From the Business World (Aug 5): Major inspection seen to make Army efficient, effective
THE inspector general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is conducting a major inspection of all units of the Philippine Army, a move seen to make it more efficient and effective.
Inspector General Major General Benito Antonio T. De Leon arrived in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday to begin the annual inspection of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army, the military’s largest service branch.
Mr. De Leon will head the Annual General Inspection (AGI) team, which will be visiting various units of the Philippine Army, gathering documents and data for validation.
“This AGI serves as a management tool, whereby the [Commanding General of the Philippine Army] and the Chief of Staff [of the] Armed Forces of the Philippines can see the performance of the command,” said Col. Jorge B. Lomboy, Executive Officer of the Office of the Inspector General and Chief Inspector for the AGI.
The inspection includes examination of the performance of the Philippine Army’s commanding general and his management staff, the state of morale and the welfare of its troops as well as the discipline, law and order existing with the command, Mr. Lomboy said.
“The Philippine Army is on the path of transformation to become a more dynamic land force. We acknowledge the need for constant assessment and evaluation to ensure it stays on the right path,” Major General Rafael C. Valencia, Philippine Army Chief of Staff said in another statement.
The AGI team is scheduled to deliver its exit briefing to the leadership of the Philippine Army some two weeks from now, on August 20, as it concludes the annual inspection of the military organization.
The Philippine Army comprises more than half of the country’s military organization, which currently numbers around 125,000 -- less than the 160,000 officers of the Philippine National Police.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 7): Reds can’t provoke us, says Palace peace adviser
Asserting that it will “not bite the bait,” the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) brushed aside Thursday what it called “untimely public statements” made by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF), regarding the stalled peace talks with the government.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the remarks by CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison and NDF chief peace negotiator Luis Jalandoni were “deliberately aimed at provoking the Philippine government into issuing statements that will only further heat up an already contentious discourse and further derail the [peace] process.”
“We will not bite the bait,” Deles said, quoting Alex Padilla, chair of the government peace panel in the talks with the communist rebels.
Sison and Jalandoni “already know that our Norwegian facilitator has been in touch with both parties precisely to determine the most feasible and mutually acceptable parameters for the resumption of the peace talks,” Deles said.
On Aquino’s hands
“To give this exercise the best chance of success, we prefer not to do our talking through the media,” she told the Inquirer.
The Opapp, she added, has a “facilitator for this purpose. We will make the proper announcement at the right time.”
In an online interview on Wednesday, Jalandoni, who is in self-exile in the Netherlands, said “the ball is in the hands of the Aquino regime.”
The President “must answer to the people for the continuing disrespect of the binding peace agreements forged by the government and the CPP-NDF-NPA during the Ramos administration,” he said.
Jalandoni cited two major agreements as The Hague Joint Declaration on Safety and Immunity Guarantees signed on Feb. 24, 1995, and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law signed on March 16, 1998.
He branded the government’s alleged violation of the agreements as “scandalous.”
‘Stubborn, stupid’
In a separate online interview, Sison, who also lives in Amsterdam, accused President Aquino and Deles of blocking the peace negotiations.
“No one can unlock their stubbornness and stupidity at this stage. They will go down in history as saboteurs of the peace process,” Sison said.
Earlier, Deles said the government had been searching for ways to restart the peace negotiations with the communist rebels “on the basis of a time-bound and doable agenda.”
She said, however, that it was “difficult to start [the talks] with preconditions.”
She was apparently referring to Jalandoni’s insistence that the rebels’ return to the negotiating table depended on the release of political prisoners jailed on criminal charges.
Deles said it was premature to talk about prisoner releases “without a full appreciation of the context and parameters of the talks now being proposed.”
“What is more important to consider is where the talks will go,” she said.
From the Sun Star-Cebu (Aug 6): Ex-combatants work toward peace, dev’t
Beneficiaries. The Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates Inc. has also built classrooms in Peace Development Communities scattered around 36 municipalities in Maguindanao. (Contributed Foto/RAFI)
WHEN they were as
young as 12 years old, many combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front
(MNLF) were already holding firearms, wielding knives, and lobbing bombs out in
the battle field, fighting against the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
But in 1996, they
laid these down and left their war-torn communities to begin another struggle:
to win peace and promote development in Mindanao.
This new chapter began after the signing of the Final Peace Agreement between
the government and MNLF, which mandated the peace and development efforts in Mindanao.
In 2000, former
MNLF commanders and combatants established the Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace
and Development Advocates Inc. (KFPDAI) with the aim of transforming
conflict-affected areas into Peace and Development Communities (PDCs).
Founders were
trained to become Peace and Development Advocates (PDAs), together with other
MNLF members in other parts of Mindanao and Palawan.
Former MNLF
territories serve as sites of projects of the United Nations Multi-Donor
Programme (UNMDP) and the Philippine Government. Fifty-three PDCs in the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) became the nucleus of
peace-building efforts at various levels.
Transformation
“It is about
shifting paradigms of the combatants. It is also about changing the
perspectives of the communities that peace can be attained through helping each
other. This transition period involves all the stakeholders, not only Muslim
communities,” said KFPDAI Executive Director Hadja Giobay Diacolano.
“Kadtabanga” in
Maguindanaon means “helping one another.” The organization is a leading civil
society organization in the province in the area of peace-building. It serves
36 municipalities in Maguindanao, focusing on peace and development activities
like emergency assistance, relief and rehabilitation, livelihood development,
capacity-building, infrastructure, and delivery of basic social services.
The 15-year-old
foundation has transformed 57 former MNLF combatants into PDAs.
Full-time MNLF
volunteers in the 28 PDCs underwent extensive training to become “facilitators,
linkers, information agents, translators, educators, mobilizers, coordinators,
managers and mediators.”
