From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 12): Families ask abductors to release 4 tribal leaders Davao City – Family members of the four tribal leaders, who were allegedly abducted by the New People’s Army (NPA) last August 1, have made an impassioned appeal for their release for humanitarian reasons.
Datus Danilo Angcomog, Laris Landakay, Jovenie Angcomog and Kalumpot Dalon, all residents of Sitio Inayaman, San Jose, San Fernando, Bukidnon were heading for Sitio Bulo, Barangay Dagohoy, Talaingod town, Davao del Norte when snatched by unidentified suspects, authorities reported.
“We are appealing for their immediate release,” said Jose Baon, village chief of San Jose in a press conference held Tuesday noon in San Fernando town.
IMPASSIONED APPEAL – Chairman Jose Baon of Barangay San Jose in San Fernando town, Bukidnon (left) calls on abductors of four tribal leaders to release them for humanitarian reasons. Looking on is Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Datu Jimmy Lacubay during a press conference held at the San Fernando town hall last Tuesday. (Alexander D. Lopez)
Baon told reporters that he believed that it was the NPA which was responsible for the kidnapping of the tribal leaders.
The village chief expressed the wishes of the families of the victims for their immediate and unconditional release.
Baon’s statements were also supported by Datu Jimmy Lacubay, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of San Jose.
Both village officials also appealed to the military to allow them to continue with the negotiations with the abductors for the release of the victims.
Baon did not elaborate on the identities of those behind the kidnapping but revealed that the armed men belonged to the Front 55 of the NPA command operating in the area.
San Fernando Mayor Levi Edma reiterated the support that the local government was extending to the families of the victims.
The mayor also called on their abductors to end the ongoing crisis by allowing the victims to return to their families in Sitio Inayaman.
The Philippine Army on Monday assured the family members of its full support on to rescue the kidnap victims.
From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 12): Province benefits from joint US-PH mission
Capiz — Once again, survivors of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Capiz province were direct beneficiaries of a joint humanitarian mission of the Armed Forces of the United States and the Philippines.
Over 3,600 people benefited from the Pacific Partnership 2015 (PP15) medical mission, wherein hospital ship USNS Mercy of the U.S. Navy sailed to and docked off the coast of Roxas City, according to Captain Melanie Merrick, commander of the medical treatment facility on board the USNS Mercy.
“PP15 was such a wonderful opportunity for our medical teams because we had the chance to work side-by-side with the medical team of the Philippine military,” she said.
For his part, Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) said, “the activity showcased the convergence of efforts of various stakeholders in Capiz province including the government and private sectors.”
Aside from medical services, the joint American and Filipino partnership also devoted time on infrastructure projects in Roxas City with the Engineering Civic Action Program.
Guerrero said joint American and Filipino forces repaired Basiao Elementary School, constructed a new classroom building for Roxas City School for Philippine Craftsmen and constructed a new health care center in Talon village.
PP15 in Capiz province officially ended last August 1.
From the Philippine Star (Aug 12): LOOK: Did China
threaten, ridicule Philippines
in newspaper feature?
The paid weekly feature
entitled "Window to China"
contains updates and other information about the Asian giant.
Did China
poke fun at the Philippines
and issue a veiled threat in a newspaper feature?
In its weekly feature entitled "Window to China" published by the STAR on Tuesday,
the Asian giant maintained its position in the West
Philippine Sea dispute.
But Beijing's paid feature
also seemingly threatened and ridiculed Manila.
The full-paid feature contained a short ancient Chinese tale
about a mantis and its prey.
"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole
waiting in the backdrop," the tale read.
China
said the tale "describes those shortsighted people wanting to hurt others,
unaware of greater lurking dangers." For some experts, this could be
a reference to the Philippines.
In an interview with television reporters, historian and military
analyst Jose Custodio said the ancient Chinese tale was China's cryptic message or warning in relation
to the sea dispute with the Philippines.
Custodio also took offense to the caricatures of South East
Asian nations that were contained in the newspaper feature.
He said it was insulting that among the caricatures, the
Filipino was depicted as the smallest.
Reacting to the newspaper feature, Malacañang urged China to be a
responsible country.
"Some people may take it as a threat but what is
important for us is that we are all responsible members of the family of
nations," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.
"And I think that China, being cognizant of its role
in the community of nations, would act accordingly as a responsible
nation," he added.
In the same newspaper feature, China
said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario "attacked China on its South China
Sea policy" during two recent international events.
China
released the response of Foreign Minister Wang Yi who cried foul over
"non-constructive words or deeds that attempt to exaggerate the
disagreements, hype up confrontation and heat up tensions."
Wang further claimed that China is the victim in the sea
dispute since it was other countries which began invading and occupying the
disputed islands and reefs in the Spratlys.
Wang said China
wants a peaceful resolution of the territorial dispute but it also has the
right to stop "illegal moves" against its sovereignty.
Wang concluded by maintaining that China will
continue to build facilities on its artificial islands in the disputed waters.
From the Philippine Star (Aug 12): WATCH: Ship that swiftly sailed past Chinese patrols to reach Philippines
"It’s a very fast ship. First we just saw a dot but moments later it was already docking without asking for assistance from tugboats," said a port worker about the USNS Millinocket, a Spearhead-class joint high speed vessel of the US military, at Poro Point in La Union.
The most modern naval vessel of the United States military apparently sailed past the watchful eye of Chinese ships patrolling wide areas of the South China and West Philippine seas to dock smoothly here on Aug. 6, 2015.
Over the weekend, Philstar.com went aboard the USNS Millinocket as it undertakes a 10-day joint Asia-Pacific humanitarian mission in line with the United States military's largest multilateral Pacific Partnership program.
Tour one of the fastest ships of the US Navy with these videos:
From the Philippine Star (Aug 12): Phl, Indonesia eye Air Force cadet exchange program
In this Feb. 9, 2015 photo, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, chats with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during the former's courtesy call at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Philippines. AP/Francis Malasig, Pool
The Philippines and Indonesia are eyeing an exchange program for Air Force cadets to provide exposure to their future pilots.
Philippine Air Force spokesman Col. Enrico Canaya said the program would strengthen the defense ties of the two Southeast Asian countries while enabling cadets to gain new insights.
