1 rebel dead, 1 soldier wounded in CamNorte encounter

From the Bicol Today (Oct 25): 1 rebel dead, 1 soldier wounded in CamNorte encounter



A still unidentified New People’s Army rebel was killed and an Army soldier was wounded in an encounter between communist guerrillas and government troopers at about 4:30 a.m. Friday in Sitio Purok 3, Barangay Salvacion, Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte.

Captain Mardjories Paimela P. Panesa, chief of the 9th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said Philippine Army troopers from the 49th Infantry Battalion were on a security patrol operation when they encountered seven rebels who were allegedly collecting revolutionary tax.

The 20-minute encounter resulted in the death of the rebel and the wounding of Pfc. Edcil Bagaan who was immediately airlifted by a helicopter to the AFP Medical Center in V. Luna Hospital in Manila.

Government troopers are still in hot pursuit of the fleeing rebels who ran towards the direction of the mountainous area of Capalonga town.

The police have already sent scene-of-the crime operatives to the encounter site for necessary investigation.

http://bicoltoday.com/2013/10/25/1-rebel-dead-1-soldier-wounded-in-camnorte-encounter/

Panatag Shoal won’t be another Mischief Reef, PH defense chief vows

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 25): Panatag Shoal won’t be another Mischief Reef, PH defense chief vows

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday assured that Panatag Shoal (Scarborough) off Zambales will not be another Mischief Reef.

The statement came after the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the Philippines will no longer protest the presence of concrete blocks in Panatag, saying that there were no “determination of facts.”

The Philippines accused China in early September of allegedly putting concrete blocks in the disputed territory.

Gazmin said then there were at least 75 concrete blocks in Panatag as of their Aug. 31 aerial survey.

“I don’t think [it would be another Mischief Reef], because we have regular air and sea patrols,” Gazmin told reporters.

Gazmin said the blocks have algae, an indication that they were already old.

“Well now, we have seen that they are old. But how did it get there? In other words, these were newly discovered but it doesn’t mean they were newly put,” he said.

“This is new to us because we have just seen it recently. At that time it was low tide. Maybe during previous missions it was on high tide so we did not see it,” he said.

He could not say, however, how old the concrete blocks were.

In 1995, structures built by China were sighted in the Mischief Reef, an area near Ayungin also within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, where the Chinese put up a military garrison.

These were reportedly built initially to provide shelter for fishermen, but were later transformed into a military garrison.

Gazmin emphasized that the arbitration case still continued.

The Philippines had sought for arbitration under the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to pursue its claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). It filed a diplomatic protest in January as Chinese ships continued to come and go into the resource-rich areas of Panatag and Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal). Both areas are within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

(Editor’s note: Reposting story to correct earlier one that said it was in August when Gazmin made remarks about sighting 75 concrete blocks during an aerial survey)

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/88657/panatag-shoal-wont-be-another-mischief-reef-ph-defense-chief-vows

Army camp in CL still in darkness

From the Manila Standard Today (Oct 25): Army camp in CL still in darkness

For Magsaysay, a 2,00-hectare military camp in Laur, Nueva Ecja has no electricity and water for the past 12 days since a tropical storm knocked out the power supply system in the area early this month, officials said on Wednesday.

Col. Ernesto Torres, chief operations officer of the 7th Infantry Division, said military offices and homes of officers and men inside the camp were in darkness but camp operations remained unhampered.

“We have to rely on fire trucks to provide us water. The water system in the camp was dependent on electricity,” Torres said.

Typhoon Santi, which caused widespread damaged in Central Luzon and nearby areas, knocked down power pylons and uprooted trees. It brought heavy rains and floods that submerged highways, rice fields and communities.

Torrest said the estimate of damages to inside the camp was not immediately known but he expected a P3 million subsidy from the army central headquarters for the cost of power restoration.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/10/25/army-camp-in-cl-still-in-darkness/

Acquisition of helicopters part of AFP's modernization program

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 25): Acquisition of helicopters part of AFP's modernization program

Reacting to suggestions that the country acquire more helicopters than jet fighters as the former is more useful in disaster relief operations, Department of National Defense (DND) secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday revealed that acquiring more rotary wing aircraft is part of the military modernization program.

However, he declined to comment on how many helicopters are being eyed to augment the existing fleet.

"Acquiring more helicopters is part of the modernization program," he said in Filipino during a radio interview.

Gazmin also clarified that negotiations with the South Korean government regarding the F/A-50 "Golden Eagle" jet aircraft was done long before the 7.2 magnitude earthquake battered parts of Central Visayas.

"We cannot just pull out of the negotiations," he added.

The Philippines is planning to acquire 12 of the above-mentioned jet planes for P18.9 billion.

