Indonesia backs peace process in southern Philippines

From Vietnam (Feb 4): Indonesia backs peace process in southern Philippines



MILF gunmen in southern Philippines (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian Deputy President Jusuf Kalla on February 1 received a delegation of the south Philippines-based Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is visiting Indonesia to learn from the successful peace process in Aceh province.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Kalla said the MILF delegation paid a visit to Aceh to observe the region’s development after the peace agreement as well as the progress achieved in Indonesia.

Kalla said he had shared his experience in encouraging peace in Aceh that was torn by a prolonged conflict between the local armed group and the Indonesian military. Mutual respect must be the first priority in every peace mission, and secondly, a compromise, he stressed, adding that Indonesia still has 10 monitoring teams in Manila.

Lauding the development of Aceh province, head of the MILF delegation Murad Ebrahem noted that the group will learn from the example set by Indonesia in conflict settlement.

The same day, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi also met with the delegation.

The foreign minister has conveyed her support to the ongoing efforts in South Philippines in order to achieve peace, and she has also encouraged all parties, including MILF, to contribute to the peace building process and to maintain peace, said Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir.

During their visit to Indonesia, the MILF delegation was scheduled to meet representatives of several Indonesian Islamic organizations, such as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah.

Indonesia has been active in enabling the peace process in South Philippines since the 1990s, including its involvement in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in the South Philippines.

As of 2018, Indonesia has sent 84 officials to the IMT, which was created in 2004 to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement forged by the Philippines government and the MILF in southern Philippines in 2003.

Indonesia`s involvement in peace building efforts was also shown when Marsudi launched a cooperation agreement with the local government on the field of Islamic education during her visit to Davao city of south Philippines in January.

The governments of Indonesia and Philippines had agreed on the importance of developing Islamic education, which will cover curriculum development, joint research and education workshops; teacher exchange programmes; technical vocational education and student exchange programmes, especially in Islamic schools in South Mindanao.

Indonesia has also offered 100 scholarships each year to students and teachers of Islamic schools in Mindanao of the Philippines to study in Indonesia.-VNA

https://en.vietnamplus.vn/indonesia-backs-peace-process-in-southern-philippines/126024.vnp

Trial of terrorist in Jakarta sheds light on arms trail from southern Philippines to Indonesia

From The Straits Times (Feb 2): Trial of terrorist in Jakarta sheds light on arms trail from southern Philippines to Indonesia



Suryadi Mas'ud leaving the courtroom on Jan 30 after judges postponed the hearing to next week.ST PHOTO: WAHYUDI SOERIAATMADJA

The ongoing trial of terrorist Suryadi Mas’ud has revealed how Indonesian militants linked up with fellow networks in Marawi, southern Philippines, to procure M-16 assault rifles and handguns.

It has even shown how they set up a temporary paramilitary drill to train Indonesian militants to use the weapons.

Family feuds, general crime and rebel fighting have made the southern Philippines the primary destination for Indonesian militants seeking weapons and ammunition.

The rampant illegal arms trade there is supported by the flourishing gun handcrafting industry and availability of loose firearms.

Suryadi, alias Montilia Perez, had no difficulty finding help there, using a network he got to know while fighting alongside local rebels under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from 1996 to 2000, according to court documents obtained by The Straits Times.

Suryadi and others who fought in the southern Philippines have become the Indonesian government’s top surveillance target because they could be the link to the country’s firearms supply.

Suryadi had served several years in prison for his role in the 2002 bombing of a McDonald’s outlet in Makassar, south Sulawesi, and over a paramilitary training camp in Aceh in 2010.

The man behind the Jakarta attacks

JAKARTA – Iwan Darmawan Muntho, who goes by the alias 'Rois' and is in his 40s, was a cellmate of terrorist ideologue Aman Abdurrahman, 46, in Nusakambangan island prison. Both were moved to isolation cells and were barred from meeting guests other than close relatives.

 Rois is currently on death row for his part in the 2004 bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta.


 Police have said Aman and Rois also planned the Jakarta attacks on Jan 14, 2016, assisted by Abu Gar, 44, who in November 2016 was sentenced to nine years in jail for his role as a field coordinator and recruiter of the militants who carried out the attacks.

 Aman, who remains in jail, is expected to stand trial for the Jakarta attacks within the next few weeks.

In the current case, he has been indicted with planning terror acts, procuring firearms and helping to fund terrorism. The West Jakarta district court will return a verdict next Tuesday, with prosecutors demanding a 10-year jail sentence.