“The program is still in the exploratory stage. In the long run, it will build relationship among future officers. It will also allow our cadets to learn best practices,” he said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
The exchange program will be implemented by the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School and the Indonesian Air Force Academy.
The Philippines and Indonesia already have similar military exchanges but they cover active officers, not cadets.
At present, there are eight Indonesian students with the rank of major who are studying at the Command and General Staff College in Camp Aguinaldo. One Indonesian Air Force captain is also undergoing a four-month Squadron Officer Course at the Air Force Officer School in Fernando Air Base, Lipa City.
Meanwhile, the chief of Indonesia’s Air Force visited the country for three days to meet with his Philippine counterpart Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado.
Air Chief Marshal Agus Supriatna arrived in the Philippines last August 10 and was given military honors at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. He also visited the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City for a courtesy call.
“The visit of Air Chief Marshal Supriatna is one way of continuing the mutual relationship and some form of consultation on matters pertaining to training exchange programs between the two Air Forces,” Canaya said.
Five Indonesian Air Force Academy cadets visited Fernando Air Base at Lipa City from August 2 to 7 to observe the conduct of trainings of Philippine cadets.
Filipino Air Force cadets will also be sent to observe the exercises at Indonesian Air Force Academy on September 8 to 11 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
From the Philippine Star (Aug 12): Chinese diplomat outlines limits to freedom of navigation
China respects freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea but will not allow any foreign government to invoke that right so its military ships and planes can intrude in Beijing's territory, the Chinese ambassador said.
Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said late Tuesday that Chinese forces warned a U.S. Navy P-8A not to intrude when the warplane approached a Chinese-occupied area in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly Islands in May. A CNN reporter who was on board the plane, which had taken off from the Philippines, reported the incident then.
"We just gave them warnings, be careful, not to intrude," Zhao told reporters on the sidelines of a diplomatic event in Manila.
Washington, however, does not recognize any territorial claim by any country in the South China Sea, a policy that collides with the position of China, which claims virtually the entire sea.
When asked why China shooed away the U.S. Navy plane when it has pledged to respect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Zhao outlined the limits in China's view.
"Freedom of navigation does not mean to allow other countries to intrude into the airspace or the sea which is sovereign. No country will allow that," Zhao said. "We say freedom of navigation must be observed in accordance with international law. No freedom of navigation for warships and airplanes."
Zhao also repeated an earlier pronouncement by Beijing that China's use of land reclamation to create new islands at a number of disputed Spratly reefs has ended.
China, he said, would now start constructing facilities to support freedom of navigation, search and rescue efforts when accidents occur, and scientific research.
"When we say we're going to stop reclamation, we mean it," Zhao said.
He acknowledged that "necessary defense facilities" would also be constructed.
The U.S. and its allies, including the Philippines, have asked China to stop the massive island construction, saying it has increased tensions in an increasingly militarized area and threatened regional stability. They say the Chinese construction work violates a 2002 regional pact signed by Beijing which urges rival claimants not to undertake new construction or take any step that would worsen tensions.
Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said last month in Manila that Washington does not recognize any of the territorial claims and its position won't change even if disputed areas are reinforced by construction work.
"We recognize those claims as being contested and the contested nature of those claims is unchanged despite the reclamation efforts of any country, any country, not just China," Swift said.
Territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have flared on and off for years, creating fears that the South China Sea could spark Asia's next major armed conflict. Tensions rose again last year when China began the island building on at least seven reefs in the Spratlys.
From the Philippine Star (Aug 12): Japan Self Defense Forces chief visits Camp Aguinaldo
Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri, chief of staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, presents Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces, with a token of golden men relocating a "kubo" (nipa hut) depicting the Filipino tradition of "bayanihan" during his visit to Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo on Wednesday. PAF PAO AFP/Ssg Amable Milay Jr.
The chief of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces on Wednesday visited the military’s main headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo amid tensions caused by China’s aggressive expansion in the region.
Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces is in the country until Friday to observe the activities under the Pacific Partnership 2015.
Under the Pacific Partnership, the Philippines, the United States and their allies will conduct trainings to ensure effective conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
The exercise seeks to strengthen international relationships with partner and host nations in the Asia-Pacific.
Kawano and his party arrived in Camp Aguinaldo at around 3:30 p.m. and were given military honors.
He met with Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri for about an hour but details of their discussions were not immediately available.
It remains unclear if the two military officials talked about the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute or the plan to transfer Japanese military equipment to the Philippines.
“We discussed matters on how to further strengthen our military-to-military relationsghip based on the MOU (memorandum of agreement) on defense cooperation and exchanges signed by our country’s defense establishment,” Iriberri said in a text message.
China is claiming almost the entire South China Sea while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.
To assert its claim, China embarked on an ambitious land reclamation in seven reefs that are also being claimed by the Philippines.
The contruction projects are located in Panganiban (Mischief), Zamora (Subi), Kagitingan (Fiery Cross), Kennan (Chigua), Mabini (Johnson South), Burgos (Gaven) and Calderon (Cuarteron) Reefs.
Japan and China are also fighting over the Senkaku Islands, an uninhabited area in the East China Sea that Beijing calls Diaoyu Island.
Last June, President Aquino and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to begin discussions on a visiting forces deal, a move seen as a response to China’s expansion and military build-up.
Defense officials, however, have admitted that a visiting forces agreement may not be reached within President Aquino’s term because of the long legal process it has to undergo.
The two countries have also agreed to explore the transfer of Japanese military hardware and technology to the Philippines, one of the weakest in the region in terms of defense capability.
From the Daily Tribune (Aug
12): Dredging pipes found in Zambales came from China,
confirms PCG
The Philippine Coast
Guard (PCG) pointed to China
as the origin of the dredging pipes recovered by fishermen off Zambales in July.
Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, PCG commandant,
however, said that the dredging pipes with buoys apparently came from the
Kalayaan Islands Group (KIGs) or the Spratlys in the disputed West Philippine
Sea where China conducted massive reclamation activities during the past months.
Isorena
said that Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal remains clear of any Chinese
construction based on latest PCG monitoring.
“It’s China,
there is no one else,” replied Isorena when asked by reporters after Monday’s
change of command ceremony at the Philippine Navy where did the buoys come from.
