Bulatlat: A year after Jennifer Laude’s killing, groups want accused US Marine convicted, jailed

Propaganda piece posted to the pro-CPP online propaganda publication Bulatlat (Oct 12): A year after Jennifer Laude’s killing, groups want accused US Marine convicted, jailed

“There will be rainbow protests of rage and indignation, if Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton flies home, scot-free.”

Gabriela led a candle-lighting gatherng in UP Diliman, Quezon City on Oct. 9. (Contributed photo)

 

Various groups commemorated the first year of the brutal slay of Filipina transgender Jennifer Laude on Oct. 11, and called on the Philippine court to convict sole suspect US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.

 

From Oct. 9 to 11, progressive groups held separate mass actions in Metro Manila, from a candle-lighting gathering in Quezon City, a march to the US embassy, culminating in a gay pride protest in Makati City.

Beyond their demand to have Pemberton serve time in Philippine jail, the groups also called for the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), without which, US troops like Pemberton would not even be in the country.

In September, the case was submitted for decision to Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde of branch 74 of the Olongapo City regional trial court. Under the VFA, the court is given one year to resolve the case, or on Dec. 14, after which the criminal charges expire and the accused goes free.

Laude, 26, was found dead slumped on a toilet bowl in Celzone hotel in Olongapo City, Zambales province, a few hours after walking in a room with Pemberton. Pemberton was a participant to the Philippine-US Bilateral Exercises (Phiblex 14), and was on rest and recreation at the time of the crime.

“We expect no less than a guilty verdict for Pemberton,” said Aaron Bonnette, spokesperson of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) group called Bahaghari.

“He is clearly guilty of the crime. He must be convicted, and subsequently jailed in a Philippine facility,” Bonette said.

Pemberton admitted having strangled Laude after finding out that she was a transgender, but claimed he left her alive.

Gabriela Women’s Partylist (GWP) Rep. Emmi de Jesus criticized the statement as a “worn-out, gay panic defense” for hate crimes against gays.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Rachel Fortun testified as an expert witness for the defense, saying Laude died of asphyxia, or loss of oxygen, contradicting the finding of the doctor the police medico legal officer, Chief Inspector Reynaldo Dave, who conducted the autopsy and said the victim died of “asphyxiation by drowning,” because of the fluid found in her lungs.

Pemberton has been under American custody at a US facility detention inside the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, this year’s Phiblex again brought in 650 US troops of the 3rdMarine Expeditionary Brigade and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, who trained with Philippine Marines and Navy Seabees. It was held from Sept. 21 to Oct. 9, in Palawan, Zambales and Cavite.



“Lady Justice” leads the pride march, followed by a 12-foot transgender Higante. (Photo courtesy of K.Yamzon Facebook account)

‘Vaklash’

Bahaghari, the Filipino word for “rainbow,” led hundreds of LGBT carrying rainbow flags in the streets of Carmona village, Makati City, in a pride protest dubbed “Vaklash, the LGBTQ backlash against hate and injustice.”

Vaklash is coined from “vaklush,” a colloquial term for gay, and “backlash,” said Bonette.

Laude’s case has become a rallying cause for the LGBT community, which became more vocal about hate crimes and onerous defense agreements between the country and the US. In October last year, LGBT and women’s groups formed “Justice for Jennifer, Junk VFA.”

 Bonette warned that Pemberton’s acquittal will set off “political and social backlash against the Aquino government.”

“There will be rainbow protests of rage and indignation if Pemberton flies home scot-free,” Bonette said.

“This is about us Filipinos standing up against moves of the United States to protect its interest. It is about us standing up for our sovereignty,” he said.

Inaction on anti-discrimination bill

The groups lamented that the public outcry on the apparent hate crime against a transgender was ignored by lawmakers.

House Bill 1842, which criminalizes social discrimination against the LGBT, is being discussed by a technical working group. The bill was co-authored by GWP representatives and Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares.

Gabriela Women’s Party second nominee Arlene Brosas expressed dismay that instead of putting the bill up as urgent, President Aquino chose “to ignore its existence.”

“No one deserves to be discriminated, hated, or violated against because of her sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or for any other reasons. Let’s make sure that there will not be one more Jennifer to fall victim to hate,” Brosas said.

http://bulatlat.com/main/2015/10/12/a-year-after-jennifer-laudes-killing-groups-want-accused-us-marine-convicted-jailed/

Bidding for upgrade of three vessels to resume

From the Business World (Oct 11): Bidding for upgrade of three vessels to resume

THE ARMED FORCES of the Philippines (AFP) will resume the bidding process for the modernization of three vessels, with the two contracts collectively worth almost P1 billion set to be auctioned this month after a failed bidding earlier this year.

Two contracts worth P630.6 million and P224 million are being offered by the Philippine military to qualified local and foreign defense contractors to upgrade the guns, and targeting and tracker systems of the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) and BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37).

 

The military is splitting the upgrade process for the three vessels in two phases. The P630.6-million Jacinto-Class Patrol Vessel (JCPV) phase 3A contract is for the restoration of two 76-millimeter (mm) guns and three 25-mm gun systems of the three vessels.

The said contract will also replenish the ammunition for these weapons as well as involve the delivery of two brand new electro optical fire control systems for two of the ships -- the detection, firing and tracker system used by the Philippine vessels.

 

The P224-million contract for JCPV phase 3B will be for the restoration of the remaining 76-mm gun and the upgrading of its detection, firing and tracker system.

 

The two contracts are scheduled for bidding on Oct. 27 at Camp Aguinaldo.

In March, the bidding for these projects were put on hold as the Bids and Awards Committee of the AFP declared a failure of bidding due to the non-submission of bids by the nine firms who bought bid documents for the project.

For 2016, the Philippine Navy is targeting to maintain 124 mission-ready fleet marine units and 59 support units, as part of the AFP’s P85.3-billion modernization program until 2017.

 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=bidding-for-upgrade-of-three-vessels-to-resume&id=116760

Ribbon cutting ceremony during PHIBLEX 15 concludes humanitarian assistance projects

From the Website of the United States Marine Corps (Oct 11): Ribbon cutting ceremony during PHIBLEX 15 concludes humanitarian assistance projects

Elementary school hosts Marines at Ribbon cutting Ceremony during PHIBLEX 2015

U.S. Marines and the teachers and staff of Concepcion Elementary School sing together during an intermission at the ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 8, during Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015 in Puerta Princesa, Philippines. PHIBLEX is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines alongside U.S. Marine and Navy Forces. It focuses on strengthening the partnership and relationships between the two nations across a range of military operations, including disaster relief and complex expeditionary operations. The ribbon cutting ceremony signified the end of the Humanitarian Civic Assistance projects at the Concepcion and Binduyan Elementary schools. (U.S. Marine photo by Cpl. Robert Williams Jr./Released)

 

U.S. and Philippine service members completed the Humanitarian Civic Assistance projects at the Concepcion and Binduyan elementary schools Oct. 8 in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, in support of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015.

