From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 18): CHR condemns rebels for killing 2 soldiers, 1 civilian
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) here has recently
condemned the brutal killing of two soldiers and one civilian informant
believed to be perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) particularly the
Danilo Ben Command operating in Northern Luzon
area.
Atty. Cecilia M. Lazaro, CHR officer-in-charge, said the red group should uphold and respect the principles of the international humanitarian law.
Earlier, decomposed bodies of two soldiers and a former member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), were found inside a chapel at Sitio Masi, Barangay San Juan in Rizal town and feared to have been executed.
The remains were identified as PCF Jay Tugao, PCF Victor Balao-as, both from Pinukpok, Kalinga, and Jayson Santor of Rizal who were reportedly went missing last March 2015.
The three were allegedly killed by the members of the NPA on March 29, 2015 despite calls by some church leaders and peace advocates to release them.
Lazaro urged the perpetrators to end the killing as this would not bring peace and development in the country.
She likewise assured the families of the three victims of financial assistance worth P10,000 each as soon as their cadavers will be identified and turned-over by the investigating team to their respective families.
From ABS-CBN (Jul 19): IED blast rocks police station in ComVal
An improvised explosive device (IED) was lobbed by a suspected member of the New People's Army (NPA) near the Mabini Police Station in Compostela Valley Saturday night, a military official said.
Capt. Alberto Caber, public affairs officer of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), said the perpetrator triggered the bomb past 8 p.m.
A 21-year-old woman, Ravelyn Ababa Cobrado, was injured in the blast.
"Nadamay lang 'yun, 'yung PNP ang target," Caber said, referring to the seriously wounded Cobrado who was taken to Davao Regional Hospital.
Caber added that the explosion may have been part of a planned attack, which the rebels aborted after a civilian was wounded. He said the rebels usually detonate a bomb before an attack.
"It could also be a mere harassment on the PNP," Caber said.
The official noted that the Mabini Police Station is conducting a probe on the NPA killing of an Army Scout Ranger soldier last July 16.
Civilians near the blast site reported that the perpetrator hurriedly left the area aboard a motorcycle after the explosion. Caber said soldiers and policemen are going after the suspect.
EastMinCom commander Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad condemned the attack.
"The CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front) is really not sincere about peace in the region," he said,
"There are so many innocent lives that were lost, people injured and properties damaged due to their indiscriminate use of IEDs. This security concern is not only of the security forces but of everbody's," Baladad added.
A number of civilians have been killed and wounded by bombs planted by the rebels in the past - the latest was last April 20 in Makilala town in North Cotabato that wounded two civilians.
From GMA News (Jul 19): Cops link Abu Sayyaf to Sulu blast
Police on Sunday linked the Abu Sayyaf Group to an improvised bomb explosion that wounded at least two people near a videoke bar in Jolo, Sulu Saturday evening.
The Sulu police said its initial investigation showed the perpetrators belonged to the group of sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, GMA News correspondent Peewee Bacuño reported.
Investigation also showed Muammar Askali, Edimar Isnain and Nidil Bali - all improvised explosive device makers of the Abu Sayyaf - were responsible for assembling the IED in Sitio Tubig Kalot, Barangay Baunoh Bangkal in Patikul.
They then brought it to the site of the incident along with two unidentified companions.
Citing a source, the police said Abu Sayyaf member Edimar Isnain acquired the motorcycle where the IED was placed for P10,000.
Meanwhile, police are verifying information that another IED may have been assembled by the group.
From the Manila Standard Today (Jul 20): Armed soldiers take over disputed N. Ecija farmland
PALAYANCITY—Armed soldiers took
over a disputed parcel of land here on Sunday morning, rolling out
barbed-wire fences as farmers watched helplessly after they were barred entry
to their long-claimed turf following a three-day stand-off.
The takeover was led by Army Col. Emerito Pineda, who did not speak to reporters as his men installed the perimeter fences.
The farmers, whose families have been camping on a farm-to-market road in the area, said it is now uncertain how they can continue farming after the military cordoned it off and put up markings which read : “government property, no trespassing.”
“We could no longer plant. We could not even pull out our hand tractors,” said farmer Armando Ducusin.
Ducusin earlier borrowed money so he could start land and seeds preparation. But with what happened, he said poverty and starvation now stare his family in the face.
Felix Rombaoa, president of the local irrigators’ association, noted that the fences set up by the Army also cordoned off the irrigation canal built by the National Irrigation Administration in 1983.
Tension has been gripping the farming community since Tuesday when the soldiers faced off with farmers who were trying to fight off a Regional Trial Court (RTC) order evicting them from their farmlands.
Only 14 of the 200 farmers were covered by the order but even the other farmers were affected, they complained.
“They have been oppressing us when they are supposed to protect us, being the soldiers of the people,” the farmers said.
The petitioners said they have been tilling their farmlands for at least 10 years, with other farmers claiming a longer period.
From the Manila Standard Today (Jul 20): PH-Aussie group to drill for oil west of Palawan
An
Australian-Filipino consortium will drill a new deep-water exploratory well in
the West Philippine Sea, according to House
deputy minority leader Rep. Arnel Ty.
Ty, of the LPGMA
party-list, said he is supporting the oil exploration project, which is not in
the part of the disputed area of the sea west of the Philippines.
“Fortunately,
Service Contract (SC) 55 is not situated in contested territory,” said Ty, a
member of the House committee on energy.
The private
consortium handling SC 55 will make the initial drilling on Aug. 1, immediately
after the arrival on July 31 of the super deep-water drill ship Maersk
Venturer.
“We welcome the
consortium’s resolve to push through with the drilling of the well, at a time
when many oil and gas explorers around the world have abandoned their search
for new hydrocarbon deposits amid a 50 percent plunge in oil prices,” Ty said.
He cited the
economic value of the West Philippine Sea as the source of most of the
country’s productive offshore oil and gas fields, saying the West Philippine
Sea has deposits of hydrocarbons that could enable the Philippines to
become self-sufficient in its energy requirements.
The SC 55
consortium will spend some $24.5 million (about P1 billion) to drill the well.
The consortium is
composed of Australia’s
Otto Energy Investments Ltd. (78.18 percent interest), Red Emperor Resources NL
(15 percent) and Palawan 55 Exploration and Production Corp. (6.82 percent).
SC 55 is a
deep-water block in the southwest PalawanBasin covering an area of
988 hectares.