According to Isorena, the
recovered items by local fishermen in Zambales are being used for dredging.
Pressed where could have the
dredging pipes come from, Isorena said “Kalayaan. In bajo de Masinloc, they do
have anything whatsoever, there is no construction. So far, Bajo de Masinloc is
still clear.
Isorena expressed belief that
the pipes were washed away from Kalayaan to Zambales during typhoons.
China has established de facto control of
Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal since 2012 after the three-month standoff
with Philippine authorities.
Filipino fishermen have been
harassed by Chinese ships staying in Panatag Shoal.
Isorena said that the Coast
Guard is currently trying to recover some of the pipes from Zambales fishermen
and use them as evidence against China.
However, Isorena said that
the Coast Guard is yet to receive any directive from the national government
regarding the issue “but we’re trying to get some pieces from the fishermen.”
Last month, local fishermen
in Zambales fished out huge pipes with buoys with Chinese marking from the high
seas and pulled them ashore.
Isorena said that the rule
“finders keepers” apply to the matter as the subject items are not government
property and no one is claiming ownership.
From The Standard (Aug 12): Police, army arrest rebels behind ‘11 Misamis attack
Two suspected New
People’s Army rebels involved in the attack of the municipal police station of Medina town in Misamis Oriental province in August 2011,
killing one policeman, were arrested on Monday by joint operatives of the
Philippine National Police and the 58th IB Philippines Army based
in GingoogCity.
Captain Joe
Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the 4thInfantry Division Philippine
Army, identified the captured rebels as Danilo Lampusay (also known as
Dan-Dan) and Ejohn Lampusay. They were arrested Monday in Purok 2, Barangay
Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
Martinez said a former rebel pointed to the
location of the two, making the arrest possible.
According to
former rebel, the two were regular members of Sangay sa Partido Pampropaganda
3, Guerilla Front 4B, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SPP3, GF4B,
NCMRC) under Open Hangadon a.k.a Tingcas who led the recent attack at
Hindangon, Gingoog City CAA Patrol Base. He added that they had killed three
CAA members.
Major General
Oscar T Lactao, Commander of 4ID said, “While the two have been arrested, their
leader, who is the brain behind the attack, remains at large. This is the
consequence when you join the New People’s Army. There will be nobody, not even
your leaders, will come to your rescue. You are on your own to defend the
charges against you. Soon the long arm of the law will reach their leaders.
They have to face the crime they committed.”
From ABS-CBN (Aug 12): UN special rapporteur's office hits AFP for 'gross misrepresentation'
The spokesman of Dr. Cheloka Beyani, the UN Special Rapporteur for Internally Displaced Peoples, has accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines of "gross misrepresentation" following the release of a military statement on lumad evacuees in Davao City.
The AFP Eastern Mindanao Command press release carried the title: "LUMADS IN HARAN ARE MANIPULATED: Not Evacuees but victims of trafficking".
That statement has been pushed by Maj. Harold Cabunoc and handpicked media to boost the claim -- first raised by North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco - that lumad in a Davao church-owned sactuary are victims of trafficking and in need of rescue.
“The truth hurts,” Cabunoc crowed following the AFP’s release of a recorded Manila briefing between Beyani and military brass.
The recording explains the anger of Beyani’s office and shows how the AFP release left out substantial and important portions that change the context of a one-paragraph quote attributed to Beyani.
ABS-CBNnews.com got copies of the response of Beyani’s office and the recording. The transcription has been done in consultation with other journalists who also have the recording, which is hard to decipher in parts.
‘TRAFFICKING’ LINE The first few paragraphs of the AFP release, from the EastMinCom information office, reads:
“MEMBERS of Indigenous People (IP) inside the compound of United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) in Haran, Davao City are manipulated, not evacuees but victims of trafficking."
“This was based on the assessment made by United Nation (UN) Special Rapporteur Cheloka Beyani during the exit brief at the Operations Center of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Camp Aguinaldo.”
“ ‘When we asked them about the circumstances in which why they left their areas they say they were at risked at force recruitment into Alamara and the movements to that area was in protest in relation to the presence of Alamara, so they wanted to make a point that that was what happened. But I have been there for some time, I think they got manipulated.’ Beyani said.”
“It can be recalled that tension gripped inside UCCP Haran last July 23 as government forces and other concerned agencies tried to rescue at least 1000 members of lumads both from Davao and Bukidnon who were deceived by militant groups by saying that militarization will harm their lives.”
NO TRAFFICKING
Journalists wrote Beyani’s office to seek clarification as the AFP release contradicted the official end-of-mission statement.
Beyani’s media liaison, Graham Fox, replied: “I attach for your reference the Press Release and exit statement made by the Special Rapporteur at the conclusion of his visit to the Philippines. Please consider these documents to represent the official findings and views of the Special Rapporteur, including in relation to those indigenous people in Davao, UCCP Haran."
Fox added: "I do not recognize the quotes attributed to Mr. Beyani by the AFP in your email attached. I also note that the Special Rapporteur was explicit in his discussions with the AFP representatives on multiple occasions that the persons concerned should under no circumstances be considered to fall into the category of trafficked persons.”
“It is the Special Rapporteur's understanding, based on first hand interviews with the indigenous peoples in Haran, that they relocated to this facility freely in response to the militarization of their areas and forced recruitment into paramilitary groups operating under the auspices of the AFP. The AFP statement provided is consequently a gross misrepresentation of the position of the Special Rapporteur.” ‘RESCUE’
Beyani visited the Philippines last month to look into the conditions of people displaced by the 2013 Zamboanga siege, supertyphoon Yolanda, the conflict over the Tampakan Mines in South Cotabato and the lumad in Davao.
His trip followed a forcible “rescue” attempt at Haran that saw 15 indigenous people injured when 500 police stormed their sanctuary.
Cops summoned to Davao City by the chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Indigenous Peoples to "rescue" lumad fleeing military abuses in their mountain communities injured 15 of the displaced folk and destroyed a number of temporary shelters. Photo by Karlos Manlupig
That rescue also involved Catamco, chair of the House Committee on Indigenous Peoples, who earlier accused church and militants groups of human trafficking or forcing the lumad to remain in Davao City.
The intervention of Davao City officials averted greater violence. Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte gave lumad an hour to go with Catamco, who came with trucks and social workers, soldiers and the paramilitary Alamara.
