Kidnappers extend fish farm operator’s ransom deadline by 20 days

From the Star Online (Nov 30): Kidnappers extend fish farm operator’s ransom deadline by 20 days


Chin Pek Nyuen, the wife of kidnapped fish farm manager Chan Sai Chiun with a picture of them together.

KOTA KINABALU: Kunak fish farm operator Chan Sai Chuin has been given a 20-day respite by his Abu Sayyaf captors who have threatened to behead him by today if a RM3mil ransom is not paid up.

His wife Chin Pek Nyen said police had told her that the kidnappers gave the authorities another 20 days to meet their demand.

“They managed to persuade the kidnappers to give them more time to raise the money for his release,” said the 42-year-old yesterday.

However, Chin said the kidnappers continued to refuse to let her speak to her 32-year-old husband, saying that they would only allow her to do so in the next few days.

“It’s been almost four months since I last heard my husband’s voice and I really want to speak to him.

“I hope they will keep their promise and let me talk to him after a few days,” she said.
Chan was abducted by the Filipino gunmen from his fish farm during a 12.45am raid on June 16.

Another Malaysian, marine policeman Kons Zakiah Aleip, 26, who was abducted from Pulau Mabul on July 12, is still being held by gunmen in Jolo, southern Philippines.

The kidnappers, said Chin, would only tell her that her husband was “doing well” but claimed that he was “not around” whenever she asked to speak to him.

Chin, who lives in Kunak, is currently in Kuala Lumpur to meet businessmen who had offered donations to meet the ransom.

“My in-laws are asking me every day whether he is still alive and if he will be rescued at all. I don’t know what to tell them anymore,” she said.

Although police were still negotiating and communicating with the kidnappers, Chin said they continued to request to talk to her.

“Last time, there was only one man who dealt with me and asked me questions but now, there are three of them,” she said, adding that she found it strange that the kidnappers seemed eager to know her location.

“But I don’t tell them where I am exactly as the police told me not to,” she said, expressing hope that her husband could be rescued soon.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/11/30/Abu-Sayyaf-delays-beheading-Kidnappers-extend-fish-farm-operators-ransom-deadline-by-20-days/

Alert troops foil treacherous NPA attack

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 29): Alert troops foil treacherous NPA attack

Camp Bancasi, Butuan City  — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops foiled a surprise attack by the New People’s Army (NPA) just as the military was deep in preparation for tropical depression Queenie earlier this week, an Army spokesman said yesterday.

Acting regional spokesman of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division Capt. Joe Patrick Matinez said elements of First Platoon of the Seventh Misamis Oriental Cafgu Active Auxiliary (CAA) belonging to the Eighth Infantry Battalion (8th IB) managed to defend their detachment against an undetermined number of heavily-armed communist rebels at the Kawali Patrol Base stationed at Sitio Kawali, Barangay Kibanban, in Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental.

“The NPAs took advantage of the lull in the military’s offensive as the soldiers were involved in disaster preparedness for tropical depression Queenie,” he said.

WOUNDED IN ACTION — Maj. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry Division (Diamond), gives cash assistance to Sgt. Pangilan Juhaili of the 29th Infantry Battalion. Juhaili was one of eight soldiers who were cited for bravery and gallantry when they were wounded in the various skirmishes the military has had with the New People’s Army (NPA) recently. (4th ID PIO)

He said the attacking forces were members of guerilla-Front Committee 4-B of the CPP-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

“Our troops defended their camp and fired at the enemy line in two fronts- one just 50 meters away and the other was almost 500 meters away,” claimed Martinez, quoting the flash report from the 8th IB.

“However, after sensing that our troops were ferociously fighting back, (the rebels) hastily withdrew in different directions and abandoned their plan to overrun the camp,” added the acting regional Army spokesman.

No one was reported wounded in the almost 15-minute firefight.

Yesterday, Lt. Col. Jose Eriel Niembra, commanding officer the 8th IB deployed more combat troops to beef up the pursuing troops in Kibanban area.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) awarded eight of his gallant men on Tuesday who were wounded in action during a recent gunbattle against NPAs.

Sgt. Pangilan Juhaili was awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal (WPM) and received cash assistance from 4th ID for his bravery during an encounter against NPAs at Barangay Tagbongabong, in RTR town, Agusan del Norte recently.

The second gallant soldier recognized was Private First Class Alex Abcede, who was wounded in action after the troops from 26th Infantry Battalion encountered 30 rebels at the hinterlands of Barangay Mahagsay, San Luis, Agusan del Sur recently.

Six other personnel, namely Corporal Fedelito Icare, Private First Class Rodolfo Naong, Private First Class Jaymar Cabuguas, Private First Class Elijean J Bagtasos, Private First Class Julius Sabijon and Private First Class Joedel A Garcia also received medals and cash assistance after they were also wounded during the series of armed engagements last November 15 to November 18 this year at Barangay Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

http://www.mb.com.ph/alert-troops-foil-treacherous-npa-attack/

Iqbal: No ‘plan B’ for Bangsamoro

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 30): Iqbal: No ‘plan B’ for Bangsamoro

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will rise or fall with the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

“There is no Plan B, only Plan A!” Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) stressed this Friday at the launching of the Primer on the BBL.

