mo o hindi. Yun ang problema namin. So minsan, mag-o-operate kami, biglang magli-leak,” Aquino said. [Translation: Sometimes it is hard to conduct an operation because you do not know who are with you and who are not. That is our problem. So sometimes, when we conduct an operation, suddenly there is a leak.]

Dela Rosa told Aquino to gather evidence against these officers to pin them down.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/08/23-mayors-duterte-list-illegal-drugs.html

U.S. Deputy Chief of mission transfers maritime law enforcement equipment to PNP in Palawan

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 8): U.S. Deputy Chief of mission transfers maritime law enforcement equipment to PNP in Palawan

U.S. Embassy, Manila’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael Klecheski, donated four patrol boats to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Puerto Princesa to improve maritime law enforcement capabilities here.

Chief Supt. Jose Ma Victor ‎Ramos was in attendance to receive the donation on behalf of the PNP along with Sr. Supt. Edmund Gonzales. 

In his dedication, Klecheski noted the importance of improving maritime police equipment in the region, highlighting that the maritime domain factors prominently into virtually all law enforcement and terrorism issues that the Philippines faces today.

He cited the impact that the Special Operations Units (SOU) have had on preventing illegal activity and assisting in regional cooperation with neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam.

The donation marks the latest significant milestone in a more than 10-year partnership between the PNP Maritime Group and the U.S Departments of State, Defense and Justice (through the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program).

The goal of this high degree of cooperation is to modernize maritime law enforcement’s equipment to combat smuggling, drugs, human trafficking and other forms of seafaring crime.

The boats are all 30-foot vessels or larger and are collectively worth over USD 2.3 million. They were provided by the State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) along with spare parts and supplies. 

INL said it would continue to support this transition by funding the training of the personnel who will handle these vessels. 

Since 2010 the State Department has donated 10 patrol boats that are the primary tools used by the SOU to rescue individuals or stop criminal behavior.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=902471

President Duterte ready to concede to BBL if Federalism not possible

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 8): President Duterte ready to concede to BBL if Federalism not possible

President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he is ready to concede to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) if a Federal government is not possible during his term.

But the President assured the Moro people that his administration is working on a framework acceptable to both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Speaking to more than 500 Moro people from different regions in Mindanao, including MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar and MNLF Chair Bong Parcasio during the First Mindanao Hariraya Eid'l Fit'r at SMX Convention Center on Friday evening, Mr. Duterte revealed that part of the plan is a reconfiguration of a territory for Nur Misuari-led MNLF.

The President, however, said the reconfiguration is not intended to separate or delineate territories. "It should not keep us apart being Mindanaoans," he stressed.

But he noted that most Christians are supporting Federalism and BBL.

"Let us build a nation that is founded on peace," he emphasized.

Duterte, however, reminded everybody that the task is not easy but assured he would be able to do it under his administration.

"It will not come overnight...not next year. It will be something in two to three years. I assure something will change before the end of my term," he said.

He said he is set to travel to Jolo to meet with Misuari and probably ask the military to allow the MNLF leader to move around Mindanao for simultaneous talks with the Moro people.

Mr. Duterte revealed that his team is working overtime on plans for the MILF and MNLF.

For the MILF, the President said he values word of honor. "A promise is a promise," he said. He, however, did not elaborate what he had promised to the MILF.

"What you give to MILF you give to MNLF. I hope there will be peace in our land," he said.

He also asked all groups including the communist movement to refrain from activities that will derail peace plans. He cited the MILF for not taking moves despite the failed BBL while Misuari is in a stand-down position.

"Give me a chance to perfect (everything)," said Duterte, urging everybody to respect each other and to talk before doing anything that will spin trouble in Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=902483

AFP chief-of-staff Visaya gets 4th star

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 8): AFP chief-of-staff Visaya gets 4th star

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya got his fourth star on Friday, making him the highest military official in the land.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana presided at the donning ceremony held at the Department of National Defense Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

Visaya, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1983, was then accorded full military honors befitting his new rank in front of the AFP General Headquarters Building.

