China Says Will Hand Over Captured US Drone, All Actions 'Professional and Responsible'

From The Diplomat (Dec 18): China Says Will Hand Over Captured US Drone, All Actions 'Professional and Responsible'

The Ministry of Defense statement has worrying implications for China’s ambitions in the South China Sea.

On Friday, U.S. defense officials announced that a Chinese naval vessel had seized a U.S. unmanned underwater naval probe, lifting it from the water despite the protests of the U.S. vessel (the USNS Bowditch) that was attempting to collect the probe.

On Saturday, the Pentagon announced that China had agreed to return the buoyancy glider, which is used to monitor ocean conditions. On Sunday, a statement from China’s defense ministry confirmed that, with spokesperson Yang Yujun saying China would “hand over the U.S. underwater drone it captured in its waters to the United States in an appropriate manner,” according to Xinhua. Yang also scolded the United States for making the incident public, saying it was “not helpful.”

The phrase “its waters,” referring to China’s waters, is particularly alarming. As Ankit pointed out yesterday, the incident took place 50 nautical miles northwest of Subic Bay — well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, and seemingly outside of China’s nine-dash line claim (although the claim has never been made with any geographical precision, so it’s impossible to say for certain where China believes the nine-dash line begins and ends). Given that, the claim that the Chinese naval vessel was acting within Chinese waters will only add fuel to fears that Beijing intends to claim the entirety of the South China Sea as its own personal lake.

However, it’s important to note that Yang himself does not use the phrase is his original Chinese statement; he merely refers to the “relevant waters of the South China Sea.” Xinhua added the descriptor “its waters” in its English-language report.

As for the rationale behind seizing the probe in the first place, Yang explained the incident as follows:

[O]n the afternoon of December 15, a Chinese naval lifeboat located an unidentified device in the waters of the South China Sea. In order to prevent the device from causing harm to the safety of navigation and personnel of passing vessels, the Chinese naval lifeboat verified and examined the device in a professional and responsible manner. 

This would seem to directly contradict the U.S. account, which has the crew of the Bowditch contacting the Chinese vessel and repeatedly informing the crew that the “unidentified device” was, in fact, U.S. property. Given that the Bowditch was in the process of retrieving the probe when the Chinese vessel captured it, it also seems unlikely that there was any real concern about the device “causing harm to the safety of navigation.”

Indeed, China’s real motive seems quite clear later on in Yang’s statement, when he reiterates that “China resolutely opposes” U.S. surveillance activities “within Chinese waters” and “demands that the U.S. side should stop such activities.” U.S. military surveillance close to China has long been one of three main complaints routinely brought up in discussions by Chinese defense officials (with the other two being U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and restrictions on high-tech exports to China).

By capturing the probe, China seems to be signalling it is prepared to take more aggressive action to end such surveillance. “China will continue to be vigilant against the relevant activities on the U.S. side, and will take necessary measures in response,” Yang said.

However, by couching its move not as a direct attempt to counter U.S. surveillance but as a selfless attempt to protect maritime safety China is trying to kill two birds with one stone. Beijing can send an unprecedented signal to the United States about the steps China’s navy is willing to take to stop surveillance. At the same time, however, China can also hold itself up a the guarantor of high seas freedom and safety — a role long played by the United States, but one which China would greatly like to take over in the Western Pacific.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/12/china-says-will-hand-over-captured-us-drone-all-actions-professional-and-responsible/

MILF leader claims to support, not defy, gov’t

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 19): MILF leader claims to support, not defy, gov’t

Belligerent Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Abdullah Macapaar, also known as “Commander Bravo” has denied establishing his own “government” in Mindanao and claimed that he was actually helping the Duterte administration in its war against illegal drugs.

‘I SUPPORT DIGONG’ – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Abdullah Macapaar, also known as ‘Commander Bravo’ (left) talks to Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers and Muslim Concerns Secretary Abdullah ‘Dabs’ Mama-o after emerging from a meeting inside a mosque in the former’s mountain hideout in Lanao del Sur, December 10. (Manila Bulletin)

Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers and Muslim Concerns Secretary Abdullah “Dabs” Mama-o met with Bravo last Dec. 10 inside a mosque at Bravo’s mountain hideout in Lanao del Sur.

The President earlier gave Mama-o 20 days to get rid of Bravo whose group is allegedly getting payoffs from drug dealers and distributors from Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, the Visayas, and other parts of the country who had come down to Lanao to hide from the authorities.

Bravo clarified that his operations in the MILF Northwestern Mindanao Front (NWMF), were, in fact, in support of the President’s war on drugs.

Bravo asserted drug syndicates were the ones that cooked up wrong information that reached the President to make it appear he was setting up a separate government.

“He (Bravo) said his command will continue complementing the president’s drive against the scourge of drugs,” said Mama-o.

“He also said that he abides by the on-going peace process between the government and the MILF,” the Presidential Adviser for OFWs and Muslim Concerns further disclosed.

http://news.mb.com.ph/2016/12/19/milf-leader-claims-to-support-not-defy-govt/

5 Takeaways on China's Theft of a US Drone in Philippine Waters in the South China Sea

From The Diplomat (Dec 17): 5 Takeaways on China's Theft of a US Drone in Philippine Waters in the South China Sea

The seizure of a U.S. underwater glider is an exceptionally brazen and illegal move by Beijing in the South China Sea.

Friday’s news of a People’s Liberation Army Dalang-III-class submarine rescue ship illegally seizing a U.S. underwater naval probe in international waters in the South China Sea earlier this week marks an unsettling and destabilizing moment in the evolution of U.S.-China disagreements over freedom of navigation and appropriate behavior at sea.

The United States has offered a fairly detailed account of what exactly transpired in the South China Sea between the USNS Bowditch, a civilian-crewed U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command Vessel, and the Chinese vessel. (The Bowditch was involved in a Bush administration-era altercation with Chinese vessels within China’s exclusive economic zone.)

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the probe — a buoyancy glider in more technical terms — was seized 50 nautical miles (roughly 90 kilometers) northwest of Subic Bay. A quick glance at a map of the Philippines’ Luzon coast and China’s nebulous nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea would suggest that the incident took place outside even China’s claimed waters, making it a particularly brazen act of unprofessional behavior at sea.

Update: China reacted to the incident on Saturday by criticizing the U.S. for “hyping” the incident and saying that it was “strongly opposed” to U.S. reconnaissance activities, without acknowledging the location of the incident. “The Chinese side will take the necessary steps in response,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense noted in a statement, adding that the glider would be returned to the United States “in an appropriate manner.” The spokesperson confirmed that the two sides are in contact through regular military channels over the incident. Also on Saturday, the Pentagon confirmed that it had “secured an understanding” with China that the glider would be returned.