The BTC which drafted the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), he said is not looking for an alternative beyond the law in case the peace deal won’t work.

The MILF emphasized that it has placed all its cards behind the proposed BBL as the solution to the bangsamoro problem and end the decades-old Mindanao conflict.

Even past pronouncements by MILF leaders indicated that it is counting much on the BBL to give Mindanao an inclusive, just and durable peace, which has remained elusive despite the signing on September 2, 1996 of the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) by the Government of the Philippines (FPA) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Iqbal believes the “BBL is the antidote to (Moro) secession.”

The European Union (EU) funded the printing of around 58,000 copies of the primer in English which will later be translated to six local dialects to explain in the dialect of the stakeholders what the BBL is all about and how it will affect the everyday life of the Bangsamoro people.

The BBL is currently undergoing review in both houses of Congress and being discussed in many forums by experts, civil society organizations (CSOs) who are for or against the measure.

Both Houses of Congress have expressed full support for the BBL which President Aquino certified as urgent.

Congress said it would be able to pass the BBL in 2015 which shortens the time frame for the MILF to implement the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) which will eventually abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

If the road map for the Bangsamoro new political entity (NPE) runs its length, election for the pioneer officials of the NPE would be synchronized with the 2016 national elections.

But the MILF is willing to wait.

Maybe the legislators think that is the best time, Iqbal said.

“We think that is the best time to do that, although time is short and is running very fast, I hope we can come up with a very appropriate Basic Law so the BTA will be given enough time to do its job,” said Iqbal.

“And if we can not be able to succeed, then at least we have done our part and people will witness that we are doing everything possible,” he said.

“I think the government is really committed to pass that law. And while there are obstacles along the way in terms of  people raising some concerns against the BBL, but the movement forward, I think, is still on track,” said Iqbal.

Secretary Teresita Q. Deles, head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and Secretary Bai Yasmin Busran-Lao, CEO of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), shared the MILF’s optimism.

“No, it is not a setback. The Senate has said it will be in January at the earliest, and even up to February. We just need to work that the plebiscite can be held immediately after,” the OPAPP chief said.

Deles also allayed fears the BBL might be watered down by Congress, saying it won’t happen, but some amendments could be done.

http://www.mb.com.ph/iqbal-no-plan-b-for-bangsamoro/

KMU to stage protest rally on Bonifacio Day

From the Manila Times (Nov 29): KMU to stage protest rally on Bonifacio Day

The militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) will mark Bonifacio Day Sunday with a rally against the administration of President Benigno Aquino 3rd.

Roger Soluta, KMU secretary general, said the group will call for the abolition of the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and demand the implementation of a P16,000 monthly minimum wage.

Soluta said KMU will also call for the genuine land reform and the accountability of all government officials involved in corruption cases related to pork barrel funds.

“We are calling on all Filipinos to continue Bonifacio’s struggle and join us on November 30 to protest Aquino’s puppet, anti-poor, and corrupt government. We have every reason to go out in the streets and hold protests against the Aquino government,” he said.

Citing the “drastic increase in cases of human-rights violations” in Mindanao, Soluta said the protest “will also showcase the people of Mindanao’s resistance to a government that violates their rights in order to uphold the interests of big foreign mining and logging companies.”

He said Aquino “is as brutal as Spanish conquistadores of Bonifacio’s time toward the people of Mindanao.”

He said the President’s subservience to the US, opposition to genuine land reform, greed for pork barrel funds, and fostering of illusions about the country’s development would have been the target of a revolution led by Bonifacio.

“The Aquino government embodies the social evils against which Bonifacio and the Filipino toiling masses rose up. It reminds us of elite Filipinos who collaborated with Spanish colonialism and the exploitative friars of Bonifacio’s time,” Saluto said.

http://www.manilatimes.net/kmu-stage-protest-rally-bonifacio-day/145383/

Military retracts earlier claims of Abu arrest

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 29): Military retracts earlier claims of Abu arrest

The military has retracted its report that a suspected Abu Sayyaf militant wanted for a series of kidnapping incidents was arrested by security forces.

The Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) yesterday admitted that the bandit was able to evade security forces during operations in Barangay Landang Laum, Sacol Island, Zamboanga City last Friday.

“Good Afternoon. Correction to our release article re above subject, from Armed Force of the Philippines, Philippine National Police Nab Abu Sayyaf in Sacol Island to AFP, PNP Serve WOA (warrant of arrest) to Abu Sayyaf in Sacol Island, Recovered Items.

According to JTG (Joint Task Group) Zamboanga operating units, they were about to serve the warrant of arrest to Abu Sayyaf member Wahid Pingli (alias) Gafur in Barangay Landang Laum, Sacol Island, Zamboanga City upon
arrival thereat, undetermined number of armed men immediately scampered to different direction. The troops then searched the area and resulted to recovery of one M16, one short magazine and 17 live cartridge M16,” the Western Mindanao Command said in a statement.