The ceremony was attended by all the joint, personal and special staff of the AFP led by Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, vice chief-of-staff, and Major Gen. Salvador Mison III, deputy chief-of-staff, and members of the enlisted corps and civilian employees of Camp Aguinaldo.

Visaya was appointed AFP chief last July 1 by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

On the same day, Visaya made his first official visit as a newly minted four-star general to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) headquarters in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

PAF commander Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, along with the senior Air Force leadership, warmly received the AFP chief and his party.

During the visit, Visaya was awarded the PAF Honorary Aviator's Gold Wings, being the top honcho of the AFP.

The PAF leadership also briefed Visaya on the command's current programs as well as issues and concerns it faces.

The AFP chief reminded the PAF to hone its state of readiness for disaster response in light of the persistent rains the country has been experiencing lately.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=902373

AFP deploys another peacekeeping contingent in Haiti

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 8): AFP deploys another peacekeeping contingent in Haiti

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed Friday a 135-strong peacekeeping contingent to quake devastated Haiti.

The send-off ceremonies at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City was headed by AFP chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Army commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Edgardo Fallorina, AFP chief-of-operations Major Gen. Carlito Galvez and AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center head Col. Eugenio Hernandez.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the 135-strong Filipino contingent will serve in Haiti for one year.

The contingent is the Philippines' contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Operations worldwide.

To date, this is the country's largest deployment after the Philippines pulled out its contingent in Liberia and Golan Heights.

The 20th contingent is led by Col Rosalio Pompa of the Philippine Army and is supported by a complement of 15 officers and 119 enlisted personnel, 14 of whom are women.

They will replace the former contingent which will arrive in the country on July 11.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=902420

Top Abu leaders lead attacks in Basilan

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 8): Top Abu leaders lead attacks in Basilan



ABU SAYYAF is now using this logo under its other name. INQUIRER MINDANA

At least 200 members of the terror group Abu Sayyaf, led by two of their highest-ranking leaders, attacked an Army headquarters surrounded by civilian communities in Basilan province on Sunday, sending residents fleeing to safety and starting a gun battle that was still going on as of late Thursday afternoon.

Joel Maturan, former mayor of Ungkaya Pukan town in Basilan, said the terrorists, armed with .50 cal. machine guns, had positioned themselves on four hills surrounding the community of Punoh Butigan in the village of Sungkayot where the 18th Infantry Battalion headquarters is located.

The terrorists, said Maturan, “seemed to be determined to get the headquarters.” He said he and his rubber plantation workers had armed themselves and prepared to fight alongside government soldiers.

He said false reports that the town of Tipo-Tipo was the one under attack, not Ungkaya Pukan, sent residents there fleeing in panic.

 

The terrorists launched the attack on Ungkaya Pukan around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday until 2 a.m. Thursday. They resumed the attack around 7 a.m. Thursday.

 

“It’s on and off,” said Maturan. “I wonder why these bandits are not running out of ammunition and food.”

 

Supt. Oscar Nantes, Basilan provincial police chief, said he sent more policemen to Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan to help the military.

 

The terrorists are led by top Abu Sayyaf leaders Puruji Indama and Isnilon Hapilon.

Nantes said at least 2,000 families from Ungkaya Pukan, Tipo-Tipo and Al Barka towns had been displaced.

He said police and military were also bracing for an attack on the municipal hall and police station.

Nantes said he could not provide casualty figures yet.

 

Maturan said the terrorists repositioned themselves in the community of Punog Alibasa, which falls within the jurisdiction of Tipo-Tipo, Ungkaya Pukan and Al Barka.

“But the volley of fire is landing on us,” Maturan said. At least 400 families had already fled, he said.

Tong Isarul, former Tipo-Tipo mayor, said classes in all eight elementary and high schools in his town had been canceled.

“We were all caught by surprise,” said Isarul. “We were winding down our Eid (end of Ramadan) celebration when the attack happened.”

“People are afraid to move around,” Isarul added.

 

The attack took place as a Tausug trader was freed by his Abu Sayyaf captors on Wednesday after almost a year in captivity.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said Araji Maani, who is into money-lending, was freed in the village of Wanih Piyanjihan in Parang, Sulu.

