Wednesday, September 6, 2017

DND, AFP chiefs oppose Mariano as DAR head

From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 6): DND, AFP chiefs oppose Mariano as DAR head

Top military leaders on Tuesday sought the rejection of the confirmation of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) secretary-designate Rafael Vitriolo Mariano following the burning of 150 hectares and destruction in agricultural equipment and warehouses at a banana and pineapple plantation in Tagum city.
Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano (Richard V. Viñas / MANILA BULLETIN)


The resolution of these military leaders – Department of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Eduardo Año – was revealed by Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III as chairman of the agrarian reform committee of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) which is trying to determine his fitness to be a member of the Duterte Cabinet.

But Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Duterte, is one of the four mayors against Mariano’s confirmation who signed another resolution.

Sotto said four governors also signed that resolution.

Asked by Senate reporters about this resolution after the Sotto committee reset the hearing for today after hearing several persons and groups explained they are against his confirmation, Mariano said what he knows is that he has not seen the date of the Lorenzana-/Ano resolution.

He also dissociated himself from the so-called leftist group that destroyed the property of Lapandai Fruits Corporation, formerly the Global Fruits Corporation.

This corporation employed thousands of employees’’ and has given much not only to region X1 but to Mindanao.

In that encounter, resolution alleged that Mariano had knowledge of the burning of Lapandai property, Sotto said.

During the committee hearing, Sotto said Mariano denied an intelligence report that he had a hand in planning the burning of the 546-hectare Lapandai property.

In last week’s CA committee hearing, Mariano denied having undertaken underground activities against the national government.

He also denied being a member the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front –New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NDF).

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/05/dnd-afp-chiefs-oppose-mariano-as-dar-head/

Lumad leader shot dead by suspected NPA members

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Sep 6): Lumad leader shot dead by suspected NPA members

A LUMAD (Indigenous people) leader was shot dead by suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) on Tuesday, September 5, at Barangay Comagascas, Cabadbaran City.
 
According to the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), Datu Rostico Sandag Porogoy, tribal chieftain of Santiago municipality, Agusan del Norte, was onboard his motorcycle when at least three men on motorcycle armed with a caliber .45 pistols waylaid him at 7:40 a.m.
 
Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, 4ID spokesperson, said Porogoy was supposed to visit his people in Pangaylan, a Manobo community in Santiago town, when he was shot twice on his back and another on his right shoulder which caused his untimely demise.
 
The military said Porogoy was a staunch peace advocate in Caraga region, and had strongly denounced NPA atrocities as led his tribe in supporting government programs for peace and development.
 
Lieutenant Colonel Glen Aynera, commanding officer of the 29th Infantry Battallion, decries the "terroristic act and brutality of the NPA rebels."
 
“The attack on Datu Porogoy is a clear and undeniable proof of the NPA’s human rights atrocities in Lumad communities. This is also a solid proof of the NPA’s continuing campaign to take control of our Lumads and anyone who gets in their way is killed in the process.” Aynera said.
 
Major General Ronald Villanueva, 4ID Commander, is urging the Filipino Nation to join in shout for justice and urge the Karapatan and other organizations who are calling for the end of Lumad killings to also condemn the dastardly act and denounce the NPA’s human rights violations.
 
 “The 4th Infantry Division joins all Tribal Communities and the peace-loving people in condemning the NPA for killing Datu Rostico Sandag Porogoy. Let not Datu Porogoy's death be the end of his advocacy, but rather an inspiration to others to pursue peace and development," he said.
 
"We sympathize with his family, relatives, friends, loved ones, and constituents. The AFP will intensify operations to go after the perpetrators of this cowardly attack and at the same time ensure that Lumad tribesmen loyal to Datu Porogoy will not conduct revenge killings as the attack could trigger a new wave of violence among Lumad factions. This is unfortunate because the AFP, PNP and our LGUs have been working hard to de-escalate the situation," Villanueva added.