“Pingli was not apprehended and believed to be among the group who escaped from the area. As of this time, JTG Zambo, together with ZCPO (Zamboanga City Police Office) are conducting close monitoring in the said area. For info,” it said.

Pingli, an Abu Sayyaf member based in Zamboanga City, is wanted on charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Authorities believe he was behind the kidnapping of a businessman, who was abducted in May 2008 and released June 9 that year, and a 60-year-old, abducted June 2010 and released August the same year.

In 2012, police records showed Pingli was ranked fourth on Zamboanga City’s 10 most wanted list.

Marine Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, has earlier said the militant is currently being interrogated by authorities.

“Pingli’s arrest was made possible through the joint law enforcement operations of the military and police,” she added.

No other details were released to the press by the military or the police about the militant or whether Pingli’s group was planning an attack or kidnappings in Zamboanga City.

The Abu Sayyaf previously bombed a karaoke bar in Zamboanga City that injured a policeman.

Labelled as terrorists by the United States and Philippine governments, the Abu Sayyaf recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in a series of videos posted on YouTube.   

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/military-retracts-earlier-claims-of-abu-arrest

KMP leader arrested, rally at Times Street, dispersed

From the Business Mirror (Nov 29): KMP leader arrested, rally at Times Street, dispersed

POLICE arrested a leader of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) following a dispersal of a rally organized by the group in front of President Aquino’s house on Times Street, Quezon City on Saturday.

 

KMP immediately accused Malacañang of ordering the dispersal and arrest of its leader, Antonion Flores. KMP Chairman Rafael Mariano said the arrest of Flores, the group’s secretary-general enforced at around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday was “illegal”. Flores, who hails from Mindanao, is now detained at Camp Karingal in Quezon City.

 

“This violence is a testament to the escalating human-rights violations under the Aquino regime,” Mariano said in a statement.

 

The protesters had just finished the program when Quezon City Police District Supt. Pedro Sanchez ordered his men to disperse the protesters. According to KMP, the police clubbed unarmed rallyists with truncheons and nightsticks. 

 

The protesters were chased by the police from Times Street to Delta and Timog Avenue intersection. More than 300 protesters, mostly farmers and indigenous peoples, who were demanding the ouster of Mr. Aquino stormed Times Street as part of the Manilakbayan protest of Mindanao farmers and indigenous peoples in Manila to highlight the escalating human-rights violations and land-grabbing in Mindanao.

 

“The protesters have raised legitimate demands, including genuine land reform, justice for victims of human-rights violations and opposition to [President] Aquino’s anti-people policies like Charter change. Instead of hearing them out, the [administration] resorted to further violence and illegal arrest,” Mariano said.   

 

KMP called for the immediate and unconditional release of Flores.  

 

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/kmp-leader-arrested-rally-at-times-street-dispersed/

PH, US deny reports on troops in Mindanao

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 25): PH, US deny reports on troops in Mindanao

Philippine and United States (US) authorities denied reports that there are 6,000 American service members stationed in Mindanao, more than the current US military deployment in Iraq.

“The statement that there are up to 6,000 US service members stationed in Mindanao is simply not accurate,” US embassy spokesman Kurt Hoyer said.

According to the embassy spokesman, US troops have been rotating through Mindanao, with permission of the Philippine government for 12 years, referring to American forces temporarily deployed in Mindanao under the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines (JSOTF-P).

He stressed, however, that “they have averaged fewer than 500 at any given time."

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc also dismissed the reports calling them “rumors”.

“There is no truth to the rumors that there are 6,000 US personnel there right now,” Cabunoc emphasized.

Instead, he said, there is a troop rotation of about 400-500 American personnel annually, as agreed by both Philippines and the US.

JSOTF-P was established following the 9/11 terror attacks. Since 2002, US military have been deployed to southern Philippines to help counter the threats posed by the local terrorist Abu Sayyaf and the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah, both affiliated with the Al Qaeda network.

The US forces, however, are “in a strictly non-combat role to advise and assist the AFP, share information, and to conduct joint civil-military operations.”

The JSOTF-P headquarters is located at Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City, home of the military’s Western Mindanao Command. It also has three subordinate regional task forces which operate throughout Mindanao alongside the AFP.

In June this year, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the US has downsized its forces in Mindanao. From about 500 officers and men, Gazmin said the number of JSOTF-P personnel is now down to about 200.

Cabunoc, meanwhile, stressed that “the US and Philippine military maintains a robust relationship based on mutual trust. Through the years, the AFP has benefitted from the Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) program that is continuously implemented here.”

http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-us-deny-reports-on-troops-in-mindanao/

600 US troops in Mindanao, not 6,000; despite numbers game, nationalists want them out

From the pro-CPP Bicol Today (Nov 28): 600 US troops in Mindanao, not 6,000; despite numbers game, nationalists want them out 

 
Photo courtesy by www.gmcmissing.wordpress.com

CITY OF NAGA, Bicol Region — Despite of the numbers game in counting US troops stationed in Mindanao, nationalist groups called for their removal from the country. ManiLakbayan, the protest caravan from Mindanao corrected media reports saying only about 600 US troops are stationed in Mindanao.