Maani was kidnapped on July 27 last year.

 

The terrorists have beheaded two of their captive Canadians after their ransom demands were ignored by the government.

A terrorist spokesperson had said Abu Sayyaf was dedicating the beheadings to then incoming President Duterte.

After the beheadings, Duterte said the time for reckoning for the Abu Sayyaf would surely come.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/794965/top-abu-leaders-lead-attacks-in-basilan

US urges respect for South China Sea ruling

From InterAksyon (Jul 8): US urges respect for South China Sea ruling

The United States on Thursday urged respect for a decision on territorial disputes in the South China Sea set to be handed down by an international arbitration court next week.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Dutch city of The Hague is set to make its final decision on Tuesday in the case between the Philippines and China.

"We urge both parties to comply with the ruling and urge all claimants to avoid provocative actions or statements," Abraham Denmark, the senior Pentagon official responsible for East Asia, told a congressional hearing about the decision, already rejected in advance by Beijing.

China claims almost the entire sea -- strategically important for world maritime trade -- where the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims.

Although Washington is not directly part of the territorial disputes, it has urged they be resolved through diplomacy, not Chinese force.

Beijing has artificially enlarged islets and reefs to build runways, ports and other installations to legitimize its claims.

The United States has meanwhile boosted its military presence in the region, addressing neighboring countries' concerns about China's actions. Washington has also strengthened its defense alliances with the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries.
The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is currently patrolling the sea.

"We will provide critical support for diplomacy by providing a credible deterrent against the use of force," Denmark said.

Chinese media on Tuesday said Beijing is ready for a "military confrontation" with the United States in the region.

Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte proposed dialogue with China following the court's decision next week, offering discussions about issues such as setting up joint ventures for sharing resources in the disputed waterway.

http://interaksyon.com/article/130107/us-urges-respect-for-south-china-sea-ruling

'Strengthen ranks, launch offensives' while working on alliance with Duterte - CPP

From InterAksyon (Jul 8): 'Strengthen ranks, launch offensives' while working on alliance with Duterte - CPP

The New People’s Army has been ordered to strengthen its ranks and continue launching tactical offensives against “enemy units that have committed fascist crimes against the people” amid efforts to forge an alliance with the Duterte administration.

In an editorial in its official publication, Ang Bayan, the Communist Party of the Philippines also urged its armed wing to “disarm and arrest the biggest criminals involved in peddling illegal drugs” and to “launch actions to protect the environment against destructive mining, logging and plantation operations.”

The editorial, written in Filipino, acknowledged that “great potential” of building a “progressive and pro-people alliance between Duterte and the national democratic forces” even as it stressed that its forces are aware of “the limitations of this alliance” and the “dangers of being tied down, sucked up and drowned by this work.”

It recognized that Duterte himself “is working on and pushing this alliance” even as it pointed out that he is also the head of a “reactionary state” that remains dominated by elite and foreign interests.

Nevertheless, it said the current situation “opens a huge political opportunity for the national democratic forces,” with the “people’s agenda” at the center of “national … discourse and debate,” to win the support and cooperation of sectors, organizations, institutions and “even officials of the reactionary government” through a nationwide educational campaign, both in the urban areas and countryside.

It also said the imminent resumption of formal peace negotiations between the Duterte government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines would help “strengthen the progressive aspect of Duterte and the prospects for forging a solid alliance through formal agreements that will serve as the general program of action of such an alliance.”

http://interaksyon.com/article/130114/strengthen-ranks-launch-offensives-while-working-on-alliance-with-duterte---cpp

Eastmincom head orders drug-testing among military personnel

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 8): Eastmincom head orders drug-testing among military personnel

The military's Eastern Mindanao Command head Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero has ordered all his commanders to intensify drug-testing efforts in the EMC.

He said this is part of the effort to cleanse the organization of scalawags, and to enhance security measures being implemented especially in Davao Region, he added.

Guerrero also ordered his subordinate commanders to strengthen their operations against illegal drugs and terror groups and work closely with their Philippine National Police counterparts on the matter.

