From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 15): 10th ID to expand operation in NorthCot by March 2013
A top military commander confirmed the expansion in the area of responsibility of the 10th Infantry Division to include six municipalities and one city in North Cotabato effective March 1, 2013.
Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division said the plan had been approved by the national headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and would cover areas where communist rebels are present.
He said part of the forthcoming changes will be that the 6th Infantry Division will be placed under the Western Mindanao Command.
”The rationale of the plan is for WestMinCom to handle the Southern Philippines secessionist group to include the core territory of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the new political entity of the autonomous region, while the Eastern Mindanao Command with the 4th Infantry Division and 10th Infantry Division will handle the areas affected by the communist movement,” Bernardo said.
He said he proposed to get the municipalities of Tulunan, Makilala, Magpet depending on the number of troops to be given to the 10th ID.
Bernardo said the 10th ID needs additional troops to handle these areas.
He earlier suggested to the 6th ID to give focus more on the areas with the presence of communist rebels now that the areas under the MILF are getting more peaceful with the ceasefire holding given the impending signing of the final peace agreement.
Bernardo cited the need for soldiers to be present in the boundary areas where enemy forces are concentrated.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381360911413
Friday, February 15, 2013
AFP find ways to make sure rebel returnees don’t go back to the mountains
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): AFP find ways to make sure rebel returnees don’t go back to the mountains
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is tracking New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderees or rebel returnees to ensure they do not go back to the mountains.
“We track them person-to-person kung asan na sila to make sure they are back in the mainstream,”10th Infantry Division Commanding General Major General Ariel Bernardo said during the Hermes Club press conference held at the Waterfront Hotel Friday.
“We had a total of 442 surrenderees and 220 regular surrenderees in 2012,” Bernardo said. He clarified that regular surrenderees are not armed but are involved with the movement.
He said the AFP was very successful in the implementation of its program to encourage rebels to surrender. However, he added, “Nililimas nga namin ang surrenderees eh marami naman ang bumabalik (we scrounge for surrenderees and many do come back).”
The campaign was very centralized before so we are looking at this now to make sure that they do not only surrender but also remain with government, he said. We are confident that we will have more surrenderees who will really stay, considering the involvement of the local chief executives in the program, he added.
Bernardo said they are working with other government agencies like Tesda to ensure that the rebel returnees are trained in livelihood programs. “We teach them tilapia raising and we get them involved in agri-gulayan sa barangay,” he said.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2391360911629
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is tracking New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderees or rebel returnees to ensure they do not go back to the mountains.
“We track them person-to-person kung asan na sila to make sure they are back in the mainstream,”
“We had a total of 442 surrenderees and 220 regular surrenderees in 2012,” Bernardo said. He clarified that regular surrenderees are not armed but are involved with the movement.
He said the AFP was very successful in the implementation of its program to encourage rebels to surrender. However, he added, “Nililimas nga namin ang surrenderees eh marami naman ang bumabalik (we scrounge for surrenderees and many do come back).”
The campaign was very centralized before so we are looking at this now to make sure that they do not only surrender but also remain with government, he said. We are confident that we will have more surrenderees who will really stay, considering the involvement of the local chief executives in the program, he added.
Bernardo said they are working with other government agencies like Tesda to ensure that the rebel returnees are trained in livelihood programs. “We teach them tilapia raising and we get them involved in agri-gulayan sa barangay,” he said.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2391360911629
Army commander calls for localized peace talk
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 15): Army commander calls for localized peace talk
Third Infantry Division Commander MGen Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., in a press conference at Avenue Suites in Bacolod City, reiterated his call for localized peace talks."We call on everyone to help, the media especially to help us get the message across. Even the La Castellana massacre, should not be a stumbling block for localized peace talks,” Mabanta urged local media present during the presscon.
Mabanta disclosed that prior to the La Castellana incident, the military had been receiving feelers from potential surrenderees that they will continue despite the incident.
The 302nd Brigade is currently in pursuit operations against the perpetrators and operations will be stepped up with the influx of intelligence reports.
According to Mabanta, the incident made the NPA all the more divisive and there are in-fighting among themselves.
“CPP-NPA right now is liable for this (La Castellan massacre) aside from the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of International Humanitarian Law (CARIHL) because it is the only document which has been signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front signed two years ago. This is a blatant disrespect of the CARIHL,” Mabanta added.
Meanwhile, although the military is not allowed to provide escorts to politicians, Mabanta urged candidates to coordinate with the military should they need security in their campaign areas.
“For candidates who are victims or required by the NPA permit to campaign, coordinate with the military or the police and we will treat your concerns with utmost confidentiality because we know there are security risks involved,” Mabanta said.*(
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1031360911736
Third Infantry Division Commander MGen Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., in a press conference at Avenue Suites in Bacolod City, reiterated his call for localized peace talks."We call on everyone to help, the media especially to help us get the message across. Even the La Castellana massacre, should not be a stumbling block for localized peace talks,” Mabanta urged local media present during the presscon.
Mabanta disclosed that prior to the La Castellana incident, the military had been receiving feelers from potential surrenderees that they will continue despite the incident.
The 302nd Brigade is currently in pursuit operations against the perpetrators and operations will be stepped up with the influx of intelligence reports.
According to Mabanta, the incident made the NPA all the more divisive and there are in-fighting among themselves.
“CPP-NPA right now is liable for this (La Castellan massacre) aside from the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of International Humanitarian Law (CARIHL) because it is the only document which has been signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front signed two years ago. This is a blatant disrespect of the CARIHL,” Mabanta added.
Meanwhile, although the military is not allowed to provide escorts to politicians, Mabanta urged candidates to coordinate with the military should they need security in their campaign areas.
“For candidates who are victims or required by the NPA permit to campaign, coordinate with the military or the police and we will treat your concerns with utmost confidentiality because we know there are security risks involved,” Mabanta said.*(
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1031360911736
Army officer says ex-NPA combatants may enlist in military
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 15): Army officer says ex-NPA combatants may enlist in military
Former New People’s Army (NPA) combatants may enlist in the military provided they are qualified.
