Scout Rangers bound for Samar

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 14): Scout Rangers bound for Samar

The remaining elite Scout Ranger troopers in Negros Occidental have been alerted to join their colleagues dispatched last month to Zamboanga City in another assignment, this time in Samar.

Lt. Col. Oriel Pangcog, 1 st Scout Ranger Battalion commander, yesterday said the redeployment of his troops in Negros and Zamboanga to Samar, was ordered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command.

Before they were dispatched to Zamboanga, Pangcog said that being a national maneuver unit of the AFP, CenCom had plans to send them to Samar.

The 1 st SRB had been under the operational control of Army's 3 rd Infantry Division since 2004, military records show.

The Negros-based Scout Rangers were among the AFP elite units who fought the Moro National Liberation Front fighters in more than two weeks of intense gunbattle in Zamboanga City.

In the weeks of fighting against the MNLF-Nur Misuari faction, Pangcog reported that they captured 121 MNLF fighters, recovered 102 high-powered firearms, including anti-tank 90mm recoiless rifle, and two artillery mortar weapons, and rescued 61 civilians taken as hostages.

The 1 st SRB suffered three fatalities and 55 injured, but 61 MNLF fighters very also killed in his sector alone in Brgy. Santa Catalina Zamboanga City, military records show.

The Zamboanga City conflict started Sept. 9 when about 400 followers of Misuari occupied at least six barangays and took about 200 civilians as hostages.

Pangcog said the “heroes welcome” for 1 st SRB troopers will be held at the Army's 8 th Infantry Division headquarters in Samar, that has been identified among the priority areas for clearing of the New People's Army by the AFP Central Command in Visayas.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/October/14/topstory7.htm

Nur now in Middle East?

From ABS-CBN (Oct 14): Nur now in Middle East?

Nur Misuari has fled to the Middle East through the Philippines’ southern backdoor, a STAR source said yesterday.

The source said Misuari used a traditional maritime route, landing in the coast of Bolongan in Southern Sulawesi in Indonesia.

Misuari is expected to rejoin his wife and two children, who had gone ahead to the Middle East before the start of the holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the source added.

Misuari’s lawyer Rex Bugarin declined to confirm or deny the location of his client.

“I have no contact with Misuari, but if he is arrested then I will argue his case before the court,” he said.

Bugarin said he is just awaiting the service of the arrest warrant for Misuari to provide his legal services.

He cannot make any legal move because the court has not yet assumed jurisdiction over the person of Misuari, he added.

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla also declined to confirm or deny the report, but he admitted that he has contact with Misuari.

“The instruction to all MNLF commanders is to be in defensive position as we exhaust diplomatic solution to achieve our political objective,” he said.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/10/14/13/nur-now-middle-east

Harry Thomas makes farewell call to PNoy

From ABS-CBN (Oct 14): Harry Thomas makes farewell call to PNoy

Outgoing United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas made a farewell call on President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang on Monday.

Wearing a barong Tagalog, Thomas received the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross, Silver Distinction, in recognition of his contribution to deepening the relations of the Philippines and the United States.

Thomas was cited for being an advocate of a strong defense alliance between the Philippines and the US and for playing a "key role" in the signing of the 2011 Manila declaration, which reaffirmed the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/14/13/harry-thomas-makes-farewell-call-pnoy

PN personnel undergoing training for modern combat ship operations

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 13): PN personnel undergoing training for modern combat ship operations

With the modernization of the Philippine Navy (PN), Commodore Jose Renan C. Suarez, commander of PN's Patrol Force, has announced that trainings and specialized instructions on how to handle modern combats ships are now being given to its officers and enlisted men.

He added that some PN personnel are also being sent abroad to get hands-on instruction on how to use these ships effectively.

Suarez also stressed that "subject matter experts" are invited from time-to-time to ensure that all PN personnel are updated in the latest developments in combat ship operations and techniques.

He added that the PN is also busy updating its operational doctrines.

Suarez said that this is very important as this will determine how the Navy will go about in using and deploying its assets in defending the country.

He said the updates are about 60 to 70 percent completed.

Suarez stressed that this is being done through the invitation of subject matter experts and communications with other navies.

Suarez earlier said the two brand-new frigates which the Department of National Defense is acquiring for P18-billion are definitely more superior and heavily armed than the two Hamilton-class cutters in PN service.

He added that ships are equipped with radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems and can engage airborne, surface and underwater threats simultaneously.

Aside from these surveillance and detection equipment, the frigates are also armed with anti-ship and anti-air missiles and a main gun capable of firing 120 rounds per minute aside from a torpedo system.

As of the moment, the Hamilton-class cutters in Philippine service are only armed with a 76mm main gun which can fire 60 to 80 rounds per minute.

Suarez said that these ships are part of the PN's "Navy Frigate Program" which has a timeline of 2013 to 2017.

He added that these ships are designed with numerous upgrades cycle to ensure that they will remain relevant and competitive against new vessels coming in line.

