Pinoy, 5 other 'terrorists' to be released after 2-year detention in Malaysia

From GMA News (Jan 5): Pinoy, 5 other 'terrorists' to be released after 2-year detention in Malaysia

A Filipino suspected of being a member of a terrorist group is to be released this weekend from Taiping in Malaysia, two years after he was arrested and detained.

The Filipino is scheduled for release on Sunday along with five other members of the "terrorist group" Darul Islamiah Sabah, Malaysia's The Star Online reported Saturday.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi identified the Filipino as Muadz Hakim. The others were identified as Malaysians Adzmi Pindatun, Mohd Nazri Dollah, and Bakar Baba; and Indonesians Darto Bandu and Muhammad Adnan Umar.

According to the report, the six were to be released from the Kemunting Protective Detention Centre in Taiping Sunday.

It added the six had been ordered detained for two years after they were arrested on Nov. 14, 2011.

The report said the six are the last detainees under the Internal Security Act (ISA), which was repealed in 2012.

Following the ISA's repeal, the Prevention of Crime Act was amended to allow a person to be detained without being charged or tried for up to two years.

The detention can be extended for another two years in the interest of public order, security or crime prevention.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/342491/pinoyabroad/news/pinoy-5-other-terrorists-to-be-released-after-2-year-detention-in-malaysia

MILF: Peace talks’ next hurdle: Territorial waters

From the MILF Website (Jan 4): Peace talks’ next hurdle: Territorial waters



PRESIDENT Aquino, in an unprecedented move, meets with leaders of the MILF in Tokyo in August, paving the way for the peace talks to move at a much faster pace. PHOTO FROM OPAPP

The peace panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) failed to agree during their last meeting on December 8 a deal pertaining to Bangsamoro waters and considered it as an addendum alongside completing the annex on normalization. In a meeting scheduled this month at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, both panels must hurdle the issue on territorial waters, agree and sign it together with the annex on normalization should there be no hassles or hitches along the way.

In their joint statement issued after the signing of the Annex on Power-Sharing, the GPH and MILF peace panels said they will be working on “an addendum on the matter of Bangsamoro waters” alongside completing the annex on normalization next month in order to pave the way for a comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) to be hammered out by the two sides.

The CPA will consist of the FAB plus its four annexes on transitional modalities signed in February 2013, wealth sharing signed in July 2013, power sharing signed last December 8 and normalization. The addendum on Bangsamoro waters is an issue important to the MILF that the two panels must hurdle in their upcoming talks to complete the peace process, said a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on its issue dated December 28.

The concept of Bangsamoro waters is proposed by the MILF to provide political connectivity to the future autonomous entity’s territories, which are in mainland Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.

According to MILF peace panel member Maulana Alonto, such political connectivity would be important in developing further the psychology of the Moro nationhood.

The MILF’s proposed concept goes beyond the current notion of municipal waters, which is defined by the Philippine Fisheries Code as “marine waters 15 kilometers from the coastline, including streams, rivers, public forest, timberland, forest reserve or fishery reserve within the municipality” except those subject to the provisions of the law on protected areas.

Such maritime territory will primarily involve parts of Yllana Bay, the Moro Gulf and the Sulu Sea.

Delineating Bangsamoro waters and defining jurisdiction over these will definitely have an implication on sharing the wealth that will eventually be found therein.

In the PDI report it said that based on various studies, the Moro Gulf and Sulu Sea are endowed with a rich diversity of fishery resources that command high economic value. In addition, the Sulu Sea also hosts several known blocks of oil and gas deposits.  In mid-2011, the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 offered interested investors 15 blocks throughout the country covering a total of some 100,339 square kilometers that are “mainly located in frontier regions.”

One energy exploration block offered is onshore, in the Cotabato Basin Liguasan Marsh), covering around 456,000 hectares straddling the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. Native fishes like Mudfish, Cat fish, Carps, etc. and numerous bird species are found in these marshy areas.

A document from the Department of Energy (DOE) said “the estimated volume of the total risked recoverable resources, excluding the speculative (unmapped) resources, is around 202 million barrels of oil and 821 billion cubic feet of gas”, the PDI report further said.

