President Rodrigo Duterte visits the wake of three soldiers killed on Sunday, 05 February 2017 in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City. Duterte extended his condolences to Gricel, wife of Corporal Nino Christopher Talabor who was killed along with two others, hours after the New People’s Army announced it was terminating its unilateral ceasefire effective 11:59 p.m. on February 10. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
From MindaNews (Feb 5): USAID to continue helping PH on meeting SDG targets
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will continue to support the Philippine government in attaining the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, USAID senior deputy assistant administrator Gloria Steele said.
Steele told 10 Filipino journalists participating in the US-Philippines Bilateral Relationship Reporting Tour that they can do this by aligning their programs with the SDGs to address concerns on education, human health, biodiversity, and disaster resilience as a result of poverty. USAID will continue to support the Philippine government in attaining the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, according to USAID senior deputy assistant administrator Gloria Steele. Steele was USAID Mission Director for the Philippines from 2010 to 2015. Photo courtesy of Harley Palangchao
“All of it is in support of the SDGs. I cannot think of anything we do that doesn’t align with one of the SDGs,” she told reporters on Tuesday.
World leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on September 25 to 27, 2015 during a UN Summit in New York, replacing the 15-year eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
There are 169 targets with 230 indicators under the more comprehensive 17 SDGs, which officially came into force on January 1, 2016.
The SDGs include: no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent growth and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace; justice and strong institutions; and partnerships for the goals.
Steele, USAID Mission Director for the Philippines from 2010 to 2015, said the US Government allotted between P110 and P112 million a year in the Philippines to mobilize development projects that focused on addressing issues of good governance, development in Mindanao, and resilience during calamities.
She added that they intend to achieve a kind of “partnership for growth with equity” in that more Filipinos will be able to feel the benefits of development this time around.
Non-political, no conditions
Steele maintained that USAID’s projects in the Philippines have remained to be non-political and with no conditions.
She said USAID continues working with partners in the Philippines such as the local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s tirades against the US government and the financial aid it has extended to the country.
“Our partners in government and private sector have continued to be our partners. We continue to have programs with them and no one has asked us to discontinue. We continue to work together,” she said.
Steele added that no request to discontinue USAID assistance has been made by the Philippine government.
She assured the USAID would stay away from politics as she emphasized that the “world will never meet the goals if it was politicized.”
“What we try to do is to try to find out how we can help address this by working with civil society, etc. address the range of issues from corruption, poverty, civil society strengthening to human rights issues,” she said.
She said USAID programs in the Philippines are needs-based.
“USAID is not a conditioned assistance. We work with the Philippine government and the communities and universities based on what the needs are. We do not condition our assistance,” she said.
There are ongoing talks between USAID and officials from the Philippine government on what projects they want to be funded, Steele added.
Priorities
Steele also emphasized the need to focus on addressing the health concerns of the Filipinos, more particularly in addressing tuberculosis and maternal and child care issues.
Based on MDG report released on May 10, 2016 by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country fell short of its target on halving the prevalence rate on tuberculosis (TB) and the maternal mortality ratio between 1990 and 2015.
“Health is a very important feature of our program in the Philippines because without healthy population, you can’t have productive labor and the participation of parties is going to be uneven if people don’t have access to health,” she said.
She said that the both TB and maternal deaths have remained to be the most difficult challenging as both stemmed from poverty issue.
“The Philippines is one of the high burdened TB countries in the world. Unfortunately, it continues to be a problem and, of course, TB as you are well aware of is a poverty issue,” she said. “Maternal health continues to be the focus; continues to be one of the difficult ones. Most of the reasons for mothers dying for giving birth have been addressed – mothers giving birth at home. One of our biggest push is to give birth in the facility because mothers give birth at home, they die of hemorrhage,” she said.
More development engines
To effectively address poverty, Steele said they want more “engines of growth” like Manila and Makati spread all throughout the country.
“We are working in cities, making the city grow so the rural areas around it will grow, too. All the areas around Manila are growing because Manila and Makati are bringing about growth. They were the engines of growth. So, we thought we would create engines outside of the Manila area,” she said.
She added that they want the effect of development be more inclusive, which means the economic growth of the country must be felt by ordinary Filipinos.
“Going back to what we saw that when the GDP grew very fast – the second fastest in the region – the equitable distribution was not there, and so trying to remind us that equity is important and continuing focus education, of course, and most of our programs are still the same,” she said.
Steele said Mindanao has remained an area of focus for USAID program.
“We are working with both the LGUs and communities, working with the youth in order to get them feel more involved and part of society because we felt that was one way of trying to counter insurgency. Feel more aligned with the society, and with government, and with communities.
She said that they are working with civil society groups who engage the youth to make them feel more a part of society in most of the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.
She said that they have so far assisted over 200,000 youth in several communities in terms of leadership programs and training for job employment.
From MindaNews (Feb 5): Soldier, mayor’s driver-bodyguard injured in roadside blasts in Basilan
A driver-bodyguard of a town mayor and a Scout Ranger were wounded in separate roadside explosions in a village in Tuburan, Basilan Saturday, perpetrated by an armed group believed to be the Abu Sayyaf.
The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) said the armed group “tried to disrupt” a joint medical/dental mission of the local government of Tuburan and the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion.
Senior Superintendent Nickson Muksan, Basilan police chief, said the first explosion took place at around 10:15 a.m. in Sitio Sawite, Tuburan town where Scout Ranger Pfc Christian Iberreta was hit by shrapnel. Vehicle of Mayor Durrie Kallahal of Tuburan, Basilan hit by shrapnels from a roadside bomb that exploded Saturday afternoon, 04 February 2017. Kallahal’s driver was injured. A Scout Ranger was also injured in an earlier explosion. Photo courtesy of Pablan Alih
This was followed by another explosion around 2:45 p.m. in the same village, hitting badly the pick-up truck owned by Tuburan Mayor Durrie Kallahal.
The mayor had yet to board the vehicle then, so he was spared. But his driver, Misuari Jabir Abkalin, hit by shrapnel when he dared cross the dangerous road, Muksan said.
He noted that the bombings may have been the Abu Sayyaf’s retaliation against intense operations against them, with the cooperation of local officials and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT).
Muksan identified the leader behind these attacks as Furuji Indama.
“They are desperate now, they can no longer operate in a wider spaces because of the help by locals pinpointing their hideouts,” he said.
Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said it is clear that the target of the Abu Sayyaf was the mayor, who is known to be a hardliner against terrorism.
“Gumaganti ang ASG laban sa mga mayor na sumasama sa opensiba laban sa kanila” (The Abu Sayyaf is mounting offensives against mayors who join the operations against him).
“Nais rin nilang mag counter offensive dahil lumiliit ang kanilang mundo sa Basilan,” Hataman added.