 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2017/09/06/lumad-leader-shot-dead-suspected-npa-members-562511

Police foil double attack on SEA Games and National Day with arrests of terrorists, Abu Sayyaf

From The Sun Daily (Sep 5): Police foil double attack on SEA Games and National Day with arrests of terrorists, Abu Sayyaf

Police escort a suspected militant in Kuala Lumpur, Sept 5, 2017. — Bernama

Police escort a suspected militant in Kuala Lumpur, Sept 5, 2017. — Bernama

Police escort suspected militants in Kuala Lumpur, Sept 5, 2017. — Bernama

Police escort suspected militants in Kuala Lumpur, Sept 5, 2017. — Bernama
 
Police foiled a terrorist attack on the closing ceremony of the SEA Games in Bukit Jalil and the 60th National Day parade in Dataran Merdeka last week with the arrest of members of the Abu Sayyaff group in Kuala Lumpur.

In special operations carried out from July 4 till Aug 30 in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kelantan and Johor, the Special Branch's Counter-Terrorism Division arrested eight locals and 11 foreigners who are suspected to be involved in terrorist activities.

The most notable of these arrests came on the morning of Aug 30, when the special action unit from Bukit Aman arrested eight individuals suspected to be involved with the Abu Sayyaf group in Cheras.

The Abu Sayyaf is one of the smallest and most violent terror groups in southern Philippines and had carried out kidnappings in Sabah.

Of the eight, two were Filipinos and six were locals aged between 20 and 52 years.

Newly installed Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun (pix) said that these eight men were planning on carrying out attacks on the SEA Games closing ceremony and the National Day parade.
 
The main suspect in the plot is a 25-year-old Abu Sayyaf member who had illegally entered Malaysia through Sandakan, Sabah before coming to Kuala Lumpur in December 2015.

"The suspect had also been involved in fights against the Filipino military, kidnapping of six Filipino nationals and holding them hostage and also in the beheading of a Christian in Southern Philippines in 2010," said Fuzi in a statement today.

It was revealed that the suspect had held meetings in the south of Philippines in 2015 with Dr Mahmud Ahmad, Mohd Najib Hussein and Muhammad Juraimee Awang Ramlee, all Malaysians who joined the Abu Sayyaf in 2014.

Of the other arrests made, a 25-year-old Bangladeshi who was a temporary teacher at a Tahfiz school in Gombak was arrested for links to the Jamatul Mujahideen terrorist group in Bangladesh, which has links to the Islamic State (IS).

He is wanted by Bangladeshi police.

Following the Bangladeshi, police picked up three men in Johor Baru on Aug 7 and Aug 9.

One was a local and the other two were from Maldives.

The two Maldivians were on transit in Malaysia and Singapore before heading to Syria to join the IS, whereas the Malaysian was arrested for keeping IS related articles on his cellphone and also for having six copies of a banned magazine.

On Aug 11, another Malaysian and two Iraqis were also apprehended.

The Malaysian, a retired teacher, was arrested in Bachok, Kelantan for promoting IS ideology through his two Facebook accounts.

The Iraqis who are brothers, were arrested on suspicion of being IS commanders in the South of Iraq.

Another Iraqi and a Palestinian were also arrested on the same day, both were using Malaysia as a transit point to join the IS cells in the Philippines and Albania.

The last of the arrests were two Indonesians in Petaling Jaya who were involved in the recruitment of new members to the IS, they were also planning on going to Syria to join the IS militants.

Fuzi said that all 19 were arrested under the Penal Code on suspicion of conducting terror activities and are being investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) 2012.
 

Two Iraqi Islamic State commanders among 19 men arrested in Malaysia (Photos)

From Channel News Asia (Sep 5): Two Iraqi Islamic State commanders among 19 men arrested in Malaysia

One of the militants is believed to have been planning an attack on the SEA Games closing ceremony.


A suspect nabbed in a counter-terrorism sting operation. (Photo: Royal Malaysia Police)

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Iraqis believed to be commanders of Islamic State (IS) in southern Iraq were among 19 suspects arrested by Malaysian police in a sting operation across the country from Jul 4 to Aug 30.
 
The two Iraqis, aged 41 and 63, are brothers and were arrested as they are believed to be commanders of IS, also known as Daesh, in southern Iraq, said Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun in a statement.
 
Sumisha Naidu    
@SumishaCNA
19 arrested for terror links between Jul 4 to Aug 30. One suspected to have planned attacks at closing ceremony & on National Day. pic.twitter.com/sK0tw2dku9
 
@SumishaCNA Sep 5
19 arrested include Abu Sayyaf group members, foreigners including those from Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Maldives and Palestine.
 
“They (brothers) worked as technicians and were arrested as they are suspected to be commanders of Daesh in southern Iraq,” said IGP Fuzi.