Another energy block offered is offshore in the Sulu Sea covering around 432,000 has, with water depths ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 meters, according to the DOE.
Of the eight wells drilled within the Sulu Sea block, “five of these have significant oil and gas shows.” This block, the DOE said, holds around 209 million barrels of oil and 716 billion cubic feet of gas.

The DOE also said that three of four additional wells drilled adjacent to the block “have been declared as gas discoveries” with an estimated deposit of some 775 billion cubic feet.

Prior to their 42nd exploratory meeting on Dec. 4 to 8, the parties held executive sessions in November in Kuala Lumpur to thresh out the issues hounding a power-sharing consensus.

In these meetings, according to MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, they maintained that a resolution on the question of Bangsamoro waters would be a deal breaker for them.

That a power-sharing annex was clinched even as the issue of Bangsamoro waters was still unresolved showed the creativity of the government and MILF peace panels; they refused to be stuck on the issue of waters, pushing the peace process closer to conclusion.

By agreeing to create a separate document to contain the consensus on Bangsamoro waters, the negotiators kept true to their record of innovative approaches toward finding a mutually acceptable political formula to end the four-decade Moro rebellion in Mindanao.

The parties’ decision to break the consensus-building exercise into sets of major documents, beginning with the 10 Decision Points of Principles, was the principal driver of the succession of strides in the negotiation, which is entering its 17th year next month.

The signed Power-Sharing annex is considered the “heart of the peace process” and the MILF panel described it as “hard-earned” victory in more than a decade of peace negotiations. According to the PDI, the group (MILF peace panel) also described it as a “product of struggle (hence) it resonates with justice  . . .”

Through this strategy, the parties were able to classify agreements on principles from differences with details, and isolate unresolved points from the growing body of consensus on issues and it took the parties 18 months to hammer out the details of the document, beginning in July 2012, just before the parties concluded the FAB.

As of press time, an executive session is being held in Kuala Lumpur between the GPH and MILF Peace Panels chairs with selected members of the two peace panels.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/753-peace-talks’-next-hurdle-territorial-waters

MILF: Bangsamoro Women convene in Darapanan for role in governance

From the MILF Website (Jan 4): Bangsamoro Women convene in Darapanan for role in governance



About twenty thousand Bangsamoro Women coming from different provinces in Mindanao gathered together on December 24-25, 2013 at Darapanan Sultan Kudarat in Manguindanao. The purpose of the gathering is for the Bangsamoro women to know the roles they are expected to take in the establishment of the Bangsamoro Government.
  

The 2-day activity was organized by the Social Welfare Committee (SWC), the women wing organization of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

On the first day of the program, Chairperson of SWC from different provinces delivered reports on their accomplishments for the year.

This is participated in by different women coming from different provinces across Mindanao, to be particular from Tawi-tawi, Central, Northern and Southern Sulu, Yakan City and Basilan from the island provinces; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte. Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte/Comval and Davao Oriental.

The second day of the activity was allotted for the messages and statement of MILF key officials.

Chairman Alhaj Murad Ebrahim of the MILF Central Committee is the keynote speaker.   He informed the Bangsamoro women of their roles and responsibilities in the Bangsamoro Government. He also emphasized the significant roles of women to the struggle of whole Bangsamoro towards peace and independence. “You’ll be part of the government. Hindi pwedeng walang babae sa gobyerno natin” the Chairman stated.
Further, he informed the Moro women of the special development program intended for women in the Bangsamoro government.

Chairman Murad also gave an update on the signing of the three Annexes, the modalities, wealth sharing and the recent which is the power sharing. He also mentioned of the remaining Annex on Normalization, which accordingly the subject for the next meeting of both panels.

There was also an update on the efforts in making harmony with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).   The establishment of the mechanism to see the non-implemented parts of 1996 peace agreement between GPH and MNLF will be incorporated by the transition commission on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Aleem Ali Solaiman, the 2nd Vice Chairman of the MILF Central Committee was also one of the speakers. He provided insights on Islamic perspectives. According to him, the only way to achieve lasting peace is to follow the teaching of Islam, the Qur’an and the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. He likewise recognized the roles of women by saying: “A good mother produces good children who will be the future Muslim leader”.