According to Col. Roger Salvador, commanding officer of the 501st Infantry Brigade based here, this is part of the local initiative coined by the local government and the brigade to accommodate for integration to the AFP rebel returnees who returned to the fold of the law.
He said the project is part of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), the seventh reintegration program the government is pursuing to end the decades-long insurgency problem in the country.
Aside from providing them with livelihood assistance, they can opt for military training so they can legitimately serve the country, Salvador said.
“The standard qualifications for candidate-soldier will apply,” Salvador clarified adding that those who are overaged may be substituted by their dependents or relatives up to the third-degree of consanguinity.”
Salvador said during the CLIP meeting held recently here that active NPAs who will voluntarily surrender to rejoin mainstream society may be covered by the program. “All channels for surrender are open. They can approach local officials, social welfare officers, the military, law enforcers or any credible person,” he said.
Meantime, 144 former Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) members who surrendered their firearms have applied for integration to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Their dependents substituted for their parents who are over aged.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=171360823301
Former New People’s Army (NPA) combatants may enlist in the military provided they are qualified.
According to Col. Roger Salvador, commanding officer of the 501st Infantry Brigade based here, this is part of the local initiative coined by the local government and the brigade to accommodate for integration to the AFP rebel returnees who returned to the fold of the law.
He said the project is part of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), the seventh reintegration program the government is pursuing to end the decades-long insurgency problem in the country.
Aside from providing them with livelihood assistance, they can opt for military training so they can legitimately serve the country, Salvador said.
“The standard qualifications for candidate-soldier will apply,” Salvador clarified adding that those who are overaged may be substituted by their dependents or relatives up to the third-degree of consanguinity.”
Salvador said during the CLIP meeting held recently here that active NPAs who will voluntarily surrender to rejoin mainstream society may be covered by the program. “All channels for surrender are open. They can approach local officials, social welfare officers, the military, law enforcers or any credible person,” he said.
Meantime, 144 former Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) members who surrendered their firearms have applied for integration to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Their dependents substituted for their parents who are over aged.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=171360823301
Armed men abduct paramilitary member in Surigao del Sur
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): Armed men abduct paramilitary member in
Surigao del Sur
Suspected rebels have abducted a member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) group in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur on Thursday afternoon.
Belated reports from the Surigao del Sur police to the police regional headquarters here identified the victim as Ronald Macasarte, 20, assigned at the 23rd Infantry Battalion Philippine Army Patrol Base in Brgy. Sta. Juana, Tagbina town. Macasarte was on his way to his farm Thursday afternoon when the armed group forcibly took him. The group, police said, is led by a certain alias Henry of SECOM 14 of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People's Army (NPA). Joint police and military operations is ongoing to rescue the victim.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=498213
Suspected rebels have abducted a member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) group in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur on Thursday afternoon.
Belated reports from the Surigao del Sur police to the police regional headquarters here identified the victim as Ronald Macasarte, 20, assigned at the 23rd Infantry Battalion Philippine Army Patrol Base in Brgy. Sta. Juana, Tagbina town. Macasarte was on his way to his farm Thursday afternoon when the armed group forcibly took him. The group, police said, is led by a certain alias Henry of SECOM 14 of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People's Army (NPA). Joint police and military operations is ongoing to rescue the victim.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=498213
Sabah standoff: 'Publicity stunt'
From Rappler (Feb 15): Sabah standoff: 'Publicity stunt'
No one believed their “absurd” claim they would go to Sabah, now the site of a standoff between Malaysian authorities and up to 200 Filipino gunmen.
“Pinagtatawanan mo na lang. 'Yun pala naging totoo,” said Nazif Abduraman, mayor of Simunul town in Tawi-Tawi, the origin of a huge portion of the group claiming to be the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army. (We just laughed at them initially. Little did we know they would actually do it.)
The Malaysian government on Thursday, February 14, said its security forces surrounded about 80 to 100 Filipino gunmen in Sabah, which has a history of incursions by armed Filipino Islamic groups.
On Friday, February 15, it assured the Philippine government that it intends to end the standoff peacefully.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman called up Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario Friday morning "to assure the secretary that the Malaysian government is addressing the presence of an estimated 200 Filipinos, some of whom are armed, in Lahad Datu, Sabah through negotiations to encourage them to leave peacefully, for which the secretary expressed his appreciation."
Del Rosario also asked Malaysian authorities to ensure the safety of the rest of the Filipinos in Sabah.
What exactly happened?
According to a senior police official, Camp Crame received a report on February 7 about a supposed plan of Datu Agimodin Jamalul Kiram, one of the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu, and 70 of his followers to enter Sabah from the island-town of Simunul. The report that reached the Philippine National Police at the time said the group planned to "create havoc" in the coming general elections in Malaysia.
The Kiram family is one of the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, which ruled over many islands on the Sulu Sea including what was known then as Northern Borneo (Sabah).
In a phone interview with Rappler on Friday, Mayor Abduraman recounted details from various sources, including the police, while making the disclaimer he has yet to re-confirm these details.
Abduraman said it all began with initial information, around late last week, that the group calling itself the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army plans to go to Sabah.
'This is our homeland'
The provincial police tried to persuade them not to push through with their plans, said Abduraman. But in the words of the police director, the army supposedly said of Sabah: “This is our homeland, this is our place. No one can stop us from going there.”
Then at around 8 pm on Saturday, February 9, a message from his staff surprised Abduraman: the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army has left for Sabah.
Unconfirmed estimates, according to Abduraman, show around 200 gunmen coming from Simunul town alone. This is a small fraction of their 4th class town with 34,500 people, based on the latest government statistics.
Others came from places like Basilan and Sulu.
One motorboat, locally called a lantsa, can fit 100 people in all. The Royal Sultanate Army used around 3 motorboats, said the mayor.
Sabah: Still ours?
Abduraman said the government should see beyond this supposed publicity stunt.
