MILF: Delegation of Turkish Human Rights lawyers visits Bangsamoro communities

From the MILF Website (Aug 27): Delegation of Turkish Human Rights lawyers visits Bangsamoro communities



Thirteen Turkish nationals visited Bangsamoro communities in Mindanao to express their support for the peaceful resolution of Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination.

The delegation of Human Rights lawyers are members of the İnsan Hak ve Hürriyetleri ve İnsani Yardım Vakfı (IHH) or Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief in english.

The foreign delegates visited Moro communities of Damakling in Maguindanao, Sapu Masla in Malapatan, Sarangani Province, Butig, Lanao del Sur and selected community in Davao City from August 23 to 26, 2013.



Members of the Moro communities comprised of officers and members of the local Political, Social Welfare, Youth, and Information committees of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front including the volunteers for security attended the occasion.

In the short program held at Brgy Sapu Masla on August 25, 2013 attended by more than 1,000 Moro people from Sarangani, South Cotabato and General Santos City, Omer Kesmen, head of the delegation, said, “We are too far from each other, but our hearts are near.”

Expressing their love and concern for Moro people, he added, “In our organization IHH, we talked on how to help you, how to reach you out,” he said and added, “Let’s thank Allah that we see each other.”

“We shall bring help from Turkey, let’s wait for the Bangsamoro government to be established,” the head delegate said.

 “We see that the Bangsamoro struggle has reached an important point.” Kesmen also noted the poor situation of the Bangsamoro communities.

Sarangani Governor Steve Solon said, “Any help that brings peace here, we embrace it with love.” He related the program of the local government for its people anchored on equality and peace.

Necati Ceylan, President of the International Jurist Union, said their group is protector of human rights and has membership from 33 countries all over the world. “We are here to help protect human rights abuses,” he said.

“We are one Ummah and your problem is our problem,” he pointed out. “From now on, we will share sadness or happiness,”

A Moro youth leader said, ”We struggle for our future generations and we struggle for system change.” He reminded the audience to consider the life in the hereafter and not only focus in enriching oneself.

Sarangani Board Members Virgilio Tobias and Abdurakman Pangolima attended the event. Members of the GPH-MILF Local Monitoring Team were also present.



http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/524-delegation-of-turkish-human-rights-lawyers-visits-bangsamoro-communities

MILF: Nonviolent Peace Force visits Kabacan town; holds orientation

From the MILF Website (Aug 27): Nonviolent Peace Force visits Kabacan town; holds orientation



The Non-violent Peace Force (NP) paid a significant visit at Kayaga, Kabacan, North Cotabato and conducted an orientation program to community residents held at Provincial Markaz Campus, Sitio Tan, Kayaga, Kabacan town on August 14, 2013.

The activity was graced by two foreign guests, Brother Salman Khan, from Pakistan and Brother Mong Macma of Bangladesh, an International Civilian Protection Monitors together with Sister Bai Elaysa Inalang and Lemuel Artiaga with the able assistance of the officials of North Cotabato Provincial Information Committee.
  

The group related about their organization and its programs with mandates to monitor, receive, and verify data or information reported by the concerned individuals in conflict-affected areas.  They also discussed to the community residents matters that pertain to their rights and privileges when natural and man-made calamites occur in their respective areas particularly issues that affect the GPH and the MILF Peace process.

They said that the Non-Violent Peace Force act as mediator and makes recommendations to concerned authorities matters or issues that are reported to them which need  urgent remedy or solution. Some of these are problems that affect internally-displaced persons (IDP’s) like human rights violations, lack of much-needed medicines, food, shelter and others. They stressed that condition like these need immediate attention so that the people shall not suffer for long.

The community gathering was organized by local residents who were so elated with the presence of Nonviolent Peace Force, an international non-government organization/service agency and non-partisan organization. Nonviolent Peace Force (NP) is a member of the Civilian Protection Component of the International Monitoring Team (CPC-IMT) holding satellite office in Pikit, North Cotabato.

At least forty (40) community residents from the municipalities of Matalam, Kabacan and Kidapawan City attended the activity. They expressed their thanks and gratitude to the guests for letting them know their rights and privileges embodied under international law.

