Senate to block US access to bases deal

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 3): Senate to block US access to bases deal

The bases access agreement that the United States government wants to clinch with the Aquino administration would face rough sailing in Congress as senators appear united against it with even the President’s own cousin Sen. Bam Aquino opposing it. The senators were not keen on relaxing access to the country’s military facilities to foreign troops even on a temporary basis, as they were unanimous in citing the unconstitutionality of the proposed arrangement that would have American forces stationed in the country on rotation.

The senators instead want a review of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to secure from the United States government a firm commitment on military support in the event of an armed conflict with China over the territorial disputes.

“I think when we voted (for the termination of) the (US) bases (agreement) out in the 90s, that was a good decision. And we should stick to that,” Senator Aquino said.

“We already have the VFA and we have some gains through the VFA. Let’s keep to amending that or supporting that as it is even more responsive to our needs,” he added.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also underscored the need to review the provisions of the VFA to make it more attuned to the times and secure a more firm commitment from the US government in fulfilling its obligation in providing military defense to the Philippines against external aggression.

“We have to review probably the VFA if it’s still beneficial to us. As we have experienced last year, at the height of the conflict with China and now with Taiwan, when support from the US was needed there was none given,” he said.

“One of the provisions or conditions of the VFA is that, if one ally is in conflict with others, the other one would (lend) support. So we need to review it,” he said.

However, Ejercito said there’s a necessity in seeking a clearer commitment from ally-countries insofar as military aid is concerned.

Senator Aquino agreed on the need to amend some of the provisions of the VFA.

“I think we can keep it at that level first and let’s see. Hopefully, we can learn from our partners and from our allies and maybe get their support but to the point of having...you know, temporary os difficult. Temporary one year, temporary two years, temporary 10 years or 25 years?,” he said.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara is of the opinion that Malacañang may have a hard time defending its proposal especially if it will involve the return of permanent military structures for foreign troops.

“Obviously, there may be constitutional or legal issues and whether it’s embodied in a treaty or an executive agreement, then the Senate would have to play a role. But again, the details would determine the extent of our involvement,” he said.
Angara shared Senator Aquino’s apprehension on the matter of period within which the temporary access will be put into effect, especially if it will outlive the Aquino administration.
“Our Constitution says we must have an independent foreign policy so you must balance that with the needs of your defense imperatives,” he added.

“I’m sure they (Executive) will brief the Senate when the time comes. When we resume (Congress’ sessions), we expect to get a briefing from the departments involved,” Angara said.

Environmental activists and militant groups also filed an urgent motion to the Supreme Court for a series of Temporary Environmental Protection Orders (TEPOs) against port calls of American military vessels.

The motion is part of an earlier petition for the writ of kalikasan regarding the USS Guardian grounding in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park that was led by Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo.

“We urge our Supreme Court justices to expedite the hearing on the Writ of Kalikasan to protect our marine environment particularly the World Heritage Site, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park from further risk of destruction from US military exercises and manoeuvrings in our territorial waters,” said Clemente Bautista of environmental group Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE).

The urgent motion comes in the wake of news that the Philippines is now considering different modalities that would allow greater US military presence and access to PH facilities including former military bases such as those in Subic.

The Aquino government through its Solicitor General said that there is no relation between the VFA and the environmental issues raised in the Kalikasan petition.

“This is wrong, because US military forces such as the USS Guardian would not be transiting Philippine waters but for the VFA-Mutual Defense Treaty(MDT) regime.

More importantly, there are no existing guidelines under the VFA-MDT regime for the protection and rehabilitation of the environment in relation to U.S. Armed Forces activities or operations in the country,” lawyer Edsel Tupaz, head legal counsel and also a petitioner in the case, said.

“Continued use of our national ports, all at the cost of the national government, for so-called ‘routine’port calls by US vessels, without having to pay for prior liquidated extraordinary environmental damages caused by a call of their very own, is an unfair situation,” Tupaz said.

Renato Reyes, Bayan spokesperson said that the growing rotational presence in the country of these US troops renders our marine protected areas highly vulnerable to destruction and degradation given the influx of military personnel, weaponry and naval and ground vessels.

Part of the P75 billion modernization fund of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be used to upgrade existing military bases, a top official of the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.

DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, during a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo, said that portion of the P75 billion AFP modernization fund for the next five years will be spent in upgrading military facilities in Cebu and Palawan.

“These are base support facilities,” said Manalo. He identified the Naval Base Rafael Ramos in Cebu as among the military bases to be upgraded.

Manalo explained that upgrading military facilities, like hangars, will just complement the acquisition of modern military hardware programmed under the AFP modernization.

It will be noted that the DND is eyeing a squadron of FA50 lead-in fighter jets for the Air Force for P18.9 billion.

The DND official, however, said that as of the moment there is no definite plan as to the former United States naval base in Subic Bay, Zambales.

It was not clear, however, whether the military facilities considered for upgrade are those being offered for use by the United States and Japan under the still being discussed access agreement.

President Aquino admitted he wants greater access for US and Japan to Philippine military bases.

The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said that Aquino is “escalating tensions” in the region based on the “false assumption that the US will automatically help the Philippines in any conflict”.  

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/16220-senate-to-block-us-access-to-bases-deal

Australia, Canada issue terror alert

From Business World (Jul 3): Australia, Canada issue terror alert

AUSTRALIA AND Canada warned yesterday about fresh threats of terrorism and kidnapping in Mindanao, and Canberra barred its diplomats from traveling to three cities in the area.

Both urged their citizens not to travel to large parts of the South, with the Australian government specifically citing the cities of Davao, Cotabato and Zamboanga.

An Australian embassy spokeswoman told AFP the travel ban went into effect from Monday and until further notice.

“We have a duty of care to ensure the safety of staff overseas,” she said.

The embassy declined to discuss any specific threats.

The Canadian embassy advised its citizens to avoid all travel to most parts of Mindanao “due to the serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.”

It said the advisory was issued Tuesday and was still valid yesterday.

Embassy spokesmen could not be reached for comment.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Web site said the new advisory for the Philippines concerned terrorism and serious crime.

The United States embassy in Manila had already warned its citizens on May 29 of a “credible kidnap threat against foreigners in Zamboanga,” it added.

In late 2002, Australia and Canada closed their Manila embassies for more than a month due to an unspecified terrorist threat.