According to Ty,
the Department of Energy has issued a total of 29 SCs allowing private foreign
and local firms to explore new oil and gas basins, of which 16 SCs cover
offshore areas in northwest, west and southwest Palawan, all within the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile,
Malacanang yesterday said efforts being made by the Philippines to resolve the
territorial disputes in the disputed sea are gaining support.
Malacanang
welcomed the statements made by two United States
senators recently expressing support for the Philippines
in its arbitration case filed against China
before an United Nations Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.
“The statements
made by Senators John McCain and Jack Reed have [encouraged] several others
[to] express support for our case to seek a peaceful resolution to the West
Philippine Sea or South China Sea issue,” said Communications Secretary
Herminio Coloma Jr in an interview over state-run radio station dzRB.
Coloma said that
earlier, the European Union and other members of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations and Japan,
have all expressed support for the Philippines’ position.
He said Australia has
also supported the country’s call for the peaceful resolution of the disputes
by following international law.
American Senators
John McCain and Jack Reed, chairman and ranking member of the Senate armed
services committee, believe Washington should
be more open about supporting the Philippines’
arbitration case against China.
In a letter sent
to US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter late May, the senators said the American
government should impose sanctions on China
for its behavior in the East and SouthChinaSeas,
where it is reclaiming “vast amounts of territory.”
They also asked
that China’s
invitation to the 2016 Rim of the Pacific military exercises be revoked. The
annual exercise, the world’s largest international maritime warfare training
exercise, is led by the US
and regularly includes China’s
rival claimants Japan and
the Philippines.
“Given China’s behavior in the past year alone,
including its disregard for the interests of our allies, international law and
established norms, we do not believe Beijing
should have been invited to this prestigious US-led military exercise in 2016,”
they said.
As this
developed, the move by the Aquino government to reopen Subic
as a naval base should be promptly investigated by the Philippine Senate,
according to the left-leaning group Bayan.
The group said
the lease agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines
and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority may just be the first step to
implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United
States in the former US base.
Under the EDCA, the
US
is allowed use of existing Philippine military facilities. For the US to be able to fully use Subic
for basing and other purposes, there has to be an established Philippine
military facility there.
The reopening of
Subic, allegedly for Philippine military use, is only the first step in
allowing the return of de facto US
bases in OlongapoCity, the group said.
From the Manila Standard Today (Jul 20): Lawmakers scared BBL will hurt them
THE biggest
stumbling block to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law is the lawmakers’
fears of losing the 2016 elections as more than 50 percent of their
constituents reject the BBL, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said
Sunday.
He told dzBB
radio that the feedback from the House members revealed that at least 50
percent of their constituents were not in favor of the BBL and voting for the
BBL would mean a “sure defeat.”
The strongest
opposition against the BBL was coming from Mindanao,
Gonzales said.
“Of course
everybody wants to win in the elections,” he said.
“However, how can
you win if more than 50 percent of your constituents are against the measure?”
But Gonzales said
the House leadership was willing to compromise. He said the lawmakers seemed to
have reconsidered their opposition to the BBL when the leadership agreed to
scrap the opt-in provision.
He said from 33
on the list of interpellators, the number had decreased to around 15 when the
opt-in provision was promised to be deleted.
He said Zamboanga
City Rep. Celso Lobregat, a staunch anti-BBL, was equivalent to 10 House
members. Majority of the lawmakers in Mindanao
looked upon Lobregat as their symbol of opposition and spokesman of their
grievances and position on the matter.
Gonzales said of
all the priority measures, the BBL was the most controversial.
“Ang
pinaka-controversial sa amin talaga is the BBL. Ito nga ay walang kinikilalang
partido. Lalo na at magpa-file na ng COC [certificate of candidacy] in
October,” he said.
“So among the
Mindanaoans, the people’s sentiment is anti-BBL, doon magkakaroon ng difficulty
yong mga members of the House from Mindanao,”
Gonzales said.
“Unlike other
measures that only need the signature of the President to become laws, or in
the case of the national budget if it fails to pass, there is always a
reenacted budget, the BBL had to undergo a plebiscite for it to finally become
a law,” Gonzales said.
“The BBL is
controversial kasi meron kang hinahabol na plebiscite, election nang magsisimula
munang mamuno that will lead to the establishment of Bangsamoro autonomous
region,” he said.
From Ang Malaya (Jul 19): Philippine Navy chief: US Pacific Fleet commander’s strong words show US commitment
Philippine Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan said United States Pacific Fleet Commander’s statement shows United States government’s willingness to maintain stability in the region. US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift, who is in Philippines for a four-day visit, reassured allies of America’s willingness to act against a perceived Chinese threats.
“His strong statement as Commander Pacific Fleet indicates the US commitment to maintain stability in the region,” Vice Admiral Millan said as quoted by Philippine News Agency.
“This is good for all those using the sea lanes, including us as freedom of navigation and overflight will be maintained,” he added.
Admiral Swift earlier said “we are ready and prepared to respond to any contingency that the President may suggest would be necessary.”
“The reason that people continue to ask about the long-term commitment and intentions of the Pacific Fleet is reflective really of all the uncertainty that has generated in the theater now,” the American Admiral said.
From Ang Malaya (Jul 19): New drilling starts August: Shows strategic economic value of West PHL Sea
Otto Energy Investments Ltd. (OEIL) – operator of Service Contract (SC) 55, Offshore Palawan – is set to start exploratory drilling in Hawkeye – 1 exploratory well. Drilling will start immediately after drill ship Maersk Venturer arrived in location July 31. Otto Energy holds 78.18% stake in SC55, Red Emperor and Palawan55 have 15% and 6.82%, respectively.
“Success at Hawkeye will unlock a significant new hydrocarbon play in the deep water Southern Palawan region,” Otto Energy said. SC55 is not located in disputed territory.
Otto Energy has secured the Maersk Venturer ultra deep-water drill ship to drill the Hawkeye well.
“The drill ship Maersk Venturer which is currently in Labuan, Malaysia, is expected to arrive at the well location by 31 July 2015, with actual drilling to commence 1 to 2 days thereafter,” Trans-Asia Petroleum Corporation (TAPET) said in a disclosure to Securities and Exchange Commission early this month. Palawan55 Exploration & Production Corporation (“Palawan55”) a subsidiary of TAPET.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers’ Association (LPG-MA) Representative Arnel Ty said “we applaud the consortium’s resolve to push through with the drilling of the well, at a time when many oil and gas explorers around the world have abandoned their search for new hydrocarbon deposits amid the 50-percent plunge in oil prices.”