 The program ended at noon time.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/523-nonviolent-peace-force-visits-kabacan-town-holds-orientation

Family of Jordanian journalist ‘seized’ by Abu Sayyaf appeals for help

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 26): Family of Jordanian journalist ‘seized’ by Abu Sayyaf appeals for help



          Baker Atyani. (Manila Times Photo)

The wife of a Jordanian journalist seized by Abu Sayyaf terrorists have appealed for the safe release of the captive being held in the southern Philippines.

Baker Atyani, who sneaked into the Abu Sayyaf territory in June 2012 to secretly interview terror leaders for a documentary film, was himself taken captive while his two Filipino assistants - Rolando Letrero and Ramelito Vela - had been freed unharmed this year in exchange for ransom.

The Bethlehem-based Ma’an News Agency reported that Atyani’s wife, Um Khalid, has appealed to rights organizations and officials to help secure the release of her husband.

Atyani’s own family also appealed to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and King Abdullah of Jordan to help secure the freedom of the journalist, who is Al-Arabiya TV bureau chief for Southeast Asia.

Atyani’s wife and her four children live in Jordan while the journalist’s family is from Anza village in the northern West Bank, according to the news agency.

“The family in Anza is really worried and has sent pleas to President Abbas and the King Abdullah Jordan, and efforts have been made to release him,” Atyani’s brother Mahmud Atyani told Ma'an.

Last year, the Philippine military said it would arrest Atyani for espionage and interrogate him about his mission in Sulu province where he was last seen.

“We will arrest him as soon as he gets out of the Abu Sayyaf - for espionage – and interrogate him about his mission,” said Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, then deputy commander of naval forces in southern Philippines, in an interview with the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Cenabre said they were investigating the true intention of Atyani’s clandestine interview with terror leaders. “Atyani is freely moving in the hinterlands with Abu Sayyaf terrorists and we are monitoring the situation,” he said.

But Cenabre was forced to deny his statement after the military reprimanded him for talking to the press about the foreigner. He was removed from his post in Zamboanga City and sent to the naval headquarters in Manila. He is now the commander of a joint military task force in Sulu province.

There were also reports in Sulu that Atyani was taken hostage and that militants are demanding huge ransom. Other reports claimed Atyani was a conduit for the Abu Sayyaf and that the ransom demand was only a cover to hide the flow of funding to the terror group, including Jemaah Islamiya, blamed for the string of attacks and bombings in the Philippines.

Military and police said Atyani arrived in Sulu and went to the Abu Sayyaf to secretly interview terror leaders and other rebel commanders, including Jemaah Islamiya militants hiding on the island.

The military said the Jordanian journalist had made prior arrangement with the Abu Sayyaf to film a documentary about the terror group. Authorities said Atyani also deceived local government officials after he claimed to be filming government projects in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Atyani, who had previously interviewed al-Qaeda terror leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan months before the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, contacted his colleagues to say that they are being held against their will.

But Jainab Abdulmajid, a spokeswoman for the Sulu provincial government, said Atyani and his crew went to the Abu Sayyaf to interview its leaders. She said they received reports that Atyani was moving from one camp to another along with the Abu Sayyaf militants.

Provincial officials had repeatedly warned Atyani against interviewing the Abu Sayyaf, but the trio went ahead and secretly met with terrorist leaders, among them Nadzmie Alih. They were first reported missing after failing to return to their hostel in Jolo town, but phoned local officials two days later to say that they were still filming a documentary on the Abu Sayyaf.

The military’s Western Mindanao Command said Atyani had previously filmed in secret the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province. “Atyani had been in and out of Sulu in the past and secretly interviewing terrorist leaders,” said then Lt. Col. Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional army spokesman.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/08/family-of-jordanian-journalist-seized.html

Re-balancing of U.S. ties in Asia-Pacific to continue: Hagel

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26): Re-balancing of U.S. ties in Asia-Pacific to continue: Hagel

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Monday that the re-balancing of America's relationship in Asia-Pacific region would continue in the future.

The defense secretary told a press conference after meeting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace that the region was important for the future of the United States, as it has built friendship and partnership for years.

"We have relationships, we have alliances, we have interests all over the globe. But this area is particularly important to the future of the U.S., the Asia Pacific," he said.

"This rebalance is not just about security, it's not just about enhancing military relationship although it is important, security and peace is always important, but it's also focused on our diplomatic relationship, our economic, trade, commercial, cultural, education relationships," said Hagel.

