From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): AFP shrugs off Sison's claim on NPA extortion
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has doubted the claim of Communist Party of the Philippines(CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison that he and other ranking leaders of the rebel movement do not benefit from the extortion rackets being enforced by the New People's Army (NPA).
AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año said Wednesday the CPP chair is expected to deny this vehemently.
"He will definitely disavow that because he is a liar. A master deceiver; a criminal. Only someone with such a vicious mind can hatch and execute a plan like the bombing of Plaza Miranda (which took place in Aug. 21, 1971) that caused the death and wounding of several innocent people," the AFP chief stressed.
"Mr. Sison and other top leaders of the CPP-NPA will deny taking lion-share of the extortion money they exact from plantation owners, contractors, and business persons," he added.
He added that the entire military, along with the rest of the nation, will be very surprised if Sison will admit to taking his share in the rebels' extortion scheme, adding such illegal activities have no paper or money trails which can implicate the CPP founder and his cohorts.
"The local New People’s Army tasked to do the collection of “revolutionary tax” that resents that iniquitous sharing is likely to deny that Mr. Sison and other CPP-NPA honchos derive monetary benefits. They all are guilty of extortion, grave coercion, destructive arsons, and kidnapping," Año pointed out.
The AFP chief also emphasized that Sison and his group has long since traded their ideology for money; principles for perks; cause for benefits.
"Their group has become a big burden to business and employment opportunities for the people. They should stop their false pretenses of being pro-people and pro-progress. Because they are in fact the anti-thesis to peace and development for the people," he pointed out.
Earlier, the CPP founder said taxes collected by the NPA were voluntarily given by their supporters and these are used for social and economic programs for the people and maintenance of their fighting force.
Sison also said he gets nothing from this even as he stressed that his living and medical expenses in The Netherlands are provided by Dutch charitable organizations, his friends and relatives.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004238
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Mexican training ship visits PH Aug 4-8
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Mexican training ship visits PH Aug 4-8
Mexican training ship, the ARM Cuauhtémoc (Ambassador and Knight of the Seas), will arrive Friday, Aug 4, for a five-day goodwill visit to the Philippines.
Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the Mexican ship will dock at Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor.
PN units will render the traditional welcoming ceremonies upon her arrival.
"This first time visit of a Mexican Navy vessel coincides with the 35th anniversary of the said ship and the centenary of the promulgation of the Mexican Constitution. Along with its officer and enlisted crew headed by the Commanding Officer, Capt. Rafael Lagunes Arteaga, onboard are around 40 cadets from the Heroic Navy Military School of Mexico," Lincuna stressed.
The PN spokesperson said the visit also commemorates the historic voyage by the Manila-Acapulco Galleon for almost 250 years.
ARM Cuauhtémoc will leave on Aug 8, he added.
The former is a sail training vessel of the Mexican Navy, named for the last Mexica Hueyi Tlatoani Cuauhtémoc who was captured and executed in 1525.
She is the last of four sister ships built by the Naval Shipyards of Bilbao, Spain, in 1982, all built to a design similar to the 1930 designs of the German firm Blohm & Voss, like Gorch Fock, USCGC Eagle and the NRP Sagres.
The former's visit attests the renewed long-standing ties that join Mexico and the Philippines together, not only as partners but as sister nations.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004261
Mexican training ship, the ARM Cuauhtémoc (Ambassador and Knight of the Seas), will arrive Friday, Aug 4, for a five-day goodwill visit to the Philippines.
Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the Mexican ship will dock at Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor.
PN units will render the traditional welcoming ceremonies upon her arrival.
"This first time visit of a Mexican Navy vessel coincides with the 35th anniversary of the said ship and the centenary of the promulgation of the Mexican Constitution. Along with its officer and enlisted crew headed by the Commanding Officer, Capt. Rafael Lagunes Arteaga, onboard are around 40 cadets from the Heroic Navy Military School of Mexico," Lincuna stressed.
