Duterte allows Malaysia-Indonesia help against pirates

From Anadolu Agency (Jan 14): Duterte allows Malaysia-Indonesia help against pirates

President agreed last year to let both neighbors' navies enter Philippine waters to nab pirates kidnapping ships, tourists



President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he gave green light for the Indonesian and Malaysian navies to blast off kidnappers or pirates that enter in Philippine waters.

In a televised speech at an oath-taking ceremony of a chamber of commerce in the southern city of Davao on Saturday evening, Duterte said he has good working relations with the Malaysian and Indonesian leaders in light of standard operating procedures for situations of hot pursuit in the Sulu sea.

"You can go ahead and blast them off," he said. "My order really to the Navy and coastguards if there's kidnapping and then (if they are) trying to escape blast them off ... If you have blasted them everyday that would stop kidnappings."

During the state visit of Duterte to Indonesia and Malaysia last year, the president agreed to let the two neighboring countries' navies enter Philippine waters to capture pirates that kidnap ships and tourists.

He also agreed to further strengthen the trilateral cooperation among the Philippine, Indonesian and Malaysian navy patrols to allow hot pursuit.

Also last year, top defense officials from Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia met in Vientiane, Laos to discuss the details of the SOP for hot pursuit.

Philippines water limits, particularly in Tawi-Tawi where a spate of kidnapping incidents at sea occurred last year, are close to the state of Sabah in the northeast of the island of Borneo.

The notorious local Daesh-linked Abu Sayyaf group kidnapped dozens of Malaysian and Indonesian citizens last year. One of the Malaysian hostages was beheaded after his family failed to deliver the ransom on time.

At the same event on Saturday evening, President Duterte said that no one can stop him from declaring martial law, insisting that if the situation in the country becomes virulent he would declare it.

He said if he has to declare martial law, he will declare it if that is the only way to protect the Filipinos and the integrity of the country.

"If I want to, and if it will deteriorate into something really very virulent, I will declare martial law if I want to. No one can stop me," he stressed.

"If it is needed, the other side will say, drugs, that's not enough, then I see that, you know, there are about 4 million slaves in this country."

Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a President can only declare martial law "in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it."

Duterte also said that the Supreme Court or Congress cannot stop him from declaring martial law if he deems it necessary because of any threat to the integrity of the country.

He still considers illegal drugs as one of the biggest threats to Filipinos.

http://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/duterte-allows-malaysia-indonesia-help-against-pirates/727407

CDO-based 4th ID deploys 200 new troops to support community dev't programs

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): CDO-based 4th ID deploys 200 new troops to support community dev't programs

The Cagayan De Oro-based 4th Infantry Division formally deployed Saturday 200 newly-trained troopers in its various units now conducting community support programs in CARAGA and Northern Mindanao.

Deployment ceremonies took place at the 4th Infantry Division Grandstand At Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Patag, of the above-mentioned locality.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, said deployment of these troops in community support programs is inline with Development Support and Security Plan "Kapayapaan".

A ceremonial entrustment of firearms was graced by the different local chief executives (LCEs) representing the two regions as a symbol of the conferment of trust to the new soldiers.

"The LCEs endowed in them the responsibility to carry firearms as they perform their mandate to protect the people and secure the communities against any threat," Martinez added.

4th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, in his message, told the new troops to fulfill their commitment of protecting the people and the communities they are tasked to serve.

"I hope that you perform well and carry out the professionalism of a Filipino soldier. Always remember to maintain our discipline at all times. We must not violate human rights and we must not abuse the authority given to us. The firearms that are entrusted to you are from the entire Filipino people whom we have pledged to serve. Do your job and do what is right," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=955266

M'sia to study roles of TPA in helping Bangsamoro gov't

From Malaysiakini (Jan 14): M'sia to study roles of TPA in helping Bangsamoro gov't



The Malaysian government is studying whether there is a need for the International Monitoring Team (TPA) to take a broader roles like helping the Bangsamoro government in coordinating the development projects in the territory.

Deputy Defence Minister Mohd Johari Baharum said it was aimed at helping the Bangsamoro government to administer the territory in the most effective way.

"The Malaysian government will continue its commitment to assist the Bangsamoro government, which will be formed later," he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur, today.

Mohd Johari visited the headquarters of the 11th TPA-Malaysia (TPA-M 11) contingent in Mindanao yesterday.

He said the presence of the contingent was very significant in determining the success of the ceasefire between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government.

Mohd Johari said the TPA-M was established to monitor and supervise the truce between the Philippine government and the MILF.

In addition, he said it was also aimed at creating a more conducive and safer atmosphere for the peace agreement.

"At the moment, the truce is in the final stage where all the main framework of the agreement has been signed," he said.

During the visit, Mohd Johari also met with MILF deputy chairperson Ghadzali Jaafar and its top leaders.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/369230

China’s Global Times: Are Paper’s Warnings of War With U.S. Legitimate?

From NBC News (Jan 13): China’s Global Times: Are Paper’s Warnings of War With U.S. Legitimate?

[Video report: Is China Militarizing in the South China Sea?]

 

Donald Trump's administration has yet to take power, but his Cabinet picks are already risking a "large-scale war" with China — at least if one state-run media outlet is to be believed.

During his Senate confirmation hearing Rex Tillerson, Trump's pick for Secretary of State, likened China's activities reclaiming land in disputed regions of the South China Sea to Russia's annexation of Ukraine.

A man looks at a newsstand with a copy of the nationalistic Global Times tabloid displayed on a basket in Beijing, China, on April 5, 2016. Ng Han Guan / AP, file

He added: "We're going to have to send China a clear signal that first, the island-building stops and second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed."

The prospect of the U.S. blocking China from accessing the islands it has built in the region drew a predictably furious response from the Global Times, a state-run newspaper and website that frequently publishes nationalistic and bombastic editorials on international affairs.

"Tillerson had better bone up on nuclear power strategies if he wants to force a big nuclear power to withdraw from its own territories," the paper wrote in an editorial Friday.

It added: "Unless Washington plans to wage a large-scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish."

The paper's response was notable, both for its attention-grabbing threats, but also for how strongly it differed in tone from Beijing's official response.