During that hour, the woman chieftain that Catamco featured to highlight the trafficking claim publicly scolded the legislator.
Bai Bibyaon Bigcay said Catamco twisted their words. She said the lawmaker highlighted their desire to return home but left out their demand for the military of leave their schools and villages alone.
In a “dialogue” that preceded the “rescue,” military officers brought by Catamco said they would not leave the lumad villages because of the presence of New People’s Army in surrounding areas.
From that, the military subsequently accused the rights and church groups and several lumad datus of being communists and allies of the NPA.
LEFT OUT OF STATEMENT
Cabunoc, sent on a “special mission” to defuse the lumad problem, carries on with that theme. He sent journalists recordings of “ad libs” from Beyani during a briefing with AFP brass two days before his exit-mission message.
From the recordings, the paragraph quoted by the AFP statement on exoneration is partly accurate as is that single paragraph quote, up to the word, “manipulated”:
“When we asked them on the circumstances in which they left their area to go to that location, they said they were at risk of forced recruitment into the Alamara and their movement to that area was in protest, it’s a protest, in relation to the presence of Alamara and the military activities, so they wanted to make a point that this is what is happening. But having been there for sometime, I think they got manipulated,” Beyani said.
The recording, however, shows what the AFP left out.
Beyani was referring to the July 23 storming of the lumad sanctuary.
“We first meet with the Col (?) who was in charge of the military unit…and this morning, who was very open, very frank and credible, clear in his answers…
When we spoke with the IPs we were quite clear as well that the incident was not instigated by the military. The military had no responsibility over that.”
Lumad, militants or church groups did not blame soldiers for the Haran fracas.
It was the PNP, with a 500-strong contingent that led the operation. There were troops but they were in the background, according to lumad leaders in Haran during an interview with ABS-CBNnews.com.
Police and Catamco and the military now, insist they were out to save “human trafficking” victims.
But their statements ignore this portion of Beyani’s “ad libs”:
“But the situation up there have politicized and the police may have been invited in the belief that the communities have agreed to go (home) and found the situation which they totally did not expect on their hands. So the incident indicated (?) a failure of protection. It indicated (?) the vulnerability of the IPs themselves.”
BEFORE THE ‘RESCUE’
Bai Bigcay made it clear that the lumad, in response to a question from Catamco, had, indeed, raised hands when asked if they wanted to go home.
But when they spoke about the conditions needed for that homecoming, Catamco swept these aside. She then accused the lumad datus of not being true leaders and even harangued one supporter, asking if she was a member of the NPA.
Military officials, brought unannounced by Catamco to the dialogues, said they would not leave the lumad communities because of the presence of rebels.
The full audio recordings of two successive tumultuous “dialogues” were furnished to ABS-CBNNews.com and will be posted on indayvarona.com.
The dialogue led to a walkout of the lumad datus. Catamco gave subsequent interviews where she vowed to bring the lumad home. She also sat at a press conference beside an Alamara datu who vowed war on those, he claimed, trafficked the lumad.
BEYANI’S ADVICE
After saying the police were not appraised of the true situation of the lumad, the UN Special Rapporteur told AFP officials:
“You know they (lumad) are at the mercy of both forces and I think it is very important to have very low level consultations with them for a start, to begin, to discuss possibilities of return.”
“We asked them can DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) come here and provide you with services and discuss with you’re your options, and they said yes.”
“But (lumad) would like to have a process that begins negotiations with the tribal leaders with notifications that we’re coming at this stage to discuss these issues and there after, to reach an understanding on how this can be done, on how they can eventually return.”
These statements are what the lumad have repeatedly told journalists – and Catamco.
They have set conditions for their return, including the pullout of soldiers from their alternative schools and their village centers.
This is not the first evacuation of the lumad from Talaingod, Capalong and Bukidnon. During their 2014 evacuation, the lumad showed in a video that soldiers had camped out in the Salugpungan School established in the 1990s with the help of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines. Teachers and village leaders are seen remonstrating with troops.
After his advice, Beyani then said: “When we asked them about the circumstances in which they left... they said they were at risk of forced recruitment into the Alamara and their movements to that area was in protest both of the presence of the Alamara and of military activity. So they wanted to make a point that that is what is happening... but having been there for some time, I think they got manipulated, their situation is now vulnerable.”
CATAMCO’S ROLE In the context of his other statements and the next ones that he makes, Beyani is not accusing the sanctuary providers of manipulating the lumad. He does not dismiss the lumad claims. He had already stated someone had told police a wrong story that led to the melee.
He urges: “I think it is with of utmost importance that you send some neutral agents that act as in negotiations with them, reach an understanding with them, and we believe that solutions can be reached that way – in a way that meets everyone’s expectations.”
“And again we make clear that neither the AFP nor the PNP have responsibility (for the fracas at Haran),” Beyani said. And then he mentions Catamco:
“Primarily you know for what happened. And I think the statement by Congresswoman Nancy indicated all the political implications of all of that. And this we say, situations of that sort should not be politicized, that humanitarian in character need humanitarian (solutions)”
Taken as a whole, that explains why Fox denied the statements attributed to Beyani.
The military release left out the context of the UN official’s statement. The military used Beyani’s statement to bolster it’s human trafficking claim. But the UN Special Rapporteur made clear:
“When we arrived there we didn’t announce that we were going there at all. We walked through the gate, the gate was open. Not locked. And we asked them who are your tribal leaders and they pointed to someone, and we asked that someone if we can get some IDPs at random, tribal leaders and women, so we can actually speak to them. We put questions to them. We put them to task…”
The result of that free random chats with the lumad in Haran and the other points raised by Beyani, form the basis for his final report. This is what he had to say of the lumad in Haran:
“I am concerned by the plight of some 700 indigenous peoples currently living in basic Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) church run facilities in the city of Davao having been displaced from their ancestral homes for several months due to long-standing conflict between the government and the New People’s Army (NPA) in their region. I travelled to Davao to consult the national and local authorities and the indigenous peoples themselves on this situation. I heard from the AFP its assertion that it is seeking to protect the communities and provide services to them in conflict regions; however the displaced IPs made it clear that it is their presence and that of the paramilitary groups in their communities that continues to create anxiety amongst the indigenous communities. The community wishes to return to its lands but stressed to me that they will only feel safe to do so if the long-term militarization of their region comes to an end and they can return with guarantees of safety, dignity and protection. They described to me their concerns including their alleged forced recruitment into paramilitary groups, known as Alamara, under the auspices of the AFP and harassment in the context of the on-going conflict between the AFP and the NPA. Schools have reportedly been closed and/or occupied by the AFP or Alamara, hampering the access to education of indigenous children. While tribal leaders informed me that they are not being detained against their will at the UCCP centre in Davao, as is evident by reports of their periodic return to their communities, their current situation is neither acceptable nor sustainable. It is essential to find a rapid and peaceful solution to their situation in full consultation with their legitimate leaders, with their voluntary and secure return to their ancestral lands being a high priority. I urge the Government, in consultation with indigenous peoples themselves, to give greater attention to addressing the causes of displacement whether it be due to the militarization of their areas or due to development projects."