The 45-year-old terrorist travelled to General Santos in the southern Philippines in late September 2015. His second wife Neneng Rita Anyar was travelling with him to avert suspicion during his arms procurement mission, needed for several planned attacks back home.

Suryadi visited local militants named Marod and Dato, old friends from the MILF. Marod agreed to help and let Suryadi stay at his house.

Marod would bring home firearms which were on sale and Suryadi checked the condition of each one.

He sent photos of them to Iwan Darmawan Muntho, alias Rois, an Australian embassy bomber on death row in the Nusakambangan island prison, court documents say.

If Rois gave the nod, Suryadi would test the guns in the backyard of Marod’s house. Rois, who later was placed in an isolation cell, had arranged and funded Suryadi’s mission.

Suryadi paid a total of US$30,000 (S$39,000) via Western Union, using borrowed ID cards, to purchase 16 M-16 rifles, one M-14, and five handguns.

In April 2016, Suryadi met Isnilon Hapilon, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) South-east Asia chief, and proposed setting up a short paramilitary training programme for Indonesian militants who would be tasked with picking up the firearms from the Philippines and taking them back home to Indonesia.

Isnilon agreed and an eight-day paramilitary training session was held in Basilan, using 12 M-16 assault rifles that Isnilon provided.

Suryadi earlier handed US$20,000 to Isnilon for the 12 M-16s and US$5,000 to buy a car and a boat to transport the other firearms from General Santos to Zamboanga, then to Basilan, before crossing over to the Indonesian territory of Kalimantan.

Four militants from Indonesia and five from Basilan participated in the paramilitary training which was led by a local named Ibnu Qoyyim.

Suryadi was arrested in a West Java hotel as part of police anti-terror raids on March 23 last year without ever managing to take any of the assault rifles to Indonesia. However, the five handguns were transported through the Sangihe island-Bitung, North Sulawesi route.

Police suspected two of the five handguns were used in the Jan 14, 2016 attacks in Jakarta that killed four bystanders and four attackers while injuring more than 20.

Court documents also show how in October 2016, Suryadi travelled to Udon Thani in Thailand with his first wife Siti Armi Rahman Kotta on a mission to help an ISIS-affiliated Uighur, identified as Hanzolah. He had broken out of a local immigration detention centre and needed help to cross over to Malaysia then to travel to Turkey.

Before leaving, Mahmud Ahmad, a former university lecturer who helped lead and finance the assault on Marawi, told Suryadi to contact a cleric in Pattani, who then referred Suryadi to contact an individual named Yakoh Sue Mae, who would assist with the overland trip to Malaysia.

Suryadi met Hanzolah in Udon Thani and stayed at a local hotel. But during their stay, Suryadi and his wife were approached and interrogated by Thailand immigration officers in a random check at the hotel, where he told the officers they were in Thailand to celebrate a wedding anniversary. Hanzolah fled the hotel and Suryadi never met him again.
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/tracing-the-arms-trail-into-indonesia

Gov't prepared for retaliation amid arrest of communist rebels: Esperon

From ABS-CBN (Feb 3): Gov't prepared for retaliation amid arrest of communist rebels: Esperon

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Friday said the government is ready to face any retaliatory attacks from the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the wake of arrests of NDF-CPP-NPA leaders.

"When you arrest high-ranking leaders of the CPP-NPA, you expect some retaliation but we are ready for that anyway," Esperon told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of the Manila Bulletin's 118th anniversary celebration at the Manila Hotel.

"Kung may security threat man, they are already there. The NPAs are doing what they have been doing burning construction equipment, burning small-scale factories even plantations, extorting from farmers. They've always been doing that," he added.


Esperon's remarks came two days after the Philippine National Police arrested Rafael Baylosis, a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, over charges of illegal possession for firearms and explosives.

NDFP consultant rearrested in QC
Cops 'arrest' 2nd CPP official; lawyers say suspect arrested 9 months ago

On Thursday, the PNP also served arrest warrants on suspected CPP official Rommel Dorango Salinas in Ozamiz City for arson and frustrated murder charges.

Esperon denied that they are violating any agreement.

Baylosis' lawyer, Rachel Pastores, said Friday that the government is violating the provisions of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), a pact between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF which grants immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation to duly accredited persons involved in the peace process.

"All of them were out on bail because of their participation in the peace process. It was terminated, na-terminate na 'yan, binigyan ng sapat ng panahon upang magbalikan pero di bumabalik so we have to arrest them, if sighted," he explained.