Chinese foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang paraphrased some of Tillerson's other remarks, saying: "China and the U.S. have some differences but also share a lot of common interests and consensus, and we should see the positive dimensions in our relationship rather than let disagreements over other issues exclude areas for productive partnership."

Chinese construction teams work on Johnson South Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Armed Forces Of The Philippines via The New York Times

So how closely do the provocative editorials in the Global Times reflect the thinking inside the ruling party?

"The Global Times as a newspaper has its own way to respond to issues like this," Dr. Xin Xin, a reader at the Communication and Media Research Institute at the U.K.'s University of Westminster told NBC News.

She added: "Though it is part of a party organ — it follows different rules ... In terms of how it formulates the party's view, they have more flexibility. In order to generate readership it does adopt techniques you would be familiar with in Western newspapers."

The paper's editor-in-chief, former army officer and Chinese Communist Party member Hu Xijin, claims the discrepancy can be attributed to his paper publishing what party officials privately think, but don't express publicly.

In an interview with online news outlet Quartz, Hu said that he regularly spends time with officials from the foreign and security ministries, and that their views aligned with his paper's editorial stance
.
Other experts suggest that Global Times' controversial editorials should not be seen as a direct statement of the positions or intentions of the Chinese government, but as communications that reflect, and speak to, certain sections of both China's general population, as well as the ruling party and military.

China's Liaoning aircraft carrier conducts a drill in the South China Sea in December. China Stringer Network / Reuters, file

"Global Times' editorials are used to assuage a nationalist demographic, which is generally young and extremely hawkish, at a time when nationalist passions are inflamed," Dr. Jonathan Sullivan, director of the China Policy Institute at the U.K.'s University of Nottingham told NBC News. "What Tillerson said is effectively calling for a blockade — an action usually interpreted as an act of war. The Chinese government would be inviting trouble from this demographic if it didn't respond."

Experts told NBC News that the Global Times has a "substantial" readership in China and that the paper would not pursue such an extreme editorial line if there was no demand for it.

Estimates suggest that the Chinese-language edition of the paper sells between 1.5 and 2 million copies a day, while its English-language edition sells around 100,000. Its websites reportedly attract around 15 million visitors a day.

The English-language edition of the paper is widely read by foreigners in China and beyond, resulting in its controversial pronouncements generating significant column inches in overseas media compared to other Chinese media outlets.

Some commentators, however, suggest that Western media has an outsized perception of the paper's actual influence.

A 2014 report by a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Western Australia found that only 0.8 percent of over 1,400 respondents in five Chinese cities said they got their information on the South China Sea dispute from the Global Times.

Sullivan predicted that the Global Times will be an increasingly useful tool for China's government in the coming months.

"Beijing is still not sure how to interpret Team Trump, and does not want to respond with actions that could spiral," he said. "It also still holds some hope that Trump's pronouncements are negotiating tactics rather than actual policy. Thus a response within the rhetorical arena is, for now, a useful tactic for China; which is where Global Times serves very well."

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/china/china-s-global-times-are-paper-s-warnings-war-u-n706571

LOOK: 237 new soldiers in ceremonial send-off

From ABS-CBN (Jan 14): LOOK: 237 new soldiers in ceremonial send-off



The Armed Forces of the Philippines names 237 new soldiers

After six months of training and a month of rest, 237 new soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division (ID) will formally take on a new challenge as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The 237 new soldiers will be assigned to different field units of the 4th ID in CARAGA and Northern Mindanao.

Each of them were also handed R4 rifles as a symbol of taking their responsibility as a keeper of peace in Mindanao.

One of the new soldiers, Private Reynaldo Bagsao, the troop commander of the class, said he is excited for their deployment since this signals the start of their journey as real soldiers.

Major General Benjamin Madrigal, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, also stressed that new soldiers must continue to be disciplined and must not abuse their authority.

He added that they must perform their duty well so as not to betray the trust of their countrymen.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/14/17/look-237-new-soldiers-in-ceremonial-send-off

Japan to join Phl-US Balikatan

From the Philippine Star (Jan 14): Japan to join Phl-US Balikatan   



Japanese Foreign Press Secretary Tasuhisa Kawamura made the announcement at a press briefing in Malacañang, echoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s commitment to further promote defense and maritime security cooperation between his country and the Philippines.Japanese forces will join this year’s joint Balikatan military exercises between the Philippines and the United States, a Tokyo official said yesterday. (AP Photo/Justin Lynch)

Japanese forces will join this year’s joint Balikatan military exercises between the Philippines and the United States, a Tokyo official said yesterday.

Japanese Foreign Press Secretary Tasuhisa Kawamura made the announcement at a press briefing in Malacañang, echoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s commitment to further promote defense and maritime security cooperation between his country and the Philippines.

The annual military exercise will push through this year despite an earlier rant by President Duterte against allowing US forces to take part in joint drills with Filipino soldiers. His anger stemmed from the US calling his attention to human rights abuses in the conduct of his so-called war on drugs.

He had called for the scrapping of the annual exercises and asked the Americans to pack their bags and leave.

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Japan normally sends military personnel to Balikatan only as observers.

“For this year’s Balikatan, the Japanese Self-Defense Force is going to attend,” Kawamura said. There is no date yet for this year’s Balikatan.

“Japan will continue to cooperate – promote the cooperation in the defense area, including capacity building and equipment, and training and exercises and so on,” he added.

Abe concluded his two-day official visit yesterday after spending the night in Davao City, home province of Duterte, who received the Prime Minister in his home.

“On the issue of security and terrorism, anti-terrorism measures, Japan welcomes today the conclusion of the exchange of notes between our two countries concerning the high-speed boats,” Kawamura revealed.

“Japan would accelerate its decision to support, in fact to make a further support providing the security-related equipment to the Philippines,” he added.

In the area of maritime security, the official reiterated that Japan would provide the Philippines with new patrol boats.

He said Japan is pursuing a loan agreement with the Philippines for the latter’s acquisition of TC-90, a training aircraft of the Japanese Self-Defense Force. He added Filipino pilots are being trained to fly the aircraft.

Earlier reports showed Japan was keen on participating regularly and actively in joint drills with the US and the Philippines.

Kawamura also emphasized Japan’s alliance with the US is the “cornerstone” of his country’s foreign and security policies.