Suarez said that these ships will greatly enhanced PN's capabilities to defend the country's vast maritime territories.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=575896

4 more MNLF bodies recovered in clearing operations

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): 4 more MNLF bodies recovered in clearing operations

Ground units have recovered four more Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) bodies during clearing operations in Zamboanga City over the weekend.

Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca, PNP Region 9 spokesperson, in a radio report said clearing operations at Zamboanga City's Sector 2 is already 90 percent complete.

Sector 2 includes Barangay Sta. Barbara, where some of the heaviest fighting last month between Misuari followers and government troops occurred.

Recovered from the area were four bodies and two unexploded ordnances, a grenade, a 40-mm projectile, and a rifle grenade.

Government troops engaged MNLF forces in 20 days of fighting, with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin declaring the crisis over last Sept. 28.

However, clearing operations were affected last week by heavy rain and floods that affected the city.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=576074

Afraid of BIFF atrocities, Maguindanao displaced families refuse to return home

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): Afraid of BIFF atrocities, Maguindanao displaced families refuse to return home

About 100 families displaced by atrocities committed by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) last week remained in evacuation centers in the municipality of Datu Piang, Maguindanao, officials Monday said.

The displaced families who are currently housed in makeshift evacuation area inside the Kanguan Elementary School in Datu Piang were all from nearby Datu Shariff Saydona town, according to Datu Piang Vice Mayor Rasul Ebus.

Ebus said the displaced families vacated their homes when BIFF and government forces figured in sporadic firefight after the BIFF attacked Army positions in Saydona.

"While the local government provided them emergency assistance, it cannot be forever since we also have our own displaced families in Datu Piang that we need to attend to," Ebus told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.

The military launched offensives against BIFF in Barangay Ganta, Datu Shariff Saydona after they set off a roadside improvised explosive device that hit a passing Army truck.

Ebus said the civilians refused to return home since the BIFF are still in their villages.

The BIFF, composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas who broke away in 2008 over ideological differences, had been targeting military installations, checkpoints and outposts in Maguindanao.

Aside from setting off improvised bombs near Army bases, the BIFF also planted IEDs in two of the bridges in Datu Piang and Datu Saydona municipalities in an effort to prevent military hardware from responding and reinforcing government forces battling the rebels.

Speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, Col. Dickson Hermoso said the military in the towns of Datu Piang, Datu Saydona, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano and Datu Hofer remained on alert to prevent BIFF from harassing civilian communities and taking control of major highways.

The BIFF, composed of about 1,000 armed followers were blamed by the military for atrocities in the border municipalities of Midsayap, Aleosan, Pikit, Matalam and Tulunan, all in North Cotabato.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=576100

Film on Filipino revolutionary wins four awards

From the Philippine Star (Oct 13): Film on Filipino revolutionary wins four awards



Filmmakers Sari and Kiri Dalena with Karl Medina who won Best Actor in the recently-concluded Cine Pilipino Film Festival.

MANILA, Philippines - The landmark film on pre-martial law activist Jose Ma. Sison, The Guerilla Is A Poet by Kiri and Sari Dalena, won four awards in the recently-concluded Cine Pilipino Film Festival held at the Resorts World.

 Winners in the Dalena team were Karl Medina (Best Actor), Bong Cabrera (Best Supporting Actor), Keith Sicat and Kiri Dalena (Best Editing) and Datu Arellano (Best Music Score).

As for the film itself,  The Guerilla Is A Poet can be viewed on many levels.

For those who were not yet born anywhere near the declaration of martial law, the film is an apt introduction to the Marcos era of the ’60s and the early ’70s and how the political and social milieu of that era affected an Ilocano named Jose Ma. Sison who is better known as one of the founders of the pre-martial law Kabataang Makabayan and later, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

For the record, Kiri and Sari were not born on that critical period of the country’s history. But their curiosity and subsequent research allowed them to know people who defied the establishment to fight for something they believed in.

They found an interesting subject in the persona of activist Sison who hails from Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

And so the filmmakers made a trip to The Netherlands and filmed a reunion that showed the viewers how the activist-turned-revolutionary was doing in that foreign country.

The filming came just in time for Sison’s 74th birthday and his abode was filled with well-wishers. His wife, Juliet de Lima from Bicol, comes into the picture and here you see a couple looking good and unperturbed after decades of political and personal upheavals.

What sort of life did they lead during those decades that saw them living in the mountains, joining an armed group, getting arrested and imprisoned for nine years during the Marcos era and later given a reprieve by the first Aquino era?

The filmmakers attempt to answer this question by going back to Sison’s pre-martial law life and shedding light on his little known life as writer and poet.

Before his incarceration, Sison taught literature at the University of the Philippines. His prison life yielded a book of poetry titled Prison and Beyond which won the Southeast Asia book award, the prize for which was personally handed to him by no less than the crown Prince of Thailand in Bangkok.