Gov't denies crackdown on Reds

Esperon also rejected Pastores' contention that only the Supreme Court can revoke Baylosis' bail. Pastores earlier cited an order of the Regional Trial Court of Manila denying prosecution's motion to cancel his bail.

"They do not have to use the Supreme Court to say that they could not be arrested. The fact is they were part of the advisers of the panel of consultants and so kailangang bumalik sila. 'Yun lang naman eh. Eh hindi sila bumabalik so we have to go out and arrest them, especially those who are involved in several cases," he said.

"One of them is the Inupakan mass grave, the murder cases in Inupakan and Rafael Baylosis happens to be one of them," he added.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/03/18/govt-prepared-for-retaliation-amid-arrest-of-communist-rebels-esperon

NUJP slams cyberattack on Kodao Productions' website

From Rappler (Feb 2): NUJP slams cyberattack on Kodao Productions' website

Kodao.org is known for covering the peace process between the Philippine government and the NDFP, as well as issues about indigenous peoples, human rights, environmental issues

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Friday, February 2, condemned an apparent cyberattack on the website of news outfit Kodao Productions.

Kodao Productions on Friday said they were unable to access their website, Kodao.org, at around midnight.

A statement from the NUJP, meanwhile, claims Kodao's site was hit by a code injection attack through the WordPress publishing platform, keeping its website technicians from logging in. Links to Kodao stories could no longer be opened as a result of the attack.

Kodao is known for covering the peace process between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), as well covering indigenous peoples' struggles and human rights and environmental issues.

The NUJP said it "sees the attack on Kodao as part of the Duterte government's efforts to silence critical media, as seen in the continuing attempt to shut down Rappler, threaten other news outfits, and other voices of dissent."

"The NUJP stands with Kodao Productions and all other legitimate media outfits that only seek to amplify the voice of the people against tyranny, neglect, and abuse by those in power," it added.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195111-nujp-kodao-media-cyber-attack

CPP secretary captured

From The Standard (Feb 3): CPP secretary captured

THE government announced Friday the arrest of Rommel Dorango Salinas, said to be the secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, in Ozamiz City by local police and elements of the 10th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

A consultant of the left-leaning National Democratic Front of the Philippines, Salinas was arrested at 11 a.m. in Bernard Subdivision, City Hall Drive, Barangay Aguada in Ozamiz.

A warrant of arrest was issued against the 45-year-old in October 2013 for frustrated murder and destructive arson, Ozamiz police personnel said.

Salinas is the second NDF consultant arrested after Rafael Baylosis was nabbed in Quezon City on Wednesday, and following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of the Front, the CPP and its armed wing the New People’s Army as terrorist organizations.



CPP OFFICIAL NABBED. Police and Army troops say they have arrested and detained 45-year-old Rommel Dorango Salinas, secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued against him in October 2013 for frustrated murder and destructive arson.

But Salinas’ lawyers said he was arrested long before this week, on May 11, 2017, and has been in detention since then.

Edre U. Olalia, president of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, said in a statement that “the report and press release going the rounds of media giving the wrong impression that he was only arrested yesterday in a subdivision is false and a cheap propaganda stunt to sow terror and confusion.”

Cristina Palabay from the rights group Karapatan also said Salinas has been detained in Ozamiz City since May last year, when he was arrested with Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Carlo Morales, public school teacher Ma. Teofilina Morales, and IFI driver Isadome Dalid.

She said the arrests were for “trumped up charges.”

Meanwhile, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Silvestre Bello III, said the recent arrest of Baylosis was not part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on communists.

Bello said Baylosis was arrested for valid reasons.

Baylosis was arrested with a certain Guillermo Roque near Katipunan Avenue and Aurora Boulevard with two .45 cal. pistols, 14 cartridges, and two magazines.

In a radio interview, Bello said the NDF official had a pending case and assured other NDF consultants without cases that they would not be arrested.

Bello also expressed hope that peace talks between the government and communist rebels will resume, adding that he has already held informal talks with Fidel Agcaoili, chairman of the NDF negotiating panel.

Duterte terminated the peace talks in November 2017, with both sides blaming each other for their failure to observe a ceasefire.

The President signed Proclamation No. 360, formally terminating the peace talks with the communist rebels.

NDFP Executive Committee member Luis Jalandoni said Baylosis’ arrest was illegal, citing their Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees with the government in 1995.