“We would like to check the data in our media statement on November 21 (2014). The count should be 600 US forces in Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City, not 6,000,” said Fr. Christopher Ablon, spokesperson for Manilakbayan.

“We sincerely apologize for our erroneous encoding of the data. However, we still would like to emphasize that regardless of the number of the US forces, we still strongly call for their removal from the country,“ said Fr. Ablon, informing online news Bicol Today.com.

The protest caravan reacted and corrected immediately the erroneous report about the number of 6000 US troops in Mindanao. (See related story) IBON research group also issued a disclaimer saying their group did not issue any statement regarding the number of US troops.

Kabataang Partylist Rep.Terry Ridon exposed over the week about the alleged report of thousands of US soldiers in Mindanao, but failed to mention his source.

Manilakbayan, a protest caravan composed of people of Mindanao that journeyed to Manila, has earlier reported about US troops stationed in Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City.

Hundreds of people have joined the long journey from Mindanao to Manila to expose the worsening human rights situation in several provinces in Mindanao. Manilakbayan has documented multiple cases of human rights violations, and even the entry of military forces in schools.

http://bicoltoday.com/2014/11/28/600-us-troops-in-mindanao-not-6000-despite-numbers-game-nationalists-want-them-out/

Judge orders release of accused in Sipadan kidnapping case

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 28): Judge orders release of accused in Sipadan kidnapping case
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines–A man wrongfully arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping of 21 foreign tourists and workers from the Malaysian island resort of Sipadan in 2000 has been ordered released from detention, an official of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos said Thursday.

Commissioner Edilwasif Baddiri said it was Presiding Judge Mariam Bien of Branch 153 of the Regional Trial Court in Taguig City who ordered that Adzhar Bari, accused of the crime along with more than 100 members of the Abu Sayyaf, be released from detention.

Bari was arrested by the authorities five years ago on the strength of a warrant for the arrest of an Abu Sayyaf member named Jurim Abdul, also known as Talib Hasim, who was an alleged follower of Ghalib Andang or commander Robot, the perpetrator of the Sipadan mass kidnapping.

“The prosecution witnesses failed to identify Adzhar Bari during the re-investigation, which led the judge to rule that he was not Jurim Abdul, alias Talib Hasim,” Baddiri said.

He said Bien slready directed the jail warden of the Special Intensive Care Area at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to “release Adzhar Bari, whom the prosecution claims to be Jurim Abdul or Talib Hasim, unless he is being held for some lawful cases.”

So far, 30 individuals wrongfully charged for the Sipadan incident have already been freed, Baddiri said.

Andang was among notorious Abu Sayyaf leaders who led the kidnapping of 21 people, including several European and Middle Eastern nationals, from the Sipadan Resort in Malaysia on April 23, 2000.

Andang was killed, along with two other Abu sayyaf leaders and 19 other inmates, during a prison riot at Camp Bagong Diwa in March 2005.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/114906/judge-orders-release-of-accused-in-sipadan-kidnapping-case/

Senate to hold public hearing on deal allowing US troops on Philippine soil

From Business World (Nov 27): Senate to hold public hearing on deal allowing US troops on Philippine soil

THE SENATE committee on foreign relations announced on Thursday that it would conduct a public hearing on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which critics earlier petitioned the Supreme Court to strike down as unconstitutional for bypassing the chamber’s approval.

While treaties needed to secure the Senate’s approval, EDCA was an “executive agreement” signed in April 2014 by Philippine and United States Presidents Benigno S. C. Aquino III and Barack H. Obama, raising questions regarding its constitutionality. EDCA would allow American troops more freedom to maintain its rotational presence throughout the archipelago.

In a statement, committee chairperson Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said that the hearings would address the concerns of whether the EDCA needed to be concurred in by the Senate, and whether it was necessary, beneficial or practical.

 

She clarified, however, that “the concurrence requirement for EDCA is for the purpose of saving the treaty from the prohibition in the Constitution.”

By agreeing to the EDCA without the concurrence of the Senate, Mr. Aquino could “be held accountable for impeachable offenses.”

“These are culpable violations of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, for allowing a foreign government to maintain military bases without Senate concurrence,” Ms. Santiago said.

An impeachment complaint against Mr. Aquino on these grounds, however, was quickly dismissed in early September by the House of Representatives’ justice committee.

She also rejected the view that EDCA was an “implementing agreement” of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement. “In international law, there is no such thing as an implementing treaty especially in our Constitution. Every treaty has to be on the basis on Constitutional requirement, whether implementing or not,” she said.

Ms. Santiago said that the hearing would tackle the constitutional ban on foreign military presence and use of facilities in the country without Senate approval.