Gazmin made this announcement after some sectors, especially Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo "Pong" Biazon claimed that the money being used to fund the acquisition of the F/A-50s should be spent to acquire more helicopters and cargo planes for the military as the said equipment can be utilized for disaster and relief works.

Biazon earlier claimed that some quake-ravaged villages are to still to get any relief supplies due to lack of aerial assets.

Gazmin dismissed this claims and stressed that military helicopters are flying round-the-clock to ensure the delivery of supplies to the affected communities.

DND undersecretary Eduardo Batac earlier said that there is an ongoing bid process for helicopters.

“The helicopters that we plan to procure have been stalled for more than one year. There were some hitches in the procurement process and thus the delay. But we are trying to correct this so that we can acquire these helicopters as soon as possible,” Batac explained.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=580049

Military cautions folks on electing NPA-backed candidates

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 25): Military cautions folks on electing NPA-backed candidates

Military officials have cautioned local residents against voting for candidates supported by the communist-led New People’s Army (NPA) in Monday’s barangay elections.

Capt. William Rodriguez, spokesperson of the Army’s 1002nd Brigade, said on a local radio station they received reports that a number of candidates had been approached by NPA units in connection with the coming polls.

He said the rebels specifically offered to allow some candidates to campaign in areas by paying “permit-to-campaign” (PTC) fees.

Some candidates were even guaranteed of getting elected through the payment of “permit-to-win” (PTW) fees, he said.

“They (NPA) have long been extorting our local politicians and they dangle these sort of fees every election,” Rodriguez said.

The official said the rebels were actually duping candidates with the collection of the PTC and PTW fees as they’ve been offering such scheme to all candidates.

“These schemes are clearly meant to manipulate and deny the people of their right of suffrage,” he stressed.

Rodriguez urged residents to help the government and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Monday’s barangay elections by being more vigilant.

“Let’s vote for persons who can really help our communities and not those backed by the NPA, which only wants to bring down our government,” he said.

For the elections on Monday, Rodriguez assured that security preparations are already in place.

He said they were deputized by the Comelec to secure the conduct of the elections.

“We have been closely coordinating with our counterparts in the police and with the Comelec to ensure that we will have a safe, peaceful and orderly elections,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=579956

1 rebel dead, 1 soldier wounded in CamNorte encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 25): 1 rebel dead, 1 soldier wounded in CamNorte encounter

A still unidentified New People’s Army rebel was killed and an Army soldier was wounded in an encounter between communist guerrillas and government troopers at about 4:30 a.m. Friday in Sitio Purok 3, Barangay Salvacion, Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte.

Captain Mardjories Paimela P. Panesa, chief of the 9th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said Philippine Army troopers from the 49th Infantry Battalion were on a security patrol operation when they encountered seven rebels who were allegedly collecting revolutionary tax.

The 20-minute encounter resulted in the death of the rebel and the wounding of Pfc. Edcil Bagaan who was immediately airlifted by a helicopter to the AFP Medical Center in V. Luna Hospital in Manila.

Government troopers are still in hot pursuit of the fleeing rebels who ran towards the direction of the mountainous area of Capalonga town.

The police have already sent scene-of-the crime operatives to the encounter site for necessary investigation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=580244

Military pursuing rebel kidnappers of 6 Lumads in Agusan Del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 25): Military pursuing rebel kidnappers of 6 Lumads in Agusan Del Sur

Units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command is now pursuing a New People's Army (NPA) band who abducted six Lumads in Barangay Sabud, Loreto town, Agusan Del Sur Thursday morning.

One soldier was also wounded trying to help the victims, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson Capt. Alberto Caber said.

He added around 30 rebels participated in the abductions.

The victims are all barangay election candidates and identified as Lito and Balaba Andalaque, Reynaldo Piodos, Marvin Bantuasan and Gina Bantuasan, and Pepe Subla.

Caber said that the victims being held by the NPAs allegedly to influence the barangay elections.

He added the Loreto municipal government is organizing a crisis management team to address the situation.

Combined forces from 26th Infantry Battalion and Philippine National are now conducting pursuit and rescue operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=580002

NDF slams Oplan Bayanihan

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 24): NDF slams Oplan Bayanihan

The National Democratic Front-Negros claims that the Oplan Bayanihan campaign of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has failed to accomplish its mission of reducing the armed strength and capability of the New People’s Army in Negros.

In a statement sent to the DAILY STAR, NDF-Negros spokesperson Frank Fernandez said that the 3ID has been focusing its effort on Negros since 2007.

Fernandez said that this year, the focus of 3ID will be on Panay, but until now, it is still focusing on Negros.

In the months of August and September, he said, he noted a series of encounters between NPA and AFP units in central, southern and northern Negros, that claimed the life of Ka Boboy, while several civilians were arrested by the military.

