From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 29): Another Maguindanao school bombed
Another elementary school in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao was bombed Thursday night by still unidentified persons—believed to be the same gunmen who strafed and bombed six elementary schools there last Wednesday, police said.
Senior Inspector Wendylyn Banico, chief of the Sultan Mastura municipal police, said the seventh rifle grenade attack occurred at Tambo Elementary School around 10 p.m. Nobody was hurt in the attack.
Colonel Earl Badiao, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, said he has ordered the deployment of more troops as peacekeepers to ensure that the elections in the town would push through.
Despite the incidents, Kurais Dali, Sultan Mastura election officer, said the town has not been placed under Comelec control. “Not all schools buildings were bombed, there are still other schools that can be used on election day,” she said.
Citing intelligence information, Senior Inspector Ronald de Leon, the spokesperson of the police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PNP-ARMM), said that an armed group wanted the town to be placed under Comelec control so that voting precincts will be clustered, which was why it launched the attacks.
He did not provide additional details.
Four candidates were aspiring to become mayor of the town of 9,000 voters, he said.
De Leon said the investigation on the matter was continuing.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 29): Bomb goes off in Lamitan; no injuries reported A bomb hidden on a multicab vehicle went off in front of the Evangelical Church along Flores Street in Lamitan City on Friday but no injuries were reported.
Senior Insp. Gean Gallardo of the Lamitan City Police said military and police units responded to the incident and investigation was still being conducted.
Gallardo said the site of the 8:25 p.m. blast had already been secured. He said explosives experts were “processing” the blast site.
Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said there was a second explosion and authorities suspected that there could be a third bomb.
From the Arab Times (Apr 28): Is Philippines facing IS threat? – Abu Sayyaf, 2 other groups strike new alliance under IS flag: experts
Months before Abu
Sayyaf militants beheaded retired Canadian mining executive John Ridsdel in the
tropical jungles of the southern Philippines, they showed him
pleading for life in a video with three other hostages that demanded a
record high ransom.
The scene was all too familiar in a Southeast Asian nation
that has struggled with ransom kidnappings by the Islamic militants for years,
except for two things. In the video that appeared in November, two black flags
with Islamic State group symbols were displayed by the heavily-armed Abu Sayyaf
fighters in the backdrop of lush foliage.
Then after a deadline for ransom lapsed on Monday, they
killed the 68-year-old Ridsdel — instead of waiting patiently for the money as
the mostly impoverished rural fighters have done in the past.
Shocked by the outcome, many in the largest Roman Catholic
nation in Asia are asking if this is same band
of militants the government has long dismissed as ransom-seeking bandits.
Or, has the Philippines
fallen into a growing list of countries that are now grappling with the spread
of the Islamic State group from Syria
and Iraq?
The Philippine government has insisted the IS still has no presence in the
country’s south, homeland of minority Muslims who rose up to seek a separate
state in the early 1970s. In his first remarks following Ridsdel’s killing,
President Benigno Aquino III, who is left with two more months in office, ran a
history of the Abu Sayyaf’s brutal attacks, describing it as a group of outlaws
and vowing “to devote all my energies toward ensuring that, at the very least,
this will be a very seriously degraded problem.” “Even as it poses as a group
of Islamic freedom fighters, the Abu Sayyaf has behaved as criminals focused on
enriching themselves by taking hostages for ransom,” he said, describing them
as opportunists who want to “align themselves with ISIS to gain access to the
funds and resources of ISIS.”
Terrorism experts, however, believe that a key Abu Sayyaf
faction and at least two other small armed groups have gone beyond pledging
allegiance to the Middle East-based jihadis on video and have struck a new
alliance under the IS flag. Some foreign militants from Malaysia, Indonesia and
the Middle East helped forge the union under an overall leader, Isnilon
Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant who was among those who founded the Abu
Sayyaf on southern Basilan Island in early 1990s, said Rodolfo Mendoza, a
retired police general who helped lead counterterrorism efforts.
