Misuari to expose RP’s human rights violations

From Tempo (Dec 9): Misuari to expose RP’s human rights violations



Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari, the alleged mastermind of the Zamboanga siege last September, has slipped out of the country and is now on his way to Africa to attend the gathering of the members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

This was disclosed by lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesperson, in a phone interview yesterday morning. Fontanilla said Misuari was escorted out of the country by trusted aide Habier Malik, the ground commander of the MNLF group that occupied several coastal barangays.

Malik, however, has returned, according to Fontanilla.

Misuari, Malik and their followers face rebellion and other criminal charges in connection with the siege that killed more than 200 people and displaced thousands of families.

Misuari slipped out of the country via “traditional passage,” according to Fontanilla who did not offer more details.

The arrest warrant does not bother Misuari, according to the MNLF lawyer.

“I would like to reiterate that the warrant is illegal and has no basis. The MNLF is a party to the existing agreement with the government of the Philippines,” he clarified.

Unilateral action by a party to an agreement is not allowed, including the issuance of the warrant of arrest, Fontanilla stressed.

He added that the illegality of the issued warrant against the MNLF chairman is best understood by the international community based on the provisions of international law.

The incident in Zamboanga will be on top of Misuari’s agenda in the meeting, Fontanilla said.

The MNLF will submit a report on the human rights violations committed by the government of the Philippines in handling the crisis in Zamboanga, including the alleged torture of MNLF members.

Earlier this month, Misuari was officially invited by the OIC to attend its 40th session in the Republic of Guinea in Western Africa.

News about Misuari’s trip to West Africa reached Malacanang.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said authorities have been directed to step up the hunt for Misuari amid reports he intends to attend a global forum in West Africa.

“Authorities have been ordered to look into the matter. There is a standing arrest warrant against former governor Misuari in connection with the crisis in Zamboanga,” Coloma said in Filipino during a radio interview.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/12/misuari-to-expose-rps-human-rights-violations/#.UqVJqHJ3scA

Palace to Islamic bloc: Nur Misuari a fugitive

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 9): Palace to Islamic bloc: Nur Misuari a fugitive

Malacañang has publicly denounced Nur Misuari, founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, as being the sole representative of the Bangsamoro people before the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma said Misuari is a fugitive for masterminding the three-week hostage standoff in Zamboanga City that left more than a hundred people dead.

“We oppose any action on the part of Misuari that would convey any semblance of him being representative of the MNLF or the Bangsamoro people. Even the MNLF is not one in backing him up,” Coloma said.

Asked if the government will seek Misuari’s deportation in case he managed to slip out of the country to attend the OIC meeting, Coloma said there are existing protocols in bringing fugitives back.

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu sent a letter of invitation to Misuari dated Nov. 24 for the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Conakry, Republic of Guinea from Dec. 9 to 11.

“The Government of the Republic of Guinea has indicated that it will extend hospitality to head of delegation of your institution for the period from December 08 to 12, 2013,” read Ihsanoglu’s letter, a copy of which was obtained by Manila Standard.

In a text message from Kuala Lumpur, presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said there are already efforts internal to the MNLF to have Misuari replaced as the sole representative of the Bangsamoro people before the OIC.

“We are aware that a large group of MNLF leaders met last weekend and proposed a roster of names to represent the MNLF in the tripartite process. This request has been officially communicated to the OIC-Peace Committee on the Southern Philippines,” Deles said.

“It is important to note that the roster of names submitted to the OIC did not include Misuari,” Deles added.

According to Alih Yacub, president of the Golden Crescent of Peace Builders and Affiliates, the OIC must not be blind and deaf to the plight of the people of Zamboanga City, who have yet to recover from the siege.

“The OIC will have blood on their hands if they continue to invite and acknowledge Misuari. It is like they approve of the attack and are romanticizing it,” Yacub said in a phone interview from Zamboanga City.

“What will he tell the OIC? That he did not commit the crime? That the deaths were just part of a myth?” he added.

The MNLF attacked Zamboanga City amid government efforts to end the review process on the 1996 final peace agreement, which the rebels interpreted to be a termination of the entire peace process.

Indonesia has already reiterated its committed to help the Philippine government end the tripartite review process.

Indonesia is the current chairman of the OIC-Peace Committee on the Southern Philippines which brokered the 1996 FPA and is facilitating the tripartite review process.

Apart from the termination of the review process, the MNLF also lamented that they have been left out of the peace process with the government focused on negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Misuari, however, was invited to join the Transition Commission that would draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law, but the latter declined.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/12/09/palace-to-islamic-bloc-nur-misuari-a-fugitive/

GPH, MILF sign Power-Sharing annex; January eyed for signing of comprehensive peace pact

From MindaNews (Dec 9): GPH, MILF sign Power-Sharing annex; January eyed for signing of comprehensive peace pact

The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels signed Sunday night the Annex on Power-Sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) with the panels agreeing that the unresolved issue on “Bangsamoro waters” be treated as an addendum to the annexes on Power-Sharing and Revenue Generation and Wealth-Sharing.