Below are five takeaways regarding the possible significance of the event.

Little Direct Precedent to Be Found

The development is effectively unprecedented in U.S.-China military-to-military interactions, but its occurrence during a presidential transition leaves one thinking of the 2001 Hainan EP-3 aerial encounter and the 2009 USS Impeccable incident. Neither of those occurred during a U.S. presidential transition, but came soon after the inauguration of a new president, with some analysts of Chinese strategic affairs convinced that they represented attempts by China to gauge the temperament of new U.S. administrations on security matters.

The Impeccable incident in 2009 offer some points of comparison. As Chris Cavas reminds us at Defense News, on “March 8, 2009, several Chinese trawlers operated by naval militia harassed the U.S. Navy’s intelligence ship Impeccable about 70 miles south of Hainan Island in the South China Sea, attempting and failing to cut off and steal its towed sonar array.” In June 2009, months after the original March 2009 tensions over the Impeccable, a Chinese submarine collided, “inadvertently” according to the U.S. Department of Defense, with the vessel’s towed sonar array near Subic Bay.

The first Impeccable incident occurred within China’s EEZ, while the collision was reported to occur “off the coast of the Philippines,” with no specification of whether it took place within the country’s disputed EEZ with China.

In more recent years, there have been encounters that the United States has described as unprofessional, including unsafe aerial intercepts of U.S. surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea and a 2013 incident involving the USS Cowpens in the South China Sea.

Reports note that the Chinese submarine rescue ship did not respond to attempts by the USNS Bowditch‘s crew to communicate. The Bowditch‘s crew was “asking over bridge-to-bridge radio to please leave it there,” Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said. “The only thing they said after they were sailing off into the distance was: ‘We are returning to normal operations,'” Davis added.

Acknowledging the dangerous escalation possibilities presented by such incidents, the United States and China have agreed to both bilateral and multilateral mechanisms to increase inter-naval communication at sea and to prevent unsafe encounters at sea. Since their agreement to the 2014 Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium that year, both sides have finalized bilateral rules as well.

At the least, this week’s glider-seizure severely undermines existing protocols between the two navies in the South China Sea at a time of gradually intensifying mutual distrust. (I’d reflected on the moderate success of U.S.-China crisis management protocols early in 2016; that no longer remains true.)

Illegal by Any Measure

The glider-seizure was illegal by any measure of international law. International legal experts and South China Sea watchers Julian Ku and James Kraska have already offered two excellent looks at this aspect of the incident at Lawfare. In short, the behavior that the Chinese rescue ship engaged in was not only highly unprofessional, it was an illegal seizure of a U.S. vessel in violation of sovereign immunity. Moreover, the Chinese vessel violated high seas freedoms of the USNS Bowditch under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea — a treaty China has signed and ratified.

The legal aspect of this incident cannot be overemphasized given that it comes less than six months after China faced legal defeat at the hands of a five-judge tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration over its capacious claims in the South China Sea and its behavior therein. Unfortunately, given the change in government in the Philippines — the once-enthusiastic plaintiff in that case — the reputational costs that had been anticipated for Beijing for being found in transgression of international law never quite materialized.

A Chinese naval vessel engaging in what amounts to outright theft outside the nine-dash line should spur regional claimant states and certainly the United States to forcefully speak out in favor of international law.

Scope for a Response?

Speaking out in favor of international law cannot alone provide a fitting and proportionate response by the United States to an unusually provocative act by a Chinese naval vessel. While the fact that the Obama administration has barely a month in office before turning the keys over to the incoming Trump administration may complicate the ability to strategically react over the long term, various tactical options are available to administration in retaliation.

In a sense, this week’s incident provides an adequate impetus for a high-seas-assertion freedom of navigation operation by U.S. vessels within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef — a move that various commentators, including myself, have recommended for some time. Informed speculation suggests that the Obama administration has avoided this FONOP on the grounds that it would prove exceptionally provocative in Chinese eyes, but this unprecedented provocation may demand an exceptional response — especially to underline the important principles of the international law of the sea that are routinely violated by Chinese naval and coast guard vessels.

So far, Washington’s response has been to name China and insist on the return of the vessel by issuing a formal demarche, but doing so without emphasizing the centrality of freedom of navigation to U.S. interests in the South China Sea would be a missed opportunity. Beijing, in particular, differentiates between freedom of navigation for military and civilian vessels in exclusive economic zones — a distinction that does not exist under international law. If China faces no reputational costs over its unprofessional and illegal action in the South China Sea, it will have little incentive to alter its behavior.

A ‘Small Blind’ Bet By China Against Trump?

As mentioned above, this incident does leave one thinking of the 2001 Hainan and 2009 USS Impeccable incidents as tests by China of an incoming administration. Indeed, Donald Trump’s recent moves on China — including his call to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and repeated criticism of Chinese economic and security practices, including in the South China Sea — may well have caught Chinese policymakers off-guard. Trump’s flirting with a revision to the U.S. “one China” policy in particular has raised particular concern in Beijing, which regards U.S. compliance with its “one China” principle as a sine qua non for diplomatic relations.

Deriving Chinese intentions from the glider-seizure is but an exercise in speculation at this point, but it isn’t unthinkable that Beijing, recognizing Trump’s highly unusual diplomatic style, is choosing to test his rhetorical response thresholds at least before he enters office. For instance, Beijing may be interested in what — if anything — Trump tweets out publicly in reaction to the seizure. (As of this writing, Trump remains quiet on the incident.)

The Trump angle shouldn’t be over-considered here, however. This is not China necessarily placing its “small blind” bet, daring Trump to up the ante or lose credibility in Asia. Long-time Asia-Pacific security watchers will recognize a long pattern of unprofessional Chinese naval and aerial acts, designed to provoke Washington and slowly continue the assertion — and in this case expansion — of China’s claims. Beyond Trump, revelations regarding China’s deployment of anti-aircraft assets to its artificial islands in the Spratlys and a forceful speech by the commander of U.S. Pacific Command in Australia could both represent proximate causes for Chinese action.

Finally, there is the idea that the Chinese submarine rescue vessel somehow picked up the U.S. glider inadvertently, but this interpretation holds little water. U.S. accounts put the Dalang-III-class ship within 500 yards of the Bowditch, with the vessel actively seizing a “clearly marked” U.S. glider. (There were two submerged gliders, one of which was recovered by the Bowditch.) Additionally, there’s also a low likelihood that the Chinese vessel acted as a “rogue,” without direct authorization from above.

