Friday, November 6, 2015

'HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN' | South China Sea face-offs not always tense

From InterAksyon (Nov 6): 'HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN' | South China Sea face-offs not always tense



The guided missile destroyer USS Lassen


ONBOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, South China Sea -- As soon as the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen breached 12-nautical-mile territorial limits around one of China's man-made islands in the disputed South China Sea last week, a Chinese warship shadowing its movements began demanding answers.

"'Hey, you are in Chinese waters. What is your intention?'," it asked, as recounted to reporters on Thursday by Commander Robert Francis, commanding officer of the Lassen.

His crew replied that they were operating in accordance with international law, and intended to transit past the island, carrying out what US officials have called a freedom-of-navigation exercise designed to challenge China's claims to the strategic waterway.

The response from the Chinese destroyer?

"The same query, over and over," said Francis, speaking onboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt as it sailed 150 to 200 nautical miles from the southern tip of the Spratly archipelago, a chain of contested islands where China's seven artificial outposts have taken shape in barely two years.

The Lassen had joined the carrier strike group the night before, ahead of a visit to the Theodore Roosevelt by US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, who while on board blamed China for rising tension in the region.

Beijing has rebuked Washington over the Lassen's patrol, the most significant US challenge yet to territorial limits China claims around its new islands.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade passes every year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan have rival claims.

In comments that underscore the frequency with which US warships now come across Chinese vessels in Asian waters, Francis said the Lassen had had about 50 "interactions" with Chinese military ships and aircraft since May while on patrol in the South and East China Seas, something he described as routine.

"Every day a US ship is down here, we interact with the Chinese," Francis said.

Experts say China has dozens of naval and coastguard vessels deployed in the South China Sea at any given time, adding that encounters with US warships are likely to increase after US officials said the navy planned to conduct patrols within 12 nautical miles of China's artificial islands about twice a quarter.

‘What hat are you guys doing this Saturday?’

The Chinese destroyer shadowed the Lassen for 10 days before and after its October 27 patrol near the artificial islands, said Francis. The Lassen got to within six to seven nautical miles from the nearest Chinese land formation, he added.

But not all US-Chinese naval interactions are tense, especially when things are slow on the high seas.

"A few weeks ago we were talking to one of the ships that was accompanying us, a Chinese vessel ... (We) picked up the phone and just talked to him like, 'Hey, what are you guys doing this Saturday? Oh, we got pizza and wings. What are you guys eating? Oh, we're doing this. Hey, we're planning for Halloween as well'."

The intent, Francis said, is "to show them ... that we're normal sailors, just like them, have families, just like them."

The Chinese sailors, speaking in English, responded by talking about where they were from, their families and places they have visited, Francis said.

Eventually, the Chinese destroyer that had followed the Lassen on its mission past the artificial islands peeled away.

"They were very cordial the entire time ... even before and after the Spratly Islands transit," Francis said.

"When they left us they said, 'Hey, we're not going to be with you anymore. Wish you a pleasant voyage. Hope to see you again'."

As for Francis and his crew of 300 sailors, they were unfazed by the intense media coverage of one of the most highly anticipated US naval patrols in years, although Francis said his mother, having seen the news, did call to ask whether he was actually in China.

"It's another day in the South China Sea. All of it is professional," he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/119819/hope-to-see-you-again--south-china-sea-face-offs-not-always-tense

US South China Sea patrol sought to avoid provocation, not goad China

From InterAksyon (Nov 7): US South China Sea patrol sought to avoid provocation, not goad China




The US Navy deliberately avoided military drills or other actions that could have further inflamed tensions with Beijing during a patrol last week near islands China has built in the South China Sea, US officials said.

"We wanted to assert our rights under international law, but not to the point where we were poking the Chinese in the eye, or where it would unnecessarily escalate the situation," said a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official said the destroyer USS Lassen turned off its fire control radars while transiting within 12 nautical miles of Subi Reef and avoided any military operations during that time, including helicopter launches or other drills.

Numerous experts said this cautious approach could in fact reinforce China's claim to sovereignty over the artificial islands in the Spratly Islands archipelago.

But the US official disputed that assertion.

"It was a freedom-of-navigation operation that was not meant to inflame the situation, which is why they did the transit the way they did," the US official said.