“This new drilling underscores the strategic economic value of the West Philippine Sea, which is the source of most of the country’s productive offshore oil and gas fields, and is believed to hoard stacks of hydrocarbon that, once harnessed, could enable the Philippines to become self-sufficient in its future energy needs,” the LPG-MA lawmaker said.
From Ang Malaya (Jul 19): US Senators support PHL case against China’s ‘questionable claim': Urge US government help allies bolster capabilities
United States Senators John McCain (Republican) and Jack Reed (Democrat), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, respectively; and Senators Bob Corker (Republican) and Ben Cardin (Democrat), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a joint statement July 16 supporting efforts made by Philippines to peacefully resolve territorial disputes. They also expressed that the US government should help allies, like the Philippines, strengthen maritime capabilities.
The four senators noted that the Philippine legal team presented oral arguments on issue of jurisdiction before the Arbitral Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. “If the court chooses to consider the Philippines’ case, it will then make a ruling on the legality of China’s vast and, in our view, questionable claim sometime next year,” the American lawmakers said.
“Although the United States does not take a position on the competing claims, we applaud Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and his government for his commitment to pursuing this legal course of action,” they added.
While China continues to build fake islands in West Philippine Sea, “we are encouraged to see that Manila continues to make every effort to resolve these claims peacefully, consistent with international law, and through international arbitration mechanisms,” Senators McCain, Reed, Corker and Cardin said.
They added that “the United States must continue to support our partners and allies, including the Philippines, as they contend with China’s assertiveness. This requires not only routinely exercising freedom of navigation and overflight activities in the East and South China Seas, but also bolstering the maritime capabilities of South East Asian nations and conducting joint exercises and patrols.”
From the Mindanao Times (Jul 18): Congressman finds name in rap sheet for kidnapping, trafficking
BAYAN Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate got irked after learning that his photo was included in the attachment of kidnapping and trafficking charges filed against people behind in the campaign to demilitarize Lumad schools in Davao Region.
“This is very malicious and the only purpose of this is to threaten,” Zarate said.
Several photos of activist, leaders of leftist group and even media practitioners were included in the attachment of the case file. Zarate was marked “A” in the attachment of the case.
He also said the official responsible for facilitating the case will be held liable.
Zarate added that “I know that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit filed the case but it was military who facilitated it.”
Based on the logbook of the City Prosecution Office (CPO), the CIDG filed kidnapping and illegal detention, Republic Act 9298 or the trafficking in persons on May 12 against 16 individuals.
Respondents were identified as Mary Ann Sapar, Gabriela Southern Mindanao secretary general; Kharlo Manano, Salinlahi Alliance for Children secretary general; Rev. Jurie Jaime, Sheena Duazo, Hanimay Suazo, Ryan Lariba, Tony Salubre, Jimong Marciano, Jaja Necosia, Pedro Arnaldo, Kerlan Fanagel, Sr. Stella Matutina, Sr. Restita Miles, Isidro Andao, Riuz Valle and many John Does.
Zarate said those 16 individuals were facing charges because during the filing of case in the CPO the witnesses would identified them that they were involved in the illegal activities.
Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, representative of the Gabriela Party List, earlier slammed government for unfair treatment of activists as the group is also campaigning to demilitarize Lumad schools in Davao Region and said that kidnapping and trafficking charges against advocates for child and IP rights “as vile harassment and persecution.”
“The CIDG specifically singled out activists involved in the campaign to demilitarize the Lumad schools,” Ilagan said.
The lawmaker cited that the respondents were accused of trafficking and kidnapping by helping Lumads to evacuate in Davao City.
Ilagan however, said that those acts “do not constitute trafficking or kidnapping. The charges filed are ridiculous and totally baseless.”
Ilagan also said the charges are meant to harass, scare and demoralize Lumad and child rights advocates who have effectively exposed the human rights and international humanitarian law violations committed by the AFP in Mindanao under Aquino’s counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan.
From Rappler (Jul 19): PNPA alumni hit Roxas for inaction over PNP factionalism complaint
Alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy say DILG chief Mar Roxas has failed to address complaints of favoritism and inequality within the police agency
Alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) criticized Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II for failing to act on their complaints regarding the alleged inequality and favoritism within the policy agency.
In a statement released Sunday, July 19, the Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc (PNPAAAI) said the group met with Roxas and National Police Commission (Napolcom) commissioner Eduardo Escueta more than a year ago to discuss their appeal for equality in the assignments and promotions at the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The PNPAAAI had raised their concerns regarding the alleged disparity in the awarding of plum posts at the PNP, with key positions often occupied by graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Since the meeting last April 24, 2014, however, neither Roxas nor Napolcom has taken steps to address their complaint, PNPAAAI chairman retired police chief superintendent Tomas Rentoy III said.
He added that Roxas even directed Escueta and PNP Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas to find solutions to the group's concerns.
Rentoy also said that President Benigno Aquino III himself made mention of the alleged factionalism within the PNP during a command conference he attended at Camp Crame.
“He reportedly asked those officers present to correct the huge disparity but it appears nothing has happened since then,” Rentoy said in the statement.
The President made the same call for solidarity during the PNPA graduation rites in Silang, Cavite last March.
He told graduates of Lakandula Class of 2015: “Baguhin na natin ang kultura na parang may magkakahiwalay na tribo sa PNP; may batas si ganito, may batas si ganyan. Iisa dapat ang ating pag hakbang upang maging epektibong tagapagbantay ng ating mamamayan.”
(Let us change the culture of factionalism within the PNP, where that guy is his guy, and that is his guy. We need solidarity among you, so that you may be effective protectors of our countrymen.)
Rentoy said PNPA graduates have been trying to break the culture of factionalism within the agency, "only to be frustrated time and again to qualify and be designated to positions of greater responsibility."
"Some have even expressed that non-PMA graduates have virtually become 'second-class citizens in their own backyard,” Rentoy added.
From InterAksyon (Jul 19): VIDEO | Negotiations start for release of 'hero' soldier seized by NPA in Misamis
TV5 screenshot of video uploaded by the NPA, showing Pfc Adones Jes Lupida in captivity. Survivors of an NPA attack in Misamis Oriental hailed him a hero for refraining from firing at positions of rebels hiding beneath the bamboo floor of a house with 15 civilians. The NPA then seized him as a "POW."