The defense secretary arrived in Jakarta on Monday and met with Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro after his meeting with Yudhoyono.

Hagel is to attend the regional Defense Minister Meeting in Brunei this week.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=558865

Phl, US chart new military direction for 21st century

From the Philippine Star (Aug 26): Phl, US chart new military direction for 21st century               

The Philippines and the United States are charting a new direction for their militaries in a 21st century security partnership to address shared security concerns, respond to natural and man-made disasters and confront transnational threats, a joint statement said.

“We expect a robust, balanced and responsive security partnership manifested in mutually beneficial bilateral military training, exercises and operations, provided by an increased rotational and temporary presence of US military forces from Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-controlled facilities,” the statement said.       
         
The statement signed by AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, described the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty as the foundation of Phl-US relationship which must remain responsive and modernized to address shared security challenges.

As the alliance adapts to modern challenges, defense cooperation efforts must focus on maintaining a 21st century security partnership, stability in Southeast Asia and bilateral interoperability and readiness, said the 2013 Joint Chiefs of Defense Vision Statement for Security Cooperation signed by the generals on Thursday when they met at the Pentagon.

The statement released on Saturday by the Philippine embassy in Washington said both countries were resolved to address modern challenges bilaterally and through multilateral institutions such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) “in a manner that protects the interests of all who value unimpeded commerce and transiting through the maritime domain, while deterring those who would restrict it or act in a manner that might place it at risk.”

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is due in Manila on Aug. 29 and is scheduled to meet with President Aquino and senior government officials to talk about current negotiations between both countries for a framework agreement that would allow US forces to operate on Philippine military bases and in Philippine territory and waters, a Pentagon official said.

His visit in the course of a four-nation tour of Southeast Asia is expected to give added impetus to the negotiations, military officials in Washington said.

The 600-word vision statement by Bautista and Dempsey made no direct reference to China or the South China Sea most of which is being claimed by the Chinese, inducing anger among its neighbors.

It said the Philippines and the United States shared a common interest in maintaining freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce and transit of people and goods across the seas.

 “We are committed to the principles upheld in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and we subscribe to a rules-based approach in resolving competing claims in maritime areas by peaceful means – within the framework of international law including those reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention,” it said.

The statement said the Phl-US Mutual Defense Board/Security Engagement Board would coordinate training and exercises enabling faster response to contingency requirements such as natural or man-made disasters, allowing for responsible provision of resources and improving the capacity of the AFP to support additional capabilities.

“Sixty years on, this critical alliance (Mutual Defense Treaty) has never been stronger and will continue to expand in the 21st century as we chart this new direction for our militaries,” the statement added.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/26/1135221/phl-us-chart-new-military-direction-21st-century

Top defense contractor wins border watch deal

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 26): Top defense contractor wins border watch deal



Raytheon, a leading American defense contractor, is working on a Defense Threat Reduction Agency maritime security project, Military & Aerospace Electronics online said.

In a filing on Aug. 24, 2013, it said the Philippine government has selected “Raytheon for border security automatic identification system, integration, and training.”

The contract was awarded on July 2013 and will end on July 31, 2015, the report said.
The defense systems provider is listed as a leading manufacturer of guided missiles.
“The contract, worth up to $18 million if all options are exercised, is Raytheon’s first border security-related agreement in Southeast Asia,” the report said.

The article said “under the two-year base contract, Raytheon will design and build a National Coast Watch Center.”

The undertaking noted that the center will “support integration of data from various agencies into the NCWC, and provide acquisition, installation, and training on an automatic identification system, as well as radio communications” for the country.

Quoting David Appel, director of Surveillance, Range, and Infrastructure Solutions for Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information, and Services business, the report said “with this contract, Raytheon continues its role in providing critical services and solutions to help other countries deter, detect and interdict illicit weapons and materials that could harm their citizens.”




http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/08/26/top-defense-contractor-wins-border-watch-deal/

AFP chief to speak at MOPC

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 27): AFP chief to speak at MOPC

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista will be the keynote speaker at the “AFP Night” organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club on August 27 at the Grand Ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel in Makati City.

MOPC chairman Babe Romualdez said Bautista is expected to talk on current security issues including the ongoing negotiations for the increased rotational presence of American troops in the country.