Offensives
It’s not yet clear if the foreign militants, three of whom were killed in
military offensives last year and this year, were IS fighters or sympathizers
who wanted to recruit Filipinos into the IS fold, according to the Philippine
military.
In November, Abu Sayyaf gunmen beheaded a Malaysian hostage
despite ongoing ransom negotiations. It happened while Manila was hosting an Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation summit attended by world leaders, including US President Barack
Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Another armed group, which has brandished the IS group’s
black flag in southern Butig town but is not yet known to have joined Hapilon’s
alliance, recently posted a picture online of two kidnapped villagers in orange
garb before they were beheaded as suspected military spies.
It’s the first known instance local militants dressed their
captives in orange, as IS extremists do. An unusual surge in kidnappings,
including daring attacks on three tugboats in and around the Sulu Sea that
captured 18 Indonesian and Malaysian crewmen starting last month, along with
recent beheadings, may be a way by the emerging bloc of militants to dramatize
their capability and brutality and convince the IS group to fully recognize
them as an affiliate entitled to funds and training support, Mendoza told The
Associated Press.
Earlier this month, an Abu Sayyaf ambush in Basilan killed
18 soldiers in the military’s largest single-day combat loss so far this year.
“They’re now able to project internationally that they deserve the serious
recognition of mother ISIS,” Mendoza
said. “The kidnappings that they do shouldn’t only be seen as plain banditry.”
After the Sept 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, the militants tried
to forge a formal alliance with al- Qaeda but those efforts failed.
The Abu Sayyaf tried for years to foster impressions that
it’s formally allied to al-Qaeda for survival, said Abu Muslim, a former Abu
Sayyaf ranking member who has been captured and now cooperates with the
government. “There was really no direct connection between the ASG and the
al-Qaeda then,” he said. “But the impression that there was gave the group
stature and a veil of notoriety that was important in raising funds.” Ahmed
Hashim, a counterterrorism and defense policy expert with the S. Rajaratnam
School of International Studies in Singapore, said European and Middle Eastern
countries have been more exposed to the dangers by IS militants, but a
vulnerable period awaits Southeast Asia.
A few hundred Malaysian and Indonesian militants were believed
to have traveled to Syria
and Iraq
in recent years. There are unconfirmed reports of a few Filipinos who have also
joined the fighting. “Not too many have come back yet,” Hashim said. “The
biggest danger is for Malaysia
and Indonesia.”
Under any label, the Abu Sayyaf is clearly a “terrorist group” that will face
offensives for its “gruesome attacks on innocent people,” the military said.
A day before he was abducted from a marina on SamalIsland,
where he and his friends berthed their yacht, Ridsdel wrote in his blog about
the thrill of his sea adventures and a hint of the unexpected that may suddenly
come with it. “With a little bit of wind, it feels like the craft is flying, as
it skims over the water rather than undulating with it,” he wrote. “All very
wonderful, until you have to go upwind in rough weather.”
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): Army, police deployed in Maguindanao town following armed clashes
Military and police forces have been deployed in far flung
villages of a Maguindanao town following clashes involving followers of two
candidates for mayor.
Senior Inspector Blayn Lumase, chief of Pagalungan police
office, said police, backed by Army's 7th Infantry Battalion have been deployed
in several villages of Pagalungan following sporadic skirmishes involving
followers of mayoral candidate Guimid "Jimmy" Matalam and
reelectionist Mayor Salik Mamasabulod.
Lumase said the death of a certain Reniedo Guialil, a local
leader of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) worsened the
family feud involving former allies.
Based on police investigation, Guialil was allegedly killed
by Jojo Matalam after the latter refused to obey orders from the former. Both
belonged to one private armed group operating in interior villages of
Pagalungan, Maguindanao.
According to Lumase, the government forces deployed in at
least three adjoining villages were to act as "peacekeepers" to
ensure the safety of civilians.