If there is a signal in all this for the incoming Donald Trump administration, it’s that China will continue to uncompromisingly push the envelope on what it’s willing to do to assert its claims in the South China Sea and it won’t “fold,” so to speak, on its core interests, which include territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Update: Trump reacted to the incident early on Saturday, by tweeting the following: “China steals United States Navy research drone in international waters – rips it out of water and takes it to China in unprecedented act.” The use of “research vessel” and “international waters” may suggest that the U.S. president-elect was briefed before this statement.

Stolen Tech?

In 2001, one of the reasons the Hainan incident involving a temporarily grounded U.S. EP-3 aircraft turned into a nightmare was because China was able to technologically survey U.S. technology, potentially abetting and accelerating its own development of advanced aerial surveillance technology. When early reports had emerged of a U.S. “unmanned underwater vehicle” captured by a Chinese vessel, a similar concern struck me. However, knowing that this is a buoyancy glider, the odds of a serious qualitative intellectual property edge being lost are moderate.

First, China has made fairly impressive domestic strides in underwater glider technology (see reports here and here). According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), gliders “may be equipped with a wide variety of sensors to monitor temperature, salinity, currents, and other ocean conditions.” As Sam LaGrone explained at the U.S. Naval Institute’s website, “gliders largely use unclassified means to collect data for the Navy’s charts and ocean models.” Submersible oceanographic data collection can also assist in anti-submarine warfare reconnaissance — an area where China’s Navy has devoted considerable resources, but lags behind the United States in general.

The uninhibited operation of U.S. gliders is naturally critical for maritime domain awareness and frictionless naval operations, but it is unlikely that China will draw any significant qualitative edge over the United States by way of the incident. That, of course, doesn’t mean that Beijing won’t choose to hold on to the U.S. glider for as long as it realistically can to survey its technology. (If you want to check out a Littoral Battlespace Sensing-Glider, which may have been involved in the incident, check out this video.)

Final Thoughts

The details around this incident will be subject to scrutiny in the coming days, as China responds and ostensibly works with the United States toward resolving what could easily become a major crisis and set the tone for U.S.-China confrontation in the early days of the Trump administration. The “big picture” takeaway is that this is the first instance of a Chinese naval vessel illegally seizing the assets of a third-party navy within the exclusive economic zone of another South China Sea claimant state — the Philippines in this case.

Above all, the signal sent this week cannot be misjudged. China’s plans for the South China Sea remain unchanged and its military will continue to assert its capacious, illegal claims with increasingly brazen tactics when necessary.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/12/5-takeaways-on-chinas-theft-of-a-us-drone-in-the-philippine-waters-in-the-south-china-sea/

US: Will still work with Duterte despite outburst

From the Manila Bulletin  (Dec 19): US: Will still work with Duterte despite outburst

The United States government said Sunday it will still work with President Rodrigo Duterte to address any concerns after he threatened to terminate a pact that allows US troops to visit the Philippines.

US flag and President Rodrigo Duterte

The US Embassy in Manila said Washington will work closely with the Duterte administration to address any concerns it may have. It did not elaborate.

 

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but spokesman Josh Earnest had said previously that the White House would not react publicly each time Duterte made an offhand remark.

 

Malacanang clarified that the President was just making a warning when he said that he would abrogate the VFA, according to Asst. Secretary Ana Marie Banaag.

 

President Duterte was enraged after a US government aid agency deferred a vote on a renewal of a major development assistance package for the Philippines over concerns about extrajudicial killings in Duterte’s war on illegal drug, which has left thousands dead.

 

Although no decision on the aid package has been taken, Duterte on Saturday launched an expletives-laden tirade, telling the US to “prepare to leave the Philippines, prepare for the eventual repeal or the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).’’

 

He was referring to a 1998 accord that governs American forces visiting the Philippines for joint combat exercises. The pact has helped the Philippines contain a violent Muslim insurgency in the south and train and equip Filipino forces facing an assertive China in disputed South China Sea waters.

 

“You know, tit for tat … if you can do this, so (can) we. It isn’t a one-way traffic,’’ Duterte said, adding, “Bye-bye America.’’

 

The 71-year-old Duterte, who describes himself as a left-wing politician, has made similar threats before and after taking office in June, but he and his officials have walked back on many of his public statements, causing confusion.

 

Duterte on Saturday praised China as having “the kindest soul of all’’ for offering what he said was significant financial assistance. “So, what do I need America for?’’ he asked.

 

He also said Russia can be a very important ally. “They do not insult people, they do not interfere,’’ he said.

 

The Philippines had been slated for another aid package after its previous five-year, $434-million poverty reduction program was successfully completed in May under Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III.

 

A spokeswoman for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Laura Allen, said Thursday that it would continue to monitor events in the Philippines before the next board review in March, 2017.

 

‘Double loss’

 

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chairman of the House Committee on Defense and National Security, strongly urged President Duterte to consult his close advisers as well as the leaders of Congress before he decides to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

 

Believing that scrapping the VFA is a “double loss” for the Philippines, Biazon cited the need for the Chief Executive to consult the leaders of Congress, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana before scrapping the VFA, which was signed in 1998.

 

“The statement of the President should be based on a consultation within the country’s security sector, which means he should have consulted his national security advisers because it has huge implication in our country’s defense security,” he said in a radio interview.

 

He asked President Duterte to think twice before abrogating the VFA because it might affect the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program and given the remaining territorial spat with China.

 

He also warned the President against befriending China because such gesture might give the economic giant courage to “further exploit” the disputed areas.

 

http://news.mb.com.ph/2016/12/19/us-will-still-work-with-duterte-despite-outburst/

Anti-insurgency plan stepped up

From The Standard (Dec 18): Anti-insurgency plan stepped up

The Armed Forces of the Philippines  will  intensify  its anti-insurgency campaign under the Internal Peace and Security Plan or Oplan Bayanihan with  minor additions in addressing threats,  a  general said on Sunday.

“The whole strategy of the IPSP Bayanihan has been enhanced to cope with the prevailing situation where there were peace talks with rebel groups. Supplemental concepts and operational plans are also new additions to the IPSP especially in dealing with terrorism and other lawless elements,” the general said in an interview Manila Standard. 