Fernandez also claimed that a member of the 47th Infantry Battalion was killed, while four others, including a soldier of the 79th Infantry Battalion, were injured in the Brgy. Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, encounter.

He also acknowledged that the NPA was responsible for the death of a certain Amay Lirazan in Kabankalan City, linked to incidents of murder, rape and robbery for being an asset of the police.

Fernandez slammed state security forces for filing what he claims to be “trumped-up” murder and rebellion charges against Nilda Bertulano, who was arrested in Bais City, Negros Oriental.

He said it is impossible for Bertulano to participate in an ambush, as she was still in jail, when the incident happened.

Fernandez claimed that the military is doing it , just to gain “pogi points”.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/October/24/topstory13.htm

Military officer accuses MILF leader of conniving with Abu Sayyaf

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 24): Military officer accuses MILF leader of conniving with Abu Sayyaf

A military officer based in Basilan has accused a leader of the Moro Islamic National Liberation Front of conniving with terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

Colonel Carlito Galvez of the Army’s 104th Brigade filed a complaint to the chairman of Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, Major General Leo Cresente Ferrer, against MILF leader Malista Malanka and his group. It was filed on October 9.

The AHJAG is the cooperative mechanism between the government and the MILF that responds to criminality and terrorism in MILF areas.

Ferrer said on Thursday that the International Monitoring Team already went there to investigate.

Galvez accused Malanka, a resident of Ulitan villega in Ungkaya Pukan “for his continuous involvement in lawless activities, aiding terrorist groups and providing safe haven and passage for Abu Sayaff Group under Furuji Indama and Sulayman Adjanti alias Ulay.”

Early this month, during a four-hour firefight between the Abu Sayyaf and the Army’s 11th Scout Ranger Company in Tongbato village, reinforcements from Malista’s group came to aid the Abu Sayyaf, according to Galvez.

Galvez asked Haji Dan Asnawi, commander of MILF 114 Base Command, to intervene and withdraw the troops. They both agreed to a ceasefire but Malista’s group with the ASG continued to fire the government troops.

This led to the death of two military personnel, including Captain Harold Camazo of the Army. The ASG also had three fatalities, including the aid of Muads Indama, aide of ASG leader Furiji Indama).

Galvez said there were “clear indications” that the ASG and Malista’s group “deliberately planned to entrap the government forces” with their prepared positions, target reference points and clearing at the possible government approach.

“The employment of mortars, tear gas, sniper fires and seemingly rehearsed reinforcements from Malista’s Group from Ulitan with civilian jeeps and motorcycles were clear indications of strong collusion between Malista Malangka and Furuji Indama,” Galvez said.

Malanka is also tagged in other land grabbing activities, ASG kidnap for ransom, extortion and other illegal activities.

Galvez recommended immediate sanction and MILF delisting of Malanka’s group, as well as sumbission of complete listing of MILF members in Basilan.

He also suggested “strong sanctions” from the MILF Central COmmand to MILF commanders who are colluding with the ASG.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/513569/military-officer-accuses-milf-leader-of-conniving-with-abu-sayyaf

3 US-schooled Pinoy soldiers take oath before AFP chief

From GMA News (Oct 23): 3 US-schooled Pinoy soldiers take oath before AFP chief



(L-R) Army 2Lt. Floren Herrera, Air Force 2Lt. Theodore Quijano, Navy Ensign Louise Salio. Photo courtesy of AFP PIO

Three US-schooled Filipino military officers, including two who graduated with honors, took their oath as officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday in Camp Aguinaldo.
"The AFP congratulates its three Foreign Military Academy graduates for their dedication, enthusiasm, and sacrifices as cadets leading to their achievements that contributed in giving pride and honor to the Armed Forces and the whole Filipino nation as well," said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

The three were led by now Air Force 2Lt. Theodore Quijano, who graduated from the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Coloradio with honors last May. Quijano is a recipient of numerous academic awards, including Superintendent's List, Dean’s List, and Commandant’s List.

Quijano is also a recipient of military awards like Outstanding Basic Cadet Award, US Air Force Jump Wings, USAFA Academy Space Wings, USAFA Glider Pilot Wings, and USAFA Flight Program.

"He was also awarded for his outstanding athletic performance while in the academy including the Athletic Director’s List and German Athletic Proficiency Badge for Outstanding Athletic Performance," Zagala said.

Another US-schooled military officer was Army 2Lt. Floren Herrera, who also graduated with honors from the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, last May.

Zagala said Herrera is a recipient of both scholastic and military awards, including Distinguished Cadet (Starman), Superintendent’s Award, “Top Gun” of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the Army Physical Fitness Badge, and First Runner-Up Brigade Boxing Open 2011.