Negotiations have begun for the release from New People's Army captivity of a soldier hailed by civilians as a hero for avoiding firing at rebels hiding in a bamboo hut in Misamis Oriental, thus sparing the village folk from being killed by collateral fire.
Pfc Adones Jess Lupida was eventually taken by the rebels as a Prisoner of War.
A cease-fire was declared between the military and the rebels while the negotiations for Lupida's safe release are ongoing. However, the military said it would continue its search and rescue operation.
The encounter between the NPA guerrillas and soldiers of the 58th Infantry Battalion in Gingoog City Saturday (July 11) afternoon had traumatized several women and children in barangay Alagatan.
There were 15 people, including five children and two pregnant women, in the civilians' house when the rebels took positions beneath the bamboo floor. They fired upon a CVO outpost nearby. Lupida, according to the survivors, kept shouting at the rebels to just get out of the house to spare the civilians, seeing how risky it would have been to fire at the rebels' positions. But Lupida was eventually outnumbered and forced to yield.
“The frightening part was that the NPA rebels were hiding underneath the bamboo floor where we were. If the soldier on the CVO outpost [who turned out later to be Pfc Lupida] had fired back, I am sure we would have all been dead. The soldier just shouted to [the rebels to] let the civilians get out of the house until the time he [the soldier] surrendered to save us,” one woman who survived the incident said, in an earlier article in InterAksyon.com
Residents said there were 15 people, including five children and two pregnant women in the house balcony playing cards; and some were just observing the game, when the incident happened.
“We were all trapped, we did not have time to run away from the house as we all just dropped to the floor when the firefight started. We then slowly crawled towards the lower part of the house which was concrete but it had already injured one of us,” said Neri, referring to how Leticia Bonghanoy Cabrera, 52, was hit by a bullet in the right shoulder.
From InterAksyon (Jul 19): Philippines cheers growing outcry over South China Sea
Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, is seen onboard a P-8A Poseidon aircraft in a 7-hour maritime surveillance mission over the South China Sea. PHOTO FROM THE U.S. PACIFIC FLEET WEBSITE
The Philippines on Sunday hailed what it termed growing international support for its efforts to counter China's claims to most of the South China Sea.
The comments from a presidential spokesman came as the US Pacific Fleet released photographs of its commander in a surveillance flight over the sea, where tension is rising between Manila and Beijing.
Herminio Coloma, spokesman for President Benigno Aquino, said that "there are additional voices supporting our move for a peaceful resolution to the debate over... the South China Sea."
He said many nations agreed that the dispute "must go through legal process as signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea".
"We welcome the growing support for the position of our country," Coloma told reporters, citing the European Union, Australia, Japan and fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Coloma also cited recent remarks by leading US senators such as John McCain, praising the Philippine efforts to resolve the matter peacefully and calling on the United States to continue to maintain peace in the region.
The Philippines earlier this month argued its case before a UN-backed tribunal in the Hague, challenging China's claim over most of the resource-rich sea.
China has refused to take part in the proceedings and called on the Philippines to agree to bilateral talks instead.
The Philippines and other countries have also recently raised alarm at China's reclamation of outcrops in the Sea to create islands that could house military facilities.
China claims most of the South China Sea, even up to the coasts of its neighbors.
The Philippines, as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan, all have their own claims.
The Philippines, which has one of the region's weakest militaries, has been improving defence ties with its close ally the United States.
In an apparent sign of the continued alliance, the US Pacific Fleet released photographs on its website on Sunday of its commander, Admiral Scott Swift, aboard a US P-8A Poseidon aircraft, flying a "seven-hour maritime surveillance mission" over the South China Sea on Saturday as part of his recent visit to the Philippines.
It was not stated which parts of the sea the US commander flew over.
The Philippines said Thursday it would reopen a US naval base that was closed more than 20 years ago, stationing its own military hardware at Subic Bay facing the South China Sea.
From the Mindanao Examiner (Jul 19): NPA rebels bomb police station in Southern Philippines
Communist insurgents attacked a police station, detonating a bomb that also injured a civilian in their continuing offensive against security targets in southern Philippines.
The army sent troops to help police forces pursue the attackers behind the latest attack in Compostela Valley’s Mabini town late on Saturday, according to its spokesman, Captain Alberto Caber, of the Eastern Mindanao Command.
Caber claimed that a 21-year old villager, Ravelyn Cobrado, suffered shrapnel wounds from the explosion that targeted the Mabini Police Station. “Ravelyn was rushed to Davao Regional Hospital for treatment by responding civilians and security forces in the area,” he said.
He said soldiers from the 71st Infantry Battalion and local policemen were sent to pursue the rebels, who are members of the separatist group New People’s Army.
Caber said at least 10 civilians were killed and wounded in separate rebel bombings in the provinces of North Cotabato and Surigao del Sur, and that they had recovered 5 dozen improvised explosives and landmines planted by rebels in the restive region.
He accused the NPA of violating a ban on the use of landmines, but rebel leaders said all the explosives were command-detonated.
The NPA has been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.
From the pro-CPP online propaganda publication Bulatlat (Jul 18): IPT 2015 | ‘US gov’t violates Filipino people’s right to self-determination’
“When the US says jump, the Philippines would ask, to which floor, Your Honor?”
MANILA – The United States and the Philippine governments should be held accountable for their violations on the Filipino people’s right to self-determination, witnesses recount before the International Peoples’ Tribunal in Washington DC.
“When the US says jump, the Philippines would ask, to which floor, Your Honor?” Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares said, describing the Philippine government’s subservience to US dictates.
Colmenares is among the 32 witnesses presented before the jurors of the IPT, an opinion tribunal currently being held in Washington DC[2], putting both Philippine and US governments on trial for perpetuating human rights violations in the Philippines. Charges against the two governments include violations of civil-political rights, socio-economic rights and the right to self-determination.
The two governments were indicted for committing “gross and systematic violations of the rights of the people to national self-determination and liberation through the imposition of the US war on terror and US military intervention.”
National Lawyers Guild president Marjorie Cohn said US President Barack Obama continued his predecessor’s “war on terror without calling it a war on terror.” She said Obama defined the rest of the world as a battle field, where anyone suspected of being terrorists may be killed “anywhere he wants, without due process.” As a result, she said Obama killed more people through drones than those who died in the 9/11 attack.