He    asked not to be identified because he was not  authorized  to talk about the matter.   The oplan would be the focal point of the speech of AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eduardo Año during the  AFP Day  this week, he said.

AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eduardo Año

“In general, the AFP will not be veering away from the concept and strategic objective of Oplan Bayanihan. The AFP will be making a big difference though when it comes to broadening the participation of all stakeholders toward progress and development,” the general said.

In Camp Aguinaldo, military public affairs Colonel Ed Arevalo, however, said there would be a new campaign plan.

“We will be implementing the new campaign plan    starting January 2017. But there will be no formal launching. The CSAFP is expected    to announce it in his Anniversary speech,” he said.

Arevalo talked about national security, defeating the enemies of the state and other threat groups but could not give more details.

He said he doesn’t know yet what would be the name of the new campaign plan but emphasized that this was the product of series of consultations with government agencies and the Technical Working Group of the AFP Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations or OJ3.

“We can say it is about the role that the AFP will perform in nation building,” he  said.

Oplan Bayanihan replaced  the Oplan Bantay Laya I and II, which both  failed  to eliminate the 48-year-old Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.

Leftist groups despised both the counter-insurgency plans as the AFP’s implementing machines to suppress people’s movements criticizing the government up to committing “extrajudicial killings” against activists.

The Duterte administration and the communist movement are currently negotiating for a bilateral ceasefire as part of confidence building for a possible signing of  a permanent peace deal.

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/224471/anti-insurgency-plan-stepped-up.html

DWDD: PHL SECURITY THREAT | New AFP Campaign Plan

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Dec 19): PHL SECURITY THREAT | New AFP Campaign Plan

CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is set to introduce its new campaign plan aimed at defeating the country’s different security threats.

According to AFP Public Affairs Office chief Marine Col. Edgard Arevalo, the still to be named campaign plan will be replacing the successfull but soon to end “Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan.”



The new campaign plan will be formally announced on the AFP’s 81^st Anniversary on Wednesday, Decembe 21, 2016 which is about the militarys possible role in nation building and defeating the enemies of the state or any threats to national security.

IPSP “Bayanihan” was first implemented on Dec. 22, 2010 which provided the AFP with the strategic guidance in the performance of their mandated functions of protecting the state and the people. It is to help the AFP units in planning for and contributing to the attainment of internal peace and security.

Meanwhile, this years anniversary celebration carry’s the theme: “Conquering Challenges, Harnessing Change.” AES / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2016/12/19/phl-security-threat-new-afp-campaign-plan/

DWDD: PINNING OF RANK | Army dons stars to new generals

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Dec 19): PINNING OF RANK | Army dons stars to new generals

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army donned new star ranks to four senior Army officers in a simple ceremony held at Headquarters Philippine Army here today. 

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda led the donning of ranks to the new sets of senior officers who have diligently earned their second and first stars.

Brig. Gens. Robert M. Arevalo, the Army Chief of Staff and Danilo G. Pamonag, Commander of the Army’s Special Operation Command were promoted to Major Generals, respectively.

Cols. Jesus A. Manangquil Jr and Gilbert I. Gapay received their first-star rank.

Manangquil is the current Commander of 101st Brigade of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division based in Jolo, Sulu, while Gapay is the Assistant Division Commander of the Mechanized Infantry Division in Capas, Tarlac.

Meanwhile, the Army chief said that bearing a star on one’s soldier symbolizes the pennant of a fruitful military career after overcoming bumps and obstacles along the way.

“In the dedicated and committed service of our promotees, they have displayed nothing but exceptional leadership skills. Not only are they exemplars of professionalism and service excellence, they are also instrumental in the accomplishment of our mission to attain a just and long-lasting peace,” said Miranda.

Miranda also reminded the newly-promoted generals of the Army’s major thrusts and priority tasks, “the stars that you now bear on your shoulder come with greater responsibilities. I count on your continued support for the successful attainment of our objectives and exert efforts in sustaining our operational readiness at the highest level possible. We must not forget that our core competency remains to be war fighting.

http://dwdd.com.ph/2016/12/19/pinning-of-rank-army-dons-stars-to-new-generals/

MILF: TAF Country Representative Rood bids farewell to MILF Leadership

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Dec 18): TAF Country Representative Rood bids farewell to MILF Leadership



Dr. Steven A. Rood, The Asia Foundation (TAF) Representative to the Philippines is retiring soon after seventeen years with the TAF.

In a visit to the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in its Administrative Base at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last December 17, Dr. Rood with a heavy heart informed MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim of his decision to retire from the TAF.

Dr. Rood represents TAF as a member of the International Contact Group (ICG) for the Mindanao Peace Process established in 2009 by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Dr. Rood is also a member of the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) formally established in 2013.

Al Haj Murad and Dr. Rood in their brief meeting have also taken up some issues on how and why the BBL failed to pass the congress during the 16th Congress.

A friendly end-up meeting and a cheerful conversation occurred between MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad and Dr.Rood. The MILF Leadership expressed thanks and gratitude to The Asia Foundation and to Dr. Rood who had been a reliable partner in the peace-making.

During his stint in the country as Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, the Foundation had funded countless of projects and programs in Mindanao, some of them were capacity and competency programs for MILF members and local inhabitants who are affiliated with the Moro Front.

A great number of these capacity and competency programs were either held in the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao,  Cotabato City and  in other parts of Mindanao.

http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/1003-taf-country-representative-rood-bids-farewell-to-milf-leadership

Yasay reiterates: Duterte will not deviate from tribunal ruling on South China Sea

From the Philippine Star (Dec 19): Yasay reiterates: Duterte will not deviate from tribunal ruling on South China Sea             

The Philippines' top diplomat assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte will not deviate from the ruling of an arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea dispute despite revitalizing bilateral ties with China.

Duterte earlier said that he will "set aside" the milestone ruling to mend relations with China that grew hostile over the territorial disputes.

"In the play of politics, now, I will set aside the arbitral ruling. I will not impose anything on China," Duterte said.

READ: Duterte says he'll set aside sea feud ruling against China

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On the other hand, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. stressed that the Philippine government adheres to the Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling on the disputed waters.

"I also wish to reiterate what the President has stated in the past that he will not deviate from the four corners of the ruling," Yasay said in a statement released Monday.   

Last July, the arbitral tribunal ruled that China violated its commitment to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) when it started building artificial islands in the South China Sea.

The tribunal also concluded that China's nine-dash line claim over the contested waters does not have a legal basis.

Yasay stressed that the country is a state party to the 1982 UNCLOS and that the Philippine Constitution accepts the principles in the treaty as part of national law.