Major Jo-Ann Petinglay, newly appointed WestMinCom spokesperson said the explosion happened “several meters away from the medical outreach activity but what is disturbing, the road where the explosion happened is where civilians pass through.”
“Our enemies waited for this moment to hit us using the secondary bomb while our EOD teams were conducting their clearing operation. Sadly they hit the Mayor’s car,” Petinglay said. Crowd gathers around the vehicle of Mayor Durrie Kallahal of Tuburan, Basilan hit by shrapnels from a roadside bomb that exploded Saturday afternoon, 04 February 2017. Kallahal’s driver was injured. Photo courtesy of Pablan Alih
Major General Carlito Galvez, newly-installed commander of the WestMinCom urged the locals to report to authorities suspected individuals and activities within their communities.
“Kailangan ng ating mga mamamayan na maging maingat at maging mapagmatyag sa ano mang kakaibang aktibidad na nakikita nila sa kanilang komunidad” (Our citizens need to be careful and to be observant of suspicious acts within their communities), Galvez said, adding the bad elements are just waiting for an opportunity to do something that would break the peace.
The medical mission continued and benefited some 500 residents from the diferetn sitios in Tuburan whose mayor is very active in peace efforts.
From MindaNews (Feb 5): Duterte suspends talks with NDF; will resume if there is a “compelling reason”
President Rodrigo Duterte onf Saturday night announced that he is “not ready to resume” peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) unless there is a “compelling reason” to do so.
“I do not know what would be that reason. But always it would be in the interest of the nation,” Duterte said.
Duterte had repeatedly said in the past that ending the nearly half a century armed conflicts with the communist and Moro rebels is a compelling reason to negotiate a political settlement because “dili ta pwede magsigeg gyera nga way katapusan” (we cannot be at war forever).
The President spoke with reporters on Saturday, outside the mausoleum of his parents, on his mother’s fifth death anniversary. President Rodrigo Duterte announces he will suspend the peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) after visiting the grave of his mother Soledad ‘Nanay Soling’ Duterte at the Davao Catholic Cemetery in Davao City on February 4, 2017. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/ Presidential Photo
He urged the political prisoners who were temporarily released in August to participate in the peace process, to go back to prison or he will have their passports canceled. He ordered intelligence units in the country to monitor their movements and added he will ask the international police to arrest them.
Duterte’s announcement came a day after he lifted the unilateral ceasefire declared in July and August. On February 1, Jorge Madlos, spokesperson of the New People’s Army (NPA) announced they were terminating the unilateral ceasefire effective 11:59 p.m. on February 10.
He berated the NPA for saying the unilateral ceasefire would end on February 10 but hours after Madlos’ announcement, three unarmed soldiers were killed in Malaybalay City while a junior officer was killed in Manay, Davao Oriental by suspected members of the NPA.
“I told the soldiers to prepare for a long war,” he said.
Last year, Duterte also lifted the unilateral ceasefire he declared during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, five days after a Cafgu personnel was killed and four others injured in an ambush allegedly by the NPA.
On August 7, at the wake of four soldiers slain in two separate clashes with the NPA in Monkayo and Maragusan towns in Compostela Valley province, he asked the NPA to stop using land mines against government troops or the peace talks scheduled on August 20 to 27 in Oslo, Norway would not push through.
The government and NDF peace panels have had three rounds of formal peace negotiations and are supposed to meet on February 22 to 27 in The Netherlands to work on a bilateral ceasefire agreement and on April 2 to 6 for the fourth round of formal talks.
Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire on July 25, in his first State of the Nation Address to “immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide an enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks.”
“All of us want peace, not the peace of the dead, but the peace of the living. We express our willingness and readiness to go to the negotiating table, and yet we load our guns, fix our sights, pull the trigger. It is both ironic and tragic— and it is endless,” Duterte said.
“While we extol the bravery and heroism of our soldiers, kayo, the rebels, do the same for your members and fighters. What I see instead are the widows and the orphans and I feel their pain and grieve, and no amount of cash assistance or the number of medals can compensate the loss of a human life. Sorrow cuts across every stratum of society. It cuts deeply and the pain lasts forever,” the President added.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza in a statement issued Sunday afternoon said the President “has clearly spoken on the directions we all in government should take.”
“Let’s take guidance from these recent declarations,” he said.
“If there is anyone who passionately dreams of — and works on — bringing about sustainable peace in the land, it is President Duterte. His judgment calls are directed towards this goal,” Dureza said.
“As I always say, the road to just and lasting peace is not easy to traverse. There are humps and bumps, and curves and detours along the way. What is important is that we all stay the course,” he said.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Bishop Felixberto Calang main convenor of Sowing the Seeds of Peace in Mindanao said they are “saddened” by the President’s decision but noted that it is “still possible for the negotiations to continue even if armed skirmishes will serve as a thorny backdrop to the talks,” like the situation then under the Ramos, Estrada, and Arroyo administrations.
“We reiterate that what is important right now is for us to see that there is no cessation of the talks even if it seems difficult at the moment to realize a cessation of hostilities. We believe it is realistic at this juncture to note that until the roots of the armed conflict are resolved, the conditions for hostilities to flare are ever present. And this, we believe, is a matter that both negotiating panels can competently tackle as the talks progress.”
From MindaNews (Feb 5): NDF: no formal notice yet from GRP on termination of talks
The National Democratic Front (NDF) has yet to receive a formal notice from the government peace panel on the termination of the peace negotiations, NDF peace panel chair Fidel Agcaoili said in a statement issued Sunday, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte announced he was “not ready to resume” the talks unless there is a “compelling reason” to do so.
Agcaoili said the mode of termination of the peace negotiations is defined under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with National Democratic Front (NDF) peace panel chair Fidel Agcaoili and wife Chit, the Tiamzon couple Benito and Wilma for dinner at Bondi and Bourke Restaurant at Legaspi Suites, Davao City on December 2,2016. TOTO LOZANO/Presidential Photo The JASIG, signed on February 24, 1995 is effective and binding upon the parties for the duration of the peace negotiations, unless terminated by written notice given by one party to the other. It is deemed terminated “30 days after receipt of the notice of termination.”
Agcaoili also clarified that the the 17 NDF consultants released from detention in August 2016 are in the Philippines “and are not in hiding.”
Duterte had said he would ask the NDF consultants temporarily released to participate in the peace negotiations, to return to jail and will have their activiteis monitored by the state’s intelligence agents. He also warned he would have their passports canceled and have the international police to arrest them.
Agcaoili said those who participated in the third round of formal talks in Rome on January 19 to 25 returned to the country on January 31 and “are all protected from rearrest in accordance with the JASIG.”
“These consultants have been put under the effective jurisdiction of GRP courts because they were released only on bail and only for a six-month period. They have been required to secure court permission every time they went abroad to participate in the last three rounds of talks. Their bail renewal is due this month and, as reflected in the Rome Joint Statement of 25 January 2017, both their lawyers and the GRP have agreed to cooperate in this regard,” Agcaoili added.