“Contrary to the claim that the EDCA does not involve the establishment of military bases, the EDCA gives the US rights of possession, control, and use over areas of Philippine territory described as ‘Agreed Locations,” she said.

The hearing on the EDCA would be held on Monday, Dec. 1.

 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=senate-to-hold-public-hearing-on-deal-allowing-us-troops-on-philippine-soil&id=98712

Reg’l political party for 2016 Bangsamoro polls created

From GMA News (Nov 28): Reg’l political party for 2016 Bangsamoro polls created

While Congress is still deliberating on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberaration Front (MILF) has created a new political party for the anticipated elections in the region in 2016.

In a chance interview Friday, MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said the MILF leadership has formed the Bangsamoro Justice Party (BJP), a regional political party for those aspiring to have seats in the Bangsamoro government, which will be created upon the passage of the BBL in Congress and its ratification through a plebiscite.

Iqbal said the MILF is now in the process of registering the party with the Commission on Elections.

“It's being registered right now. There has been a lot of engagements towards creating a truly political party that is principled. It has been a difficult process. But we are now in the process of registration,” he said.

According to the draft BBL as contained in House Bill 4994, a Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will serve as the interim government of the region for one year upon the BBL's ratification through a plebiscite. Afterwhich, all powers will be transferred to the Bangsamoro government, officials of which will be voted by the people of the region in 2016 elections.

The new Bangsamoro entity is set to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Interested politicians

Iqbal said that as early as now, several local politicians have expressed intention to be part of the MILF's party. “There are feelers, from local politicians but I cannot disclose their names,” he said.

He also clarified that the BJP will not be affiliated with any national political party.

Asked if the BJP would be open in accepting members from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) or any other individuals outside the MILF, Iqbal replied, “Yes. On the condition that they will subscribe with the vision-mission and basic principles of the party.”

Iqbal said the MNLF might also form their own political party as the draft BBL does not limit to the MILF the leadership of the soon-to-be created Bangsamoro government.

“Well, they are welcome to join us. Otherwise, they will form their own political party and when it comes to forming the (Bangsamoro) government we can coalesce with them,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal also said several MILF leaders including himself and chairman Al Haj Murad have no intention of running for Bangsamoro government office in 2016.

“Personally, I do not want to join in the local elections. Politics is last in our mind, 'our' because I think, that's the organizational line of thinking. I think he (Murad) would be last person to be interested in running for a political party,” he said.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority

Meanwhile, Iqbal said the MILF leadership has not yet decided on the composition of the BTA, which will govern the Bangsamoro territory for one year pending the creation of the Bangsamoro government.

“There is a current series of dicussions in the MILF leadership, because there are three ways of constituting the BTA – it can be all MILF leaders which is not pragmatic, which is not fair; it can be partly MILF leadership, partly from outsiders; or it can be that only the head would come from the MILF and then the rest would come from various civil societies. There has been no decision yet by the MILF leadership,” Iqbal said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390222/news/nation/reg-l-political-party-for-2016-bangsamoro-polls-created

Opinion: A study of resource-based conflict in Western Mindanao

Opinion piece from the Sun Star-Davao (Nov 28): A study of resource-based conflict in Western Mindanao

BARANGAY Lumbac is a mountainous area and most of the residents are relying on farming as a major source of livelihood. The area is also largely planted to coconuts as a major crop. Of the 901 hectares comprising the total land area of Lumbac, about 200 hectares of these are now being contested.

Involved in the conflict are two identified parties composed of the Maranao Muslim families.

In an effort to come up with a conflict analysis that would aid endeavors in conflict transformation, the Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (EcoWeb) undertook a case study of Mr. Felizardo Laborte’s story in Lumbac.

The case study took into consideration the historical information surrounding Laborte’s claims and his eventual incarceration.

Prior to the land conflict in Lumbac, there had been instances of armed conflict in the area characterized by isolated skirmishes and small incidents of armed encounter in the remote areas of the municipality in early 1970s and in year 2000.

 It was only in 2008 that widespread discontent among the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kulambogan occurred following the breakdown of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) and led to a political conflict that have caused massive evacuation among residents in Kolambugan.

The Resource Conflict Triangle. It has been said that the land conflict in Lumbac has started back in time. In a Case Study that was aimed at illustrating EcoWeb's Framework for conflict analysis and transformation “The resource conflict Triangle”, the land conflict in Lumbac was highlighted. This framework was adopted to understand the conflict dynamics toward Peace-Building.

In a brief historical background given in the case study, it was noted that the Muslims of Mindanao have already exercised political economy and economic prosperity way before the Spaniards colonization of the Philippines in1521. The Sultans ruled during that time, their political mandate emanated from their Islamic faith.

Some years later however, the displaced Maranaos returned through forceful re-entry and re-claim their lands. They discovered however that the lands were already titled by Visayan claimants.

Hence, two decades of relative peace, the Lumbac community henceforth saw a Bisayan armed group emerged and harassed the Maranao inhabitants.