"As such, the Philippines will respect its rights and responsibilities under these treaties, including those rights recently reaffirmed by the July 12th ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal on maritime entitlements in the South China Sea," Yasay said.

He noted that the Philippine government will continue to strengthen bilateral ties with China until it has reached a "trust level" which will allow them to discuss the maritime dispute.

"This we will continue to do for the foreseeable future, until such time that we achieve a trust level that will allow us to discuss the more sensitive issues in our bilateral relations," the Foreign Affairs chief said.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/12/19/1654964/yasay-reiterates-duterte-will-not-deviate-tribunal-ruling-south-china

Oplan Bayanihan ends as Duterte orders AFP to support NDF talks

From Rappler (Dec 19): Oplan Bayanihan ends as Duterte orders AFP to support NDF talks

(UPDATED) The communist rebels have long called for the abolition of Oplan Bayanihan, which they claim is behind alleged human rights abuses committed by the military in the countryside   

SUPPORT TALKS WITH LEFT. President Rodrigo Duterte asks the military to support his peace initiatives with communist rebels. Rappler photo

The Philippine military's counter-insurgency campaign "Oplan Bayanihan" ends this month, paving the way for a new campaign plan that will take into account the ongoing peace talks with communist rebels.

It's a policy decision that will please the communist guerrillas, who have long been campaigning against Bayanihan.

"We will be implementing the new campaign plan starting January 2017. There will be no formal launching but the CSAFP (chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Eduardo Año) is expected to announce it in his anniversary speech," said AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Edgard Arevalo on Sunday, December 18. The AFP will celebrate its 81st anniversary on Wednesday, December 21. President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to lead the celebration in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

A source privy to the preparation of the new campaign plan said it will reflect Duterte's orders to the military to support peace talks with the communist rebels.

The Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan or "Oplan Bayanihan" is a public document detailing the military strategy under the previous Aquino administration to address security threats.

It's an offshoot of Oplan Bantay Laya, the counter-insurgency campaign under the Arroyo administration, that was blamed for the extrajudicial killings of political activitists at the time.

Oplan Bayanihan supports peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front while seeking to defeat the Abu Sayyaf Group and the then dominant foreign terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), following a policy of non-negotiation.

In the case of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the military sought to diminish the armed group until it becomes "irrelevant," and the rebels are forced to abandon the armed struggle and go back to the negotiating table.

The military has credited Oplan Bayanihan for "clearing" several areas where the NPA was present. The military claims the rebels are now down to 2,000 armed combatants.

The NPA and leftist organizations, on the other hand, blame Oplan Bayanihan for alleged human rights abuses committed by the military in the countryside. They had long called for its abolition, stepping up their campaign against it after the peace talks resumed.

Talks between the communist rebels and the Duterte administration formally resumed in August. It paved the way for unprecedented unilateral ceasefires between the military and the NPA, which have been holding for 4 months now although both camps have reported complaints. The government also committed amnesty for political prisoners.

If issues are resolved, a more stable bilateral ceasefire will be signed before the 3rd round of talks in January. (READ: PH, NDF closer to signing joint ceasefire deal)

The CPP and the NPA are responsible for the longest running communist insurgency in Asia. The CPP is celebrating its 48th anniversary on December 26 through "peace rallies" nationwide.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/155925-oplan-bayanihan-ends

Duterte to release around 20 political prisoners by Dec 25 – Bello

From Rappler (Dec 19): Duterte to release around 20 political prisoners by Dec 25 – Bello

Some of those likely to be released may be asked to join the ongoing peace talks, says chief government negotiator and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III



CHRISTMAS RELEASE. In this file photo, members of the government panel discuss the process of releasing political prisoners. File photo by Edwin Espejo/OPAPP

Around 20 political prisoners are likely to be released by President Rodrigo Duterte before Christmas, December 25, said government panel chief negotiator and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Bello, in a chance interview with reporters on Monday, December 19, said "around 20" political detainees may be released.

"Mostly these are the sickly, elderly, and women," said Bello. Asked if they will be released before December 25, he said, "Dapat (Should be)."

They will be released on humanitarian grounds or bail recognizance. One to 3 of those released may join peace talks between the government and National Democratic Front, the negotiating arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The two sides are set to resume formal peace talks in Rome early next year.

The Left is currently demanding the immediate release of around 130 political detainees out of the total 432.

Duterte, however, wants the government panel and NDF to first sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement before he releases the 130 prisoners.

The Duterte government has so far released at least 20 political prisoners, including alleged New People’s Army chief Benito Tiamzon, so they could participate in the talks.

 

But the release of the rest is taking “way too long,” the CPP has said.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/156006-duterte-release-20-political-prisoners-december-25

PH troubled by incident between China, US navies off Subic

From Rappler (Dec 19): PH troubled by incident between China, US navies off Subic

It risks a confrontation between the 2 military superpowers very near the Philippine mainland, says Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana   



YELLOW DRONES. This photo shows the recovery of US ocean gliders off the coast of Scotland. A similar unmanned underwater vehicle was seized by the Chinese Navy off the coast of the Philippines. Photo from the Pentagon web site

The Philippines described as "very troubling" the presence of US and China navies inside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) last week when their ships figured in an incident off the coast of Subic Bay. (READ: China seizes US naval underwater probe in South China Sea)

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said it is "very troubling" because it risks a confrontation between the two military superpowers very near the country's mainland. It also threatens to violate the country's exclusive rights over resources in the area.

"Not only does it increase the likelihood of miscalculations that could lead to open confrontation very near the Philippine mainland but the commission of activities other than innocent passage which impinge upon the right of the Philippines over the resources in its EEZ are violations of the Phil rights over its EEZ," Lorenzana said in a statement issued Monday afternoon, December 19.
The US publicly protested how the Chinese Navy on Friday, December 16, snatched one of its underwater drones just as a US Navy ship was attempting to retrieve it 50 nautical miles off the coast of its former naval base in Zambales province.

The US Navy was sending radio messages to demand the return of the underwater drone but the Chinese Navy ignored the calls.

Lorenzana said he hopes that the US and China can resolve the issue and make sure that it won't happen again.

"I believe that the United States and China can reach an amicable resolution to prevent any further incidents from taking place," Lorenzana said.

Days after the US protested, China said it will return the drone to the US. But China slammed the superpower for "hyping up" the incident.