The third was now Navy Ensign Louise Salio, who graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis also in May.

Zagala said Salio graduated from the academy "after four years of rigorous training and exemplary performance in academics."

The three entered the Philippine Military Academy before they went to the US. They took their oath before AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista after they received their commissionship from President Benigno Aquino III, the military's commander in chief.

"The graduates’ outstanding scholastic performance and achievements as cadets of US military academies were greatly admired by the AFP leadership," said Zagala.

A number of Filipino military officers had graduated from the US schools, including former President Fidel Ramos, who also served as AFP chief. Ramos is a product of the US Military Academy. Another one was former AFP chief Narciso Abaya, also a product of the US Military Academy.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/332196/pinoyabroad/news/3-us-schooled-pinoy-soldiers-take-oath-before-afp-chief

Army files complaint vs MILF leader

From the Philippine Star (Oct 24): Army files complaint vs MILF leader

An Army officer has accused a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader of conniving with Abu Sayyaf and called for sanctions against those who provide safe haven to terrorists.
  Col. Carlito Galvez, Jr., chief of the Army’s 104th brigade, recently filed a protest to the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) against MILF leader Malista Malanka over his supposed involvement in lawless activities like kidnapping and land grabbing.

The AHJAG consists of representatives from the government and the MILF and is tasked to isolate and interdict criminal and lawless groups in Mindanao.

In a letter to AHJAG dated October 9 and released to the media on Thursday, Galvez said Malanka has been aiding terror groups and has been providing safe passage for the Abu Sayyaf group under Furuji Indama and Sulayman Adjanti.

Galvez said Malanka was also involved in a kidnap and rape case in 2009 as well as ambuscades in 2011 and 2012 that left a total of 29 civilians and 12 soldiers dead.

The MILF leader, Galvez claimed, was also behind the land-grabbing of a rubber plantation in Basilan and extortion activities directed against businesses in the area.

Galvez said Barangay Ulitan in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan “serves as Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) safe haven and passage corridor when government forces conducted focused military operations.”

“Ulitan and Bato-simbong, Sumisip also serve as safe areas for wounded ASG-lawless elements,” he said, adding that some members of Malista’s group are “notorious lawless elements.”

Malista has also been accused of providing reinforcements to Abu Sayyaf terrorists encountered by the 11th Scout Ranger Company led by Cpt. Harold Camaso, who died in the clash.

The encounter happened last October 8 in Barangay Tongbato.

“Malista’s Group greatly tarnished the image of the MILF in Basilan with his active involvement with ASG kidnap for ransom, extortion and other illegal activities,” Galvez said.

Galvez called for immediate delisting of Malista’s group from the MILF. He also recommended the submission of a complete list of MILF members in Basilan, saying many lawless individuals are now falsely affiliated with the group to evade arrest.

Galvez also cited the need for the MILF Central Command to impose “strong sanctions” against MILF commanders who are providing safe havens to the Abu Sayyaf.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/10/24/1248936/army-files-complaint-vs-milf-leader

Philippine Military Academy 115th Anniversary

From Tempo (Oct 25): Philippine Military Academy 115th Anniversary



The Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the premier military institution whose motto is “Courage, Integrity, Loyalty,” celebrates its 115th Anniversary on October 25, 2013, highlighting its illustrious goal of character and value formation of young Filipino men and women, by providing them with broad, well-rounded education and skills training for life-long service to country and people.

The PMA was transformed into a “tri-service academy” in 1993 to specialized, branch-of-service courses in the last two years of a cadet in the institution. It trains the cadets to be field, fleet, or squadron-ready, for commission into any of the three major branches of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) – the Philippine Army the Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Navy. In 1993, Republic Act 7192 was enacted to admit female cadets into the PMA, like military academies in the United States of America.

The academy’s modern facilities and infrastructure located in a 375-hectare compound in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, provide cadets a conducive learning environment for the four-year techno-scientific curriculum designed to fill the needs of the AFP.

The PMA traces its origins to the establishment of Academia Militar in Malolos, Bulacan, by General Emilio F. Aguinaldo on October 25, 1898. During the American era, an officer’s school of the Philippine Constabulary was established in Intramuros, Manila on February 17, 1905. It relocated three years later to Baguio City, initially at Camp Henry T. Allen, and later at Teacher’s Camp. It moved to its present site in Loakan, Fort del Pilar. On September 8, 1926, the Philippine Legislature renamed it Philippine Constabulary Academy. On December 21, 1936, Commonwealth Act No. 1, the National Defense Act, formally created the PMA and authorizing it to confer a bachelor’s degree on its graduates. Disrupted by the outbreak of the war, the academy reopened on May 5, 1947, with an improved curriculum patterned after the American West Point.