The PN spokesperson said the visit also commemorates the historic voyage by the Manila-Acapulco Galleon for almost 250 years.
ARM Cuauhtémoc will leave on Aug 8, he added.
The former is a sail training vessel of the Mexican Navy, named for the last Mexica Hueyi Tlatoani Cuauhtémoc who was captured and executed in 1525.
She is the last of four sister ships built by the Naval Shipyards of Bilbao, Spain, in 1982, all built to a design similar to the 1930 designs of the German firm Blohm & Voss, like Gorch Fock, USCGC Eagle and the NRP Sagres.
The former's visit attests the renewed long-standing ties that join Mexico and the Philippines together, not only as partners but as sister nations.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004261
Terror plots in PH not new — DND chief
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Terror plots in PH not new — DND chief
Terror plots in the Philippines are not exactly new.
This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when asked on whether he is aware of any terrorist plans to attack other areas in Mindanao and other parts of the country aside from Marawi City where fighting against Maute Group remnants is now ongoing for almost three months.
"Terror threats in all of Mindanao and even outside Mindanao has been with us for a long time. In fact we had terror acts committed here in Manila before," he added in a message to the Philippine News Agency Wednesday.
Such actions are possible as Filipino terrorists and their allies can travel all over the Philippines unimpeded, giving them the opportunity to create mayhem and terror anywhere.
"This is not new. Filipino terrorists can travel all over the country unimpeded hence they could create mayhem anywhere. That is why we should all be vigilant. The safety of a community is mainly the concern of all residents, not only the police or military," Lorenzana stressed.
On Tuesday, Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said President Rodrigo Duterte has called for a meeting in Malacanang to discuss new terror threats against three areas in Mindanao.
He also stressed that the Chief Executive stressed that he wants 20,000 additional military personnel for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He declined to give any more details as the information is very sensitive and only the President can disclose it to the public.
As of this posting, an estimated 502 Maute Group terrorists have been killed along with 114 government troops and 45 civilians.
Also seized were 592 firearms while 1,723 civilians were rescued.
Fighting in the area has been raging since May 23 when government forces made a botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" Isnilon Hapilon.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004299
Terror plots in the Philippines are not exactly new.
This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when asked on whether he is aware of any terrorist plans to attack other areas in Mindanao and other parts of the country aside from Marawi City where fighting against Maute Group remnants is now ongoing for almost three months.
"Terror threats in all of Mindanao and even outside Mindanao has been with us for a long time. In fact we had terror acts committed here in Manila before," he added in a message to the Philippine News Agency Wednesday.
Such actions are possible as Filipino terrorists and their allies can travel all over the Philippines unimpeded, giving them the opportunity to create mayhem and terror anywhere.
"This is not new. Filipino terrorists can travel all over the country unimpeded hence they could create mayhem anywhere. That is why we should all be vigilant. The safety of a community is mainly the concern of all residents, not only the police or military," Lorenzana stressed.
On Tuesday, Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said President Rodrigo Duterte has called for a meeting in Malacanang to discuss new terror threats against three areas in Mindanao.
He also stressed that the Chief Executive stressed that he wants 20,000 additional military personnel for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He declined to give any more details as the information is very sensitive and only the President can disclose it to the public.
As of this posting, an estimated 502 Maute Group terrorists have been killed along with 114 government troops and 45 civilians.
Also seized were 592 firearms while 1,723 civilians were rescued.
Fighting in the area has been raging since May 23 when government forces made a botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" Isnilon Hapilon.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004299
Duterte eyes more soldiers to crush terror groups
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Duterte eyes more soldiers to crush terror groups
President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his desire to recruit additional soldiers to reinforce the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid reports of terror groups’ other planned attacks in Mindanao, senators said Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara made this confirmation a day after President Duterte summoned senators and congressmen for a meeting on Tuesday (August 1).