The filmmakers probably found resonance of the revolutionary’s life in his own poetry like this one titled, The Guerilla Is A Poet, a part of which read:

The guerilla is like a poet
Keen to the rustle of leaves
The break of twigs
The ripples of the river
The smell of fire
And the ashes of departure.
The guerilla is like a poet.
He has merged with the trees
The bushes and the rocks
Ambiguous but precise
Well-versed on the law of motion
And master of myriad images.

And so the film unfolds like images from Sison’s poem.

It captures Sison’s childhood in his native Cabugao town and peaks as he gets involved with activist groups to the time he got so famous he was actually rubbing elbows with the likes of Ninoy Aquino who is the political nemesis of the Marcoses.

When he gets arrested, the film shows a sequence where Marcos and his loyal guardian, Fabian Ver, get to talk to Sison who vows never to give in to what he perceives as a corrupt political establishment.

In the course of the film, some famous personalities enter into the picture namely Bernabe Buscayno, who is a high-ranking official of the New People’s Army, a Major Aure who is accused of torturing a woman political detainee and PMA graduate Victor Corpuz  (portrayed by Marcus Madrigal) who raided the PMA arsenal before joining Sison in the mountains.

   As it is, the film yields images from the underground and shows with stark realism what militant guerillas go through.

Angeli Bayani as Sison’s wife, Juliet, delivers a solid and sensitive performance that revealed her fully grounded on her character’s vulnerability. The image and sound of former Pres. Marcos found exact replica in the superb performance of Willie Nepomuceno. The film has a reliable acting ensemble consisting of Jao Mapa (as Ninoy Aquino), Anthony Falcon, Bong Cabrera, RK Bagatsing, Chanel Latorre, Lehner Mendoza, Lui Quiambao-Manansala, Jes Evardone and Raymond Bagatsing.

As for Karl as the young Sison, the actor has deep character etched all over his face and easily captured Sison as the young writer and poet. Relatively new in the field, his acting has limited facets but succeeds in showing little glimpses into the psyche of the young revolutionary. This actor holds a lot of promise and can transcend his limitations with more subsequent acting exposures.

With so many controversial characters in the film, the Dalenas, however, managed to produce a cohesive film with distinct comfortable boundaries between reportage and propaganda.

The cinematography, for one, was magical and the music of Deodato Arellano complemented it while capturing the tension pervading among the protagonists of the film.

Sison may not fit into your kind of role model but his life was certainly one devoted to exposing the abuses and bankruptcy of the system.

The film showed that Sison led a tough and difficult life as family man and revolutionary.

Whatever your impression is, there is no doubt that the Dalenas managed to humanize a public figure both admired and ostracized for his ideology.

The film ends on a poetic note with images and recited passage from his 1968 poem —

The guerilla is like a poet.
He moves with the green brown multitude
In bush burning with red flowers
That crown and hearten all
Swarming the terrain as a flood
Marching at last against the stronghold.
An endless movement of strength.

  (The Dalena film was part of the recently-concluded Cine Pilipino Film Festival spearheaded by PLDT-Smart Foundation, MediaQuest, Studio 5 and Unitel Entertainment. The other entries were Mes de Guzman’s Ang Kwento Ni Mabuti; Ato Bautista’s Mga Alaala Ng Tag-Ulan; Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s Ang Huling Cha-cha Ni Byron; Ron Bryant’s Bingoleras; Miguel “Mike” Alcazaren’s Puti (Achromatopsia); Janice Perez’s The Muses; and Randolph Longjas’s Ang Turkey Man Ay Pabo Rin.)

http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2013/10/13/1244581/film-filipino-revolutionary-wins-four-awards

GPH, MILF stuck on power-sharing; no deal struck this round

From MindaNews (Oct 13): GPH, MILF stuck on power-sharing; no deal struck this round

The government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels resumed talks Tuesday, extended it supposedly until Saturday but ended early Sunday morning with no deal struck on the Annex on Power-Sharing as the parties got stuck on a major issue on the ministerial form of government.
October 13 is two days short of the first anniversary of the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). Signed on October 15 last year amid an atmosphere of euphoria and hope, the FAB paves the way for the creation of the “Bangsamoro,” a new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and would be a ministerial form of government.

Four annexes to the FAB are needed to complete the comprehensive agreement – Power-sharing, Wealth-sharing, Normalization and Transitional Arrangements and Modalities. While the parties committed, under the FAB, to complete the annexes before yearend of 2012, not one annex was signed last year.

The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities was signed in February while the Annex on Wealth-sharing was signed in July.

The carefully-worded six-paragraph Joint Statement signed shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday, states the parties “made substantial progress on the remaining Annexes on Power-Sharing and Normalization” and that they “proceeded in exhaustive, honest discussions in order to identify the best formulations for an agreement that would respond to the aspirations of both Parties.”