We congratulate the Armed Forces of the Philippines headed by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista and Philippine Military Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Edgar L. Abogado, Officers and Personnel, for their combined efforts of preparing the Corps of Cadet for a progressive career and the noble privilege of serving our Republic of the Philippines. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/10/philippine-military-academy-115th-anniversary/#.UmpfXpHD-AI

Army unit dubbed Moro peacemaker cited as best brigade

From the Philippine Star (Oct 25): Army unit dubbed Moro peacemaker cited as best brigade 



Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman attaches a special citation sash on the banner of the 602nd Brigade, cited as "best brigade" of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, during Thursday's 26th anniversary of the 6th ID in Camp Siongco. JOHN UNSON

MAGUINDANAO - An Army brigade that helped reconcile rival Moro factions in North Cotabato, whose bloody squabbles for control of strategic parcels of land displaced thousands of villagers, was adjudged “best brigade” of the 6th Infantry Division (ID).

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman attached in a symbolic rite Thursday a citation sash on the banner of the Army’s 602nd Brigade during the 26th anniversary celebration of the 6th Infantry Division.

Hataman was the guest of honor in the ceremonial commemoration of the 6th ID’s anniversary feast at Camp Siongco in Maguindanao’s Datu Odin town.

6th ID commander Major Gen. Romeo Gapuz said the participation of Hataman and about a hundred local officials and sectoral representatives in the celebration was an indication of the efficient civil-military “convergence peacekeeping cooperation” among Central Mindanao’s local communities.

The 602nd Brigade, based in Carmen town in North Cotabato, is a consistent recipient of the division’s periodic “best brigade citation” for its active involvement in peace-building activities.

“Credit has to go to the enlisted men and officers of all units under the 602nd Brigade. To them goes the honor, from the personnel of the brigade down to all our privates on the ground and all members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit in our area of responsibility,” said Brig. Gen. Ademar Tomaro, 602nd Brigade commander.

Combatants of the brigade and its units have fended off some 20 attacks in previous months by the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on farming enclaves in North Cotabato’s adjoining Pikit, Aleosan, Midsayap and Mlang towns.

As brigade commander, Tomaro oversees the Army’s 7th and 40th Infantry Battalions, the 62nd Division Reconnaissance Company, the Alpha and Bravo Companies of the 38th Cadre Battalion, the 10th Special Forces Company, and the Bravo Battery of the 16th Field Artillery Battalion, which are deployed in far-flung areas.

The 602nd Brigade also helped North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza broker a truce between rival forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front that figured in hostilities sparked by territorial disputes in three towns from April to late September this year.

Mendoza’s peace initiative led to the signing last October 15 in a public gymnasium in Matalam town by Datu Dima Ambel, chairman of the MNLF’s Sebangan Kutawato State Committee, and Kagui Abas Bayan of the MILF’s 108th Base Command of a covenant enjoining both sides to reposition away from the disputed lands to restore normalcy and hasten the return of no fewer than 7,000 evacuees.

Hataman, in a keynote message, reminded soldiers of the 6th ID of the need for military organizations in the south to help resolve domestic peace and security issues through traditional and religious conflict-resolution practices.

While North Cotabato is not part of the autonomous region, the 602nd Brigade also covers Maguindanao’s adjoining Pagalungan and Montawal towns, which are component areas of ARMM.

Several towns under the second district of Lanao del Sur, which is inside the autonomous region, are under the jurisdiction of the Army’s 603rd Brigade, also a unit of the 6th ID.

Hataman said the “zero encounter” between 6th ID units and MILF forces in Central Mindanao in the past two years is a tacit proof that soldiers under the division value the primacy of the Mindanao peace process, which aims to put an end to the nagging Southern Moro problem through a negotiated political settlement.

Hataman also reiterated his commitment to support peace-building projects of the 6th ID in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, where the ARMM government has on-going socio-economic projects in communities covered by the GPH-MILF 1997 Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/10/25/1249297/army-unit-dubbed-moro-peacemaker-cited-best-brigade

Negros Scout Rangers now in Samar

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 25): Negros Scout Rangers now in Samar

The elite 1st Scout Ranger Battalion of the Philippine Army, whose members were supposed to return to Negros after their brief stint in Zamboanga City, have been redeployed to northern Samar.

This was confirmed yesterday by Lt. Col. Oriel Pangcog, 1st SRB commander, whose unit is now under the supervision of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division.

The three companies of the 1st SRB had been dispatched to Samar on Oct. 16, with a skeletal force remaining in Negros Occidental, that is expected to join them soon, Pangcog said.

Military records show that the 1st SRB had been under the operational control of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in Western Visayas since 2004.