The government, however, said the Jasig is no longer in effect now that the peace talks have been scrubbed.

A Quezon City prosecutor recommended no bail for Baylosis and his companion for the offense of illegal possesion of explosives, police said Friday.

Olalia said the gun and a hand grenade were planted.

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/top-stories/257806/cpp-secretary-captured.html

Militant solon fears NPA retaliation; capture of GRP negotiators

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Militant solon fears NPA retaliation; capture of GRP negotiators

Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao. FILE PHOTO FROM ANAKPAWIS

The unabated arrest of National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants may prompt the New People’s Army (NPA) to retaliate and capture their counterparts in the government, a lawmaker warned on Saturday.

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao raised the warning days after the arrest of NDF consultant Rafael “Ka Raffy” Baylosis over what activists called as “trumped-up” charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

“If this will continue—‘yung mga arrest ng mga so-called temporarily released on bail na mga NDF consultants—aabot sa punto na yung NPA mag-declare din ng sige, aarestuhin din namin ang mga [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] negotiators and consultants,” Casilao said at Saturday Forum at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City. (If this will continue, the arrest of the so-called NDF consultants temporarily released on bail, it may come to a point that the NPA declare its own arrest of the GRP negotiators and consultants.)

“This will be a vicious cycle all over again, mauulit ito at wala nang katapusan (it will continue and will be endless),” he added.

Baylosis and his companion, Roque Guillermo Jr., were arrested on Wednesday afternoon by joint forces of Crime Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Regional (CIDG-NCR) and intelligence groups of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Authorities arrested the two along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City and supposedly recovered from them two .45-caliber guns, bullets, and magazines.

The police report on the operation stated that Baylosis and Guillermo had “visible short firearms tucked to their sides.”

The police initially filed illegal possession of firearms charges against the two and later charged them with illegal possession of explosives for the alleged hand grenade found inside the bag of brown rice Baylosis was carrying.

Baylosis’ lawyer, Rachel Pastores, called the authorities’ claims as a “bad script,” noting that the consultant is a known figure in the peace process and would not loiter around the streets of Metro Manila with a gun tucked to his side.

READ: Arrest of NDF consultant is ‘a bad script’ – lawyer

She also noted that there was a hallmark of perjury in the police’s story line and described the circumstances that surround his arrest as “incredible” and “unbelievable.”

Baylosis’ arrest came days after President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he would go after the “apparatus” and the so-called legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines and NPA.

Casilao called for the resumption of peace talks, noting that violence would not curb rebellion and armed resistance in the country.

“Matagal na po ‘yung sinasabi natin na (We’ve been calling for them to) address the problem of poverty, landlessness, social injustices and no amount of a military formula will really address it. It will only worsen and will only produce, bring an unending vicious cycle,” he said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/965813/militant-solon-fears-npa-retaliation-and-capture-grp-negotiators-ndf-npa-casilao-baylosis-arrest-communism-cases

China to bring 4G+ telecom services on man-made islands in South China Sea

From the Philippine Star (Feb 3): China to bring 4G+ telecom services on man-made islands in South China Sea



Aerial photos aired by China Central Television show the completed construction of facilities on Fiery Cross Reef, one of Beijing's artificial islands in the Spratly Islands. CCTV via Asia Times

China’s navy and telecommunication corporations are reportedly working to improve communications system in Chinese-occupied features in the disputed South China Sea by bringing 4G+ services in the area.

The Philippines claims parts of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone and calls it the West Philippine Sea.

On Friday, state-run news agency Xinhua reported that the Chinese navy has signed an agreement with Beijing’s three largest telecom operators to “comprehensively upgrade” civil communication system on Chinese reefs in Xisha (Paracel) and Nansha (Spratly) islands.

The project is targeted to be completed in May.

“The project will greatly increase the number of telecommunication base stations on some islands and reefs, such as Yongxing (Woody), Yongshu (Kagitingan), and Meiji (Panganiban),” Xinhua reported.

“The operators also promised more affordable service packages for users,” it added.

“In addition to improvements in the living conditions for civilians and military on the islands and reefs, the upgrade is also expected to provide support for fishery, emergency response, maritime search and rescue, and humanitarian relief efforts in nearby waters.”

In a report dated December 14, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of Washington’s CSIS identified all permanent facilities that can be used for military purposes that China completed or began work since the start of 2017.

AMTI said Beijing had done “smaller scale” construction at its bases in the Paracel islands, which are claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Although there was no substantial new construction at the island last year, Woody island, China’s military and administrative headquarters in the disputed sea, saw two first-time air deployments that “hint at things to come at the three Spratly Island airbases farther south.”