“And this question will see no change whoever becomes the next president, although Mr. Trump is going to be soon the president of the United States,” Kawamura added.

“So we’ll maintain this position and we’ll continue to look closely to the next US administration. So that the region, the Asia-Pacific region, will be secure and prosperous,” he maintained.

“If the question is about the Filipino-China relationship… basically, we should refrain from comment,” he stressed.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/01/14/1662522/japan-join-phl-us-balikatan

Political prisoners will be released 'in due time' – Bello

From Rappler (Jan 14): Political prisoners will be released 'in due time' – Bello

Government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III says the amnesty declaration covering 434 political prisoners will be 'part of the end-game'



Government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III said the government will fulfill President Rodrigo Duterte's promise to release all political prisoners "in due time," adding that he can't give a timeline because the matter is subject to "judicial and legal premises."

Communists rebels have repeatedly called for the immediate release of 434 political prisoners as the two camps return to the negotiating table next week, January 19-25, for the 3rd round of talks to be held in Rome.

 

"There will be releases. But when? We cannot really come up with a definite timeframe. I really don't know how the judicial process can meet this timeframe. Ang importante diyan (The important thing) is there is a commitment on the part of the President. It will be fulfilled in due time," Bello said in a Rappler Talk interview.

 

He said this is clear to National Democratic Front (NDF) chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili.

 

Bello said the amnesty declaration covering 434 political prisoners, which Duterte promised, will be "part of the end-game." (READ: PH starts process of freeing 434 political prisoners)

 

"He will declare a general amnesty subject to the concurrence of Congress. But this has to be a part of the-end game, after we have completed and signed a peace agreement," said Bello, adding that this is clear to the NDF.

 

The communist rebels have consistently issued statements demanding the immediate release of the 434 political prisoners as the government pressed for a bilateral ceasefire agreement that will make the 5-month-long ceasefire stable. These were the two commitments during the 1st round of formal talks in August 2016. (READ: Amnesty for NDF prisoners and detainees and PH, NDF resume talks, silence guns)

 

The government previously released 22 high-profile prisoners – tagged by the military as high-ranking leaders of the New People's Army (NPA) – to participate in the peace talks. Another 4 convicted members were granted pardon.

 

Last December, Duterte set a condition that there would be no additional releases until the two camps have signed the joint ceasefire deal. (READ: Duterte sets conditions for freeing 130 political prisoners)

 

The NDF responded that it was willing to sign the joint ceasefire deal but said the agreement would only be effective when the political prisoners are released.

 

Bello aims to sign the joint deal during the 3rd round of talks.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/158350-release-political-prisoners-due-time-bello-cpp-npa-ndf

Gov't panel to meet Duterte before critical 3rd round of NDF talks

From Rappler (Jan 14): Gov't panel to meet Duterte before critical 3rd round of NDF talks

'We are doing this in the spirit of true reconciliation and genuine quest for just and lasting peace,' says government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III



READY FOR TALKS. The government panel aims to sign the bilateral ceasefire deal during the 3rd round of talks in Rome. File photo by Edwin Espejo/OPAPP

The government panel talking peace with the communist National Democratic Front (NDF) will meet with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, January 16, before they fly to Rome for the 3rd round of talks set for January 19-25.

It is expected to be a critical round as communist rebels are warning of the possible collapse of the 5-month ceasefire between the military and the New People's Army (NPA).

 

The communists have complained about the delayed release of political prisoners and alleged ceasefire violations by the military. (READ: Gov't in backchannel talks to protect ceasefire)

 

"Chief government negotiator Silvestre Bello III on Monday will submit to President Rodrigo Duterte the draft documents that will be tabled for discussion during the 3rd round of peace talks with the NDF," said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in a statement on Saturday, January 14.

 

Documents to be submitted

 

The following draft agreements will be submitted:

• Comprehensive agreement on socio-economic reforms
• Comprehensive agreement on political and constitutional reforms
• Comprehensive agreement on end of hostilities and disposition of forces

"We are doing this in the spirit of true reconciliation and genuine quest for just and lasting peace," Bello said.

"We are all set and ready to engage the NDF in the discussion of all substantive agenda including supplemental agreements needed to proceed and arrive at a peaceful negotiated political settlement to end the armed conflict in the country," he added.

 

Joint ceasefire deal

 

Bello aims to sign in Rome the joint bilateral ceasefire deal that both camps originally scheduled to put in place by October 2016.

 

"We are challenging the NDF to formalize the unilateral ceasefire with a bilateral ceasefire agreement to give our communities and combatants a more secure environment for the peace process," Bello said.

 

The two panels are also set to sign a supplemental agreement on the already signed Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) to include the expanded role of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC).

 

The JMC is the body tasked to monitor the ceasefire.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/158354-government-panel-duterte-meeting-before-3rd-round-cpp-talks

Duterte wants kidnappers 'blown up,' even with hostages

From Rappler (Jan 15): Duterte wants kidnappers 'blown up,' even with hostages

About the hostages that could die because of his orders, Duterte says, 'Sorry, collateral damage'

'SORRY, HOSTAGES.' President Rodrigo Duterte explains his policy against kidnappers. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

President Rodrigo Duterte said he has ordered the bombing of kidnapping groups at sea even if their hostages will die in the process.

"Order ko talaga sa Navy, sa Coast Guard, basta nag-kidnap tapos trying to escape, pasabugin mo na silang lahat. Sabi nila, [may] hostage. Sorry, collateral damage," said Duterte on Saturday, January 14, in Davao City. (My order to the Navy, Coast Guard is, if they are kidnappers and they are trying to escape, blow them up. They said, there are hostages. Sorry, collateral damage.)

 

Duterte was speaking at the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated's installation of trustees and officers at the Marco Polo Hotel.

 

To his audience of businessmen and ambassadors, Duterte joked they should make sure not to get kidnapped.

 

"Kaya huwag kayo magpa-kidnap, sa totoo lang (Don't get kidnapped, honestly)," he said, eliciting chuckles from the crowd.

 

The President explained that this hardline policy would make kidnappers think twice about committing the crime.

 

"If they are flustered everyday, that would stop or at least places us in a very, into a parity. Hindi ka lamang sa kalokohan mo, talagang pasabugin [kita] (You don't have an advantage because of your foolishness, I will really blast you away)," he said.