“PHIBLEX was a success because everything we came out here to do we accomplished before our timeline,” said Gunnery Sgt. Luis Respardo, a platoon sergeant with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

The HCA projects consisted of building walkways, overhangs and multipurpose concrete areas. These were designed to benefit the schools in various ways according to Respardo. The U.S. Marines worked constantly with the Philippine Navy Seabees to complete the projects.

 

“They were working late and were constantly tired,” said Respardo. “The weather affected us severely because it rained a lot while we were working with concrete. Despite the fact they don’t mix we accomplished the mission.”

The school appreciates their effort, according to Rolly Vadelas, the head teacher at Concepcion Elementary School.

“This project is helpful to our school because we can have our education programs here at the school instead of having programs at the Barangay covered gym,” said Vadelas.

Even though the workload was strenuous, that’s not what made the exercise unique for the unit, according to Capt. Kyle McCarley, company commander of 9th ESB.

“The school is in session. You can see that many of the students have built relationships with the Marines and the seabees that worked on the project,” said McCarley, from Thousand Oaks, California. “Having the children in the schools watching the Marines and Seabees work has strengthened the project. It will definitely leave a lasting impact on the children.”

As PHIBLEX 15 comes to an end, the Marines reflect on their experiences and hope for more like them in the future, according to McCarley.

“I would jump on the opportunity to come back to a follow on PHIBLEX,” said McCarley. “This has been a phenomenal experience to watch my Marines develop their Marine Corps profession, to work hand-in-hand with the Philippine seabees and to watch them build something from the ground up. It’s also a humbling experience to see them build something that will benefit these schools for years to come.”

 

http://www.marines.mil/News/NewsDisplay/tabid/3258/Article/622723/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-during-phiblex-15-concludes-humanitarian-assistance-pro.aspx

Free 2 Dumagat mothers, priest appeals to Aquino

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 11): Free 2 Dumagat mothers, priest appeals to Aquino

LUCENA CITY—Catholic priest Fr. Pete Montallana, a known protector of indigenous people in the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, appealed to President Aquino for the immediate release of two Dumagat women who have been in detention since last year.

In an open letter to President Aquino, also the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Montallana noted that “while news is centered on the killing of the ‘lumad’ in Mindanao, I would like to write again about the hapless Dumagat mothers, Marites Marquez, 43, and Rosario Loreto, 37, who are suffering in jail for one year now.”

Marquez and Loreto were tagged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels involved in the abduction of retired Army soldier Lino Hernandez on Sept. 26, 2014, in the village of Tinucan, Tanay town in Rizal province.
 Policemen and soldiers arrested the two women hours after the abduction of Hernandez on the basis of the supposed testimony given by two witnesses.

Hernandez remains missing until now, while the NPA command operating in the area has been mum on the case.

On Jan. 7, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered the case of the two Dumagat reinvestigated after the Department of Justice found the arrest illegal because of procedural lapses, including the absence of a warrant.

“The military should admit its mistake and simply withdraw the case. To reason out that the case is now in the court is hypocrisy and not ‘tuwid na daan’ (straight path),” Montallana said in his appeal to President Aquino dated Oct. 7.

He added: “Nobody is perfect but we have to restore justice immediately to those wronged. Failure to admit to our mistakes brings us trouble and un-peace.”

Montallana is the coordinator of the Indigenous People’s Apostolate of the Diocese of Infanta who is working closely with the mountain natives in Sierra Madre.

“The Dumagat in the Sierra Madre belong to a common ancestry and to perpetuate injustice (on) them is to push them further into the arms of insurgency,” the priest said.

The Dumagat/Agta tribe makes its home in the Sierra Madre mountain range but is caught in the middle of the armed conflict between government soldiers and communist guerrillas.

The priest, along with relatives of the two women and indigenous peoples’ groups, have been working for the release of the two women from the police jail in Tanay, Rizal province.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/729975/free-2-dumagat-mothers-priest-appeals-to-aquino

AFP: 4 Visayas provinces insurgency-free

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 12): AFP: 4 Visayas provinces insurgency-free

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has declared the provinces of Guimaras and Aklan in Western Visayas, Cebu and Siquijor in Central Visayas, which are all under the jurisdiction of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, as insurgency-free.

But with barely nine months to go before President Benigno Aquino III steps down in June next year, the 3ID is now running against time to declare the provinces of Negros Occidental and Oriental, Iloilo, Capiz and Antique as insurgency-free.

Maj. Enrique Rafael, deputy chief of the 3ID Governance and Strategy Management Office, who briefed media participants Saturday on the Division Commander's Scorecard, said their mission is to sustain the gains of provinces declared as peaceful and ready for further development and to clear all New People's Army-affected areas in Negros and Cebu not later than June next year.

The military estimates that the strength of the NPA in Negros has reduced to about 147 as of this time, compared to more than 200 in previous years, with the same numbers also in Panay.

Although they fell short of their target to reduce the NPA strength and firepower in the third quarter of 2015, the 3ID maintained that they remain on track in their objective to declare Negros and Panay insurgency-free by next year.

The 3ID Performance Scorecard also indicated that it reduced the NPA firepower by 19 percent in 2013, which is equivalent to 61 firearms, and further lessened the number of rebel remnants by 10 percent, with 35 of them having surrendered to the government.

It also targets to declare three more provinces in Negros and Panay as insurgency-free by the end of 2015.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3ID spokesman, said that while the Philippine Army focuses more on the armed threats, the solution to the problem of insurgency is more political and economic, with social dimensions – that have to be addressed by all, not just one sector of society.

By the middle of 2016, the 3ID aims to normalize the security environment of Negros and Panay, where local government units are taking the lead in advancing sustainable development.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/October/12/topstory8.htm

Army won't let guests go to tribal school blessing as head teacher refutes military 'sniping' claim

From InterAksyon (Oct 12): Army won't let guests go to tribal school blessing as head teacher refutes military 'sniping' claim



Children of a tribal school perform a dance.

A tribal school in the hinterlands of Baganga town, Davao Oriental held its blessing and inauguration rites Monday without guests who the military barred from attending because of supposed communist rebel activity.