“The President said he would like to upgrade Armed Forces in terms of capabilities and personnel and I think those reforms are necessary,” Angara told reporters in an interview.
In a separate interview, Drilon said that it was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who requested for “additional manpower” of “about 20,000 soldiers.”
Both senators said that these requests were made following intelligence reports on “new threats” posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) group in the South.
“(The President) briefed us on the intelligence information on new threats posed by the ISIS in the South and he is looking into at a closer regional cooperation with neighboring countries particularly Indonesia,” Drilon said.
Angara said that the Senate has expressed willingness to help through filing appropriate measures to support initiatives to upgrade the Armed Forces.
Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson also agreed with the President’s plan.
"The Marawi threat was just a culmination of it and it can go to other places like Surigao, Agusan, Sulu, Zamboanga so we really would require a beefing up of our Armed Forces," Gordon said.
Lacson said President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao and request to extend it were also right decisions made in hindsight.
"On hindsight, tama yung ginawa ng Presidente on how he addressed the Marawi crisis dahil kung hindi ganun yung pagka-address baka nag-spillover (the President did the right thing on how he addressed the Marawi crisis because if he didn’t address it that way, it might have spilled over),” Lacson said.
“In spite of so many objections, mas mainam na rin yun ang ginawa niya (In spite of many objections, it’s better that he did that),” Lacson said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004307
President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his desire to recruit additional soldiers to reinforce the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid reports of terror groups’ other planned attacks in Mindanao, senators said Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara made this confirmation a day after President Duterte summoned senators and congressmen for a meeting on Tuesday (August 1).
“The President said he would like to upgrade Armed Forces in terms of capabilities and personnel and I think those reforms are necessary,” Angara told reporters in an interview.
In a separate interview, Drilon said that it was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who requested for “additional manpower” of “about 20,000 soldiers.”
Both senators said that these requests were made following intelligence reports on “new threats” posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) group in the South.
“(The President) briefed us on the intelligence information on new threats posed by the ISIS in the South and he is looking into at a closer regional cooperation with neighboring countries particularly Indonesia,” Drilon said.
Angara said that the Senate has expressed willingness to help through filing appropriate measures to support initiatives to upgrade the Armed Forces.
Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson also agreed with the President’s plan.
"The Marawi threat was just a culmination of it and it can go to other places like Surigao, Agusan, Sulu, Zamboanga so we really would require a beefing up of our Armed Forces," Gordon said.
Lacson said President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao and request to extend it were also right decisions made in hindsight.
"On hindsight, tama yung ginawa ng Presidente on how he addressed the Marawi crisis dahil kung hindi ganun yung pagka-address baka nag-spillover (the President did the right thing on how he addressed the Marawi crisis because if he didn’t address it that way, it might have spilled over),” Lacson said.
“In spite of so many objections, mas mainam na rin yun ang ginawa niya (In spite of many objections, it’s better that he did that),” Lacson said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004307
Indonesia to host trilateral meeting on terrorism in October
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Indonesia to host trilateral meeting on terrorism in October
Foreign ministers and security officials of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are expected to meet again in October in Jakarta, Indonesia, to discuss further measures to effectively address terrorism and extremism.
Budi Dhewajani, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, said the Indonesian government will host the next trilateral meeting on security among the three countries in October.
“We are getting very closer and closer to make sure that our region is a safe region. This is important because if we cannot create a safe region, how can we support the business?,” Dhewajani told reporters.
The October meeting is a follow-up one after the three countries held trilateral meeting on security in June here in Manila amid raging fight between government soldiers and the Maute militant in Marawi City.
During their June meeting, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Hj. Aman agreed to task their senior officials to consider the proposed Plan of Action in the context of measures to enhance effort and cooperation in addressing the root causes and underlying conditions of extremism.