Both missions later moved to a new building. Mindanao is the hotbed of a decades-old Muslim insurgency.

President Benigno S. C. Aquino III is aiming to sign a peace treaty with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest guerrilla force there, before 2016.

The island is also the stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, Islamic militants with links to al Qaeda who have staged deadly bombings and kidnappings of foreigners for ransom.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Australia,-Canada-issue-terror-alert&id=72814

No breakthrough in sea conflict

From Business World (Jul 3): No breakthrough in sea conflict

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN -- Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario walked into a regional security forum this week to hear his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reel off a list of complaints against Manila for stirring tensions over the South China Sea.

Mr. del Rosario was not scheduled to speak, but after hearing Mr. Wang’s speech at Sunday’s closed-door meeting in the kingdom of Brunei, he raised his hand and proceeded to rebut China’s allegations one by one, according to Philippine diplomats.

The Singapore foreign minister called it “testy exchanges.” The departure from the usual diplomatic niceties that mark such multilateral gatherings was the latest display of animosity over competing claims in the oil-rich South China Sea, one of Asia’s most dangerous military flash points.

Despite rare progress towards easing tensions between China and Southeast Asian nations at the Brunei meeting, a binding agreement remains a distant prospect, with Beijing seen in no rush to limit a growing naval reach that is alarming neighbors such as Vietnam and the Philippines.

“My response was simply that the core issue is that China has taken the position that they have indisputable sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea,” Mr. del Rosario told reporters later. “Since that is a grossly excessive claim, we need to settle this in accordance with international law. So I asked everyone to support that.”

China’s agreement later that day to hold talks with Southeast Asia on maritime rules appeared to mark a new chapter in efforts to resolve the dispute. After years of resisting efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to start talks on the proposed Code of Conduct, China said it would host talks between senior officials in September.

The code, however, would not touch on countries’ territorial claims but would set “rules of the road” for actions by ships, aiming to minimize the risk of a misstep that could lead to conflict.

The talks to be held in China are relatively low-level and were carefully described in the joint ASEAN-China statement on Sunday as “consultations” rather than “negotiations” -- an important nuance that signals that no real progress is likely.

China also succeeded in securing ASEAN’s agreement to involve a board of experts such as academics and former diplomats -- so-called “eminent persons” -- in guiding the process.

ASEAN countries had previously been against this, amid concerns it will result in further delays. A senior US administration official who attended the Brunei meeting said the new talks were welcome, but by no means a breakthrough.

“It’s not enough to simply promise some form of talks in the run-up to a multilateral meeting as a way of abating criticism and creating the appearance of progress,” the official said. “There has to be a full-fledged effort to try to work out in practical terms what a mechanism or set of mechanisms would be [to lower tensions].”

GROWING MILITARIZATION

Friction over the South China Sea, one of the world’s most important waterways, has surged as China uses its growing naval might to more forcefully assert its vast claims over the oil- and gas-rich sea, raising fears of a military clash.

Four ASEAN nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines, have overlapping claims with China. Washington, an ally of the Philippines and also Vietnam, has not taken sides, but Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated in Brunei its strategic interest in freedom of navigation through the busy sea and desire to see a Code of Conduct signed quickly.

Those risks have risen in recent weeks as three Chinese ships have converged just five nautical miles from a small reef where the Philippines maintains a small military force.

China has condemned the Philippine presence at the Second Thomas Shoal as an “illegal occupation,” even though the reef is within Manila’s 200-nautical mile economic exclusion zone.

The encroachment is part of China’s strategy of sending ships to far-flung parts of the sea to protect fishing fleets and press its sovereignty claims, which Manila condemned this week as causing “increasing militarization.”

Last month, Chinese state media warned that a “counterstrike” against the Philippines was inevitable if it continued to provoke Beijing in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has one of the least equipped militaries in Asia, but is pursuing a $1.8-billion modernization program and has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic, just 124 miles from one of the contentious areas on the South China Sea.

President Benigno S. C. Aquino III, who retires in 2016, said last week: “Rest assured that before I step down from office, guarding our skies are new and modern equipment like lead-in fighters, long-range patrol aircraft, close air support aircraft, light-lift fixed-wing aircraft, medium-lift aircraft, attack helicopters, combat utility helicopters and air defense radars.”

On Sunday, Beijing complaints against Manila included: the Philippines’ decision this year to appeal for UN arbitration over maritime claims without informing China and its joint military exercises last week with the United States near a disputed shoal.

Mr. Wang also condemned the Philippines for grounding an old Navy ship in the Second Thomas Shoal to claim the area. China and the Philippines accuse each other of violating the Declaration of Conduct (DoC), a non-binding confidence-building agreement on maritime conduct signed by China and ASEAN in 2002.

Such differences could be another obstacle to agreeing a more comprehensive pact as China has stressed that countries must first show good faith by abiding by the DoC. Still, the Philippines appeared to welcome the progress at the Brunei meeting, even if it was scant.

“It’s more than a chit-chat,” Evan Garcia, the Philippines’ deputy foreign secretary, told reporters. “We have to start the process.”


Thailand’s foreign minister described Sunday’s agreement as “very significant,” but most other ASEAN ministers gave it a more cautious welcome. “The quality of the process is as important as the result. We want to make sure that we [use] every possible opportunity for as much consultation as possible,” said Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia’s foreign minister. “Breakthrough makes it sound very dramatic.” 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=No-breakthrough-in-sea-conflict&id=72818

P75-billion military modernization implemented until 2016–DND

From the Business Mirror (Jul 3): P75-billion military modernization implemented until 2016–DND

THE Department of National Defense on Wednesday said President Aquino is serious in achieving credible territorial defense for the country before he steps down in 2016 with the acquisition of 24 big-ticket items with a budget of P75 billion to modernize the Armed Forces.

 

“Our objective is for all the items to be delivered and ready for use by the Armed Forces within the term of the President. These 24 big- ticket items are already in various stages of acquisition,” Fernando Manalo, defense undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiél, said.

 

First on sight is the acquisition of 12  Korean-made FA-50 “Golden Eagle” lead-in semi-multirole fighter jets with a budget of P18.9 billion and two amphibious support vessels worth P4 billion.

 

Manalo said negotiations for purchase of the aircraft from the Korean Air Space through the government of South Korea is nearly completed. The acquisition, he said, will be under a government-to-government agreement.