150811-M-GO800-039 SAN FERNANDO CITY, Philippines (Aug. 10, 2015) – Students at Boy-Utan Elementary School dance in appreciation for the work done by the Pacific Partnership 2015 team during a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 10. 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, Calif. 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) SAN FERNANDO CITY, Philippines – Pacific Partnership 2015 in San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines, held three ribbon cutting ceremonies Aug. 10 and 11 to celebrate the completion of three construction projects.
Twelve personnel from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Five (NMCB 5), forward deployed to Okinawa, Japan, began construction and renovation of Eulogio Clarence M. De Guzman Elementary School, Caba National High School and Boy-Utan Elementary School June 18. When the Military Sealift Command joint high speed vessel USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) arrived in the Philippines Aug. 4, Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) One in Coronado, California, ACB-2 in Little Creek, Virginia, and Marines from the 7th Engineer Support Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California, assisted in the construction efforts.
“This project of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Philippines Armed Forces with the Department of Education is considered to be a great labor of love,” said Commander, Naval Task Force 11, Philippines nNavy Capt. Albert Mogol. “What makes the building stronger is the cooperation of American and Filipino people. Thank you to all those who have made this school building a reality. The U.S. and Philippines have a long standing history. This building will stand for a long time, representing a partnership between our two countries.”
At Eulogio Clarence M. De Guzman Elementary School and Caba National High School, the engineering teams constructed a school building, including two classrooms, consisting of roofing, interior lighting, fans, electrical outlets, doors, windows, paint, and a custom black board.
At Caba National High School, the team also constructed a new bathroom and installed toilets, tiles, plumbing and a septic system. At Boy-Utan Elementary School the team built a new roof, ceilings, electrical, interior walls, windows, doors and paint.
“We thank you so much, especially our friends from the Philippines and United States Armed Forces,” said Municipal Mayor Eulogio Claren Martin P. De Guzman III. “The Americans have always been there for us. They have given us freedom and never turned their backs on us. Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts.”
The construction and renovation projects required 113 cubic meters of concrete, 10,225 square feet of corrugated steel roofing, 4,130 blocks, 16 windows, 20 doors, 10 electrical outlets, three faucets, two sinks, two toilets, one urinal, one septic tank, eight interior lights, four power outlets, two light switches, 300 linear feet of electrical wire, 2,275 square feet of roofing insulation, and 7,945 square feet of paint.
“As you can imagine from looking at new school before you, building Eulogio Clarence M. De Guzman Elementary School was no easy feat,” said Commodore, Task Force Forager, Capt. James Meyer. “Philippine and U.S. engineers worked tirelessly to build this school.
“Now this new two-classroom school will support a comfortable learning environment for approximately 120 students,” he added.
According to Meyer, the new school building symbolizes what Pacific Partnership is all about – working together to build relationships, achieving solid results with positive impacts, bringing the two countries together for future cooperation.
The renovations and new buildings will improve education opportunities for 650 children at Caba National High School, 120 students for Eulogio Clarence M. De Guzman Elementary School, and 150 students at Boy-Utan Elementary School.
Despite half the team being delayed due to Typhoon Egay, the teams persevered and accomplished the project on time.
“The team faced numerous challenges, but alongside the 548 Engineering Construction Battalion at Eulogio and Caba, as well as the 1st Naval Waterfront Construction Battalion at Boy-Utan, the teams were able to overcome all obstacles,” said Lt. j.g. Nicolaas van Wyngaardt, San Fernando City officer in charge for NMCB-5.
“It seems like such a short time that so much has been accomplished,” he added. “In only 43 days, the joint teams on each site completed a total of three schools.”
NMCB-5 also successfully completed two suspension bridges with the assistance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 522 Engineer Construction Battalion.
“The bridges serve as the only access for locals and children during typhoon season when flooding [occurs],” said van Wyngaardt.
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.
From the Voice of America (Aug 11): Philippines: Chinese Surveillance Ship Parks Near Contested Shoal
A Philippine legislator says he has information that a Chinese surveillance vessel “dropped anchor” more than a month ago in the vicinity of a hotly contested shoal in the South China Sea that the Philippines claims.
Congressman Francisco Acedillo says his intelligence sources learned that the Chinese coast guard vessel was in waters “very near” a dilapidated, rusty old WWII ship, which is lodged onto Second Thomas Shoal.
Fewer than a dozen Philippine soldiers are garrisoned at the grounded BRP Sierra Madre that since 1999 has served as an improvised outpost on the Philippine-claimed shoal.
“To me that presents a very big problem because assuming there is a situation where our marine contingent of eight soldiers is forced to leave Ayungin, that would easily allow the Chinese to gain a foothold in Ayungin Shoal," the lawmaker said.
Acedillo referred to the shoal by its Philippine name, which the Chinese call Ren’ai Reef.
He said the Chinese vessel dropped anchor more than a month ago and it is not immediately clear whether it is still there.
VOA reached out to several military officials to try to confirm Acedillo’s information but authorities did not respond to the inquiries. China has also said nothing about a ship anchored near the shoal.
FILE - An aerial view of one of the structures built by China at the Philippine-claimed Mischief Reef, Spratly Islands in South China Sea. Acedillo, a former Air Force pilot who has closely tracked the progress of China’s artificial-island building projects in the Spratly Islands, says it is even more worrisome that the shoal is just 40 kilometers away from Mischief Reef.