 

Earlier that day, two hostages were released by armed groups in Sulu. The government insists no ransom was paid.

 

Kidnap-for-ransom has become a cottage industry in parts of Mindanao. Terror groups like the Abu Sayyaf engage in it to fund their operations. (READ: Duterte wants Abu Sayyaf kidnappers 'blown up' at sea)

 

In the Saturday speech, Duterte brought up the agreement he signed with the Indonesian and Malaysian governments allowing their maritime forces to pursue kidnappers in Philippine waters.

 

"I said, 'Okay, if we do not have any available sea assets there, around, you can go ahead and blast them off,'" he said.

 

Duterte has promised to destroy the Abu Sayyaf, the most notorious kidnap-for-ransom group in the country.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/158378-duterte-kidnappers-blown-up-hostages

Son of MNLF leader detained in Malaysia

From Rappler (Jan  15): Son of MNLF leader detained in Malaysia

President Rodrigo Duterte confirms in a speech that Datu Mohammad Abduljabbar Sema is detained in Malaysia, reportedly in connection with the Davao City bombing



President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed on Saturday, January 14, that the son of a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader and an incumbent Maguindanao lawmaker had been detained in Malaysia.

"Ngayon, dito sa nagputok diyan sa Maute, they have all been accounted for. Nahuli ko na, ang isa diyan anak ni Sema, [former] mayor ng Cotabato. He's now detained diyan sa Malaysia," Duterte said in his speech before businessmen in Davao City. (Now, the Maute group responsible for the bombing, they have all been accounted for. We've caught them, one of them is the son of Sema, [former] mayor of Cotabato. He's now detained in Malaysia.)

According to a report by Vera Files published in The Philippine Star, Datu Mohammad Abduljabbar Sema was arrested at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on November 24, 2016, in connection with the bombing at a night market in Davao City in September 2016.

The younger Sema reportedly went to Malaysia from Bangkok, Thailand, shortly before his 30-day visa-free entry there would expire.

The 26-year-old Sema is the son of former Cotabato City mayor Muslimin Sema, who is the chairman of an MNLF faction, and Maguindanao 1st District Representative Bai Sandra Sema.

Muslimin Sema is also being eyed as member of the Bangsamoro Transition Council (BTC), said Vera Files. The BTC is slated to resume work for the revision of a proposed law creating a new Bangsamoro region.

Sema was placed under Malaysian custody following his arrest. His parents were reported to have sought help from some Philippine officials regarding their son's case.

The report also quoted Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as saying that the Philippines would seek custody of Sema.

Last year, 7 suspects of the Davao City bombing were nabbed by authorities. They were tagged as members of the Maute terror group.

Fifteen people died in the blast while more than 60 others were injured.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/158380-son-mnlf-leader-detained-malaysia

Police file charges vs. leader of gunmen in N. Cotabato jail attack

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): Police file charges vs. leader of gunmen in N. Cotabato jail attack

Police on Friday filed charges of direct assault with murder against Esmael Nasser, the leader of an armed group that stormed the North Cotabato District Jail (NCDJ) and set free 158 inmates last Jan. 5, police said Saturday.

North Cotabato Police director, Sr. Supt. Emmanuel Peralta, said 19 followers of Nasser, alias Commander Derbi, were also included in the charge sheet filed before the Kidapawan City Prosecution Office.

Peralta said empty cartridges from M-14 Armalite rifles were recovered in the thickly forested vicinity of the jail, particularly in Sitio Nazareth, Barangay Amas and Sitio Centro, Barangay East Patadon, Matalam, North Cotabato.

The suspects remain at large.

Speaking to a radio station last Thursday, Nasser admitted that he led the attack to rescue a companion and to retaliate against then Jail Warden Supt. Peter John Bongngat, who allegedly ordered the destruction of a mosque inside the jail facility last year. Bongngat denied Nasser's claim, maintaining that the mosque was not destroyed.

At 1 a.m. on Jan. 5, about 20 armed men led by Nasser attacked the jail facility, killed a jail officer, and set free 158 detainees.

Nasser was arrested and jailed at the NCDJ for murder and a series of bombings, including one incident in Kabacan, North Cotabato, in 2013. He bolted jail in August last year.

North Cotabato Acting Gov. Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva said that while in jail, Nasser and Melvin Casangyao, a moneyed drug lord, became friends.

When Nasser bolted jail, Casangyao contracted him for a PHP1-million mission. Villanueva, who chairs the provincial Special Action Committee on NCDJ, said Casangyao promised to pay Nasser PHP1 million if he could rescue him and two .60 caliber machine guns if the mission is successful.

To date, 60 inmates have been accounted for, 10 of whom were killed during pursuit operations.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) director Serafin Barretto Jr. has recommended to Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno the transfer of NCDJ inmates to other detention facilities in the Soccsksargen region as one of the safety measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Barreto, in a statement, said the memorandum of agreement between the Department of Education and the BJMP for the use of the NCDJ as a prison compound had already expired in 2010.

The NCDJ was a public school converted into a prison colony.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=955131

Korean, Filipino sailors released from captivity in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): Korean, Filipino sailors released from captivity in Sulu

Two sailors, including a foreigner, were released on Saturday by the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the hinterlands of Sulu, the military announced Saturday.

Maj. Filemon Tan, Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman, identified the freed hostages as South Korean Park Chulhong, the skipper of the Korean-flagged heavy load carrier M/V Dongbang Giant 2; and, Glenn Alindajao, a Filipino seafarer.

Tan said Chulhong and Alindajao “were released from captivity this (Saturday) morning in Sulu.”

They were released two months and 25 days after they were seized in the waters off Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi.

Tan said they have received report that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) based in Barangay Kagay, Indanan town helped facilitated the release of the kidnap victims.

He said that Chulhong and Alindajao, after they were released, were taken to the residence of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, II in Barangay Asturias, Jolo, Sulu.

He said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza flew in to Jolo and proceeded to Tan’s residence to fetch the newly-released hostages.

Dureza together with Chulhong and Alindajao departed Jolo airport around 11:15 a.m. bound for Davao City.

M/V Dongbang Giant 2 was travelling to Australia passing through the waters of Sibutu island town in Tawi-Tawi when Abu Sayyaf bandits, aboard a speedboat, accosted the heavy load carrier.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits boarded the ship and seized Chulhong and Alindajao and brought them to the hinterlands of Sulu province.