At least 50 families have fled to nearby communities for
fear of getting caught in the crossfire as both sides vowed to "finish
off" each other.
Residents claimed that several houses left by owners were
torched by armed men.
On Friday morning, residents said they heard several
gunshots emanating from the village
of Damalasak.
Lumase said some residents moved to the town center while
others stayed in their relatives homes in adjacent villages.
"We initially found it has something to do with the
election," Lumase told reporters.
Police said Guialil is a relative of Mamasabulod while the
suspect, Jojo Matalam, is a relative of mayoral candidate Guimid Matalam. At
least 10 from each clan are running for other local posts in Pagalungan.
Meanwhile, the local government of Pagalungan has started
relief operations to affected families.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): Acting AFP chief visits forces in eastern Mindanao
Acting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff
Lt. General Glorioso Miranda visited the troops of Eastern Mindanao Command
(Eastmincom) here on Thursday, days after he assumed the position after the
retirement of former AFP Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri on Friday
last week.
Miranda, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class
of 1983, served as the vice chief-of-staff of the AFP before replacing Iriberri
to the position.
During his visit, he was accompanied by Army Chief Lt.
General Eduardo Año and was received by Eastmincom commander Lt. General Rey
Leonardo Guerrero.
"Let us remain apolitical and create an environment
that will allow the people to choose our leaders freely without intimidation,”
Miranda said in his message to Eastmincom as the May 2016 election is fast
approaching.
Miranda also called on Eastmincom to continue the “Bayanihan
spirit” that has proven to be instrumental in the support of the delivery of
basic government services especially to the far-flung villages in eastern Mindanao.
"Continue the teamwork and harmony of our efforts with
other stakeholders to win the peace,” he added.
Miranda was the former commander of Task Force Gen San in GeneralSantosCity
and commander of 1002nd brigade of the Army in Malungon, Sarangani province.
Prior to his appointment as vice-chief-of staff of the AFP,
Miranda also served as commander of the Northern Luzon command and at the
Headquarters Service Command of the AFP in CampAguinaldo in Quezon City.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): WESCOM head formally hands reins of command to successor
Western Command (WESCOM) head Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez
formally turned over the reins of command to his successor, Brig. Gen. Elvin E.
Hermogino, during brief ceremonies at Camp General Artemio Ricarte in PuertoPrincesaCity, Palawan
on Friday.
Lopez is scheduled to retire on May 5 after reaching the
mandatory retirement age of 56.
He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)
Class of 1982, serving for more than 30 years.
Present during the change-of-command ceremonies were Palawan
Gov. Jose Chaves Alvarez and acting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda.
Lopez's stint at the WESCOM started on Aug. 13. 2014 during
the height of the country's fight for the West Philippine
Sea concerns.
Prior to his designation as acting WESCOM head, Hermogino
served as the unit's deputy commander for operations after completion of his
tour-of-duty as Philippine Marine Corps' Combat and Service Support Brigade
which is stationed in ZamboangaCity.
He also assumed key staff positions in training, plans and
programs, comptrollership, and intelligence in Philippine Marine Corps
headquarters in FortBonifacio, TaguigCity.
Hermogino also commanded the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1
and became deputy brigade commander of the 1st Marine Brigade.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): 3 NPA rebels voluntarily surrender to 10th ID line units
Three New People's Army (NPA) fighters voluntarily
surrendered to line units of the Compostela Valley-based 10th Infantry Division
last April 24 and 28.
Capt. Rhyan Batchar, 10th Infantry Division public affairs
office chief, in a statement Friday, said the three also turned-over to
military authorities a .30 caliber M-1 Garand carbine and two M-16 automatic
rifles.
The three decided to surrender in order to be with their
families.
The first rebel, whose name was withheld for security
reasons, is a member of the NPA's Guerilla Front 27 of the Southern Mindanao
Regional Committee.