Following the keynote speech is a no holds barred open forum with the AFP chief answering questions from a select panel of journalists and guests coming from the business sector, government, media and the diplomatic circle. For more information, contact the MOPC Secretariat at 994-6738.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/08/27/afp-chief-to-speak-at-mopc/

Pentagon assures PHL of continued relationship to improve PHL military

From GMA News (Aug 27): Pentagon assures PHL of continued relationship to improve PHL military

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista met with Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey at the Pentagon last weekend, with both issuing a joint declaration reaffirming the obligations under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty.

“The Philippines and the United States will continue to work closely together to further strengthen our alliance, particularly the ongoing efforts to improve our [the AFP's] military capabilities,” Bautista said, according to a news release of the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C.

Both officials also resolved to protect the “unimpeded commerce transiting through the maritime domain, while deterring those who would restrict it or act in a manner that might place it at risk."

Both commanders called for a "rules-based approach in resolving competing claims in maritime areas by peaceful means."

Bautista’s visit to the US came shortly after Philippine and US diplomats began negotiating arrangements that will let the US temporarily deploy more forces and military assets in the Philippines.

Negotiations will resume in Washington next week, the Philippine embassy said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/323709/news/nation/pentagon-assures-phl-of-continued-relationship-to-improve-phl-military

PH, Vietnam hold talks to boost defense amid China tension

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 26): PH, Vietnam hold talks to boost defense amid China tension

Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh meets his Philippine counterpart Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday afternoon. Photo from DND

Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh met his Philippine counterpart Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday amid China’s aggressiveness on its excessive claims over the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

“Both officials assessed joint activities of the two defense and military establishments and explored other cooperative initiatives to include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation given both countries’ experience on natural disasters,” the Department of National Defense issued in a statement.

They also exchanged views on recent security issues on mutual concern particularly on the situation in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea and the US’ policy of re-balancing in the Asia-Pacific.

Vietnam had been supportive of the Philippines’s arbitral proceedings against China’s territorial claims. Both the Philippines and Vietnam are claiming some parts of the South China Sea, but China virtually claims almost the entire sea.

“Since the signing of the defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam in 2010, defense relations between the two countries have progressed through high-level visits, personnel exchanges and information-sharing. These exchanges fostered government-to-government links as well as people-to-people ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries,” the DND also said.

In 2010, both countries signed a memorandum agreement aimed to enhance their defense cooperation and give a boost to their bilateral military ties.

The Vietnamese defense minister is in the country from August 25 to 27. He will leave for Brunei on Tuesday for the Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting Retreat and the 2nd Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.

 http://globalnation.inquirer.net/84123/ph-vietnam-hold-talks-to-boost-defense-amid-china-tension

MILF: Gov’t, MILF agree to hold 10-day meeting in September

From the MILF Website (Aug 26): Gov’t, MILF agree to hold 10-day meeting in September

Philippine Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiators have decided at the end of their four-day 39th GPH-MILF Exploratory Talks that started on August 22 and ended yesterday to hold their 40th meeting for ten days in September.
  

Without clearly saying it, the parties are bent to conclude their discussion of the remaining two annexes (power-sharing and normalization) to pave way for the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The CPA is composed of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the four annexes (transitional arrangement and modalities, wealth-sharing, power-sharing, and normalization) which will be signed in one document called CPA.

In this round of talks, the MILF insisted on upholding the asymmetrical relations in the discussion of Annex on Power Sharing, which, according to an unimpeachable source, disclosed that the government peace panel, advertently or inadvertently, approached the issue from the standpoint of a unitary state that negates the principle of asymmetrical relationship. This was resisted by the MILF technical team up to the plenary level by the MILF peace panel.

Maulana Alonto, a member of the MILF Peace Panel, said anything that diminishes the asymmetrical relationship of the Bangsamoro Government with the Central Government is unacceptable.

He said the FAB has envisioned a ministerial form of government for the Bangsamoro based on asymmetrical relationship.

“If implemented,” Alonto said, “it (asymmetrical relationship) would extricate the Bangsamoro from the decades-old unitary system of government of the Philippines.

He said this system is a legacy of Spanish colonialism. It was established to consolidate Spanish colonial rule at the expense of the right to self-determination and freedom of the myriad nations that composed the Hispanic colonial state that eventually morphed into the modern Philippine nation-state.  The new relationship between the Philippine State and the Bangsamoro that is characterized by the principles of asymmetry and subsidiarity addresses the Bangsamoro Question but it can only be realized under a ministerial form of government as provided in the FAB, Alonto added.