 

“Once the budget is approved, it will become so easy to enter formal negotiations. The budget aside, we are waiting confirmation from the Office of the President on the sales agreement that will be signed by our [defense] secretary and our Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché in Seoul. A sales agreement will lead to the signing of a government-to-government contract by representatives of the two governments,” Manalo said.

 

Second is the acquisition of two frigates for the Navy and two additional amphibious support vehicles with a budget of P8 billion. “We look forward to the delivery of at least four [warships]. Concerning our frigates an acquisition decision memorandum was already issued, which means the Navy had already submitted the needed document of specifications. So we can start now with the two-stage public bidding,” Manalo said.

Manalo said they are now looking for a consultant to help the procurement body when it comes to technical specifications for the vessels.

 

Also on the 24 wish list are rocket launchers for the Army; radar system support facilities, close-air support, combat utility helicopters, flight simulator and long-range patrol aircraft for the Air Force; and helicopters, multipurpose attack craft and base support for the Navy.

 

“Modernization is being implemented because there is really a need to equip our Armed Forces. We really need this because of the fact that every nation wants to modernize its armed forces and just look at our neighbors in the region—they are investing billions of dollars for the acquisition of equipment,” he explained.

 

“Let’s give our Armed Forces a chance to have modern equipment. It may not [be] at par with other countries around us, but at least it is something that we Filipinos can be proud of. As a former soldier, it is a source of pride like me and I’m sure all of us believe it will be a source of pride [for all of us] if we see our Armed Forces equipped with modern weapons,” he added.

 

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/15921-p75-billion-military-modernization-implemented-until-2016-dnd

PH gov’t, MILF to hold talks July 8 to break deadlock

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 3): PH gov’t, MILF to hold talks July 8 to break deadlock
The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels will begin a four-day exploratory meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, July 8, in a bid to settle contentious issues that have bugged the concluding phase of the already 16-year negotiations.

“I expect that it will be hard work,” said MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

The meeting comes after a four-month lull in the negotiations.

During the lull, the government did a due diligence review of all its political, economic and social commitments related to the hoped-for negotiated settlement of the Moro conflict that has spawned four decades of armed rebellion in Mindanao.

As a result of the due diligence review, government has sought refinements to the Annex on Wealth-Sharing that the parties initialed last February.

The MILF has decried this as an act of “backtracking” from the consensus although Iqbal earlier explained that based on their practice, anything settled at the level of the peace panels would still be subject to the final decision of the principals.

The MILF also pointed to some changes in the percentages of some wealth-sharing items. In its original proposal, the MILF sought a 75-25 sharing scheme in favor of the future Bangsamoro government.

According to an MILF source, the government wants the 75-25 sharing scheme retained except for 50-50 for renewable energy and 100 percent for non-metallic resources.

The MILF has stood pat on keeping the initialed document.

The Annex on Wealth-Sharing is one of the four annexes to the preliminary Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) that the parties inked Oct. 15 last year. When completed, the annexes plus the FAB will comprise the comprehensive agreement.

Iqbal said the resumption of the negotiations simply meant that the MILF agreed to discuss with government its proposed refinements to the wealth-sharing document.

There is still no consensus on two issues on power-sharing — transportation and communications, and regional waters.

Iqbal and government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer had a chance meeting mid-June in Oslo, Norway, where they discussed about the resumption of the talks.

During that chance meeting, Ferrer handed Iqbal the full document containing government’s proposed refinements to the wealth-sharing annex.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/437749/ph-govt-milf-to-hold-talks-july-8-to-break-deadlock

Army conducts drug tests; 1 found positive

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 3): Army conducts drug tests; 1 found positive

One was found positive for prohibited drugs in a random tests among Army personnel on Wednesday.

Captain Alberto Caber, administration officer at the Office of Army Chief Public Affairs, did not identify the gender nor the rank of the person.

“The said personnel will be subject to an investigation and a confirmatory testing,” he told INQUIRER.net.

Two hundred personnel underwent random drug testing in the Wednesday morning, while another 200 is still ongoing the drug test.

The drug test was conducted at the Philippine Army Headquarters.

The Philippine Army conducted a random and mandatory drug testing in compliance with the drug-free programs and policies of the government.

Section 36, Article 3 of R.A. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, mandates the conduct of random drug testing to public and private officers for purposes of reducing the risk in the workplace. This same section of R.A. 9165 also mandates the conduct of annual mandatory drug test to officers and members of the military.

The mandatory drug testing was carried out by Task Force Midas, part of the Task Force Moses which supervises the anti-drug campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This task force is the primary arm of the AFP in identifying, apprehending, investigating, and aiding the prosecution of AFP personnel engaged in the use of illegal drugs and other drug-related activities.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/437767/army-conducts-drug-tests-1-found-positive

PH to buy two Maestrale frigates from Italy

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 3): PH to buy two Maestrale frigates from Italy

The Philippines is set to buy two Maestrale-class frigates from Italy, a defense official said Wednesday, as the Asian nation races to upgrade its military amid mounting territorial disputes with China.

The frigates, along with 12 FA-50 fighter aircraft, are the most significant items on the government’s P75-billion ($1.7-billion) military modernization budget over the next five years, Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said.

“We are modernizing not because we want to go to war with China,” he told a news conference.

He said the government had a sworn obligation to defend the “West Philippine Sea,” using the government’s preferred term for Philippine-claimed areas in the South China Sea.

“We are not saying that this is part of our preparations to assert our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. What we are saying is that we cannot just give them up.”

The frigates would add to two refurbished Hamilton-class cutters formerly used by the US Coast Guard that the Philippines acquired from its US ally to upgrade its ageing navy fleet, which includes some vessels that first saw action in World War II.

Manalo said the navy had already decided to acquire two new Maestrale-class frigates instead of buying used ones from the Italian navy, and had budgeted P18 billion for them.

The Philippines could be ready to tender by the end of the year, he added.

Meanwhile, the government had allotted P18.9 billion to acquire the fighter aircraft, which are built by South Korea, he added.

The modernization budget also provides for building or improving facilities to berth and provide maintenance to the vessels on the military’s shopping list, Manalo said.
President Benigno Aquino vowed Monday to rebuild the air force by 2016.