 

“The remaining challenges and the time constraints demand that the Panels remain focused on completing the annexes following a break for Eid’Ul’Adha. Both sides have a full understanding of their responsibility as they strive towards a sustainable and inclusive solution for the benefit of all people in the Bangsamoro,” it said.

Malaysia is celebrating Eid’l Adha on Monday while the Philippines is celebrating it on Tuesday, October 15, the first anniversary of the FAB signing.

Like last month’s Joint Statement, no date for the next talks was mentioned.
Both government and the MILF acknowledged the negotiations were difficult.

“Still hard work”
Neither GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer nor Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles answered queries late Saturday and shortly after midnight Sunday although at 6:30 p.m., Deles said, “still hard work.”

Iqbal at 4 p.m. on Saturday said the talks were “moving slowly” and that there was a “slim chance” they would complete the Annex on Power-sharing.  “Still uphill fight,” he said at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. At 11:20 p.m. Iqbal said they were still in the venue of the talks and were “about to clinch structure of ministerial.”

Apparently, it was not clinched.

“Rigidity has prevented the parties to move fast. No date set for next talks. But many issues were settled,” said Iqbal in a text message at 9:35 a.m. Sunday. Iqbal and his panel were leaving Kuala Lumpur for Manila on the same day.

Ferrer told MindaNews in a text message at 10:20 a.m. Sunday that their Malaysian hosts (Malaysia is the facilitator of the talks) “are celebrating Eid’l Adha holiday and could no longer extend the talks to today unfortunately.”

But she added that “very good progress has been achieved in the power-sharing annex including on the possible structure of the new Bangsamoro political entity and the intergovernmental mechanism that can be instituted to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Central and Bangsamoro governments in the exercise of various powers.”

Understanding, Disagreements
Ferrer said the MILF submitted the features of its envisioned government which the panels discussed and that there is “understanding now on power-sharing but some disagreements still on specific features.”

She said discussions are also ongoing on the extent of territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro “over waters and on the protection of fishing rights of subsistence fisherfolk in the Sulu Sea and Moro Gulf.”

She said the two panels’ Technical Working Groups on Normalization also met “and achieved working consensus on the mechanisms that will address the different security aspects of normalization such as the private armed groups, and disposition of weapons and combatants, and land conflicts, the provision of socio-economic programs and reconciliation.”

“In all it was a productive meeting but the discussions on the many items took time. Despite the exhausting daily overtime sessions in the last five days, the panels remained upbeat. The parties have agreed on a process that will facilitate the settlement of the unsettled issues and will met again in due time.”

MindaNews sources in Kuala Lumpur said the parties did resolve some of the aspects on the structure of the ministerial form of government but a major element in the ministerial form as formulated was not acceptable to the government panel. Dropping it was not also acceptable to the MILF as it would “make the Bangsamoro Assembly no different from the ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly.”

989 days to June 30, 2016

By October 15, 2013, only 989 days are left until June 30, 2016, the end of the Aquino administration.

Under the FAB, both government and the MILF had adopted a roadmap to ensure that the comprehensive agreement is signed within the last half of Aquino’s six-year term and his “legacy,” the Bangsamoro government, is in place by the time the President steps down.

The “Roadmap to the Creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Political Entity” prepared by the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office in time for the signing of the FAB on October 15, 2012, listed 15 steps to 2016.

These are: 1. Signing of the FAB by both parties; 2. Parties adopt Annex on the Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (the illustrated roadmap does not mention the annexes on power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization but they should be on this Step); 3. Transition Commission (TransCom) is formed via Executive Order (EO); 4. Congress passes resolutions supporting the EO; 5. TransCom drafts Bangsamoro Basic Law bill; 6. Bill is submitted to Congress; 7. Bill is certified urgent by the President; 8. Congressional action on the bill; 9. Bill submitted to the President for approval; 10. President signs the bill into law; 11. Plebiscite is held for the ratification of the law; 12. Promulgation and ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law; 13. Bangsamoro Transition Authority is created. ARMM is deemed abolished; all devolved authorities are vested in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority; 14. Ministerial form and Cabinet system of government will commence once the Bangsamoro Transition Authority is in place; and 15. Bangsamoro Transition Authority is replaced upon the election and assumption of the members of the Bangsamoro legislative assembly and the formation of the Bangsamoro government.

Steps 1, 3 4, partly 2 and 5 of 15 steps

A year after the FAB signing, the GPH and MILF peace panels have signed only two of four annexes; three Terms of Reference — for the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP), and the Sajahatra Bangsamoro; a certificate extending the tours of duty of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team up to March 2014 and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group until February 14, 2014.

The 15-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) has been working but cannot proceed as fast as it would want to because of the unfinished two annexes. The TPMT and ICP have also started work but again cannot proceed quickly because the two annexes have yet to be completed.

The panels have gone through Steps One, Three and Four of the roadmap but only half of Step Two and the early stages of Step 5.