Agcaoili also explained that Royal Norwegian Government, the Third Party Facilitator in the GRP-NDF peace talks “has been providing for the travel expenses and accommodation of the NDFP delegation in formal and informal peace talks since the beginning.”
From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 5): Duterte urged to continue peace talks with rebels
Farmers fighting for genuine land reform have appealed on Sunday to President Rodrigo Duterte to continue the peace talks with communist rebels after he scrapped the negotiations following the spate of deadly attacks by insurgents in southern Philippines.
Duterte’s decision to abandon the negotiations with communist leaders came on Saturday barely a day after he terminated the government’s unilateral ceasefire with New People’s Army rebels who also ended earlier its own truce.
Since then, at least 4 soldiers had been killed by rebels in separate attacks and three more are being held prisoners in the troubled region.
The rebels demanded the release of some 400 political prisoners – mostly NPA fighters and their leaders – languishing in jails across the country, but Duterte flatly rejected the demand, saying, a peace accord must be signed first before he could grant amnesty to political prisoners, although he had ordered the release from prison at least 21 senior rebel leaders to join the peace talks.
Duterte said he cannot free all political prisoners and claimed that such action may trigger unrest in the police and military.
Peace talks and land reform
But Joseph Canlas, chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, one of the biggest farmers’ organizations in the country, said the continuation of peace negotiations is in the best interest of farmers, who are pressing for genuine land reform, land distribution and real change under the Duterte administration.
“Farmers want the peace negotiations to continue. We want the peace talks to help address the problem of land monopoly, landlessness of farmers, unemployment and to realize the equitable distribution of social wealth,” Canlas said.
“The peace negotiation is a separate and distinct track of struggle to press for significant pro-people reforms. While the New People’s Army and President Duterte announced the termination of the unilateral interim ceasefires, it should not hinder the continuation of the talks that is gaining relevant developments with regard to discussions on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms, particularly agrarian reform and rural development,” he added.
Canlas said based on the reported outcome of third round of the peace talks in Rome recently, the government, in principle, acquiesced to free land distribution to farmers and farm workers and that alone is a milestone with regard to pushing for socio-economic reforms and enough grounds to continue the talks.
Pedro Arnado, leader of the farmers’ group in southern Mindanao, also urged Duterte not to abandon the peace talks, saying, the resumption of war with rebels may spark a series of illegal arrest and human rights violations, and even extrajudicial killings of civilians by government soldiers.
“We call for the continuation of the peace talks and compliance to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Law to avoid rights violations of civilians,” said Arnado, who noted that at least 20 farmers and national minorities were killed during the ceasefire period. “For us farmers, a just peace means food for our families, education for our children and recognition of our right to the land we till.”
Arnado said while the ultimate goal of the peace talks is to resolve the armed conflict and achieve cessation of hostilities, that wouldn’t be possible at this period when there are conflicting social classes and interests. “Big land estates, haciendas and landholdings remain intact and under the control of a few landlord families. That is in contrast with the situation of millions of tillers,” Arnado said, adding, Duterte should realize that people in the countryside are supporting and even joining the armed revolution because of the systemic and chronic crisis that is worsened by the government’s failure to address the most basic problems in rural areas.
“Historically, it is the peasant masses that have made the ultimate sacrifices to achieve peace. Buhay na ang ibinuwis ng mga magsasaka para sa lupa at kapayapaan. The cost of peace is too expensive, farmers have paid it with their lives,” Arnado said.
Cancel passport of communist negotiators
Duterte also threatened to cancel the passports of the representatives National Democratic Front of the Philippines – the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA – who make up the peace panel negotiating with the government, saying, “they are in the wanted list, so I will alert the International Police to arrest them where they are because they are in wanted list. I’ll cancel their passports.”
“They can return, all of them. For those released by the government, they should, on their own volition, return here and go back to prison. Or else I will be forced to, I am alerting all the intelligence community to keep track of where they are now,” Duterte said. “Iyon na-release temporarily to talk with us in Oslo, they should come back and submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the government because they are still in prison. Walang pardon, walang amnesty, wala lahat.”
Blame Duterte, AFP
The NPA blamed Duterte for the breakdown of the talks and accused the military of sabotaging the peace negotiations, saying, security forces encroached and attacked rebel territories in Mindanao, and murdered innocent civilians suspected of supporting the communist group.
“To conceal their own ceasefire violation, the spin doctors of the Armed Forces of the Philippines concocted yet another storyline of an anti-criminality operation to assist the Philippine National Police in going after lawless elements such as their botched combat operations in Makilala and Matalam (towns) in North Cotabato which resulted in armed encounters with Red fighters, the AFP is hoping that the media will play along to being fed with outright lies,” said Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman.
“This latest armed skirmish, whose storyline bears resemblance to the Makilala and Matalam incidents, clearly exposes the duplicitous scheme of the AFP: conduct civic-military operations and combat operations, ensure engagement with the NPA and feign indignation over the incident. It must be noted that only in these last few weeks did the series of armed encounters break out between Red fighters and AFP and PNP troops as the CPP-NPA ceasefire order had become increasingly untenable in the face of the latter’s sustained offensive operations,” he added.
Sanchez said the termination of the CPP and the NPA’s unilateral interim ceasefire is an assurance of revolutionary justice against the fascism of the military and police and for the Duterte government to comply with its peace obligations and take the negotiations seriously.
The NPA has been fighting for the past six decades for the establishment of communist state in the country.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): Hataman: ASG getting back at execs helping Pres. Duterte's war on terror
The attempt on the life of a town mayor in Basilan was a clear indication the Abu Sayyaf Group bandits are getting back at local executives helping in the government's war on terror, a regional officials today said.
Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said Mayor Durrie Kallahal of Tuburan town is a supporter of the government's war on terror, especially against ASG.
Kallahal escaped unhurt when an improvised bomb went off at a roadside Saturday afternoon in Sitio Sawite, Barangay Dugaa, in his hometown Tuburan, as Kallahal's pick-up vehicle was passing by.
But Kallahal's driver and escort were critically injured in the blast. Authorities said the IED used by the suspects has the signature of ASG.
Earlier, two roadside bombs exploded in the same village while the Tuburan local government unit was conducting a medical mission with Army Scout Ranger Battalion.
“It was clear that ASG are doing this as part of their strategy and to take revenge on local government officials supporting in the continuing manhunt and raids on known bandits' lairs and encampment," Hataman said.
“The roadside bombing should not stop local officials from supporting military campaign against the ASG until we achieve genuine peace in Mindanao," Hataman added.
Basilan is a component province of ARMM and known bailiwick of the ASG bandits.