This is the second time in less than two weeks that teachers and guests on their way to attend activities at tribal schools have been barred.

But the head teacher of the MISFI Academy in Sitio Kasunugan, Barangay Mahanog, disputed the military’s claims, saying the consensus of leaders and members of the Mandaya community the school was that the scattered gunfire they heard on Sunday was a “drama” to justify preventing officials of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. and other visitors from attending the rites.

Milagros Maglunsod-Tan, MISFI administrator, who was with 30 guests stopped Sunday afternoon at a checkpoint by troops of the 67th Infantry Battalion commanded by Lieutenant Miguel Porras in Barangay Mahan-ub, said they negotiated Monday morning at the Baganga municipal hall with an officer of the battalion who refused to identify himself but whose surname she learned was Soquila.

However, she said Soquila refused to honor a letter from the administrator of the Baganga local government asking that they be allowed to proceed to Kasunugan because “they were not allowing anyone in or out of the area for a week until they could clear it of rebels.”

On Sunday, Porras claimed their troops had come under sniper fire from New People’s Army guerrillas to justify why he could not allow Maglunsod-Tan and her companions to go to Kasunugan.

Roger Aumada, head teacher of the Kasunugan school, who InterAksyon.com spoke to by phone, acknowledged that “we heard scattered shots yesterday. First one shot then, after several minutes, three shots, and then, after several more minutes, a few more shots.”

However, he said, “there was no return fire as would be expected if there were two armed groups shooting at each other. This led the community to conclude that it was all a drama to justify preventing our guests from attending.”

As he spoke, songs could be heard in the background, indicating the start of the program, which he said was attended by officials of the barangay and of the local lumad organization, the Mandaya Mahanog Tribal Association.

Aumada described Monday’s event as especially significant for the Kasunugan Mandaya because it marked the successful rebuilding and reopening of the school, which originally opened in 2010 but was destroyed by a storm the following year.

The school teaches more than 70 children ranging from pre-school to Grade 3 and is one of a network of learning institutions run by MISFI in lumad communities throughout Mindanao.

The past years have seen many documented incidents of mass evacuations because of the occupation by soldiers and military-backed militias of lumad communities and schools, often marked by atrocities.

However, the lumad and the groups who support them say the military accusations and the subsequent atrocities stem from their opposition to the entry of large-scale mining, logging and commercial agriculture into their ancestral lands.

This year, tribal schools and their staff and students have continued to be harassed and attacked, with, in one instance, deadly consequences.

On September 28, more than a hundred staff, students and guests on their way to the 11th foundation anniversary of the Salugpungan Ta Ta'nu Igkanugon Learning Center Inc., which also operates a network of tribal schools, were stopped by members of the Alamara militia at a military detachment in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

Although they eventually found an alternate route to the celebration, a number of the attendees were harassed by the military and police on their way back from the festivities.

 The military has openly accused schools run by MISFI and Salugpungan and the communities they serve of supporting communist rebels.

In Surigao del Sur, more than 4,000 persons have so far left their homes since August, the bulk of them after the September 1 murders of Emerito Samarca, executive director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, and Manobo leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Bello Sinzo in Lianga town by the Magahat militia.

In the town of Kitaotao, Bukidnon, the barangay captain of White Culaman had also threatened to force the closure of the MISFI-run Fr. Fausto Tentorio Memorial School, a free boarding school for Grade 7 and 8 lumad students, but the Department of Education opposed the move.

The school was named after the Italian missionary murdered in Arakan, North Cotabato by militiamen in 2011.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118801/army-wont-let-guests-go-to-tribal-school-blessing-as-head-teacher-refutes-military-sniping-claim

World Bank officials visit Kalahi-CIDSS projects in Sarangani

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 15): World Bank officials visit Kalahi-CIDSS projects in Sarangani

High ranking  World  Bank officials recently visited Kalahi-CIDSS projects implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in towns of Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani Province.

Gemma Rivera, assistant regional director of DSWD-12 said the activity was part of the 4th implementation support mission in the country of the said international financial institution to look into the implementation of the projects utilizing the community-driven development (CDD) as a strategy for poverty-reduction, empowerment and improvement of governance.

“It was an honor for us to be chosen as part of the support mission of World Bank as a great opportunity to showcase what we are doing and at the same time, gain insights on things we need to improve in terms of implementing Kalahi-CIDSS projects,” Rivera said.

The World Bank officials, headed by Washington-based Senior Social Development Specialist Patricia Fernandes went to remote villages of Kalaneg and Maguling in Maitum and Nalus and Gasi in Kiamba.

“The idea of this visit is to understand how the program as it being designed is implemented in the ground and to exchange of ideas with the people in the frontline of the program,” Fernandes explained.

Fernandes, together with other WB officials including Michael Anthony Roscitt, Luis Alberto Velez Pretelt, consultants for open contracting program; Ma. Loreto Padua, senior social development specialist;  and Rene Manuel, senior procurement specialist; conducted focus group discussions with the community volunteers, barangay and municipal officials who have first-hand experiences in terms planning, implementing and sustaining their community projects including construction of school building and hanging cable footbridge.

Aside from WB officials, representatives from various national agencies also joined the activity including National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and other organizations.

World Bank is the largest funding agency in the scaling up of the community-driven development (CDD) in its expansion into a national scale of operations through Kalahi-CIDSS, covering 847 poor municipalities, including those typhoon Yolanda-affected areas.

World Bank has committed to finance the Php19. 4 billion in the implementation of the Program from 2014-2019, target to cover some 5.3 million households in the country.

In Region-12, DSWD is implementing 162 various community projects amounting to Php302.44 million in 17 towns, covering provinces of Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.

Kalahi-CIDSS, otherwise known as Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-A Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, is one of the three core programs of DSWD, aiming to empower poor and disaster-affected communities to improve access to services and to participate in a more inclusive local planning, budgeting, implementation in programs and projects and in the overall affairs of the government.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1611444614385/bank-officials-visit-kalahi-cidss-projects-in-sarangani

Suspect in Dipolog kidnapping was nabbed in 2013 for kidnapping

From MindaNews (Oct 11): Suspect in Dipolog kidnapping was nabbed in 2013 for kidnapping

The Bishop of Dipolog is asking for prayers for the safe return of kidnap victim Rolando Del Torchio, an Italian restaurant owner in Dipolog City who used to be a missionary.

This as authorities named a notorious leader of a kidnap for ransom group who was reported arrested in August 2013, as the leader of the group behind the del Torcho kidnapping of October 7, 2015.