Another guest who highlighted the big role of women in the Bangsamoro is Sammy Almansur, Chief of Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).  He explained that the big role of women in establishing the Bangsamoro Government is through the political party participation since women consist the 60% or more of the total population. “To this that women have the power to the winning of the candidates once they participate during elections aside from the most influential member family”, Chief Almansur said.

Joining also this gathering was Mohammad S. Yacob, Executive Director of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA). BDA is the development arm of the MILF.

Director Yacob emphasized on the potential collaboration of the BDA and the SWC on the social work at the grassroots level of the BDA programs and projects, eyeing for MOA signing between BDA and SWC to strengthen the partnership especially on the humanitarian aspect in the very near future.

Mohager Iqbal, Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel at the same time of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission BTC) also provided updates on the activities conducted by the Commission. He informed of the speedy works of BTC after the signing of the recent Annex on Power Sharing.



The activity ended with awarding of prizes for the most outstanding province.  Receiving the award is Uza. Halima Hashim who is currently the Chairperson of SWC Ligawasan Province, the sister of the late Chairman Salamat Hashim. Giving the awards is the National Chairperson Uza. Guimila Hussain (right) and National Secretary Engr. Aida Silongan (Left).

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/752-bangsamoro-women-convene-in-darapanan-for-role-in-governance

Military tells BIFF: Stop extort attempts

From the Philippine Star (Jan 5): Military tells BIFF: Stop extort attempts

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines– The military yesterday warned the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) of drastic action if it does not stop its attempts to extort money from contractors involved in a multibillion-peso irrigation project in the province.

The BIFF, known for its Taliban-style justice system in areas where it operates, is not covered by the July 1997 agreement on the general cessation of hostilities between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Capt. Tony Bulao, spokesman of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, cited reports on attempts by BIFF bandits to extort money from private contractors and officials of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) overseeing the Malitubog-Maridagao irrigation project.

Bulao said the BIFF has asked some P3 million from the NIA officials and private contractors involved in the project, but its demand was reportedly ignored.

The cofferdam of the irrigation facility is located in Barangay Kibines in Carmen town this province, near the headquarters of the 602nd IB.

The irrigation project, when completed, will irrigate more than 20,000 hectares of farmlands in several towns in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

Bulao said the 602nd IB is convinced that the latest attacks by BIFF bandits on Army bases in North Cotabato’s adjoining towns of Pikit, Midsayap and Mlang were meant to show that it is capable of sabotaging the Malitubog-Maridagao irrigation project.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/01/05/1275147/military-tells-biff-stop-extort-attempts

Council to discuss peace, order in Basilan

From the Philippine Star (Jan 4): Council to discuss peace, order in Basilan



The five villagers killed instantly in the deadly December 31 grenade attack in Barangay Tumahubong in Sumisip town in Basilan lie on a deck of a truck that brought them to a mortuary immediately after having been examined by police crime scene experts. John Unson

Members of the inter-agency provincial peace and order council (PPOC) in Basilan will hold an emergency meeting to discuss recent incidents in the province and measures to prevent a repeat of them.

The PPOC, whose presiding chairperson is Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, will also discuss how members could help hasten the prosecution of the suspects in the deadly December 31 bombing in Barangay Tumahubong in Sumisip town.

The attack left seven villagers dead and six others injured, now confined at a hospital in Zamboanga City.

Next week’s Basilan PPOC meeting, tentatively slated January 9, will be presided over jointly by Akbar and Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Hataman is chairman of the larger ARMM regional peace and order council, whose members include the region’s police director, Chief Supt. Noel Delos Reyes, and senior officials of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City.

“One of our topics is how to accelerate the dispensation of justice for the victims of the grenade attack in Barangay Tumahubong on the eve of New Year’s Day, and how to address all security problems in the province in the next six months,” Hataman said.

Hataman said mayors in the island province and its provincial governor have expressed willingness to help pursue the restoration of peace in the island province at least by the middle of 2014.

Hataman had earlier offered to shell out an  amount as a reward in exchange for any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects behind the bombing in Barangay Tumahubong.

Hataman already extended financial assistance to the families of each of the slain villagers. The ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Relief Team, led by Regional Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia, has also been assisting since January 1 the blast victims undergoing medication at a hospital in Zamboanga City.

Hataman said the Basilan provincial police, and all intelligence units of the Westmincom, and the Army units in the island province are helping in identifying the bombers.