Batchar said the former gave himself and his M-1 Garand to
troopers of the 71st Infantry Battalion conducting routine security patrols at
Barangay New Visayas, Mawab last April 24.
While the other two, who are reportedly members of Guerilla
Front 53, surrendered themselves and their two M-16 rifles to soldiers of the
2nd Scout Regiment Battalion in Barangay Batobato, President Roxas, Cotabato
last April 28.
"We hope that other NPA members will soon realize how
futile the armed struggle is and that Filipinos ought to live in a democracy,
free of violence," 10th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Rafael
Valencia said.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): R/V Melville formally turned-over to PN
The R/V Melville (AGR-702) was formally turned-over to the
Philippine Navy (PN) in San Diego, California last April 26 (American time).
The ship, which was pledged to the country by US President
Barack Obama during the APEC Leaders' Summit
last November, was renamed the BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR-702).
The turnover and christening ceremonies were witnessed by
Defense Undersecretary Jesus C. Millan and Philippine Fleet deputy commander
Commodore Narciso A. Vingson.
Capt. Lued Lincuna, PN spokesperson, said the BRP Gregorio
Velasquez will be the country's first oceanographic research vessel.
He said that the ship left San Diego, California
this Friday (Philippine time) for its voyage home.
It is being handled by a crew of 50 Filipino officers and
enlisted personnel who have undergone familiarization and orientation training
on various systems of the ship since last March.
"Said vessel is one of the two ships pledged by the
President of the United States of America,
Barack H. Obama to donate to the Philippines
during his visit in APEC Leader’s Summit
last November 2015," Lincuna said.
Lincuna said the research vessel will not only provide the
PN capability for hydrographic survey but platform forinter-agency
collaboration for partners in the academe and thus improve awareness of the
Philippine sub-surface environment.
"Aside from its primary mission, AGR-702 would also be
a valuable platform in reviewing our anti-submarine warfare capability. This
acquisition also aims to address the issues in terms of marine scientific
researches/surveys and to gather marine scientific data beneficial to naval
operations. Also, said vessel will enhance capacity and build capability to
support the environmental protection efforts and exploration of the country for
economic purpose," he added.
Per policy, auxiliary research vessels are to be named after
national scientists, hence her namesake, Dr. Gregorio Velasquez, a pioneer in
Philippine physiology.
Velasquez was elected as academician on 1978 and conferred
as National Scientist on 1982.
He was conferred with a Distinguished Science Medal and
Diploma of Honor from the Republic of the Philippines (1956), the John Simon
Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship (1956-57), Men of Science, Division
of Biological Sciences in1969, World's Who's Who in Sciences in 1970 and the
Republic of the Philippines Cultural Heritage award in 1972.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): 2 AKP group members slain in Sarangani province
Two unidentified members of the Ansar Khilafa Philippines
(AKP) died in a firefight with Philippine National Police (PNP) troops that
overran and contained the AKP members at Sitio Bulat, Barangay Daliao, Maasim,
Sarangani on Thursday morning.
According to initial report of Senior Supt. Joseph P.
Semillano, Sarangani Police Provincial Office Director, joint operating
elements of the PNP Regional Special Investigation and Detection Team (RSIDT),
Special Action Force, Region 12 Public Safety Battalion (RPSB12) and Sarangani
Police Provincial Office (PPO) clashed with the said group led by Mohammad
Jaafar Sabiwang Maguid, alias Tokboy, at around 3 a.m.
The bodies of the slain AKP members were brought by Maasim
MPS to Maasim district hospital at Poblacion, while recovered items were
brought to RSIDT office at General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO) in CampLira, GeneralSantosCity
for documentation and proper disposition.
Semillano said that Maguid, the head of AKP in
Sarangani/Sultan Kudarat area, was able to escape and no one was hurt on the
government side.
On Nov. 26, 2015, Maguid and his members were able to escape
in an encounter at Palimbang Sultan Kudarat between his group and the members
of the Philippine Marines.