Newly installed chief of Western Mindanao Command, Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez was given six months to wipe out the bandits in Basilan and Sulu to finally put an end to the atrocities committed by the bandits.
Hataman said ARMM has all the support needed by the Westmincom to weed out the bandits from their comfort zones in western ARMM.
Hataman then told local government executives not to be cowed by retaliatory attacks from the ASG but continue helping the military cleanse their communities of the bandits.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): Pres. Duterte orders arrest of all NDF consultants
A visibly irked President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has ordered the arrest of all consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF) now in Oslo, Norway after visiting the wake of the slain army soldiers Sunday afternoon.
Duterte issued the order during a brief interview with the local media here as he emerged from a closed-door “executive session” with top military officials in Northern Mindanao.
He said that he has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest all NDF consultants who were earlier released once they return home to the country from Oslo, Norway.
About 22 known ranking leaders of the NDF in the country were released from prison to join the peace negotiation with the government panel and the NDF in Oslo, Norway mid-August last year.
Calling them "terrorist," the visibly angry Duterte said that the NDF consultants are facing various criminal charges in various courts in the country.
He said he would order the Bureau of Immigration to cancel the passports of the released NDF consultants, if they would not come home.
"Well, if they want an asylum, they could apply an asylum to where they are now because we would definitely arrest and put them behind bars to answer charges against them once they arrived in the country," Duterte said.
The President also instructed the Philippine delegation to the peace negotiations to go home after he ordered the government panel to pull out from the talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
He said that he had seriously considered ending the 50-year insurgency war which prompted him release the NDF prisoners to serve as consultant to the peace panel.
"Considering the criminal cases filed against the released NDF consultants, the courts lamented that we asked for consideration in the name of peace," Duterte said.
While expressing anger and resentment, Duterte, however, offered an olive of peace to the communist rebels in the mountains who want to surrender.
"I asked them (NPA) to come down from the hills and surrender. I will provide them protection and find money and provide them land under the government’s agrarian reform program," Duterte said.
The President visited this largest army camp in the Northern Mindanao Sunday afternoon to pay respects to the three army soldiers who were killed by NPA rebels in Bukidnon last Wednesday.
Arriving about 2:20 p.m. Sunday at the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, Duterte took the presidential chopper -- escorted by two helicopter gunships -- and flew to this camp where the three soldiers lay in state in the military chapel.
Duterte offered a silent prayer to each of the casket of Sgt. Owen B. Yee, Corporal Niño Christopher L. Talabor, and Cpl. Pat O. Non, all of the army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, who were killed in a rebel checkpoint in an outskirt village in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last Wednesday.p>After the silent prayer, the President individually placed the military medals on top of each casket and executed a snappy salute.
Duterte then conferred to the surviving widows and family members of the slain soldiers extended cash assistance to each widow, promised scholarship to the children, employment in the local government, and vowed to give justice for the slain army troopers.
The President held an executive session with top military officials in Northern Mindanao before flying back to the Laguindingan Airport about 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): Pres. Duterte suspends peace talks with communists, orders gov't negotiators to come home
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the suspension of peace talks between the government and communist rebels and will direct government negotiators to come home, Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
"This is deeply disappointing as final and lasting peace has been one of his deepest aspirations for the nation," Abella said in a statement.
In a separate statement, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said if there is anyone who passionately dreams of bringing about sustainable peace in the country it is President Duterte and his judgment calls are directed towards this goal.
"At the moment, he has clearly spoken on the directions we all in government should take. Let's take guidance from these recent declarations," Dureza said.
"As I always say, the road to just and lasting peace is not easy to traverse. There are humps and bumps, and curves and detours along the way. What is important is that we all stay the course," he added.
In an interview in Davao City on Saturday, President Duterte said he is not ready to resume peace talks with the communist groups.
"As I have said, I would like to tell the Filipino people: peace with the communists might not come in this generation," he said.
The President said he has done everything and has walked the extra mile in extending an olive branch with the rebels but their "unreasonable" demand of releasing more than 400 political prisoners prompted him to discontinue the talks.
He was likewise angered by the deaths of several soldiers despite ongoing peace negotiations with the leftist groups.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): Pres. Duterte posthumously awards 3 soldiers killed in Bukidnon
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan De Oro City -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte posthumously awarded the three soldiers killed in Bukidnon last week during his visit to this largest Army camp in Northern Mindanao Sunday.
Awarded were Sgt. Owen B. Yee, Cpl. Niño Christopher L. Talabor and Cpl. Pat O. Non, all of the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion based in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The soldiers were also promoted to the next rank.
Pres. Duterte arrived at the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental past 2:20 p.m. after which boarded a waiting presidential helicopter that flew him to Camp Evangelista to pay his respects to the slain army soldiers who were killed by the communist rebels last week.
The presidential chopper arrived at the army camp about 4:30 Sunday afternoon. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Eduardo waited for the President in a presidential car at the camp’s sprawling parade ground.
The slain soldiers were on their way to Kibalabag, a remote village in Malaybalay City, when waylaid by the New People’s Army (NPA), a day after the communist announced the end of the unilateral ceasefire Tuesday last week.
Capt. Norman Tagros, the spokesperson of the Army’s 8IB, said the soldiers belonged to the battalion’s Community Organizing for Peace and Development and were at the area to follow up documents for the livelihood project of the remote community when rebels attacked them.
Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Feb 5): NDFP awaits formal notice from GRP panel on the termination of peace negotiations
NDFP Media Office Press Statement Fidel V. Agcaoili Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
05 February 2017
NDFP awaits formal notice from GRP panel on the termination of peace negotiations
The NDFP hereby states that it is waiting for the formal notice from the GRP Negotiating Panel on its termination of the peace negotiations as mandated in the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) which defines the mode of termination.
The NDFP wishes to make the following factual clarifications.
1. All 17 NDFP consultants released from detention last August 2016 are in the Philipppines and are not in hiding. Those who took part in the third round of formal talks in Rome, Italy from 19 to 25 January 2017 have returned to the country as of 31 January. They are all protected from rearrest in accordance with the JASIG.
2. These consultants have been put under the effective jurisdiction of GRP courts because they were released only on bail and only for a six-month period. They have been required to secure court permission every time they went abroad to participate in the last three rounds of talks. Their bail renewal is due this month and, as reflected in the Rome Joint Statement of 25 January 2017, both their lawyers and the GRP have agreed to cooperate in this regard.
3. The Royal Norwegian Government in its capacity as Third Party Facilitator in the peace talks has been providing for the travel expenses and accommodation of the NDFP delegation in formal and informal peace talks since the beginning.
The NDFP stands firm in its commitment to struggle for a just and lasting peace in the country in accordance with the national and democratic aspirations of the Filipino people.
Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Feb 5): International Contact Group visits MILF Leadership
Members of the International Contact Group, (ICG) visited the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at the latter’s Administrative Base in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Monday (January 30) to gain updates on how the peace process is going on.