“We just have to give them enough time to come out with a good picture of that incident so that we can have a strong basis for the prosecution of the culprits,” Hataman said.

Talks have been circulating in Barangay Tumahubong and surrounding areas in Sumisip that the bombers had actually targeted the San Vicente chapel in the village, but changed their plan when they saw soldiers guarding the surroundings of the worship site.

The two suspects, whom witnesses said were riding a motorcycle together, were seen roaming suspiciously around the chapel minutes before a powerful explosion ripped through a gazebo in a yard about 150 meters away.

“I am thankful to all local government units in Basilan, and to Gov. Akbar for their commitment to work out the dispensation of justice for the victims, and for their commitment to help the police and military address together other security woes besetting the province,” Hataman said.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/01/04/1275136/council-discuss-peace-order-basilan

Shopping list for jet fighters show airforce inadequacies

From the Manila Standard Today (Jan 4): Shopping list for jet fighters show airforce inadequacies

IF foreign aircraft, whether hostile or friendly, intrude into Philippines skies, the air force will watch them closely and do nothing, according to military and defence officials.

The Philippines has no capability to confront foreign aircraft violating the country’s airspace because of government failure to implement the military modernization act of 1995, which mandated purchase of 36 “multi-role” jet fighters, said the officials, who asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak on the issue.

“It’s public knowledge. We have no fighter planes in our hangars. Negotiations are still going on to buy FA-50 fighter planes from South Korea,” a senior official said.

But news about the air force getting the FA-50 “lead-in” fighter planes was met with snide remarks from air force pilots and defense industry analysts, who said the FA-50 planes are trainer aircraft and are not a match to multi-role jet fighter planes.

“The FA-50 falls short in terms of performance, function, and weapons as compared to a muti-role combat aircraft,” said Jorge Rillona, a defense industry analysts and former US Marine specialist in combined air, sea and land combat systems.

He said the FA-50 is similar to the Aermacchi M346 of Italy, and the Yaklovelev-YAK130 of Russia, which are top-of-the line fighter planes that come from a family of advanced jet trainers with limited capabilities and weapons.

What the Philippines needs are multi-role fighters such as the US-made F-16 and F-18, France’s Mirage 2000 or Russia’s MIG -29, Rillona said.

In the 1950s until the 1980s, the Philippines was a dominant air force in Southeast Asia with 60 F-5s and F-8 jetfighers in its arsenal armed with air-to-air and air-to-ground guided missiles, 50 caliber machine guns and 20-mm cannons.

“During that time the Philippine Air Force was second to none in Sotheast Asia and our planes can confront within minutes unauthorized incoming aircraft or ships before they could enter the country’s territory,” former Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Loven Abadia said.

As part of the Armed Forces Modernization program, the Philippines bought last year eight brand new Sokol helicopters from Poland and another three this month for the Philippine Navy.

But the mandate of the AFP Modernization Act to purchase 36 multi-role fighter planes is yet to be implemented and plans to lease at least 12 F-16s has been shelved because of the high cost of refurbishing the planes.

“It means, right now, we have no fighter planes. The F-5s were phased out in 2005,” a senior air force official said.

Manila Standard Today sought comments from the Department of National Defense on its decision to buy the FA-50s rather than multi-role F-16 and F-18 jet fighters.

A Defence Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government chose the FA-50s because of the high cost of the F-16 and F-18 and its “equally high maintenance cost.”

Asked what the country will do in case of intrusion by foreign aircraft, former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, a retired AFP vice chief of staff with the rank of a three-star general, said: “We will just watch them.”

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/01/04/shopping-list-for-jet-fighters-show-airforce-inadequacies/

Defense expert questions capability of FA-50 planes

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 3): Defense expert questions capability of FA-50 planes

The FA-50 lead-in fighter planes from South Korea that the Department of National Defense (DND) plans to purchase lack capability in terms of performance and weaponry of a genuine multi-role jet fighter plane that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) badly needs to defend the country’s airspace in light of rising tensions in the region, a defense expert noted.

“Although the DND is acquiring the probably best lead-in fighter for the PAF, it still falls short of capabilities in terms of performance, function, and weapons as compared to a multi-role (fighter) combat aircraft,” said Jorge Rillona, defense industry analyst and former US Marine specialist in combined air, sea, and land combat systems.