With its unique
identity as combatants-turned-peace-advocates, KFPDAI earned the support of
several international organizations like the United Nations Development
Programme and Oxford Committee for Famine Relief in kick-starting their
operation.
Partnership-building
is the organization’s forte. Over the years, KFPDAI has established strong
partnerships with numerous barangay, municipal, and provincial planning bodies.
It is also part of the Regional Assessment Team, Regional Economic Planning
Board, and the National Anti-Poverty Council.
Post-conflict
Observable
changes brought about by KFPDAI’s interventions include an increase in
community participation of former combatants in peace and development programs,
and the breaking of the culture of silence among Muslims and non-Muslims.
KFPDAI also works
closely with women and the youth in its programs. Through their programs,
Muslim women have taken a more active role in their communities and have joined
economic and social activities.
In 2003, KFPDAI
facilitated only five PDCs, but as its community organizing approach proved
successful, the number steadily grew and has now reached 28.
“We have not
separated from the community. We are still here to help our brothers and
sisters who have been most affected by the situation in Mindanao,”
one staff member said.
PDCs are
post-conflict barangays or clusters of barangays that have been marginalized
but have expressed desire for peace and development. The PDCs undergo a
comprehensive, six-stage development framework facilitated by Kadtabanga. To date,
majority of the PDCs are in stage 4 (currently implementing projects) while
three are in stage 6 (self-sustaining).
Personal
duty
The
transformation is concretely manifested from residents’ testimonies that the
PDCs have become refugee centers in past conflicts around the area.
With funding
support from local and foreign partners, KFPDAI has constructed water systems,
health centers, resource centers and classrooms in PDCs. The water systems, in
particular, have made life easier for families who previously had to walk two
to three hours to get potable water.
“One of the
challenges is how to develop the spirit of volunteerism, especially among the
second-liners. We need to capacitate the children of our MNLF members, too,
even if they won’t be receiving salary,” Diacolano said.
Although it has
dedicated volunteers, it does not have regularly paid staff, the executive
director included. The organization relies on volunteerism and does not have
sustainable sources of funds and income-generating projects.
“But with or
without salary, PDAs continue functioning because they consider it their
personal duty and moral obligation to their communities,” one staff member
said.
As the
organization grew, so did the recognitions it received. Its highest
commendation to date is its recognition for “Organizational Transformation and
Strengthening of PDCs” awarded by the Mindanao Development Authority and the
UNDP in 2010.
“We hope to be
seen as community organizers and not just MNLF. We hope to be seen as partners
in bringing peace and development in Maguindanao,” Diacolano said.
(The
Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates Inc. is one of five
finalists in the institution category of the 6th RAFI Triennial Awards. The
winner will be revealed on Friday, Aug. 14.)
From DVIDS (Aug 7): Pacific Partnership hosts opening ceremony in San Fernando City, Philippines
150806-M-GO800-059 SAN FERNANDO CITY, Philippines (August 6, 2015) – Commodore, Task Force Forager, Capt. James Meyer delivers a speech during an opening ceremony Aug. 6. Task Force Forager will be in the Philippines until Aug. 15 providing medical and engineering assistance. Task Force Forager, embarked aboard the Military Sealift Command joint high speed vessel USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) is serving as the secondary platform for Pacific Partnership, led by an expeditionary command element from the Navy’s 30th Naval Construction Regiment (30 NCR) from Port Hueneme, California. Now in its 10th iteration, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia Pacific Region. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership, missions have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary service to more than 38,000 animals. Additionally, Pacific Partnership has provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering products. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by combat correspondent Sgt. James Gulliver/Released)
Pacific Partnership 2015 Task Force Forager members and Armed Forces of the Philippines service members kicked off the PP15 mission visit here during an opening ceremony Aug. 6.
TFF, embarked aboard the Military Sealift Command joint high speed vessel USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3), arrived in San Fernando City, La Union, Aug. 4, and will spend ten days conducting medical, dental, veterinary, engineering, band and community relations engagements.
Commander Naval Task Force 11, Philippines Navy Capt. Albert Mogol, explained the value of Pacific Partnership.
“Through our program trainings and exercises, we can be assured that we can be ready to plan, train and conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in accordance with international standards,” said Mogol.
TFF’s medical task force, comprised of 56 professionals from 20 different disciplines, will integrate with local doctors, nurses, veterinarians and dentists to provide medical care and build joint competency through hands-on training, seminars and public outreach programs.
“The men and women of Task Force Forager look forward to engaging with the people of the Philippines, sharing common goals and exchanging customs, culture and traditions,” said Commodore, TFF, Capt. James Meyer. “The long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the United States has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region for many years and this mission will continue to strengthen our nations’ partnership.”
A 12-person engineering team from TFF comprised of service members from Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) One, ACB-2, and the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, will join Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Five and Philippine Navy Seabees, who have been working side-by-side for over a month at Eulogio Elementary School, Caba High School, and Boy-Utan Elementary School.
“We can be assured of improved interoperability for ourselves for the benefit of all involved,” said Mogol. “For the duration of the mission we have organized trainings and exercises to improve our knowledge and skills. One of the most valuable projects is the construction of school buildings. Through our joint efforts we have successfully started the construction and renovation of schools.”
The task force’s civil affairs team will be conducting disaster preparedness training and exercises to help the country better respond in the event of a crisis.
The Army/Navy joint band under the leadership of U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will be performing at multiple locations throughout the community.
“Task Force Forager service members will also participate in numerous scheduled sporting events and community relations activities to invest in the children and youth—the future of the Philippines,” said Meyer.
Millinocket and embarked TFF, led by an expeditionary command element from the Navy's 30th Naval Construction Regiment (30 NCR) from Port Hueneme, California, are currently serving as the secondary platform for PP15. The primary platform for the mission is the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).