There were no further details.

A 25-year-old Bangladeshi suspect, linked to the radical Jamaat ul-Mujahideen which is also sometimes called Jamatul Mujahideen (JMB), was arrested on Jul 4 in Shah Alam, Selangor state. The terror group was behind the attack on Dhaka’s Holey Artisan Bakery in 2016.
 
The suspect worked as a temporary teacher for a Quran reading school called Maahad Tahfiz Gombak. He is wanted by Bangladeshi police for his alleged involvement in JMB. He is believed to have entered Malaysia on Sep 4, 2016.
 
Twenty-two people, including 17 foreigners, were killed in the brutal late-night attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka on Jul 1, 2016. Six of the attackers were killed by security forces.
 
JMB is a terror organization that is also behind a wave of attacks against Bangladesh’s secularists in 2016.

A man arrested during a counter-terrorism sting operation. (Photo: Royal Malaysia Police) 


EIGHT LINKED TO ABU SAYYAF
 
The operation also netted eight men for links to the Abu Sayyaf Group on Aug 30. Two of the men are Filipinos while six of the men are Malaysians.
 
One of the Filipinos, aged 25, is believed to have been planning to launch an attack during the closing ceremony of the recently concluded SEA Games.
 
The suspect was earlier reported to be Hajar Abdul Mubin alias Abu Asrie by The Star.
“Information exposes that the detained suspect was planning to launch attacks during the SEA Games closing ceremony at National Stadium Bukit Jalil and during the National Day Celebrations at Dataran Merdeka," said IGP Fuzi.
Two men detained in a counter-terrorism sting operation. (Photo: Royal Malaysia Police) 


“The suspect has been involved in fighting with Philippines military, kidnapping of six Filipino hostages and beheading a Christian hostage in 2010,” IGP Fuzi added.
 
He said the suspect had also met with Dr Mahmud Ahmad, the right hand man of Abu Sayyaf’s pro-IS faction leader Isnilon Hapilon, in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan island, southern Philippines.
SUSPECTS OF MANY NATIONALITIES
 
Two Maldives nationals, aged 29 and 33, working as air conditioners technicians, were arrested for allegedly using Malaysia and Singapore as transit points before going to Syria to join Islamic State.
One Malaysian was arrested for possessing Islamic State literature while another Malaysian was arrested for promoting Islamic State through his Facebook account.
Also arrested was a Palestinian planning to join IS in southern Philippines while another Iraqi suspect was arrested for his involvement with an Albanian terror group with links to IS.
Two Indonesian traders, aged 29 and 47, were arrested for recruiting members for IS to go to Syria. 

Malaysian police: Abu Sayyaf planned to attack SEA Games closing

From ABS-CBN (Sep 5): Malaysian police: Abu Sayyaf planned to attack SEA Games closing

Malaysian police thwarted a plan by a member of the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf militant group to attack the closing ceremony of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur last week, the top police official said on Tuesday.

The suspected attacker, a 25-year-old Philippine national, had been involved in fighting, kidnapping and beheading of foreign hostages in the Philippines, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said in a statement.

The arrest will raise concern about increasing cooperation among militants within Southeast Asia and what governments fear is the spreading influence of Islamic State as it loses ground in the Middle East.

Mohamad Fuzi did not identify the suspect but said he had planned to attack the closing ceremony of the games at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, as well as an Independence Day parade the next day. He gave no detail of the plans.

The man was arrested in a raid on August 30, the day of the ceremony, along with seven other suspected members of the hardline Abu Sayyaf, including another Philippine national.

Authorities said earlier they had detained Philippine Abu Sayyaf leader Hajar Abdul Mubin, 25, also known as Abu Asrie, in the August 30 raid.

Abu Asrie was arrested with six Malaysians and another Philippine national, aged between 20 and 52, police said earlier.

Eleven other suspected militants, including nine foreigners, were picked up in a two-month security operation before the games.

The arrests were the latest in a crackdown on militancy by Muslim-majority Malaysia. Since 2013, Malaysia has arrested more than 250 people on suspicion of links to Islamic State.

Among those picked up were two Iraqi brothers, aged 41 and 63, who were suspected to have served as commanders for Islamic State, Mohamad Fuzi said. They were working as technicians and were arrested in a Kuala Lumpur suburb on August 11.