Rillona echoed the growing concern being raised by PAF pilots, active and retired, on the plan to acquire the Korean-made FA-50 lead-in fighter planes to replace the F-5s that were phased out in 2005.

The KAI FA-50 (South Korean), Aermacchi M346 (Italy), and Yaklovlev-YAK130 (Russia) are lead-in fighter planes that come from a family of advanced jet trainers that have limited capabilities and weapons, he added.

The FA-50 type aircraft “lead into” genuine multi-role planes such as the US multi-role fighter planes like the Lockheed F-16 and Boeing F-18, as well as the new Lockheed F-35 stealth joint strike fighter.

Since the F-5s were phased out, the PAF has had no fighter plane in its arsenal, a far cry from the early ‘50s up to the early ‘80s when the PAF was second to none in Southeast Asia in terms of air power.

As a consequence, the PAF has no capability to intercept or challenge any hostile planes that violate Philippine airspace, unlike before when the Air Force can confront within minutes unauthorized incoming aircraft or ships before they could enter the country’s territory.

That was the time when the Air Force had about 60 F-5s and F-8 jetfighters in their arsenal.

The F-5 Freedom fighters and F-8 Crusaders were armed with air-to-air and air-to-ground guided missiles, .50 caliber machine guns and 20-mm cannons.

PAF pilots interviewed by this writer said they prefer a modern multi-role fighter plane with advanced weaponry and sensors for the country’s air defense so that potential hostile forces would have second thought knowing that they would be intercepted before they could penetrate Philippine airspace or waters.

When asked to comment on the 52 percent down payment requirement for the FA-50, Rillona said, “I cannot accurately comment as I am not fully aware of the details of negotiations.  However, there may be other aspects tied into the terms of procurement such as offset obligations by the supplier, like those found in Brazil’s recent announcement on their new multi-role (fighter) combat aircraft procurement.”

http://www.mb.com.ph/defense-expert-questions-capability-of-fa-50-planes/

Bodies of 8 beheaded fishermen found on boat in Zamboanga

From Rappler (Jan 4): Bodies of 8 beheaded fishermen found on boat in Zamboanga



ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Eight fishermen, including two boys, have been shot and beheaded in a gruesome attack at sea off the troubled southern Philippines, police said Saturday, January 4.

The victims were among a group of fishermen who went missing after being attacked in the Moro Gulf off Mindanao island on December 26, said regional police spokesman Ariel Huesca.

Five headless corpses were first found aboard a boat drifting at sea on Friday by police who had gone in search of the missing fishermen, said Senior Inspector Joel Lozano, police chief of the district where the boat was taken.

"When we further inspected the boat (on Saturday morning), we discovered more headless bodies beneath the floorboard.... In all, it contained 8 bodies," Lozano told reporters.

The corpses, including those of two boys aged about 12 and 14, were all decomposing, suggesting they were killed a few days earlier, Lozano said.

One fisherman remains missing after the attack by unknown gunmen, Huesca said in a written report.

The motive of the attack is not known.

Pirates or militants?

The waters off the southern Philippines are rife with piracy, and the region is also a hotbed of Islamic militants.

The 9 fishermen had gone missing a day after Christmas following the attack off the town of Olutanga, Huesca said.

Two other wounded fishermen in the party were recovered shortly after the attack and taken to hospital for treatment, he added.

The boat with the headless corpses was found adrift 8 days later off the coastal village of Manicahan on Zamboanga's outskirts, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of Olutanga.

The 11 fishermen are all natives of Sangali, a fishing village adjacent to Manicahan, Huesca said.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/47217-bodies-beheaded-fishermen-boat-zamboanga

Australian navy transport 300 disaster relief tents to northern Cebu

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 4): Australian navy transport 300 disaster relief tents to northern Cebu

Around 300 Shelterbox disaster relief tents were transported by the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Tobruk to "Yolanda" affected northern Cebu early this week.

"The majority of tents were taken to Santa Fe for distribution on Bantayan Island," ShelterBox operations coordinator Alice Jefferson said.

The latter has been managing the international relief agency's response to the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" last Nov. 8.

Aside from tents, ShelterBox also distributed vital water purification devices and mosquito nets to residents.