He said this, for one, will affect thousands of Filipinos living without passports in Sabah. He himself has relatives there, who fear Malaysia might tighten its immigration laws because of the standoff.
“We should go beyond the group... Are we still trying to push for our claim to Sabah?" he said. "This is a matter for our leadership to decide."
The Philippines' claim to Sabah, albeit dormant, has complicated its ties with Malaysia.
For one, said top diplomat Rodolfo Severino in his book Where in the World is the Philippines?, "the Philippines is unable to establish consulate in Sabah." Establishing a consulate, he explained, "is an event that would further indicate a recognition by the Philippines of the legitimacy of North Borneo's place under Malaysia's sovereignty."
The Philippine government's presence in Sabah, according to Severino, could help in problems involving Filipinos there, such as human trafficking.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/21882-sabah-standoff-publicity-stunt
No one believed their “absurd” claim they would go to Sabah, now the site of a standoff between Malaysian authorities and up to 200 Filipino gunmen.
“Pinagtatawanan mo na lang. 'Yun pala naging totoo,” said Nazif Abduraman, mayor of Simunul town in Tawi-Tawi, the origin of a huge portion of the group claiming to be the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army. (We just laughed at them initially. Little did we know they would actually do it.)
The Malaysian government on Thursday, February 14, said its security forces surrounded about 80 to 100 Filipino gunmen in Sabah, which has a history of incursions by armed Filipino Islamic groups.
On Friday, February 15, it assured the Philippine government that it intends to end the standoff peacefully.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman called up Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario Friday morning "to assure the secretary that the Malaysian government is addressing the presence of an estimated 200 Filipinos, some of whom are armed, in Lahad Datu, Sabah through negotiations to encourage them to leave peacefully, for which the secretary expressed his appreciation."
Del Rosario also asked Malaysian authorities to ensure the safety of the rest of the Filipinos in Sabah.
What exactly happened?
According to a senior police official, Camp Crame received a report on February 7 about a supposed plan of Datu Agimodin Jamalul Kiram, one of the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu, and 70 of his followers to enter Sabah from the island-town of Simunul. The report that reached the Philippine National Police at the time said the group planned to "create havoc" in the coming general elections in Malaysia.
The Kiram family is one of the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, which ruled over many islands on the Sulu Sea including what was known then as Northern Borneo (Sabah).
In a phone interview with Rappler on Friday, Mayor Abduraman recounted details from various sources, including the police, while making the disclaimer he has yet to re-confirm these details.
Abduraman said it all began with initial information, around late last week, that the group calling itself the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army plans to go to Sabah.
'This is our homeland'
The provincial police tried to persuade them not to push through with their plans, said Abduraman. But in the words of the police director, the army supposedly said of Sabah: “This is our homeland, this is our place. No one can stop us from going there.”
Then at around 8 pm on Saturday, February 9, a message from his staff surprised Abduraman: the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army has left for Sabah.
Unconfirmed estimates, according to Abduraman, show around 200 gunmen coming from Simunul town alone. This is a small fraction of their 4th class town with 34,500 people, based on the latest government statistics.
Others came from places like Basilan and Sulu.
One motorboat, locally called a lantsa, can fit 100 people in all. The Royal Sultanate Army used around 3 motorboats, said the mayor.
Sabah: Still ours?
Abduraman said the government should see beyond this supposed publicity stunt.
He said this, for one, will affect thousands of Filipinos living without passports in Sabah. He himself has relatives there, who fear Malaysia might tighten its immigration laws because of the standoff.
“We should go beyond the group... Are we still trying to push for our claim to Sabah?" he said. "This is a matter for our leadership to decide."
The Philippines' claim to Sabah, albeit dormant, has complicated its ties with Malaysia.
For one, said top diplomat Rodolfo Severino in his book Where in the World is the Philippines?, "the Philippines is unable to establish consulate in Sabah." Establishing a consulate, he explained, "is an event that would further indicate a recognition by the Philippines of the legitimacy of North Borneo's place under Malaysia's sovereignty."
The Philippine government's presence in Sabah, according to Severino, could help in problems involving Filipinos there, such as human trafficking.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/21882-sabah-standoff-publicity-stunt
Removal of stuck USS Guardian suspended anew
From ABS-CBN (Feb 16): Removal of stuck USS Guardian suspended anew
The salvage operations for the stuck USS Guardian at the Tubbataha Reef were again suspended due to bad weather, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena. Isorena said waves in the area have already reached a height of at least 5 feet.
A crane ship from Singapore, the M/T Jascon 25, is set to arrive at the Puerto Princesa City port at 11 p.m. on Saturday.
However, Isorena said despite the ship's arrival, they will still not be able to continue with the dismantling of the grounded minesweeper due to bad weather conditions.
The salvage operations earlier suffered delays after the first crane ship, the Smit Borneo, had a problem in lowering its anchors.
The Tubbataha management board said the USS Guardian has damaged at least 4,000 square meters of the reef since it ran aground last January 17.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/16/13/removal-stuck-uss-guardian-suspended-anew
The salvage operations for the stuck USS Guardian at the Tubbataha Reef were again suspended due to bad weather, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena. Isorena said waves in the area have already reached a height of at least 5 feet.
A crane ship from Singapore, the M/T Jascon 25, is set to arrive at the Puerto Princesa City port at 11 p.m. on Saturday.
However, Isorena said despite the ship's arrival, they will still not be able to continue with the dismantling of the grounded minesweeper due to bad weather conditions.
The salvage operations earlier suffered delays after the first crane ship, the Smit Borneo, had a problem in lowering its anchors.
The Tubbataha management board said the USS Guardian has damaged at least 4,000 square meters of the reef since it ran aground last January 17.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/16/13/removal-stuck-uss-guardian-suspended-anew
P5M FOR GOVERNOR | AFP bares alleged NPA 'tariff' for candidates
From InterAksyon (Feb 16): P5M FOR GOVERNOR | AFP bares alleged NPA 'tariff' for candidates
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Colonal Arnulfo Burgos on Friday disclosed a list of what he said were the “fees” charged by communist rebels from candidates seeking “permits to campaign” and even supposed “permits to win” in areas the NPA claims control of. The alleged "fees" are:
The AFP spokesman said the NPA issued color-coded permits to candidates in the 2010 elections.