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

Pangcog said Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar led the send-off ceremony for the 1st SRB troopers, whom she thanked for their peacekeeping efforts in her city.

The AFP Western Mindanao Command headed by Negrense Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo initially conferred Gold Cross Medals, the third highest Philippine military medals, to three members of the 1st SRB, in recognition of the bravery they displayed during the Zamboanga crisis.

Pangcog said they have also recommended that several 1st SRB troopers should be awarded the Distinguish Conduct Star for heroism.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/October/25/topstory9.htm

Photo: Philippine military loudspeaker team??

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 25): Photo: Philippine military loudspeaker team??



POLLS .The Army has joined the campaign for peaceful barangay elections  in Negros Occidental on Monday.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/

Gazmin admits mistake on Scarborough blocks

From Rappler (Oct 25): Gazmin admits mistake on Scarborough blocks

"The President is right," said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. The concrete blocks found in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough) are old and it's not clear who placed them there.

Gazmin corrected his earlier statements that China is planning constructions in the shoal, a rocky sandbar located off the coast of Zambales.

(READ: China starts construction in Panatag and China put 75 blocks in Scarborough)

"There are barnacles [found in the concrete blocks] meaning they're old. But this is new to us because we only saw them recently. It's possible it was low tide when the photos were taken," Gazmin explained in a mix of English and Filipino.

The blocks were "newly discovered but not newly installed," he said.

Gazmin made his claims against China in September during the department's budget hearing in the House of Representatives, where he showed photos of the concrete blocks.

The defense chief said the Philippine Navy spotted the blocks for the first time on August 31. A second maritime patrol shows there are a total of 75 concrete blocks in the shoal.

Gazmin's revelations almost prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to lodge a protest before the United Nations International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the international body hearing the arbitration filed by the Philippines against China over the West Philippine Sea.

(READ: Hearings on PH, China dispute begin and Chinese construction to bolster case)

But in a surprise statement recently, President Benigno Aquino III contradicted Gazmin's pronouncements and said there is no proof that China put those blocks there.

[Video: Gazmin explain concrete blocks in Scarborough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKap6numoxQ]

Gazmin said the government is now determining who placed the blocks there and when.

The DFA has changed tunes, too. DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario in a press briefing on Thursday said it is not ready to file a diplomatic protest against China over the concrete blocks.

(READ: DFA backtracks on protests over Panatag blocks)

Asked about insinuations that the Philippines overreacted in announcing the presence of concrete blocks, Gazmin said: "Hindi naman sa overreacted, that's what you found. Ngayon na nakita nating luma, well, paano nailagay 'yun? In other words nadiskubre ito – bagong diskubre ito pero hindi bago lang lagay."

(It's not overreacting, we were just telling what we found. Now that we've seen they are old, well, how were they placed there? In other words, these were discovered – newly discovered, but not newly installed.)

The location of Panatag shoal holds huge political and economic significance. Located in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), it is a strategic staging area for military operations. Scientists are also optimistic about the area’s potential oil resources.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/42198-gazmin-concrete-blocks-panatag

Philippines expects early UN ruling on sea dispute with China

From InterAksyon (Oct 25): Philippines expects early UN ruling on sea dispute with China

The Philippines expects an early ruling from the United Nations' tribunal on its arbitration case questioning China's claim on the South China Sea, Manila's foreign minister said on Thursday, in the first public announcement of hopes for a swift outcome.

Friction over the key shipping route has surged as China uses its growing naval might to assert a vast claim over the oil-and-gas rich area more strongly, raising fears of a conflict with other nations bordering the water body.

China, Taiwan and Vietnam have claims on the whole of the South China Sea, while Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines claim only parts of the disputed waters.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines initiated arbitration proceedings this year after exhausting all political and diplomatic avenues of resolution, and called China's claim on the South China Sea "expansive and excessive".

"Our lead counsel believes that without China's participation, the award will come down faster and may come down by 2014," del Rosario told a group of diplomats and chief executives of top private and public corporations.

"This is a positive development," he added.

Del Rosario earlier told Reuters that going by previous cases, the arbitration case could take three to four years to resolve, insisting the tribunal's decision "will be legally binding on all parties and will not be appealable".

Legal experts say any result will be unenforceable, however, though it will carry moral and political weight.

China says it has no intention of participating in the case, which it has called an attempt by Manila to legalize its occupation of Chinese islands in the South China Sea.

Overlapping claims in the South China Sea - traversed by half the world's shipping tonnage - are one of the region's biggest flashpoints amid China's military build-up and the US strategic "pivot" back to Asia.

The claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei are bisected by China's "nine-dash line" - the historic claim that reaches deep into the maritime heart of Southeast Asia.