Now in its tenth iteration, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. Additionally, the mission has provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects.
Pacific Partnership 2015 supporting partners include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Canada, Timor Leste, Fiji and France. Non-governmental organizations also participating are Project Hope, Operation Smile, Latter Day Saints Charities, University of California San Diego, University of Virginia, University of Hawaii, Project Handclasp and World Vets.
From the Business World (Aug 6): P22 million reward to be given to seven informants
MORE than P22 million in reward money will be given to seven informants for the capture of several rebel leaders in past years, including those from the New People’s Army (NPA) -- such as Benito Tiamzon and Dionisio Almonte -- and bandit group Abu Sayyaf, the Philippine military said.
Mr. Tiamzon is identified by the military as the Secretary General and a member of the Political Bureau and Central Committee of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), whose armed wing is the NPA. Arrested in Cebu on March 2014, Mr. Tiamzon carries a P10 million bounty for his arrest.
Mr. Almonte, on the other hand, is a regular member of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee of the same rebel group. He was arrested in 2015 and carries a P5 million bounty for his arrest.
The military will also give rewards for the capture of other key NPA officials including
• Dominador Javier, a member of the staff of the NPA Central Front in Cagayan, who has a P600,000 bounty and was killed in a government operation in 2011;
• Ricardo Reyes, a commanding officer of the NPA in the Ilocos-Cordillera Region, who has a P3.35 million bounty on his head and was killed in 2014; and
• Brando Magranga, an NPA Assistant Squad Leader in the Ilocos-Cordillera Region, who has a P150,000 bounty and was killed by the Philippine Army in 2014.
Rewards for the arrest of Abu Sayyaf members Makal Abubakar, Algaber Said and Caharudin Silongan Lacman will also be given. The three were arrested on separate occasions and carried bounties of P1 million, P600,000, and P1.3 million respectively.
Colonel Noel J. Detoyato, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said that the reward system has been effective in flushing out elements of the rebel movement in the country.
“Time and again, we’ve proven this to be effective although there are times that even if there was no reward, there were still people willing to give information to capture these wanted people,” he told reporters on Thursday.
From Ang Malaya (Aug 6): Naval Forces responsible for West PHL Sea, Northern Luzon waters merged: Navy established ‘eye’ in north
Naval Forces North which is responsible for the naval defense and security in Northern Luzon; and Naval Forces West which is responsible for Western Philippines and Kalayaan Island Group were merged into Naval Forces North-West in line with efforts to protect and secure the country’s vast maritime domains. The merger of two naval forces took place July 6.
“In line with the defense planning guidance of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, addressing common threat, the former Naval Forces North was merged with the Naval Forces West into Naval Forces North-West. So there are two naval task forces addressing security concerns within the area,” Naval Task Force 11 commander Captain Albert Mogol said today as quoted by PNA.
Mogol further said that Naval Forces North-West has two operating group. First is Naval Task Force 41 which covers the West Philippine Sea, and Naval Task Force 11 which is responsible for patrolling Northern Luzon waters and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
Captain Mogol said that Naval Forces North-West covers maritime domains of five regions and 24 provinces, which includes Batanes.
The said province landed in the spotlight after several incidents of Taiwanese incursions were reported earlier. He added that they have sufficient ships and personnel for this mission.
“In the north we have just established our automatic identification system in Batanes so we have already an eye in the north,” Mogol said. “It’s a littoral observatory station, but we call it the littoral monitoring detachment in Batanes and manned by the Philippine Marines.”
They also noted “serious concerns expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations in the South China Sea, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea.”
They also called for the full and effective implementation of Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) which prescribes to build, maintain and enhance mutual trust and confidence. The DOC also promotes exercise of self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes.
The ASEAN ministers also noted that DOC prescribes resolution of differences and disputes through peaceful means in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. And not to resort to threat or use of force.
“We welcomed the recent outcome of the 9th ASEAN-China SOM on the Implementation of the DOC whereby they agreed to proceed to the next stage of consultations and negotiate the framework, structure, elements as well as to address crucial, difficult and complicated issues relating to the proposed COC (Code of Conduct in the South China Sea),” they said.
The group of foreign ministers also said they were updated on the case filed by Philippines against China’s maritime claims. “The Philippines briefed the Meeting on further developments including matters particularly relating to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
From Ang Malaya (Aug 7): Littoral observatory station installed in Batanes supporting National Coast Watch System
The Philippine Navy (PN) now has the capability to detect and monitor unauthorized shipping planning to enter Batanes waters. This is due to the installation and activation of the so-called “littoral observatory station” for maritime situational awareness, PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan said in a message to the PNA.
Maritime situational awareness refers to the capability to detect, monitor and if necessary, drive away intruding water craft from one’s territorial waters.
He said that the facility is support to the National Coast Watch System. “Temporarily, it is co-located (at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA in Basco, Batanes) since it is also an inter-agency monitoring tool,” the PN chief said. No other specifics were given for security reasons.
“We have PN personnel deployed in strategic areas nationwide including Batanes for their roles to secure mission essential facilities used for monitoring activities for maritime domain,” Millan said.
Similar units have also been deployed off Zambales, considered to be the gateway of the West Philippine Sea.
The PN chief is also hoping that with the support of the government and the local government units, the Navy can set up “capabilities for monitoring and response in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Science and Technology, and the local government unit.”
From Ang Malaya (Aug 7): PHL, US to convene top Defense, Foreign Affairs officials asap: Immediate implementation of EDCA important
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and United States Secretary of State John Kerry had a meeting at the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Kuala Lumpur to discuss bilateral and regional issues. The Department of Foreign Affairs said during the meeting of two officials Philippines and US reiterated commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes.