In the Philippines, Aquino continued his predecessor’s counterinsurgency plan under the Oplan Bayanihan, which is patterned after the 2009 US counterinsurgency plan. Cohn said that this has led to “tremendous repression, including large numbers of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, torture and cruel treatment.”
“The leaders of the Aquino and Obama governments continue to enjoy impunity for their rights violations and aiding and abetting of politically-motivated human rights violations that target Filipino people and groups that struggle against governmental repression. The impunity violates their well-established international law obligations,” Cohn said during her testimony.
US presence
[3]
Women’s rights advocate Liza Maza testifies via Skype after being barred from travelling to the US.
“The visitors have never left,” Dante Simbulan, former military official and political prisoner under President Ferdinand Marcos, said during his testimony.
Women’s rights activist Liza Maza said that after the US bases were kicked out of the country in 1991, the Philippines signed three agreements with the US: the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the Mutual Logistic Support Agreement (MLSA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).
Maza said these agreements violate the country’s Constitution. She added that EDCA, for one, is a basing agreement that would allow unlimited number of “agreed locations” that would be under the direct and sole control of the US.
Maza testified from Manila via Skype, after she was barred by the US government to travel to Washington DC on July 9.
Amira Lidasan of Suara Bangsamoro said US soldiers began arriving in Moro communities in Mindanao in 2002. She said their group documented cases and reports of US soldiers participating in direct combat operations, and the use of drones in Zamboanga City, Maguindanao, Cotabato, and in Basilan and Sulu. These reports were presented before lawmakers that looked into the VFA. When asked about the result of the investigation, Lidasan said they do not know up to now.
Lidasan said the most recent US intervention was the botched police operation on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao. The operation killed 44 Special Action Force (Saf) men, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, and several civilians.
“The US really planned this operation. The US had put a $5 million bounty on Marwan’s head. US drones pinpointed Marwan’s hiding place, guided the commandos to it, and provided the capability for a real-time management by the Philippine commanders away from the battlefield. At least six US military personnel were at the Philippine command post and fed Philippine commandos intelligence collected by US aircraft. After the operation, Marwan’s finger disappeared. It then appeared at an FBI lab in the US a few days later,” Cohn said.
Lidasan said that while public attention was focused on the deaths of the 44 Saf men, it was only the Suara Bangsamoro that looked into the civilian casualties in the Mamasapano fiasco.
She said Aquino as commander-in-chief must be held accountable as he was aware of the operations and its implication to the peace negotiation with the MILF.
Rights of liberation movement violated
In a video deposition, Luis Jalandoni, chief peace negotiator of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), said the US continues to list his group, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and its armed wing the NPA, as terrorist groups.
The US first declared the CPP, the NPA and the NDFP as “foreign terrorist organizations” in 2002, under then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It consequently declared Prof. Jose Maria Sison as a “terrorist” and ordered for the freezing of his bank account, Jalandoni said.
“It violates the right of the CPP, the NPA and the NDFP as a national liberation movement fighting for the rights of the Filipino people to national self-determination and liberation. In word and consistent practice, the CPP, the NPA and the NDFP have adhered to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Protocol I of 1977 as formally declared by the national leaders of the CPP, the NPA, and the NDFP on July 5, 1996,” he said.
He added that the Permanent People’s Tribunal Session on the Philippines back in 1980 has declared these organizations as “the legitimate representative of the Filipino people and its liberation against the Marcos dictatorship.”
Jalandoni said the terror listing by the US has “seriously prejudiced the peace negotiations between the GRP/GPH and the NDFP.”
He added that the Aquino administration has sabotaged the peace negotiations with the NDFP when it attacked previously signed agreements between the two.
The Aquino administration declared the The Hague Joint Declaration as a “document of perpetual division,” the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) as “no longer operative” and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (Carhrihl) as an “NDFP propaganda document,” Jalandoni said.
A number of NDFP peace consultants have been arrested under Aquino and past administrations, which the NDFP said are violations of the Jasig.
As of this writing, Karapatan documented at least 500 political prisoners, at least 17 of whom are NDFP peace consultants.
Jalandoni, himself, in his visit in Manila early this year, was served a subpoena and was threatened arrest for trumped-up cases.
USAID and privatization
[4]
Marjorie Cohn, president of the NLG
The IPT hearing on the second ground of charges on the violations of the social, economic and cultural rights, also revealed how the US intervenes in Philippine affairs by directly lobbying and crafting laws through US Aid.
In a testimony, Ibon Foundation executive director Jose Enrique Africa said the US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), directly lobbies and crafts laws, has critical linkages with the big corporations, and funds civil society groups.
While these are more low-key, unlike the high-profile US role in relief operations during disasters, Africa said these are the most critical, because these intervene in government decisions and policy-making.
Colmenares said such could be seen in the privatization of basic social services, mass transportation and the energy sector. Although the World Bank-imposed privatization schemes began long before Aquino became president, Colmenares said, the government is one continuing body, and “the Aquino administration is just as guilty as the past administrations.”
For one, the USAID pushed for the privatization of the energy sector and drafted the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). Such privatization and deregulation has resulted to a spike in electricity rates in the country, the highest in Asia, said Colmenares.
‘Packed like corned beef’
The mass transportation system, from the airport down to the metro rail systems, is problematic, he said. MRT commuters continue to suffer from the repeated breakdowns, in spite of the fare hikes.
Colmenares jested that Filipinos are no longer “packed like sardines in MRT.” He said, “No, it is not true. We are packed like corned beef.”
Neo-liberal policies have also led to demolition of homes in Quezon City. Urban poor leader Estrelita Bagasbas, who testified via Skype, said the government is demolishing their homes to give way to a multi-billion Quezon City Central Business District project.
The same goes to the health sector. Sean Velchez, head nurse of the spinal unit of the Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC), said their hospital is also being privatized in the pretext of “modernization.” He said this would deprive their patients, who are mostly indigents, to their right to health services.
Velchez, who gave his testimony via Skype, said the fight against the POC privatization is crucial as it would serve as a “template” on how the Department of Health would carry out the privatization of 72 other government hospitals.
Once privatized, the POC bed allocation for indigent patients would be reduced from 600 to a mere 70. It would also lead to increased hospital fees for services that are currently offered free or at a small cost. The privatization also threatens the job security of the hospital employees, Velchez said.