The panels hope to finish the drafting of the Basic Law by 2014 so that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) can take over from the ARMM hopefully by late 2014 until the election of the first set of officials of the Bangsamoro in May 2016 and their assumption to office by noon of June 30, 2016.

 Peace panel members from both sides acknowledge that every month’s delay in the completion of the Annexes is a month taken away from the Basic Law drafting or viewed from another angle, a month taken away from the BTA.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2013/10/13/gph-milf-stuck-on-power-sharing-no-deal-struck-this-round/

MILF: Power-sharing represents “heart of negotiations”- MILF Peace Panel Chair Iqbal

From the MILF Website (Oct 13): Power-sharing represents “heart of negotiations”- MILF Peace Panel Chair Iqbal



Power-sharing represents the "heart" of the negotiations, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said earlier in an interview during a short break in the 41st Exploratory Talks held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that started on October 7, 2013.
   

The annex contains the list of powers reserved for the central government, powers exclusive to the envisioned Bangsamoro government, and concurrent or shared powers between the two.

But despite holding a session for more than 18 hours, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) failed to agree on how power will be shared between the proposed Bangsamoro political entity and the national government in the 41st round of talks said the report by Rappler.

The last day of the negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia started at about 10 am Saturday, October 12, and extended until about 5 am Sunday, October 13, in a bid to complete the power-sharing annex. This is one of the two annexes required before the final peace pact can be signed.

At past 1 am Sunday, an MILF source said the panels reached a "technical impasse," with both sides failing to reach a consensus on details regarding the Bangsamoro's ministerial form of government. A technical impasse has to do with how the language of the agreements are formulated.

The panels could not extend another time due to the celebration of the Eid al-Adha. "But very good progress has been achieved in the power-sharing annex including on the possible structure of the new Bangsamoro political entity and the intergovernmental mechanism that can be instituted to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Central and Bangsamoro governments in the exercise of various powers," government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said in a text message.

Under the Framework Agreement signed on October 15, 2012, the Bangsamoro government would take a ministerial form, where members of the legislature elected by the people would elect a chief minister among themselves.

The negotiations are down to the final details of the peace pact. Also yet to be completed is the annex on normalization, which contains the sensitive issues of decommissioning of arms and disposition of armed forces, said the report.

Failure to sign an annex in this round constricts the timeline of the Bangsamoro peace process even further – a situation recognized by the panels themselves.

In their joint statement, both sides said they hope to complete the annexes after the Eid al-Adha break.

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal earlier said the delay is impeding the working timeline of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body tasked to draft the Basic Law. Iqbal also heads the commission.

For the government, there's no turning back for the peace negotiations.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/605-power-sharing-represents-“heart-of-negotiations”-milf-peace-panel-chair-iqbal

8 more remains of MNLF rebels found during clearing operation

From the Daily Zamboanga Times (Oct 13): 8 more remains of MNLF rebels found during clearing operation

Eight more skeletal remains of MNLF rebels were recovered by police as clearing operations continued in the conflict areas.

 

A body was recovered at Ayer Village, Sta. Barbara,  while another was found at the vicinity of Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology. Six more were recovered in other parts of Sta. Barbara.

 

Police estimated the rebels have been killed more than two weeks ago during the standoff.

 

Meanwhile, two barrels of M16 rifle, one PNP badge, two identification cards of 1Lt. Lukman Tiblan of HHSG Wesmincom and an MNLF identification card still written in the name of Lukman Tiblan were also found by government forces.

 

The three skeletal remains were brought to the Villa Funeral Parlor for examination by the SOCO while the recovered gun accessories and the identification cards were submitted to the investigators.

 

On the other hand, continuous clearing operations at Sector 2 composed of the Sta. Barbara area resulted in the recovery of two 60mm mortar shells, five hand grenades, 18 40mm projectiles, one rifle grenade, one burned M16 rifle, one barrel of M16 rifle, two magazines of M16 rifle and two magazines of .45 caliber pistol.

 

http://zamboangatimes.ph/zamboangatimes/top-news/8765-8-more-remains-of-mnlf-rebels-found-during-clearing-operation.html

2 NPAs voluntarily surrender

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 12): 2 NPAs voluntarily surrender

CATARMAN, Northern Samar --The anti-insurgency campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) scored again on October 2, 2013, with the surrender of two NPA members.

A certain Jayson Francisco Lucban (aka Bunso and Jay) and Rosemarie Moreno Cadajas (aka LJ, Aira and Ai-Ai) voluntarily surrendered to 20th Infantry Battalion under Lt Col Rey Anthony M Tumaliuan. The rebels brought with them two caliber 45 pistols with 2 magazines, Gutierrez informed.

Accordingly, under the AFP Guns For Peace Program, each of them will receive P25,000.00 for each pistol surrendered and is entitled to receive P50,000.00 livelihood package and P15,000.00 immediate assistance from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Peace Process (OPAPP) under its Comprehensive Local Integration program (CLIP).