Sunday’s signing leaves only one more annex –  Normalization –  for the panels to finally complete the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that would hasten the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to  pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro, a new autonomous political entity that would replace the 23-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In their Joint Statement Sunday, the panels said they are confident they will “finish the Annex on Normalization and an addendum on the matter of Bangsamoro waters … in January 2014.” The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the body that is drafting the BBL, expects to complete its task by April 2014.



SIGNED. The Annex on Power-Sharing was finally signed evening of December 8, 2013 after 16 months of negotiations. MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas

It took government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal and the Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Ab Ghafar bin Tengku Mohamed at least 10 mintues — from 8:57 p.m. to 9:07 p.m. –  to sign three sets of the  12-page Annex on Power-Sharing and the two-page Joint Statement at the State Room of the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel, with members of both panels affixing their initials on the Annex document.

The news on the signing was confirmed to MindaNews by Tengku at around 5:45 p.m. but “cleaning up the final text” for the signing took some time.

Reserved, Exclusive, Concurrent
The Annex on Power Sharing took 16 months to negotiate since the Technical Working Groups first convened in August 2012.

It delineates powers between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Ministerial Government within the territorial jurisdiction of the “Bangsamoro;” spells out the Central Government’s reserved powers, the Bangsamoro’s exclusive powers within its territorial jurisdiction, and concurrent powers shared by the Central and Bangsamoro governments and also provides the principles of intergovernmental relations “to ensure the harmonious partnership between and among the different levels of government,” the Joint Statement said.

The document is divided into four parts: intergovernmental relations, governance structure of the Bangsamoro Ministerial Government, and Other Matters pertaining to power-sharing such as transportation and communication, mineral and energy sources, taxation, powers already devolved to the ARMM which are relevant to the FAB.

The Annex is the third of four annexes needed to complete the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The first, Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, was signed in February while the Annex on Revenue-Generation and Wealth-Sharing, was signed in July. Along with the Annex on Normalization, these have been completed by yearend 2012, as committed by the parties under the FAB.

The signing also comes on the eve of the 40^th Organization of the Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Conakry, Guinea on December 9 to 11 where the issue on “Muslims in the southern Philippines” is among the items on the agenda.

The Philippine government is sending a delegation to Conakry led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, a former government peace panel chair in the negotiations with the MILF, who will be accompanied by Undersecretaries Nabil Tan of the Office of the Executive Secretary and Jose Lorena of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Tan, then ARMM Vice Governor, was a member of the  government peace panel that negotiated with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under Nur Misuari from 1992 to 1996 while Lorena was a member of Misuari’s panel then.

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim is also attending the Conakry meeting. It is not certain if Misuari, who is wanted in the Philippines for allegedly instigating the MNLF attack in Zamboanga City in September, is attending.

The MNLF, from where the MILF split in the late 1970s, has an observer status in the OIC but the OIC has been trying to get the two fronts and the other MNLF factions into a Bangsamoro Coordination Forum.

Prof. Ekemelddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the 57-nation OIC, sent a message to the MILF’s  Bangsamoro Leaders Assembly in July last year that since the peace processes with the MILF and MNLF “revolve around the same problem and the same territory, the process of coordination between the two fronts has become of utmost necessity.”

Ihsanoglu attended the signing of the FAB in Malacanang Palace on October 15, 2012.

Newborn baby

Sunday’s signing of the power-sharing comes 30 months or 935 days to June 30, 2016, the end of the Aquino administration and the target date for the installation of the first set of officials of the Bangsamoro government.

Ferrer in her closing remarks described the Annex as having “four major parts; 3,807 words, excluding the signatories, a set of principles of intergovernmental relations; provides a level of detail on the structure of government of the future BMG; three lists of powers, 9 reserved to Central Government, 14 concurrent or joint powers of the CG and BMG, and 58 exclusive or devolved powers to the BMG, not to mention 4 items relating to jurisdiction in other matters.”

She likened the power-sharing annex as a baby born out of a difficult pregnancy. “Now this newborn baby will have to be introduced to the world. We expect that a good number out there would be eager to see it, scrutinize its different parts and get to know about it more,” she said.

“.  In its genes, the shape of the future Bangsamoro political entity are encoded. But we know that all these will have to be translated into the Bangsamoro Basic Law – one that will put in place a strong, viable autonomous governance for the Bangsamoro in Mindanao, and connect with its siblings and cousins who came before them and will come after them,” she said.

Iqbal cautioned that despite the success in completing the Annex on Power-Sharing, the road ahead is “still full of twists and turns.”

“Sometimes, an impending success is aborted at the finishing line. We cannot afford to be complacent. We cannot throw down our guard even for a single minute. There are many spoilers along the way waiting to ambush this peace process,” Iqbal said.