A conflict over more than 200 hectares coconut lands started, involving a number of families having land titles versus actual occupants whose claim is based on ancestral, historical, traditional and actual development of the lands that they believed to own.

According to Ms. Precious of EcoWeb, after Felizardo Laborte’s release, the Provincial Governor Angging Dimaporo gave him fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) to help him start anew with his livelihood. Purportedly he used it to finance his family’s seaweeds production and is currently doing well.

Moreover, he is presently supporting the conflict transformation activities in Lumbac and had hosted twice in his home some international peace practitioners attending the annual Mindanao Peace-building Institute training.

The Resource-Based Conflict Transformation Initiatives: A Community Perspective (RCTI) is a field-based course facilitated by EcoWeb showcasing the local initiatives in resolving and transforming the violent land conflict.

EcoWEB’s case study illustrates the kind of resource-based conflict that commonly happen elsewhere in Mindanao and all over the Philippines, recognizing that the “discrimination against the Muslim and the Indigenous People emanate directly from government policies” over the centuries, and that “identity and religious differences are important markers in the conflict.”

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/opinion/2014/11/28/lumbac-study-resource-based-conflict-western-mindanao-379155

19 hurt in protest rally outside Aquino’s Times St house

From Rappler (Nov 29): 19 hurt in protest rally outside Aquino’s Times St house

Police arrest the leader of the protesters who faces charges of serious physical injury, direct assault against an agency or persons in authority, and illegal assembly

ANTI-AQUINO RALLY. Protesters head for the private home of President Benigno Aquino III in Quezon City on November 29, 2014. Photo by Southern Exposure Tagalog

 

An anti-government rally held outside the private residence of President Benigno Aquino III in Quezon City ended violently, leaving 12 policemen and 7 protesters hurt.

 

Police said on Saturday, November 29, that Antonio Flores, the leader of the protesters from militant group Manilakbayan, was arrested and detained at Camp Karingal, and will be charged with serious physical injury, direct assault against an agency or persons in authority, and illegal assembly.

 

Quezon City police chief Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said that around 250 protesters from militant group Manilakbayan gathered in front of the Aquino residence at Times Street at 9:20 am on Saturday, calling for peace and food in Mindanao.

 

The group, which held a banner seeking the President's ouster, was allowed to hold their program despite their failure to secure a permit. An initial 50 policemen were deployed to the rally. 

 

Pagdilao said the protest turned violent as the program wrapped up.

 

"Nung paalis na sila, bigla silang nagpintura sa kalsada gamit pulang pinta. Inawat sila ng mga pulis kaso ayaw nila magpa-awat. Nagsimula sila mambato (When they were about to leave, the protesters suddenly painted the street with red paint. The policemen tried to stop them but they wouldn't stop. They started throwing rocks)," the QC police chief said. 

 

The police said the group also painted red the gate of a private home in the neighborhood.

 

The group Southern Tagalog Exposure had a different version of the story. It claimed that the police initiated the clash.

 

"Pagkatapos ng mapayapang programa sa Times St, bigla na lamang namalo ang mga pulis. Hinabol nila ng pamalo ang mga delegado ng Manilakbayan (After the program, police started hitting and running after the protesters)," Southern Tagalog Exposure posted on Facebook.

 

Pagdilao said 12 policemen were injured, two of whom had to seek medical treatment. The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines Northern Mindanao Sub-Region said in its Facebook post that 7 protesters were injured, including Jaypee Agbiag of Karapatan North Cotabato who was allegedly hit on the neck and is under observation at the East Avenue Medical Center.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/76476-police-protesters-clash-aquino-times-street-house

Aquino considers ISIS a 'serious concern'

From Rappler (Nov 29): Aquino considers ISIS a 'serious concern'

Malacañang refutes a statement by a global anti-terrorism website that President Aquino, like US President Barack Obama, is 'downplaying' the ISIS threat

 
ISIS. An image grab taken from a propaganda video released on March 17, 2014 by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Al-Furqan Media/AFP

Malacañang on Saturday, November 29, brushed aside observations that President Benigno Aquino III is downplaying the threats posed by terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The statement comes after a global anti-terrorism website likened Aquino to US President Barack Obama when it comes to addressing the ISIS threat.

Reviewing Aquino's past pronouncements on ISIS, one would not come to the conclusion that he is downplaying the situation, said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview with state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

"In fact, the President has already mentioned that, you know, we know that it's a serious concern and we continue to act," she said.

Valte said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to engage with stakeholders, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and local leaders, to fight terrorism and prevent recruitment efforts by ISIS.

"If you see our efforts, it’s largely successful. We've not had a major incident in the past few years and also that's a testament to the passion, to the efforts, and to the work that our law enforcement agencies have been showing," Valte said.

"This is a continuing effort and this does not mean that we will let our guard down to continue to avert situations of this nature," she added.

Valte explained that due to security matters, the government could not divulge details of all its efforts against ISIS.

"Just because our efforts are not made publicly known, it does not mean that they do not exist. A large part of it is not shared publicly because that's transmitting to the other side what you intend to do," Valte said.