The Lassen's commanding officer, Commander Robert C. Francis Jr., told reporters on Thursday that his ship went within six to seven nautical miles of the artificial island.

He said the radar was operating normally at the time for "situational awareness," and acknowledged the US Navy did not fly helicopters. He described it as both a freedom-of-navigation and a "transit" operation.

China reacted angrily to the patrol, which followed months of US preparation, despite its lack of military drills.

But analysts said that if the Lassen failed to take such actions or even to loiter or collect intelligence within the zone, the operation would have resembled what is known as "innocent passage," and could have reinforced rather than challenged China's claim to a territorial limit around the reef.

"Innocent passage" occurs when one country's ship quickly transits another's territorial waters - and can only take place in waters belonging to another country.

"If the Lassen didn't do anything but transit, then this Freedom of Navigation Operation didn't actually assert what they had led us to believe it was supposed to: that Subi Reef doesn't get a territorial sea," said Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank.

Innocent passage

Julian Ku, a professor of constitutional law at Hofstra University, wrote in the Lawfare blog that Washington had chosen the weakest type of freedom-of-navigation operation available, apparently at the bidding of the White House.

"(B)y limiting the USS Lassen's transit to an 'innocent passage,' the US is implicitly recognizing that China is entitled to a 12 nm (nautical mile) territorial sea around its artificial island on Subi Reef," he said.

The White House declined comment on details of the operation. A senior administration official called it "consistent with the way we regularly conduct freedom-of-navigation operations globally."

Underscoring the issue's complexity, Pentagon officials have given conflicting descriptions over the last week of the Lassen's maneuver.

A US official speaking to Reuters last week described the patrols as an "innocent passage" operation, but later said that had been a mistake.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis insisted to reporters on Wednesday that the patrol was not an "innocent passage." Pressed further on the issue on Thursday, he declined to explicitly restate that position or elaborate.

Writing on the website of The National Interest magazine, Bonnie Tyler, senior adviser for Asia at CSIS and Peter Dutton, director of the China Maritime Studies Institute at the US Naval War College, offered an explanation for the mixed messages.

They concluded that the operation was a freedom-of-navigation movement, but carried out as innocent passage, as it also passed within 12 nautical miles of a China-claimed feature that was entitled to that territorial limit.

The first US official argued that China -- which described the US patrol as "illegal" - was not seizing on the absence of military activities as a sign that Washington now accepted its sovereignty over the artificial islands.

"It didn't change anything in the way it was received. What the Chinese took away was that we steamed through what they believe is their waters," the official said.

In a joint paper, Adam Klein, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Mira Rapp Hooper, a senior fellow in the Asia-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, said the lack of clarity over the operation was a problem.

"If allowed to harden, the widespread belief that the Lassen conducted innocent passage would be extremely damaging; indeed, it could make the operation worse than having done nothing at all," they wrote.

"The Pentagon needs to clarify what happened at Subi Reef -- and, more importantly, what message it intended to send." 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/119855/us-south-china-sea-patrol-sought-to-avoid-provocation-not-goad-china

Army’s 302nd IB to leave Negros on Nov. 15

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Nov 6): Army’s 302nd IB to leave Negros on Nov. 15

THE 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Negros Oriental will leave Negros Island on November 15 for deployment to Bohol.

Colonel Francisco Delfin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said Thursday that their unit will then have full jurisdiction of the military operations under the Negros Island Region.

The 303rd Brigade is headquartered in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.

With the pullout of 302nd Brigade, the two Army battalions in Negros Oriental, including the 11th IB and the 79th IB, will remain.

Delfin said that after November 15, the 303rd Brigade will have four battalions under its command.

 The two others are 47th IB in southern Negros and the 62nd IB in northern Negros.

The thrust of the Army is one brigade for one island, Delfin said as he assured Negrenses that the island’s internal security is still in place despite the pullout of the 302nd Brigade.

“The people of Negros have nothing to worry,” he added.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2015/11/06/armys-302nd-ib-leave-negros-nov-15-439976

Clergy score AFP red-baiting

From The Standard (Nov 7): Clergy score AFP red-baiting

RELIGIOUS groups scored the Armed Forces of the Philippines for “red-baiting” foreigners who were part of an independent fact-finding probe that looked into the atrocities committed against indigenous people in Mindanao, called lumad.