"The Australian Army has also been operating from HMAS Tobruk using boats that facilitated the movement of our relief tents as well as myself and another Response Team volunteer to Malapascua, a small but significantly affected island. We were able to immediately distribute the aid to the families most in need in a remote community on the north of the island who had so far received no humanitarian assistance or support," she added.

ShelterBox has also had help from the Royal Australian Air Force. C-130s aircraft have transported both ShelterBox Response Teams (SRTs) and ShelterBoxes to Tacloban city, the area hardest hit by "Yolanda".

"We were able to bring shelter and other essential aid to families in some of the locations that bore the brunt of the 13-foot storm surge and 195mph sustained winds. Up to 90 percent of homes are destroyed in the worst affected areas," Jefferson stated.

"The Australian Forces have played key roles in our response, helping us help communities in need as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are very grateful," she added.

SRTs are now focusing their distribution efforts in Tacloban and Bantayan, working in partnership with Plan International and Handicap International.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=601761

PA has 273 artillery pieces

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 4): PA has 273 artillery pieces

Not many people are aware of it but the Philippine Army (PA), which fields 10 infantry divisions, has an estimated 273 artillery pieces in its inventory.

This number does not include artillery pieces owned by the Philippine Marine Corps, Army spokesperson Capt. Anthony Bacus said.

Around 24 of these weapons are the heavy 155mm howitzers with the remaining guns consisting of various models of the 105mm howitzer, an artillery piece capable of being towed or tracked into combat.

These weapons are constantly being maintained and modernized to provide Army units with a relatively heavy punch.

Bacus said that six of these guns are grouped to make one battery.

He added that these guns serves as fire support and bombardment weapons of the PA.

The Army spokesperson also stressed that batteries of these guns are assigned to all of the PA's infantry divisions.

However, he declined to comment on how many batteries each division possessed for reasons of security.

Earlier, the Department of National Defense announced that it is acquiring 12 units of towed 155mm howitzers for P438,620,000.

This includes 240 rounds of 155mm HE (high explosive) and integrated logistic support.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=601802

Palace: Gov't to continue pursuing compensation claims for Tubbataha Reef damage

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 4): Palace: Gov't to continue pursuing compensation claims for Tubbataha Reef damage
 
The Philippine government remains committed to continue pursuing its claims for compensation on the damages made by a United States minesweeper on the Tubbataha Reef last year, a Malacanang official said.

“We're committed to pursuing compensation for it,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan in an interview Saturday.

Valte said the Philippine government and US authorities had good discussions on the issue of compensation.

However, the Palace official said there is a third party who had filed a case before the Supreme Court. But she added that on the part of the government, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) was able to file a comment when it was ordered to do so.

She also said that since there is a pending case on the issue, it is in the best interest of the government not to comment further.

In July last year, environmental activists and militant groups filed an urgent motion to ask the Supreme Court for a series of Temporary Environmental Protection Orders (TEPOs) aimed at stopping US military exercises and port calls of US warships in the Philippines.

Prior to the motion, a Petition for the Writ of Kalikasan regarding the grounding case in the reef was filed by the group of Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo.

US minesweeper USS Guardian, coming from Subic for a regular port call, ran aground in the Tubbataha Reef on Jan. 17, 2013. The ship was on its way to Puerto Princesa, Palawan and then to Indonesia when it got stuck in the reef.

The Philippines fined the US government P58 million for the damage to the reef.

The incident damaged an estimated 4,000 square meters of coral reefs in Tubbataha Reef, the largest marine-protected area in the country at 97,030 hectares.

The Tubbataha Reef was included as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in 1993. It is said to be home to some 500 species of fish and 350 species of coral as well as whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and breeding seabirds.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=601881

Explosion hits Butuan City; no one injured

From MindaNews (Jan 4): Explosion hits Butuan City; no one injured

An alleged bomb exploded at this city at around 10:30 p.m. Friday, police said Saturday.

Supt. Romy Palgue, the city’s deputy police director, said the explosion occurred outside VOCOM Enterprises along Lopez Jaena Street in Barangay Sikatuna.
No one was injured in the blast.

Palgue said that they are still investigating the incident.

“So far, this is the first time [that an explosion happened] here in Butuan City. We are still trying to determine the type of explosive that was used,” he said.