The bandits spared the other crewmen of M/V Dongbang Giant 2.

The release of Chulhong and Alindajao has brought the number of hostages to 25 that are still in Abu Sayyaf captivity.

They included the following: a Dutch; a German; four Indonesians; five Malaysians; six Vietnamese; and, eight Filipinos.

Government troops are continuously tracking the Abu Sayyaf bandits in a bid to rescue the remaining hostages.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=955207

No ransom paid for the release of Korean, Filipino kidnap victims in Sulu-- Dureza

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): No ransom paid for the release of Korean, Filipino kidnap victims in Sulu-- Dureza



After two and a half months moving around with armed men in an unfamiliar place, the Korean ship captain and the Filipino crew who were abducted last October 21 were finally released by their captors on Saturday morning in Jolo, Sulu.

Ship captain Chul Hong Park from South Korea and crew member Glenn Alindajao from Cebu, both working for South Korean cargo ship Dong Bang Giant 2, were turned over by former Sulu governor Sakur Tan to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza at Jolo Airport at past 10 a.m Saturday.

Dureza, who presented Park and Alindajao in a press conference at Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) shortly upon arrival at the old Davao Airport, said the two were abducted by at least 10 armed men, who boarded the 11,400-ton Korean cargo ship while sailing from Australia to South Korea along the southern entry of the Sibutu Passage, a 29-kilometer (18-mile) wide channel used by merchant shipping in transit between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. On board the ship were 20 crews (16 Filipinos and 4 Koreans including the ship captain.

As told by Alindajao, Dureza said other crews were able to lock up their cabins when the armed men boarded the ship. Park and Alindajao were taken to a place on board a speed boat.

“It was only today that they knew they were in Sulu,” Dureza told reporters. He said the first time they (victims) were told they were in Basilan.

From the first armed group reportedly led by a certain Abraham, Dureza said the two were turned over to another group of armed men. Abraham was later reported killed in a military pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

He said Park and Alindajao were turned over to several armed groups. Sometimes they find their selves in a community. At times, they slept under the trees in the forest.

Dureza added that Park and Alindajao were already hopeless and were not fine. They also need to undergo trauma counseling.

Dureza could not confirm if the armed men are members of the Abu Sayyaf Group. “I can’t speculate,” he said. He also said there was no ransom money in exchange for their freedom as it has always been a no-ransom policy for the government.

He stressed that ransom must not be paid because encourages more kidnap-for-ransom activities.

When asked by reporters at the press conference, a representative of the Korean ship company, Kim Yangjun said the company did not pay money in exchange for the release. Why should we pay?” he asked.

The negotiations for the release of Park and Alindajao were a joint efforts of concerned individuals and the help of Moro national Liberation front (MNLF) under the guidance of Chair Nur Misuari.

"I do not know the details of how they were released. They were just turned over to me by Tan," Dureza said, although negotiations started after their abduction.

On his way to Jolo, Dureza said he right away informed President Rodrigo Duterte through special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go.

ASEAN, gov’t concern

The incident was the first kidnapping on a merchant ship. It was even regarded by the International Maritime Bureau's Malaysia-based Piracy Reporting Center as a landmark incident.

According to Dureza, Alindajao was suggesting that a state security force must be onboard ships to counter kidnapping on open seas.

Dureza said this can be raised to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a common policy on addressing such issues. He admitted that the spate of kidnappings in the open sea is embarrassing to the Philippine government.

While continued military operations is an option to crush the kidnap-for-ransom groups, Dureza said there should also be an enabling environment for the community in these areas through a massive social intervention and a business investment environment to address poverty. He said the people there feel they are left out.

Based on the statement of Alindajao that they were even welcomed by people in the community mostly young people, Dureza said the communities seem to be benefiting from kidnapping.
“This is worrisome if the young are involved,” he added.

Dureza said there are still 27 hostages in the hands of armed groups in different places.

Korean Consul Yong Jeung Park said there is a need for the Philippine government to ensure that commercial vessels can go safely in the open sea. While most parts of the Philippines are safe, there are some areas which are considered dangerous.

But Mr. Park was thankful to President Duterte and Dureza for the safe release of the kidnap victims.
Alindajao, who was already excited to be with his family waiting in Cebu, admitted he was already hopeless he can return home safely.

He was thankful to God, President Duterte and Dureza for the efforts to get them safe from their abductors.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=955224

Mandaya tribesmen ask gov’t protection from NPA attacks

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): Mandaya tribesmen ask gov’t protection from NPA attacks

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental -- After the killing of one of their respected leaders last Dec. 30 when attacked by heavily armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Caraga, Davao Oriental, members of Mandaya tribe in the province are now asking the government for protection as they fear of more atrocities from the rebels in the coming days.

“We are a peace-loving people. We don’t like violence. We don’t want the violent culture of the New People’s Army rebels – that is why we shooed them away from our peaceful communities.”

This was the cry of Mandaya leaders in a statement Saturday as they hoped and prayed for respect on their peace-loving culture as a tribe.p>Mandaya leaders also expressed optimism the government would provide protection on them against future attacks from the NPAs.

“We are always caught in the crossfire. Our communities are not and should not be the battlegrounds of government and rebel forces,” they added.

Tribal leader Copertino Banugan, together with his brother and a nephew were all killed in an NPA attack last December.

Mandaya leaders now believe the attack signified the dark intention of the NPAs to dominate and eventually grab their ancestral domains long been protected by Banugan and other leaders.

“We know the rebels are out to grab our ancestral domains. We will die for it no matter what. United, we will be able to repulse them from our tribal communities,” said Kristine Banugan, the young daughter of the slain Datu Banugan in the same statement.

In a meeting earlier this week, Mandaya leaders, together with the Provincial Tribal Council of Davao Oriental passed a resolution urging the national government to look into their plight.

“The brutal killing of tribal chieftain Banugan is a clear incursion to the rights of the indigenous peoples to self-governance and self-determination. The Provincial Tribal Council of the Province of Davao Oriental strongly demand that the protection of the rights of the indigenous peoples be given preferential attention during the panel discussions in the ongoing peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front,” the resolution pointed out.