But he noted that with the “unflinching commitment and sincerity” of Presidnet Aquino and MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, and the support of the Malaysian government, “the final success of this peace negotiation is a matter of time.”

Cabinet and Central Committee members

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles,  Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Danilo Agusto Francia, Defense Assistant Secretary for Plans and Programs stood behind the signing table along with other panel members from both sides and members of the MILF’ Central Committee during the signing.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman was with Deles’ team on Saturday but left Sunday noon due to an appointment in Cotabato City. Before he left, he told MindaNews he was optimistic a deal would be sealed that day.

Both Deles and Lacierda told MindaNews the President had been informed shortly before 7 p.m. that the Annex would be signed.

They quoted the President as saying, “Great!”

Deles in a statement said the signing “ensures the achievement of a genuine and viable autonomy for the Bangsamoro.”

“It has been a very difficult round but we were able to overcome a lot of obstacles, showing the Parties’ shared commitment to finish and deliver on our peoples’ desire for peace. We consider the signing of the Annex on Power Sharing as a special gift of the Season for the Filipino people, an indication of the collective hopes and dreams of our people for just and lasting peace,” she said.

Deles and Lacierda were present in July when the Annex on Wealth-Sharing was signed but Lacierda left for Manila prior to the signing.  This time, Lacierda stayed to witness the signing of the power-sharing annex.  He told MindaNews there would be a formal ceremony for the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement once the panels complete the Normalization annex and the Bangsamoro waters addendum. The signing of the FAB was held in Malacanang.

The MILF also brought in three senior members of its Central Committee. Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat identified them as Khalifa Nando, Zainoden Bato and Abo Ubaida Pacasem.

When the talks on the Annex on Wealth-Sharing were coming to an end on July 12 and 13, MILF chair Murad convened the Central Committee in the conference room of the MILF Peace Panel office in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, “so there will be fast and effective consultation process” with its peace panel in Kuala Lumpur.

Stuck on waters

The panels formally opened their talks on December 5 with three unresolved issues: Bangsamoro waters, transportation and communication, and electoral system suitable to ministerial form of governance.

The issue on transportation and communication was settled on December 5 with both parties “agreeing on principles and letting the Basic Law allocate the appropriate powers for Bangsamoro Government and Central Government” while the issue on electoral system was resolved by lifting the text from the FAB.

But the panels got stuck on the issue on Bangsamoro waters.  MindaNews sources said government on Friday proposed a “creative” way of moving ahead by signing the Annex on Power-Sharing with a provision that the panels would craft an addendum to both annexes on power-sharing and wealth-sharing,  on the Bangsamoro waters.

The MILF as of Saturday night, however, appeared lukewarm to the idea of signing the power-sharing annex without resolving the Bangsamoro waters issue. By Sunday afternoon, however, the MILF appeared to have warmed up to the idea and eventually agreed, thus paving the way for the signing.

MindaNews sources said one of the formulations offered was for the Bangsamoro waters to be defined as an area up to 22 kilometers from the shoreline or seven kilometers more than municipal waters.

Another suggestion was to have a zone or area of cooperation and management deal with the issue of waters on the Moro Gulf and the Sulu Sea. For example, within the Moro Gulf are areas that are not part of the proposed core territory of the future Bangsamoro while the Sulu Sea, although part of the Bangsamoro, is Philippine territory even as Sulu claims ancestral domain over the Sulu Sea.

The issue on shares from oil and gas explorations in the Sulu Sea was also discussed, with proposals of 60-40 sharing in favor of the Central Government, while another proposal was on royalty payment.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2013/12/09/gph-milf-sign-power-sharing-annex-january-eyed-for-signing-of-comprehensive-peace-pact/

Army healing sessions with MNLF dependents mark Mindanao Week of Peace 2013

From the Manila Times (Dec 9): Army healing sessions with MNLF dependents mark Mindanao Week of Peace 2013

In line with the government’s peace and conciliation efforts, the 104th Infantry Brigade together with the NAGDILAAB Foundation and other stakeholders have conducted a dialogue and healing session with dependents of Moro National Liberation Front–Misuari Group (MNLF-MG) members in Lamitan City, Basilan last December 4.

In a report, Col. Carlito G. Galvez, 104th Infantry Brigade commander, said the initiative in Barangay Parangbasak, Lamitan City is in sync with the Celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace 2013 themed, “Dialogue and Hope: Our Key to Peace, Heal our Land.”

This has the goal of reaching out to the dependents of MNLF-MG who participated in the siege of Zamboanga City last September.

“With the help of our partners, we were able to distribute food and cash assistance to the dependents.” Galvez said.

“The families with great resentment against the military are beginning to open-up and approach and embrace the military and police as a sign of their gesture of appreciation to the dialogue and healing activity,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad Jr., 1st Infantry Division commander, ordered the dissemination of the activity to reach out the dependents of other MNLF-MG members in other areas.