“No, they aren’t linked with the [Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples’ Army]. We don’t know what’s on the mind of the AFP. We asked them repeatedly if they could speak with us to know their point-of-view, but to no avail,” Bishop Modesto Villasanta of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines told The Standard in an interview.

Villasanta blasted the military for repeatedly ignoring their request for interviews and instead choosing to vilify the probe.

“We’ve personally sent a letter to Col. Isidro Purisima, the commander of the 402nd IB and Senior Supt. Narciso Verdadero, the PNP provincial director, asking if the members of the IFFI can talk with them on the killing of lumad. But we were rejected for several times,” Villasanta added.

On Thursday, Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao accused six foreign members of the IFFM of having links with leftist cohorts and branding the IFFM itself as “fake.”

“As tourists, they cannot meddle in the internal affairs of the country. Our immigration rules are simple and clear. They are not authorized to conduct a fact-finding mission as they had no authority from any international organization nor clearance from the [Department of Foreign Affairs],” Hao said.

Villasanta identified the foreigners as Jonas Straetsmans of Belgium, Dalkiran Metin and Hans Schaap of the Netherlands, Gill Boehringer of Australia and Henry Langston and Philip Calles of Vice News London.

They were part of the 140-man team, majority of whom were Filipinos, that was commissioned as an “ecumenical effort” by the UCCP, the Aglipayan Church and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tandag in efforts to prosecute the people behind the killings of lumad.

“They have already completed the probe just last week,” Villasanta said.  

The AFP and the PNP claimed that Schaap, in particular, helped recruit members for the NPA’s Southern and Western Mindanao guerrilla fronts and has direct contact with NPA leader George Madlos.

Villasanta added that they personally asked the foreigners to come over to the country and shed light into the killings “as they are personally supporting the lumad.”

The Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development were among the IP schools being tagged by the military as “breeding grounds” for communist ideas.

Also on Friday, Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate lashed out at the Army’s threat to deport the foreign-based observers, claiming that the military’s aim is to “whitewash” their alleged violations against lumad.

“The Philippine Army’s threat to deport foreigners who joined a fact-finding mission that looked into alleged human rights atrocities committed by army-backed militias against the lumads in Surigao del Sur is a cheap shot,” Zarate said.

Zarate said the presence of foreign delegates in the mission was to ensure an objective and unbiased report.

“Human rights organizations invite foreign observers and participants because it provides more credibility, expertise, and insight to fact-finding missions, especially in cases with many dimensions and intricacies, such as the killing of lumads, particularly in Surigao del Sur, and the massive displacement and humanitarian crisis that these problems spawned,” he said.

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/191307/clergy-score-afp-red-baiting.html

MILF leader calls on Aquino to exercise political will for BBL

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 6): MILF leader calls on Aquino to exercise political will for BBL

BBL1

The second-ranking leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) called on President Aquino to exercise and show political will to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
 
”Maybe the President is serious and sincere, but…you still have to address the Mindanao issue. The Bangsamoro needs a government,” Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for Political Affairs, said.

He made the call as the proposed law designed to establish a Bangsamoro government continues to face uncertainties in the halls of Congress.

Jaafar said it is not the Qur’an (Islamic Law), “we are not asking for independence.”

The President, he added, has “many commitments, hopefully he will have the political will. Can he exercise political will over his allies, can he do that?”

Jaafar recalled that Aquino made a commitment to certify as urgent the BBL, but he has not done it yet.

“We still hold on to the peace process; but everything has an end, only God has no end. Today, the Bangsamoro are patient, suffering. It’s been 38 years,” the MILF leader said, referring to the struggle of the Philippine Muslims.

He spoke at the Tycoon News Forum in Malate, Manila, also reading a long statement on the background of the Bangsamoro Question since the time of the Spanish Occupation up to the American occupation of the Philippines.

Jaafar did not say it, but one can sense that at least some leaders of the MILF are now starting to doubt the President’s sincerity, or his political will in steering the BBL to its proper conclusion, a law enacted and signed by him.

“In my personal view of the President, maybe he is truly committed; he is the President of the Philippines; because he is the President of the Philippines it is important he is not detached from his allies,” the MILF leader said.