A blue card, for example, was worth P2 million or more and was offered to congressional and gubernatorial candidates.
Yellow, green and red cards, priced between P10,000 to P500,000, were issued to other candidates.
The cards bore serial numbers and the signature of the local NPA leader, with a guarantee that, “The People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) through the NPA, allows the bearer to campaign within the PRG/NPA guerilla territories in accordance with the provisions stated at the back."
Burgos said the NPA has started demanding the campaign fees in parts of Northern Luzon and Eastern Visayas and appealed to politicians not to give in to the demands because these are violations of the right to assembly, freedom of movement and other basic human rights.
The rebel scheme also "disenfranchises eligible voters who reside in the so-called 'territories' of these non-state actors from fully exercising their right to suffrage," he said.
Last year, the NPA reportedly collected a total of P25 million from extortion, or the so-called revolutionary taxes the rebels demand from businesses.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55107/p5m-for-governor--afp-bares-alleged-npa-tariff-for-candidates
A purported NPA campaign to permit the military says the
rebels issued to candidates during the 2010 elections. (image from 8ID,
Philippine Army)
The New People's Army is allegedly charging as much as P5 million from candidates running for governor in the May elections, the military claimed.
- Governor - P 5 million
- Vice Governor/Congressman – P500,000
- Provincial Board Member/Mayor – P100,000
- Vice Mayor – P75,000
- Councilor – P50,000
The AFP spokesman said the NPA issued color-coded permits to candidates in the 2010 elections.
A blue card, for example, was worth P2 million or more and was offered to congressional and gubernatorial candidates.
Yellow, green and red cards, priced between P10,000 to P500,000, were issued to other candidates.
The cards bore serial numbers and the signature of the local NPA leader, with a guarantee that, “The People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) through the NPA, allows the bearer to campaign within the PRG/NPA guerilla territories in accordance with the provisions stated at the back."
Burgos said the NPA has started demanding the campaign fees in parts of Northern Luzon and Eastern Visayas and appealed to politicians not to give in to the demands because these are violations of the right to assembly, freedom of movement and other basic human rights.
The rebel scheme also "disenfranchises eligible voters who reside in the so-called 'territories' of these non-state actors from fully exercising their right to suffrage," he said.
Last year, the NPA reportedly collected a total of P25 million from extortion, or the so-called revolutionary taxes the rebels demand from businesses.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55107/p5m-for-governor--afp-bares-alleged-npa-tariff-for-candidates
Sabah drama scratches old wounds between Philippines and Malaysia
From InterAksyon (Feb 16): Sabah drama scratches old wounds between Philippines and Malaysia
Drama on Borneo island involving 100 armed men from Sulu is threatening to spark diplomatic tension between the Philippines and Malaysia, whose ties have been periodically frayed by security and migration problems caused by a porous sea border.
The men holed up in a village in the Malaysian state of Sabah are refusing to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island.
Malaysia police and army officials have formed a tight security ring around the village, media said, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. The gunmen landed near the coastal town of Lahad Datu on Tuesday.
"They demand to be acknowledged as citizens of the Sultanate of Sulu," Abdullah Kiram, a son of the Sultan of Sulu, Ismael Kiram the II, told Reuters in Manila.
Sulu is an archipelago in the southern Philippines. Today, it is a province but the old sultanate covered a wider area that included the northern tip of Borneo, which is now the Malaysian state of Sabah.
In an arrangement that stretches back to British colonial times, Malaysia pays a token amount to the sultanate each year for the "rental" of Sabah.
"They want to be acknowledged as citizens of their own land. They own Sabah," said Kiram. Sultans in the Muslim-majority Philippine south have no power but generally enjoy the respect of the people.
Malaysian officials said they suspected the men were a faction of a Philippine Muslim rebel group. Philippine officials said they were unarmed Filipinos who had been promised land.
A spokesman for the Philippine Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Malaysia had given an assurance that efforts were underway to get the men to leave peacefully.
"We therefore urge these concerned individuals to return to their homes and families," said spokesman Raul Hernandez said.
Malaysia's police chief said on Thursday the situation was not tense and the men appeared to be "behaving well".
"Discussion is proceeding well and we have told them to leave Sabah peacefully, as we do not want any situation which can threaten the security of the people," Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar told a news conference, according to state news agency Bernama.
The Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur has sent a team to Sabah to coordinate with authorities there and to ascertain the identities of the men.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55180/sabah-drama-scratches-old-wounds-between-philippines-and-malaysia
Drama on Borneo island involving 100 armed men from Sulu is threatening to spark diplomatic tension between the Philippines and Malaysia, whose ties have been periodically frayed by security and migration problems caused by a porous sea border.
The men holed up in a village in the Malaysian state of Sabah are refusing to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island.
Malaysia police and army officials have formed a tight security ring around the village, media said, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. The gunmen landed near the coastal town of Lahad Datu on Tuesday.
"They demand to be acknowledged as citizens of the Sultanate of Sulu," Abdullah Kiram, a son of the Sultan of Sulu, Ismael Kiram the II, told Reuters in Manila.
Sulu is an archipelago in the southern Philippines. Today, it is a province but the old sultanate covered a wider area that included the northern tip of Borneo, which is now the Malaysian state of Sabah.
In an arrangement that stretches back to British colonial times, Malaysia pays a token amount to the sultanate each year for the "rental" of Sabah.
"They want to be acknowledged as citizens of their own land. They own Sabah," said Kiram. Sultans in the Muslim-majority Philippine south have no power but generally enjoy the respect of the people.
Malaysian officials said they suspected the men were a faction of a Philippine Muslim rebel group. Philippine officials said they were unarmed Filipinos who had been promised land.
A spokesman for the Philippine Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Malaysia had given an assurance that efforts were underway to get the men to leave peacefully.