“In a country where seven out of 10 patients die without medical attention, it is not only immoral, but also criminal for the Philippine government to implement privatization,” he said.
Colmenares, however, remains hopeful that the people’s resistance will continue against privatization and US intervention.
He said, “We will win in this battle because we are on the side of the truth. We will win this battle because we are on the side of the people.”
[1] Bulatlat.com: http://bulatlat.com
[2] an opinion tribunal currently being held in Washington DC: http://bulatlat.com/main/2015/07/17/intl-court-hears-victims-of-rights-abuses-by-aquino-us-govts/
From InterAksyon (Jul 19): STATEMENT | PH Senate should probe Subic base lease agreement - Bayan
USS Peleliu at Subic. US NAVY PHOTO
The move by the Aquino government to reopen Subic as a naval base should be promptly investigated by
the Philippine Senate.
The lease agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Subic Bay Metropolitan
Authority may just be the first step in implementing the PH-US Enhanced Defense
Cooperation Agreement in the former US base.
Under EDCA, the US is allowed use of existing
Philippine military facilities which will be known as “agreed locations.”
For the US
to be able to fully use Subic for basing and
other purposes, there has to be an established Philippine military facility
there. The reopening of Subic, allegedly for Philippine military use, is only
the first step in allowing the return of de facto US bases in Olongapo.
Going around the constitutional ban
The move is clearly a circumvention of the existing
constitutional ban of foreign bases absent a treaty duly concurred in by the
Senate.
The Philippine Senate itself, in a resolution passed by at
least 13 senators, does not recognize EDCA as a valid international agreement
since it did not get Senate concurrence. This is also the bone of contention in
petition filed by Bayan et al before the Supreme Court; that the EDCA seeks to
reestablish de facto US
bases in the Philippines
even without a valid basing agreement. The petitions remain pending before the
SC.
Given the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea and
given the US strategic pivot
to Asia, it is very unlikely that the use of the new Subic
naval base will be limited to just Philippine troops and ships. The US already regularly uses Subic
for refueling and maintenance work. A subsidiary of Huntington-Ingalls, the
biggest military ship builder in the US,
already operates a facility in Subic in
partnership with Hanjin Industries.
The new naval base will thus allow the US Pacific Command to
station its ships and troops for longer periods in the Subic.
The US will get the same
benefits as having a formal base, even if the base is nominally under the Philippines.
The US also saves money
because it will be the Philippines
who will be spending for the Subic base. Subic
will once again be a US
outpost used for intervention in the region. It carry the burden of hosting an
increasing number of US troops, along with the social and environmental costs
of such presence.
The Senate must investigate the 15-year lease agreement
between in the AFP and SBMA and analyze this within the context of the EDCA and
the US
pivot. The Filipino people must protest this circumvention of the constitution
and violation of our sovereignty.
It is right for the Philippines
to stand up against China’s
aggression in the West Philippine Sea. It is
wrong however to allow another power to violate our sovereignty by allowing
them de facto basing rights in our country and subject our people to the
burdens and indignities of hosting foreign bases.
From the Philippine Star (Jul 19): New AFP chief welcomes gov't openness to resume talks with NDF
New Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri.
The military under newly-installed Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri welcomed the possible resumption of the stalled peace talks with communists and vowed to cooperate with government negotiators to resolve the longstanding conflict.
“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) welcomes the government’s openness for revival of the peace talks with the CPP-NDF-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army),” Iriberri said in a text message.
“We shall be working hand in hand with agencies of government tasked to lead the talks to ensure a united and principled approach to productive discussions for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and long term peace in our country,” he added.
The CPP is the political arm of the communist movement while NPA is its armed wing. The NDF negotiates in behalf of the CPP and the NPA.
Talks with the NDF were stalled in 2013 after the government panel rejected a demand to free communist leaders with criminal cases.
NDF claimed that the detained communists, including suspected NPA commanders, are "peace consultants" and should be immune from arrest.
Communist negotiators insist that the release of peace consultants is consistent with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).
Government negotiators, however, said NDF could not prove that the jailed rebels, especially those using aliases, are really peace consultants covered by JASIG.
Representatives from the government and NDF panels went to The Netherlands in July 2011 to verify whether the detained communists are entitled to immunity guarantees. They agreed to open a sealed envelope containing the photos and aliases of the peace consultants. The envelope, however, only contained diskettes that could not be opened.
Early this month, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte confirmed that he met with CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, who has been in self-exile in Utrecht since 1986. Belmonte described the meeting as “more like a confidence-building measure.”
Malacañang has called the meeting “a good start” but stressed that the next developments hinges on the efforts of government negotiators.
However , talks about the possible resumption of the peace talks did not prevent violent incidents on the ground.
In Compostela Valley, one civilian was hurt after an improvised explosive device believed to have been planted by the NPA went off last Saturday.
Lt. Col. Eduardo Gubat, spokesman of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command, said the incident happened near the Mabini Police Station at around 8:20 p.m.
The civilian, identified as Ravelyn Ababa Cobrado, 21, was hit by shrapnel and was rushed to the Davao Regional Hospital.
“The CPP-NPA-NDF is really not sincere about peace in the region. There are so many innocent lives that were lost, people injured and properties damaged due to their indiscriminate use of IEDs (improvised explosive devices),” said Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad.
“The continuous manufacture and use of these IEDs are gross violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” he added.
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 19): ASG lair discovered in Indanan town
Troops, on focused military operations, have discovered an
abandoned Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) camp in Barangay Kagay, Indanan town, Sulu
Sunday morning.
Col. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said
soldiers from the 35th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Marces Gayat, were
searching for ASG kidnap victims reportedly in the area when they discovered
the bandit lair at 8:45 a.m.
He added that the abandoned ASG camp has eight bunkers which
can accommodate an estimated 30 bandits.
Arrojado said that there are traces that the camp was
freshly abandoned by its occupants.
Pursuit operations are still ongoing as of this posting.
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 19): Woman hurt in latest NPA IED attack in Compostela Valley
A 21-year-old woman was hurt after New People's Army (NPA)
bandits detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) near the Mabini Police
Station in CompostelaValley Saturday night.
The wounded civilian, who was hit by shrapnel, was
identified as Ravelyn Ababa, a resident of Purok 2, Cadunan, Mabini.
Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs
office chief, said the explosion took place at 8:20 p.m.
Ravelyn was rushed to DavaoRegionalHospital for treatment by
responding civilians and security forces in the area.
Civilians in the vicinity of the crime scene condemn the use
of IEDs by the NPA bandits.
Moreover, they reported that a single motorcycle speed up
away from the site of the incident.
PNP elements are conducting investigation while joint
elements from 71st Infantry Battalion and Mabini PNP are on pursuit operations.
Caber said that the continuous manufacture and use of these
IEDs are gross violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human
Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 19): Aurora RTC acquits former Central Luzon’s NPA leader, his wife for various major offenses
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Aurora
has acquitted an former officer of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Central Luzon and his wife for various major criminal
offenses.
In a 28-page decision, Judge Jude Erwin Alaba of Baler RTC
Branch 91, dismissed the charges of violation of Presidential Decree 1866 as
amended by Republic Act 8294 (illegal possession of firearms) against Delfin
Pimentel alias “Medy” and wife Imelda Estrella-Pimentel alias “Sierra” of San
Luis town.
The two former NPA rebels were also acquitted from the
charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder in connection with
the ambush-killing of two soldiers some 15 years ago.
However, Delfin remains detained because he has another
pending non-bailable case in another court in this capital town.
Delfin, who also carried the aliases Ka Crispin, Ka Liben
and Tanda, was a member of the executive committee of the Communist Party of
the Philippines (CPP)-NPA’s Central Luzon Regional Committee (CLRC) and has
been the secretary of the rebel group’s Aurora Provincial Committee since 2002.
He has been detained at the provincial jail here following
his arrest and that of his wife in September 2009 in Dingalan town based on two
separate warrants issued by the Baler RTC for murder, multiple murder, and
multiple frustrated murder.
Two M-16 rifles, a shotgun and three hand grenades were
seized from Delfin.
At the time of his arrest by elements of the Philippine
National Police, Delfin was listed as the PNP’s "most wanted man"
with a Php2.6-million bounty on his head.
It could be recalled that on February 9, 2000, a group of
armed men, allegedly led by Delfin fired from the mountain top a civilian
vehicle loaded with soldiers and civilian passengers while passing through the
Sierra Madre mountains range in Barangay Diteki, San Luis.
Killed were Private First Class (Pfc) Mario Dasalla, Pfc.
Julio Angeles and Pfc. Alexander Castañeda.
Those wounded were Corporal Benigno Martin and civilians
Belmor Baldebarona and Charden Baldebarona.
The two rebels were acquitted of the charges after the court
ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond
reasonable doubt when one of its witnesses, Belmor Baldeberona admitted he did
not see Pimentel at the time of the ambush and disowned his affidavit wherein
the accused supposedly introduced himself to the survivors.
Another witness admitted not seeing the gunmen who fired at
them, hinting only that Pimentel was one of them because he was then the
highest commander of the NPA in the province.
In the gun charges, the prosecution presented as witness
SPO1 John Estrada Jr. while the defense presented the couple as witness.
Estrada, in his testimony pointed to the two accused as
holding guns.
Later, however, he admitted not seeing them in actual
possession of the guns but it was related to him by another companion, PO2
Albert Tangonan.
Delfin, in his testimony, said Estrada was not part of the
police team that arrested him.
In dismissing the gun charges, the court gave weight to the
contention of the defense that there were several lapses in the testimony of
Estrada, who admitted that he was not the one who saw Delfin holding a gun but
Tangonan.
It said Estrada had no personal knowledge of the possession
but only elicited information from Tangonan.
It also pointed out that Estrada mistakenly pointed to the
gun being possessed by Imelda as the one held by Delfin and vice versa.
The court further said it is not “morally certain” of the
guilt of the accused, citing that Estrada’s testimony “leaves much to be
desired and quite inconsistent with the experience of mankind and thus, of
diminished value.”
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 19): Salceda assumes command of 33rd Air Force Group Reserve
Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda on Sunday morning assumed
command of the 33rd Air Force Group Reserve (AFGR) after the Armed Forces of
the Philippines
installed him as the Bicol regional reservist commander.
The reservist group is a vital force multiplier of the
government troops ready to respond in the events of natural disaster and in
times of war.
Rear Admiral Aurelio A. Rabusa, AFP deputy chief of staff
for reservist and retirees affairs, led the installation of Salceda as regional
commander of AFP reservists in the Bicol Region in a ceremony held at the Albay
Astrodome here.
Salceda, UN senior global champion for disaster risk
reduction and Asia’s model for climate change adaptation and mitigation
measures, will be leading thousands of reservists currently on standby and
ready as reserve force, Rabusa said.
Salceda is the first governor in Bicol who has been
appointed to lead a reservist force and will be on call to lead humanitarian
missions and respond in times of natural calamity to help in the government
efforts in achieving its zero-casualty goal.
Rabusa said that at present, there are 350,000 reservists in
the country on standby and ready to respond in times of emergency and serve as
augmentation force to help in internal security.
Salceda's installation coincided with the graduation of 350
AFP reservist recruits across the region.
“Every Filipino citizen is mandated under our Constitution
to serve the country personally and voluntarily in protecting our territory.
The reserve force is in charge of protecting the citizens against lawless
elements, help the government in times of war and respond during natural
calamities,” Rabusa said.
He assured that with the governor’s expertise in disaster
management and mitigation measures the government's goal to perfect disaster
response and humanitarian missions will be even stronger and at its best.
Salceda’s installation was also attended by Brig. Gen.
Raymundo Elefanfe, commander of Air Force Reserve Corps and AFP officials in
Bicol region.
He accepted the appointment “with mixed feelings of joy and
pressure.”
“Joy in the sense that it is my major accomplishment in the
field of military service, especially in the reserve force, and pressure
because of lots of things that need to be considered as the calling for the
position of major responsibility starts,” Salceda explained.
He said the position requires full attention, same as he
does in being the governor of the Province
of Albay.
“I know pretty well that the strong number of reservist personnel
of the 33rd AFGR have high hope and expectations in me, being their link to the
higher headquarters and to other officers in the Air Force,” the Albay chief
executive said.
He noted that the Reserve Officers Corps of the 3rd Air
Force Wing Reserve also expects no less than competent group commander they
could count on in the furtherance of the overall mission of the reserve force
organization, especially during the events of calamities and disasters where he
has been very much involved in.