Comprising the ICG delegation were Emma Leslie, Kristian Herbolzheimer, Rupert Compston, Alberto Quattrucci, Hiromuchi Matsui, Suzanne Dahman, and Yosuke Tomanayashi of the International Monitoring Team (IMT). The ICG, established in December 2009, is a group of foreign states and international non- governmental organizations mandated to assist in the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the MILF.
MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Members of the Central Committee, warmly received the group’
Chairman Murad, knowing that the international community is aware of the discomfiting developments for the past several months, started his updates on how challenging it was for the MILF leadership to hold the people on the ground.
“After the non-passage of the BBL under the past administration, frustration was very high, especially among the people.” Murad said, referring to the fighters in the ground.
“That was a big challenge on the part of the leadership of the MILF, for we have to ensure, that we will be able to hold our people in the peace process. It came also at the times when there are many groups within the Bangsamoro, and outside of Bangsamoro elements of radicalism trying to insinuate to resort to violence. Actually until now, we are struggling to counter this, because their numbers are increasing. So, in order to hold on with our people, we have to start engaging with the newly elected president very early, and that meeting was held even before he was sworn in.
In the said first engagement, the MILF leadership were assured by President-elect Duterte that what he had said in his election campaign, he will abide by it, that he will implement BBL.
In a bit extensive updates Chair Murad, mentioned on what had transpired all these time, viz a viz, the presentation of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jess Dureza of the new peace road map, which do not conform to what the MILF leadership had tackled with President Duterte during their first engagement.
They are, renaming of the Negotiating Panel into Implementing Panel; the meeting of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Radzak with Pres.Rodrigo Roa Duterte, which almost resulted to non-appointment of a new facilitator, had it not been explained to them its importance thru a letter of MILF leadership.
One member of the group, whose comments were notably taken said, “It is almost three years when a significant agreement was signed, and yet nothing has move”. “Summing up the course of the peace process since the agreement was signed, and in particular the present set up, there seems to be a confusion on the way it is being held or done”, another ICG member observes.
From ABS-CBN (Feb 4): Duterte to consider CPP-NPA-NDF as terrorist group
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures while announcing that he has lifted the unilateral ceasefire with the New People's Army (NPA) during inauguration of the M’lang Solar Powered Irrigation System in Janiuay town, M'lang, North Cotabato last February 3. Malacanang photo via Reuters
President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said he will now consider the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as terrorist groups.
Duterte made the announcement following his suspension of the peace talks with communist rebels.
"From now on I will consider the CPP-NPA-NDF a terrorist group," Duterte said.
Duterte on Saturday suspended peace talks with the communists and urged its leaders involved in peace talks to come back to the country and surrender themselves.
He also told communist leaders and negotiators he released to return home and go back to prison.
Last Friday, Duterte also announced the end of the government's unilateral ceasefire with the Reds, following a series of armed clashes with communist rebels in previous weeks.
He said he has informed soldiers to prepare for a "long war" after lamenting the death of several soldiers.
The President is in Cagayan de Oro to visit the wake of three fallen soldiers who were killed in an ambush by NPA rebels.
From the Manila Times (Feb 4): Army’s 5th Special Forces names new commander
SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao: The new battalion commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion in Cotabato City assumed post and vowed to increase vigilance for a more peaceful city.
Lieutenant Col. Eros James Uri took over the command from Lieutenant Colonel Nasser Lidasan during a ceremony presided by Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) Commander Colonel Ramiro Manuel Rey.
Lidasan was reassigned to the 6th Infantry Kampilan Division headquarters in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
Uri, for his part, vowed to continue the thrust and programs implemented by his predecessor and assured that law and order will be maintained at all times.
The 5th Special Forces battalion secures the periphery of Cotabato City, to include part of the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, and Sultan Kudarat, all in Maguindanao.
From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Feb 4): Tribal leader shot dead in Bukidnon
Another activist was killed this time in Quezon town, Bukidnon.
Higala sa Lumad (Friends of the Lumad) Network reported Friday night that Renato Anglao, 42 was shot by three unidentified men riding in tandem in Crossing Busco, Quezon town.
Anglao is an active member of the Tribal Indigenous Oppressed Group Association (TINDOGA), an indigenous peoples’ organization of the Manobo-Pulangion in Barangay Botong, Quezon which opposes plantation in their ancestral land. The group is also accused of supporting the New People’s Army.
The group said Anglao was on his way back home with his wife and child after buying school supplies at the town center when the men drove to their side and shot him twice in the head.
“The hitman after killing Anglao, alighted their motorcycle, with his gun still at hand and began heading toward Anglao and his wife and child. But since people already started to gather around the scene, the hitman backed off, rode back on the motorcycle and sped off in the direction going to BUSCO,” the group said.
“They had won back their ancestral land and had secured its title two years ago, despite the moves of Rancho Montalvan owned by Maramag Vice Mayor Pablo Lorenzo, to introduce a plantation in it,” it added.
Anglao is the fifth victim of political killing since the start of the year, according to human rights group Karapatan.
From August 21, 2016 to January 31, 2017, during the GRP unilateral ceasefire period, Karapatan documented fourteen (14) victims of political killings, at least 439 illegal arrests.
Anglao is also the third Lumad leader killed this year. The first two were Venie Diamante, a T’boli and municipal tribal chieftain killed in Koronadal City on January 5; and Veronico Delamante, a Mamanwa and regional coordinator of Katribu Partylist in Caraga who was killed in January 20.
The other two victims were farmers Alexander Ceballos and Wencislao Pacquiao. Ceballos is the regional council member of the National Federation of Sugar Workers killed on January 20 in Murcia town, Negros Occidental while Pacquiao, a member of San Benito Farmers Association, an affiliate of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas was killed on January 25.
Meanwhile, two other civilians were killed in Manay town, Davao Oriental after the clash between the New People’s Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Both armed groups blamed each other for the death of the two farmers.
The number rises even as the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is ongoing.
An NPA fighter in Makilala town was killed in a military operation on January 21 while the Army also suffered casualties including a junior officer in Manay town.
The Army also reported the killing of three soldiers in Malaybalay City.
The Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army has declared the termination of its unilateral ceasefire effective on February 10, while President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the government’s unilateral ceasefire effective Friday night.
The Exodus for Justice and Peace called on the government and the National Democratic Front to continue the peace negotiations.
“We value the peace process between the GPH and the NDF as it strives to address the root cause of the near five-decades long armed conflict. In the latest round of talks in Rome, we welcome the unity and complementary roles of both panels to lay the ground for the agenda of socio-economic reforms under CASER,” said Bishop Hamuel Tequis, EJP convener.
“We hope both parties continue to pursue the substantive agenda of peace talks that is the socio-economic reforms, and meeting this requirement along with the release of political prisoners which can build a stronger grounds for the call of ceasefire,” said Tequis.