"We therefore urge these concerned individuals to return to their homes and families," said spokesman Raul Hernandez said.
Malaysia's police chief said on Thursday the situation was not tense and the men appeared to be "behaving well".
"Discussion is proceeding well and we have told them to leave Sabah peacefully, as we do not want any situation which can threaten the security of the people," Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar told a news conference, according to state news agency Bernama.
The Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur has sent a team to Sabah to coordinate with authorities there and to ascertain the identities of the men.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55180/sabah-drama-scratches-old-wounds-between-philippines-and-malaysia
NPA now collecting permits-to-campaign fees from politicians
From the Daily Tribune (Feb 16): NPA now collecting permits-to-campaign fees from politicians
The communist New People’s Army (NPA) has started collecting permits-to-campaign fees from politicians in various parts of the country as election campaign for national candidates kicked off last Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday said.
Citing information gathered from recovered NPA documents recently, Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., AFP spokesman, said that the NPA charges P5 million for gubernatorial bets; P500,000 for those running for vice governor and congressman; P100,000 for board member or mayoral candidates; P75,000 for vice mayoral bets and P50,000 for those running for councilors.
“The AFP received information that members of the New People’s Army have begun their extortion activities by imposing on candidates the ‘permits to campaign’ or PTC and ‘permits to win or PTW,” said Burgos.
“Documents recently recovered by the 8th Infantry Division in Eastern Visayas reveal that the NPA is still actively pursuing its PTC/PTW scheme to all local candidates. The documents show(ed) a breakdown for what the NPA calls their “electoral alliance fee” to all candidates seeking their support,” added Burgos.
According to Burgos, the AFP has received information that NPA rebels have already started sending their “rates” in Northern Luzon and Eastern Visayas areas.
“And now that the campaign period has officially started, the AFP appeal to the general public to be extra vigilant. It is usually during the election season that the NPA exploits the political ambition of certain candidates by vigorously imposing this scheme,” said Burgos.
The AFP has warned that giving in to such NPA demands will only strengthen the communist group to continue conducting atrocities.
“The AFP appeals not only to our candidates but to all owners of big businesses and economic establishments, that giving into the NPA’s demands will only bolster their means to conduct terroristic activities,” said Burgos.
During the 2010 national elections, the AFP claimed that the NPA collected a total of P25,005,000 through their PTC and PTW schemes.
“In the previous election, the NPA issued PTC-PTW cards to candidates in exchange for payment of their electoral alliance fee. These cards were color-coded according to the price and the office the politician was running. The blue card, worth P2 million up, was being offered to congressional and gubernatorial candidates; while the yellow, green and red cards, priced between P10,000 and P500,000, were intended for other candidates,” said Burgos.
The cards, Burgos said, bore serial numbers and the signature of the local NPA leader guaranteeing that “the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) through the NPA, allows the bearer to campaign within the PRG/NPA guerrilla territories in accordance with the provisions stated at the back.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/item/10557-npa-now-collecting-permits-to-campaign-fees-from-politicians.html
The communist New People’s Army (NPA) has started collecting permits-to-campaign fees from politicians in various parts of the country as election campaign for national candidates kicked off last Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday said.
Citing information gathered from recovered NPA documents recently, Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., AFP spokesman, said that the NPA charges P5 million for gubernatorial bets; P500,000 for those running for vice governor and congressman; P100,000 for board member or mayoral candidates; P75,000 for vice mayoral bets and P50,000 for those running for councilors.
“The AFP received information that members of the New People’s Army have begun their extortion activities by imposing on candidates the ‘permits to campaign’ or PTC and ‘permits to win or PTW,” said Burgos.
“Documents recently recovered by the 8th Infantry Division in Eastern Visayas reveal that the NPA is still actively pursuing its PTC/PTW scheme to all local candidates. The documents show(ed) a breakdown for what the NPA calls their “electoral alliance fee” to all candidates seeking their support,” added Burgos.
According to Burgos, the AFP has received information that NPA rebels have already started sending their “rates” in Northern Luzon and Eastern Visayas areas.
“And now that the campaign period has officially started, the AFP appeal to the general public to be extra vigilant. It is usually during the election season that the NPA exploits the political ambition of certain candidates by vigorously imposing this scheme,” said Burgos.
The AFP has warned that giving in to such NPA demands will only strengthen the communist group to continue conducting atrocities.
“The AFP appeals not only to our candidates but to all owners of big businesses and economic establishments, that giving into the NPA’s demands will only bolster their means to conduct terroristic activities,” said Burgos.
During the 2010 national elections, the AFP claimed that the NPA collected a total of P25,005,000 through their PTC and PTW schemes.
“In the previous election, the NPA issued PTC-PTW cards to candidates in exchange for payment of their electoral alliance fee. These cards were color-coded according to the price and the office the politician was running. The blue card, worth P2 million up, was being offered to congressional and gubernatorial candidates; while the yellow, green and red cards, priced between P10,000 and P500,000, were intended for other candidates,” said Burgos.
The cards, Burgos said, bore serial numbers and the signature of the local NPA leader guaranteeing that “the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) through the NPA, allows the bearer to campaign within the PRG/NPA guerrilla territories in accordance with the provisions stated at the back.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/item/10557-npa-now-collecting-permits-to-campaign-fees-from-politicians.html
Reject Kerry offer of Tubbataha "compensation" to evade legal obligations
From the CPP Website (Feb 15): Reject Kerry offer of Tubbataha "compensation" to evade legal obligations
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today urged the Filipino people to reject the “compensation” offer made yesterday by newly appointed US Secretary of State John Kerry supposedly to help the rehabilitation of the Tubbataha Reefs damaged by the grounding of the US warship USS Guardian. The offer was made by Kerry in a telephone conversation with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario yesterday.