The Iraqis had arrived in Malaysia separately and were detained on information from foreign intelligence agencies, a Malaysian police source told Reuters.

"One arrived last year, while the other came in early August. We're still investigating what their activities were in Malaysia," said the source, who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to media.

Others picked up in the sweep included suspects from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Indonesia and the Palestinian territories.

Police counter-terrorism chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay told Reuters the number of foreigners showed the growing Islamic State threat in the region.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/05/17/malaysian-police-abu-sayyaf-planned-to-attack-sea-games-closing

New Army brigade Bicol chief named

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): New Army brigade Bicol chief named

To accelerate the operational tempo in the government’s war against insurgency while keeping track and upholding human rights is the marching order of Army Colonel Greg Almelor, the newly installed commanding officer of the Army's 903rd Brigade in Sorsogon.

Almelor, addressing his command on Tuesday, said that in winning the peace, “we have to focus and increase the phase of our operational strategies based on the given template laid down by the higher command.”

While advising his staff and battalion commanders to set their hearts and mind in achieving their mission, he also directed them to “go back to basic” by learning their strength and weaknesses.

Almelor replaced Brigadier Gen. Fernando Trinidad who was given a tour of duty at the Army’s General Headquarters while waiting for his second-star promotion.

In an interview Tuesday night, Almelor expressed confidence that despite the challenges ahead, their mission will be fulfilled with the full support given by various stakeholders.

Almelor, a native of Davao City, is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1989, "Makatao” batch.

The Army’s 903rd Brigade based in Castilla town in Sorsogon has four battalions with over a thousand soldiers who operate in the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate.

The command turnover ceremony held on Tuesday at the 903rd brigade command in Castilla, Sorsogon was officiated by Maj. Gen Manolito Orense, commanding general of the Army 9th Infantry Division.
The brigade under the leadership of BGen Trinidad reported that their combat operations from January 2017 to date have neutralized at least 71 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels -- six of them killed, 17 captured and 48 surrendered.

The operations also yielded 35 high powered firearms, 54 handguns and shotguns, 50 improvised explosive devices, a grenade, five communication equipment and insurgents' war materials.

Report said military operations have led to the clearing of 15 insurgency-affected villages in Sorsogon and 16 in Masbate.


These also paved the way for the declaration of Sorsogon province as "Conflict Manageable and Development Ready Province" in Bicol.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008687

China donates P5M to troops engaged in Marawi fighting

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): China donates P5M to troops engaged in Marawi fighting

The People's Republic of China (PRC) has donated PHP5 million to troops engaged in the ongoing clearing operations against Maute Group remnants in Marawi City.

This was bared by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año in a statement Wednesday.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua handed the PHP5-million check to the AFP chief during simple ceremonies Tuesday at the Hall of Flags, General Headquarters Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Año expressed the AFP's appreciation for China's donation.

On his part, Zhao said China is slated to make a PHP15 million donation for the proposed rehabilitation of Marawi City before the end of 2017.

The money will be used for the delivery of engineering equipment needed in the proposed rehabilitation works.

As of this posting, Maute Group members killed in the ongoing clearing operations are placed at 639 along with 145 government troops.

Civilians executed are still at 45 while rescued captives are placed at 1,728 along with 672 weapons seized.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008692

DND acquires 'Sidewinder' air-to-air missiles

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): DND acquires 'Sidewinder' air-to-air missiles

The Department of National Defense (DND) will acquire sufficient stocks of AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air missiles for the country's 12 FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle" jet aircraft.

This was bared by DND public affairs office chief, Arsenio Andolong, in an interview with PNA Wednesday.

"Notice to Proceed was issued to Diehl Raytheon of Germany last Aug. 31. The ('Sidewinder' contract) is worth PHP1,016,734,088." he added.

Andolong declined to give the specific number and delivery dates of the missiles for security reasons. But he said the "weapons are sufficient for all of the country's FA-50s."

Andolong added the AIM-9s to be acquired are "all live rounds and fresh from the factory" meaning all of its sensors, rocket motors and warheads are brand-new.

With the pending delivery of the missiles, the FA-50s will now have another weapon for air-to-air combat aside from its internal 20mm cannon, making it more capable of protecting the country's airspace against airborne threats.

The AIM-9, which was developed by the US Navy in the 1950s, is one of the world's most reliable and successful air-to-air missiles.