Secretaries del Rosario and Kerry also highlighted the importance of the early implementation of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which will “underscore the strength and relevance of the treaty alliance.”
The two secretaries also agreed on the need to reconvene the Philippines-Unites States 2 + 2 Ministerial Consultations at the soonest possible time, to move forward a more robust security agenda, DFA said. PHL-US 2+2 meeting will convene Philippine Secretaries of Defense and Foreign Affairs and US Secretaries of State and Defense.
“The Secretaries reaffirmed the commitment of their respective countries to the resolution of the disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with the rule of law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” DFA said.
They also discussed the progress on the arbitration case filed by the Philippines, and agreed on the need for all claimant states to behave responsibly and avoid further aggressive unilateral action.
“Recognizing the shared regional challenges, they also discussed new areas and initiatives for defense and security cooperation, which in recent years have focused on maritime security and maritime domain awareness,” the department said.
From The Standard (Aug 7): US vows to keep China Sea open
WASHINGTON will not tolerate any navigation restrictions in the South China Sea, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday at a regional security meeting dominated by tensions over Beijing’s island building.
“Let me be clear: The United States will not accept restrictions on freedom of navigation and overflight, or other lawful uses of the sea. These are intrinsic rights that we all share,” he said according to a transcript of his remarks.
Bilateral meeting. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario stand together before a bilateral meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 6. AFP
Kerry made his comments at a security meeting hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur.
China has sparked alarm by expanding tiny reefs and constructing military posts, steps viewed by some of its neighbors as violating a regional pledge against provocative actions in the area.
The long simmering dispute has flared at the Malaysia meet, attended by members of the 10-nation regional grouping as well as more than a dozen others including China, Japan, South Korea and the US.
The US and Southeast Asian nations have called for Beijing to halt both reclamation in the South China Sea and construction on reefs, something Beijing has staunchly resisted.
“I have urged all claimants to make a joint commitment to halt further land reclamation and construction of new facilities or militarization on disputed features,” Kerry told delegates, arguing such a step would “lower tensions”.
ASEAN members were at loggerheads Thursday over how hard to press China on its contentious efforts to assert control over the South China Sea, with the issue threatening to fray regional unity.
Diplomatic sources said the Philippines and Vietnam in particular were pushing for stronger language on Chinese land reclamation, which could help shore up Beijing’s disputed territorial claims.
But there was pushback from traditional China allies among the ASEAN.
“China’s friends are taking a hard stance,” said one diplomat familiar with the drafting.
The diplomat did not specify which countries were taking a hard line, but Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar traditionally ally with China within ASEAN.
The tug-of-war raises the specter of a 2012 ASEAN meeting hosted by Cambodia, when the bloc was unable for the first time in its four-decade history to issue a joint statement.
Cambodia was accused of precipitating the debacle by refusing to allow criticism of China over its maritime territorial assertions.
“China has already figured out how ASEAN works on the South China Sea, it knows how to divide us. Look at what happened in Cambodia,” one diplomat at the talks in Kuala Lumpur said.
Envoys from 27 nations -- including the United States and China -- were in Kuala Lumpur for the final day of regional security talks dominated by long-running disputes over the strategic sea.
Beijing claims control over nearly the entire South China Sea, a key shipping route thought to hold rich oil and gas reserves.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei -- all ASEAN members -- also have various claims, as does Taiwan, many of which overlap.
Each year the regional bloc, which prides itself on its history of consensus diplomacy, releases a joint communique after the annual meeting of its foreign ministers, which took place Tuesday.
Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam told reporters Thursday morning that the joint statement was supposed to have been completed the previous day.
“It has not been finalized as of now. There are difficulties,” he said.
“The paragraphs relating to the South China Sea are causing some problems,” he added.
A draft of the communique obtained by Agence France-Presse makes no mention of halting reclamation.
Instead it warns that recent developments in the sea “have the very potential of undermining peace, security and stability”.
It adds: “There is an imperative need to urgently address the erosion of trust and corrosion of confidence amongst parties on these matters”.
Delegates said they still hoped to get a final joint statement by the end of the day.
The United States and Southeast Asian nations have called for a halt to further land-reclamation and construction.
China had so far refused, but on Wednesday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said land reclamation had “already stopped”.
However some delegates in Kuala Lumpur have played down those claims.
One diplomat told reporters: “They’re not saying they’re stopping construction, nor are they saying they’ll stop future reclamation.”
The Philippines said it would only be satisfied once Beijing halts construction in the disputed sea.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Thursday that the East Asia Summit should play a major role in crafting the region’s security architecture and it must address all major issues that prevent the creation of a region of peace and cooperation.
Del Rosario made the call during high-level meetings of the ASEAN and East Asia summit in Kuala Lumpur, and emphasized that recent provocative actions by China constituted an infringement on the rights of the Philippines and other countries under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and a violation of the 2002 ASEAN China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
The Palace on Thursday said that China’s claims that it has already stopped construction on disputed areas in the South China Sea still needed to be verified.
“Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario had earlier said there must be a halt to reclamation, halt to construction and halt to activities that tend to escalate tensions in the region,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.
Coloma also said there were reports that there is a second phase of construction, which he said must also be stopped.
He could not verify, however, reports that Japan will provide the Philippines with surveillance planes.
“This must be verified first from the Department of National Defense,” he said.
From Malaya (Aug 7): Taiwan, PH maritime exercises in the works
Taiwan’s
coast guard wants to improve cooperation with the Philippines
and conduct joint search and rescue exercises despite tense standoffs in
disputed waters in recent months, Cheng Chang-hsiung, deputy minister of Taiwan’s Coast
Guard Administration, said on Thursday.