“I am ready to face the challenges squarely as I begin the
journey in this new chapter of my public service. I believe in the dictum that
the oath of duty connotes personal commitment to public service,” Salceda said.
He said that when he became the governor of Albay through
the electoral mandate of his constituents, he pledged that he would honestly
serve the people at his best.
“I promised nothing other than faithful and dedicated
service for public's best interest. Now, I pledge the same commitment to work harder
and do my share to contribute to the accomplishment of the command’s mission
with the guidance of the military officers both in the regular and reserve
forces and with all your support, especially my fellow reservists," the
Albay governor said.
Knowing the work ahead, he urged his fellow reservists to
work together in addressing the issues, with him as their group commander.
“I believe that when we are joined together, we can do a lot
more for the organization. Remember, cooperation and teamwork, coupled with
dedication and commitment, are the key to the unit’s success,” the Albay
govenor said.
Salceda thanked the commander of the Air Force Reserve Corps
for the trust and confidence given to him to assume the position of a major
responsibility and for him, he said, it is a great opportunity to serve the Air
Force, in particular, and the Armed forces of the Philippines, in general.
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 19): Palace welcomes support of American senators in country's effort to peacefully resolve West Philippine Sea row
The Palace said on Sunday it is elated with the show of
support from American senators, who praised the country for its effort to
peacefully resolve the maritime disputes in the West
Philippine Sea.
“Ikinagagalak po natin na lumalawak lalo ang hanay ng mga
sumusuporta sa posisyon ng ating bansa,” said Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a radio interview with dzRB
Radyo ng Bayan.
United States Senators John McCain, Jack Reed, Bob Corker
and Ben Cardin released a statement supporting the Philippines’ decision to
file a case before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea concerning
China’s expansive claim to disputed maritime territories.
In a statement, the four US senators said, “Although the United States does
not take a position on the competing claims, we applaud Philippine President
Benigno Aquino III and his government for his commitment to pursuing this legal
course of action. While China is constructing and militarizing new land
features in the South China Sea and increasingly turning to coercion to achieve
its goals, we are encouraged to see that Manila continues to make every effort
to resolve these claims peacefully, consistent with international law, and
through international arbitration mechanisms.”
The US
senators also support “bolstering the maritime capabilities of South East Asian
nations and conducting joint exercises and patrols.”
“It is also critical that the United States take the necessary
steps to sustain a balance of power that will continue to uphold peace and
stability throughout the region. Given the pace and scope of China's military trajectory, we believe this
will demand a sustained investment in our military presence in the Asia-Pacific
region,” the US
senators added.
Coloma said the US
senators now join the list of those who support the Philippines’ effort to resolve the
dispute peacefully.
“Sa ganyan pong pagpapahayag nina Senator McCain at Senators
Jack Reed at Bob Corker at Senator Ben Cardin, dumarami po lalo ang hanay ng
mga sumusuporta sa ating itinataguyod na mapayapang pagresolba ng mga usapin sa
West Philippine Sea o South China Sea,” said
Coloma.
The European Union, members of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, Japan and Australia have
shown their support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute following
international law.
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 19): (Feature) West Philippine Sea: Should every Juan care?
Maybe you’re one of those who hear “West
Philippine Sea” over the radio almost every day. Maybe you’re
among those who are aware that the issue is not yet over, but never bothered to
care. If you are one of those, maybe it’s about time to think again.
I have to clarify that I am no expert in this issue.
However, let me dissect the updates and some important details regarding this.
First, the Philippine government is continuously pushing for
a peaceful settlement for the West Philippine Sea
through bilateral and multilateral initiatives.
But China
seems to be deaf on the Philippines’
stand. There is this so-called nine-dashed line claim of China to the
United Nations. The nine-dashed line refers to demarcation line for the
Republic of China’s claims for the major parts of South
China Sea.
Such claim prevented the Philippines to do projects such as
oil and gas development in areas inside the country’s 200 nautical miles
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continent shelf. Based on an international
research data, Philippines
has a significant oil and gas plus other mineral deposits, especially around Palawan.
Is the nine-dashed claim legal? Is it valid? The country is
hopeful that the claim would be declared illegal and unlawful.
In an article, Atty. Henry Bensurto, head of the Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA) legal team on the West Philippine Sea, explained that
the claim is really far from China’s nearest landmass, and actually extends
more than 800 nm, which does not only covers 80 percent of the Philippines EEZ,
but also those of Malaysia and Vietnam’s.
Furthermore, the country fights for its maritime
entitlement, to make the most out of the sea within the 200 EEZ.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
grants coastal states sovereign rights over economic resources, legal
jurisdictions over certain types of sea-based activities within 200 n.m. EEZ
and the continental measured from their baselines. The country has signed and
ratified this. UNCLOS provides the country some advantages with regard to
access to resources as well as some forms of regulatory jurisdiction over 2
million square kilometres of water and seabed.
In a documentary aired in People’s Television, some Filipino
fishermen said they were harassed (on different occasions) by Chinese coast
guards, and added that guns were pointed at them, forcing them to leave the
Scarborough Shoal.
The Scarborough Shoal is said to be the fishing grounds of
many fisher folk in various coastal towns in Zambales and Pangasinan.
So, aside from trespassing in the Philippines’ EEZ and hindering the
country to conduct economic activities there, we could picture that bullying
and threatening as another issue.
The dispute now depends in an arbitration case filed at the
Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague,
Netherlands.
The Philippine government believes that the issue can be
resolved in a peaceful manner, and also recognizes the crucial role of the
international community. Thus, the Philippines sought judicial
intervention from the permanent court.
It was said that the arbitral tribunal has scheduled two
hearings, the first one was held last July 7-8, and the second was last July
14. The Philippines
has until July 23 to submit written answers to questions from individual
members of the tribunal.
Whatever happens to tribunal, I guess it’s not just a fight
between two governments, but of every Juan. Remember, it’s not just the
fishermen who are involved here, but everyone, including the future
generations.
The West Philippine Sea
dispute might sound so complicated, but it’s not yet late to be informed and
take a stand. Actually, the government wants the public to be aware and updated
about the issue. Together with the Philippine Information Agency, the DFA is
currently conducting a multi-sectoral campaign, to ensure everyone will have a
deeper understanding of the issue.
This is not to impose ideas; it’s up to you to decide.
Should every Juan care and take a stand?