The said encounter resulted in the killing of eight AKP
members, including Ibrahim Sucipto, alias Ibrahim Ali/Abu Masud/Abu
Muhammad/Huzaifa, an Indonesian national who was a former leader of the Jemaah
Islamiyah in Mindanao.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): ASG arms cache, speedboat recovered in Tawi-Tawi operations
Government security forces pursuing Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
bandits have recovered an arms cache and a speedboat belonging to the brigands
during operations at Siluag and MamanukIslands, Tawi-Tawi,
Friday early morning.
This was disclosed by Western Mindanao Command spokesman
Major Filemon Tan in a message to the PNA.
Tan said troops from Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi carried out
the operations which took place 5:50 a.m.
Recovered were four M-16AI automatic rifles, one M-79
grenade launcher, a US carbine, one .38 caliber revolver, one .357 Magnum
revolver, an M-16AI with an M-203 grenade launcher, a caliber 60 machine gun,
and a .50 caliber Browning machine gun.
Also seized were assorted ammunition and a
"jungkong" speedboat believed to be used by the ASG in their illegal
activities.
"This operation was conducted as part of the focused
military operations to prevent lawless activities in the area," Tan said.
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Website (Apr 27): NPA NEUTRALIZED II Encounter in Ragay, CamSur
CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, Lucena City (DWDD) –A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was neutralized during an encounter with joint elements of the 49th Infantry Battalion and Ragay Municipal Police Station in Baranggay Lower Sta Cruz, Ragay, Camarines around 11:05 pm yesterday, April 27, 2016.
The troops were on combat operations to serve a warrant of arrest when four (4) NPAs started firing at them. This resulted to a two-minute firefight until the bandits withdrew and left the lifeless body of one of their comrades and two (2) cal.38 pistols.
“The NPA remains as the most potent threat group to the peace and security during the elections and the election period,” said SOLCOM Chief Lieutenant General Ricardo R. Visaya.
“The more we engage the NPA and the more members are neutralized before the elections, we are reducing the possibilities of atrocities they may conduct to disrupt the elections,” he added.
SOLCOM together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) are continuously conducting peace and security patrols in preparation for the elections and pre-emptive efforts are conducted in Election Watch List Areas falling in Category 2 (Areas with serious armed threats posed by organized threat groups such as the NPA) and Category 3 (Areas with intense partisan political rivalry + factors of Category 2 are present). Ragay falls under Category 2. PIO SOLCOM / MCAG
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Website (Apr 27): JAPANESE DESTROYER ISHE II Warship Visits Subic Bay
SUBIC BAY, Zambales (DWDD) – A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force warship docked in Subic Bay in Zambales for a routine port call until April 29.
The Japanese destroyer Ise (DDH 182) is on a “navigational training” mission and this is the second time in three weeks that Japanese naval vessels visited the country, the first one was during the conduct of international disaster relief activity following the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013
According to Ise Captain Masaki Takada, the visit will help strengthen ties with the Philippines and will also serve as the crew’s rest and replenishment of the vessel supplies.
The Japanese destroyer can carry 11 helicopters and is equipped with surface-to-air missile, antisubmarine rocket and torpedo systems.
Some analyst believes that the increased presence of Japanese military might is to deter the China’s plans and actions of further aggravating the tension in the Spith China Sea, after they have already activated light houses in their illegally reclaimed territories and the deployment of last February of surface to air missile launchers in Woody Island.
Panatag shoal is one of the richest fishing grounds of Filipino fishermen for decades and the increased Chinese activity and harassment has immensely affected their livelihood.
China has already built man-made islands in at least seven reefs namely the Panganiban (Mischief), Mabini (Johnson South), Gavin (Gaven), Calderon (Cuarteron), Hughes (Kennan), Malvar (Eldad) and Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reefs, that are clearly within Philippine territory and exclusive economic zone.
Aside from the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also have claims over the Spratlys..