China effectively took control of Mischief from the Philippines in 1995 and is today building out an airstrip and harbor that can accommodate military craft.
China claims just about all of the South China Sea, citing historical data. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims in the heavily traveled sea abundant with marine life.
Carl Thayer, a Southeast Asia security analyst with the Australian Defense Force Academy of the University of New South Wales, said China anchoring a coast guard vessel in waters near the Philippines outpost likely signifies it is concerned with asserting sovereignty and blocking resupply runs to the ship.
But he said Beijing has to be careful.
“The Sierra Madre is still a commissioned ship of the Philippines Navy and the United States, under the Mutual Defense Treaty, is obligated to consult with the Philippines if the armed forces of the Philippines should suffer an act of force in the Pacific," he noted. "And the commissioned ship with uniformed marines would qualify.”
Thayer says however, that an anchored ship hovering around the shoal still “puts pressure on the Philippines because they never know what to expect next” from China.
From ABS-CBN (Aug 12): 'Hidden' threat against PH in Chinese newspaper ad
[Video report: 'Hidden' threat against PH in Chinese newspaper advertisement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xisxqM9G_ns A historian and military analyst believes that there is a hidden message against the Philippines in the poetry and drawings that were put by China in a newspaper advertisement.]
Naniniwala ang isang historian at military analyst na may nakatagong banta laban sa Pilipinas ang ilang tula at drawing na inilagay ng China sa full page ad nito sa isang pahayagan. Kasama kasi sa pahinang ito ang mga maaanghang na salita ng Chinese foreign minister laban sa Pilipinas at mga ka-alyado nitong bansa. I-Bandila mo Chiara Zambrano. Bandila, August 11, 2015, Martes
From ABS-CBN (Aug 12): Top Japanese military commander visits PH
A day after China published a full-page newspaper ad criticizing the Philippines for its stand on the West Philippine Sea, and likewise lambasting Japan for supporting Manila, the top military commander of Japan arrived in the Philippines in a brief courtesy call.
Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, was given arrival honors at 3 p.m. Wednesday when he arrived at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) general headquarters.
Kawano proceeded to give a courtesy call to AFP chief of staff General Hernando Iriberri.
Kawano is expected to observe activities in Subic Bay under Pacific Partnership 2015.
Pacific Partnership is an American-led annual activity that seeks to improve inter-operability among Asia-Pacific countries in terms of humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).
It is referred to as the largest annual multilateral HADR preparedness mission in the region.
From ABS-CBN (Aug 12): AFP won't apologize to UN special rapporteur
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is standing by its statement that the over 700 lumads currently staying at the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) in Haran, Davao City are "trafficked" and being held against their will.
This assertion comes a day after the spokesperson of the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for Internally Displaced Peoples accused the AFP of "gross misrepresentation" of their statements after Special Rapporteur Cheloka Beyani visited the site.
"That is how we look at the thing. We have our interpretation, they have theirs. Nasabi na ito ng EastMinCom (Eastern Mindanao Command), and it will stay as is," said AFP public affairs chief Col. Noel Detoyato.
Detoyato said the AFP will neither change their statements nor apologize to the UN Special Rapporteur.
When asked what Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc's "special mission" was in the lumad situation, Detoyato said Cabunoc was sent there because he was familiar with the area and could speak the language.
Cabunoc has taken to social media defending the AFP's stance that the lumads were not "evacuees" but veritable hostages by members and supporters of the New People's Army (NPA).
From ABS-CBN (Aug 12): MNLF member killed in Basilan clash
A member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was killed in an encounter with government forces in Basilan Tuesday dawn, the military said.
Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad, chief of staff of Joint Task Force ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-tawi), said soldiers were conducting an operation against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Masola, Isabela City when they were attacked by several armed men.
The troops fought back and held on to their defensive position until the enemies withdrew.
In the morning, they found the body of an MNLF member near the area of the enemies' position.
According to Trinidad, 104th Brigade commander Col. Rolly Bautista coordinated with the chairman of Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez, to inform the MNLF about the incident.
From GMA News (Aug 12): DND: Construction in reclaimed areas could
be tipping point
The Department of National
Defense (DND) has expressed concern over China's
plan to build structures in some reclaimed areas in the South
China Sea.
DND spokesperson Peter Galvez on
Wednesday said that building structures on reclaimed areas could only intensify
tension in the region.
"This is the worst stage of
all, this is the militarization stage, and it must be stopped. Otherwise, it
will be the tipping point that will plunge the entire region including the
peace-loving Chinese communities into a deeper and irreversible crisis,"
Galvez told GMA News Online.
He said that the Philippine government had been warning the international
community about China's
intention.
"It has become all too
evident that the Chinese leadership had no intention of honoring its commitment
to the ASEAN Declaration of Conduct all along. They've said one thing and have
done another," he said.
Zhao also dispelled speculations that China
would soon start reclamation on other parts of the South
China Sea and on the Philippine-claimed Scarborough Shoal that
fell under Chinese control after a standoff with Filipino authorities in 2012.
"When we say we're gonna stop reclamation, we mean it," Zhao said.
He, however, admitted that there
would be "some necessary defense facilities" in the reclamation
sites. He noted that these structures would be minimal.
Some buildings will also be intended for scientific research, Zhao said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its opposition to both China's
reclamation and construction activities in the disputed territories.
"We should not accept the
massive reclamation as fait accompli. Since a year ago we have been calling for
a cessation of all aggressive activities that heighten tensions, including the
construction of facilities," DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in
reaction to Zhao's remarks.
From GMA News (Aug 12): DND: Construction in reclaimed areas could be tipping point
The Department of National Defense (DND) has expressed concern over China's plan to build structures in some reclaimed areas in the South China Sea.
DND spokesperson Peter Galvez on Wednesday said that building structures on reclaimed areas could only intensify tension in the region.
"This is the worst stage of all, this is the militarization stage, and it must be stopped. Otherwise, it will be the tipping point that will plunge the entire region including the peace-loving Chinese communities into a deeper and irreversible crisis," Galvez told GMA News Online.
He said that the Philippine government had been warning the international community about China's intention.