He cited, as basis for such actions, the provisions of the Joint Action Plan recently signed between the EMC and Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Eastern Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=902235

Intel report on alleged ISIS threats on Davao City not from AFP, PNP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 8): Intel report on alleged ISIS threats on Davao City not from AFP, PNP
 

Intelligence reports claiming that Davao City is under terror threat from the Islamic State (ISIS) did not come from the military or police, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

"Per verification...the info (regarding alleged ISIS threat against Davao City) did not come from the AFP or the Philippine National Police. It could come from another source that we are not aware of," Padilla told PNA.

Acting Davao City Mayor Paolo Duterte earlier said that ISIS militants are threatening to attack the southern city.

The local military and police have been alerted to avert the plot, Duterte said. He did not elaborate on the threat which he said is still being validated by authorities.

Earlier, AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya said there are no ISIS groups or cells in the Philippines.

"There are no ISIS here. Only groups like ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) that publicly declared support to the said group are in Mindanao but they are not ISIS," he said.

“I haven't received any similar report but as always terrorist threats are part of our intelligence units monitoring efforts,” Visaya said.

He asked the public to be vigilant and report individuals who are acting suspiciously.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=902285

China Issues Threat After Philippine Activists Resupply The Sierra Madre In The South China Sea

From Forbes (Jul 6): China Issues Threat After Philippine Activists Resupply The Sierra Madre In The South China Sea (By Anders Corr)



A Philippine Navy marine from the Sierra Madre flashes the peace symbol while wearing a Kalayaan Atin Ito activist t-shirt. Another marine watches as his boat is loaded with goods from the activists, who visited the Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal on June 29, 2016. Photo from a video courtesy of Kalayaan Atin Ito.

A Philippine activist group, Kalayaan Atin Ito (KAI), made their third “patriotic voyage” in the South China Sea in less than a year – this time on a resupply protest to a former U.S. naval vessel, the Sierra Madre. The Sierra Madre is now in active service with the Philippine Navy, and purposefully marooned on Ayungin Shoal (also known as Second Thomas Shoal, Reed Bank, Bãi Cỏ Mây, Jen-ai’ Chiao, Ren’ai Reef, and 仁爱礁). 12 KAI activists skirted Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships to arrive at the shoal on June 29. Two days after the protest, China threatened to tow the Sierra Madre in response to the upcoming Philippine legal case against China at the Hague.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague announced that it will decide the case on July 12. The Sierra Madre could be an important fact on the ground in support of a Philippine claim on the shoal, and to keep the shoal from getting dredged and built upon by China. China dredged and built artificial islands with military air strips on other shoals in the South China Sea starting in 2014.

The Philippines claims a 200-mile exclusive economic zone per the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China disputes the Philippine claim based on a 1946 map with a 9-dash line. Yet in the 1940s, China only claimed the islands within the 9-dash line, not the high seas.

Chinese vessels, including one large Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) cutter (bow number 3307), and at least two civilian boats, are pressuring the Philippine sailors of the Sierra Madre to abandon ship. The Cutter set its course to intercept the activists on the Alexander, a 25-foot banca boat (wooden fishing vessel with two outriggers and an outboard motor) on their way to resupply the marines. The Chinese cutter blew its horns as it approached, and made a menacingly close pass to about 50 meters.

Kalayaan is the Filipino name for the Spratly Islands. The name of the activist group translates as, “Kalayaan is ours.” They claim that the civilian leadership of the Aquino government did not do enough to maintain the structural integrity of the Sierra Madre, and to resupply the dozen or so marines stationed there. The Philippines purposely sailed the Sierra Madre, built in 1944, aground onto the shoal in 1999, in response to China’s occupation of Mischief Reef in 1994. The lack of resupply and maintenance disadvantages the Philippine marines, according to activists. The marines could be forced to leave the Sierra Madre as it becomes even less safe for habitation. Attempts to reach the current and former press secretaries of the Philippines were unanswered.