READ: Analyst: China continues expansion in South China Sea as int'l focus 'shifts away'

China and the Philippines have long sparred over the South China Sea, but relations have improved considerably under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who courted the Asian power for billion dollars’ worth of investments.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/03/1784227/china-bring-4g-telecom-services-man-made-islands-south-china-sea

Lumad school mocks Duterte’s offer of UP slots as new evacuation reported

From InterAksyon (Feb 3): Lumad school mocks Duterte’s offer of UP slots as new evacuation reported

Lumad villagers and students prepare on January 29 to evacuate from their communities because of alleged military abuses. (ALCADEV photo)

An award-winning lumad school in Surigao del Sur poked fun at President Rodrigo Duterte’s “offer” to kick out activists from the University of the Philippines and give their slots to indigenous youth even as an advocate group reported fresh evacuations of tribal families in the Mindanao province.

Speaking at an indigenous peoples’ forum at the headquarters of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, Duterte dissed UP students who staged a walkout to call for his ouster and dared them to quit so he could give their slots to lumad youth.

“Kamong dili mang-iskwela, hawa mo diha kay dad-on ko nang mga nitibong bright ngari. Mao’y ipabutang nako diha. Daghang Pilipino nga gusto’g edukasyon nga gwapo (Those who do not want to go to school anymore, you get out because I will bring these intelligent lumads. I will put them there. There are many Filipinos who want good education),” Duterte said.

Responding to this, the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, or ALCADEV, tweeted: “First you told us you’d bomb our schools. And now you’re telling us you want quality education for us?! We’ve already established an education system relevant to our needs and our culture. If you want quality educ for us, pull out your military troops in our areas!”

Two images were attached to the tweet, one quoting Duterte after his second state of the nation address last year, when he threatened to have the military bomb lumad schools, the second quoting him on his offer of UP slots.




Another tweet said: “To every UP student who walked out from their classes to join us in our struggles, we express our heartfelt gratitude to you. You have already given us your slots when you welcomed us in your campus so many times! Padayon, pag-asa ng bayan (Onward, hope of the nation)!”

For the past few years, UP Diliman has hosted the annual “Manilakbayan” of lumad and peasants from Mindanao who journey to the capital to highlight their plight, mainly about militarization and the encroachment of extractive industries in their ancestral lands, and to demand relief from government.

In his recent speech in Davao, Duterte told the lumad to be ready to relocate and that he would choose investors to be granted access to their ancestral lands.

The resistance of may indigenous communities to mining, logging and large agricultural plantations has long been a source of conflict, helping fuel the communist insurgency in Mindanao and accusations of massive human rights abuses by state forces and militias.

ALCADEV itself, which the military has openly accused of espousing support for communist rebels, has often been targeted for violence or harassment of its students and staff. In September 2015, a military-backed militia murdered the school’s executive director, Emerito Samarca, and executed lumad leaders, Dionel Campos and Datu Juvello Sinzo in front of hundreds of tribesfolk, including children, as a nearby Army unit looked on.

The killings triggered the evacuation of tens of thousands of lumad from the Surigao del Sur hinterlands.

Although Duterte had earlier boasted of being an advocate of lumad rights, lately, after he scrapped peace negotiations with the communists, he has taken to accusing indigenous people of sympathy for the rebels and openly threatened hem.

Late this week, the group “Friends of the Lumad in Caraga” issued a statement decrying “a series of human rights violations” that dove 161 Surigao del Sur lumad families, or 758 individuals, from 12 communities in Lianga and San Austin towns to flee their homes on January 29, “the third time since July 2017.”

The evacuees have sought shelter at the community in Kilomeer 9, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, the group said.

“The past weeks had been terrifying for the lumad as the military were in their farms since January 8 and have been directly harassing them and threatening their lives, making it difficult for them to tend their farms and earn a living,” the statement said, adding that “at least 10 cases of threat, harassment and intimidation have been recorded.”

The statement said several residents on their way to their farms or homes “were interrogated at gunpoint and held by the soldiers,” who accused them of being members or supporters of the New People’s Army, taking pictures and listing down their names, and threatening them with retaliation of the rebels attacked.

The lumad organization Kahugpungan sa mga Lumadnong Organisasyon sa Caraga said eight Army battalions have been deployed to the Caraga region, three of these to Surigao del Sur, operating mainly in indigenous people’s and peasant communities, allegedly “so that they can eliminate opposition against the entry, operation and expansion of mining companies and plantations.” KASALO Caraga said in their statement.