The news site of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reported that Dipolog Bishop Severo Caermare has been coordinating with local government, police, and the military, for the return of del Torchio, who was abducted from his restaurant, UrChoice Bistro Café, in Dipolog City Wednesday night.

“More importantly, I humbly ask everyone to please pray and collaborate for his safety and immediate release,” CBCP News quoted Caermare as saying.

Del Torchio was ordained priest in 1984, under the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), worked in Naples for a couple of years and was sent to the Philippines in 1990, where he served as parochial vicar of the Holy Cross Parish in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

While serving as missionary, he founded the Farmers Training Cooperative Center, a non-governmental organization that helped local farmers.

The CBCP News said del Torchio was dispensed from the priesthood in 1996
“for personal reasons.”

It quoted Chief Insp. Ryan Hernandez of the Zamboanga Del Norte Provincial Police Office as saying at least two suspects had been identified by witnesses from the police rogue gallery and that both suspects have pending cases of kidnapping, murder, extortion, and illegal possession of firearms.

The suspects were not named in the CBCP News report but Supt. Rockie Cabrera Laungayan, head of the Incident Management Task Group of the Zamboanga del Norte police, in a report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on October 9, identified the two as Julmin Muloc and Sihra Muloc aka “Red Eye.”

An August 9, 2013 report of Mindanao Pagadian Frontline named a “Sehar Muloc” aka “Red Eye” as suspect in the 2012 kidnapping of Mayor Jeffrey Lim of Salug, Zamboaga Sibugay
.
Lim was abducted by some 10 armed men disguised as policemen while having dinner with his family near a bus terminal in his town on April 2, 2012 and was freed near Zamboanga City seven months later, on November 6.

Muloc aka “Red Eye,” who was described in the report as a “notorious leader of Kidnap for Ransom Group (KFR)” operating in Zamboanga del Norte ad Zamboanga Sibugay, was nabbed at the Pasalubong Center in poblacion Ipil, by a composite team of operatives from the Naval Intelligence and Security Group, 102^nd Infantry Brigade and Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office on August 7, 2013.

“Muloc was also implicated in the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention of Reynaldo Drapeza of Bulawan, Joel Indino Jr of Guiwan sall of Payao town; Randelle Talania of Brgy Namnama, Titay all of Zamboanga Sibugay,” the report said.

The report added that the suspect was brought to the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office “for interrogation, for possible apprehension of his cohorts.”

It said Col. (now Brig. Gen) Ignacio Obligacion, then commander of the 102^nd Infantry Brigade commander, commended hs troops for the arrest of Muloc.

“The apprehension of Muloc will open the door for their victims to achieve justice. Soon, his cohorts will also be apprehended and we will end their criminal acts. We will also acknowledge our people for giving timely information that is vital in the success of the operation,” Obligacion said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in its “Status of Implementation of Major Programs/Projects,” cited as among its accomplishments under the “Campaign against Kidnapping,” the arrest of Muloc aka Commander ‘Red Eye,’ described as “a notorious leader of lawless elements (LLES) and Kidnap for Ransom Group (KFRG) operating in Zamboanga Sibugay and nearby provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula on August 7, 2013.”

Two years after his supposed arrest, Muloc aka “Red Eye” is again reported as suspect in yet another kidnapping.

Del Torchio’s abduction 17 days after a Norwegian national, two Canadians, and a Filipina were taken at gunpoint from a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, head of the Regional Peace and Order Council told reporters that reports reachin him indicate the vicims have been brought to Sulu.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/10/11/suspect-in-dipolog-kidnapping-was-nabbed-in-2013-for-kidnapping/

Hishammuddin to visit two key security posts in Sabah

From the News Straits Times (Oct 12): Hishammuddin to visit two key security posts in Sabah 

SEMPORNA: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is leading a high powered entourage visiting two key security posts off here.

Together with senior officers from the ministry and the armed forces, Hishammuddin will be visiting Pulau Pandanan and the Tun Sharifah Rodziah sea basing forward bases.

Accompanying him are Joint Task Force Commander Lt General Datuk Baharom Hamzah, Eastern Command Commander Lt General Datuk Mohd Zaki Mokhtar and Eastern Joint Task Force 2 Commander First Admiral Syed Zahrul Putra Syed Abdullah among others.

The entourage will be inspecting the security posts which comes under the Ops Pasir (Pandanan and Sipadan Island Resorts) and operative launched in 2000 after the infamous kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf terrorists from southern Philippines.

The two forward bases supports the Ops Pasir operations, logistics and administration apart from being part of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) defence component.

Esscom was launched in 2013 following the Lahad Datu intrusion by followers of the self-proclaimed Sulu Sultanate also from southern Philippines.

Hishammuddin will also be given updates on initiatives taken to beef up security in the east coast of Sabah from cross border crimes and deployment of assets such as assault boats, coastal radar, infrastructural and facilities upgrade.

The sea basing serve as integrated forward bases that are strategically placed under the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) and supports operatives such as Ops Pasir and Ops Sanggah which was launched by Esscom to stave off cross border criminals.

Both bases are placed near the international border and locations identified as routes frequently used by criminals.

The Tun Sharifah Rodziah base is a decommissioned oil rig turned into security asset in July along with the Tun Azizan forward base, a ship with a similar defence role in May this year.



The Tun Azlan sea basing base. Photo courtesy of the Defense Ministry



 The Tun Sharifa Rodziah sea basing base. Photo courtesy of the Defense Ministryy

http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/hishammuddin-visit-two-key-security-posts-sabah

Authorities alerted on kidnappings in Mindanao

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 11): Authorities alerted on kidnappings in Mindanao

A senior administration congressman yesterday asked the country’s law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for what he said was a “new wave of kidnappings” in Mindanao.

 

In a press statement, Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian (National People’s Coalition (NPC), Valenzuela City said the recent abduction of foreigners there calls for added security vigilance.

 

Gatchalian particularly expressed alarm over the kidnapping Wednesday of Rolando del Torchio, a former priest, who was snatched from his pizza restaurant in Dipolog City.

 

Torchio’s abduction followed the September 21 kidnapping of two Canadian nationals, one Norwegian and a Filipino from a beach resort in the usually security conscious SIsland Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.

 

“There is now a trend in Mindanao where foreigners are being targeted for kidnapping. I hope these kidnap cases have nothing to do with the 2016 elections or with the forthcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Summit next month,” said Gatchalian, who is Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development.

 

He asked, “Whatever happened to the intensified police and military operations launched by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following the Samal kidnapping incident?”

 

The former Valenzuela City mayor urged Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, Gatchalian’s former colleague in the Lower House, to intensify security operations in Southern Philippines, particularly in areas frequented by foreign visitors.