“Only thru this effort that the MNLF-MG dependents understand what happened in Zamboanga City that took the lives of their loved ones. By acting in their predicaments, we will foster the spirit of Bayanihan, for the people and for the achievement of long lasting peace in this part of the Philippines,” he said.

http://manilatimes.net/army-healing-sessions-with-mnlf-dependents-mark-mindanao-week-of-peace-2013/59096/

4 firms qualify for P18-B Navy frigate bidding

From the Philippine Star (Dec 7): 4 firms qualify for P18-B Navy frigate bidding

Four companies have qualified for the next stage of the bidding for the acquisition by the Philippine Navy of two frigates worth P18 billion.

Navantia Sepi (RTR Ventures) of Spain and South Korean firms STX Offshore & Shipbuilding, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. and Hyundai Heavy Industries, Inc. hurdled the first stage of the bidding process, which involved the inspection of company documents, The STAR learned.

Fourteen firms bought bid documents but only seven submitted bids for the frigate acquisition project, one of the big-ticket items in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ upgrade program. The ships can be used to boost the Philippines’ security presence in the West Philippine Sea and conduct humanitarian missions.

The Department of National Defense’s bids and awards committee said documents submitted by three of the seven bidders had deficiencies. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. of India, STX France SA and Thyssenkrupp Marine System can still file a motion for reconsideration to prove that they are qualified to bid for the project, the committee said.

The seven firms that bought bid documents but did not submit offers were  Piriou Naval Services, Damen Shipyards, Fincantieri, DCNS France, Magazon Dock Pipavav Defense Pvt. Ltd., Stone of David and Rouvia Yachts / Rouvia Defense Inc.

Second stage

The second stage of the bidding will involve the opening of financial proposals and technical documents. This phase will determine if the bidders’ offers are well within the approved budget of P18-billion and if their goods are in line with the specifications provided in the bid documents. The second phase of the bidding will be held this month.

The government decided to conduct a two-stage competitive bidding due to the technical and detailed nature of the project.

The winning bidder is required to deliver the ships within four years from the opening of a letter of credit, a document that assures the supplier that the government will honor its financial obligations.

This means that that the vessels may arrive in the country after President Aquino steps down from office in 2016.

Defense officials, nevertheless, said what is important is they have started to modernize the Philippine Navy, said to be one of the ill-equipped units in the region.

http://www.philstar.com/metro/2013/12/07/1265021/4-firms-qualify-p18-b-navy-frigate-bidding

Ex-Army chief in Negros name AFP deputy chief

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Dec 7): Ex-Army chief in Negros name AFP deputy chief

BRIGADIER General Oscar Lactao, former commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army in Negros Occidental, was promoted as deputy chief for operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, a two-star rank position effective December 5.

Lactao served for 21 months as 303rd IB commander based in Barangay Minyoan, Murcia, and assumed the AFP Command Center post in Camp Aguinaldo where he received his first star rank.

He served in the said post in April this year before being promoted to his current post.

In the turnover rites held Thursday, Lactao officially replaced Major Gen. Rodelio Santos, who was designated commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division.

Lactao’s stint at the 303rd IB in Negros was highlighted with the arrests of top ranking leaders of the New People’s Army and the surrender of rebels who availed of livelihood assistance from the provincial government.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2013/12/07/ex-army-chief-negros-name-afp-deputy-chief-317588

Engine trouble caused Air Force chopper crash – AFP

From GMA News (Dec 8): Engine trouble caused Air Force chopper crash – AFP

The emergency crash landing by a Philippine Air Force helicopter delivering Yolanda aid on Friday afternoon was caused by an engine problem, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.

 

However, the AFP has not yet specified what caused the engine to malfunction, according to a report on GMA's "Balitanghali" aired on Saturday.

 

Eight people were injured in the crash, including the pilot and two employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

They were brought to Burauen District Hospital for treatment.
 

 

The helicopter was en route to a relief operation when it had to perform an emergency landing near La Paz, Leyte, the report said. 

 

Authorities are also looking at the possibility that the pilot was overworked.

 

Leyte was among the provinces worst hit by super typhoon Yolanda which ravaged the Philippines on November 8, claiming at least 5,796 lives based on the latest figures of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/338785/news/regions/engine-trouble-caused-air-force-chopper-crash-afp

Operations underway to rescue 17 Abu Sayyaf hostages

From ABS-CBN (Dec 8): Operations underway to rescue 17 Abu Sayyaf hostages

A military commander based in Sulu said operations are already underway for the rescue of 17 more hostages in the hands of terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

“We just hope that there will be a development everyday but we are careful (in our operations). This is an intelligence-driven operation and that human lives cannot be overemphasized,” Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, the commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, said.

Cenabre will not give a timetable, saying: “Nobody can predict anything, not even in a basketball game.”