The Philippines, which has one of the weakest military forces in the region, retired the last of its US-designed F-5 fighters in 2005.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/79629/ph-to-buy-two-maestrale-frigates-from-italy

Traditional Moro leaders urge Muslim families to strengthen unity

Posted to the MILF Website (Jul 2): Traditional Moro leaders urge Muslim families to strengthen unity



Traditional Moro leaders urged Moro clans to strengthen unity among families and relatives.

“We must show to other people that we Muslims love one another and we are united. If we abandon unity, we gain no respect,” Datu Alimudin Hassan, Raja Muda of Sugoda Buayan pointed out.
  

Datu Tungko Saikol, Sultan of the Dikaya Clan from Kabuntalan Sultanate, also told the descendants of the couple Datu Watamama Kudanding and Bai Laga Unggo Jalani to strengthen attachment and love among the relatives as practiced by the ancestry of the Moro people.

Saikol and Hassan were guest speakers during the 1st Grand Reunion of Datu Watamama Kudanding Descendants held in Barangay Ligaya, General Santos City on June 23, 2013.

The gathering was attended by more than seven hundred members of families Kudanding, Tondog, Canacan, Panayaman, Bentaib, Dambong, and Kinjo which all descended from Kudanding and Jalani.

Sultan Saikol related the Tarsila (genealogy) and explained the connection of Datu Jalani with the royal families of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao and Buayan Sultanates.

Imam Mantil Kudanding, Watamama sa Sugoda Buayan and Vice-Chair of General Santos City Council of Imams, spearheaded the activity which was aimed to let the younger generations of his clan know each other.

He said the occasion is one way for the relatives to know each other. “It sadden me that only we old fellows know how we are connected to each other, but the young ones do not know who their relatives are,” he added.

Representatives from the different families were grateful for the opportunity that their children were able to meet their kins.

Members of the clan planned to form their families into an organization.

Other plans discussed was to put up directory of prospect blood donors who can donate blood for their relatives whenever needed and how they can help those who will be hospitalized.

The clan also gathered family trees that will be used to continue the Tarsila that will be book-bound and shall be launched next year.

Kudanding clan is one of the biggest Maguindanaon clans in Sugoda Buayan.

http://www.luwaran.com/

BDA conducts leadership training for village volunteers for Sarangani

From the MILF Website (Jul 3): BDA conducts leadership training for village volunteers for Sarangani



The Bangsamoro Development Agency-Southern Mindanao (BDA-SouthMin) Regional Management Office conducted Basic Leadership Training in two municipalities of Sarangani Province.
  

The training was held on June 10-11 at Barangay Daliao, Maasim and June 19-20 at Barangay Libi, Malapatan. More than 50 Barangay Community Volunteers (BCVs) comprised of Muslims, Indigenous Peoples and Christians joined the activity.

The activity was geared to capacitate the volunteers with leadership skills which they can use in strengthening their respective groups. It is also part of the BDA’s efforts to capacitate the BCVs in preparation for forming them into formal People’s Organizations (POs).

Most of the participants belong to different organizations in their respective barangays.

The BCVs came from Barangays Tuyan, Lun Masla and Libi in Malapatan and Barangays Daliao, Amsipit and Lumasal in Maasim.

Staffs of BDA-SouthMin and Central Management Office staff handled the lectures and workshops.

The topics included Basic Leadership Skills and its Applications, Duties and Functions of an Effective Leader, Qualities of Muslim Leaders and Characteristics of Muslim Community.

The participants were also given lecture and underwent workshop on facilitating meeting.

The facilitators also collected ideas from the BCVs on what are the ideal characters of good leaders for them. They replied that leaders should possess bravery, trustworthiness, honesty, fear of God, responsible, transparency and patience.

The POs will implement community sub-projects funded by the World Bank administered Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program (MTFRDP) under the 4th Program Partnership Agreement coursed through the BDA.

The proposed sub-projects are aimed to help provide the basic needs and support the economic activities of target communities.

MTFRDP is a multi-donor trust fund supported by the following: Australian Aid for International Development, New Zealand Aid for International Development, Canada International Development Agency, Sweden International Development Agency, United States Aid for International Development, European Union and The World Bank.

http://www.luwaran.com/

March for peace kicks off

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 3): March for peace kicks off

About 1,000 Army soldiers and policemen participated in the 25-kilometer foot march Monday, from Brgy. Bato in Sagay City, to Brgy. Paitan, Escalante, to start the 15-day “March for Peace, Serving the Countryside”, spearheaded by the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit of Negros Occidental.

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the march for peace and civic action activity will give them a chance to show the people that they are the legitimate force of the government, who are ready anytime to protect them.

Capt. Leo Christopher Cunanan, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations officer, said the combined Army and police visibility and civilian humanitarian effort is a one-stop-shop activity that will cater to the immediate needs of the people and work on long-term needs of depressed communities in northern Negros, in tandem with multi-stakeholders.

The hinterlands barangays of Paitan, Pinapugasan and Malasibog, all in Escalante City, Bandila and Bug-ang in Toboso, Malatas in Calatrava have been identified as beneficiaries of the 15-day humanitarian efforts of PPIDU of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

The foot march was followed yesterday by civic action activities, participated in by government agencies, non-government organizations and local government units, headed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

In his speech, Marañon, urged residents of northern Negros to cooperate and contribute to the collaborative efforts of the government and various stakeholders to attain peace and development.

He also assured members of the New People’s Army who intend to return to mainstream society that the provincial government is ready to help them, citing the livelihood and financial assistance they have extended to the 89 rebel returnees and their families.

Marañon also promised to help in the rebuilding of three elementary school buildings, allegedly burned by the NPA, in previous years. The buildings have no roofs and students using it are exposed to sunlight and rain.

Paitan barangay chairman Richardy Pios thanked the provincial government headed by Marañon for bringing the services of government agencies to his constituents. “ It makes us feel that we are not forgotten”, he said.

Aying also rallied various stakeholders for unity in achieving peace and development in northern Negros. He also reiterated his appeal for the NPA to abandon the armed struggle, adding that it only hinders development in the countryside.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/July/03/topstory6.htm

Suspected ASG member killed in Basilan blast

From Rappler (Jul 3): Suspected ASG member killed in Basilan blast



Authorities have identified the man who died when an improvised explosive device (IED) he was carrying went off along the road of Barangay Balagtasan in Lamitan, Basilan, at about 3:25 pm on Tuesday, July 2.