From the Philippine Star (Feb 5): Military calls for vigilance anew over Abu Sayyaf bombings
The military urged local officials to intensify their vigilance against bombing strikes staged by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.
Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, reiterated his call following the latest bombing that hit the vehicle of Tuburan Mayor Dorie Kallahal Saturday.
Kallahal survived the bombing explosion but his driver and a scout ranger trooper were injured from the blast that hit around 2:45 p.m. at Sitio Sawiti in Barangay Calut.
The blast happened minutes after the first explosion occurred at the nearby village which prompted the local official and the soldiers to respond and verify the attack.
Galvez said the bombing attacks was aimed at disrupting the medical services provided by the local government and the soldiers.
“The local community must stay cautious and intensify its vigilance against suspicious activity because the lawless elements are just waiting for time to stage atrocities that will affect the peace initiatives of the government,”Galvez said.
At least six bombings believed to be perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan occurred last week.
The military and police authorities were not discounting the possible diversionary attack by the Abu Sayyaf Group after one of its senior leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, got injured in an airstrike launched by government forces in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
The military launched the attack after Hapilon, a designated Islamic State-inspired militant group leader, was monitored in the area with the Maute group.
From Update.Ph (Feb 5): Duterte to communist negotiators: Go back to prison
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered Silvestre Bello III, Jesus Dureza and the rest of Philippine government peace panel talking with communist negotiators to return to the Philippines and halt the peace talks following his order to terminate ceasefire. In addition to illegal drug trade, another offense the President really hates is killing the soldiers of the Republic.
He said no grace period will be given to communist negotiators, it will be either they go back to prison in Philippines or stay abroad and their passports be cancelled and international police will hunt them. He also said he will not wait for February 10.
“Yung na-release temporarily to talk with us in Oslo, they should come back and submit themselves to the jurisdiction of this government, they are still prisoners. Walang pardon, walang amnesty, wala lahat,” Duterte said.
The government last year gave Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leaders Benito Tiamzon, wife Wilma, and other imprisoned communist rebels safe conduct pass to participate in peace talks.
“They are all in the wanted list so I will alert the international police to arrest them where they are because they are wanted here. I’ll cancel their passports,” he said when asked if communist negotiators will not return. “I don’t know if they will be granted asylum there but they are… yung rebellion, well if you are just a member, it’s not a grave offense maybe. Pero yung mga leaders, they should be in prison without bail. For those serving sentence they can serve.”
“Ngayon kung gusto nila doon sa labas, OK lang. The most terrible thing that can happen to a Filipino is that, you will die outside your country,” the President added.
From Update.Ph (Feb 5): Japan-made patrol vessel to operate against terrorism, piracy
Philippine Coast Guard’s newest patrol vessel, Parola-class patrol vessel BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4401), arrived in Zamboanga City, Saturday morning for its deployment, GMA News Online reports.
Lieutenant Commander Geronimo Tubilla of BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4401) said the coast guard vessel will be operating terrorism and piracy.
The said vessel formally entered coast guard service December 22. It arrived from Japan December 8.
She is the second of ten Parola-class patrol vessels ordered from Japan Marine United under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard Phase 1 (MSCIP).
BRP Tubbataha, the first of ten (10) Parola-class vessels, was delivered in August 2016, deliveries are expected every quarter until completion of 10 units in 2018.
These patrol vessels classified as Multi-role Response Vessels (MRRV)will act as, according to MSCIP,
(1) “primary rescue vessels within the PCG District’s areas of responsibility (AOR) when the extent of the disaster is beyond the capability of floating assets deployed within the area.” The MRRVs will also (2) assist in controlling oil pollution and protection of the marine environment. (3) These vessels will also enforce applicable maritime laws within the designated AOR, particularly relating to illegal fishing and sea patrol. The vessels will provide (4) service as platform for rapid response during relief operations in the area, and (5) transport of personnel and logistical support.
From Update.Ph (Feb 5): China vows to firmly safeguard South China Sea amid tougher US
The Chinese government vowed to safeguard China-occupied features in West Philippines Sea, this is as the new United States administration under President Donald Trump signaled tougher position.
China is claiming, virtually, the entire South China Sea including the waters within Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) known as the West Philippine Sea.
“The new US administration has signaled a more tougher line towards China. Steve Bannon, the Trump adviser, said last year that he had no doubt that there would be war between China and the US in the South China Sea in the next five or ten year. What is your response?” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang was asked during a press conference February 3.
“We have taken this question before. China’s position on the South China Sea issue is very clear and also consistent. China has indisputable sovereignty over the relevant islands and reefs in the South China Sea and the adjacent waters,” Lu Kang said.
He then said China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.
“We are also committed to maintaining peace and stability of the relevant areas alongside regional countries. We hope that the non-regional country can respect the common interests and aspirations of regional countries and help preserve a peaceful, stable and secure environment for the region, since it serves the interests of all parties,” he added.
It can be remembered that during the confirmation hearing of now US Defense Secretary James Norman Mattis, he said under his leadership the defense department will continue to defend American interests in East and South China Sea.
“China’s behavior has led countries in the region to look for stronger U.S. leadership. If confirmed, I will examine ways to strengthen our allies and partners, while taking a careful look at our own military capabilities in the region. We must continue to defend our interests there—interests that include upholding international legal rights to freedom of navigation and overflight,” Mattis answered when asked what the US can do to counter the increasing challenge posed by China in East and South China Sea.
From Update.Ph (Feb 5): Japan, US defense chiefs show unity over South China Sea situation
The Japanese and US defense chiefs on Saturday took a united stand against security challenges in the region, agreeing to beef up their bilateral alliance and step up involvement in the situation in the South China Sea where China’s assertiveness is seen as a concern.
The meeting was the latest in a series of talks that involved US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis who was the first member of the Cabinet of US President Donald Trump to visit Japan.
Mattis was seen as trying to address any possible concerns Japan may have about the Trump administration, reaffirming fully the US commitment to the defense of Japan and even hailing at a press conference Saturday that Japan’s cost-sharing burden for hosting US forces is “a model” for other nations to follow.
From Update.Ph (Feb 5): Peace Adviser releases statement after peace talks with reds collapsed
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said that he will take guidance from the President, after President Rodrigo Duterte asked all the Philippine delegation to the peace negotiations to “fold up the tents and come home” as he is pulling out government from the talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
The next peace talks with communists, Duterte said, could come after his term “if there is one”.
“Peace talks will remain cancelled unless there is a compelling reason that will benefit the interest of the nation,” he said.
“If there is anyone who passionately dreams of — and works on — bringing about sustainable peace in the land, it is President Duterte. His judgment calls are directed towards this goal,” Dureza said.
“At the moment, he has clearly spoken on the directions we all in government should take. Let’s take guidance from these recent declarations,” he said.