The two sides have agreed to work toward joint exercises and have already held
discussions on how to conduct rescue operations, Cheng said.
“Now we are moving toward exercises. This is the direction of our efforts. Both
sides are making the effort,” Cheng said.
In late May and early June, Philippine and Taiwan coast guard ships faced off
in disputed waters south of Taiwan to protect their fishing vessels and try to
assert territorial rights. The incidents were resolved peacefully.
Cheng later traveled to the Philippines
for talks. The neighbors have been working to mend relations strained by the
2013 killing of a Taiwan
fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard.
Eight members of the Philippine Coast Guard have been charged for the killing
of the fisherman at the Balintang Channel in Northern
Luzon. The killing sparked protests in Taiwan which responded with
sanctions. Taiwan lifted the
sanctions after the Philippines
issued an official apology.
The Philippine Coast Guard personnel have said they were forced to fire at the
Taiwanese vessel in self-defense after it tried to ram their ship and refused
to stop for boarding inspection despite repeated warnings.
Cheng said Taiwan and Japan had held talks on search-and-rescue
operations and Taiwan would
also like to hold exercises with Japan’s coast guard.
Taiwan
tends to use its coast guard to protect its maritime interests and lets its
navy maintain a low profile, particularly in waters where sovereignty is
disputed.
Although Taiwan is a
claimant in both the disputed East China Sea and the South
China Sea, it remains a marginal player in maritime territorial
disputes.
Taiwan does not have
diplomatic ties with other countries in the region which instead recognize China.
Taiwan’s maritime claims
mirror those of mainland China
as the mainland’s claims are based on maps dating back to the 1940s Republic of
China government, that largely fled to Taiwan at the end of the Chinese
civil war in 1949.
It will also say that China
and Asean countries would proceed to the “next stage” of consultations on a
code of conduct that is intended to bind them to detailed rules of behavior at
sea.
“The joint communique should have been done by yesterday. It has not been
finalised as of now,” Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam told a news
conference in Kuala Lumpur.
“The paragraph relating to the South China Sea
is causing some problems,” he said, adding there was “no consensus on how the
paragraph ought to be.”
He declined to give details on the wording.
While some Asean foreign ministers feel that the South China Sea issue is too
important to ignore, those from countries strongly allied with China – Cambodia,
Laos and Myanmar – do
not favor a strongly worded statement.
Asean foreign ministers have met their counterparts from various countries
including China and the United States, and rebuffed China’s request
to leave the dispute off the agenda.
It also expressed concern over the pace of negotiations in trying to agree a
code of conduct that is intended to bind China and ASEAN to detailed rules
of behavior at sea.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that Beijing
had halted land reclamation in the South China Sea
but said construction of facilities will continue.
NO RESTRICTIONS
US Secretary of State John
Kerry on Thursday accused China
of not allowing freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed South China Sea, despite giving assurances that such
freedoms would not be impeded.
Addressing a regional meeting in Kuala Lumpur
that has been dominated by the South China Sea, Kerry said China’s
construction of facilities for “military purposes” on man-made islands was
raising tensions and risked “militarisation” by other claimant states.
“Freedom of navigation and overflight are among the essential pillars of
international maritime law,” Kerry told the East Asia Summit attended by
foreign ministers from Southeast Asia, China, Japan and other nations.
“Despite assurances that these freedoms would be respected, we have seen
warnings issued and restrictions attempted in recent months,” Kerry said.
“Let me be clear: The United States will not accept restrictions on freedom of
navigation and overflight, or other lawful uses of the sea.”
China has repeatedly warned
Philippine military aircraft away from the artificial islands in the Spratly
archipelago of the South China Sea, Philippine
military officials have said.
The Chinese navy also issued eight warnings to the crew of a US P8-A Poseidon surveillance aircraft when it
conducted overflights in the area in May, according to CNN, which was aboard
the US
aircraft.
Kerry said he hoped China
had stopped island building, but what was needed was an end to
“militarization.”
He added that Wang’s commitment to resolving the South
China Sea issue had not been as “fulsome” as some had hoped.
“In my meeting with ... Wang Yi, he indicated I think a different readiness of China to try to
resolve some of this, though I think it was still not as fulsome as many of us
would like to see,” Kerry told reporters.
“But it’s a beginning, and it may open up some opportunity for conversation on
this in months ahead. We’ll have to wait and see.”
STILL A VIOLATOR
Philippine Defense Department spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said China should show proof that it has really
stopped reclamations at the South China Sea.
“Nonetheless, a stop in the reclamation doesn’t change the fact that they have
violated the agreement among states, disrespected nations in the area and
violated our maritime rights placing the region in crisis,” said Galvez.
Galvez referred to the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South
China Sea, which calls on the parties involved in the South China Sea dispute
“to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate
or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.”
“The region would be glad to see a genuine proof of sincerity. The best proof
would be the pull out of all equipment as a clear and unequivocal manifestation
of that announcement,” said Galvez.
Japan and Taiwan have expressed readiness to improve
cooperation with the Philippines.
Japan wants to give planes
that Manila could use for patrols in the South China Sea, such as three Beechcraft TC-90 King Air
planes that could be fitted with basic surface and air surveillance radar.
From the Daily Tribune (Aug 6): Ex-National Security Adviser tags AFP chief as incompetent
Former national security adviser Roilo Golez expressed disappointment with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Delfin Carmelo Iriberri for failing to recognize China’s aggression in the disputed areas within the South China Sea as the real threat facing the Philippines today.
Speaking at the regular Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum at the Luneta Hotel in Manila, Golez disclosed that China’s aggressive activities in the South China Sea, also West Philippine Sea, poses as a grave threat to the country’s sovereignty and well-being as an independent nation.