Lamitan police said Rey Sapili, aka "Gob," is believed to be a member of terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group based in Tipo-Tipo town, also in Basilan.

The IED was in a pouch tucked around Sapili's waist when it prematurely exploded while he was driving a motorcycle. He sustained severe injuries on the right side of his abdomen.

A caliber .45 pistol and a cellular phone were found in his possession.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/32750-killed-in-basilan-blast

DND wants delivery of 4 fighter jets ASAP

From Rappler (Jul 3): DND wants delivery of 4 fighter jets ASAP



'MINIMUM DETERRENCE': DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo details AFP's modernization plan. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler

Two days after President Benigno Aquino III vowed more support for the Philippine Air Force, a defense undersecretary disclosed the department is working for the immediate delivery of at least 4 of the total 12 FA-50 fighter jets it will be purchasing from South Korea.

Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said the Department of National Defense (DND) has begun negotiations with the Korean Aerospace Industry (KAI) while it is waiting for Malacañang's final approval of the sales agreement. It will be a government-to-government procurement that requires multi-year obligational authority from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

"Once we get confirmation of the sales agreement and once we get the multi-year obligational authority from DBM, we can start formal negotiations and we can schedule the delivery of at least 4 fighter jets," Manalo told reporters.

"We are negotiating for the immediate delivery of a certain number out of the 12 we are going to procure. We are hoping we can get at least four so our pilots can start their training," Manalo added.

The Philippines retired the last of its US-designed F-5 fighters in 2005 and lacks air defense.

'Minimum deterrence'

In May, Aquino announced a P75-billion military upgrade to defend the country's territory against "bullies." The 12 fighter jets will cost P18.9 billion, part of the 24 items in the shopping list of the AFP.

READ: P75-B boost for PH navy to resist 'bullies' and PH to buy 12 South Korean fighter jets

The AFP modernization will give the Philippines "minimum deterrence capability" so that other countries would "think twice about waging wars against us," Manalo said. Manila is embroiled in a diplomatic row with Beijing over islands in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

The AFP modernization program will serve various purposes, Manalo added.

"We cannot deny that we have an internal security problem. We cannot deny that there are terrorist threats. We need to assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea," Manalo said.

"We are not advocating war. But we cannot just ask soldiers to defend our rights using only their hands. We have to give them equipment," he said. "Buhay na natin ang nakatalaga dito," he added. (Our lives are at stake here.)

Frigates for the Navy

Two frigates will be procured for the Phippine Navy, too. It will cost P18 billion.

Manalo said the navy had already decided to acquire two new Maestrale-class frigates from Italy instead of buying used ones from the Italian navy.

The frigates would add to two refurbished Hamilton-class cutters formerly used by the US Coast Guard that the Philippines acquired from its US ally to upgrade its ageing navy fleet, which includes some vessels that first saw action in World War II.

Manalo is hoping the military's procurement of frigates will give the country a chance to join military exercises with other countries.

Under the 2013 General Appropriation Act, P5-billion was allocated to the "regular fund" of the AFP while P10.6 billion was for "unprogrammed funds." The latter is intended for projects that are awaiting approval.

Manalo said the DND's 2014 budget proposal also includes an allocation of P15 billion for the "unprogrammed fund."

Bases upgrade

Military bases will be upgraded. Manalo said hangars and other infrastructure in various military bases, such as the Naval Base Rafael Ramos in Cebu, will be improved to make them suitable for the new equipment.

Aside from fighter jets and frigates, the Philippines will procure the following:

·                     rocket launcher, handheld radios, night fighting system for the Philippine Army

·                     radar system and long range patrol aircraft for the Air Force

·                     Combat utility helicopter

·                     flight simulator

·                     Lead in fighter trainers

·                     amphibious assault vehicle

Manalo said the objective is to deliver all these within the term of President Aquino. Outside the P75-billion budget, the DND is also procuring 55,000 assault rifles.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/32793-philippines-delivery-fighter-jets

Catapang new Nolcom commander

From Rappler (Jul 3): Catapang new Nolcom commander



Two military officers who in their youth joined the military revolt against the Marcos dictatorship will be holding turn-over ceremonies on Friday, July 5, with one replacing the other.

Maj Gen Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr will assume command of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) based in Camp Aquino in Tarlac on Friday, July 5, to replace Lt Gen Anthony Alcantara, who is retiring, according to Camp Aguinaldo sources.

Alcantara, a 1979 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, served as Nolcom commanding general for more than a year. He's one of the few former Constabulary officers who decided to join the Army when the Philippine Constabulary was abolished to give way to the creation of the Philippine National Police in the 1990s.

A former aide for ex-President Fidel V Ramos, Alcantara was a member of the Constabulary's Special Action Force that withdrew support from then President Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 February revolt.


 

RETIRING. Nolcom chief Lt Gen Anthony Alcantara

Catapang, on the other hand, belonged to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement that plotted the revolt against Marcos. He was part of the EDSA rebel force that secured the Radio Veritas station in Quezon City, that was used by the mutinous units to broadcast their anti-Marcos propaganda.

Catapang is currently commanding general of the 7th infantry division based in Nueva Ecija. He used to be the operations chief of Nolcom.

Prior to his Nolcom stint, Alcantara was the deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and was once a contender both for the posts of Army and AFP chief.

He was the commander of the Army's 6th infantry division that led operations against followers of the Ampatuans in the aftermath of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

 http://www.rappler.com/nation/32771-catapang-new-nolcom-commander

DFA chief breaks 'niceties' to defend PH – report

From Rappler (Jul 3): DFA chief breaks 'niceties' to defend PH – report

Defending the Philippines’ territorial claims, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario put his foot down to the point of breaking "diplomatic niceties," a report said Wednesday, July 3.

In a report by Reuters, the Singapore foreign minister was quoted as saying that Del Rosario engaged in “testy exchanges” with his Chinese counterpart in the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum in Brunei.

This supposedly happened last Sunday, June 30, incidentally the day when Del Rosario “expressed serious concern over the increasing militarization of the South China Sea.”

Reuters said that, on that day, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi delivered a litany of complaints against the Philippines. Wang decried the Philippines’ moves that supposedly aggravated the rift over the South China Sea.

Del Rosario was not scheduled to speak, but after hearing Wang's speech at Sunday's closed-door meeting in the kingdom of Brunei, he raised his hand and proceeded to rebut China's allegations one by one, according to Philippine diplomats,” Reuters said.