The proposed Plan of Action, which would be reported at their next meeting, also took into account measures to enhance the intelligence and information sharing among all security and intelligence agencies on potential, imminent and real threats; and stop the flow of terrorist financing.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism are high on the agenda of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, as their foreign ministers meet for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) here from August 2 to 8.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004335
Foreign ministers and security officials of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are expected to meet again in October in Jakarta, Indonesia, to discuss further measures to effectively address terrorism and extremism.
Budi Dhewajani, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, said the Indonesian government will host the next trilateral meeting on security among the three countries in October.
“We are getting very closer and closer to make sure that our region is a safe region. This is important because if we cannot create a safe region, how can we support the business?,” Dhewajani told reporters.
The October meeting is a follow-up one after the three countries held trilateral meeting on security in June here in Manila amid raging fight between government soldiers and the Maute militant in Marawi City.
During their June meeting, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Hj. Aman agreed to task their senior officials to consider the proposed Plan of Action in the context of measures to enhance effort and cooperation in addressing the root causes and underlying conditions of extremism.
The proposed Plan of Action, which would be reported at their next meeting, also took into account measures to enhance the intelligence and information sharing among all security and intelligence agencies on potential, imminent and real threats; and stop the flow of terrorist financing.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism are high on the agenda of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, as their foreign ministers meet for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) here from August 2 to 8.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004335
Campaign to decisively end Marawi crisis in the works: AFP
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Campaign to decisively end Marawi crisis in the works: AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is planning the campaign that would hopefully neutralize remnants of the Maute Group in Marawi City, once and for all.
AFP Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Eduardo Año, on Wednesday met with military commanders in Marawi City to review their plans to liberate the remaining areas in the city still being held by the terrorists.
"(During the meeting,) ground commanders presented their plans, which would hopefully inflict the blow necessary to complete the mission and decisively defeat the (remaining) Maute Group members," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Edgard Arevalo, said in Filipino.
In the same meeting, Año was given a comprehensive update on the situation in Marawi City.
"The presentation was very good, the AFP chief was very satisfied. His queries were properly addressed and explained to him with satisfaction," Arevalo said.
After the briefing, the AFP chief commended the troops for their bravery, especially those who have fallen in battle, and those wounded in the fight and yet are raring to return to the front-lines to continue the clearing operations.
"They are part of history unfolding as not everyone has the opportunity to (help in the ongoing fight against) terrorism (which is now a huge problem in the world)," Arevalo said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004390
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is planning the campaign that would hopefully neutralize remnants of the Maute Group in Marawi City, once and for all.
AFP Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Eduardo Año, on Wednesday met with military commanders in Marawi City to review their plans to liberate the remaining areas in the city still being held by the terrorists.
"(During the meeting,) ground commanders presented their plans, which would hopefully inflict the blow necessary to complete the mission and decisively defeat the (remaining) Maute Group members," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Edgard Arevalo, said in Filipino.
In the same meeting, Año was given a comprehensive update on the situation in Marawi City.
"The presentation was very good, the AFP chief was very satisfied. His queries were properly addressed and explained to him with satisfaction," Arevalo said.
After the briefing, the AFP chief commended the troops for their bravery, especially those who have fallen in battle, and those wounded in the fight and yet are raring to return to the front-lines to continue the clearing operations.
"They are part of history unfolding as not everyone has the opportunity to (help in the ongoing fight against) terrorism (which is now a huge problem in the world)," Arevalo said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004390
AFP chief to troops: Stay alive while clearing Marawi
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): AFP chief to troops: Stay alive while clearing Marawi
A good military commander is often likened to a father to his men, often solicitious of their well-being or welfare.
And in the trade of taking life, in defense of one's country, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año made one request to troops on clearing operations against the Maute Group remnants in Marawi City.
"Stay focused on your mission. Stay alive. Keep safe. It will not be too long before we accomplish your task. You can count on the support of your headquarters and the abiding prayers of our nation ," the AFP chief stressed.