“One should note carefully,” Alonto further emphasized, “the the issue here in the negotiation is not separation or political independence, but redefining and restructuring the totality of relationship between the Bangsamoro and the Philippine state into one that would allow the Bangsamoro people to have a government of their own that functions and operates more than the genre of failed political autonomy that was conferred on previous “autonomous governments” and the ARMM, but less than that of complete political independence.”

In the recent peace talks, the Parties have achieved substantial progress in the discussions towards finalizing the Annexes on Power-sharing and Normalization.

Asked to comment on the gains of this meeting, Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel, told Mindanews that it has lifted the spirit of the parties to discuss more fully the remaining issues during the next round of talks next month.

The Parties also discussed the composition of the Independent Commission on Policing and the possibility of convening it during their next meeting.

The Parties also welcomed the attendance of observers from the House of Representatives, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), and the civil society. This meeting provided an opportunity for an informal discussion between the members of Congress and the BTC.

Interestingly enough, the members of Congress headed by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Congressman Pangalian Balindong, who attended this session of the peace negotiations pledged support for the yet-to-be crafted Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) once it reaches Congress. Mohagher Iqbal, Chair of the MILF Negotiating Panel, who had a side meeting with them, conveyed his thanks at this expression of support.

In the same vein, civil society organizations profusely offered their unflinching support to the peace process in general, and towards the success of the passage of the BBL in particular.  Those who attended are Atty. Mary Ann Arnado, Ms. Patricia Sarenas, and Salik Ibrahim.

Both the government and MILF peace panels have separately met members of the International Contact Group (ICG) and shared with the group their respective appreciation and concerns regarding the current peace talks.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/522-gov’t-milf-agree-to-hold-10-day-meeting-in-september

300 villages in E. Visayas tagged ‘areas of concern'

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 26): 300 villages in E. Visayas tagged ‘areas of concern'

Close to 300 villaged in Eastern Visayas have been identified by the police as “areas of concern” for the forthcoming barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

The areas of concern refer to those where possible violence could occur, according to the police.

Inspector Romuel Nacar, media officer of the Philippine National Police Eastern Visayas (PNP-8) headquarters, said the police identified 292 villages as areas of concern based on violent incidents that happened in the past barangay elections.

Nacar added  they also listed 70 other villages as having potential for violence due to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The areas of concern include 125 of 569 villages in Northern Samar; 32 out the 1,393 villages in Leyte; 90 of the 951 villages in Samar, and 45 of the 597 villages in Eastern Samar.

NPA presence
 

On the other hand, the villages that have the presence of the NPA are located in Samar (36), Northern Samar (20), Eastern Samar (8) and Leyte (6).
 

No barangay in Southern Leyte and Biliran provinces was identified as area of concern for the barangay and SK elections.


Chief Supt. Elmer Soria, PNP-8 director, said they had prepared contingency plans to prevent violence from occurring in the villages identified as areas of concern and those with the presence of the NPA.


Soria, however, said they would give special attention to Northern Samar, which has the most number of villages where violence might occur.


“Based on  our intelligence, evaluation and assessment, we will send the special task group to Northern Samar because there are more villages there considered areas of concern,” he said.

Soria said he had created a special task force headed by Senior Supt. Teodoro Basa to ensure a peaceful conduct of barangay and SK polls in the province. The troops that will be deployed to the province will come from the Regional Public Safety Battalion.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/474217/300-villages-in-e-visayas-tagged-areas-of-concern

DA denies water project displaced N. Cotabato farmers

From the Sun Star-Davao (Aug 26): DA denies water project displaced N. Cotabato farmers

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Mindanao has vehemently denied accusations that the construction of the water impounding project in a hinterland town in North Cotabato province have displaced thousands of farmers in the area.

DA-Soccsksargen regional director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, in a statement, said there is no truth to the accusations hurled against them by the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) that the Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) in Barangay Ladayon in Arakan, North Cotabato has caused dislocation to thousands of vegetable farmers.

In fact, Datukan said, the project has encouraged migration of farmers and their families as DA has provided them access to markets and planting materials for their crops, including atswete, corn, cacao, and other cash crops.