“As I always say, the road to just and lasting peace is not easy to traverse. There are humps and bumps, and curbs and detours along the way. What is important is that we all stay the course,” the Presidential adviser noted.
From Rappler (Feb 5): PNP: Alleged Abu Sayyaf mall threat a hoax
A joint investigation by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCOR) found that the message is a hoax and did not come from any employee of mall giant SM
The Philippine National Police (PNP) appealed to the public to stop sharing an image of a PNP document discussing a supposed terrorist threat against mall giant SM – a report which police have marked as a hoax.
The supposed PNP memo, which has been widely circulated on social media, stated that Abu Sayyaf has asked for $15 million in one week or else they will “bomb the mall.” The information supposedly came from a mall employee.
A joint investigation conducted by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCOR) and SM officials, however, confirmed that the message is a hoax and did not come from any SM employee in the region.
"The Police Regional Office-Cordillera advises the public not to be alarmed by the circulating messages in social media" regarding the alleged threat.
“PROCOR remains in complete control of the situation,” it said. “The PROCOR leadership is asking the public to be prudent in believing and sharing unverified reports that may cause unnecessary panic and fear.”
The police added that, as of publication time, there is no information on any presence of Abu Sayyaf in the Cordillera region.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Oscar Albayalde echoed PROCOR stating that there is yet no information gathered that would back the content of the “viral” report.
In addition, PNP spokesman Dionard Carlos said the letter was part of internal PNP communication and is not for public use. He, however, did not confirm nor deny the memo's authenticity, and said it is up to the police intelligence group to confirm its authenticity.
"The text info about [the] threat directed at SM is not verified and it is a [standard operating procedure] to validate and take necessary precautionary actions to avoid any untoward incident," Carlos said.
"The captured screen shot of the memo... that was posted on [Facebook] by a certain Jesse Watari Bolante is uncalled for," PROCOR said. In addition, the PROCOR said Benguet police "did not confirm the threat but merely instructed his field units to coordinate with SM."
However, just like other reports received, Albayalde said the PNP is not taking the information lightly. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report to the nearest police station if they notice anything unusual for immediate and appropriate action.
“The public has nothing to fear, while we request the public to remain calm we ask them to remain vigilant and observant,” Albayalde said. “We have strengthened our target hardening measures in all fronts down to the police precint level.”
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 5): Duterte orders lifting of ceasefire with CPP-NPA
President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Friday, January 3, that he has lifted the government's unilateral ceasefire with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
"Kagabi I decided, I called General [Eduardo] Año and said, ni-lift ko ‘yung ceasefire tonight. Wala ng ceasefire," President Duterte said in his speech during his visit to M’Lang, Cotabato, for the launching of the M’lang Solar Powered Irrigation System (MSPSIS).
The communist groups have demanded the release of 400 political prisoners, which the President denied.
Duterte also said that he had lost a number of soldiers in the hands of the rebel groups despite the truce.
"I really tried but the demands are just too huge that it is impossible to meet or even work out a compromise," he said.
"So I really would like to express my sadness. We cannot have a peaceful generation. There will always be fight," he added.
The President stressed that his decision to release the leaders of communist groups and to resume peace talks with them showed his sincerity and eagerness to end communist insurgency in the country.
However, he said that releasing 400 political prisoners could not be possible since the decision would not only come from him.
"Unreasonable demands...I would have wanted very much, talagang gusto ko --- it's about 50 years in the making. But let it not be said that I did not try. So I guess that peace with the communists cannot be realized during our generation. Maybe years from now," he said.
"Therefore I’m asking the soldiers, 'Go back to your camps clean your rifles and be ready to fight.' I am sorry but that is how it is," the President said.
From M'Lang, the President proceeded to Kidapawan City to visit the wake of PO2 Jerome Ruefa who was killed from a pursuit operation in M’lang, Cotabato.
He also visited the wounded police personnel from the same pursuit operation: PO1 Angelito Edep and PO2 Joselex Avena who are confined at Kidapawan Medical Specialists Hospital.
He then went back to Davao City to visit the wake of 2Lt. Miguel Victor Alejo at St. Peter Chapel & Funeral Homes in Panacan.
The 26-year-old junior officer from the 67th Army Infantry Batallion was killed in an encounter with members of NPA last Wednesday in Barangay Lambog, Manay, Davao Oriental.
Alejo was with a team composed of police and army soldiers dispatched to respond to reports regarding NPA rebels extorting money in Barangay Rizal.
The troops were waylaid as they were heading for the village, leading to the death of Alejo and the wounding of army Private Jocno Sumatin. (PND)
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): Zambo Sibugay No. 1 most wanted person falls; explosive, bomb-making components seized
Combined police and military operatives have arrested the number one most wanted person in Zamboanga Sibugay and seized a firearm, grenade, bomb-making components and illegal drugs.
Senior Supt. Romulo Cleve Taboso, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, on Saturday identified the wanted person arrested as Odih Wahab, a member of the Barahama Ali crime group.
Taboso said Wahab was arrested in a law enforcement operation at a hotel around 1:15 p.m. Friday in Barangay Tirso Babiera, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Taboso said seized from the possession of Wahab were a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition; fragmentation grenade; blasting caps; detonating cord; three large-size plastic sachet of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride); and prohibited drug paraphernalia.
Wahab is facing a string of criminal charges and has standing warrants of arrest issued by the courts in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Taboso said the cases filed against Wahab included robbery; highway robbery and brigandage; and murder.
He said Wahab was involved in the shootout on May 2, 2016 in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, that resulted to the death of a soldier and the burning of a police vehicle.
Taboso said the suspect was also involved in the robbery - holdup of the One Network Bank Kabasalan branch manager and employees on December 27, 2016 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
He further said that Wahab is in the drug watch list and listed as a high value target personality.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): (Update) Basilan town mayor unscathed in roadside bombing; soldier, driver wounded
Two people, including a soldier, were wounded while a town mayor was unscathed in a roadside bombing on Saturday in the municipality of Tuburan, Basilan province.
Senior Insp. Said Omar Ismael, Tuburan police chief, disclosed the incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. Saturday, in Sitio Sawiti, Barangay Calut (not Barnagay Duga-a as earlier reported), Tuburan, Basilan.
Ismael identified the wounded soldier as Cpl. Christian Ibarreta of the Army’s 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion and Misuari Jamiri, the driver of Tuburan Mayor Durie Kallahal.
Jamiri was transported by speed boat from Basilan to this city for medical treatment.
Col. Cirilo Donato, Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander, said Kallahal was unscathed since he disembarked before his vehicle tripped on an improvised explosive device fashioned out as a landmine.
The pick-up type vehicle of Kallahal was riddled with shrapnel holes and its left rear tire was blown off as a result of the roadside bomb explosion.