“So, the way I see it, if he were asked to choose between us the Bangsamoro and his allies in governance, it is safe to say he will choose his allies over us,”
Jaafar said that secondly, Aquino has only one term that ends after the May 2016 election. He will no longer have powers like today.

On the BBL, Jaafar said the President’s commitments will just remained verbal commitments unless fulfilled. “Even if he issues commitments everyday in public but only in words and he does not fulfill it, there is no solving any problem.”

“The MILF did not ask the President to certify as urgent the BBL, it was he who committed it,” the MILF leader said, noting that what Aquino did was only made the BBL a priority legislation.

In the statement that he read, Jaafar assured that the proposed Bangsamoro government “is inclusive and adheres to the principles of democracy, transparency and accountability that respects and respond to both the rights of the majority and the minority.”

He said the Bangsamoro provides a strong and meaningful autonomy.

“The BBL if fully implemented as envisioned in the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro), will dramatically and positively change the socio-economic conditions of the people in the region and other armed groups fighting the government will also be benefited,” the MILF leader said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/milf-leader-calls-on-aquino-to-exercise-political-will-for-bbl/

Filipino killed in gunfire exchange in Lahad Datu

From the New Straits Times (Nov 6): Filipino killed in gunfire exchange in Lahad Datu

LAHAD DATU: A man was killed in gunfire exchange with security forces here, earlier today.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said the suspect had fired at security forces, which were conducting Ops Gasak in the 7.15am incident.

Ops Gasak is geared towards weeding out illegal immigrants.

“My men were forced to return fire, which killed the suspect on the spot,” he said when contacted, adding the man was believed to be a Filipino.

Abdul Rashid said security personnel also seized a .38 pistol and several bullets from the suspect.

He said the body was taken to the Lahad Datu Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

In the operation, Esscom detained 193 people after they failed to produce identification documents.

They were taken to the Tawau temporary detention centre for deportation process.

http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/11/filipino-killed-gunfire-exchange-lahad-datu

Zarate slams Army 'psy' ops on foreign probers

From InterAksyon (Nov 6): Zarate slams Army 'psy' ops on foreign probers



Internally displaced lumad feeds a child at an evacuation shelter in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. Photographed by Erwin Mascarinas, InterAksyon.com

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate on Friday slammed the Philippine Army's threat to deport foreign-based observers joining an international fact-finding mission to look into alleged military-perpetrated terrorism and atrocities against Lumad communities in Mindanao in the guise of counter-insurgency operations.

"The Philippine Army's threat to deport foreigners who joined a fact-finding mission that looked into alleged human rights atrocities committed by army-backed militias against the lumads in Surigao del Sur is cheap shot," Zarate said.

"This blame game tact by the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a low blow attempt to divert and cover up the real issues behind the lumad killings and displacements in Mindanao. It is aimed at whitewashing the serious allegations of human rights violations committed by its personnel and the paramilitary groups it organized," he elaborated further.

Earlier, Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao described as "fakes" the foreign human rights advocates who joined the mission.

He said the mission was organized by human rights organizations and members of Congress who are leftists.

"The AFP's threat of deporting the people looking into the situation of the lumads in Surigao del Sur says much about the Army's guilt in the spate of killings and other human rights violations against the lumad people. If the AFP is not hiding anything, it would gladly accept independent missions to look into the situation of the people who are directly affected by their operations," Zarate countered.

He explained that the presence of foreign delegates in the mission was to ensure an objective and unbiased report.

"Human rights organizations invite foreign observers and participants because it provides more credibility, expertise, and insight to fact-finding missions, especially in cases with many dimensions and intricacies, such as the killing of lumads, particularly in Surigao del Sur, and the massive displacement and humanitarian crisis that these problems spawned," he said.

The killings of lumad tribal leaders had triggered the evacuation more than 4,000 Manobo lumads from their communities.

Until now, the military and police have yet to make true of their promise to arrest the suspects behind the killings.

"Col. Hao's claim that the fact-finding mission will be biased, and the foreigners were acting illegally, is unfounded and ridiculous. These individuals are not mere tourists but also human rights defenders from independent organizations. They came here out of humanitarian concerns for the displaced lumad of Mindanao," Zarate said.