The Andap Valley Complex, where the community hosting ALCADEV is located, contains rich deposits of coal which have long been eyed by mining companies.

http://www.interaksyon.com/lumad-school-mocks-dutertes-offer-of-up-slots-as-new-evacuation-reported/

Lumad group hits Duterte's plan for ancestral domains

From Rappler (Feb 3): Lumad group hits Duterte's plan for ancestral domains

This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte said he will search for investors to help generate wealth in ancestral domains

MEETING IP LEADERS. President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City, to attend the Indigenous Peoples Leaders' Summit on February 1, 2018. Malacañang photo

An alliance of indigenous peoples in Mindanao condemned President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to find investors to develop Mindanao's protected ancestral domains.

The Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao (Kalumaran) called such plan a "sell-out." The group also said it will be detrimental to ancestral lands that many groups have fought to protect against multinational corporations.

"Now, it is becoming more clear that the 65 battalions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) currently deployed in Mindanao (are) to secure the investments of foreign multinational operations," said Duphing Ogan, Kalumaran secretary general, in a statement Friday, February 2.

The alliance was reacting to Duterte's announcement before Lumad leaders on Thursday, February 1, in a gathering at the military's Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Davao City.

 

In his speech, the President said he will search for investors in a bid to generate wealth in ancestral domains.

He said Davao City's Paquibato district, for instance, was an area where investors have long wanted to put up palm oil plantations.

 

Paquibato, among the city's biggest districts situated in the north, has been beset with conflict between troops and the New People's Army (NPA), which celebrated its 48th founding anniversary in the same area in 2016.

Duterte, who was mayor in Davao City prior to his presidency, earlier ordered the military to target the communist rebels after it wraps up its operations in Marawi. This came after the government gave up negotiating with the Reds.

For Kalumaran, though, condemning Duterte’s announcement was meant to oppose militarization in Lumad areas as "this has resulted (in) more human rights violations against Lumad leaders, peasant and Moro communities as well as human rights defenders."

 

"It is also expected that the present number of victims of extrajudicial killings, massacre, and forced displacements will continue to rise as we are under siege by the implementation of martial law and as more troops being deployed in Mindanao," Ogan added.

Over the years, Kalumaran has condemned atrocities against Lumad, including those allegedly committed by indigenous paramilitaries.

 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195141-lumad-group-duterte-plan-ancestral-domains-investors

Baylosis rearrested over 'pack of lies' – lawyer

From Rappler (Feb 3): Baylosis rearrested over 'pack of lies' – lawyer

Lawyer Rachel Pastores says the police narrative on the arrest of peace consultant Rafael Baylosis 'is incredibly laughable and obviously false'

NDF CONSULTANTS. File photo of freed political prisoners raising their clenched fists during a press conference held shortly after their release in 2016. NDF consulant Rafael Baylosis (righmost) is among them. Photo by Ben Nabong/Rappler

The legal counsel of two arrested leftist leaders questioned the evidence used by the police as basis to bring them back behind bars.

Rachel Pastores, counsel for National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant Rafael Baylosis and Roque Guillermo Jr, issued a statement on Friday, February 2, calling for the immediate release of the two.

Pastores said Baylosis was in jail "over a pack of lies."

"The police narrative of the arrest of peace consultant Rafael Baylosis and Roque Guillermo Jr is incredibly laughable and obviously false, particularly with revisions midway," said Pastores, managing counsel at the Public Interest Law Center.

Previously, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the arrest recovered two caliber .45 pistols, 14 ammunition, and two magazines. (READ: Leftists slam rearrest of NDF consultant over 'trumped-up charges')

But what Pastores specifically questioned was the grenade found inside a bag of red rice, which was mentioned by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – NCR.

"The inclusion of the hand grenade among the items allegedly recovered from Baylosis will make the charge non-bailable and will result in further curtailment of Baylosis' right to liberty," Pastores said.

The non-bailable arrest has been condemned by their leftist colleagues, saying President Duterte manifested fickle-mindedness in pursuing the talks.

As to whether Baylosis' case was bailable or not, she also said it would be up to the Supreme Court.

The Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) supposedly protected the two from arrest, but the Philippines formally terminated negotiating with the Reds last year.