 

Earlier, he asked Sarmiento to order the PNP to intensify security operations in Mindanao following the kidnapping last September of Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian and operations manager of the resort; Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and his Filipina girlfriend identified only as Tess.

 

“The kidnappings of two Canadians, one Norwegian and the latest of which involves an Italian businessman will have an adverse effect not only on the country’s tourism but more so on the economy as potential foreign investors might decide not to push through with their business plans here due to security concerns,” explained Gatchalian.

 

The Canadian government has already advised Canadian nationals against traveling to the Davao region and nearby areas, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao due to what it said was a “serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.”

 

Kidnapping of foreign nationals is not new in Mindanao and many of the past incidents were carried out by the terrorist bandit Abu Sayyaf Group.

 

In 2001, Abu Sayyaf members seized local and foreign tourists at the posh Dos Palmas resort in Palawan, including American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham.

 

The Dos Palmas hostage-taking drama ended June, 2002 when government security forces stormed the bandits’ lair in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte. At that time, three remained as hostages — the Burnham couple and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap.

 

Martin Burnham and Ediborah were caught in the crossfire. Gracia survived, but sustained a gunshot wound in her leg.

http://www.mb.com.ph/authorities-alerted-on-kidnappings-in-mindanao/

Negotiations on for Samal hostages' release - intelligence source

From InterAksyon (Oct 12): Negotiations on for Samal hostages' release - intelligence source



Negotiations for the release of three foreigners and a Filipina kidnapped from a resort on Samal Island last month are reportedly underway after their captors established contact with a foreign embassy, an intelligence source said.

“We received a call from our contact within the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu that their leaders are now negotiating for the four hostages taken by the group from Samal Island last month,” the source, an officer based in Camp Crame who has consistently provided reliable information on condition he is not identified, said.

The Abu Sayyaf, he added, contacted the embassy and “they are now negotiating for the hostages’ safe release.”

He did not, however, provide more details.

Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, and Hall's Filipino partner Marites Flor, were seized from Samal on September 21.

Earlier, the source said the victims were immediately taken to Sulu by their abductors, supposedly a band led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Muammar Askali, the same group said to be behind the abduction of Germans Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrite Dielen, who were seized off Palawan in April last year and freed in October, reportedly after a huge ransom payment.

The Samal hostages, said the source, are supposedly guarded by some 200 gunmen under several Abu Sayyaf commanders somewhere in Patikul, Sulu, although authorities have so far refused to confirm this.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118796/negotiations-on-for-samal-hostages-release---intelligence-source

ASG man captured in Zambo

From Tempo (Oct 12): ASG man captured in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government authorities in this city arrested Friday a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who is facing six counts of criminal cases ranging from kidnapping to serious illegal detention with ransom.

Police Regional Office for Zamboanga Peninsula spokesman Inspector Dahlan T. Samuddin identified the apprehended ASG member as Raji.

Raji was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom at about 10 a.m. last Wednesday at on RT Lim Boulevard in the village of San Jose, this city.

The warrant for his arrest was issued by Judge Toribio E. Ilao, Jr. of Regional Trial Court Branch 266 in Pasig City.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/10/12/asg-man-captured-in-zambo-3/

China opens lighthouses on 2 PH reefs in Spratlys

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 11): China opens lighthouses on 2 PH reefs in Spratlys

[Video report: China opens lighthouses on 2 PH reefs in Spratlys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHZEN-nkApM]
China has started operating lighthouses on two reefs in the disputed West Philippine Sea, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday, as tensions in the region mount over Beijing’s maritime ambitions.

Xinhua reported late on Friday that the Ministry of Transport held a completion ceremony for the 50-meter-high lighthouses on Cuarteron Reef and Johnson South Reef in the Spratly islands.

The two reefs are on the Philippine side of the Spratlys, in the West Philippine Sea, and are claimed by Manila.

Filipinos call the two reefs Calderon Reef and Mabini Reef.

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday that it was verifying the report.

“No comment for now while we validate the information,” said Assistant Foreign Secretary Charles Jose, spokesperson for the DFA.

The West Philippine Sea is part of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Mostly barren islands, reefs and atolls that are believed to be sitting atop vast oil and natural gas deposits, the Spratlys straddle one of the world’s busiest sea-lanes through which $5 trillion in shipborne trade passes every year.

The Philippines protests the Chinese incursion into its territory and, together with the United States, opposes China’s construction of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Military purposes

Both the Philippines and the United States have expressed concern that China’s land reclamation projects around the reefs in the Spratlys could be used to base military planes and naval ships to intimidate other claimants and threaten freedom of navigation, and have called for a freeze on Beijing’s activities in the sea.

Manila has taken the dispute to the United Nations for arbitration, but Beijing has refused to take part in the proceedings and said it would not recognize any decision by the arbitral court.

China claims most of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Sea, including waters within the territories of its smaller neighbors in the region.

Besides the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.

US challenge

The United States also rejects China’s extensive claim in the sea, and a US official has said the United States is considering sending warships to waters within the 22-km zones that China claims as territory around artificial islands it has built in the Spratlys.

China said on Friday that it would not stand for violations of its territorial waters in the name of freedom of navigation.

Washington has signaled it does not recognize Beijing’s sovereignty over the several islands China has built on reefs in the Spratly archipelago and says the US Navy will continue to operate wherever international law allows.

The issue is central to increasingly tense relations between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies.

Beijing has said construction in the region is to help maritime search and rescue, disaster relief, environmental protection and navigational security.

It has also said it will continue to build other installations to better serve countries in the region and vessels navigating those waters.

The Philippines has repeatedly condemned China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea, saying Beijing is violating a declaration of conduct it signed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2002, under which parties in the maritime disputes agreed to maintain the status quo in the South China Sea.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/129472/china-opens-lighthouses-on-2-ph-reefs-in-spratlys

10th ID troops pursuing NPA band who staged series of IED attacks in Compostela Valley

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): 10th ID troops pursuing NPA band who staged series of IED attacks in Compostela Valley

Units of the 10th Infantry Division are now pursuing the New People's Army (NPA) band who conducted a series of improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Compostela town, Compostela Valley last October 8 and 9.

Capt. Rhyan B. Batchar, 10th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said the attacks were aimed at stopping the National Serbisyo Caravan held at Sitio Mambusao, Barangay Ngan, of the above-mentioned locality.

The series of IED attacks wounded one soldier.

Batchar said the October 8's IED attack took place 11 p.m. along the highway at Purok 6, Barangay Colapogon.