He made this appeal as the military is now planning the operation which will decisively neutralized the remaining Maute Group terrorists who are reportedly pocketed in a less than one square-kilometer in Marawi's business district.
Año visited troops fighting in the Marawi City front-lines to see for himself how soldiers there are faring and to discuss and check battle plans made by their commanders for the final push against the remaining terrorists.
"I went to Marawi. To the main battle area this time. I went here to inspire you. But were the ones who inspired me instead," the AFP chief stressed upon arrival in Manila late Wednesday.
"Seeing for myself but a glimpse of the hardships you endure, the innumerable perils you face daily, and the immeasurable sacrifices you selfishly offer, I can help but be awed by your valor, heroism, and patriotism," he added.
As of this posting, an estimated 502 Maute Group terrorists have been killed along with 114 government troops and 45 civilians.
Also seized were 592 firearms. Rescued were 1,723 civilians. An estimated 900 soldiers were also wounded in the bitter house-to-house fighting, the deadlist feature of urban warfare.
Sniping, use of improvised explosive devices and bombs are the cause of most the casualties sustained by government troops in the almost three month conflict.
Fighting in the area has been raging since May 23 when government forces made a botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" Isnilon Hapilon.
As this develops, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Año was given a comprehensive update on the situation in Marawi City.
"The presentation was very good, the AFP chief was very satisfied, his queries were properly addressed and explained to him with satisfaction," Arevalo stressed.
After the briefing, the AFP chief commended the troops for their bravery, especially those who have fallen in battle and those wounded in the fight and yet are raring to return to the front-lines to continue the clearing operations.
"They are part of history unfolding (troops participating in the Battle for Marawi) as not everyone can have an opportunity to (help in the ongoing fight against) terrorism (which is now a huge problem in the world)," Arevalo stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004455
A good military commander is often likened to a father to his men, often solicitious of their well-being or welfare.
And in the trade of taking life, in defense of one's country, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año made one request to troops on clearing operations against the Maute Group remnants in Marawi City.
"Stay focused on your mission. Stay alive. Keep safe. It will not be too long before we accomplish your task. You can count on the support of your headquarters and the abiding prayers of our nation ," the AFP chief stressed.
He made this appeal as the military is now planning the operation which will decisively neutralized the remaining Maute Group terrorists who are reportedly pocketed in a less than one square-kilometer in Marawi's business district.
Año visited troops fighting in the Marawi City front-lines to see for himself how soldiers there are faring and to discuss and check battle plans made by their commanders for the final push against the remaining terrorists.
"I went to Marawi. To the main battle area this time. I went here to inspire you. But were the ones who inspired me instead," the AFP chief stressed upon arrival in Manila late Wednesday.
"Seeing for myself but a glimpse of the hardships you endure, the innumerable perils you face daily, and the immeasurable sacrifices you selfishly offer, I can help but be awed by your valor, heroism, and patriotism," he added.
As of this posting, an estimated 502 Maute Group terrorists have been killed along with 114 government troops and 45 civilians.
Also seized were 592 firearms. Rescued were 1,723 civilians. An estimated 900 soldiers were also wounded in the bitter house-to-house fighting, the deadlist feature of urban warfare.
Sniping, use of improvised explosive devices and bombs are the cause of most the casualties sustained by government troops in the almost three month conflict.
Fighting in the area has been raging since May 23 when government forces made a botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" Isnilon Hapilon.
As this develops, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Año was given a comprehensive update on the situation in Marawi City.
"The presentation was very good, the AFP chief was very satisfied, his queries were properly addressed and explained to him with satisfaction," Arevalo stressed.
After the briefing, the AFP chief commended the troops for their bravery, especially those who have fallen in battle and those wounded in the fight and yet are raring to return to the front-lines to continue the clearing operations.
"They are part of history unfolding (troops participating in the Battle for Marawi) as not everyone can have an opportunity to (help in the ongoing fight against) terrorism (which is now a huge problem in the world)," Arevalo stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004455
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