“Such an offer of compensation should be rejected by the Filipino people because it is being made to evade responsibility and paying the necessary fines under local and international laws,” pointed by the CPP. Last January 17, the USS Guardian entered the Tubbataha Reefs unauthorized and in violation of laws prohibiting the entry of large sea vessels in the protected wildlife area. US soldiers aboard subsequently took battle positions and directed their firearms at Philippine park rangers who approached the grounded US vessel to prevent them from boarding the ship.
“The US offer of compensation and refusal to face responsibility for violations of Philippine laws is an insult to the Filipino people and is a grave affront to Philippine sovereignty,” said the CPP. It pointed out that the crew of the USS Guardian was hastily flown by the US military out of the Philippines to avoid having to surrender them to Philippine authorities.
“No amount of ‘compensation’ for damages to the reefs is enough if this will mean swallowing our national dignity and setting aside our claims of sovereignty,” added the CPP.
“The Aquino regime must be condemned for its treachery in allowing the US government to cirumvent Philippine laws and refusing to press charges against the US military for violations of Philippine laws,” said the CPP. “Aquino’s foreign affairs officials have gone to the extent of issuing warnings against government officials to stop talking about the imposition of fines on the US government as this might cause the US to ‘harden’ its stand and withdraw its offer of compensation altogether.”
Earlier, Aquino himself has expressed openness to the idea of allowing the US military to deploy supposed “peace corps”-like volunteers around the Tubbataha in line with the the US compensation package.
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/reject-kerry-offer-of-tubbataha-compensation-to-evade-legal-obligations
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today urged the Filipino people to reject the “compensation” offer made yesterday by newly appointed US Secretary of State John Kerry supposedly to help the rehabilitation of the Tubbataha Reefs damaged by the grounding of the US warship USS Guardian. The offer was made by Kerry in a telephone conversation with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario yesterday.
“Such an offer of compensation should be rejected by the Filipino people because it is being made to evade responsibility and paying the necessary fines under local and international laws,” pointed by the CPP. Last January 17, the USS Guardian entered the Tubbataha Reefs unauthorized and in violation of laws prohibiting the entry of large sea vessels in the protected wildlife area. US soldiers aboard subsequently took battle positions and directed their firearms at Philippine park rangers who approached the grounded US vessel to prevent them from boarding the ship.
“The US offer of compensation and refusal to face responsibility for violations of Philippine laws is an insult to the Filipino people and is a grave affront to Philippine sovereignty,” said the CPP. It pointed out that the crew of the USS Guardian was hastily flown by the US military out of the Philippines to avoid having to surrender them to Philippine authorities.
“No amount of ‘compensation’ for damages to the reefs is enough if this will mean swallowing our national dignity and setting aside our claims of sovereignty,” added the CPP.
“The Aquino regime must be condemned for its treachery in allowing the US government to cirumvent Philippine laws and refusing to press charges against the US military for violations of Philippine laws,” said the CPP. “Aquino’s foreign affairs officials have gone to the extent of issuing warnings against government officials to stop talking about the imposition of fines on the US government as this might cause the US to ‘harden’ its stand and withdraw its offer of compensation altogether.”
Earlier, Aquino himself has expressed openness to the idea of allowing the US military to deploy supposed “peace corps”-like volunteers around the Tubbataha in line with the the US compensation package.
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/reject-kerry-offer-of-tubbataha-compensation-to-evade-legal-obligations
B’laan Key leaders Hold Advocacy on Framework Agreement
From the MILF Website (Feb 16): B’laan Key leaders Hold Advocacy on Framework Agreement
The Communities of Indigenous People in the upper valley of Colombio Sultan Kudarat conducted an advocacy on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with theme: Enhancing Highlanders’ Knowledge on Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro at Barangay Upper Lomoyon, Colombio, Sultan Kudarat on February 15, 2013.
The forum was attended by more than 100 B’laan key leaders from indigenous peoples’ communities in the Municipality of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and the contiguous area of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao which is part of the core territories of the future Bangsamoro. Among the key leaders who attended the forum were Pobling Tamles, Tata Kodol, Emelda Gandon, Saray Saban and many others.
The forum was graced by Datu Antonio Kinok, a Blaan alternate member of MILF peace panel who explained the features of the Framework Agreement. Prof. Esmael A. Abdula and Sheik Hisham Nando both members of BLMI Steering Committee also assisted the speakers on enlightening the participants on the benefits and importance of the agreement to the indigenous communities and making them understand their role to the future Bangsamoro Government.
Commander Hadj Abas Bukol of the BIAF 109th Base Command and Chairman Esmael Dalinan of the MILF Provincial Committee of Damakling delivered their inspirational remarks. They exhorted the B’laans to support the peace process; join hand in hand with the Bangsamoro Muslim communities in order to live harmoniously and attain lasting peace for everyone to enjoy.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3100:blaan-key-leaders-hold-advocacy-on-framework-agreement&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
The Communities of Indigenous People in the upper valley of Colombio Sultan Kudarat conducted an advocacy on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with theme: Enhancing Highlanders’ Knowledge on Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro at Barangay Upper Lomoyon, Colombio, Sultan Kudarat on February 15, 2013.
The forum was attended by more than 100 B’laan key leaders from indigenous peoples’ communities in the Municipality of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and the contiguous area of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao which is part of the core territories of the future Bangsamoro. Among the key leaders who attended the forum were Pobling Tamles, Tata Kodol, Emelda Gandon, Saray Saban and many others.
The forum was graced by Datu Antonio Kinok, a Blaan alternate member of MILF peace panel who explained the features of the Framework Agreement. Prof. Esmael A. Abdula and Sheik Hisham Nando both members of BLMI Steering Committee also assisted the speakers on enlightening the participants on the benefits and importance of the agreement to the indigenous communities and making them understand their role to the future Bangsamoro Government.
Commander Hadj Abas Bukol of the BIAF 109th Base Command and Chairman Esmael Dalinan of the MILF Provincial Committee of Damakling delivered their inspirational remarks. They exhorted the B’laans to support the peace process; join hand in hand with the Bangsamoro Muslim communities in order to live harmoniously and attain lasting peace for everyone to enjoy.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3100:blaan-key-leaders-hold-advocacy-on-framework-agreement&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
Military official confirms expansion of AOR in North Cotabato
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): Military official confirms expansion
of AOR in North Cotabato
A top military commander confirmed the expansion in the area of responsibility (AOR) of the 10th Infantry Division to include six municipalities and one city in North Cotabato effective March 1.