Calls has been made to launch a joint naval and air patrols by nations affected by China’s illegal activities, to protect all nations Freedom of Navigation and Flight since one-third of the world’s oil and other trade passes.
Aside from this, the whole world awaits the decision of the United Nations International Tribunal next month on the case filed by the Philippines against China regarding the territorial disputes in the region. AES / MCAG
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Website (Apr 27): 4ID SCORES ANEW II Encountered Lawless Armed Group in Bukidnon
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City (DWDD) –Troops under 1st Special Forces Battalion who are conducting support to Law Enforcement Operation successfully encountered the Lawless Armed Group in the outskirts of Sitio kaulayanan, Brgy Lirongan, Talakag, Bukidnon at 6:30 am today, April 27, 2016.
Presence of the said Armed Group was tipped-off by a concerned civilian in the area. This prompted the 403rd Infantry Brigade to send troops to address the situation.
Upon arrival in the area, said armed group indiscriminately fired upon the government troops. Firefight ensued for about ten minutes which eventually pushed the enemy to withdraw out of the engagement area. Troops recovered one homemade improvised 12 gauge shot gun and one homemade improvised 12 gauge pistol shot gun and a body of unidentified member of the said lawless group.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) team of Talakag PNP immediately proceeded at the encounter area to facilitate the documentation of the said encounter.
Col Jesse A Alvarez, Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade said, “These are the lawless armed group who are making our people’s lives miserable. Thanks to the concerned civilian who gave timely information. Our troops were able to preempt their activities against the locales.”
Meanwhile at around 12 noon, while conducting pursuit operation against the lawless armed group, a certain Rommel Talian surrendered to the gov’t troop bringing along with him his garand rifle with nine magazines and 68 live ammunitions. Talian incurred gun shot wound at his right thigh during the encounter. The troop immediately administered first aid treatment prior his transport to the nearest medical facility.
Furthermore, the investigating PNP personnel have stressed the filing of charges against the lawless elements for possession of illegal firearms and other war materials. 4DPAO / MCAG
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Website (Apr 27): COURTESY CALL II AFP’s Chief Nurse Visits 4ID
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City (DWDD) – The Chief Nurse of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), BGen Nelia F Valmonte AFP, rendered her courtesy call to BGen Paul T Atal AFP, Assistant Division Commander 4ID, for a three-day visit of military station hospitals within 4ID’s Area of Responsibility today, April 27, 2016.
Upon BGen Valmonte’s arrival, a full military honors was given to her at Headquarters, 4thInfantry (Diamond) Division, Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City with Col Catherine N Gosingan, Commanding Officer of Camp Evangelista Station Hospital, as military host.
BGen Valmonte aims to conduct a hospital and staff visit at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital and Forward Support Medical Company stationed at the Division Advance Command Post (DACP), Butuan City.
For so many years, these station hospitals have been the active partners of the different Local Government Units of Northern Mindanao and Carage Regions. They have been actively participating with the government’s initiative to provide free health services to people especially those living in far-flung communities. However, soldiers of 4ID and their dependents are the number one priority in terms of medical and health benefits of these military station hospitals.4DPAO / MCAG
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Website (Apr 27): CSC 388 – 389 II 3ID Welcomes 168 New Soldiers Provincial Board Member Hon. Elueper Martinez of Capiz (Right) entrusts the firearm to newly enlisted soldier of 3IDCAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz (DWDD) – One hundred sixty-eight (168) newly enlisted soldiers were welcomed by the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division led by its commander Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros during the joint enlistment, entrustment of firearms and graduation ceremonies of Candidate Soldiers Classes 388 and 389 held here today April 27, 2016.
The new members of the Spearhead Troopers Division have successfully completed the six (6) month rigid Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) and Scout Ranger Orientation Course (SROC) held at the Division Training School (DTS) in Camp General Macario Peralta Jr., Jamindan, Capiz.