Aquino, Southeast Asia's Obama?

In one of its posts, the website ISIS Study Group said that Aquino had been advocating peace in the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao but, like Obama, had proven to be "weak and indecisive" with regards to the ISIS threat.

The website is said to be maintained by retired US military personnel.

"In many ways, [Aquino is] the Southeast Asia equivalent of our own President Obama, who shares Aquino’s naive view of the world – which isn’t a good thing," said the group.

It also said that the Philippines "has all the potential in the world" but has a leadership that is "reactionary as opposed to forward-thinking [ones] like that of Malaysia and Indonesia."

The group recommended that Aquino step up efforts to enhance security relationships with the MILF Central Committee, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia.

It also suggested that other Philippine-based terrorist networks need to be taken out "to blunt any momentum the groups in the southern Philippines have built due to their increasing reliance on their northern counterparts to finance operations and facilitate travel to the Middle East."

Malacañang dismissed the comparison to Obama as a "left-handed compliment."

http://www.rappler.com/nation/76482-isis-threat-serious-concern-malacanang

1st Infantry Division praised for supporting youth advocacy, peace efforts in Mindanao

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Nov 29): 1st Infantry Division praised for supporting youth advocacy, peace efforts in Mindanao



The Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division continues to draw praises and accolades for its continued support to peace and development efforts, and various youth advocacy in Western Mindanao.

Just this month, the 1st Infantry Division under Brigadier General Gerardo Barrientos Jr., in partnership with the Western Mindanao Command under Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero, and the National Youth Commission headed by Raymond Domingo, conducted the 1st Regional Youth Forum – Western Mindanao held in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province.The three-day action planning workshop was participated by youth leaders from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Misamis Occidental. 

Most of them were student council presidents and alumni of the military’s Youth Leadership Summit Program in Western Mindanao.  The facilitators were also alumni of the National Youth Leaders Congress 2014.Captain Franco Salvador Suelto, facilitator of the NYLC 2014, and head of the Technical Support Team of the Regional Youth Forum, said the event was just the beginning of a series of cascading action planning workshops involving the alumni of YLS and NYLC.  He said the action planning will also be replicated at the provincial, city and municipal, and even in the villages. “There will be more similar activities in the future that will advocate mobilization of the youth in preparing them to be more socially responsible, peace loving and productive members of the community as well as God-fearing citizens of the country,” he said. “The objective of this activity is to develop the leadership of the youth as preparation for their role in the society and in nation building.”Barrientos also commended those who attended the forum and lauded the forum, saying, it would help develop and prepare the youth and student sector to become responsible citizens and future leaders.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/1st-infantry-division-praised-for.html

Blasts hit Cotabato, Maguindanao ahead of Aquino’s visit

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Nov 29): Blasts hit Cotabato, Maguindanao ahead of Aquino’s visit

Two separate blasts on Saturday left one person injured in southern Philippines, officials said.

The twin explosions came ahead of the possible visit by President Benigno Aquino in Cotabato City for Monday’s State of the Region Address.

Earlier on Saturday, an explosion occurred along the highway in Shariff Aguak town in nearby Maguindanao, one of five provinces under the restive Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

No one was reported hurt or killed in the blast and the army said the explosion was not strong enough. But a grenade attack later in the day left one civilian wounded in Cotabato City.

Officials said soldiers and policemen were quickly deployed in downtown Cotabato where the explosion occurred, but the attacker managed to escape.

The attack targeted a dump truck that passed along Sinsuat Avenue, but a civilian, Raisma Baraquir, was hit by shrapnel, according to Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, a spokeswoman for the 6th Infantry Division.

She said the 22-year Baraquir was rushed to hospital. The truck driver, Daryl Llagono, was unhurt from the blast.

“Recovered at the blast site were safety lever and fragments of M61 hand grenade. The motive of the attack is still unknown, but authorities are already investigating the incident,” Petinglay told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

No individual claimed responsibility for the attack here.

Television network ABC 5 reported that Aquino is expected to attend the event in Cotabato City, the seat of the regional government.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/blasts-hit-cotabato-maguindanao-ahead.html

No more threat

Posted to the Visayas Newsbit section of the Manila Bulletin (Nov 29): No more threat

Jordan, Guimaras — The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) no longer sees communist insurgency as a threat in the island province of Guimaras.

For the 301st Infantry Brigade (301 IB) of 3ID, the absence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (NPA) has made the socio-economic, agro-industrial and infrastructure development activities of Guimaras province bullish.

Guimaras was jointly declared insurgency-free six years ago by the Guimaras provincial government, Police Regional Office (PRO-6) and 3ID.

“Since then, no violent incident has been attributed to the CPP-NPA,” said Colonel Eric Uchida, 301 IB commander.

http://www.mb.com.ph/visayas-newsbits-for-november-29-2014/

AFP, PNP arrest Abu Sayyaf member in Sacol Island

From the Zamboanga Today (Nov 29): AFP, PNP arrest Abu Sayyaf member in Sacol Island

Government security forces have captured a notorious Abu Sayyaf member in an island village in the east coast of Zamboanga City.