They also asked Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and chief negotiator Secretary Silvestre Bello III “to seriously tackle the issues on the rights of indigenous peoples to govern over their ancestral domains, free from interference of the communist rebels.”

They also sent copies of the resolution to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel.

Earlier, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang condemned the recent attack in Caraga town that killed Datu Banugan.

The governor also assured the people in the area of the continued support from the provincial government.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=955228

AFP modernization to continue under Duterte administration

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): AFP modernization to continue under Duterte administration

The modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue under President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has said.

The AFP Modernization Program, now on its Second Horizon, will continue as planned, he said.

The Second Horizon runs from 2018 to 2022 and will see the acquisition of equipment more attuned to external defense missions.

Lorenzana earlier said the AFP Modernization Program remains a priority of the new defense leadership as the program jibes with the Duterte administration's plan to have a credible deterrence to secure Philippine territory, especially its maritime areas.

He said that while some projects may be fast-tracked to address criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the southern Philippines, the defense department will follow the plans laid for the AFP Modernization Program.

Some of the equipment acquired under the program are three Hamilton-class cutters, the latest of which is the BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) that 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 transport; four FA-50PH light-interim fighter aircraft, the last two jets arriving last Dec. 1; five utility versions of the AgustaWestland AW-109 helicopters and eight of its attack versions; five landing craft heavies; three multi-purpose attack craft; and two strategic sealift vessels.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=955162

AFP grateful with compensation hike

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): AFP grateful with compensation hike

All officers and enlisted personnel of the 125,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have expressed their appreciation for the increase in their compensation made by President Rodrigo Duterte.

This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a statement Saturday.

“Our soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines, including civilian personnel were happily surprised when they received their respective increases reflected in their first pay slip for the year 2017. For this we thank the Commander-in-Chief for his manifest regard to the morale and welfare of his men in the AFP,” he added.

Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) including all civil servants are receiving an increased take home pay starting January 2017.

This is a result of the second tranche implementation of Executive Order 201.

The four-tranche salary adjustment scheme was adopted, budgeted, and continued by the Duterte Administration.

With this approach, the compensation of AFP personnel approximates the pay of their counterparts in private corporations to at least 70 percent of the median of salaries received by employees working in companies outside the military.

A monthly provisional allowance to be implemented in four tranches subject to tax deduction was given to MUP.

For instance, a soldier with the rank of Sergeant will receive a monthly provisional allowance of PHP1,718 for the year 2017.

By 2018 he stands to receive PHP2,650. And by 2019, he would be receiving PHP3,633.

“Soldiers also received a higher hazard pay in 2017 starting this month of January. From the 2016 rate of PHP390, they stand to receive PHP540 per month for this year. They will be receiving PHP690 in 2018 and PHP840 in 2019 for the last trance," Arevalo said.

“The increase in our soldiers’ wage is a big help to our soldiers who are mostly breadwinners and are often the only provider in their families," he added.

The AFP official said the increase will certainly uplift the morale of uniformed and non-uniformed personnel who, although not seeking for an increase, were bequeathed with such benefit.

"We may not have received the ‘doubled salary’ yet as promised, still, we are thankful for this increase in allowance and hazard pay," he added.

“Our gratitude will always show in the fidelity with which we will perform our mandated duty—with or without an increase. The people and the President may expect from every soldier, airman, sailor, marine, and civilian employee a dedicated and exemplary performance of our tasks deserving of people’s trust,” Arevalo said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=955217

ASG frees Korean, Pinoy after talks with gov’t

From the Daily Tribune (Jan 15): ASG frees Korean, Pinoy after talks with gov’t

Abu Sayyaf bandits yesterday released two of their captives for nearly three months, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said.

In a press conference in Davao City, Dureza said they were able to negotiate with the Islamic militants to free a Korean national and a Filipino whom they kept hostage since October last year.

The hostages were Korean Cargo vessel Dongbang Giant 2 captain Chul Hong Park, 38, and his crew Glenn Alindajao, 31, a Cebu native.

“Their cargo vessel was boarded off Tawi-Tawi while sailing from Australia to South Korea. Only 2 of them, as they were on the ship bridge navigating, were taken by 10 armed men on board a speedboat,” Dureza said.

Dureza maintained that the Duterte administration is firm in its “no ransom policy” in dealing with kidnap for ransom groups saying it will only boost the terrorists’ morale to extort funds from captives.

“The government official policy is not to pay ransom. You know why? The more money you gave to them, the more it strengthens them, the more they are encouraged to continue that illegal trade,” Dureza said.

But the Presidential Peace Adviser declined to confirm or deny if the former captives’ families gave in to the Abu Sayyaf’s demands, but assured that the state did not bankroll their freedom in any way.

“As far as the government is concerned, we don’t get involved in any ransom payments at all,” he said.

This is the third time that the mainly Sulu-based bandits surrendered hostage victims to Dureza.

First was days before President Duterte occupied Malacanang wherein he personally received Marites Flor on June 25 last year. Second was Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad on Sept. 18.

Flor and Sekkingstad were fortunate enough to survive from their captors. Their companions  Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel were beheaded by the  bandits.

Dureza said other crews were able to lock up their cabins when the armed men boarded the ship. Park and Alindajao were taken to a place on board a speed boat.

“It was only today that they knew they were in Sulu,” Dureza said. He said the first time they (victims) were told they were in Basilan.

From the first armed group reportedly led by a certain Abraham, Dureza said the two were turned over to another group of armed men. Abraham was later reported killed in a military pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

He said Park and Alindajao were turned over to several armed groups. Sometimes they find their selves in a community. At times, they slept under the trees in the forest.

Dureza said Park and Alindajao were already hopeless and were not fine. They also need to undergo trauma counseling.

Dureza could not confirm if the armed men are members of the Abu Sayyaf Group. “I can’t speculate,” he said.

A representative of the Korean ship company, Kim Yangjun said the company did not pay money in exchange for the release. “Why should we pay?” he asked.

The negotiations for the release of Park and Alindajao were joint efforts of concerned individuals and the help of Moro national Liberation front (MNLF) under the guidance of chair Nur Misuari.

“I do not know the details of how they were released. They were just turned over to me by Tan,” Dureza said, although negotiations started after their abduction.