The Chinese civilian vessels photographed by activists near Ayungin Shoal do not look like fishing vessels, and activists claim they carry Chinese divers.  Activists say that the rear of the Chinese civilian boats do not contain normal fishing gear, such as large piles of nets prominently visible on normal fishing boats. China has developed, as early as 2004, a strategy of an armed civilian “maritime militia”. As an armed force not strictly under military control, it will likely be highly dangerous to sailors, activists, and non-Chinese fishermen in the region.

According to KAI activists, Chinese fishermen are using cyanide for fishing near Ayungin Shoal, which kills the coral. Activists provided me with video and photographs of the coral, which appears white and lifeless. Additional photographs provided by the activists illustrate that the Sierra Madre continues to rust and deteriorate, with gaping holes clearly visible near the waterline. According to activists, the graffiti-festooned ship only stands because of occasional steel and concrete reinforcement smuggled past the Chinese Coast Guard on small boats by the marines. A former U.S. official confirmed to me that the Chinese have in the past blocked Philippine attempts to resupply the Sierra Madre.

China issued a veiled threat against the Sierra Madre two days after the Sierra Madre protest by KAI. A spokesman from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wu Qian, spoke to a reporter from the People’s Daily, China’s official party newspaper. The paper linked potential towing of the Sierra Madre by China to the outcome of the PCA case to be decided on July 12. According to the People’s Daily article,

During the conference, Wu was asked by a reporter that [sic] the People’s Daily, official newspaper of the CPC, published a commentary Monday which said that China has the ability to tow away the old warship of the Philippines from the Ren’ai Reef. Will the PLA take the actions after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) issues the award on July 12 on the South China Sea case?

According to the People’s Daily, Mr. Wu replied “that China has indisputable sovereignty of China’s Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, which [sic] the Ren’ai Reef [Ayungin Shoal] is included. The PLA has the determination and ability to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”


Distressed coral, and a single blue fish, on Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea, 29 June 2016. Photo from a still video courtesy of Kalayaan Atin Ito.

Ayungin Shoal is only 105 nautical miles from Palawan, Philippines, well-within the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. However, it is also within China’s claimed 9-dash line. China has stated that it intends to disregard the PCA ruling on features in the South China Sea. Ayungin is 622 nautical miles from China’s closest point to the shoal, which is located on Hainan Island.

KAI formed Sea Access For International Law (SAIL) in 2016 to help organize international volunteers. Both organizations now boast a combined 10,000 supporters, including about 20 full-time volunteers. Most members are in the Philippines, where Nicanor Faeldon started the group in 2006 by lecturing at universities in all 81 provinces. But SAIL now also includes members in the U.S., U.K., Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Brunei. I’m a SAIL supporter, giving me access to photographs and informal interviews with KAI activists. Both groups support a boycott of Chinese consumer goods that has half-a-dozen organizational sponsors.

KAI activists arrived on Palawan on two flights from Manila on June 23 and June 24. The first attempt to sail to Ayungin on June 26 failed due to high waves. Activists returned to Palawan and waited two days for better weather. While waiting, activists slept on The Alexander about 20 yards from the shore. In an emailed comment from Vera Joy Ban-eg, the leader of KAI, she explained the trip once the weather cleared. “We sailed to Ayungin Shoal [on] June 28 at 2.30pm and reached Ayungin at 9.30am [on] June 29, 2016.” The grueling overnight trip on the small fishing boat took 19 hours.

Activists remained at the shoal for several hours, provided food, drinks, a live goat, activist t-shirts, and other supplies to the marines, took photos and video, swam, sang the national anthem on the Sierra Madre with the marines, and then returned to Palawan. In addition to Ms. Ban-eg, the following Philippine activists took part in the protest: Sigrid Dickerson, Jeremiah Dickerson, Andrei Villato, Loubert Grace Carreon, Joart Marzal, Vivien Leal, Ansgar Niño, Francis de Gracias, Lourd Wyrlou Medina, and Jessa Matugas. The Australian photojournalist Benjamin Bohane joined the voyage on assignment from ABC Australia.