He said the safety of the hostages is paramount. “Our operations are intelligence-driven. We are not operating as if we do not value human lives…We have been operating to rescue the remaining hostages. We have efforts on that,” he said.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin earlier ordered the military to rescue the 17 without compromising their safety.

This comes after Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani escaped his captors. The remaining 17 in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf include Dutchman Elwold Horn and Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra.

Atyani and his cameramen were seized in June 2012. The cameramen, both Filipinos, were released last February.

Atyani was recovered by authorities last Wednesday night and is now on his way back to his home country.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/08/13/operations-underway-rescue-17-abu-sayyaf-hostages

Misuari not included in OIC meeting: Deles

From ABS-CBN (Dec 8): Misuari not included in OIC meeting: Deles

It will be up to the leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) if their founding chairman, Nur Misuari, will be allowed to participate in the 40th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Guinea on December 9 to 11, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles.

However, Deles said that they have information that a large group of MNLF leaders did not include Misuari in the list that will represent the Muslim group in OIC meeting.

“A large group of MNLF leaders met last weekend and proposed a roster of names to represent the MNLF in the tripartite process. The roster of proposed names did not include Misuari. This request has been officially communicated to the chair of the OIC-PCSP (Peace Committee for Southern Philippines)," Deles said.

She added that since there is a pending warrant of arrest for Misuari, he is still considered a fugitive from the law.

Earlier, Habib Hashim, chairman of the MNLF's Islamic Command Council, said Misuari is still in the Philippines, hiding from police authorities.

Hashim said Misuari has expressed interest to attend the OIC meeting to voice out his thoughts on the Zamboanga crisis.

Misuari has already been placed on the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) lookout bulletin after the DOJ filed rebellion charges and charges for violations of international humanitarian laws against him, MNLF commander Habier Malik, and 63 others last October.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/08/13/misuari-not-included-oic-meeting-deles

British, Aussie troops to pull out from Yolanda areas soon

From ABS-CBN (Dec 8): British, Aussie troops to pull out from Yolanda areas soon



Australian and Filipino soldiers carry water containers for super Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Ormoc on Sunday. Photo by Erik De Castro, Reuters

Hundreds of British and Australian forces are set to leave the Yolanda-torn areas.
Armed Forces assistant deputy chief of staff Navy Capt. Rafael Mariano said the pullout is expected since the operations there will already shift from relief to rehabilitation.

The British, numbering between 400 and 500, will provide assistance in Panay island and Palawan on Tuesday. They will visit Manila on Wednesday and then head home the following day.

An Australian ship, meanwhile, will leave Tuesday. A C-130 carrying 350 troops will follow suit.

The Australians helped in the clearing, minor repair of roads and buildings in Ormoc.
Only a few will be left after the British and Australians leave. Among them are troops from Japan, Canada, Italy, and China.

The United States and South Korea were the first to pull out. although the Koreans hinted that a fresh number of troops may be sent to help in the reconstruction.

Mariano said there is no timetable yet as to when the others will leave, but expects the pullout within the month.

Super typhoon Yolanda devastated Eastern Visayas last November 8. It claimed the lives of at least 5,796 persons.

The cost to agriculture and infrastructure is at least P35.52 billion. Analysts believe the rehabilitation will take around 10 years.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/08/13/british-aussie-troops-pull-out-yolanda-areas-soon

Air Force: No reason to ground fleet

From ABS-CBN (Dec 8): Air Force: No reason to ground fleet

The Philippine Air Force sees no reason to ground its fleet despite the crash of one of its helicopters in La Paz, Leyte last Friday.

The helicopter, which was carrying relief goods for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, had plunged right in the middle of coconut trees.

All eight passengers on board survived, but the pilot and two volunteers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were injured.

The mayor of La Paz said the accident could have been avoided if the relief goods were turned over to the local government.

“Delikado kasi doon, walang safe na landingan doon,” said La Paz Mayor Lemy Lumen.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/08/13/air-force-no-reason-ground-fleet

Gov't, MILF agree on power sharing

From Rappler (Dec 8): Gov't, MILF agree on power sharing



'FULL AUTONOMY.' Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front negotiating panel. File photo by OPAPP

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are one step closer to signing a final peace pact.

Both sides have agreed on and are set to sign a crucial deal on how power will be shared between the central government and the proposed Bangsamoro political entity during talks in Kuala Lumpur Sunday night, December 8.

OPAPP @OPAPP_peace Follow
   

BREAKING: The GPH and MILF peace panels just completed the Annex on Power Sharing. Signing to follow shortly.

 

5:46 AM - 8 Dec 2013

43 Retweets 7 favorites

 

The deal will provide for a ministerial form of government for the new political entity in Mindanao.

 

Sources said the panels will sign the power-sharing annex without a deal on the so-called "Bangsamoro waters" – the most contentious issue in the peace talks.