“This is the real threat we face — China’s continued encroachment of our territories because this affects our very lives and our future,” the former Parañaque lawmaker pointed out.
Golez also spelled out that China’s aggression affects our environment through the degradation of the ecosystems in the disputed areas and our socio-political and economic structure with the influx of illegal drugs, political interference in government and dumping of cheap but low quality products that undermine the integrity financial stability of local industries.
Going back to government’s failure to recognize China as a real threat, the former congressman described Iribberi as not competent enough to realize the significance of modernizing the AFP through the procurement of modern military hardware, among them the acquisition of a number of Italian-made Maestrale-class frigates and FA-50 light combat aircraft and the BrahMos shore based missile system from India.
“Unfortunately these have been effectively canceled by the new AFP chief and instead has opted for the procurement of new helmets and protective vests for our soldiers,” Golez said.
He even said that Iribberi appointment as AFP chief should not be confirmed by the Commission on Appointment for being not competent in heading the AFP in the face of external threats.
From the Daily Tribune (Aug 7): RP, Vietnam push stronger language against China
ASEAN wrangles over South China Sea statement
Southeast
Asian nations were at loggerheads Thursday over how hard to press China on its contentious efforts to assert
control over the flashpoint South China Sea,
with the issue threatening to fray regional unity. China
has sparked alarm by expanding tiny reefs and constructing military posts,
steps viewed by some of its neighbors as violating a regional pledge against
provocative actions in the area. Diplomatic sources told Agence France Presse that the Philippines and Vietnam,
in particular, were pushing for stronger language on Chinese land
reclamation, which could help shore up Beijing’s disputed territorial claims.
But there
was pushback from traditional China
allies among the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean),
which is meeting this week in Malaysia,
they added.
“China’s
friends are taking a hard stance,” said one diplomat familiar with the
drafting.
The diplomat did not specify which countries were taking a hard line, but Cambodia, Laos
and Myanmar traditionally
ally with China
within Asean.
The tug-of-war raises the specter of a 2012 Asean meeting hosted by Cambodia, when
the bloc was unable for the first time in its four-decade history to issue a
joint statement.
Cambodia was accused of
precipitating the debacle by refusing to allow criticism of China over its
maritime territorial assertions.
“China has already figured
out how Asean works on the South China Sea, it
knows how to divide us. Look at what happened in Cambodia,”
one diplomat at the talks in Kuala
Lumpur told AFP.
Envoys from 27 nations — including the United
States and China
— were in Kuala Lumpur
for the final day of regional security talks dominated by long-running disputes
over the strategic sea.
Beijing claims control over nearly the entire South China Sea, a key shipping route thought to hold
rich oil and gas reserves.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia
and Brunei — all Asean
members — also have various claims, as does Taiwan, many of which overlap.
Each year the regional bloc, which prides itself on its history of consensus
diplomacy, releases a joint communique after the annual meeting of its foreign
ministers, which took place Tuesday.
Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam told reporters Thursday morning that
the joint statement was supposed to have been completed the previous day.
“It has not been finalized as of now. There are difficulties,” he said.
“The paragraphs relating to the South China Sea
are causing some problems,” he added.
A draft of the communique obtained by AFP makes no mention of halting reclamation.
Instead it warns that recent developments in the sea “have the very potential
of undermining peace, security and stability.”
It adds: “There is an imperative need to urgently address the erosion of trust
and corrosion of confidence among parties on these matters.”
Delegates said they still hoped to get a final joint statement by the end of
the day.
The United States
and Southeast Asian nations have called for a halt to further land reclamation
and construction.
China
had so far refused, but on Wednesday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said land
reclamation had “already stopped.”
But some delegates in Kuala Lumpur
have played down those claims.
One diplomat told reporters: “They’re not saying they’re stopping construction,
nor are they saying they’ll stop future reclamation.”
The Philippines said it
would only be satisfied once Beijing
halts construction in the disputed sea.
“Beyond halt to reclamation, the Philippine position includes (a) halt to
construction and halt to all actions that escalate tension,” presidential
spokesman Herminio Coloma told reporters.
Walk the talk—RP
The Philippine government yesterday called on China to halt all its activities
in the disputed sea to substantially back up its statements that it has already
stopped reclamation activities in the disputed areas, as it called on Beijing
to stop construction of facilities as well and refrain from engaging in actions
that would further escalate tensions in the region.
Coloma said that the words and actions of China
must correspond, noting that the international community is all eyes on the South China Sea. He banked on the diplomatic approach of
the Philippine government which he claims has earned more support than China’s
aggressive stance.
“What is important is that the words and actions fall in line. In our view this
is also what is given importance of the international community. That’s why our
action reaps more support,” Coloma said in a Palace briefing.
“Even if they (China) said
they stopped, which is still to be verified, the aspect of construction has not
yet stopped, and according to some observers, it’s already in the second phase
that’s why it also needs to be stopped,” he added, in reaction to Foreign
Minister Wang Yi’s statement of Beijing
having stopped reclamation work.
Yi said that the China’s
actions have been triggered by calls mounted by the international community for
China
to halt its activities in the region, namely the building of man-made islands
in waters whose respective territorial assessment is yet to be finalized.
But, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose disputed China’s claims, saying that it has
only stopped because it was finished already with mounting sand to create
artificial islands. He and the Palace added that facilities and other features
in the islands are in the second phase of construction already.
“On the statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario… he said
there should be a halt to reclamation, halt to construction, and halt to
activities that temper escalation of tensions in the region,” Coloma said,
taking note of the Cabinet Secretary’s position in the same Asean meeting.
“Moreover, all actions that may add tension should stop because what we believe
is the rules-based and diplomatic approach, that’s why we let it through the
forum of the Asean, which has a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties since
2002…There needs to be a legally binding code of conduct now that would give
substance to the previous agreement,” he added.