That the AFP has resorted to attacking the people who are exposing these rights violations "is a clear signal that the AFP and its paramilitary minions will not cease its campaign against the lumads," he added.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/119834/zarate-slams-army-psy-ops-on-foreign-probers

Military steps up offensive vs Sayyaf kidnappers

From the Philippine Star (Nov 6): Military steps up offensive vs Sayyaf kidnappers



The Abu Sayyaf demanded P1 billion for the release of each of the foreign hostages.

The military has sent more ground troops to Sulu in an intensified operation to rescue three Westerners and a Filipina seized by Abu Sayyaf bandits from a Samal Island resort in September.

A security official said soldiers have reported the discovery of three dead militants in Patikul town.

The military has stepped up its operations in Sulu after Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri ordered his commanders to keep the Abu Sayyaf on the run – to pressure the militants into releasing their hostages.

On Tuesday, a second video of the hostages – Canadians John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall, 50, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Hall’s Filipina girlfriend Marites Flor – was released by the militants.

In the video, the Abu Sayyaf demanded P1 billion for the release of each of the foreign hostages.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said his troops ran into a group of Abu Sayyaf militants on Monday in Barangay Liang, Patikul town.

Arrojado said three Abu Sayyaf militants initially reported as wounded died Tuesday.
The slain Abu Sayyaf members were identified as Timhar Jauhari, Munar Abdulhair and Nasser Hadjail. Reported wounded was a certain Jani Kamlun.

At least three soldiers were wounded in the encounter with the militants at 1:45 p.m. last Monday.

Reports said the bandits unleashed a barrage of M203 rifle grenade attacks on the soldiers.

Meanwhile, government forces have recovered a black flag of international terrorist group ISIS and other items in an area in Sulu where Abu Sayyaf bandits were believed to have stayed.

Military officials, however, said they doubt if the bandits really have direct links to the Syria-based extremist group.

Troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 recovered the items in Sitio Lungon-Lungon, Barangay Kuppong in Indanan town, Arrojado said.

Arrojado did not give details on the operation.

The statement on the discovery of the ISIS flags and paraphernalia came a day after the release of the second video of the hostages.

It was not clear if the area where the belongings were found had served as an encampment of local terrorists.

Also recovered were one long M16 magazine with one 5.56 ammunition, 37 pieces of 7.62 mm ammunition, a handheld radio with two spare batteries and headset, three mobile phones with SIM pack, two extra SIM packs, an upper hand guard M653, two micro SD adapter with a micro SD and two maps.

Also found were an empty box with government arsenal markings, a Moro National Liberation Front identification card with the name Aiwen Juddan, two mini solar panels, four military and two civilian backpacks and various military and police uniforms.

“They just want to be associated with the ISIS but the possession of the flag does not mean they are now connected with the group,” Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Noel Detoyato said.

Meanwhile, the military assured delegates of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit that they do not need to worry about their security despite the recent kidnapping of foreigners by the Abu Sayyaf.

“There is no reason to worry because the venues are controlled areas and are very secured. Intelligence gathering has been intensified. All security aspects are covered,” Detoyato said.

“There is no breakdown of law and order. Operations are being conducted to ensure the safety of the hostages,” he added.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/06/1518875/military-steps-offensive-vs-sayyaf-kidnappers

AFP urges hard no-ransom stand

From Malaya Business Insight (Nov 6): AFP urges hard no-ransom stand

THE Armed Forces yesterday warned against payment of ransom to secure the freedom of three foreigners and a Filipina who were abducted from a posh resort in Samal Island in Davao del Norte last September 21.

AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla made the warning two days after the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf released a video of the hostages who relayed a P1 billion ransom demand for each of them.

“We all know that if we are going to entertain the demands of these people, of the group that perpetrated this, they will be encouraged to continue (their activities),” Padilla said.

Padilla said the Armed Forces has yet to establish the group affiliation of the kidnappers and their whereabouts, though multiple military sources said the four are indeed being held by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

Padilla said operations are ongoing in areas where the military suspects the victims were brought. “There is no change in the activities or operations and law enforcement operations that we are doing there,” he said.

A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said paying ransom to the kidnappers will only fuel more kidnappings.