It utilizes infrared homing for guidance and tracking and has a top speed of Mach 3 or three times the speed of sound. Its warhead weighs around 20 pounds and the missile has a length of 9 feet and 11 inches.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008694

Mariano denies involvement in illegal activities, armed struggle

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): Mariano denies involvement in illegal activities, armed struggle  

Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano denied any involvement in illegal activity or a supporter of armed struggle.

Speaking before the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, Mariano assured that since his appointment as DAR chief, he has dedicated himself to carrying out his duties “within the bounds of the law.”

“My tenure as Secretary of DAR, whether it be long or short, shall be dedicated to serving the people and upholding the Philippine Constitution which we are all duty-bound to defend,” Mariano told the CA.

“I will do my duties within the bounds of the law. Hindi po tayo nag-eendorso o sumusuporta sa anumang mga illegal na aktibidad o mga gawaing sa labas ng balangkas or outside the bounds of the law (I do not endorse or support any illegal activities or activities outside the bounds of the law),” he added.

He also denied being a member or advocate of armed struggle.

“Tinitiyak ko po sa inyo na ang DAR at ako po ay hindi nag-aadvocate, nag-eendorso, sumusuporta sa mga illegal na activities. As Secretary ng DAR, I do not support, I do not endorse armed struggle (I assure you that I and the DAR do not advocate, endorse or support illegal activities. As Secretary of DAR, I do not endorse armed struggle),” Mariano pointed out.

However, he acknowledged why organizations of farmers have the tendency to join armed groups.

“…Nauunawaan ko po ang malalim na historikal, moral, sosyal na kontektso kung bakit meron tayong mga magsasaka na nagpasya na humawak at tumahak sa landas ng armadong pakikibaka. Yun po ay mahaba nang kasaysayan (I understand the deep, historical, moral, social context why we have many farmers who decide to join armed struggle. That has long been part of history),” he added.

Moreover, Mariano vowed to lead his agency with “full transparency and accountability” and denied to favor any particular group of farmers of agrarian beneficiaries.

“Ginawa ko po ang lahat ng ating magagawa para patunayan at pagsikapan na ako po ay dapat na kalihim ng DAR. Ibig po sabihin, ako po ay sekretaryo di lamang ng isa o dalawa o tatlong organisasyon ng mga magsasaka o agrarian reform beneficiaries (I did everything I could to prove that I deserve to be DAR chief. This means, that I am secretary not just to one, two or three organizations of farmers or agrarian reform beneficiaries),” Mariano said.

During his last confirmation hearing last week, Mariano denied being a member of the New People's Army (NPA) despite being nominated by the National Democratic Front (NDF) of the Philippines.

Mariano was a former Anakpawis party-list congressman and former chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008703

No efforts to be spared in tracking down Hapilon: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): No efforts to be spared in tracking down Hapilon: AFP

No efforts will be spared to ensure the arrest and neutralization of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and his cohorts.

This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo when asked on whether they are still keeping tabs on the whereabouts of the bandit leader.

"(Our latest intelligence reports) on Hapilon indicate that he is still in the main battle area and we have independent sources of information stating that he is still there," he added in Filipino.

And if they really intend to go out fighting as they previously announced, Arevalo said it will be very favorable to the AFP as military units will no longer be tasked or deployed to hunt him down.

Fighting in Marawi City broke out after troops attempted to arrest Hapilon and his allies last May 23.

As of this posting, Maute Group members killed in the ongoing clearing operations are placed at 639 along with 145 government troops. The number of killed civilians are still at 45 while rescued captives are placed at 1,728 along with 672 weapons seized.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008724

Palace welcomes US vow to return Balangiga bells

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): Palace welcomes US vow to return Balangiga bells

Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed the commitment of the United States to return the Balangiga bells to the Philippines.

“The statement of US Ambassador Sung Kim that “the return on the Balangiga bells is the right thing to do” therefore is a welcome gesture,” he said.

“The Balangiga bells form part of our national heritage and the return of these historical relics is important for our national pride, as these bells are reminders of the gallantry and heroism of our forebears,” Abella said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has demanded the return of the Balangiga bells during his second State of the Nation Address last July 24.

He said that the Church bells of Balangiga were seized by the Americans as spoils of war.

According to historical accounts, one of the bells was used to signal the surprise attack by Filipino fighters against American soldiers in Samar which claimed the lives of 48 US soldiers.