It targeted the truck of the Service Support Battalion which delivered the fuel of vehicles and helicopters used during the National Serbisyo Caravan.

A soldier was slightly wounded by splinters of the IED which exploded after the Army truck had already passed.

Two unexploded IEDs were also recovered by militiamen along the highway in Barangay Osmeña in the early morning of October 9.

These IEDs were placed without regard to the safety and well-being of the people, both from the different government agencies and the local residents who were beneficiaries of the caravan who passed through the said road.

The National Serbisyo Caravan was an initiative of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region 11 supported by the national government through the "Whole of Nation Initiative" Task Force under the Office of the President.

The caravan aims to converge the delivery of services of the different government agencies in remote and impoverished communities.

The people of Compostela were unshaken by the incident as some 8,000 people benefited from the National Serbisyo Caravan.

The participating agencies provided services such as medical and dental consultations and treatment, tilapia fingerlings dispersal, various livelihood projects, rural workers orientation, legal services, agrarian legal service, issuance of police clearance, distribution of seedlings, free haircut, distribution of school supplies and many more.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=813989

DND to acquire Php24.9-M worth of 7.62mm tracer bullets

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): DND to acquire Php24.9-M worth of 7.62mm tracer bullets

The Department of National Defense-Government Arsenal is allocating the sum of Php24,900,000 worth of 7.6mm tracer bullets.

Winning bidders must be able to deliver the items within 180 calendar days.

Pre-bid conference is scheduled on Oct. 16, 11 a.m at the Government Arsenal Metro Manila Liaison Office, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

7.6mm tracer rounds racer rounds are built with a small pyrotechnic charge in their base.

Ignited by the burning powder, the pyrotechnic composition burns very brightly, making the projectile trajectory visible to the naked eye during daylight, and very bright during nighttime firing.

This enables the shooter to make aiming corrections without observing the impact of the rounds fired and without using the sights of the weapon.

When used, tracers are usually loaded as every fifth round in machine gun belts, referred to as four-to-one tracer.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=814003

Cop turned ASG errand falls in Zambo City

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Cop turned ASG errand falls in Zambo City

Police and military operatives have arrested a former policeman turned Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) errand and with a PHP200 reward for his capture, the police reported Monday.

Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the suspect as former PO1 Jainuddin Hakimin, who has ties with the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Samuddin said Hakimin was arrested around 8 p.m. Saturday in the vicinity of a finger wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, 3.50 kilometers west of City Hall.

Samuddin said Hakimin has a standing warrant of arrest for murder issued by a court in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.

He said Hakimin, who has PHP200 cash reward for his capture, is listed as the number 7 most wanted person here in the region.

He said Hakimin is affiliated with Basilan-based ASG leader Furudji Indama.

“He (Hakimin) is the errand of the group,” Samuddin added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=814013

MILF hand seen

From The Standard (Oct 10): MILF hand seen

Rebel commander identified as one of Italian’s abductors

A COMMANDER of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was identified  Friday  as among the 10 suspects who snatched Italian Rolando del Torchio in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte  on Wednesday.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity identified Saher Muloc, leader of the Muloc group, and commander of the “provincial police force” of the 113th Base Command of the MILF, as among those who kidnapped Torchio at his Ur Choice Bistro Café at 6:30 p.m.  Wednesday.

Muloc, he source said, goes under the alias of “Commander Red Eye.”

Snatched. This undated photo received on Oct. 8 shows Italian restaurant owner and former priest Rolando del Torchio in Dipolog. He was seized on Oct. 7 by gunmen who are believed members of a kidnap-for-ransom group. AFP

Torchio was kidnapped by 10 armed men, four of them posing as customers at his pizza parlor in Dipolog City.

The source said Muloc remained an active MILF commander of the 113th Base Command though reports indicated he was expelled due to his supposed involvement in illegal activities.

Before Muloc was tagged, Waning Abdusalam, another MILF commander who was involved in a series of kidnappings in Mindanao, was said to have been behind Torchio’s abduction.

An official police report said Saher Muloc along with his son Julmine were positively identified in the CCTV as among the 10 male abductors of Torchio.

Julmine Muloc was reportedly involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs in Mindanao.

The CCTV footage showed the armed men were in long pants, jackets, t-shirts and bull caps, and carried back packs and short firearms of different calibers.

Investigators also revealed the owner of the Silver Metallic Mitsubishi versa van used in the abduction was Amante Bagain Sagario, a resident of L6 BB Katipunan Village, Taguig City.

The vehicle was left abandoned by the kidnappers along Dipolog Boulevard, hours after the abduction.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero said it was possible that Torchio has been passed to the Abu Sayyaf and taken to Sulu.

Before Torchio was taken, two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina were abducted on Sept. 21.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the spate of kidnapping incidents involving foreigners would not affect the upcoming meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Coference (APEC), which will draw top officials from 21 countries in November.

“As far as APEC is concerned... we can rightfully say that we are prepared for any eventuality and we have done all the things that should be done to prevent such activity to happen during the APEC,” Gazmin said.

He added that the authorities were doing all they could to track the kidnappers and their victims down.

“The special instruction is to focus their military operation in securing, saving and ensuring the safety of the kidnap victims,” Gazmin said.

Guerrero said they will continue to launch “focused operations” based on information they received as to where the kidnap victims were reportedly located.

He could not confirm where they were, however, saying no proof of life had yet been received.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/10/10/milf-hand-seen/

Zambo gang, not Abu Sayyaf, snatched Italian priest — PNP

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 11): Zambo gang, not Abu Sayyaf, snatched Italian priest — PNP

Police said yesterday they have identified a local criminal gang as behind the abduction of an Italian restaurant owner and retired priest in Mindanao.

Senior Superintendent Cleve Taboso said the gang snatched Rolando del Torchio, 56, in the sleepy city of Dipolog on Wednesday, in a swift raid that shocked dinnertime crowd at his pizzeria.

Taboso, who is spokesman for the team trying to recover Del Torchio, said they identified the gang’s boss, known as “Commander Red Eye,” and four of his relatives based on closed-circuit TV footage of the abduction.

The policeman said he did not believe the gang had taken him to the extremist stronghold of Jolo island where any rescue would be more difficult.

The footage shows armed men shoving their captive as well as several restaurant patrons out of the pizzeria’s door as they flee the scene.

He said Red Eye had been arrested for another abduction in 2014 but managed to post bail.

The group is still believed to be in the southern peninsula of Zamboanga despite earlier fears they had fled to Jolo island, the stronghold of the Muslim extremists Abu Sayyaf, who are blamed for the worst terror attacks in the Philippines, Taboso added.