On his way to Jolo, Dureza said he immediately informed President  Duterte through special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go.

The incident was the first kidnapping on a merchant ship. It was even regarded by the International Maritime Bureau’s Malaysia-based Piracy Reporting Center as a landmark incident.

According to Dureza, Alindajao was suggesting that a state security force must be onboard ships to counter kidnapping on open seas.

Dureza said this can be raised to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a common policy on addressing such issues. He admitted that the spate of kidnappings in open sea is embarrassing to the government.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/asg-frees-korean-pinoy-after-talks-with-gov-t

Farmers yearn for land to till, higher produce price in NDF peace forum

From the often pro-Communist Party of the Philippines online publication the Davao Today (Jan 15): Farmers yearn for land to till, higher produce price in NDF peace forum 

FARMERS. Farmers hastily put away their grain to keep them from being wet moments after a slight drizzle started to pour in Barangay Makopa, Laak, Compostela Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 10. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)

 

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Philippines – Ernie Vacunador, 42, has been farming for more than two decades. But for so long a time, his question remains: why would the country’s food producers find themselves nothing left to eat?

Vacunador hails from Prosperidad in Montevista town, Compostela Valley Province.

He has five children, two of whom have stopped schooling because of poverty, and one of them is an incoming college freshman.

Another farmer, 65-year-old Temmy Omega has been a farmer for more than three decades in New Corella, Davao del Norte

Has anything changed?

Omega said: “Yes, the price of seedlings are increasing and the price of the produce after the harvest is going down.”

Worse, while they pay for most of the production needs, they only get earn almost nothing because of the very low market, Omega said.

Vacunador and Omega were among the 500 farmers who travelled to Barangay Makopa in Laak town, Compostela Valley for a peace forum organized by the National Democratic Front and the New People’s Army Comval North Davao South Agusan Subregional command on Tuesday, January 10.

Lower prices

In an interview with Davao Today, Vacunador, a member of Montevista Farmers Association said the farmers are hoping that the peace process would address their demand for lands to till and higher price of their produce.

“Hangtod karon akong nakita nga sobra kalisud kay among produkto nga saging halos pangayoon na man lang (Until now it’s very difficult, the bananas we produce are almost given away for free because of its very low price),” he said.

A kilo of the Tundan variety is sold at P6.00. “The price could only afford a stick of cigarette,” Vacunador said.

He added, “kung atong tan-awon, pila ka kilo nga saging imong itumod para makapalit ka og sakto nga pagkaon sa imong pamilya? (We need to produce a lot of bananas to give our family a decent meal.”

Sometimes the income of the farmers could not even suffice to buy fertilizers for the farm they till.
“In my case, I till 1.5 hectares of land. I need three sacks of fertilizer for the whole land area which costs P1,100. If I get to produce only 200 kilos of bananas, that’s just P1,200 enough for a sack of fertilizer. What about our food to eat?” he said.

The high costs of maintaining a farm and the low price of produce make farmers vulnerable to loan sharks.

Farmers eventually lose their farms to these unscrupulous lenders, said Vacunador.

He said that on December 14 last year, their group Montefarma, met with their buyers to negotiate in increasing the price of their bananas from P4.00 a kilo to P10.00 a kilo.

“They only agreed to a hike of P6.00 per kilo,” he said.

Farmers support peace talks

Vacunador said they hope the peace talks would bring change on the farmers’ lives.

“Dako kog suporta aning sa peace talks karon gumikan sa mga agenda nga ilahang gilapag sa GRP ug sa NDF basin mao nang kasulbaran para namong mag-uuma nga magkasinabot sila labi na gyud anang socio-economic reforms (I am supporting the peace talks because the agenda of the GRP and the NDF could be the solution to the problems besetting farmers. We hope they reach an agreement especially on socio-economic reforms),” he said.

Vacunador said their association has even talked about the peace talks.

“We hope an agreement that will help the farmers will be implemented in the country to address the basic our basic demands,” he said in vernacular.

A 61-year-old Dibabawon Lumad, Daniel Bugay Mailan believes that through the peace talks the people will be united and will achieve genuine peace and order.

Mailan, from Barangay Bulliokan in Laak town said despite the ceasefire there are still military operations in different villages.

“Mao nga sila ang makahimo gihapon og kasamokan,” Mailan said.

He said he hopes the peace talks will continue so that the farmers can go on with their farming without any fear of conflict.

“There will be no more chaos because of peace talks. It means there is an understanding between the government and the NDFP,” Mailan told Davao Today.

Caloy Montealto, NPA spokesperson of the Comval North Davao South Agusan Subregional Command said during military operations, it is the farmers who bear the brunt of militarization when they are subjected to red-tagging and abuses.

“They are mistaken as NPA rebels or supporters and are subjected to harassment and threats,” he said.

But farmers are also the main force of the New People’s Army.

Montealto said most of their members are farmers.

“They experience severe poverty because of landlessness and abuses by the country’s landed elites,” he said.

‘Ceasefire violations’

Montealto told Davao Today in an interview that there were several instances when the soldiers would enter guerilla zones.

“They are just near, say about 200 meters away from us,” he said.

But Montealto said the NPAs abide by the order of the Communist Party of the Philippines regarding the unilateral ceasefire.

“That’s why no armed encounters took place,” he said.

Army’s Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay of the Joint Task Force Haribon said the Army’s presence in the communities is for “peace and development.”

He said the Army reaches out to communities that are not frequently visited by government service agencies.

“Yung iba pa nga hindi pa nakikita yung anino ng barangay captain at ibang government agencies (Some of them have not seen even a shadow of a government official),” he told a press briefing here on Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Agreement on social, economic reforms

The third round of the GRP-NDF peace talks will discuss about the details of a comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms, the second substantive agenda item of the peace negotiations.

CASER is described as the “heart and soul” and the “meat” of the peace negotiations by negotiators from both the NDFP and the GRP’s side.

GRP peace panel chair and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said both panels now have their own drafts.

“What we need to do is get a consensus. If we reach a consensus, the talk is done and we will have a lasting peace,” he said in an interview with reporters during his attendance to the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 48th anniversary in Paquibato district here on Dec. 26, 2016.

Bello admitted that the government’s CASER draft is shorter than the NDF’s draft but said that theirs is more “malalim.”