The Philippines said it was not aware that the US Navy was operating an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) inside its EEZ until after it was seized by China. (READ: US alerts PH after China seized its underwater drone off Subic)

The US maintained that the US Navy was conducting "routine operations in accordance with international law." US claimed the underwater drone was not spying, but was gathering military oceanographic data such as salinity, water temperature, and sound speed.

It appears that the Chinese Navy ship had been tailing the US Navy ship.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/155996-philippines-troubled-china-us-presence

Key PNP officers get cash gift from Duterte

From Rappler (Dec 19): Key PNP officers get cash gift from Duterte

(UPDATED) Key senior officials will be receiving between P50,000 and P400,000 as a 'cash gift'

Top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be having a happy holiday season – at least financially – in 2016, after President Rodrigo Duterte released "cash gifts" ranging from P50,000 to P400,000.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa made the announcement on Monday, December 19, during the PNP National Headquarters Christmas party. Senior officials – from directorate chiefs, deputies, executive officers, regional directors, and even provincial directors will be beneficiaries of the cash gift which came from no less than Malacañang.

Those with "star ranks" or with ranks ranging from chief superintendent (one-star) to director general (four-star) will get between P100,000 and P400,000. Senior officials are those with the rank senior superintendent (equivalent to a full colonel in the military) and higher.

Speaking before a crowd of PNP personnel and their families, Dela Rosa joked that he decided to make the announcement public so that the money would go to their wives and not their second wives.
"Lahat po kayo, after this just proceed to my office at kunin 'nyo 'yung pamasko na bigay ni President Duterte (All of you, after this program just proceed to my office to get the gift from President Duterte)," he said.

In a chance interview with media after the program, Dela Rosa said not everyone in the PNP will receive a cash gift, even if Duterte would have wanted it that way.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS. PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa. File photo by Joel Liporada/Rappler

 

"But that's enough for us because first time 'yang nangyari sa PNP na meron talaga cash gift na nanggagaling sa Malacañang (for the first time in the PNP, we're getting a cash gift from Malacañang)," he said.

The amount the key officers will get depends on their current positions and their performance.

In his speech, Dela Rosa explained that Duterte gave the cash gifts because "that's how much he supports the PNP. Love na love niya yung PNP kaya lahat tayo happy (He loves the PNP so we're all happy)."

The PNP has been the primary government agency in Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs. Although it's the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that's tasked by law to be the lead in anti-narcostics efforts, it's the police who've racked up the most arrests, operations, and kills in the drugs war.

Asked where the funds came from, Dela Rosa playfully chided reporters and said: "'Wag na kayong magtanong sa'n galing. Basta 'di 'yan galing sa drugs. Galing 'yan, siguro, sa intelligence fund ng Presidente." (Don't ask where it comes from. But I tell you, it's not from drugs. I suppose it comes from the President's intelligence funds.)

There are 18 regional offices in the PNP, which supervise the country's 81 provinces. At the PNP headquarters, there are at least 12 directorates and 23 operational and administrative support units.

Dela Rosa also defended the PNP and Duterte from early criticism of the cash gift. Transparency, he said, was why he made a public announcement.

The PNP chief also chided critics for criticizing the cash gift now when in the past, nobody reacted to apparent cases of PNP officials pocketing funds.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/155964-pnp-cash-gift-duterte

No parade of warmaking assets on 81st AFP anniversary

From InterAksyon (Dec 19): No parade of warmaking assets on 81st AFP anniversary



File photograph of past AFP anniversary parade. Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

The upcoming 81st founding anniversary on Wednesday, December 21, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be highlighted by updates pertaining to the military roadmap and programs rather than the customary fancy display of war-making and fighting capability, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla disclosed on Monday.

In keeping with tradition, President Rodrigo Duterte, the Commander-in-Chief, will be gracing the commemoration.

AFP sources say Duterte will be giving updates on the status of the armament acquisition plans from different countries, including possible arms contracts with Russia and China.

AFP Chief of Staff Lt Gen. Eduardo Año is also expected to report on the status of the counterinsurgency campaign, Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP), or Oplan Bayanihan, since its inception in January 2011.

The name Oplan Bayanihan is expected to be replaced by a new one, but the content and program nuts and bolts will basically be the same, with emphasis on the central theme of nation building and the broader involvement of all sectors of society, especially local government units.

As for the celebration program proper, Padilla also said there will be no flyby of air assets or display of fighting capability by the Army, Air Force and Navy.

He said the AFP has opted to make the celebration simple, which means no aerial exhibition of the FA50 "Golden Eagles" and military helicopters as in previous occasions.

"Simple, least cost but meaningful and relevant commemoration is the overriding consideration," he said.

But the audience will be entertained by the colorful parade of units of the AFP including the display of the military's capability on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR).

http://interaksyon.com/article/135400/no-parade-of-warmaking-assets-on-81st-afp-anniversary

(Yearender) AFP Modernization not taking a backseat in Duterte administration

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19): (Yearender) AFP Modernization not taking a backseat in Duterte administration

With the country undergoing a massive campaign to eliminating the illegal drugs menace, criminality and corruption, the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is not taking a backseat amidst these initiatives as the six-month administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has given the green-light for the construction and acquisition of the nation's first two missile-armed frigates.

Contract signing for this project took place last Oct. 24. The winning bidder is South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana formally inked the contract for the project as principal signatory along with ranking officials and delegates from HHI.

Signing took place at the Philippine Navy (PN)'s headquarters in Naval Station Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

The project involves the construction and delivery of two missile-firing frigates to the PN.

The signing of the contract signals the start of the construction and is the culmination of the long and tedious procurement process for the project.

As background, the Notice of Award was approved, issued and was duly conformed by HHI on Sept. 13 with the amount of US$ 336,912,000 or PHP15,744,571,584.

Another PHP2 billion was also allocated for the acquisition of assorted anti-air, anti-sub, and anti-surface weapon platforms and munitions for the two frigates.

Lorenzana said the project is of utter significance to the DND and to the PN, in particular. It is the single most expensive modernization project signed by the Duterte administration as of this time.

Signing of the missile-firing frigate contract demonstrates the willingness of the Duterte administration to go ahead with projects started by its predecessors provided no evidence of anomalies are unearthed or discovered.

The DND chief earlier said the AFP Modernization Program remains a priority of the new defense leadership.

This is because the program jibes with the Duterte administration's plan of having a credible deterrence to secure Philippine territory especially the maritime ones.

"In the long run we will still follow our modernization because you know it jibes with what our long term plans (of) having credible deterrence to secure our territory (especially the) maritime plan," he said.