“We have provided the farmers with seeds of the open-pollinated varieties for white corn and other vegetables. We also encourage the use of sustainable indigenous agricultural practices while urging farmers to adopt new, appropriate and effective technologies in crop production, livestock, poultry and other agro-forestry development projects,” she said.

Datukan issued the statement to erase doubts or confusion allegedly created after the NPA rebels torched on August 18 four heavy equipment used in building the project.

She denied the project has wrecked serious destruction to the environment at Mount Sinaka as alleged by the Mount Apo sub-regional command of the NPA.

Datukan’s office was furnished on August 22 a copy of the NPA statement through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in North Cotabato.

The DA, through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), funded the SWIP as proposed by the Local Government Unit of Arakan.

The SWIP is envisioned to serve about 50-100 hectares of rice production areas.
An SWIP is an earth dam with designed length and height of a dam and spillway based on topographical survey to impound sufficient water for irrigation purposes.

On the issue of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), the BSWM said that the project has an embankment volume of 24,000 cubic meters, as per detailed engineering design and Program of Works.

“The ECC is not required if the embankment volume is less than 20 million cubic meters and if service area is less than 300 hectares,” Datukan said.

She also denied that the DA had a meeting or agreement with the University of the Philippines-Mindanao when it covers the watershed area while constructing the project.

She said there is no planned stock farm program in the Mount Sinaka watershed area in North Cotabato.

“Only a dozen cows and a dozen carabaos have been distributed to the households in the locality. This is to help them in their farming activities and while pushing for the production of animal manure as alternative organic fertilizer and potential source of income,” Datukan said.

All these, she stressed, is part of an integrated diversified and sustainable farming model in the community.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/08/26/da-denies-water-project-displaced-n-cotabato-farmers-299706

1 more communist rebel surrenders

From the Sun Star-Davao (Aug 26): 1 more communist rebel surrenders

ANOTHER member of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to government troops in Monkayo town in Compostela Valley province on Sunday, an army official said.

Captain Raul Villegas, spokesperson for the Army's 10th Infantry Division, identified the rebel surrenderee as Jhon Mark Vergara, resident of Purok 3 at Mt. Diwata, Monkayo town.

Villegas, in a text message, said Vergara used to be a “political guide” of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 25 SRMC operating in the remote areas of Compostela Valley. He surrendered to the 25th Infantry Battalion.

The rebel returnee also surrendered his M14 rifle with serial number 1538420 loaded with a magazine with 12 live ammunitions.

"According to him (Villegas), he surrendered because of the ongoing political rivalries in the group. He added that he is already tired of being haunted by his conscience for the atrocities committed by their group," Villegas said.

Villegas said just like other rebel returnees, Villegas will undergo debriefing and will be recommended to benefit a program of the government to obtain monetary and livelihood assistance.

Villegas added that the local government vowed to provide the basic needs of the rebel returnees.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has already recorded a total of 150 rebel returnees since January this year, including Villegas and two other rebels who have just surrendered in Sarangani Province on Thursday.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/08/26/1-more-communist-rebel-surrenders-299708

2 Marines hurt in Palawan ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26): 2 Marines hurt in Palawan ambush

Two Marines were hurt after their truck was fired upon by suspected New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Sitio Ebangley, Barangay Abongan, Taytay town, Palawan Monday morning.

Senior Supt. Atanacio Macalan, Palawan Provincial Police Office head, said the wounded personnel are all members of the Marine Battalion Land Team-4.

He identified the wounded Marines as 1st Lt. Rodelito Ramos and Pfc. Marvin Montebo.

Macalan said two wounded men and other members of the Marine unit were aboard a 6x6 truck and headed for Barangay Bato, Taytay when the suspected rebels detonated a suspected landmine before firing into the vehicle around 9:30 a.m.

Despite sustaining some casualties, the Marines retaliated and managed to repulse their attackers.

The wounded personnel were immediately brought to the Roxas Medical Center for treatment.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=558773

MILF: BIFF, Misuari approve forming political alliance

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26): MILF: BIFF, Misuari approve forming political alliance

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the renegade Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is considering a political alliance in their quest for Bangsamoro Independence, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Monday.