"It has become all too evident that the Chinese leadership had no intention of honoring its commitment to the ASEAN Declaration of Conduct all along. They've said one thing and have done another," he said.
Zhao also dispelled speculations that China would soon start reclamation on other parts of the South China Sea and on the Philippine-claimed Scarborough Shoal that fell under Chinese control after a standoff with Filipino authorities in 2012.
"When we say we're gonna stop reclamation, we mean it," Zhao said.
He, however, admitted that there would be "some necessary defense facilities" in the reclamation sites. He noted that these structures would be minimal.
Some buildings will also be intended for scientific research, Zhao said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its opposition to both China's reclamation and construction activities in the disputed territories.
"We should not accept the massive reclamation as fait accompli. Since a year ago we have been calling for a cessation of all aggressive activities that heighten tensions, including the construction of facilities," DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in reaction to Zhao's remarks. - See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/532715/news/dnd-construction-in-reclaimed-areas-could-be-tipping-point#sthash.1x37vC9L.dpuf
From GMA News (Aug 12): South China Sea dispute could 'escalate' arms race among claimants –Justice Carpio
Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Wednesday an arms race could result from ongoing regional tension over the nine-dash claims of China over the South China Sea.
Carpio said an unfavorable ruling on the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China would mean that the rule of law will not apply in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) to protect the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
"So how do we protect our EEZ or extended continental shelf? We have to pay more taxes to buy war planes, warships, anti-missile ships and so on. That’s the only way. There will be a naval arms race," Carpio said in a press conference after briefing the senators on the WPS.
He said the arms race is already underway.
"The nations around South China Sea are beefing up their navy, their air force and this will escalate if there is no ruling. If the nine-dash line is allowed to stand...That will really be terrible because resources devoted to education, infrastructure, and social services will go to buying weapons," Carpio added.
The associate justice suggested that there should be an institute or group dedicated to studying the country's oceans and maritime resources.
"Right now, I don’t see any institute that’s focused on this. This is not for a short term, this is for long term because we have Benham Rise and that’s rich in resources. How do we exploit? What is the revenue sharing that we want? How do we preserve it? How do we maximize the return? We need to study all of these," he said.
Carpio noted that the South China Sea dispute will be a long term tension as China will not roll over if the Philippines wins the case before the arbitral tribunal at The Hague.
"This is the most important national security facing the country, I believe, in the next 15 years. So we have to continue to study. So we need a dedicated group to do this," he said.
He also said the Philippines can convince the ASEAN neighbors to agree that territorial dispute should be submitted to arbitration by the International Court of Justice.
"So among ourselves, we’ve agreed and then we invite China. If China does not join then it will be seen by the world as refusing to settle the territorial dispute. So I think we can get our ASEAN neighbors to agree to that," he said.
"We are now integrating ASEAN economically. We don’t need border wars with our ASEAN neighbors," he added.
Carpio said if ever there is a ruling declaring the nine-dash line as void under international law, the Philippines can ask the world to support the country.
"We can sponsor a resolution in the (UN) General Assembly, asking China to comply with international law, to comply with the ruling. China should not be a rogue nation, and should follow the rule of law," he said.
Carpio said a victory of the Philippines at the arbitral tribunal will also benefit Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
"So I think there will be a large majority of the countries that will be supporting us in demanding that China comply with the ruling if the ruling will be favorable to us," he said.
In an hour and half of closed-door briefing with senators, Carpio gave the overview and the history of the claims of China, and the latest on what is happening in The Hague and the arbitration case, and his thoughts on what to expect from the decision.
Abducted
barangay chief is latest Abu Sayyaf victim
A VILLAGE chief
held hostage by Islamic militants has been found beheaded on a highway on the island of Jolo, police officials said
Wednesday.
Rodolfo Boligao
was captured in May by the Abu Sayyaf, an Al-Qaeda-linked group that has gained
international notoriety for bombings and kidnapping sprees.
Boligao’s
handcuffed remains were found on Tuesday evening, with his severed
head placed by his side, said Chief Inspector Walter Anayo, police chief of
Maimbung town where the body was recovered.
A piece of paper
with the victim’s name written on it was placed on top of the body, Anayo said.
“It appears he
was beheaded right there on the road,” the island province’s police chief,
Senior Supt. Mario Buyuccan said.
“The body was
intentionally left in the middle of the road so that people could find it,” he
said.
Abu Sayyaf
bandits seized Boligao along with two members of the Coast Guard from the port
city of Dapitan,
some 250 kilometers from Jolo in May and demanded a ransom from their families
for their release.
Boligao was
beheaded after the families failed to meet the Abu Sayyaf ransom demand,
reportedly P1 million.
The fate of the
Coast Guard members is unknown.
Jolo island on
the country’s southwestern tip is a known hideout of the Abu Sayyaf, a loose
band of several hundred armed men that was founded in the 1990s with seed money
from the Al-Qaeda.
The group often
resorts to kidnappings for ransom, targeting foreigners when possible. It has
beheaded several of its captives including American Guillermo Sobero in 2001.
It is currently
holding at least seven hostages, according to the military.
The group has
also been blamed for the worst terror attacks in the country, including the
firebombing of a ferry off Manila bay in 2004
that killed over 100 people.
From Ang Malaya (Aug 11): New US aircraft carrier set to patrol Asia-Pacific
The United States Navy reports that Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) is now in San Diego, a major city in California on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, to conduct a 10-day hull swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as part of a force structure change. USS George Washington arrived in San Diego August 10.
USS Ronald Reagan will relieve USS George Washington as US Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan. George Washington will return to Newport News, Virginia, for a mid-life refueling complex overhaul following a deployment around South America.
“Key personnel, especially those related to unique systems, will remain with their ships. For training of new crews, each ship will go through a tailored syllabus following the crew swap.” Captain Timothy Kuehhas, USS George Washington’s commanding officer.
Following the turnover and personnel swap between RR and GW, RR will conduct a flight deck certification and tailor the ship’s training availability before departing the Southern California operating area to proceed to the US 7th Fleet area of responsibility. The 7th Fleet is headquartered at US Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Yokosuka, Japan.