“Your Army in Eastern Visayas is relentless in the conduct of focused military operations against any armed and lawless group, we also welcome those who will opt to surrender and lay down their arms and rejoin the mainstream society and avail of the government programs intended for NPA members,” Velarmino said in the report.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1261381463774

Government troops, NPA clash anew in Northern Samar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 12): Government troops, NPA clash anew in Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Troops of 34thInfantry Battalion under Lt Col Rodrigo Ilustrisimo clashed with New People’s Army on October 3, 2013 at Sitio Canunghan, Brgy. Osme?a, Palapag, Northern Samar.

This was learned from Cpt. Amado C. Gutierrez, Chief, Division Public Affairs Office, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army, Camp General Vicente, Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar.

According to the report, concerned civilians informed the troops of the presence of about 10 armed NPAs who were planning to stage an ambush against the government forces conducting Bayanihan Team activities in the said area.

The troops immediately acted on the info which resulted to a firefight with the NPA insurgents. No casualty was reported on the government side.

BGen Jet B. Velarmino AFP, Commander of 8th Infantry Division in his message said, “The proactive and prompt action of your soldiers in Sitio Canunghan, Brgy Osme?a, Palapag, Northern Samar is the product of their commitment and resolve to protect peace-loving people and communities against the NPAs and other threat groups.

In Northern Samar, Bayanihan activities through Bayanihan teams in cooperation with other stakeholders such as LGUs, NGA, NGO and POs cover implementation of government projects and services and identifying fitting structures and socio economic projects in conflict affected barangays.

According to the Philippine Army, the Bayanihan teams played a vital role in facilitating the surrender of NPAs and militia, reducing the manpower of the Northern Samar Provincial Party Committee. The mere presence of the troops prevents CNN from the recruitment activities in the barangays.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1261381463872

Gov’t, MILF KL talks end in ‘technical impasse’

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 14): Gov’t, MILF KL talks end in ‘technical impasse’

Negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the power-sharing annex in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) ended in a “technical” deadlock after more than 18 hours of talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, negotiators said.

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the annex, which is the next crucial item in the negotiations after the government agreed on a 75 percent-25 percent wealth sharing deal in favor of the MILF, represents the “heart” of the negotiations and contains the list of powers reserved for the central government, powers exclusive to the envisioned Bangsa-moro government, and concurrent or shared powers between the two.

Malaysia is celebrating Eid’l Adha holiday which precludes the continuation of negotiations that center on the defining the appropriate language about wordings on the provisions of the annex.

Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chief government negotiator, never-theless, said “very good progress has been achieved in the power-sharing annex including on the possible structure of the new Bangsamoro political entity and the intergovernmental mechanism that can be instituted to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Central (Mnaila) and Bangsamoro governments in the exercise of various powers”.

“As agreed, the Bangsamoro shall have a ministerial form of government,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

The annex contains the list of powers reserved for the central government, powers exclusive to the envisioned Bangsamoro government, and concurrent or shared powers between the two,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal said that despite holding a session for more than 18 hours, the government and the MILF failed to agree on how power will be shared between the proposed Bangsamoro political entity and the national government in the 41st round of talks.

In their joint statement, both sides said they hope to complete the annexes after the Eid al-Adha break.

Iqbal earlier said the delay is impeding the working timeline of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body tasked to draft the Basic Law. Iqbal also heads the commission.

For the government, however, the 41st exploratory talks in Malaysia ended yesterday with “substantial” progress.

A joint statement said “(Negotiators) have proceeded in exhaustive, honest discussions in order to identify the best formulations for an agreement that would respond to the aspirations of both parties.”

The statement said that the remaining challenges and the time constraints demand that both panels remain focused on completing the annexes following a break for Eid’Ul’Adha.

“Both sides have a full understanding of their responsibility as they strive towards a sustainable and inclusive solution for the benefit of all people in the Bangsamoro,” it noted.

The government and MILF peace negotiating panels expressed their appreciation to President Benigno S. Aquino III “for his unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” and to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak “ for his continued support in the facilitation of the government-MILF peace talks.”

Both parties also thanked the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim “for their untiring commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.”

They also extend their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG) — Japan, the United Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah and the Community of Sant’ Egidio.

The government and MILF peace panels started Tuesday the 41st exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where both sides were optimistic to reach a consensus on power-sharing and normalization — the last two annexes to be added to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB).

Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer earlier said she is certain of an accord with MILF that would empower Mindanao’s Moro communities and benefit all sectors, regardless of tribes, religions and cultural identities.

A completed FAB shall be the basis for an enabling law to legitimize the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with an MILF-led Bangsamoro self-governing political entity.

Coronel-Ferrer said they have spent considerable time in the crafting of the four annexes to the FAB - transitional arrangements; wealth partitions; power sharing; and normalization - to ensure that the framework for a lasting peace in the south will be supported by all sectors.

Iqbal expressed hopes that the final peace pact will benefit the communities in all of the areas they want to group together under a Bangsamoro political entity.