The training that kicked-off last October 26, 2015 aimed to provide the candidate soldiers with the basic knowledge and skills of soldiery, to develop their character worthy to become members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and to prepare them to perform duties as riflemen and automatic riflemen of the infantry squads.
Jovel A Jovena, a BS Tourism Management graduate from Brgy Uyong, Sigma, Capiz received the Commander, 3rd Infantry Division Award for graduating Number 1 besting 83 others in Class 388 with a General Point Average of 89.76% in all evaluated subjects both academic and non-academic in the said training.
While Ven M Gador, a BS Information Technology graduate from Brgy Suay, Himamaylan City , Negros Occidental topped the Class 389 besting 83 others. Gador also received the Commander, 3rd Infantry Division Award who garnered a General Point Average of 89.80% in all evaluated subjects both academic and non-academic courses.
Brig. Gen. Cabreros urged the new members of the AFP who will later implement the 3ID’s campaign “Dagyaw Para sa Kalinong” to strictly observe and respect Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and the Rule of Law and be guided by the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR) in exercising their mandate to serve the people and secure the communities.
Cabreros also reminded the newly enlisted soldiers that in war fighting, not only modern technology in weaponry, equipment and war machines will dictate who will win the battle. These are nothing if you don’t have the attitude, discipline and determination to win.
“To the new members of Team Spearhead, I believe that you have attained the basic knowledge and skills that the soldier must know and do, and developed the character that you must be. Continue to develop those attributes and always focus on your job as we intensify our efforts in sustaining the gains in peace and security in our area of responsibility,” Cabreros added.
The new soldiers will be assigned in the different battalions in Western and Central Visayas and the Negros Island Regions to perform peace and development works in the countryside and likewise add to the unit’s strength in these areas.
Meanwhile, Honorable Atty. Elueper Martinez, Provincial Board Member of Capiz who represented Honorable Victor Tanco, Sr, the Governor of Capiz, graced the activity as the Guest of Honor and Speaker and also led the ceremonial entrustment of the firearms to the newly appointed Privates.
Governor Tanco, said in his message to the soldiers as read by Board Member Martinez, that the firearm symbolizes their love for country and service to the people who are in need of their protection. “We hope that the firearms that were entrusted to you will serve as your weapons to promote peace and order in your respective fields of assignment and never to use it for your own personal vested interests nor use it to cause violence or prejudice to others.”
“I salute all of you for the courage to face another challenging chapter of your lives. Now you are the living heroes and hope of our community,” he added.
The Chief of Staff, 3ID Awards went to Jonathan V Jadol of San Joaquin, Iloilo and Ujem M Broce of Cauayan, Negros Occidental for Graduating Number 2 in Class 388 and Class 389 respectively.
Recipients of the Commandant, 3rd Division Training School Awards were Alan B Resureccion of Passi City, Iloilo and Kevin K Sumosa of Trinidad, Bohol for graduating Number 3 in Class 388 and Class 389 respectively.
For obtaining the highest rating in Physical Fitness Test throughout the duration of the training, the Physical Proficiency Awards went to Jonel A Merdon of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental for Class 388 and Ryan John E Graciosa of Pototan, Iloilo for Class 389. 3DPAO /
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Website (Apr 29): BRP GREGORIO VELASQUEZ II PN Commissions Newly-Acquired Research Ship
NAVAL STATION JOSE ANDRADA, Roxas Boulevard, Manila (DWDD) – Research Vessel (R/V) Melville, a US Navy vessel, was formally turned-over to the Philippines through a Christening and Commissioning Ceremonies, and was named Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) GREGORIO VELASQUEZ (AGR-702) with the Philippine Navy (PN) contingent headed by Commo. Narciso A Vingson Jr, the Deputy Commander, Philippine Fleet and USEC Jesus C Millan, as representative of the Secretary of National Defense, in San Diego, California on April 26, 2016 (US Time)
Auxiliary General Research (AGR) 702, the PN’s first oceanographic research vessel, departed from San Diego today, April 29 (Philippine Time), for its voyage to the Philippines handled by its crew, comprised of more or less 50 PN personnel, who underwentpreparatory training for familiarization and orientation on the operation and maintenance of various equipment aboard said vessel since March this year.