And while some projects may be fast-tracked to address criminality, terrorism, and insurgency threats in southern Philippines, Lorenzana said they will follow the plans laid for the AFP Modernization Program.

"The 15-year modernization program of the AFP will continue as scheduled," he earlier stated.

Some of the equipment acquired in this period include the three Hamilton-class cutters, the latest of which is the BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) who arrived last Dec.9, six multi-purpose assault craft, 114 armored personnel carriers, three brand-new C-295 medium lift aircraft, three C-130 heavy transports, four FA-50PH light-interim fighter aircraft, the last two jets arriving last Dec. 1; five utility versions of the AgustaWestland AW-109 helicopters, eight of its attack versions, five landing craft heavies, three multi-purpose attack craft, and two strategic sealift vessels to name a few.

As this develops, plans to acquire modern weapons from other countries like Russia and the People's Republic of China are now in the works as ranking DND officials are coordinating with their counterparts to see what types of equipment can be sourced from these two countries.

Lorenzana said he is scheduled to meet with ranking Chinese officials to discuss China's firearms offer to the country.

These officials are Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jinhua and the Chinese Defense attache.

Lorenzana said the meeting is to determine what type of firearms China is willing to provide to the country.

"If its already available, we will look into it and see if we need it," he added.

The DND chief also said he sees no problem for Filipino troops in handling Chinese firearms especially if it etched with Chinese characters.

"(Firearms are) mechanical. One doesn't need to read the guide to operate it. All you have to do it operate it manually. That will not be a problem," he said.

With regards to quality, the DND chief said they will know it once they see the weapons first hand.
The DND chief also said they are gearing to acquire sniper rifles from Russia.

This was based on the orders by President Rodrigo Duterte, he added.

"The President told us to look into the sniper rifles being produced by Russia as these are good. Although we are still to see anything yet, they (Russians) will show us some models for testing to (determine whether are suitable for our needs)," Lorenzana said in Filipino.

Earlier, DND undersecretary for finance, munition, materiel Raymund DV Elefante said the country is open to acquire weapons of all kind from Russia but said these are dependent on the nation's capabilities to handle these equipment.

Capabilities refer to the funding and manpower capable of handling these weapons.

"It depends. As long (as) we have capabilities (i.e funds and manpower) but this is still a long-term (plan)," he added.

Elefante made this statement when asked if the Philippines is interested in acquiring attack helicopters, diesel electric submarines and fighter jets from Russia aside from small arms like the AK-47 automatic rifle and longe-range sniper rifles.

Aside from upgrading the AFP, the Duterte administration also made significant headway in bringing peace to the countryside due to ongoing peace talks with the New People's Army (NPA).

Armed confrontation between the AFP and the NPA finally ceased after PRRD restored the declaration of ceasefire on Aug. 21 after lifting it noting violations from the rebel group.

President Duterte's gesture in restoring the erstwhile unilateral ceasefire declaration effectively reimposed the suspension of military operations earlier issued by the AFP to its field units.

Further, peace-building efforts were exerted to ensure that line units are aware of the advocacy of the Commander-in-Chief, including the dissemination of the proposed reconstituted JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees) list and the release of detained alleged political prisoners.

The original JASIG list was meant to identify communist members who will figure in the peace negotiations with the CPP-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front) and will aid in the implementation of the ceasefire with the rebels.

On the other hand, the AFP attended the workshop of the combined Secretariat of the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Davao City on Aug. 28.

The workshop reviewed the signed agreements/guidelines of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities that will aid refresh talks with the MILF as well as the Moro National Liberation Front to come up with a more inclusive peace plan.

In the ongoing war against illegal drugs, the military's participation in the campaign was propelled by the signing of the Joint Letter of Instruction on Aug. 24, prescribing the mission, concept, and tasks of the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the war on drugs.

It also activated on July 24 with the PNP, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other law enforcement agencies also activated Task Force Noah mandated to conduct intelligence and counterintelligence operations.

These inter-agency efforts enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the steps taken to implement President Duterte's order to end the proliferation and use of illegal drugs in the country.

To manifest its adherence to the campaign, the AFP conducted random drug testing within its ranks.
Through Task Groups Jacob, Midas, Joshua, and Salamander, the AFP conducted random drug tests on 19,163 military and civilian personnel, allowing the identification of 44 individuals who tested positive to the use of certain illegal drugs.

With the purpose to establish a drug-free country leading towards a peaceful and secure environment conducive for sustainable development, the AFP also supported the implementation of "Oplan Tokhang" of the PNP through the conduct of 169 anti-illegal drugs operations, resulting to the arrest and apprehension of 191, surrender of 689, and killing of eight drug suspects.

Meanwhile, three AFP personnel offered their lives in this campaign while five others were wounded during the joint operations with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency against the group of Moks Masgal in Barangay Nabalawag, Midsayap, North Cotabato in Aug. 14.

The AFP opened its camps to host the rehabilitation facilities for drug dependents. The Philippine Army committed areas in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal; Camp Alfredo Santos in Calauag, Quezon; Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz; Camp Kibaritan in Kalilangan, Bukidnon; Camp Lucero in Carmen, North Cotabato; Camp Paulino Santos in Alamada, North Cotabato; and the 401st Brigade Headquarters in Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur.

The construction of the drug rehabilitation facility in Fort Ramon Magsaysay on a 10-hectare land in Nueva Ecija is nearing completion. The project, a joint venture of the Department of Health and the Army Real Estate Office, is expected to accommodate around 1,200 individuals.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=949425

Latest AFP campaign plan aims to defeat all PHL security threats

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19): Latest AFP campaign plan aims to defeat all PHL security threats

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s latest campaign plan is aimed at defeating the country's various security threats.

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in an interview Sunday.

Arevalo decline to give the exact name of the new campaign plan which will replace the expiring Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan," adding that it will be formally announced this coming AFP Foundation Day this Dec. 21.

"In a nutshell, we can say the new AFP campaign plan is about the military possible role in nation building and defeating the enemies of the state or threats to national security," he stressed.

"Bayanihan" refers aims to “provide the strategic guidance in the performance of (the AFP’s) mandated functions of protecting the state and the people. It shall help AFP units in planning for and contributing to the attainment of internal peace and security.”

It was first implemented on Dec. 22, 2010 and is scheduled to end this year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=949400

PHL reiterates peaceful resolution of WPS row with China

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19): PHL reiterates peaceful resolution of WPS row with China

Amid reports that China is increasing its military might in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) by putting up anti-aircraft missiles which elicited concerns on freedom of navigation and overflight operations from the U.S. and Japan, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., on Monday said the Philippines would rather address the issue through peaceful resolution.