Peace talks between the government and the MILF started January 7, 1997, but gained headway only in recent years with the participation of Malaysia as third party facilitator, and with the help of foreign peace advocacy outfits and international donor organizations.

Coronel-Ferrer said there is now an understanding on the level of detail that would go into the annex on power sharing but some disagreements exist on specific features.
“Discussions are also ongoing on the extent of territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro political entity over waters and on the protection of fishing rights of subsistence fisherfolk in the Sulu Sea and Moro Gulf,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

The Technical Working Groups on Normalization of both panels also met and achieved working consensus on the mechanisms that will address the different security aspects of normalization, such as the private armed groups, and disposition of weapons and combatants, and land conflicts; the provision of socio-economic programs; and reconciliation, she said.

“In all, it was a productive meeting but the discussions on the many items took time. Despite the exhausting daily overtime sessions in the last five days, the panels remained upbeat,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

Coronel-Ferrer said the parties have agreed on a process that will facilitate the settlement of the unsettled issues and will meet again “in due time”.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/item/20230-gov-t-milf-kl-talks-end-in-technical-impasse

Gov’t troops fail to meet mop-up ops time targets in Zamboanga

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 14): Gov’t troops fail to meet mop-up ops time targets in Zamboanga

Government security forces have failed to meet the 14-day time frame to complete the ongoing clearing and mopping-up operations in the conflict-affected barangays in Zamboanga City due to flooding that hampered the efforts.

Maj. Franco Alano, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), yesterday said that based on assessment last Thursday, government authorities needed 10 more days to complete their mission.

“It will take another 10 days as of Thursday last week, that was the estimate,” he stressed.

Alano said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is leading the operation.

“We did not meet (the 14-day time frame) for one, there are many areas of operation that were flooded, and we also secure the festivities yesterday (Saturday) and then last Oct. 10 we encountered two stragglers…these are the variables when it comes to the operation,” he added.

The local crisis management committee, headed by Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco, has earlier gave the military and the police 14 days to clear barangays Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Rio Hondo, Mariki, Talon-Talon and Mampang.

The six barangays were venue to the 20-day siege laid by around 300 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction of Nur Misuari that started last Sept. 9. The timeframe began Sept. 29 when the government declared the crisis over and it ended Saturday.

The conflict resulted in the killing of 208 MNLF fighters, 20 soldiers, including three junior officers, five policemen and 12 civilians. A total of 195 hostages were rescued.
Alano stressed that some of the areas now being cleared were submerged by up to three feet of flood waters.

As of latest assessment, Alano said the main areas of operation – barangays Rio Hondo and Mariki – are still 50 percent unclear while the second sector – Barangay Sta. Catalina, where flooding was reported – was only 20 percent cleared.

On the possibility of presence of MNLF stragglers, Alanao expressed belief that there would be no more.

“We don’t have estimate as of now but at this point, it is highly unlikely that there would be surviving stragglers within the areas,” he said, citing the two stragglers last encountered looked frail, apparently due to lack of food.

“However, we are not taking any chances, we are still alert. The cordon is still there,” Alano said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/item/20232-gov-t-troops-fail-to-meet-mop-up-ops-time-targets-in-zamboanga

‘Substantial progress’ seen in peace talks

From Business World (Oct 13): ‘Substantial progress’ seen in peace talks

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Peace negotiators of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ended their talks yesterday with “substantial progress” on the two remaining annexes on power sharing and normalization.

In a joint statement, both sides said “they have proceeded in exhaustive, honest discussions in order to identify the best formulations for an agreement that would respond to the aspirations of both parties.”

“The remaining challenges and the time constraints demand that the panels remain focused on completing the annexes following a break for (Eid’l Adha). Both sides have a full understanding of their responsibility as they strive towards a sustainable and inclusive solution for the benefit of all people in the Bangsamoro,” the parties said.

In a separate statement, government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the two sides would want to extend the talks to achieve an agreement but was cut by the Malaysian facilitator in observance of the Eid’l Adha holiday on Monday and Tuesday. “Our Malaysian hosts are celebrating Eid’l Adha holiday and could no longer extend the talks to [Monday], unfortunately. But very good progress has been achieved in the power-sharing annex including on the possible structure of the new Bangsamoro political entity and the intergovernmental mechanism that can be instituted to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Central and Bangsamoro governments in the exercise of various powers,” she said.

Ms. Ferrer said the discussions centered on the structure of the future Bangsamoro region planned to be under a ministerial form of government. “The MILF submitted the features of the structure of its envisioned government which the two panels discussed. There is understanding now on the level of detail that would go into the Annex on Power Sharing but some disagreements still on specific features,” she said.

“Discussions are also ongoing on the extent of territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro political entity over waters and on the protection of fishing rights of subsistence fishermen in the Sulu Sea and Moro Gulf,” she added.