“Isipin niyo na lang na negosyo sila, pag kumikita sila, nakakatangap ng gusto nila tanggapin, e di na-e-encourage sila…’Yung pera parang gatong ‘yan, pag binibigyan mo sila at binabarayan mo sila,” the source said.

http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/afp-urges-hard-no-ransom-stand

Putschist to lead planned sail of protest against China

From the Business Mirror (Nov 5): Putschist to lead planned sail of protest against China

AT least 10,000 youth volunteers around the country plan to sail to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) to stage a monthlong protest against China’s expansive claims over the area. The “peaceful” protest would be led by Oakwood mutiny leader and retired Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon.

Faeldon announced the plan on Thursday as a US fast-attack submarine docked in Subic Bay, the site of the former American naval base. The submarine arrived days after a US warship sailed close into the reefs reclaimed by China.

Faeldon said the volunteers would come from colleges and universities around the country. We will sail to the Spratlys that China disputes and stage the protest, also in support of the territorial arbitration against Beijing, according to Faeldon.

He called the protest the “freedom voyage.” Faeldon said the protest will also take the youths to the seven islets and reefs claimed or owned by the Philippines.

The group’s trip will begin on November 30 and ends on December 30.

“They committed to this fight when a group of young volunteers conducted an information drive in their respective provinces from May 15 to October 30,” Faeldon said.

“The volunteers believe that until all citizens of this country have shown to the whole world our ability to unite and render free service to our nation, we do not have the right to ask for help from other countries,” he added.

The People’s Republic of China has built artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea and has enclosed them by prohibiting overflight and navigation above and around them, which drew condemnation from the international community.

On Wednesday the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Key West, with 150 sailors, docked in Subic Bay. Key West is designed to fit a variety of roles, including anti-submarine and antisurface ship operations, as well as intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance.

The 360-foot, 6,900-ton vessel remains one of the stealthiest, most formidable submarines in the world.

The docking of the submarine followed the sailing of the missile-guided destroyer USS Lassen near two of the reefs reclaimed by China in the West Philippine Sea last week, directly challenging China.

The government of the Philippines, which has nearly 30 million poor people, is spending for a legal case against China at the United Nations arbitral tribunal. China has refused to participate in the proceedings from the very start.

Faeldon’s group is called “Kalayaan Atin Ito” (freedom is ours).

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/putschist-to-lead-planned-sail-of-protest-against-china/

Soldier found dead inside Zambo military camp

From ABS-CBN (Nov 6): Soldier found dead inside Zambo military camp

A member of the Philippine Army was found dead with gunshot wounds to the head inside a military camp in the village of Sangali, Zamboanga City Thursday night.

Police identified the soldier as Staff Sergeant Edgardo Bagingan, a member of Joint Task Force Zamboanga which is tasked to secure some villages in the east coast of the city.

According to Inspector Federico Lindo, deputy chief of police station 3, it was about 10 p.m. when some soldiers thought they were being attacked upon hearing several gunshots inside their camp.

A few minutes later, they discovered the lifeless body of Bagingan inside his quarters. Bagingan had gunshot wounds to his head and right hand.

The team leader of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), Inspector Christopher Dela Cruz, said they recovered the issued firearm of Bagingan adjacent where he was found dead seated on a chair.

He said the gunshot wounds that Bagingan sustained might be self-inflicted. They have conducted a paraffin test to determine if Bagingan fired his gun, he said.

Police investigators also noted that there was no indication of foul play in the crime scene, with all things inside the soldier's sleeping quarters in place.

Lindo said based on information they gathered, Bagingan had been dealing with personal problems which might have something to do with his family.

Bagingan's remains will be brought to his hometown in Luzon.

Last October 22, a soldier who was also allegedly dealing with family problems ran amok inside a military camp in Sumisip, Basilan, killing at least five of his comrades. He was shot dead by responding soldiers.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/06/15/soldier-found-dead-inside-zambo-military-camp

Army to pull out 302nd Infantry Brigade from Negros for deployment to Bohol

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 6): Army to pull out 302nd Infantry Brigade from Negros for deployment to Bohol

The Philippine Army will pull out the 302nd Infantry Brigade from Negros Oriental on Nov. 15 for deployment to Bohol.

Col. Francisco Delfin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said Thursday that the unit will then have full jurisdiction of the military operations under the Negros Island Region.

The 303rd Brigade is based in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.

With the pullout of 302nd Brigade, the two Army battalions in Negros Oriental, including the 11th IB and the 79th IB, will remain.

Delfin said that after Nov. 15, the 303rd Brigade will have four battalions under its command.