The Americans retaliated by killing thousands of Filipinos from age 10 and above.

“Those bells are reminders of the gallantry and heroism of our forebears who resisted the American colonizers and sacrificed their lives in the process. That is why I say today; give us back those Balangiga bells. They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage,” Duterte said.

On Tuesday, Kim assured that Washington is “deeply committed to making sure that the bells are returned to the Filipino people.”

“I believe it's the right thing to do and I really do hope that we will be able to return the bells soon,” the US envoy said.

In the meantime, Abella also welcomed the PHP730 million US grant to the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

“We welcome the assistance of the United States to finance emergency relief and recovery efforts for the areas affected by the Marawi rebellion,” he said.

The Palace official pointed out that the devastation wrought by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group in Marawi is extensive and recovery efforts would be lengthy.

“The recovery and rebuilding of Marawi cannot be done overnight. It is a multi-year rehabilitation effort which requires the full support and cooperation of everyone to help the city rise as a prosperous city again, as promised by the President,” he said.

“We look forward to the end of the rebellion and eventually, the chance to bravely face the challenges and opportunities of reconstruction together with our friends and allies here and abroad,” Abella said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008748

China proposes intel sharing, counter-terror training with AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): China proposes intel sharing, counter-terror training with AFP

With terrorism now becoming a global threat, the People's Republic of China (PRC) is proposing intelligence sharing and counter-terror training with the Filipino military.

This was bared by AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Edgard Arevalo, in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday.

He added that the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua, is recommending that Chinese military units and Filipino special forces conduct joint counter-terrorism training.

Arevalo said such proposals are welcome as it would further beef up the capabilities of the AFP in the anti-terror field.

"Terrorism is a global concern, it knows no bounds, it knows no country, it knows no government, so it is essential for us to be united to be able to thwart this menace to society," he added.

And when asked on whether there is a time frame for PRC's proposal, military official said the matter is now being studied.

Also, Arevalo said China will donate 3,000 assorted rifles, including sniper weapons, to the AFP which will be delivered by the end of this month.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008760

Palace rues Mariano’s rejection as DAR chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): Palace rues Mariano’s rejection as DAR chief

Malacañang on Wednesday expressed regret over the rejection of Rafael Mariano as Agrarian Reform Secretary, saying the former activist has played a key role in promoting the welfare of farmers.

“We regret the news of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rafael ‘Paeng’ Mariano’s rejection by the Commission on Appointments,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

“Improving the quality of life of our farmers is the commitment of the Duterte administration, and Secretary Mariano has been pivotal in promoting farmers’ rights and welfare and ensuring their security of land tenure,” Abella said.

The Palace official added that the Filipino people “will always be grateful to Sec. Mariano for his dedicated and passionate service to the nation.”

Senator Vicente Sotto III, chair of the CA panel on Agrarian Reform, said there were 13 CA members who voted against Mariano’s confirmation.

Mariano had 24 endorsements and 11 oppositors including owners of a cattle ranch, Ranch Gallego, a farmer who represented Hacienda Luisita, among others.

He became the fourth Cabinet member of President Rodrigo Duterte to be rejected by the powerful body.

The CA also rejected the appointments of Perfecto Yasay, Jr. as Foreign Affairs Secretary, Gina Lopez as Environment Secretary and Judy Taguiwalo as Social Welfare Secretary.

Both Mariano and Taguiwalo were nominated by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Some security officials also claimed they had intelligence reports that showed that Mariano had a “direct participation” in New People’s Army (NPA) attacks at the facilities of Lapanday Foods Corporation early this year.

In a press conference after his CA rejection, Mariano blamed the self-interests of businessmen, landlords, and large corporations as the reason for his rejection.

Mariano, however, said he will still continue helping farmers in his own way despite the rejection.

“Ngayong araw, maaring nanaig ang interes ng mga negosyante, panginoong may lupa, at malalaking korporasyon, ngunit darating din ang araw na magsasaka naman ang mananaig (Today, perhaps the interest of businessmen, landlords and big corporations wins, but there will come a time when farmers will triumph.),” he said.