Reuters described this as a "departure from the usual diplomatic niceties."

In his public statement on Sunday, Del Rosario didn’t give details about the supposed military build-up in the South China Sea. However, he said the Chinese actions violated a pact in 2002 in which rival claimants to the sea pledged not to take any actions that may increase tensions.

Setting the tone for the Brunei event, a powerful arm of China's state-run media warned the Philippines on Saturday, June 29, that its defiance could lead to aggressive Chinese action.

Del Rosario on Sunday expressed alarm at such rhetoric. "The statement on counterstrike is an irresponsible one. We condemn any threats of use of force. We condemn that. And we continue to pursue the resolution of our disputes in a peaceful way," he said.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/32819-del-rosario-testy-exchanges-china-asean

Aquino courting impeachment over planned bases access deal - group

From InterAksyon (Jul 3): Aquino courting impeachment over planned bases access deal - group

President Benigno Aquino III could be courting an impeachment case for suggesting that the United States and Japan would be given access to former American military bases in the country, an activist group said Wednesday.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said granting the two countries basing rights, even temporarily, could constitute culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

"Obviously, the President is consciously and deliberately circumventing the Charter. Whether the use of bases is permanent or temporary, the Constitution bans US, Japan or any foreign military bases and troops in the Philippines," Antonio Flores, KMP secretary general, said in a statement.

Flores stressed that the Constitution "expressly prohibits foreign bases, troops and facilities" in the country.

On Tuesday, Aquino said giving the US and Japan access to the former military bases would allow the Philippines to forge a "credible alliance."

The US maintained Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base until 1991, when the Philippine Senate voted to terminate the Philippines-US Military Bases Agreement.

Section 25, Article XVIII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states: “After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America concerning Military Bases, foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that
purpose and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.”

“The President is courting an impeachment complaint for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for trampling our sovereignty and rabid puppetry to the US,” Flores said.

The KMP also assailed Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for “deceiving the Filipino people” by saying the Philippines would not build new bases and would instead transfer its own military facilities to Subic.

“With or without new facilities, the fact is, US troops will be given access to the already existing military facilities they left in 1991. Under the guise of moving the Philippine Navy and Air Force to Subic, the Aquino government paved the way for the return of the US military bases in Subic,” Flores said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65485/aquino-courting-impeachment-over-planned-bases-access-deal---group

CREDIBLE DEFENSE | DND preps for 24 big-ticket projects that Aquino wants before 2016

From InterAksyon (Jul 3): CREDIBLE DEFENSE | DND preps for 24 big-ticket projects that Aquino wants before 2016

Credible territorial defense, but not to go to war with China. That’s the rationale behind the determination of President Benigno Aquino III in pushing 24 big-ticket projects before he steps down from power in 2016, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Wednesday.

The 24 projects are culled from 138 defense projects with a budget of P75 billion to modernize the Armed Forces.

The objective, said Fernando Manalo, defense undersecretary for Finance, Munitions, Installations and Materiel, is “for all the items to be delivered and for use by our Armed Forces a within the term of the President. This is not only a conscious effort but deliberate and very decisive efforts that we want to be accomplished the soonest possible. These 24 projects are already in various stages of implementation.”

The list is topped by the acquisition of 12 units of Korean-made FA50 “Golden Eagle” lead-in semi multirole fighter jets with a budget of P18.9 billion, and two frigates worth P18 billion.

Manalo said negotiations on the aircraft from the Korean Air Space (KAI) through the government of South Korea is nearly completed. Manila intends to purchase these under a government-to-government agreement.

“Once the budget is approved it will become so easy to enter formal negotiations. The budget aside, we are waiting confirmation from the Office of the President on the sales agreement that will be signed by our secretary [defense] secretary and our Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attache. A sales agreement will lead to the signing of a government-to-government contract by representatives of the two governments,” Manalo explained.

Second is the acquisition of two frigates for the Navy and two Amphibious Support Vehicle (SSV) with a budget of P4 billion. “We look forward to the delivery of at least four [military vessels]. Concerning our frigates an acquisition decision memorandum was already issued which means the Navy has already submitted the needed document of specifications. So we can start now with the two-stage public bidding,” Manalo said.

The DND is looking for a consultant to help the procurement body when it comes to technical specifications for the vessels, he added. “The Navy needs to hire a consultant because the frigates that we want to buy are too sophisticated, that’s part of diligence.

We can’t afford mistakes here because the costs to Juan dela Cruz are too high,” he said.

Brand-new, not second-hand Maestrale

In January 2012, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin together with the Defense Acquisition System (DAS) team met with Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola to sign a 5-year agreement that was followed by an inspection of the combat-ready defense materiel the government intends to procure such as the Maestrale, a frigate still being used by the Italian Navy.

But, Manalo said, the idea to buy second-hand frigates was dropped after a series of further consultations. “Actually, I was with the Secretary of National Defense when we went to Italy to check the Italian package, the Maestrale. Our talks then was that if your intention is purchase any available frigate that you can immediately use without consideration of the cost, the Maestrale will do. But when we evaluated it, [we learned that] although the ship was still being used by the Italian Navy the ship is due for retirement. I think it is more than 20 years old already and its maintenance cost will be too high,” he said.

As a result, he added, “the senior leaders after evaluating the options decided that instead of buying second hand we might as well acquire brand-new [frigates].”

Also on the list of 24 are rocket launchers for the Philippine Army; radar system support facilities, close-air support, combat utility helicopters, flight simulator, and long range patrol aircraft for the Philippine Air Force; and helicopters, multipurpose attack craft, and base support for the Philippine Navy.

AFP upgrade not directed at China

Manalo said modernizing the Armed Forces doesn’t signal an intent to prepare for war with China.“We are modernizing not because we want to go to war against China.

Remember, 1995 a law was passed for the modernization of the Armed Forces and this expired on 2010. Within those years, issues related to the West Philippine Sea were not a big deal then. Modernization is being implemented because there is really a need to equip our Armed Forces not because we are planning to go to war against China. We really need this because of the fact that every nation wants to modernize its Armed Forces. Just look at our neighbors in the region-- they are investing billions of dollars for the acquisition of equipment,” he explained.