Many smaller kidnapping groups have often taken their hostages to the thickly-forested island of Jolo, located about 400 kilometres (240 miles) from Dipolog, to hand them over to the Abu Sayyaf who ransom them off for huge sums.

The local government of Dipolog City offers P100,000 reward money for any information that may lead to the whereabouts of del Torchio.

Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, said the local government has designated cellphone number 09053321952, where the information could be relayed.

Mayor also said the investigation and pursuit operation continued, particularly on two suspects identified from the video in CCTV.

He said the two suspects were subjected to pursuit operation on Thursday but were able to leave before security forces arrived.

Meanwhile, Dipolog Bishop Severo Caermare urged the faithful to pray for the safety and immediate release of del Torchio.

“I humbly ask everyone to please pray and collaborate for his safety and immediate release,” he said.
With this, the Catholic prelate lauded the efforts of authorities on the incident.

“I’m the Bishop of Dipolog, appreciate the efforts done by the local government, police and military,” he said.

Del Torchio, 56, was abducted at his pizza restaurant, “Ur Choice Café” inside the Andres Bonifacio College Compound in Dipolog City on Oct. 7.

According to witnesses, four of the kidnappers posed as customers and, as seen on CCTV, another six came in and later forced del Torchio to go with them.

They dragged him to a van and sped towards the coastal barangay of Miputak, in Manukan town, where they switched to two pump boats and disappeared.

The gateway vehicle was later found near the shoreline.

Del Torchio was ordained a missionary of Vatican’s Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). He was born on Nov. 16, 1958 in the town of Angera, northern Italy, and ordained priest in 1984.

A PIME priest said that the abduction should not be linked to the conflict in Mindanao between Islamic separatist groups in Mindanao and the government.

“We cannot say that it was made to boycott or to undermine the agreements reached. Also because in Dipolog there are no conflicts between Christians and Muslims. It is more likely that the reason is not political, but economic, for a ransom,” said Fr. Giovanni Re, PIME regional superior in the Philippines in a statement. 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/zambo-gang-not-abu-sayyaf-snatched-italian-priest-pnp

PLA Navy vessel set to arrive at Pearl Harbor

From Ang Malaya (Oct 11): PLA Navy vessel set to arrive at Pearl Harbor

A China People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessel Zheng He (Type 679, Hull 81) is set to arrive at United States Navy’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on October 12 for a routine port visit. The Chinese vessel will be at the said US joint military base until October 16 while its sailors interact with American counterparts.

“Foreign Navy ships come to Pearl Harbor-Hickam regularly for scheduled port visits. Ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have visited the base twice in recent months,” US Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Public Affairs said.

The said Chinese vessel will be hosted by US vessel USS Chosin (CG 65). Chinese and U.S. naval officers will conduct dialogues to build confidence and mutual understanding.

Senior Captain Yan Zhengming, Superintendent of the Dalian Naval Academy; Senior Captain Xu Ping, Deputy Political Commissar of Dalian Naval Academy; and Senior Captain You Dade, Chief of Training Division of Dalian Naval Academy will be met by Captain Eric Weilenman, Chief of Staff, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.

“The U.S. Navy is committed to continued engagement to improve mutual understanding, build trust, enhance transparency, and reduce the risk of misperceptions and miscalculations,” US Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Public Affairs added. “Military-to-military engagement is an important tool to build trust, encourage multilateral cooperation, enhance transparency, and mitigate risk.”

http://www.angmalaya.net/world/2015/10/11/14097-pla-navy-vessel-set-to-arrive-at-pearl-harbor

USPACOM Commander reveals greatest threat in Pacific

From Ang Malaya (Oct 11): USPACOM Commander reveals greatest threat in Pacific

The Commander of United States Pacific Command (PACOM) Navy Admiral Harry Harris Jr. revealed the greatest threat he is facing daily in the Pacific region before Military Reporters and Editors Association in Washington October 10.

 “The greatest threat that I face on a day-to-day basis is the threat from North Korea, because you have an unpredictable leaders who is in complete command of his country and his military,” the American Admiral said as quoted in the official website of US Department of Defense.

He explained that Kim Jong-un is “on a quest for nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them intercontinentally” posing “a very real threat to the 28,000 Americans in South Korea, the nation of South Korea, Japan and on and on.”

“At some point in the future, as he develops his capability, North Korea will present a very real threat to Hawaii and the rest of the United States,” Admiral Harris further said. “Now, I have to be ready from a position of strength to deal with North Korea and we are ready to deal – any time that Kim Jong-un decides to act.”

He also updated the media present regarding the US Rebalance to the Pacific. He said USPACOM is responsible for “the oldest and largest of the geographic combatant commands and responsible for all US military forces from Hollywood to Bollywood and from polar bears to penguins.”

In the command’s area are the three largest world economies. Seven of the world’s 10 largest standing armies are in the region, as are five of the seven nations that have nuclear arms.

“The presence of our joint military forces in key locations throughout the region, underpins the rules-based, international order, and provides opportunity to engage with other countries while being positioned to respond to crises,” Admiral Harris said.

“While I’ve been known to be critical of China’s provocative military activities these past two years – I will also acknowledge when China has been helpful, such as China’s counterpiracy efforts off the Horn of Africa and the search for the Malaysian airliner off the coast of Australia,” he added.

http://www.angmalaya.net/world/2015/10/11/14121-uspacom-commander-reveals-greatest-threat-in-pacific

PHIBLEX 15 comes to conclusion, leaves successful civic assistance projects

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 11): PHIBLEX 15 comes to conclusion, leaves successful civic assistance projects

U.S. Marine Brig.Gen. Paul Kennedy, center, Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Philippine Marine Maj.Gen. Alexander Balutan, right, Naval Director General and Col. Nathaniel Casem of the Philippine Marines, link arms following the opening ceremony of the joint U.S.-Philippines amphibious landing exercise dubbed PHIBLEX 2015 at the Philippine Marine barracks at Fort Bonifacio at suburban Taguig city east of Manila, Philippines AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

As the Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015 (PHIBLEX 15) come to conclusion, U.S. Marines reflect on their experiences and expressed desire to come back to the country for more opportunity  to work side-by-side with their Philippine counterparts.

This, as they leave behind relationships they have built not only with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) but also with the local communities.

 

“I would jump all on it if I had the opportunity to come back to a follow on PHIBLEX,” said Capt. Kyle McCarley, company commander of 9th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB), 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

 

Together with Philippine Navy Seabees, members of the 9ESB completed humanitarian civic assistance projects at the Concepcion and Binduyan elementary schools in Palawan. The HCA projects consisted of building walkways, overhangs and multipurpose concrete areas designed to benefit the schools in various ways.