Yi called on the Asean to create the international agreement immediately, but
Malacañang said that it is not for China
to say, noting that “It is the decision of the countries in Asean since there
are two parties: China
and Asean.”
Malacañang wants the next administration to adopt the same diplomatic and rules-based
approach of the Aquino administration in dealing with China, even
when other hopefuls have already aired their views on the issue, with more
saying that there’s a need for bilateral talks.
Coloma said that the Palace does not believe that the government transition
would put the Philippines in
a vulnerable position, noting several country blocs that have expressed support
for Manila’s
stance, namely the G7 and the European group.
The Palace official warned the next administration not to abruptly disregard
“long-term consequences” of their respective stance against China if they
win the presidential derby next year.
“That’s our belief as the right action because of the reality we face. That’s
why the President said last week that the coming election is a referendum of
the straight path, with this one in the aspect of foreign policy,” Coloma said.
DND: China disrespected
claimants
The Department of National Defense (DND) yesterday said the reported stoppage
of Chinese reclamation activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea or South China Sea does not change the fact that they have
disrespected other claimant-nations in the area by violating agreements.
Peter Paul Galvez, spokesman of DND, said that the fact remains that China’s
aggressiveness in the West Philippine Sea placed the region in crisis despite
Beijing’s announcement that it has stopped reclamation activities in the West
Philippine Sea.
“Although we welcome the announcement, it is better if you ask the Chinese
government about that,” said Galvez.
“Nonetheless, a stop in the reclamation doesn’t change the fact that they have
violated the agreement among states, disrespected nations in the area and
violated our maritime rights placing the region in crisis,” he added.
Galvez also challenged China to pull out all of its equipment from the disputed
area if only to prove its sincerity.
“Furthermore, the region would be glad to see a genuine proof of sincerity. The
best proof would be the pull out of all equipment as a clear and unequivocal
manifestation of that announcement,” said Galvez.
Asked if there are efforts being undertaken by the DND to check on the reported
stoppage of Chinese reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea, Galvez
replied “that’s operational. Cannot comment.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines for its part, said that such positive
development in the West Philippine Sea is always welcome.
“That’s good news for all the Filipinos if that is true,” said Col. Noel
Detoyato, Public Affairs Office chief of the military.
“Any positive development can ease the tension, so it is good for everybody,”
he added.
Detoyato, however, said that the AFP is yet to get updated reports on the
activities in the West Philippine Sea.
Navigation restrictions won’t be tolerated—US
Washington will not tolerate any navigation restrictions in the South China
Sea, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday at a regional security
meeting dominated by tensions over Beijing’s island building.
“Let me be clear: The United States will not accept restrictions on freedom of
navigation and overflight, or other lawful uses of the sea. These are intrinsic
rights that we all share,” he said according to a transcript of his remarks.
Kerry made his comments at a security meeting hosted by the Asean in Kuala
Lumpur.
“I have urged all claimants to make a joint commitment to halt further land
reclamation and construction of new facilities or militarization on disputed
features,” Kerry told delegates, arguing such a step would “lower tensions”.
From the Business World (Aug 6): Three firms eye bullet supply deal
THREE PARTIES have already signified interest in one of two
of the multimillion contracts of the Department of National Defense (DND) which
involves the manufacture, supply and delivery of rifle ammunitions for the
military.
According to the DND Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), three
bidders bought bid documents -- priced at P50,000 per set -- for the
P91.4-million contract for more than three million rounds of SS109 5.56 mm
(ball, linked) ammunition.
The Bids and Awards Committee, however, was not able to immediately respond to BusinessWorld’s
request to disclose the companies participating in the bidding.
Opening of bids is scheduled on July 18, 2015 at the BAC Conference Room of the
DNDBuilding
inside the military’s stronghold in Metro Manila -- CampAguinaldo in Quezon City.
The 5.56-mm round is an ammo type normally used by the military for their
standard issue rifles including the M60 rifle series, as well as the M240.
The bullets will be supplied to the largest service branch of the 150,000-strong
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Army, which comprises
more than half of the country’s military at 80,000.
The military is also in the market for more than a million rounds of
7.62-millimeter ball rounds, another type of rifle ammunition for a contract
price of P41.9 million.
In a previous interview, DND Spokesperson Arsenio R. Andolong said that the two
ammo types is normally produced from the Government Arsenal (GA), but cited
that the Defense department is procuring these to meet the required volume of
rifle ammunition for the year 2015.
The Philippine military, through the GA, normally manufactures ammunition for
rifles and pistols on its 370-hectare industrial estate in Limay, Bataan.
The purchase of more than four million rounds of rifle bullets comes at a time
when the Philippines is dealing with a tense territorial dispute with China in
the South China Sea, over an area supposedly rich in minerals, aquatic
resources as well as a valuable international trade route.
From the Business Mirror (Aug 6): NDF-Bicol: ‘NPA rebels’ killed by soldiers in Masbate were ‘habal-habal’ drivers
THE National Democratic Front-Bicol (NDF-Bicol) has condemned the brutality and deception of military squads after confirming that the four purportedly New People’s Army guerrillas killed in a “clash” in Barangay Mactan, Cawayan, Masbate, on August 3 were actually tricycle drivers.
NDF-Bicol Spokesman Maria Roja Banua said Gary Bisnar, Adam Fajardo, Biboy Badillo and a certain Pabito regularly drove “habal-habal” or extended tricycles in Cawayan, Masbate, were not NPA members.
Banua condoled with the families of the habal-habal drivers and urged them to fight for justice since the latest massacre brings to 268 the number of victims of extrajudicial execution perpetrated by the military under the Aquino administration.