 

It will be taken up as a separate item when the panels reconvene in January.

 

Aside from the Bangsamoro waters issue, both sides only need to resolve the annex on normalization, which involves sensitive issues on decommissioning of arms and structure of the police force.

 

In July, both sides signed the wealth-sharing annex, which provided for a 75-25 arrangement on metallic minerals in favor of the Bangsamoro and automatic appropriations for the proposed entity. They signed the transition annex in February.

 

For this round, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda graced the talks as an observer. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles was also in Kuala Lumpur to witness the signing. (READ: Palace emissaries arrive in KL for GPH-MILF talks)

 

The signing of the power-sharing annex comes 3 months after MILF's rival group, the Moro National Liberation Front, attacked and held Zamboanga City hostage after it felt left out in the peace process. (READ: Zambo crisis: The fog of war)

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/peacetalks/45532-govt-milf-bangsamoro-power-sharing-deal

Small Philippine Navy vessels bring aid, relief workers to far-flung Yolanda-devastated areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8): Small Philippine Navy vessels bring aid, relief workers to far-flung Yolanda-devastated areas

ABOARD BRP ABRAHAM CAMPO (PG-396) -- Relief volunteers and Philippine Navy personnel started loading this 82-footer patrol craft with sacks of rice, medicines and other relief goods at daybreak since Saturday, a day shy of a month ago when Yolanda struck central Philippines.

This vessel, commanded by Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Tirso Echavez and based at the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) in Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City, is among the smaller Philippine Navy sea assets used in bringing relief goods and relief personnel to far-flung areas and islands devastated by super typhoon Yolanda.

After loading and refuelling, this vessel set sail at past 9 a.m. Sunday for a four-hour journey to Pilar town in the Camotes Islands off northern Cebu, one of the areas badly-hit by the strongest typhoon to ever make landfall in recorded history.

”We plotted a longer and safer route,” commanding officer Echavez said.

”Among the navigation hazards after a typhoon, floods and storm surges are submerged logs,” he said.

Aboard, aside from the patrol craft’s 10-man crew, were 28 volunteers from the Rotary Club of Metro Cebu (RCMC) and the All-terrain Medical Relief Organization (Amro) in Cebu City.

The vessel was also loaded with some 150 sacks of rice, medicines and other relief goods.

Earlier, two smaller 78-footer Philippine Navy vessels left the Navforcen base for Pilar, Camotes at 2 a.m., carrying between them some 350 sacks of rice, 1,000 galvanized iron (GI) sheets and hundreds of carpentry tools such as hammers and hand saws and nails of different sizes.

Camotes Mayor Jesus “Jet” Fernandez Jr., who witnessed the distribution of some 500 sacks of rice, GI sheets and carpentry tools, said his town is rising from Yolanda’s devastation.

”We are giving affected families eight GI sheets and repacked nails of different sizes. This is enough to provide them shelter from the sun and rain,” he said.

Florita Hall, RCMC president, said her Rotary club went to Pilar after knowing the devastation in the island.

”We are thankful to the Philippine Navy for giving us the means to bring humanitarian aid from Cebu mainland to Pilar, Camotes,” she said.

Dr. Wyben Briones, RCMC past president and relief chair, said the Philippine Navy vessels were very useful in bringing in relief goods to typhoon-devastated areas.

”We used to hire motor bancas to bring in relief goods to as far as Carnaza and Guinatarcan islands in northern Cebu. But they can only carry so much,” he said.

This vessel pulled out from the Pilar port at 8 p.m. before the tides receded for a shorter three-hour journey with the Rotarian relief volunteers back to the Navforcen base in Lapu-Lapu City.

Commanding officer Echavez said the vessel, armed with two M-60 machine guns and two cal. 50 machine guns, earlier served as security for an Australian Naval vessel conducting relief operations in Bantayan Island.

”We go wherever we are deployed. Sometimes, sleep is optional,” Echavez said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=594925

Japan defense minister visits SDF relief team in PHl

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8): Japan defense minister visits SDF relief team in PHl

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera on Sunday visited Self-Defense Forces personnel engaged in relief activities in Tacloban City, which was hard hit by Super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) a month earlier on Leyte Island, central Philippines.

"The SDF has acquired various types of knowledge in the Great East Japan Earthquake. This deployment is a key test to make use of it," Onodera told senior SDF officers.

During a visit to an area where the SDF is helping to control epidemics, Onodera told reporters, "The damage causes me heartache. The government will consider the shape of medium for long-term assistance."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=594911

PAF flies 1,124 sorties to help 'Yolanda' victims

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8): PAF flies 1,124 sorties to help 'Yolanda' victims

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has announced that it has so far flown 1,124 sorties which aided victims severely affected by super typhoon "Yolanda" from November 8 to 30.

This was done despite the limited assets at its disposal.

Relief missions were almost flown immediately.