Five of the seven US Mutual Defense Treaties are with countries in 7th Fleet area of responsibility which are Republic of the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
From Ang Malaya (Aug 12): PHL, UK prepare for 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties: Defense cooperation in focus
Philippines and United Kingdom reaffirm their commitments to bring ties to an even higher plane during the meeting of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond at the sidelines of the Singapore Golden Jubilee celebration August 9, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
“Secretary del Rosario and Secretary Hammond talked about the different facets of relations between the Philippines and the UK, with emphasis on improving defense cooperation and trade partnership,” DFA said.
The two officials also discussed preparations for the celebration of 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries next year.
They also highlighted the importance of the PHL-UK Joint Plan of Action in keeping track of bilateral cooperation activities and in charting future directions of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Secretary del Rosario and Secretary Hammond also exchanged views on regional issues such as the West Philippine Sea dispute and the threat of Islamic extremism.
From Ang Malaya (Aug 12): Enhanced PHL-Australia defense, security relations most important now
Honorable Albert del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, met with Honorable Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 05 August 2015, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. During the meeting, both officials affirmed the long-standing friendly and robust relations between the two countries.
Relationship of Philippines and Australia goes beyond merely political relations to include dynamic cooperation in defense and counterterrorism, trade and investments, people to people exchanges, education, and development, among others.
DFA said Australia is a valuable partner of the Philippines in capacity building for disaster risk reduction and management. Australia is likewise providing assistance in our country’s efforts to enhance institutional capacity in support of the Philippine Government’s peace process.
The recent donation of two Australian landing craft heavy (LCH) vessels to the Philippine Navy was also tackled.
According to Secretary Del Rosario, “enhancing defense and security relations with Australia is very important especially during this period when the region is witnessing dynamism in the political, economic and military fields.”
Just like with United Kingdom, Philippines and Australia will be celebrating 70th anniversary of bilateral relations next year.
From Ang Malaya (Aug 12): Navy’s efforts of developing a robust island defense force reach momentous headway
“The Philippine Navy’s continuing efforts of developing a robust island defense force and becoming an effective instrument of national development reached a momentous headway as it christened two newly-acquired Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels and blessed two armed Agusta Westland (AW) 109 helicopters on a joint ceremony,” the Philippine Navy said in a statement today.
The helicopters are armed with machinegun pods and rocket launchers.
The said ceremony was conducted August 10. Former PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan led the said event.
The new Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad vows to remain focused on “Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy” started by his predecessors. The strategy aims to enhance maritime situational awareness capabilities and operations of the Navy.
“It is worth noting that we have already established the direction of our organization as contained in our Philippine Navy Sail Plan and Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy. This is because of the efforts of my predecessors. I intend to stay focused in this direction and I would like to highlight the advocacies of those who led ahead of me,” Rear Admiral Taccad said.
From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 12): CHR clears Army in slay of couple in Guihulngan
The Commission on Human Rights cleared members of the 11 th
Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army from any involvement in the murder of
a couple in Barangay Tacpao, GuihulnganCity, Negros Oriental, in
May.
The CHR's findings, through its provincial chief Jesus
Cañete, disclosed that documents found at the crime scene showed that Rosalie
and Endric Calago were killed and burned by members of the Leonardo Panaligan
Command (LPC) of the New People's Army.
Cañete appeared before the Provincial Peace and Order
Council meeting yesterday in DumagueteCityto exonerate the 11
th IB of any responsibility, as claimed by the family of the victims, like the
two Calago children.
Part of the findings showed leaflets found at the crime
scene, all written in Ilonggo, which hinted at the couple being “punished” for
acts contrary to the interest of the NPA.
Cañete said giving weight to the assertion of the family
that the Philippine Army is responsible for the crime, in spite of the claim of
the LPC, would be ridiculous.
Another evidence recovered by police investigators was a
leaflet found at Magsaysay Street,
in GuihulnganCity, printed in the Ilonggo dialect,
referring to the deaths of the Calago couple as similar to the attack against
George Sadagnot, a barangay captain, and his wife, for crimes committed against
the NPA.
Sadagnot was killed while the wife survived the attack,
Cañete said.
The leaflet further read in Ilonggo that Sadagnot and Calago
and other officials are actively supporting the Oplan Bayanihan of the
government.
Cañete said the statements are manifestations of
condemnations to politicians, who abused and exploited the farmers of Tacpao
and failed to address their welfare, as well as dislike to the concept of peace
and development brought about by the military. Rosalie Calago was a barangay
health worker, and Endric, a barangay kagawad.
He said the manner by which the crime was committed portrays
a “personalized” hatred, condemnation, and intense indignation which could not
possibly come from a formal governmental organization; an overkill,
cruelly-detailed, barbaric and time-consuming, which ran counter to a quick,
operationally-viable and personnel-secured operation.
He said the perpetrators are not concerned that their
identities will be known and that the leaflets could not have been strewn
around by them while the house of the Colagos was still burning as these could
have been burnt also.
The perpetrators waited until the fire died down and placed
the leaflets around the burnt area. This means the culprits stayed in the area
for not less than 30 minutes, said Cañete in his presentation to the PPOC.
The testimony of Marcela Madroniro, sister of Endric, that
she did not see anyone except having heard voices at the time the crime was
committed, is doubtful.
To recall, more than 60 empty shells, or two full loads of
the banana-type magazines of an M16 Armalite rifle, were recovered by police at
the crime scene. In an area noted for its insurgency problem, any combatant
would be stupid to waste ammunition on a target that only needs two rounds. It
is probable that there were more or less 10 perpetrators instead of just two or
a few more, Cañete added.
A burning house made of cogon could light up the entire
place, so it was impossible for Marcela not to see anyone. She could have seen
them and she knows them but is fearful to tell the truth, he added.
Cañete added there is a hint of a pattern when the documents
found relate to a previous crime describing the same motive, the same
underlying reasons, and almost the same manner of commission, i.e. the murder
of another barangay official of the same locality.
Canete's report will now form part of the one being
submitted to the regional office, to be furnished the central office of the
CHR, of which the United Nations Special Committee may ask copies of, to erase
impressions made by cause-oriented groups that the brutal act was perpetrated
by the Army.
But he said he cannot force cause-oriented groups to refrain
from making statements contrary to the findings, that he said is based on
evidence. He reiterated that unless the Leonardo Panaligan Command issues a
disclaimer that will necessitate another investigation, the findings will stay.