Ismael said that Kallahal accompanied by 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion troops went to Sitio Sawiti, Barangay Calut to inspect the blast site where a bomb exploded around 10:15 a.m. Saturday.
Ismael said no one was either killed or wounded in the 10:15 a.m. incident since the bomb exploded in a vacant lot.
At that time, Kallahal and the troops of the Army’s 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion were conducting medical outreach mission in downtown Tuburan.
Both the military and police authorities said the roadside bombing was the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) since Kallahal is known to be fighting against the bandit group in his town.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): President Duterte scraps peace talks with NDFP; asks all NDFP delegation to return home
President Rodrigo Duterte is asking all the Philippine delegation to the peace negotiations to “fold up the tents and come home” as he is pulling out government from the talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
This came after the President lifted the government’s unilateral ceasefire with the communist revolutionaries in response to the New People’s Army’s (NPA) decision to terminate talks effective Feb. 10.
In an interview during his visit to the tomb of his mother on Saturday night, Duterte said, “I am not ready to resume peace talks. As I have said…I’d like to tell the Filipino people peace with communists might not come in this generation.”
The next peace talks Duterte said could come after his term “if there is one”. "Peace talks will remain cancelled unless there is a compelling reason that will benefit the interest of the nation," he said.
When asked what will happen to his campaign promise, Duterte said he has tried everything and even walked the extra mile by releasing their leaders to pave the way for the resumption of the peace talks in Oslo, Norway.
But the President noted he was being pressed to release all 400 political prisoners. “I have tried everything…I walk the extra mile…release prisoners…release the leaders so they can go to Oslo to talk…now they want 400+ prisoners who fought the government under a rebellion kind.”
The President reiterated that releasing all political prisoners can be done only after a successful talk.
“Di ka mag release sa prisohan (You can’t release from the prison) at the beginning. So what’s there to talk about? Kung i-release ko lahat sila (If I will release them all) why bother to talk. I told soldiers to go home to your camps, clean your guns and prepare for long struggle.”
It may be recalled that the Duterte administration released 21 political prisoners, who are members and consultants of the NDFP, before the start of the peace talks in Oslo in August. This is the most number ever released in the history of the peace process.
The President’s order to pull out from the talks is the 16th disruption so far recorded in the history of the peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP.
Throwback
Since 2001, the formal peace negotiations was stalled after the NDFP withdrew from the negotiating table on account of the renewed inclusion of the Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison and the CPP-NPA in the US terrorist list. During the Rome talks last month, both sides agreed for the GRP peace panel to recommend to the President to request the US government to de-list Sison from the list.
Talks resumed in 2004 but broke down again in 2005 when NDFP called for the ouster of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In February 2011, both parties agreed to complete the talks but the NDFP suspended talks in June of the same year on the issue of prisoner release. There was also the failure on the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) verification.
Another disruption was when the NDFP reportedly backtracked from their commitments and insisted on their demand that the government release their 14 priority consultants, who are all facing criminal charges in various courts, before formal peace negotiations are resumed.
Although there had been informal talks through the facilitation of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) as third party facilitator, these were stymied by prejudicial questions, impediments and preconditions raised at the negotiating table.
Following his election in May, Duterte promised to release all their leaders to open the talks again with the reds.
True to his promise, in June before his inauguration, Duterte sent a government team composed of Jesus Dureza and Silvestre Bello III, both were later appointed as Presidential Peace Adviser and Labor Secretary and GRP panel chair, to Oslo to initially discuss with NDFP Chief Consultant Jose Maria Sison and NDFP chair Luis Jalandoni.
In that talk, both sides agreed to resume the talks, accelerate the process for negotiations and reconstitution of the JASIG, among others.
During his inauguration in July, Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire before the formal peace talks started in August although this was lifted shortly after an attack of government forces in Compostela Valley. The President restored the unilateral ceasefire before the start of the formal talks in August, last year.
On Aug. 22, the first round of formal peace talks resumed in Oslo. It was also in the first round that the NDFP declared on Aug. 26 its own unilateral ceasefire that the NPA is terminating effective Feb. 10.
At the third round on Jan. 19 – 26 in Rome, significant milestones were sealed by the both sides: the signing of the supplemental guidelines for the Joint Monitoring Committee on the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) that will govern the process of filing complaints for human rights violation of both sides; the signing of the ground rules for GRP and NDFP committee work on the socio-economic reforms; signing of completed drafts on Political and Constitutional Reforms; and their commitment to move the talks forward despite some setbacks.
Forward
The GRP and NDFP ceasefire committees are supposed to meet on February 22 in Utrecht, Netherlands to discuss the GRP draft proposal for a bilateral ceasefire and the depositing of the list of names of NDFP consultants using aliases.
The fourth round of talks is supposed to take place April back in Oslo.
During the Saturday night interview, Duterte said he is no longer interested. He added, "I am not interested arguing with them.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): 2 hurt as IED explosions mar Basilan medical-dental mission
Western Mindanao Command (WMC) units are now tracking down the armed lawless group who detonated two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a medical-dental mission in Tuburan town, Basilan, wounding two persons, noontime Saturday.
The first blast took place took place around 12 noon, said WMC spokesperson Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay.
No one was injured in this explosion, she added.
However, this prompted the deployment of an explosive ordnance disposal team to check if there were other IEDs laid nearby.
As this unit was searching, another blast took place, this time wounding of the securing members of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion and the driver of Tuburan Mayor Dorie Kallahal who was present in the area.
Subsequent searches eventually resulted in the recovery of two pieces of improvised electrical circuit, one "TVT" hand-held radio, two pieces of 9-volt batteries, 20 meters of electric wire, Petinglay added.
However, the two explosions failed to prevent the ongoing dental-medical mission which benefitted 500 residents of Tuburan town, she stressed.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): PNP asks netizens to stop reposting, sharing alleged documents on mall bombing try
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday asked netizens to stop sharing or reposting an alleged document purportedly warning of a bombing attempt of a shopping mall.
”We request that netizens should stop sharing or reposting the document. As of now, there is no evidence or information gathered that would confirm the content of the report,”National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said in an official statement.
Albayalde was referring to a picture of a PNP memorandum which circulated online, ordering an intensified intelligence gathering and conduct of risk assessment in response to information claiming that the Abu Sayyaf Group is threatening to bomb SM malls.
However, Albayalde said, like any other report that they receive, the PNP is not taking the information for granted.
”We have strengthened our target hardening measures in all fronts down to the police precinct level,” he said.
The NCRPO chief assured that they maintain their full alert status to ensure the accounting and maximum presence of their policemen in the streets and places of convergence particularly malls.
”The public has nothing to fear, while we request the public to remain calm we ask them to remain vigilant and observant,” Albayalde said.
The PNP official also urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or to any policeman on sight so that they can act immediately and appropriately. http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=961212