 

“I would jump all on it if I had the opportunity to come back to a follow on PHIBLEX. This has been a phenomenal experience to be able watch my Marines develop their MOS; to work hand-in-hand with the Philippine seabees and to watch them build something from the ground up,” said McCarley.

 

“It’s also a humbling experience to see them build something that will benefit these schools for years to come,” he added.

 

For Gunnery Sgt. Luis Respardo, a platoon sergeant with 9ESB, “the PHIBLEX was a success because everything we came out here to do we accomplished before our timeline.”

 

According to Respardo, they were working late and constantly tired and that the weather affected them severely because it rained a lot. “Despite that we accomplished the mission,” he said.

 

But McCarley said that while the workload was strenuous, that’s not what made the exercise unique for the unit.

 

“The school is in session. You can see many of the students have built relationships with the Marines and the seabees that were working on the project,” said McCarley.

 

“That relationship has strengthened the project. Having the children in the schools watching the Marines and Seabees working on the projects for them and their schools will definitely leave a lasting impact on the children at these elementary schools,” he stressed.

http://www.mb.com.ph/phiblex-15-comes-to-conclusion-leaves-successful-civic-assistance-projects/

8ID conducts pinning of ranks to the newly promoted personnel

Just posted to the Samar News (Sep 12): 8ID conducts pinning of ranks to the newly promoted personnel

By DPAO, 8ID PA
September 12, 2015

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army conducted the pinning of ranks to the newly promoted personnel of the Command during the flag retreat ceremony held at Openiano field on September 11, 2015.

Major General Jet B. Velarmino, Commander of 8ID, Col. Divino Rey C. Pabayo Jr., Chief of Staff and Lt. Col. Noel A. Vestuir, Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel together with the military dependents led the pinning of ranks to the men and women of this Command who have satisfactorily satisfied the requirements set by the Philippine Army's Promotion System.

It can be recalled that at least 1,233 personnel were promoted effective August this year wherein 433 of which are Corporals, 334 Sergeants, 358 Staff Sergeants, 71 Technical Sergeants and 27 Master Sergeants.

Candidates were selected after looking into their Individual Evaluation record which gauged a soldier’s competency and reputation in the service. Other requirements which were satisfied include required minimum number of years in one's current rank, passing grade on a competitive promotional examination, completion of a career military occupational specialty course, physical and Neurological-Psychological examination and Physical Fitness Test (PFT).

Field units under this Command are also scheduled to conduct the same activity which symbolizes the rich military custom and tradition wherein the officers pin new collar chevrons on the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) of the promoted soldiers as the promotion orders are being read while in military formation.

Major General Jet B. Velarmino, 8ID Commander, congratulated the newly promoted soldiers as well as their families as it is expected for them to perform their best in every endeavor as they gain more responsibilities, and be thankful for the Father Almighty for the blessing bestowed upon the personnel of this Command for the hard work and dedication they have exerted through the years of service in the country.

http://www.samarnews.com/news2015/sep/d422.htm

Teachers barred from going to new lumad school set for inauguration Monday

From InterAksyon (Oct 11): Teachers barred from going to new lumad school set for inauguration Monday



In July 2015 file photo, members of the Save Our Schools network in Manila protest the closure of lumad schools, which they said has disrupted the education of thousands of young indigenous peoples. In the latest incident, some 30 teachers and guests on their way to a lumad school that was to be inaugurated Monday were barred at a military checkpoint Sunday. INTERAKSYON.COM

Several teachers and guests on their way to the inauguration of a new tribal school in Bagangga town, Davao del Norte were stopped by troops of the Army’s 67th Infantry Battalion.

Milagros Maglunsod-Tan, administrator of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc., which operates several schools set up in indigenous people’s communities, said around 30 of them were on their way to Kasunugan when they were stopped at a checkpoint by soldiers commanded by Lieutenant Miguel Porras in Barangay Mahan-ub around 3:40 p.m.

The Kasunugan school, MISFI’s newest, opened only in June and is scheduled to be blessed and formally inaugurated Monday.

Tan was interviewed by phone while she and her companions were still at the checkpoint two hours after they were stopped. InterAksyon.com also asked her to relay a request to Porras for an interview but he refused to give his number.

In another conversation around sunset, Maglunsod-Tan said they had decided to return to town to file a complaint with the local police and spend the night, and because "we were not safe at the checkpoint since there are no houses there."

She said they are determined to make their way to Kasunugan Monday morning.

This is the second time in less than two weeks that teachers and guests on their way to attend activities at tribal schools have been barred.

On September 28, more than a hundred staff, students and guests on their way to the 11th foundation anniversary of the Salugpungan Ta Ta'nu Igkanugon Learning Center Inc., which also operates a network of tribal schools, were stopped by members of the Alamara militia at a military detachment in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

Although they eventually found an alternate route to the celebration, a number of the attendees were harassed by the military and police on their way back from the festivities.

According to Maglunsod-Tan, Porras “told us we could not proceed because there had been an encounter and one of their soldiers had been hit by a rebel sniper and they needed to clear the area first.”

However, she added, “we contacted our colleagues and members of the community in Kasunugan who told us they knew nothing about any encounter.”

Mahan-ub barangay captain Roy Nazareno tried to negotiate with the soldiers for their passage but was refused, Maglunsod-Tan said.

The military has openly accused schools run by MISFI and Salugpungan and the communities they serve of supporting communist rebels.

The past years have seen many documented incidents of mass evacuations because of the occupation by soldiers and military-backed militias of lumad communities and schools, often marked by atrocities.

However, the lumad and the groups who support them say the military accusations and the subsequent atrocities stem from their opposition to the entry of large-scale mining, logging and commercial agriculture into their ancestral lands.

In Surigao del Sur, more than 4,000 persons have so far left their homes since August, the bulk of them after the September 1 murders of Emerito Samarca, executive director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, and Manobo leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Bello Sinzo in Lianga town by the Magahat militia.

In the town of Kitaotao, Bukidnon, the barangay captain of White Culaman had also threatened to force the closure of the MISFI-run Fr. Fausto Tentorio Memorial School, a free boarding school for Grade 7 and 8 lumad students, but the Department of Education opposed the move.

The school was named after the Italian missionary murdered in Arakan, North Cotabato by militiamen in 2011.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118772/teachers-barred-from-going-to-new-lumad-school-set-for-inauguration-monday