“Mas maigsi lang ang amin, pero mas malalim,” he said.

Bello said the government’s draft on CASER is assisted by professors from the University of the Philippines.

The NDFP’s first version of its CASER drafts was finished on February 26, 1998, 18 years before the resumption of the peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP.

The NDFP believes that the huge task of addressing the armed conflict is identifying “social forces, institutions, and their processes that have hampered our country’s progress and development and kept it backward in economic and social terms.”

Among the problems identified by the NDF is the domination of US through “onerous” multilateral and bilateral trade agreements.

Bello said they will be spending more time to talk about CASER.

“After the meeting in Rome, the meetings of the reciprocal working committees will continue in the Philippines or any other country,” he said.

The government is eyeing to reach an agreement with the NDF on social and economic reforms within a year of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.

Bello said the are hopeful to reach a final peace settlement with the communist movement by August this year.

http://davaotoday.com/main/human-rights/farmers-yearn-for-land-to-till-higher-produce-price-in-ndf-peace-forum/

http://davaotoday.com/main/human-rights/farmers-yearn-for-land-to-till-higher-produce-price-in-ndf-peace-forum/

Hostaged Korean ship captain, Filipino freed in Sulu

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Jan 15): Hostaged Korean ship captain, Filipino freed in Sulu



South Korean ship captain Park Chul-hong and his second officer, a Filipino, Glenn Alindajao did not believe that they will be released today after more than two months in captivity.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said the hostages since October 20 already felt “hopelessness.”

“They even planned to escape, but they cannot do it,” Dureza said, adding that the hostages discovered that the community around was very supportive of the captors.

Dureza announced on Saturday afternoon that on mid-morning the two hostages were turned over to them in Jolo airport.

He said the two were turned over by their captors to parties who facilitated the release, including the Moro National Liberation Front and former Sulu Governor Sakur Tan.

Dureza did not disclose all the groups who helped in securing the hostages, but added that there were also non-MNLF members who assisted them.

The two were navigating the international waters in Tawi-tawi when still unidentified armed men numbering 10 took them.

Dureza said the armed men were boarding a speed boat before they clambered up the MV Dongbang Giant II.

The vessel had 20 crew members with four Koreans and 16 Filipinos.

“All the rest were able to lock themselves up in their respective cabins so they were not taken,” said Dureza.

Different groups

Dureza said the two were taken by a group led by a certain Abraham.

He said Abraham was killed and the two were passed on to another group engaged in kidnapping.

During the whole duration they were held, Alindajao, a native of Cebu, shared to Dureza that they moved nine times.

Alindajao also told Dureza that every time they go to a community, they were “welcomed”.

“So there is really a problem in that area, even ordinary citizens are helping (the groups),” he said.

But Dureza said they cannot speculate whether these groups are part of the Abu Sayyaf or not.

No ransom

Dureza said as far as he knew, there is no ransom given for the release of the hostages.

“As a government policy we don’t engage in ransom negotiations,” he told reporters in a press conference on Saturday afternoon at the old airport in Sasa this city.

“The more money you give to them, the more it strengthens them. The more they are encouraged to continue the illegal trade,” he said.

However, Dureza admitted that they cannot stop private individuals, especially the family from engaging in ransom negotiations.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/hostaged-korean-ship-captain-filipino-freed-in-sulu/

MILF: Duterte signs appointments of reconstituted BTC Commissioners

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jan 13): Duterte signs appointments of reconstituted BTC Commissioners



President Rodrigo Duterte finally signed on Monday night the appointment papers of the members of the reconstituted Bangsamaoro Transition Commission that would draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), a Mindanews report said today.

The appointment papers of said appointees will be released shortly, said Sec. Jess Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The BTC has to hit the ground running as soon as the appointment papers are released and the members take their oath because according to the Duterte administration’s Bangsamoro Peace and Development Roadmap, the expanded BTC is supposed to submit the draft enabling law by July 2017, before the President delivers his second State of the Nation Address on July 24, the Mindanews report also said.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will have 11 members including the Commission’s chairman while the government will have 10 members three of them will represent the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction under Muslimin Sema.

http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/19-national/1029-duterte-signs-appointments-of-reconstituted-btc-commissioners

MILF: North Cotabato Composite Team conducts Training Workshop on Unarmed Civilian Protection

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jan 13): North Cotabato Composite Team conducts Training Workshop on Unarmed Civilian Protection



Davao City- The North Cotabato Composite Team (NCCT) conducted a Training Workshop on Unarmed Civilian Protection participated by its members’ organizations namely: The United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD)-North Cotabato Cluster 1,2 and 3 Provincial Chapters  from January 9-12, 2017 at Mergrande Ocean Resort, Davao City.

The training was hosted by the Non-Violence Peace Force (NP) member of the Civilian Protection Component under the peace process of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by which it happened to be also one of the active members of the NCCT.

“This training was designed to have coherent programs and services of the NCCT with the general objectives of helping and engaging civilian protection by addressing and implementing peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding along with the areas fall under NCCT”, said Bhenhar Ayob of NP, who facilitated the workshop.

Gutierrez Lumenda, Chairman of the UNYPAD Cluster-3 Chapter, said that the discussions on the Unarmed Civilian Protection or UCP gave more emphasis on the technicalities of the programs to the participants on how they monitor cases of human rights violations, conflicts, and rido (clan feud) that may occur in the community.

“There are series of workshops and role playing portraying on how to address the different conflicts existing in the communities including conflict and conflict analysis, relationship buildings, conflict resolution and mediations”, Lumenda elaborated.

“The training will be looking forward for the strong joint working relationships and joint initiative activities of the different organizations under the NCCT in sustaining peace and protecting the safety and security of the civilians”, said Elaysa Latiban of Non-Violence Peaceforce.

The training was participated by 40 selected participants from different active organizations of the NCCT  that include Balay Mindanao, Balay Rehab, Bantay Ceasefire, Cotabato Center for Peace and Development Inc., EWER, GAP HUNGER, IMAN, Local Initiatives for Peace and Development (LIPAD Mindanao), Suara Kalilintad, PUSAKA and OMI IRD.

http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/1030-north-cotabato-composite-team-conducts-training-workshop-on-unarmed-civilian-protection