 

However, initial investigations showed that the explosive used was “not powerful,” Palgue said.

Chief Insp. Cramwell Banogon, team leader of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) from the Regional Crime Laboratory Office-13, also told MindaNews at the blast scene that “it was a low grade explosion.”

“There was not much damage in the area, suggesting a low-grade explosive [was used],” Banogon said.

Banogon said they gathered debris in the blast site to determine the type of explosive that was used and how it was made.

A police investigator who requested anonymity said that most of the debris they collected was from a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe.

“We also noticed parts of a mobile phone, which might suggest that the explosive device was triggered remotely but until the SOCO would be able to finalize its investigation, we still can’t conclude anything,” he said.

Jose Felisilda, a security guard at the adjacent Dy Teban Hardware, said he never saw anybody acting suspicious in the area prior to the explosion.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/01/04/explosion-hits-butuan-city-no-one-injured/

MILF wants Sulu Sea, Moro Gulf part of Bangsamoro

From the Daily Tribune (Dec 5): MILF wants Sulu Sea, Moro Gulf part of Bangsamoro

Despite the signing between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) of the annex on power sharing in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) last December 8, the MILF said yesterday the document remains incomplete and that an “addendum” is needed to demarcate the Bangsamoro waters that strengthens suspicion that a new substate is being created out of the forming of the so-called new autonomous political entity (NPE) in the FAB.

The MILF, through its luwaran web site, said both panels crafting the peace agreement failed to agree during their last meeting to seal an agreement pertaining to Bangsamoro waters and considered it as an addendum alongside completing the annex on normalization which will be next on the negotiation agenda. The MILF described the proposed concept as going beyond the current definition of municipal waters which under the Philippine Fisheries Code are “marine waters 15 kilometers from the coastline, including streams, rivers, public forest, timberland, forest reserve or fishery reserve within the municipality,” except those subject to the provisions of the law on protected areas.

The MILF said that its proposed maritime territory involves parts of Yllana Bay, the Moro Gulf and the Sulu Sea.

“At a meeting scheduled this month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, both panels must hurdle the issue on territorial waters, agree and sign it together with the annex on normalization should there be no hassles or hitches along the way,” the MILF said.

The power sharing annex in itself had raised questions among Constitutional experts since it seeks to create a different a parliamentary system of government within the Bangsamoro substate.

The government panel said the Bangsamoro Transition Commission will use the power sharing annex as a guide in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

In their joint statement issued after the signing of the annex on power-sharing, the government and MILF panels said “an addendum on the matter of Bangsamoro waters” will be worked out alongside completing the annex on normalization to pave the way for a comprehensive peace agreement (CPA).

The CPA will consist of the FAB plus the four annexes on transitional modalities signed in February last year, wealth sharing signed in July last year, power sharing signed last December 8 and the normalization annex that would discuss disarmament of the rebels.

The MILF insisted on creating a separate boundary for Bangsamoro waters “to provide political connectivity to the future autonomous entity’s territories, which are in mainland Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.”

MILF peace panel member Maulana Alonto said such political connectivity would be important in developing further the concept of the Moro “nationhood.”

“Delineating Bangsamoro waters and defining jurisdiction over these will definitely have an implication on sharing the wealth that will eventually be found therein,” the MILF stated.

The Moro Gulf and Sulu Sea are endowed with a rich diversity of fishery resources that command high economic value.

The Sulu Sea also hosts several known blocks of oil and gas deposits. The MILF said in 2011, the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 offered interested investors 15 blocks throughout the country covering a total of some 100,339 square kilometers that are “mainly located in frontier regions” within the proposed Bangsamoro territorial sea.

One of the energy exploration block offered was onshore, in the Cotabato Basin or Liguasan Marsh covering around 456,000 hectares straddling the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.

Native fishes like mudfish, cat fish, carps, and numerous bird species are found in these marshy areas which also happened to have rich mineral deposits likely including oil.

The Department of Energy (DOE) had estimated volume of the total recoverable resources to be around 202 million barrels of oil and 821 billion cubic feet of gas within the area.

Another energy block offered is offshore in the Sulu Sea covering around 432,000 has, with water depths ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 meters, according to the DOE.