Del Rosario also accused China of violating international laws and a non-binding pact in the South China Sea between China and 10 smaller Southeast Asian states, after sending ships to the Scarborough and Second Thomas Shoals.

"China's continuous overwhelming naval and maritime presence in the area is also contributing to the raising of regional tensions," del Rosario added.

He said Manila had until next March 30 to submit its arguments and evidence seeking clarification on China's maritime claims, based on the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea.

A diplomat familiar with the arbitration proceedings told Reuters the tribunal would give China six months to respond before holding a hearing and deciding the complaint.

"So, we could actually get an actual ruling by late 2014 or early 2015," the diplomat said, adding it would take time if China changed its mind and decided to join in.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73418/philippines-expects-early-un-ruling-on-sea-dispute-with-china

NPA seize 6 lumad barangay bets in Agusan del Sur - military

From InterAksyon (Oct 25): NPA seize 6 lumad barangay bets in Agusan del Sur - military



The New People’s Army has allegedly kidnapped six lumad (indigenous people) who are running in Monday’s barangay elections in Agusan del Sur, the military said Friday.

Captain Alberto Caber, public information chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said a soldier was wounded when he caught up with the rebels who snatched Lito Andalaque, Balaba Andalaque, Reynaldo Piodos, Marvin Bantuasan, Gina Bantuasan and Pepe Subla in Barangay Sabud, Loreto town Thursday morning, in an alleged attempt to “influence the barangay election.”

The local government is organizing a crisis management team to address the kidnapping while police and troops of the 26th Infantry Battalion are pursuing the rebels, Caber said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73438/npa-seize-6-lumad-barangay-bets-in-agusan-del-sur---military

Army major tagged in Jonas Burgos disappearance posts bail

From InterAksyon (Oct 25): Army major tagged in Jonas Burgos disappearance posts bail

The Army officer accused of leading the team of agents who abducted activist-farmer Jonas Burgos in 2007 posted bail at the Quezon regional trial court on Thursday.

Major Harry Baliaga, who is charged for violating Article 124 of the Revised Penal Code, or arbitrary detention, was accompanied by his lawyer when he posted bail of P40,000 before QC RTC Branch 216.

Burgos was seized as he ate at the Ever Gotesco mall along Commonweath Avenue in Quezon City on April 28, 2007.

He has not been seen since.

Jonas is the third child of the late world press freedom icon Jose G. Burgos Jr., who trailblazed in the so-called "Mosquito Press" or alternative media that covered critically the Marcos dictatorship.

The elder Burgos was jailed by President Marcos' military in December 1982 after a raid on his newspapers offices, which the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional two years later.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73442/army-major-tagged-in-jonas-burgos-disappearance-posts-bail

Philippine rebels seized 6 politicians, soldier wounded in clash

From the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Oct 25): Philippine rebels seized 6 politicians, soldier wounded in clash

One government soldier was wounded in a clash with communist rebels who abducted 6 politicians running in village polls in the southern Philippines, an army spokesman said Friday.

Captain Alberto Caber said troops were searching for the hostages - Lito Andalaque, Balaba Andalaque, Reynaldo Piodos, Marvin Bantuasan, Gina Bantuasan and Pepe Subla – who were all seized in the village of Sabud in Agusan del Sur’s Loreto town.

“More than two dozen New People’s Army rebels were involved in the abductions and one of our soldiers whose group is pursuing the abductors was wounded in the clash.

The operation is going on to rescue the hostages,” Caber told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said the rebel NPA is harassing political candidates who are not paying so-called “campaign fees” and that rebels are also trying to influence the outcome of the October 28 elections.

Local town officials have organized a crisis management team to also deal with the abductions. Most of the hostages are local natives.

Army Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, accused the rebel group of human rights violations and demanded the safe release of the hostages. “This is another gross violation of the international human rights law and we demand that they immediately release all the hostages,” he said.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines which has been waging a secessionist war for many decades now.

Peace talks with different Philippine presidents have failed in the past and communist leaders are still demanding the freedom of all hundreds of its rebel commanders and political activists languishing in various prisons across the country.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/10/philippine-rebels-seized-6-politicians.html

CPP/NPA: Election hotspots in Quezon, an AFP scheme – NPA

NPA propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Oct 23): Election hotspots in Quezon, an AFP scheme – NPA

NPA Quezon Provincial Operations Command (Apolonio Mendoza Command)

 

The New People’s Army mocked the declaration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that 200 barangays in South Quezon Bondoc Peninsula (SQBP) are election hotspots, saying that the armed forces are using the upcoming local elections to intensify militarization and human rights violations in the area.

The 200 hotspots in SQBP are part of the 6,000 barangays identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as having the highest frequency of election-related violence in the whole country.