The Armed Forces, he said, deserves a chance to have modern equipment. “It may not be on a par with countries around us but at least it is something that we Filipinos can be proud of. As a former soldier, it is a source of pride for me and I’m sure all of us believe it will be a source of pride if we see our Armed Forces equipped with modern weapons.”

Manalo said part of the P75-billion modernization budget is for the upgrading of military runways, hangars and naval facilities. “These infrastructures are part of the budget,” he said.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Gazmin said the government can offer access to US and Japanese forces at the former US military base in Subic in Zambales; Clark base in Pampanga; and the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City.

Manalo said this also includes the improvement of the naval base at Rafael Ramos in Cebu. “As far as I know there is no definite decision yet about Subic--if this will be transferred to the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy,” he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65522/credible-defense--dnd-preps-for-24-big-ticket-projects-that-aquino-wants-before-2016

Police capture notorious kidnappers in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jul 3): Police capture notorious kidnapper in Southern Philippines



                      Basir Sakilan

Police captured a notorious kidnapper during an operation Wednesday in Payao town in Zamboanga Sibugay province in southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said Basir Sakilan, 41, was tracked down in his hideout in Bulawan village where he was captured.

“Sakilan was the primary suspect in the kidnapping of Reynaldo Drapeza in November 9, 2010,” said Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman.

He said Drapeza was traveling on a boat when kidnapped by Sakilan’s group.

Kidnappers freed Drapeza on April 2011 after his family paid a still unspecified amount of ransom.

Huesca said Sakilan is currently being investigated by the police. It was not immediately known whether Sakilan was involved in other kidnappings or if he is a member of any rebel group.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/police-capture-notorious-kidnappers-in.html

Phl Air Force highlights landmark missions abroad in 66th anniversary

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 2): Phl Air Force highlights landmark missions abroad in 66th anniversary

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on its 66th anniversary, Monday, highlighted two of its landmark missions abroad which has strengthen its capability to defend the country’s territory.

In his opening remarks at the rites that was graced by President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay, PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino Dela Cruz said “we commemorate this year the Golden Anniversary of our humanitarian mission in Bali, Indonesia at the height of the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 and the Congo Crisis where we sent our fighter pilots then as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force. These events exhibited our strong commitment to serve and demonstrated the skills of our airmen beyond our borders,”

PAF in 2012 flew more than 35,000 flying hours in more than 28,000 sorties of different combat, combat support, combat service support, and humanitarian and disaster response missions.

“But the numbers will tell you just a fraction of the story. What is important to us is the story coming from the personal experiences of a ground commander who needed a close air support mission so he could advance his troop and seize his objective or the story of one platoon leader and his men who needed to be airlifted into a safe refuge or the stories of survivors who almost drowned at the height of typhoon Pablo in Davao, Agusan, and Surigao. These and many other stories demonstrate the relevance of having a very capable Air Force,” Dela Cruz said.

In line with this, PAF was able to put back into commission seven aircrafts- one C-130 Hercules, two N-22 Nomads, one F-27 Fokker, one Cessna 210, one MG-520 attack helicopter, and one UH-1H which has helped accomplished multi-faceted missions across the archipelago.

With the passage of the New Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act, PAF will be able to procure additional state-of-the-art equipment such as lead-in fighters, long-range patrol aircraft, close air support aircraft, light-lift fixed-wing aircraft, medium-lift aircraft, attack helicopters, combat utility helicopters, air defense radars, and flight simulators.

“Air Power is People Power. Ang lakas po naming ay buhat sa pinagsama-samang tiwala ng buong sambayanang Pilipino! (Air Power is People Power. Our strength comes from the collaborative trust of the entire Filipino nation),” Dela Cruz added.

PAF was founded on July 1, 1947- two years after the end of World War II.

It traces its lineage to the Philippine Army Air Corp, which was established in 1941.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Makabagong Lakas, Matatag na Bukas.”

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=561372690131

161 Army personnel undergo random drug testing

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 3): 161 Army personnel undergo random drug testing

The Philippine Army (PA) on Wednesday announced that 161 of its members were subjected to a random and mandatory drug testing in adherence to the drug-free programs and policies of the government.

This took place at PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, PA spokesperson, said that the number of drug testing participants can be broken down into 110 for Army Support Command and the remaining 51 are from the Army General Hospital.

Section 36, Article 3 of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, mandates the conduct of random drug testing to public and private officers for purposes of reducing the risk in the workplace.

This same section of Republic Act 9165 also mandates the conduct of annual mandatory drug test to officers and members of the military.

In support to the implementation of the National Anti-Drug Campaign Program, then Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo SL Oban created Task Force Moses on July 17, 2011.

Task Force Moses is the primary arm of the AFP in identifying, apprehending, investigating, and aiding the prosecution of AFP personnel engaged in the use of illegal drugs and other drug-related activities.

To strengthen the campaign against illegal drugs, the PA also created Task Group Midas which carries out the conduct of mandatory and random drug testing within the Army.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=540546

24 military modernization projects to delivered before end of P-Noy term

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 3): 24 military modernization projects to delivered before end of P-Noy term

Defense Undersecretary for finance, munitions, installation and materiel Fernando Manalo Wednesday expressed confidence 24 military modernization projects will be completed before 2016 or the end of President Benigno S. Aquino's six-year term.

He also said the Aquino government has been very decisive in this matter.

Manalo said these projects, now in various stages of implementation, include rocket launchers, hand-held radios, force-protection equipment, night-fighting system and 55,000 units of Remington automatic rifles for the Army, flight simulators, long range patrol aircraft, close-support aircraft, combat utility helicopters (Bell 412 model), radar surveillance system, the F/A-50 "Golden Eagle" jet aircraft for the Air Force, two frigates, multi-purpose assault craft, amphibious assault vehicles, naval helicopters for the Navy.

Besides equipment, modernization and upgrade works are in the offing for various Navy and Air Force bases.

These include access roads, hangars, runways for the Air Force and berthing space for the Navy.

Manalo added a naval station, Naval Base Rafael Ramos, which is located in Cebu, will be greatly improved.

Also in the pipeline are armored personnel carriers coming from the United States.

And should all this items, especially the F/A-50 and the radar systems be delivered, Manalo said the Philippines will have its minimum credible defense capability.

"This will make any one thinking of waging war against us think twice," he added.

Manalo also clarified that this upgrade is not aimed at any country especially against China whom the Philippines is now engaged in a series of maritime territory spats involving Panatag (Scarborough) and Ayungin Shoals.