Both sides were trying to finish negotiations on the annex on power sharing within last week’s talks. MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal admitted that the discussions are difficult.

Ms. Ferrer said the two parties’ Technical Working Group on Normalization “achieved working consensus on the mechanisms that will address the different security aspects of normalization, such as the private armed groups, and disposition of weapons and combatants, and land conflicts; the provision of socioeconomic programs; and reconciliation.”

“In all, it was a productive meeting but the discussions on the many items took time. Despite the exhausting daily overtime sessions in the last five days, the panels remained upbeat,” she said. Ms. Ferrer said the two sides have “agreed on a process that will facilitate the settlement of the unsettled issues and will meet again in due time.”

The power sharing and normalization are the last two among the four annexes that will complete the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro into a comprehensive agreement.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=‘Substantial-progress’-seen-in-peace-talks&id=77864

Media Statement: GPH-MILF Joint Statement at the 41st Exploratory Talks

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Oct 13): Media Statement: GPH-MILF Joint Statement at the 41st Exploratory Talks



THE NEGOTIATING Panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) today concluded the 41st round of negotiations in Kuala Lumpur.

The Parties made substantial progress on the remaining Annexes on Power-Sharing and Normalization. They have proceeded in exhaustive, honest discussions in order to identify the best formulations for an agreement that would respond to the aspirations of both Parties.

The remaining challenges and the time constraints demand that the Panels remain focused on completing the annexes following a break for Eid'Ul'Adha. Both sides have a full understanding of their responsibility as they strive towards a sustainable and inclusive solution for the benefit of all people in the Bangsamoro.

The Parties expressed their appreciation to His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for his unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao, to his Excellency Malaysian Prime Minister Dato'  Sri Mohd. Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their untiring commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.

The Parties also extend their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG), namely Japan, the United Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah and the Community of Sant' Egidio.

Done this 13th day of October 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

FOR THE GPH:
(Sgd.) MIRIAM CORONEL-FERRER
GPH Panel Chair

(Sgd.) MOHAGHER IQBAL
MILF Panel Chair

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF:
(Sgd.) TENGKU DATO' AB GHAFAR TENGKU MOHAMED
Malaysian Facilitator

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/10/media-statement-gph-milf-joint.html

Philippines, MILF peace talks end without accord, agree to meet again in KL

From the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Oct 13): Philippines, MILF peace talks end without accord, agree to meet again in KL

Philippines and Moro National Liberation Front rebels ended peace talks in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday without a substantial agreement.

But peace negotiators claimed to have made progress on the remaining annexes on power-sharing and normalization.

In a joint statement, the peace panels headed by Miriam Ferrer for the government side, and Mohagher Iqbal, for the MILF, said: “The remaining challenges and the time constraints demand that the peace panels remain focused on completing the annexes following a break for Eid al-Adha. Both sides have a full understanding of their responsibility as they strive towards a sustainable and inclusive solution for the benefit of all people in the Bangsamoro.”

Eid al-Adha is an Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to follow Allah's command to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Muslims around the world observe this event.

Iqbal said on the MILF website that power-sharing represents the heart of the negotiations since it contains the list of powers reserved for the central government, powers exclusive to the envisioned Bangsamoro government, and concurrent or shared powers between the two.

Last year, the peace panels signed the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement which would pave the way for the Muslim homeland. Under the accord, the Bangsamoro government would take a ministerial form, where members of the legislature who would be elected by the people and in return they would elect a chief minister among themselves.

Peace negotiators agreed to meet again after the Muslim holiday. Iqbal said the delay is impeding the working timeline of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body tasked to draft the Basic Law.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/10/philippines-milf-peace-talks-end.html

ICRC, UP College of Law organize seminar on law of war

From the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Oct 13): ICRC, UP College of Law organize seminar on law of war

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the College of Law of the University of the Philippines have organized a six-day seminar in Manila on international laws governing military operations.

Organizers said 40 civil society, government and military representatives from across Southeast and East Asia are attending the seminar which started Sunday and runs until October 18. The seminar, the eighth of its kind to be held in the region, is the first time the Philippines has hosted the event.

“The seminar will help build a broad understanding of what laws apply in armed conflicts and why they must be respected in the interests of humanity. It will also provide a rich forum for civil society professionals involved in the promotion of the law and policy surrounding humanitarian issues to debate their role,” Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC's head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Experts from the ICRC, the University of the Philippines and Mindanao State University are among those who will deliver lectures on various topics, such as the methods and means of armed conflict; non-state actors in non-international armed conflicts, the enforcement of IHL through international criminal justice and protection of cultural property.

“Participants will take part in practical role-play sessions as well as more theoretical classes, providing an opportunity to deepen their learning. With representatives from 11 different countries sharing their experiences and insights, the event should serve to build an international network of people interested in humanitarian issues,” Evecar Cruz, the ICRC’s legal adviser in the Philippines, said in the same statement.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/10/icrc-up-college-of-law-organize-seminar.html