Since the talks were terminated, Duterte has urged the NDF consultants to surrender.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195147-ndf-consultant-baylosis-arrested-lies-lawyer

Rappler Talk: CSIS' Gregory Poling on West Philippine Sea

From Rappler (Feb 3): Rappler Talk: CSIS' Gregory Poling on West Philippine Sea

US-based analyst Gregory Poling explains why he views the Duterte administration's West Philippine Sea policy as 'well-intentioned but naive'



Rappler talks to Gregory Poling, one of the world's leading experts on the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea, as he makes a two-day trip to the Philippines for a series of talks and meetings.

Poling is the director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in Washington DC. AMTI is the group that regularly publishes satellite images of the South China Sea.

In this Rappler Talk interview, Poling explains why he views the Duterte administration's policy on the West Philippine Sea as "well-intentioned but naive."

Watch the full Rappler Talk interview here.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195096-rappler-talk-csis-gregory-poling-west-philippine-sea-south-china-sea

Alleged finance officer of NPA in Mindanao nabbed in Butuan

From MindaNews (Feb 3): Alleged finance officer of NPA in Mindanao nabbed in Butuan

An alleged finance officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested, “with the help of the community, Friday afternoon in Butuan City, the Eastern Mindanao Command said in a press release.

Leonida Guao alias Lea, Ligaya and Laya was arrested during a joint 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army – PNP CARAGA Inter-agency Law Enforcement Operations in Brgy Bading, Butuan City on February 2, 2018 at around 3 p.m. “with the help of the community.”

Guao “handles the group’s extortion money in Mindanao,” Eastmincom said.

It also said Guao was nabbed by virtue of a warrant of arrest for murder, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch-7 in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

No other details were provided on how Guao was arrested.



Leonida Guao alias Lea, Ligaya and Laya (right) alleged finance officer of the New People’s Army in Mindanao, was arrested in Brgy Bading, Butuan City on February 2, 2018 at around 3 p.m. “with the help of the community,” the Eastern Mindanao Command said. Photo courtesy of Eastmincom’s 402nd Infantry Brigade

Major Ezra Balagtey, chief of the Public Information Office of Eastmincom, told MindaNews that the community helped authorities in arresting Guao through “information and monitoring.”

Guao is now under the custody of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group- Caraga.

Eastmincom chief Lt General Benjamin Madrigal expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the different government agencies and the community that led to Guao’s arrest.

“The arrest gave justice to the victims of their atrocities, particularly those Indigenous Peoples they brutally killed, the common people who have been victimized by their extortion and terroristic activities, and those who have lost their livelihood brought about by their arson and sabotage activities. This arrest is a result of the cooperation of the whole community and the different law enforcement agencies. It also proves that the terrorists cannot run away from the long arm of the law, Madrigal said.

President Rodrigo Duterte called off the talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) in November last year. The NDF represents the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA in the peace negotiations.

In Deecember, Duterte issued a proclamation declaring the CPP nad NPA as terrorist organizations.

Guao’s arrest came two days after authorities arrested NDF peace panel consultant Rafael Baylosis and his companion, Guillermo Roque, in Quezon City on Wednesday.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/02/alleged-finance-officer-of-npa-in-mindanao-nabbed-in-butuan/

Top NPA leader arrested, 8 others yield and linked government official to rebel group

From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 3): Top NPA leader arrested, 8 others yield and linked government official to rebel group

Security forces arrested a senior communist rebel leader in-charge of distribution of so-called revolutionary taxes to various fronts in southern Philippines, officials announced Saturday.

Officials said 8 other rebels also surrendered to the military in the restive region where security forces are battling insurgents and terrorism.

Major Ezra Balagtey, an army spokesman, said Leonidad Guao alias Laya – a member of the New People’s Army – was nabbed by soldiers and policemen on Friday afternoon in the village of Bading in Butuan City. “The arrested terrorist leader is the finance officer of the NPA in the whole of Mindanao,” he said, adding, Guao is currently being interrogated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

She is facing murder charges in Agusan del Sur province, according to Balagtey, who said civilians tipped off the military of Guao’s presence in Butuan City. “With the help of the community, the arrest was made by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Branch-7 in Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur,” Balagtey said.

Army Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, praised the arrest of Guao, saying, the cooperation of the different enforcement agencies and the community that led to the rebel leader’s arrest.

“The arrest gives justice to the victims of their atrocities, particularly those indigenous people they brutally killed, the common people who have been victimized by their extortion and terroristic activities, and those who have lost their livelihood brought about by their arson and sabotage activities.”