PAF spokesperson Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said this was because speed was of the essence in alleviating any humanitarian crisis.

Deployed immediately were all three of the PAF's Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft, and all UH-1H "Huey" helicopters and W-3A "Sokol" choppers.

The sorties were equivalent to 1,338.3 flight hours.

He added that they also have transported 3,767,561 pounds of relief supplies and materials.

Aside from this, the PAF has also flown 789,852 pounds of various cargoes.

PAF officials have yet to log in the flying hours and missions carried out from December 1 to 8.

Okol added that their support for "Yolanda" relief efforts will continue until the situation further normalizes.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=594890

WESCOM rescues 10 fishermen in Recto Bank

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8): WESCOM rescues 10 fishermen in Recto Bank

The Western Command (Wescom) deployed naval and air troops Saturday east off Recto Bank in the West Philippines Sea to rescue 10 fishermen stranded on their motor banca.

Lt. Cherryl Tindog of the Wescom Public Affairs Office (PAO) said a man named “Rubin” called for help on December 5 after the motor banca “3 Sisters” with its 10 crewmen suffered engine troubled within the vicinity of Recto Bank or Reed Bank.

The crewmen anchored the motor banca on the contested bank, and had run out of supplies, according to Rubin.

Responding to the call for help, Lt. General Roy Deveraturda, the newly-installed commanding officer of Wescom, immediately ordered the dispatch of a navy vessel to conduct rescue and assistance to the stranded fishermen.

Sent also was the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) Nomad plane to conduct food airdrop to the stranded fishermen, said Tindog.

As of posting time, the Wescom is waiting for the arrival of the navy vessel that rescued the fishermen.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=594886

NPA leader killed in Dec. 5 involved in numerous offensives vs Army, official says

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 8): NPA leader killed in Dec. 5 involved in numerous offensives vs Army, official says

The death of a top-ranking veteran New People’s Army fighter belonging to the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) closed the chapter in the book of communist insurgency involving the life of a Red dissident who had masterminded the launching of numerous offensives against the military and atrocities to innocent civilians in the region, an Army official said.

Capt. Mardjorie Paimela P. Panesa, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp Elias Angeles, Pili, Camarines Sur, said the recent encounter between soldiers of the 49th Infantry Battalion and NPA rebels in a village in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, early Thursday morning resulted in the killing of Aldrin Rabulan, commanding officer of the Regional Yunit Guerilla of the BRPC.

Rabulan --also known as Al, Ingkit or Arjun, according to a former rebel – is a native of Barangay Baras, Donsol, Sorsogon.

His combat experience in almost all of the provinces within the region from Masbate to Camarines Norte and to the island of Catanduanes and his leadership earned for him a permanent (seat) in the high-level organ of the BRPC, aside from being the RYG commanding officer, Panesa said.

Among the more recent popular offensives in his record include the raids on municipal police offices of Bagamanoc in 2002 and San Lorenzo Ruiz in 2003.

In 2012, he was also the leader in the attack on Maut detachment in Labo, Camarines Norte, which resulted in the killing of four personnel and a civilian, wounding of one military and one civilian, seizing of several high-powered firearms including the .45-caliber issued to Lt. Estrebillo, team leader of the Army unit.

This firearm was recovered from Rabulan’s possession on his death.

Early this year, the encounter at Barangay Agaw-Aw, Ragay, Camarines Sur, which involved him, also resulted in the killing of a Civilian Active Auxiliary Force member, wounding of two soldiers and seizing of an M14 from the military troops.

Recovered during the Thursday encounter were one .45-caliber pistol, one shot gun, two laptop computers, seven cell phones and two back packs.

Brig. Gen. Yerson E. Depayso, 9th ID commander, reiterated his call “to our brothers to go back to the folds of our government and live peacefully with their families.”

The “Guns for Peace” program of our government can be availed by them to help them come back to the mainstream society, Depayso added.

“May this incident send a message to the exploited NPA members who are still hiding in the mountains. Fighting the government with the use of violence that brings destruction to human lives and properties is not the right and moral thing to do,” he said.

They could serve their countrymen better if they will resort to peaceful means of effecting reforms in the society, Depayso said, adding “The death of one NPA is unnecessary and could have been prevented.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=594900

Misuari on his way to West Africa

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 8): Misuari on his way to West Africa

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari is now on his way to Africa to attend the gathering of the members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

This was revealed to the Manila Bulletin by Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesperson, in a phone interview Sunday morning, December 8.

“The reports that the chairman is still in the country is false, the fact is he is already abroad and on his way to Africa for that meeting”, Fontanilla told the Manila Bulletin.

Fontanilla said that Misuari was escorted by his trusted man Habier Malik when they went out of the country.

“But Malik returned here. He will not participate in the meeting”, Fontanilla added.

Misuari slipped out of the country via “traditional passage”, Fontanilla said but refused to give further details as to when did Misuari went out of the country and what route did he pass through.