Capt Rowena Muyuela, regional military spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command, said joint elements of the Joint Task Group Zamboanga and Zamboanga City Police Office apprehended Wahid Pingli alias Gaffur at Barangay Landang Laum, Sacol Island at around 4:30 a.m. Friday.

According to Muyuela, the suspect has an existing warrant of arrest docketed under Criminal Case Nr. 23708 for Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention issued by Judge Reynerio G. Estacio of Branch 14, Regional Trial Court-Zamboanga City.

Pingli, an Abu Sayyaf member based in Zamboanga City, was involved in the series of kidnappings of the following victims:

1) Inocente Bautista, a businessman, who was abducted on May 27, 2008 in Barangay Tetuan, Zamboanga City and subsequently released on June 09 of the same year in Barangay Manicahan, same city;

2) Vicente Barrios, 60 years old, who was abducted on June 17, 2010 in Barangay Bolong, Zamboanga City and subsequently released on August 21 of the same year.
In the 2012 police record showed Pingli was ranked No. 4 in the list of the 10 most wanted persons in Zamboanga City.

Muyuela said recovered from Pingli were a ELISCO M16A1 with serial number RPO 45896; a short magazine; and 17 rounds of live M16 cartridge.

“Said arrest was made possible through the joint law enforcement operations of the AFP and PNP to expedite arrest of lawless elements in the area,” she said.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/19273-afp-pnp-arrest-abu-sayyaf-member-in-sacol-island.html

NPA rebel barges into Army camp to surrender, is nearly gunned down

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 28): NPA rebel barges into Army camp to surrender, is nearly gunned down

Butuan City -- Driven to a life of desperation in the hinterlands of Surigao del Sur, a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel decided last Nov. 15 to surrender to authorities by barging into an Army camp in Barangay Maharlika in this city.

And he nearly got killed for it.

Ka Jonaide, who is also known as Efren, ran into the 75th Infantry “Marauder” Battalion’s headquarters at around 7 a.m. in full battle gear, taking aback sentries on-duty who nearly gunned down the hapless rebel.

“Suko na ako, di na nako kaya ang kalisod, tabangi ko ninyo sir.” (I surrender, I can no longer bear the hardship, help me sir),” declared Jonaide after he laid down his AK-47 rifle and seven magazines on the table of the duty-officer.

Jonaire is reportedly a regular Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA member and team leader of Squad 1, Platoon 1 of the guerrilla Front Committee 14 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) of the CPP-NPA.

According to acting regional Army spokesman of the 4th Infantry (Diamond Division)Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, “Jonaide”, whose real name is still being withheld for security reasons, was chased by the sentries and was nearly shot by the headquarters’ marshals.

Martinez said Jonaide recounted that he joined the armed movement of the NPA because he was promised a better future.

But, as it turned out, they were all lies.

“He suffered hunger, he felt tired with continuous movement, no permanent shelter and the worst was the feeling of fear that one of these days, they will be trapped by the military due to the NPA’s continuous illegal activities,” Martinez said.

The former rebel is still undergoing debriefing while awaiting financial and livelihood assistance from the government for surrendering insurgents.

“This is a manifestation that the NPAs in my area are experiencing both social and combat pressure. We will continue our efforts and we will help in economic stability in the area and developments set-in in our communities,” said Lt. Col. Norman L. Alcovindas, commanding officer of the 75th IB.

In a background investigation, Alcovindas said Jonaide decided to leave the underground movement because of the hardships that they have been enduring in the mountains.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, commanding general of the 4th ID in northeastern and Northern Mindanao lauded Jonaire for returning to the fold of the law.

“We are very thankful for the decision of our brother to finally abandon the armed struggle and join the mainstream of our society,” he said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/npa-rebel-barges-into-army-camp-to-surrender-is-nearly-gunned-down/

CAFGU man shot dead in Agusan del Norte town

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 28): CAFGU man shot dead in Agusan del Norte town

A member of Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) was shot to death inside his residence by three unidentified gunmen at Purok 3, Barangay E. Beltran, in Jabonga town, Agusan del Norte province, police reported yesterday.

Police, identified the victim as Felizardo D. Moncano, 43, CAFGU member assigned at Baleguian Patrol Base in Jabonga town of that same province.

The victim was riddled with three gunshot wounds to his body and head.

The incident happened at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Initial investigation conducted by the Jabonga Municipal Police Station (MPS) stated that the suspects forcibly entered into the house and shot the victim at close range.

However, the victim managed to jump outside the window and tried to escape. But he was chased by his assailants and shot anew, this time hitting his head.

Sensing that the victim was already dead, the suspects fled towards the mountainous area of E. Beltran of that same town, police report said.

The Municipal Health Officer in Jabonga town pronounced the victim dead due to multiple gunshot wounds, using undetermined hand guns.

http://www.mb.com.ph/cafgu-man-shot-dead-in-agusan-del-norte-town/