"This (upgrades) are only to build up our minimum credible deterrence capability which was already in the planning stage since 1995. We are not going to war with China or any other nation," he stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=540561

5 naval builders interested in PHL frigate program

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 3): 5 naval builders interested in PHL frigate program

Five naval builders have expressed their interest to supply the two modern and missile-firing frigates being eyed by the Philippines to boost its naval capabilities.

These firms are South Korea's Hyundai and Daewoo, Spain's Lavantia, West Australia's Austal and an unnamed Singaporean naval yard.

Department of National Defense (DND) undersecretary for finance, munitions, installation and materiel Fernando Manalo said that they are now on the pre-procurement stage for the two frigates which has a budget of P18 billion.

He also explained why the Philippines is to forego the acquisition of Italy's Maestrale class frigate.

This is because evaluation studies found out that acquiring these vessels will be more costly in the long run.

"We found out that it will be more expensive to maintain second hand vessel(s) than buying a new one," Manalo added.

With this conclusion, the Italian-made "Maestrale" frigates, are no longer in the running for possible acquisition by the Philippines.

The "Maestrale" was earlier touted by the DND as the next ships to be acquired for the PN due to its credible missile and anti-submarine capabilities.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=540587

DOJ welcomes TRO vs. ex-AFP comptroller's plea bargain deal

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 3): DOJ welcomes TRO vs. ex-AFP comptroller's plea bargain deal

The Dept. of Justice Wednesday welcomed the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the plea bargaining agreement between former Armed Forces Philippines comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia and the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a text message, Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima said it was an indication the magistrates are interested in reviewing very carefully the plunder case against Garcia which was lowered to direct bribery and facilitating money laundering because of the plea bargaining agreement.

In the ruling of the SC Third Division, the Sandiganbayan Second Division was stopped from implementing its decision on Dec. 16, 2010 allowing Garcia to post bail.

The SC also stopped the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the promulgation of judgment on the two criminal cases against Garcia based on the plea bargaining agreement.

Under the agreement, Garcia entered a guilty plea on the direct bribery case instead of the plunder case in exchange for the turnover to the government of P135-million worth of Garcia's assets.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=540640

Armed men attack Maguindanao village to avenge boy's death

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 3): Armed men attack Maguindanao village to avenge boy's death

Armed men believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Tuesday fired anti-tank rockets and assault rifles in a remote village in Maguindanao where the suspects in the killing of a 15-year-old boy Monday reside, the military here said Wednesday.

Citing intelligence reports, Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said gunmen believed to be relatives of the slain high school student harassed the village of Dalimbong in Datu Saidona town in Maguindanao in an apparent attempt to retaliate.

The attack caused panic and triggered evacuation of several families Tuesday night for fear the conflict may erupt into a full blown war. They returned home Wednesday morning.

Police said the high school student was walking home Monday afternoon with his classmates when two men riding tandem on a motorbike blocked their path and opened fire on him causing his instant death. His two companions were also injured.

Hermoso, quoting reports from Army units based in Datu Saidona, said two rebel commanders related to the slain student, Commanders Emram and Rasul, both of the 118th Base Command of the MILF, led the attack after confirming that the two suspects reside in Barangay Dalimbong.

He said relatives of the suspects engaged the groups of Emran and Rasul in a 30-minute firefight. No casualty was reported on both sides.

Hermoso said elements of the First Mechanized Infantry Brigade have been deployed in Datu Saidona town to serve as peacekeepers.

The Maguindanao police office also sent peacekeepers to the beleaguered village to ensure the safety of civilians.

Datu Saidona is about 10 kilometers from the national highway linking Gen. Santos City and Cotabato City.

The firefight in Barangay Dalimbong came hours after government forces engaged a group of radical Moro rebel group in a clash in Barangay Kabingi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, also in Maguindanao.

Hermoso said the two incidents were not related as the latter was a punitive action against elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who have been mulcting farmers of their agricultural harvests.

Residents of the village of Kabingi had been complaining of harassment and extortion by BIFF members every harvest season.

About 50 BIFF members were subjected to mortar shelling and armored personnel attacks by the Army to drive them away from civilian centers in Datu Saudi town.

No casualty was reported in the second incident.

The BIFF is composed of about 1,000 men who formerly belonged to the mainstream Moro rebel movement – the MILF.

Led by foreign trained Islamic preacher Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato, the group broke away from MILF due to ideological differences after the MILF opted for a political settlement that will provide them with autonomous government in southern Philippines.

Hermoso said the BIFF is considered outlaw by the government and is the subject of punitive action by both police and military forces in Maguindanao.

Datu Saidona is a 4th class municipality in Maguindanao, with a population of about 23,000 people as of 2010 census.

Its mayor is Bai Rebecca Ampatuan, son of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and one of the primary suspects in the infamous Maguindanao massacre.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=540500

Residents flee Sarangani village due to presence of armed group

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 3): Residents flee Sarangani village due to presence of armed group

Residents of a remote village in Sarangani Province have fled anew their homes due to reported harassments in the last three days by an armed group that had been claiming some parts of the area as part of their ancestral domain.

Capt. William Rodriguez, spokesman of the Army’s 1002nd Brigade, said Wednesday an undetermined number of armed men occupied on Monday a portion of Barangay Tunadatu, Maitum town in Sarangani, forcing local resident to evacuate.

“The armed group had been claiming ownership and wanted to assume the lands in the area,” he said in a radio interview.

He said they are still determining the exact number of the evacuees, who are currently taking temporary shelter in Barangay Ticulab in Maitum.

The local government of Maitum has initially provided relief assistance to the affected residents, who were also forced to evacuate last year due to a series of harassment incidents launched by the land claimants.

Rodriguez said they have scheduled a dialogue with the Philippine National Police, National Commission on Indigenous People and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to resolve the situation in the area.

In August last year, around 500 residents of Tuanadatu were forced to leave the area due to the presence of an armed group led by Salim Datu Binago, Kumander Akmad Biao and Kumander Udtop Talumpak.

The group was initially tagged as behind the attack that killed Tuanadatu councilman Freddie Macatin, his wife, and brother.

Fresh attacks were launched two months later by armed men reportedly led by Datu Ingig and Udtug Talumpa that prompted the evacuation of 40 families comprising 127 people from Sitio Napilay of Barangay Tuanadatu.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=540607