In its website, the MILF claimed that MNLF secretary general Ustadz Murshi Ebrahim was quoted as saying: “It’s possible to have a political alliance with (the) BIFF. Our forces are former comrades and we knew each other even before.”

The MILF also quoted Abu Misry Mama, BIFF spokesperson, as saying “it’s a very good development (an) alliance is very possible,” in response to Ebrahim's statement.

Quoting a source, the MILF said that during the 39th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in Djibouti, Africa on November 15 to 17, 2012, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari told Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Prof. Ekemelddin Ihsanoglu and other OIC top officials and in the presence of MILF leaders including Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, that Omra Kato and the BIFF are “million times more important than the people here” (pointing to the MILF delegation).

An MILF source said their delegation did not react nor mention a single word "and let the sourgraping passed."

The MILF delegation was composed of Murad, lawyer Michael Mastura and Maulana Alonto, along with secretariat member Mohajirin Ali.

In that meeting, the OIC was trying to set up the formal architecture of the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum consisting of the MNLF factions and the MILF which will discuss and decide on major issues affecting the parties as well as ways and means to move the Bangsamoro agenda together.

The MNLF has three factions now with Muslimin Sema, chair of the bigger faction and the other is the Islamic Command Council.

The MILF said the Bangsamoro coordinating forum did not prosper because of the hardening position of Misuari, who always viewed unity that anchored on the MILF and other MNLF factions to return to the fold of the MNLF unconditionally.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=558668

4th Marine Battalion commanding officer's convoy in Palawan ambushed

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26): 4th Marine Battalion commanding officer's convoy in Palawan ambushed

Suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in northern Palawan ambushed the commanding officer and his two-vehicle convoy in Barangay Alimanguan, San Vicente around 10 a.m. Monday.

Colonel Vince Blanco was unhurt but a Marine soldier who was with him was slightly injured.

Brig.Gen. Andrei Costales, commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Brigade stationed in the province, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that Col. Blanco and his two-vehicle convoy were on their way to Puerto Princesa to attend a planning conference with him when the ambush was staged in Alimanguan.

Alimanguan over the years has gained the reputation of as an ambush area along the northern national highway.

"Initial report says Col. Blanco, the commanding officer of the 4th MBLT, was not hurt in the ambush. He is now leading our team in the area," Costales said, adding more Marine troops have already been sent.

Costales said he has also coordinated with the Provincial Police Office under Sr. Supt. Atanacio Macalan Jr. to control the flow of traffic in the area to avoid "collateral damage" in case public or private vehicles will pass.

Western Command commander Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, on the other hand, has asked all military troops in northern Palawan to standby pending the result of the hot pursuit operation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=558688

Soldiers from 3rd ID get promotion

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26): Soldiers from 3rd ID get promotion

Some 413 enlisted men from the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army in Jamindan, Capiz were promoted to the next rank after hurdling requirements of the Armed Forces promotion system, said spokesman Maj. Rey Tiongson.

A run-down of the promotion showed 162 soldiers receiving the rank of Corporal, 129 Sergeants, 82 Staff Sergeants, and 40 Technical Sergeants.

In promoting the soldiers, Tiongson said they are allowed to handle greater responsibilities including more sensitive ones and along with the rise in rank comes higher take home pay to their families and more fringe benefits.

The 3ID is the AFP's vanguard against the armed threat from the New People's Army in Western Visayas, and its reputation as a no-nonsense military arm of the government in the pursuit of peace in the region has received accolades from the public, its image untarnished by abuses.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=558727

GPH, MILF achieve ‘substantial progress’ in power sharing, normalization annexes

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): GPH, MILF achieve ‘substantial progress’ in power sharing, normalization annexes

 The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Sunday ended the 39th round of formal exploratory talks on a positive note, resolving several issues on the two remaining annexes on power sharing and normalization.

In a joint statement, the parties said they have achieved “substantial progress in the discussions towards finalizing the Annexes on Power Sharing and Normalization to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).”

“During the four-day meeting, the Parties worked towards the resolution of some of the most crucial issues. Despite the sensitivity of these issues, the Parties remain committed to the problem-solving approach in order to reach consensus,” they stated.

“In the spirit of partnership and mutual understanding, they are confident that an agreement will be reached soon. They agreed to meet again in September 2013.”