Armine de Guia, spokesperson of NPA- Apolonio Mendoza Command in SQBP,said that the AFP-Southern Luzon Command is most likely behind the election hotspots, because Comelec declaration enables the reactionary armed forces to infiltrate barangays and implement counter-revolutionary and anti-people schemes.

“The AFP is losing steam and running out of ideas to cover-up the real terror of Oplan Bayanihan, the suppression campaign of the US-Aquino II regime against the growing revolutionary movement,” said de Guia.

The 200 barangays declared as hotspots are covered by the municipalities of San Narciso, Mulanay, San Francisco, General Luna, and Catanauan in Bondoc Peninsula.
Bondoc Peninsula is known as an NPA stronghold and was the site of a military operation involving eight battalions of the AFP, Philippine National Police and the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in 2012.

“This laughable and dated AFP statement is short of admitting the failure of Oplan Bayanihan to crush the people’s armed struggle. This is the third time that the AFP has bragged that it will quash the NPA forces in SQBP before the year ends. Needless to say, this is the third time they will fail,” added de Guia.

AMC-NPA warned the people of Quezon against illegal arrest, additional checkpoints, manipulation of the local elections and even extra-judicial killings that will be led by the fascist and mercenary army and police of the reactionary government.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) also issued a statement and guidelines on the conduct of the upcoming barangay elections.

“The senatorial and barangay elections in 2013 are means of the ruling class to set the stage for the 2016 presidential elections. Local elections have a historical role as machinery of the ruling regime to implement the anti-people programs and projects of the reactionary state.”

“The revolutionary movement stands firm that the reactionary elections will never lead to genuine societal change. Nevertheless, the CPP recognizes that the local elections could be maximized for the fortification of revolutionary mass bases in the countryside, especially in areas under the control and influence of the NPA."

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20131023_election-hotspots-in-quezon-an-afp-scheme-npa

CPP/NPA: Million-peso 4Ps fund, stolen by AFP-led syndicate

New People's Army propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Oct 23): Million-peso 4Ps fund, stolen by AFP-led syndicate


NPA Quezon Provincial Operations Command (Apolonio Mendoza Command)

The reported theft of million-peso fund for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps in San Francisco, Quezon on October 18 is orchestrated by a syndicate led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), according to the Apolonio Mendoza Command of the New People’s Army (AMC-NPA) in South Quezon Bondoc Peninsula (SQBP).

“The hold-up incident is suspicious. This crime is certainly planned and organized by a syndicate protected or even led by elements of the AFP and the reactionary police,” said Armine de Guia, spokesperson of AMC-NPA.

Based on reports, unidentified men pulled over and held-up the Philpost vehicle used to deliver the 4Ps fund in San Francisco. The vehicle containing millions of public funds was unaccompanied by security personnel, inviting suspiscion that the theft was set-up by reactionary authorities.

Thefts involving the AFP are not uncommon in the province of Quezon, added de Guia.

“In SQBP, elements and units of the AFP-PNP-CAFGU are proven accomplices of common criminals stealing from the people. The most recent case is the hold-up incident in Barangay Tayuman, San Francisco where an official of the 74th Infantry Battalion was uncovered as mastermind behind the armed robbery of a business establishment,” said de Guia.

De Guia also condemned AFP’s coddling of CAFGUs involved in the theft of carabaos in various barrios in SQBP.

Carabao theft has a long history in the province of Quezon, with the most infamous syndicate in the 1970s led by Sgt. Batibot. The NPA imposed capital punishment on Sgt. Batibot and his minions in 1978, and afterwards eradicated the syndicate.

“ It is ironic that the eight battalions of soldiers, police and para-military agents in SQBP could not prevent petty crimes like robbery. Either the reactionary government’s army and police are useless, or they are guilty of committing these crimes against the people,” said de Guia.

According to AMC, the hold-up incident proves that the 4Ps program is a waste of people’s funds and a magnet for corruption. Local politicians conniving with reactionary armed forces milk the billion-worth of 4Ps fund, raising suspicions that the million-peso fund stolen in San Francisco might be used in the upcoming barangay elections.

The 4Ps program began under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s regime and continues as a banner program of the Noynoy Aquino administration.

Various groups and sectors have criticized the 4Ps program, where cash subsidy is directly handed by the Deparment of Welfare and Social Development to the poorest Filipinos, as determined by the government agency.

“The 4Ps program is a dole-out and band-aid solution to the deepening poverty, and only creates opportunities to further deceive and exploit the poor,” said de Guia.

AMC said that the only solution to poverty is the implementation of genuine land reform in the countryside, through the destruction of land monopoly and the confiscation and distribution of lands owned by the landlord class.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20131023_million-peso-4ps-fund-stolen-by-afp-led-syndicate