[Anders Corr: I worked in military intelligence for five years, including on nuclear weapons, terrorism, cyber-security, border security, and counter-insurgency. I covered and visited Asia and Europe, and worked in Afghanistan for one and a half years. I have a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, and a B.A. and M.A. in international relations from Yale University (Summa cum laude). My company, Corr Analytics, provides political risk analysis to commercial, non-profit, and media clients, and publishes the Journal of Political Risk. I am editing a series on the South China Sea conflict, and have covered and visited Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
Follow me on Twitter @anderscorr. If you have any additional information related to this article, contact me at corr@canalyt.com.]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/anderscorr/2016/07/06/china-issues-threat-after-philippine-activists-resupply-the-sierra-madre-in-the-south-china-sea/2/#5c42e3356e00

WATCH | Vigilante group shows video of 'salvage' of drug suspects

From InterAksyon (Jul 7): WATCH | Vigilante group shows video of 'salvage' of drug suspects

In answer to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to fight illegal drugs, a vigilante group calling itself the Socialist Party of the Philippines gave News5 a video showing the execution of five men -  three of whom it said were drug lords and two users in Central Luzon - in an undisclosed location.

The vigilante group claimed that they conducted lengthy surveillance on the suspects before arresting them. It added that it observed due process as the suspects were not immediately punished.

But the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it is investigating the incident.

Col. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the AFP, said any group which was not given by the government such mandate under the law is illegal and should not put the law into its own hands because it is not deputized to do so.

The Commission on Human Rights, in an interview on the program Aksyon Sa Tanghali, said it will await the investigation conducted by the Philippine National Police before it could determine whether human rights were violated in the incident.

President Duterte earlier called on the public to help arrest suspects involved in illegal drugs and offered a reward for the killing of drug lords.

Malacanang however stressed that due process should always be observed in all cases.

In another interview, Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison denied any connection with vigilante group.

Watch a News5 video report by Raffy Tulfo:

[Video report]

 http://interaksyon.com/article/130091/watch--vigilante-group-shows-video-of-salvage-of-drug-suspects

Resumption of talks with Reds pushed back over prisoner release, SONA - report

From InterAksyon (Jul 7): Resumption of talks with Reds pushed back over prisoner release, SONA - report



Government and NDFP negotiators, consultants, observers and representatives of the Norwegian government during the recent informal talks in Oslo.

The resumption of formal peace talks between government and communist rebels will be pushed back slightly because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s first state of the nation address on July 25 as well as to allow more time for the release of an initial 109 political prisoners, independent media outfit Kodao Productions reported Thursday.

In an interview with Kodao, Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison said  the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which represents the rebels, “has already informed the (Government of the Philippines) side that the resumption of formal talks may be either from July 27 to August 2, or from August 15 to 22, depending on the success of the GPH at effecting the release of 22 (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees)-protected political prisoners as well as that of most of the 87 political prisoners who are sickly, elderly, overly long in prison and women.”

The NDF, he added, is “willing to give the GPH ample time to effect the releases.”
Government peace panel member Hernani Braganza, sought for a reaction to Sison’s statement on the slight delay in the talks’ resumption, told Kodao: “Yes, dahil sa (because of the) SONA on the 25th.”

Following informal talks in Norway just before the inauguration of Duterte, the peace panels of his then incoming government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines said they had agreed to resume formal negotiations in mid-July.

Both sides had also agreed that the talks would adhere to previously signed agreements and also raised the possibility that more than 500 political prisoners would be released either before or soon after the resumption. They also agreed to work for an interim ceasefire during the talks.

But in a speech at the anniversary of the Philippine Air Force on Tuesday, Duterte said he would agree to releasing the prisoners “only after the success of the talks” when the rebels have laid down their arms. He said he was willing to give safe conduct passes to Sison, NDFP chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni and alleged CPP leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, who are in detention after their capture in Cebu in 2014.

Despite what he called the “apparently self-contradictory impromptu statements” of Duterte, Sison said the NDFP remains willing to enter negotiations “on the assumption that the previous agreements shall be affirmed” and the initial 109 political prisoners released “ahead of more than 400 political prisoners who shall be released by general amnesty in connection with an interim ceasefire.”

http://interaksyon.com/article/130070/resumption-of-talks-with-reds-pushed-back-over-prisoner-release-sona---report