Speaking at the Hermes Club Press Forum held Friday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here, Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division said the plan had been approved by the national headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and would cover areas where communist rebels are present.
He said part of the forthcoming changes will be that the 6th Infantry Division will be placed under the Western Mindanao Command. ”The rationale of the plan is for Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) to handle the Southern Philippines secessionist group to include the core territory of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the new political entity of the autonomous region, while the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) with the 4th Infantry Division and 10th Infantry Division will handle the areas affected by the communist movement,” Bernardo said.
He said he proposed to get the municipalities of Tulunan, Makilala, Magpet depending on the number of troops to be given to the 10th ID. Bernardo said the 10th ID needs additional troops to handle these areas.
He earlier suggested to the 6th ID to give focus more on the areas with the presence of communist rebels now that the areas under the MILF are getting more peaceful with the ceasefire holding given the impending signing of the final peace agreement.
Bernardo cited the need for soldiers to be present on the boundary areas where enemy forces are concentrated. The 10th Infantry Division is the youngest division of the Philippine Army operating primarily in Davao Region and portions of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=497995
A top military commander confirmed the expansion in the area of responsibility (AOR) of the 10th Infantry Division to include six municipalities and one city in North Cotabato effective March 1.
Speaking at the Hermes Club Press Forum held Friday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here, Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division said the plan had been approved by the national headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and would cover areas where communist rebels are present.
He said part of the forthcoming changes will be that the 6th Infantry Division will be placed under the Western Mindanao Command. ”The rationale of the plan is for Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) to handle the Southern Philippines secessionist group to include the core territory of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the new political entity of the autonomous region, while the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) with the 4th Infantry Division and 10th Infantry Division will handle the areas affected by the communist movement,” Bernardo said.
He said he proposed to get the municipalities of Tulunan, Makilala, Magpet depending on the number of troops to be given to the 10th ID. Bernardo said the 10th ID needs additional troops to handle these areas.
He earlier suggested to the 6th ID to give focus more on the areas with the presence of communist rebels now that the areas under the MILF are getting more peaceful with the ceasefire holding given the impending signing of the final peace agreement.
Bernardo cited the need for soldiers to be present on the boundary areas where enemy forces are concentrated. The 10th Infantry Division is the youngest division of the Philippine Army operating primarily in Davao Region and portions of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=497995
Four troopers wounded in landmine blast in Isabela
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): Four troopers wounded in landmine blast
in Isabela
Four soldiers from the 5th Infantry Division's 86 Infantry Battalion were wounded after a New People's Army (NPA) detonated a landmine in Barangay Ibujan, San Mariano, Isabela during an encounter with the rebels Friday morning.
Col. Loreto C. Magundayao, Jr., 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said that their operatives were conducting routine security patrols in the area in preparation for the coming May mid-term elections and to prevent the NPAs from conducting extortion activities when they encountered the rebel group around 1 a.m.
He added that the NPAs then detonated a landmine and opened fire on their men for 30 minutes before making their escape after sustaining an undetermined number of casualtiess in the return fire. Pursuit operations are still ongoing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=498118
Four soldiers from the 5th Infantry Division's 86 Infantry Battalion were wounded after a New People's Army (NPA) detonated a landmine in Barangay Ibujan, San Mariano, Isabela during an encounter with the rebels Friday morning.
Col. Loreto C. Magundayao, Jr., 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said that their operatives were conducting routine security patrols in the area in preparation for the coming May mid-term elections and to prevent the NPAs from conducting extortion activities when they encountered the rebel group around 1 a.m.
He added that the NPAs then detonated a landmine and opened fire on their men for 30 minutes before making their escape after sustaining an undetermined number of casualtiess in the return fire. Pursuit operations are still ongoing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=498118
200 Filipinos in Sabah urged to leave peacefully
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): 200 Filipinos in Sabah urged to leave peacefully
Malaysia is asking an estimated 200 Filipinos, initially reported in the media as members of a breakaway faction of a Philippine Muslim rebel group, to leave Lahad Datu in Eastern Sabah peacefully, the Dept. of Foreign Affairs said Friday.
This was conveyed by Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in a phone call to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, assuring that Malaysia is addressing the presence of the Filipinos, some of whom are armed, in Sabah.
Malaysian media earlier reported that the Filipinos “intruded” into the remote coastal district of Lahad Datu on Tuesday. They have reportedly been surrounded by police and were ordered to surrender their weapons.
According to the DFA, the activity of this Filipino group, whose presence in the area remains a mystery, was “not sanctioned” by the Philippine government.
Del Rosario sought the assurance of the Malaysian authorities to ensure that the rights of those Filipinos, who the DFA claimed are “permanent residents in Sabah and who may be among the group,” are respected.
“In this regard, we therefore urge these concerned individuals to return to their homes and families,” the DFA said in a statement.
It also said that Philippine military and police authorities are exchanging information and closely consulting with their Malaysian counterparts in efforts towards an immediate resolution to this incident.
At the same time, increased patrols and tighter security measures have been put in place in waters off Tawi-Tawi and adjoining islands, it added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=498046
Malaysia is asking an estimated 200 Filipinos, initially reported in the media as members of a breakaway faction of a Philippine Muslim rebel group, to leave Lahad Datu in Eastern Sabah peacefully, the Dept. of Foreign Affairs said Friday.
This was conveyed by Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in a phone call to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, assuring that Malaysia is addressing the presence of the Filipinos, some of whom are armed, in Sabah.
Malaysian media earlier reported that the Filipinos “intruded” into the remote coastal district of Lahad Datu on Tuesday. They have reportedly been surrounded by police and were ordered to surrender their weapons.
According to the DFA, the activity of this Filipino group, whose presence in the area remains a mystery, was “not sanctioned” by the Philippine government.