Said vessel is one of the two ships pledged by the President of the United States of America, Barrack H. Obama to donate to the Philippines during his visit in APEC Leader’s Summit last November 2015.
The research vessel will not only provide us capability for hydrographic survey, it will also become a platform for interagency collaboration for partners in the academe and thus improve awareness of our sub-surface environment. Aside from its primary mission, AGR-702 would also be a valuable platform in reviewing our Anti-submarine Warfare Capability. This acquisition also aims to address the issues in terms of marine scientific researches/surveys and to gather marine scientific data beneficial to naval operations. Also, said vessel will enhance capacity and build capability to support the environmental protection efforts and exploration of the country for economic purposes.
Per policy, auxiliary research vessels are to be named after national scientists, hence her namesake, Dr. Gregorio Velasquez, a pioneer in Philippine physiology. Dr. Velasquez was elected as academician on 1978 and conferred as National Scientist on 1982. He was conferred with a Distinguished Science Medal and Diploma of Honor from the Republic of the Philippines (1956), the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship (1956-57), Men of Science, Division of Biological Sciences in1969, World’s Who’s Who in Sciences in 1970 and the Republic of the Philippines Cultural Heritage award in 1972. NPAO / MCAG
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Website (Apr 28): RETIREMENT CEREMONY II BGen Joselito E Kakilala AFP
CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – A Retirement Ceremony was held today, April 27, 2016, in honor of Brigadier General Joselito E Kakilala at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Club at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Major General Salvador Melchor B Mison Jr AFP, the Deputy Chief of Staff AFP, served as the Presiding Officer, while Brigadier General Reuel N Sorilla, the Adjutant General AFP, read the retirement order of BGen Kakilala.
The honoree was presented with a Command Plaque, a Plaque of Honorable Service, a framed Philippine Flag and his framed medals by MGen Mison and was assisted by BGen Joel D Celino, the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (J1).
Mrs Sol, wife of BGen Kakilala, was also presented with a Plaque of Appreciation for her undying support for her husband and the AFP.
This was followed by a Testimonial Luncheon where an Audio Visual Presentation (AVP) of the life and exploits of BGen Kakilala was shown, together with messages from family, friends, mistahs and fellow officers.
One Gen Kakilala’s daughter, a niece and granddaughter rendered a dance number to the delight of the honoree and all present.
In giving their tributes, MGen Oscar T Lactao, the AFP Inspector General and a mistah from PMA Class 1984, lauded Gen Kakilala as a person who is “hardworking, focused, loyal, full of passion and enthusiasm.” He stated that Gen Kakilalas retirement is not the end of it all but the just the start.
He also credited Mrs Kakilala as a lion-tamer who brought out the best in his husband through her support, since every successful man is a woman.
Gen Kakilala’s son Jose Fidel, for his part, thanked everyone for their heart-warming support to his father whom he boasted as a “Good, Generous, and Gracious Father” for he never lets an opportunity pass to be with his family, teaching them, and is always a man with grace under pressure.
Meanwhile, MGen Mison, read the message of the acting AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Glorioso Miranda, who reflected on the life of BGen Kakilala and formally recognizing his contribution to the institution who will always be indebted to him.
In his response, BGen Kakilala expressed his heartfelt appreciation to everyone who helped him along his colourful career in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from being a SecondLieutenant after graduating from the Philippine Military Academy up to being a Company Commander, Battalion Commander, and eventually as the Commanding General of the Civil Relations Service, AFP. Before ending his speech, he made special mention of the hardships and sacrifices made by his wife Sol, who was always by his side and supporting him through thick and thin and making sure that their children were brought up well. AES / MCAG