Of the eight wells drilled within the Sulu Sea block, “five of these have significant oil and gas shows.” This block, the DOE said, holds around 209 million barrels of oil and 716 billion cubic feet of gas.

The DOE also said that three of four additional wells drilled adjacent to the block “have been declared as gas discoveries” with an estimated deposit of some 775 billion cubic feet.

Prior to their 42nd exploratory meeting last Dec. 4 to 8 in Malaysia, the parties held executive sessions in November in Kuala Lumpur to thresh out issues on power-sharing.

During the meetings, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said that a resolution on the question of Bangsamoro waters would be a “deal breaker” on the FAB.

“That a power-sharing annex was clinched even as the issue of Bangsamoro waters was still unresolved showed the creativity of the government and MILF peace panels; they refused to be stuck on the issue of waters, pushing the peace process closer to conclusion,” according to the MILF.

A separate document would be signed to contain the consensus on Bangsamoro waters, the MILF added.

The signed power-sharing annex is considered the “heart of the peace process” and the MILF panel described it as “hard-earned” victory in more than a decade of peace negotiations.

An executive session is currently being held in Kuala Lumpur between heads and selected members of the government and MILF peace panels.

Government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer earlier said both the GPH and MILF peace panels have expressed optimism to wrap up the negotiations this month but the exact date has yet to be discussed.

Ferrer declined when asked how many firearms the MILF has in their arsenal that would be the subject of the normalization annex adding “this will be up for discussion during the negotiation.”

Earlier, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said the normalization process with the MILF will involve not just the disarmament of the Moro group but also of other private armed groups in Mindanao.

“You don’t just talk about the arms of the MILF, but also of everyone else. That is part of normalization. How can you ask the MILF to completely disarm if other groups or some families are armed? We are looking for a real partnership among the government, the MILF, and other governance constituencies to look at this matter on how to make a life more secure, to trust in the state forces to make them secure, and be engaged in other productive activities,” Deles said

She said both parties would also work in partnership on the reduction and control of firearms in the area as well as the disbandment of private armies and other armed groups.

“As put in the FAB, decommissioning is phased and calibrated and will start once political commitments are delivered…We agreed that substantial decommissioning happens when the basic law is delivered,” she said.

As contained in the FAB, “the MILF shall undertake a graduated program for decommissioning of its forces so that they are put beyond use.”

Deles also disclosed that a joint normalization committee will be formed for the coordination between the parties towards full decommissioning, which will be overseen by a third-party monitor composed of domestic and international partners of the peace process.

Deles said it was understandable that for a movement like the MILF, which had been fighting for so long, its members would have a different perspective on decommissioning. “On our part, it is also being able to assure fighters that there is life beyond fighting,” she said. “That is also part of the discussion, that is, what alternatives do you offer?” she said.

“As the fighters see this on the ground – that the peace is real, the land can be cultivated, there is livelihood coming in, my children can go to school, health centers will be set up— then it will be a matter of not just me giving up something, but I will also get a better life for my children.”

Deles said that decommissioning could be successful because peace processes in other parts of the world had undergone the same successfully.

“If the bulk of the fighters are committed to this, then this is something we should pray for, hope for, and work on,” she said.

The peace adviser also said that the government stands ready to deliver the political commitments embodied in the FAB, first of which had been the issuance of Executive Order 120 that provided the legal basis for the creation of the Transition Commission (TC).

The TC, which will be composed of 15 members of which eight are selected by the MILF and seven by the government, will be tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will replace the Organic Act that created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

According to Deles, candidates for the TC are currently being shortlisted and their appointment is expected this month.

“A lot of work has been done in drafting the annexes, but there are remaining issues that need to be worked out that needs consultations with experts.” Details of the decommissioning process are under the discussions on the annex on Normalization.
The other annexes include power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and transitional arrangement and modalities.

“All of government is behind this (crafting the comprehensive agreement). That is why the details in the annexes are more hard work because the more you go into that, the President’s instructions remain the same. We cannot commit anything that is not within our power. The government will deliver politically, economically, culturally, and legally. We work by that and we are confident that the FAB, as carefully crafted as it had been, will be able to pass the test and deliver on this,” Deles concluded.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/milf-wants-sulu-sea-moro-gulf-part-of-bangsamoro