Fontanilla said that Misuari is not bothered by the warrant of arrest issued against his person as it is “immaterial”.

“I would like to reiterate that the warrant is illegal and has no basis. The MNLF is a party to the existing agreement with the government of the Philippines”, he clarified.

Unilateral action by a party to an agreement is not allowed, including the issuance of the warrant of arrest, Fontanilla stressed.

He added that the illegality of the issued warrant against the MNLF chairman is best understood by the international community based on the provisions of international law.

The incident in Zamboanga will be on top of Misuari’s agenda in the meeting, Fontanilla said.

The MNLF will submit a report on the human rights violations committed by the government of the Philippines in handling the crisis in Zamboanga, including the alleged torture of MNLF members.

Earlier this month, Misuari was officially invited by the OIC to attend its 40th session in the Republic of Guinea in Western Africa.

http://www.mb.com.ph/misuarion-on-his-way-to-west-africa/

China ships sail through disputed waters amid tensions with Japan

InterAksyon (Dec 8): China ships sail through disputed waters amid tensions with Japan

Three Chinese ships sailed through disputed waters off Tokyo-controlled islands in the East China Sea on Sunday, the Japanese coast guard said, the first time since Beijing announced an Air Defense Identification Zone over the sea.

The vessels entered the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters at about 9:00 a.m. (0000 GMT) off one of the Senkaku islands, which China also claims and calls the Diaoyus, the Japan Coast Guard said.

This is the first time that Chinese coast guard ships were spotted sailing through the waters after Beijing raised regional tensions with its declaration of the air zone on November 23.

Chinese vessels have sailed in and out of the contiguous waters around the islands but stayed away from entering their territorial waters since November 22, a Japanese coast guard official said.

Japan's conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed no compromise on sovereignty of the islands and stepped up defence spending, believing that China is trying to change the status quo through growing sea incursions.

Chinese state-owned ships and aircraft have approached the Senkakus on and off to demonstrate Beijing's territorial claims, especially after Japan nationalized some of the islands in September last year.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/76423/china-ships-sail-through-disputed-waters-amid-tensions-with-japan

Philippine military adviser calls on MILF rebels to adhere to truce pact

From the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 8): Philippine military adviser calls on MILF rebels to adhere to truce pact

The Philippine government's military adviser Major General Leo Cresente Ferrer has appealed to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to follow the rule of law and strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement now that the peace process is in the final stretch.

“We ask the MILF leadership to rein in their forces in the spirit of the positive strides of the peace process both sides [GPH and MILF] have steadfastly worked on for so many years. A fruitful conclusion would benefit not just the Bangsamoro people but the rest of the people in Mindanao,” he said.

Ferrer made the appeal as information came out that MILF members were allegedly involved in abducting 12 persons in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte on December 5.

Eight of the civilians were released Friday night, a military report said.

It said MILF members under Abdul Macalunto, of the 102nd Base Command, seized the civilians as part of the group’s alleged anti-drug and anti-gambling campaigns in the area.

The report came out as the GPH and MILF peace panels are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the conduct of the 42nd exploratory talks.

Ferrer stressed that prospects are now brighter than ever for the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement. “With the peace talks in the end stage, let us not allow any untoward incidents, isolated they may be, to obstruct the momentum gained so far by the peace process,” he said.

He echoed the sentiments of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, who on Friday issued a statement after MILF members abducted and later freed Supt. Christopher Panapan, the police chief of Marawi City.

Deles had credited the peace process mechanisms—the  Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, the AdHoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), and the International Monitoring Team (IMT)-- for the crucial role they played in securing the safe release of Panapan, and preventing possible escalation of hostilities that might have compromised the existing ceasefire between the Government and the MILF.

“At this point in time when we are in the last stage of the negotiations towards the completion of a comprehensive agreement, the MILF must be able to prove that they have control over their forces, so that together we can protect our communities and achieve the much deserved peace and development in the region,” Deles said after the Marawi incident was resolved peacefully.

On Saturday, the GPH and MILF peace panels remained locked on the negotiations on the two remaining annexes (Power Sharing and Normalization) of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), which envisions the creation of a Bangsamoro government that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2016.

The two sides earlier this year signed the Annexes on Transitional Arrangement and Modalities, and Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing.

In her opening statement on December 5, GPH peace panel Chair Miriam Ferrer expressed optimism that both sides could finally complete the comprehensive agreement to bring the desired just and lasting peace and development for the Bangsamoro.

“Now, we are at the brink of completing the Power Sharing and Normalization Annexes,” she revealed.

Ferrer said: “In all, we have the elements of a promising, just, and principled agreement that will stand scrutiny of informed and concerned students and practitioners of negotiated political settlements.We know that there are details that we still need to come to terms with. But none are so great as to throw away everything that has been achieved.”
http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/12/philippine-military-adviser-calls-on.html