Del Rosario sought the assurance of the Malaysian authorities to ensure that the rights of those Filipinos, who the DFA claimed are “permanent residents in Sabah and who may be among the group,” are respected.
“In this regard, we therefore urge these concerned individuals to return to their homes and families,” the DFA said in a statement.
It also said that Philippine military and police authorities are exchanging information and closely consulting with their Malaysian counterparts in efforts towards an immediate resolution to this incident.
At the same time, increased patrols and tighter security measures have been put in place in waters off Tawi-Tawi and adjoining islands, it added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=498046
Aquino signs into law Republic Act 10365 strengthening AMLA
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): Aquino signs into law Republic Act
10365 strengthening AMLA
President Benigno Aquino III Friday signed into law Republic Act No. 10365 or "An Act Further Strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Act" (AMLA).
This was divulged by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in a text message. Under the new law, it expands the list of entities required to report financial transactions to the Anti-Money Laundering Council by including pre-need companies, money changers, real estate agents, and dealers of precious stones and metal, among others.
Aside from expanding covered entities, RA 10365 also enumerates additional predicate crimes such as trafficking in persons, bribery, counterfeiting, fraud and other illegal exactions, forgery, malversation, environmental crimes, and terrorism and its financing.
"This bill serves to reinforce our country's Anti-Money Laundering legislative measures and addresses deficiencies in the Philippines' legal framework with regard to anti-money laundering, as stated by the Paris-based FATF (Financial Action Task Force)," said Senator Teofisto Guingona III earlier.
Under the AMLA, the crime of money laundering is limited to the transaction of laundered funds and property. It also requires that the accused enter into a contract of sale, donation, or similar transactions before he or she can be made liable.
Guingona said with the approval of the amendments to AMLA, the government can now go after those who engage in the conversion, transfer, movement, disposal of, possession, use, and concealment or disguise, of the monetary proceeds of a criminal act.
The Philippines would also be spared from being blacklisted by the FATF, which could result in a more stringent processing of financial transactions involving Filipinos and Filipino corporations, including that of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=498094
President Benigno Aquino III Friday signed into law Republic Act No. 10365 or "An Act Further Strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Act" (AMLA).
This was divulged by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in a text message. Under the new law, it expands the list of entities required to report financial transactions to the Anti-Money Laundering Council by including pre-need companies, money changers, real estate agents, and dealers of precious stones and metal, among others.
Aside from expanding covered entities, RA 10365 also enumerates additional predicate crimes such as trafficking in persons, bribery, counterfeiting, fraud and other illegal exactions, forgery, malversation, environmental crimes, and terrorism and its financing.
"This bill serves to reinforce our country's Anti-Money Laundering legislative measures and addresses deficiencies in the Philippines' legal framework with regard to anti-money laundering, as stated by the Paris-based FATF (Financial Action Task Force)," said Senator Teofisto Guingona III earlier.
Under the AMLA, the crime of money laundering is limited to the transaction of laundered funds and property. It also requires that the accused enter into a contract of sale, donation, or similar transactions before he or she can be made liable.
Guingona said with the approval of the amendments to AMLA, the government can now go after those who engage in the conversion, transfer, movement, disposal of, possession, use, and concealment or disguise, of the monetary proceeds of a criminal act.
The Philippines would also be spared from being blacklisted by the FATF, which could result in a more stringent processing of financial transactions involving Filipinos and Filipino corporations, including that of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=498094
PHL to conduct more border patrols to prevent another Sabah incident
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): PHL to conduct more border patrols to
prevent another Sabah incident
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista said that the military will conduct more patrols in common maritime borders with Malaysia to prevent breakaway factions of Muslim rebel group from entering and creating civil unrest in Sabah.
Bautista issued this statement in wake of the tense stand-off between Malaysian authorities and 200 Filipino Muslims who illegally entered Lahad Datu, Eastern Sabah and claimed the land as theirs last week. Malaysian authorities have contained the incident and placed these individuals in a secure location after defusing the situation peacefully.
"The chief of the Malaysian defense forces, Gen. Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hj Zulkifli Hj Zainal Abidin, has requested us to patrol our borders as they will patrol their side to prevent illegal entrants so that the situation in (Sabah) will get further complicated," he added in an interview during the Philippines Military Academy alumni homecoming in Baguio City.
He also stressed that the Filipino Muslims will soon be repatriated. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said that the activities of this Filipino group, whose presence in the area remains a mystery, was “not sanctioned” by the Philippines government.
DFA Secretary Alberto Del Rosario sought the assurance of the Malaysian authorities to ensure that the rights of those Filipinos, who the DFA claimed are “permanent residents in Sabah and who may be among the group,” are respected. “In this regard, we therefore urge these concerned individuals to return to their homes and families,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=498120
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista said that the military will conduct more patrols in common maritime borders with Malaysia to prevent breakaway factions of Muslim rebel group from entering and creating civil unrest in Sabah.
Bautista issued this statement in wake of the tense stand-off between Malaysian authorities and 200 Filipino Muslims who illegally entered Lahad Datu, Eastern Sabah and claimed the land as theirs last week. Malaysian authorities have contained the incident and placed these individuals in a secure location after defusing the situation peacefully.
"The chief of the Malaysian defense forces, Gen. Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hj Zulkifli Hj Zainal Abidin, has requested us to patrol our borders as they will patrol their side to prevent illegal entrants so that the situation in (Sabah) will get further complicated," he added in an interview during the Philippines Military Academy alumni homecoming in Baguio City.
He also stressed that the Filipino Muslims will soon be repatriated. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said that the activities of this Filipino group, whose presence in the area remains a mystery, was “not sanctioned” by the Philippines government.
DFA Secretary Alberto Del Rosario sought the assurance of the Malaysian authorities to ensure that the rights of those Filipinos, who the DFA claimed are “permanent residents in Sabah and who may be among the group,” are respected. “In this regard, we therefore urge these concerned individuals to return to their homes and families,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=498120
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