“This arrest is a result of the cooperation of the whole community and the different law enforcement agencies. It also proves that the terrorists cannot run away from the long arm of the law,” he said.

Eight NPA fighters, mostly tribal members, also yielded to authorities in Sultan Kudarat’s Bagumbayan town on Friday. During interrogation, three of the rebels have linked a local government official to the NPA, according to Major General Arnel dela Vega, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, whose unit initially investigated them.

Dela Vega did not identify the government official, but quoting the interrogation report, said the official facilitated the organization of tribal members as NPA fighters and provided sanctuary to 2 rebel leaders in his house.

There was no immediate statement from the NPA or the Department of the Interior and Local Government linking a government official to the rebel group which has been fighting for a separate state for many decades now.

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/top-npa-leader-arrested-8-others-yield-and-linked-government-official-to-rebel-group/

Police, Army pool resources to secure regional meet

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): Police, Army pool resources to secure regional meet



The Davao City Police Office (DCPO), other security forces, and the city government have pooled resources to secure the upcoming Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) in Davao City this month.

More than 5,000 security forces will be deployed in Davao City, said Angel Sumagaysay, the deputy head of the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC).

Sumagaysay said the components of the security involved will be coming from DCPO, Task Force Davao, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Tactical Operations Group and the Civil Security Unit (CSU).

"We give emphasis on the security and protection of the delegates, the players, and spectators," he said.

He said there will be tight security measures to be implemented especially in the playing venues and billeting quarters.

Sumagaysay revealed there will be police officers and personnel from CSU who will be deployed in the billeting areas to prevent looting incident inside the quarters.

"During our meeting, we give importance to this matter (looting) and we will make sure that the billeting areas will be well guarded," he said.

Looting inside billeting quarters is a common scenario in every annual sporting event not just in the region but also in the national events.

He said all delegates including the security personnel and staff of the regional games will be given identification cards.

The event will be from February 17 to 23 , with the opening rites on February 18 at the University of Mindanao Sports complex in Matina.

Around 8,000 young athletes from across the region will converge in the city for the annual sporting event which is their road to the Palarong Pambansa.

This is the first time for the city to host the regional meet after it was renames from Southern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (SMRAA) 8in 2003.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023892

Bomb explodes in Isabela City; another one recovered

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): Bomb explodes in Isabela City; another one recovered

An improvised bomb exploded in front of the house of a government engineer while another was recovered at the residence of another engineer in Basilan province, the police reported Friday.

The incident occurred a day after suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in an ambush two employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) in Lamitan City, Basilan.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, disclosed the explosion happened at around 9:07 p.m. Thursday at the perimeter fence of Engineer Soler Undug’s residence in Purok Yakal, Barangay San Rafael, Isabela City.

Undug is the Basilan provincial engineer of the DPWH-ARMM.

No one was either killed or injured in the explosion that caused minor damage on the perimeter fence of Undug’s residence.

Galvez said the Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) personnel recovered from the blast site the following: parts of battery pack of cellular phone; base of possible pipe bomb; and, shattered parts of cellular phone screen.

Galvez said the other improvised bomb was recovered at around 8:45 p.m. Thursday at the entrance gate of Engineer Bong Lasatan’s residence in Catleya Drive, Barangay Aguada, Isabela City.

Lasatan is the assistant provincial engineer of Basilan province.

Galvez said the improvised bomb was recovered after the Isabela City police received report about the presence of an unattended baggage at the entrance gate of Lasatan compound.

She said the EOD team of the Regional Public Safety Battalion-9 rendered safe procedure to detonate the improvised bomb.

She said the recovered bomb components included the following: a cellular phone; detonating cord; improvised electric blasting cap; wire; and, possible pipe bomb.

Police authorities in Basilan believed the Abu Sayyaf bandits were behind the bombing at the residence of Undog and the bombing attempt at the residence of Lasatan since it occurred a day after the bandits ambushed a truck owned by the DPWH-ARMM in Lamitan City.

Two workers of the DPWH-ARMM were killed while two others were wounded when the Abu Sayyaf banidts ambushed the truck on Thursday in Barangay Baas, Lamitan City

Supt. Christopher Panapan, officer-in-charge of the Lamitan City Police Station, said the possible motive of the ambush was extortion.

Undug revealed the Abu Sayyaf bandits have threatened to harm the DPWH-ARMM workers if and when they will not give in to their demands.

The DPWH-ARMM is undertaking a road concreting project in Basilan province.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1023897