“After the massacre, the military claimed that the four drivers were killed in an encounter and they even planted firearms and other ‘evidence’ on their remains,” Banua said in Filipino.
The massacre came a day before Phelim Kine, chief of the Human Rights Watch in Asia, urged new Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Hernando Irriberi to arrest, try and punish all soldiers and paramilitary men who have been committing human-rights violations.
Banua surmised that the massacre of the four drivers was a “crazy reaction” to battle losses by the military in Masbate.
“After their unit was ambushed, the soldiers of the Bravo Company of the 9th IB [Infantry Battalion] established a checkpoint at Barangay Matan, Cawayan, Masbate. They ordered four drivers of habal-habal motorcycles to alight, brought them to a cogonal area and killed summarily. Passengers who regularly ride the habal-habal witnessed what happened and they can prove that the drivers are civilians and residents of Barangay Mactan,” Banua said.
From the Business Mirror (Aug 6): Angeles City officials welcome medical supplies from US military, church
City officials welcomed on Wednesday at the public hospital here the arrival of medical supplies as part of the humanitarian assistance of the United States military.
The medical supplies onboard a cargo truck arrived via the floating hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), which docked at the Subic Bay Freeport on August 5. It is part of Pacific Partnership 2015 (PP15), the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Councilor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, who escorted to Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan last month the United States Navy personnel for a courtesy call, said “this is not just most welcome but well appreciated, because the poor and those in need will benefit from the medical supplies.”
Lazatin, Pamintuan and Councilors Edu Pamintuan and Alex Indiongco, and Alex Cauguiran, the mayor’s chief of staff, witnessed the arrival of the medical supplies at the Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA). It was brought by US Navy SCPO Guy Gagui, a native of Angeles City, and S7 Luis Siguenza and George Kenneth Lee, Latter-Day Saints Charities Welfare manager.
For his part, Pamintuan said all the supplies must be used for the poor.
The medical supplies were turned over to Dr. Antonio Dizon, hospital director of ONA.
Gagui said they gave eight pallets of medical supplies. He said he could not divulge how much was the worth of the US military’s donation to the ONA.
Jose M. Briones, Angeles Philippines Stake President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and other church members disclosed that they gave two pallets of medical supplies worth at least $5,000.
Posted to ABS-CBN (Aug 7): China accuses Manila, Tokyo of joining forces over South China Sea
Japan and the Philippines
teamed up at a regional security forum this week to attack China over the disputed South
China Sea, China's
Foreign Ministry said, as details emerged of sometimes testy exchanges during
the talks in Malaysia.
In a statement
released around midnight, the ministry cited Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
as telling the East Asia Summit on Thursday that Beijing was not impeding freedom of
navigation in the contested waterway.
U.S. Secretary of
State John Kerry told the forum that China was restricting
navigation and overflights. Kerry also said China's construction of facilities for
"military purposes" on man-made islands in the South
China Sea was raising tensions and risked
"militarization" by other claimant states.
China claims most of the South
China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes
every year. The Philippines,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan
and Brunei
also have overlapping claims.
The Chinese
statement made no mention of Kerry or his criticism at the meetings in Kuala Lumpur, where discussion was dominated by China's creation of seven artificial islands in
the Spratly archipelago of the South China Sea.
But it said
Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario "attacked" China's South China Sea
policy, and received support from his Japanese counterpart.
Japan has boosted security cooperation this year with
some of the claimants at loggerheads with China,
in particular the Philippines.
Tokyo has no
claims in the waterway, but is worried Beijing's
new islands will extend Chinese military reach into sea lanes through which
much of Japan's
ship-borne trade passes.
"China opposes
any non-constructive words and acts which widen division, exaggerate antagonism
or create tensions," the statement cited Wang as telling the forum, which
was attended by foreign ministers from around the region.
SPAT OVER
LEGAL CASE
One diplomat
inside the meeting room told Reuters that China
was angered when del Rosario outlined in
detail a legal case that Manila
filed against Beijing at an international court
in The Hague.
The case, which
opened last month, concerns what Manila sees as
its right to exploit natural resources and fish in the South
China Sea. China
has refused to take part.
Among other
things, del Rosario said China
had "irreversibly" damaged the regional marine environment through
its reclamation and creation of islands in the Spratlys, according to a copy of
his speech.
Wang told the
meeting that "China
cannot accept the results of any arbitration."
"The Philippines did not inform the Chinese side in
advance, nor did it seek China's
consent and has initiated unilateral arbitration forcefully," Wang said,
urging the Philippines
to resolve the dispute through negotiation.
Del Rosario said
the outcome of the arbitration process would contribute to a peaceful and
long-term resolution of overlapping maritime jurisdictions in the South China Sea.
Turning to Tokyo, Wang told the forum that Japan had built up a remote island
in the Pacific called Okinotori to enforce Japanese territorial claims.
China has previously refused to recognize Tokyo's claims to an exclusive economic zone around
Okinotori, which lies about halfway between Guam and Taiwan,
1,700 km (1,050 miles) from Tokyo.
It is also known as Douglas Reef or Parace Vela.
"Before
criticizing others, Japan
must first take a good look at its own words and behavior," Wang said.
Chinese
reclamation and building work on its islands in the South
China Sea were to improve living conditions and provide facilities
like lighthouses and weather stations, he added. China has also said they would have
undefined military purposes.
In separate talks
with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday, Wang urged Tokyo to stop "grappling with China in all
respects".
"Japan
should put into practice its promise that China and Japan are cooperation
partners," the official Xinhua news agency cited Wang as saying.
Sino-Japanese
ties have long been strained over territory in the East China Sea and over what
Chinese leaders say is Japan's failure to atone for its wartime occupation of
parts of China.
Japanese media
said Kishida told Wang that China should refrain from unilateral gas
development in the East China Sea.