The chief Philippine envoy pointed out that for the meantime, “we have placed it at the back burner without compromising our rights as declared by the arbitral tribunal.”

“Let them take whatever action is necessary in the pursuit of their national interest is concerned and we will leave it at that,” Yasay said.

He said the Philippines has its own bilateral agreement with China to ensure no further actions would raise tension in the disputed region.

“We feel that this is necessary also as part of a confidence-building measure so that we can later on go back to the issue of our dispute in the West Philippine Sea, through peaceful resolution,” Yasay said.

“Let them take whatever action is necessary in the pursuit of their national interest is concerned and we will leave it at that,” said Yasay who was referring to US and Japan.

DFA spokesman and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, last week said that Manila was verifying the report.

If proven, he said it would be a “cause for serious concern because it tends to raise tension and undermine peace and stability in the region.”

“We, thus, renew our call on all parties concerned to refrain from taking any action that would raise tension in the region and further complicate the situation. Concerned parties should instead work together to promote peace, security and stability in the South China Sea,” Jose was quoted as saying.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=949470

No fly-bys for 81st AFP foundation anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19): No fly-bys for 81st AFP foundation anniversary

In line with its cost-effectiveness policy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be celebrating its 81st founding anniversary on Wednesday without the traditional aircraft fly-by.

"Simple, less cost but meaningful and revelant commemoration is the over-riding consideration," AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

Traditionally, AFP founding anniversaries are opened with a high-speed opener pass.

Another consideration is that airspace clearance will be difficult to obtain as parade ceremonies will be held at the parade grounds of AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"The parade will be held (in Camp Aguinaldo) not in Clark Air Base (in Angeles City, Pampanga) where air space clearance is much easier to obtain," he added.

This means that the four newly-acquired South Korean FA-50PHs jet fighters and three remaining SIAI-Marchetti S-211s along with other brand-new Air Force planes will not be flying in formation in this year's military parade.

However, the Philippine Air Force will still be participating in the activity as its parading elements and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief units and equipment will be joining in the festivities, Padilla stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=949469

Gov’t open to amending Constitution for peace – Sec. Dureza

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19): Gov’t open to amending Constitution for peace – Sec. Dureza

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza has said that the government is open to amending or even rewriting the 1987 Constitution to address the root causes of armed rebel resistance to the government.

“If you really look up what they (rebels) aspire for, you have to open up our Constitution to be able to accommodate them. That is the reality,” Dureza said in his remarks during the recent Konsult Mindanao Peace Conference in Davao City participated in by Lumad, Muslim and Christian leaders from across Mindanao.

He noted that the existing Philippine Constitution has become a "stumbling block" in effectively negotiating peace with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines/Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (NDFP/CPP-NPA), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“If you talk with the CPP and even the Bangsamoro (MILF, MNLF) they will never admit and agree that they will be circumscribed by a Constitution or by our laws,” Dureza said.

He added that all agreements previously signed with the said major rebel forces made no reference to the Philippine Constitution.“We always refer to international laws and protocols," he added.

Dureza explained that, as government negotiators, they have to work within the “confines of the Constitution" in order to allow both parties to continue working on a final peace settlement despite their opposing views and ideologies.

The head of the government peace process however said the desire of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to shift from bicameral and presidential form of government to parliamentary and federal will require constitutional reforms.

It could also open up to other reforms in response to the strong clamor of the president for a more inclusive economic development strategy and direction.

Dureza said the failure of Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law can be attributed to some perceived unconstitutionality of some of the provisions of the proposed bill.

Instead of refilling an improved version of BBL, Dureza said the contentious provisions of the BBL could be included in a proposed new charter.

Amending or writing a new charter could also accelerate the peace negotiations with the NDF, Dureza further added.

The government peace panel is set to leave for Rome, Italy on January 18-25 for the third round of talks with the NDF.

Topping the agenda in the Rome round of talks are the social and economic reforms that the rebels are putting across the negotiating table.

Negotiators from both sides are also expected to tackle and agree on the mechanics and guidelines for a bilateral ceasefire agreement and political and constitutional reforms.

Meanwhile, Dureza underscored the need to further strengthen and expand the existing “peace tables” in order to make them more inclusive and ensure the success of the ongoing peace negotiations with various rebel groups.

He pointed out that the peace or “negotiation tables” with the NDFP, MNLF and MILF are “very small tables as compared to the bigger peace table” which is the general public.

“If you do not get the bigger public first to be informed of what is happening in the peace table[s], and if they don’t understand what we are doing, chances are they will reject what we agree on in [those] negotiations table,” Dureza stressed.

The two-day event peace conference organized by the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) and supported by OPAPP, aimed to, among others, revisit the recommendations made during the Mindanao-wide multi-sectoral BUC consultations in 2009 as inputs to the ongoing GPH peace negotiations and initiatives and expand a people’s platform for dialogue towards the understanding of historical and socio-political issues in Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=949573

4 senior PA officers receive star-rank promotions

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19): 4 senior PA officers receive star-rank promotions

Four senior Philippine Army (PA) officers were donned new star ranks during simple ceremony held Monday at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Newly-appointed PA chief Lt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda led the donning of ranks to the new sets of senior officers who have diligently earned their second and first stars.

These officers are Brig. Gens. Robert M. Arevalo, the Army chief-of-staff and Danilo G. Pamonag, Special Operation Command head who were promoted to two-star rank or major generals.

Meanwhile, Cols. Jesus A. Manangquil Jr. and Gilbert I. Gapay were promoted to one-star rank or brigadier general

Manangquil is the current head of the 101st Infantry Brigade based in Jolo, Sulu; while Gapay is the assistant division commander of the Mechanized Infantry Division in Capas, Tarlac.

Miranda said that bearing a star on one's soldier symbolizes the pennant of a fruitful military career after overcoming bumps and obstacles along the way.

“In the dedicated and committed service of our promotees, they have displayed nothing but exceptional leadership skills. Not only are they exemplars of professionalism and service excellence, they are also instrumental in the accomplishment of our mission to attain a just and long-lasting peace,” the PA chief stressed.

Miranda also reminded the newly-promoted generals of the Army's major thrusts and priority tasks, "the stars that you now bear on your shoulder come with greater responsibilities."

"I count on your continued support for the successful attainment of our objectives and exert efforts in sustaining our operational readiness at the highest level possible. We must not forget that our core competency remains to be war fighting," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=949490