The parties also discussed the composition of the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) and the possibility of convening it in the next round of formal talks. The ICP will be tasked to submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the envisioned Bangsamoro region that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer described this round of talks as difficult to conclude since the agenda covered two annexes.

“We knew that negotiating on the power sharing annex will be as hard as that on the wealth sharing annex so we feel relieved having come to better understanding on the principles of intergovernmental relations,” she said. "Because we have settled fiscal matters in the Wealthsharing Annex, it was easier for us to agree on related items in the Powersharing Annex."

On the normalization annex, Coronel-Ferrer related that the parties are now working on finalizing the text. “We discussed the texts on the table in order to consolidate consensus, and clarify and reconcile the contending positions,” she added.

The GPH and the MILF peace panels already signed two of the four annexes, which are the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, and Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing. Together with the FAB, the annexes will form part of the Comprehensive Agreement which both parties hope to sign within the year.

Coronel-Ferrer also reiterated the government’s commitment to “ensure a viable and genuine autonomy for the Bangsamoro region.”

In their statement, the panels welcomed the attendance of observers from Congress, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), and civil society. They also said that the meeting “provided an opportunity for an informal discussion between the members of Congress and the BTC.”

The parties also thanked President Benigno Aquino III “for his commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao” and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak “for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks.” They likewise conveyed their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG), namely the governments of Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, and the United Kingdom; and to the international non-government organizations namely the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, and Muhammadiyah. The ICG is mandated to exert proper leverage and sustain the interest of the parties in the negotiations.

Malaysian third-party facilitator Tengku Datu Abdul Ghafar Tengku bin Mohamed, who was not able to attend the closing ceremony due to an illness, was represented by Che Kashna, head of the Malaysian secretariat.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=558605

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): GPH, MILF peace panels out to finalize peace agreement in September

Government and Moro peace negotiators have agreed to hold a 10-day marathon talks next month to fast track the completion of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

“The parties are really convinced to complete the discussion of the remaining two annexes (power-sharing and normalization) to pave way for the signing of the CPA,” Maulana Alonto, a senior member of the peace panels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Both sides are yet to complete the power sharing annexes during the 39th exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that ended Sunday.

In a joint statement, both the GPH and MILF peace panels said the four-day meeting had achieved “substantial progress in the discussions towards finalizing the Annexes on Power-sharing and Normalization to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).”

The final deal (CPA) will be composed of the FAB and four annexes on trsansitional arrangements and modalities, power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization.

On the issue of power sharing, the MILF peace panel pushed for what it called asymmetrical relations between the central government and the Bangsamoro government.

Alonto explained that the “asymmetrical relationship” simply means that the Bangsamoro can stand on its own.

He explained that it was not about independence or separation from central government but more a genuine autonomy.

Alonto added that this would allow the Bangsamoro to have its own government way different from the current autonomous region in Mindanao which Manila declared a “failed experiment.”

During the four-day meeting in Malaysia, both sides worked towards the resolution of some of the most crucial issues, the GPH-MILF joint communiqué said Sunday.

“Despite the sensitivity of these issues, the Parties remain committed to the problem-solving approach in order to reach consensus. In the spirit of partnership and mutual understanding, they are confident that an agreement will be reached soon,” it said.

Both sides also “discussed the composition of the Independent Commission on Policing and the possibility of convening it during the next meeting.”

The GPH and MILF peace panels also welcomed the attendance of observers from the House of Representatives, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), and civil society.

“This meeting provided an opportunity for an informal discussion between the members of Congress and the BTC,” the communiqué said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=558655

Vietnamese defense chief on PHL visit

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): Vietnamese defense chief on PHL visit

Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh held a meeting with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and ranking Philippine defense officials during his Aug. 25-27 visit.

Both defense chief assessed joint activities of the two defense and military establishments and explored other cooperative initiatives to include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation given both countries’ experience on natural disasters.

The two leaders would also be exchanging views on recent security issues on mutual concern particularly on the situation in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea and the US’ policy of re-balancing in the Asia-Pacific.

Since the signing of the defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam in 2010, defense relations between the two countries have progressed through high-level visits, personnel exchanges and information-sharing.

These exchanges fostered government-to-government links as well as people-to-people ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Thanh's visit to the Philippines clearly reflects the commitment of both countries to enhance cooperation in jointly developing their defense capabilities and in contributing to regional peace and stability.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=558763