The two others are the 47th IB in southern Negros and the 62nd IB in northern Negros.

The thrust of the Army is one brigade for one island, Delfin said as he assured Negrenses that the island’s internal security is still in place despite the pullout of the 302nd Brigade.

“The people of Negros have nothing to worry about,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=823998

PNP prepares for bigger law enforcement role as Army brigade pulls out

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 6): PNP prepares for bigger law enforcement role as Army brigade pulls out

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental is ready to take on an expanded law enforcement role as changes in the Philippine Army deployment in the province will soon be implemented.

This, as the 302nd Infantry “Spearhead” Brigade of the Philippine Army, based in Tanjay City, is scheduled to pull out next week and will be deployed to Bohol province.

OIC provincial police director Sr. Supt. Dionard Carlos disclosed Friday that once the 302nd Brigade pulls out, the Negros Oriental PNP will have a larger coverage area as far as law enforcement is concerned.

He assured, however, there will be no vacuum left in the internal security operations as the 79th Infantry Battalion and the 11th Infantry Battalion will remain in Negros Oriental.

Both battalions will now be under the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Negros Occidental.

The PNP’s function is to simply extend its law enforcement to areas previously affected by the insurgency but which the Army had cleared recently, Carlos said.

He further explained there is no formal handover of areas from the Philippine Army to the PNP, the former still taking the lead and the latter still playing a support role in the anti-insurgency campaign of government.

Last week, a review pertaining to intensified internal security operations was conducted by PNP Directorate of Operations from Camp Crame on the improvement in the deployment plans of the police here, said Carlos.

Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines had earlier assured that once the province is declared insurgency free by December, Army units will still be deployed in certain areas.

Sr. Supt. Carlos is hopeful the PNP hierarchy will allow the deployment of another maneuver company in addition to the existing Provincial Public Safety Company to take on the law enforcement role in areas cleared of insurgency.

The Regional Public Safety Battalion-7, meanwhile, is also expected to send additional troops to the province, he said.

In a related development, the 79th IB will be holding its Pinning/Donning of Ranks Ceremony and a ceremonial turnover of newly issued R4 rifles on Sunday.

Governor Roel Degamo and Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, chief of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in the Visayas, will be leading the ceremonies.

Highlighting the activity is the launching of the 79th IB’s photo contest this December which banners the theme “A Transformed Army”.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=824191

Goldberg to lead Veterans Day ceremony in PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 6): Goldberg to lead Veterans Day ceremony in PHL

US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg will lead the American and Filipino community and guests in the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.

The event will be held at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City, Metro Manila.

Veterans of both nations will participate in the event, along with representatives from the US Embassy, the Government of the Philippines, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Scheduled events include presentation of ceremonial color guard, remarks from Ambassador Goldberg and Gen. Hernando Iriberri, AFP chief-of-staff, a wreath laying and a ceremonial three-volley salute.

The Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. to commemorate the time that major hostilities of World War I formally ended with the signing of the Armistice at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=824001

'Bushmaster' cannons give BRP Ramon Alcaraz close-in punch

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 6): 'Bushmaster' cannons give BRP Ramon Alcaraz close-in punch

The ability of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) to engage targets too close for its 76mm Oto Melara main gun to fire on was greatly boosted with the recent installation of two Mark 38 Model 2 "Bushmaster" 25mm auto-cannons.

This was disclosed by PN public affairs office chief Cmdr Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA.

He added BRP Ramon Alcaraz's "Bushmaster" cannons gave the Filipino secondary armament capability as the ship can now engage hostile small craft that gets too close to the ship.

The two 25mm auto-cannons are located at the left and right side of the Filipino frigate.

The weapons were fitted last November 2014.

The PN earlier announced that installation of the "Bushmaster" on the two Gregorio Del Pilar-class frigates will greatly increase the surface warfare capability of the said vessels.

Surface warfare refers to the capability to detect, engage, and if necessary sink naval ships or unidentified vessels that may intrude in the country's vast territorial waters.

The weapon, commissioned by the US Navy following the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in 2000, was designed to counter high-speed maneuvering surface targets and will be installed in almost all US surface ships by 2015.

The remotely controlled chain gun system can fire as many as 180 25m rounds per minute at targets as far as two kilometers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=824021