“Bagamat bigo po tayong makuha ang kumpirmasyon ng CA ngayong araw, hindi po titigil ang inyong lingkod na pagsilbihan ang ating mga magsasaka. Patuloy tayong magpupunla ng progresibong mga laban, upang sa huli ay makaani tayo ng tagumpay (“We might have failed to get the confirmation of the CA today, but I will not stop serving our farmers. We will continue to push for progressive advocacies, and in the end, we will reap our own successes.),” he added.

Before his stint as Agrarian Reform Secretary, Mariano was an Anakpawis party-list congressman and chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008753

DWDD: ARMY 2017 | DND/AFP Delegation in Moscow for Arms Talks

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 5): ARMY 2017  |  DND/AFP Delegation in Moscow for Arms Talks



Left Photo: Defense Undersecretary Raymundo DV Elefante (left) is welcomed by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin to the International Military and Technical Forum or “Army 2017” in Moscow. Right Photo: The Philippine Delegation composed of officials from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines examining Russian military equipment at Army 2017. 

MOSCOW, Russia (DWDD) – A Philippine Delegation composed of officials from the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was in Moscow from August 22 to 27 for the International Military and Technical Forum or “Army 2017” and for talks on the possible procurement of military equipment from Russia.

The delegation was headed by Defense Undersecretary Raymundo DV Elefante. The other members of the delegation were Maj. General N. Cabreros, Vice Commander of the Philippine Army, Brig. General Ernesto T. Lopena, Commander, AFP Procurement Center, and other officials from the military.

While in Moscow, the delegation also met with concerned Russian officials on the possibility of procuring Russian military equipment for the Philippines.

“This is an important step in our efforts to intensify our defense and security cooperation. Examining Russian equipment and discussing possible procurement terms will allow us to make decisions that will best serve our defense and national interests,” Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta said.

Over 700,000 people went to “Army 2017” among them were delegations from 114 foreign countries, 20 of which were led by defense ministers.

More than 1,200 Russian and foreign companies and organizations displayed and exhibited defense and military products. Foreign exhibitors included 78 defense-related companies from Armenia, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, China, Pakistan, Slovakia, Thailand, Turkey, France, Estonia, the Czech Republic, South Africa, and South Korea.



From left: Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta, Defense Undersecretary Raymundo DV Elefante, and Maj. General Harold N. Cabrerosat the Philippine Embassy to discuss the Philippine Delegation’s participation in the International Military and Technical Forum or “Army 2017” and plans to hold talks with Russia on the possible procurement of military equipment.


The Philippine Delegation led by Defense Undersecretary Raymundo DV Elefante (right) holding talks with Rosoboron export officials on the possibility of procuring military equipment from Russia. Photos by L. Camoying, C. Narvaez, J. Valdez    DFA / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/09/05/army-2017-dndafp-delegation-in-moscow-for-arms-talks/

DWDD: DEPENDABLE | 8IB Soldiers donates blood for Peace

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 5): DEPENDABLE  |  8IB Soldiers donates blood for Peace



IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon (DWDD) – The 8th Infantry “Dependable”Battalion participated in the Simultaneous Nationwide Bloodletting Activity at its headquarters in Impasugong, Bukidnon last 02 September 2017. This activity was done in connection with the Peace Consciousness Month with the theme “Dugo Para sa Kapayapaan.”

Even with the unit’s busy schedule, the DEPENDABLE TROOPERS still managed to give time and participated this activity. The activity would not be possible without the help of the Philippine Red Cross. Volunteers headed by Quezza Gay T. Tagarda, Philippine Red Cross Quality Assurance Officer, and Dr. Neptune S. Jaramillo, Municipal Health Officer of LGU-Sumilao,aided the activity.

Many of us have bled and died in battles to secure the land and safeguard the people in times of chaos. Soldiers from the different parts of the country have been doing this throughout the ages. If our sacrifices would bring the whole nation closer to achieving this peace, we are ready to do so at any given time or place. 8IB CMO / MCAG



http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/09/05/dependable-8ib-soldiers-donates-blood-for-peace/

DWDD: NIC@2 | Naval Installation Command 2nd Anniversary

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 5): NIC@2  |  Naval Installation Command 2nd Anniversary

  

NAVAL STATION ERNESTO OGBINAR, Poro Point, in San Fernando, La Union (DWDD) – The Naval Installation Command Celebrates their 2nd Founding Anniversary.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Expanding to Reach and Serve the Forces.”

Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar was awarded as NIC STATION OF THE YEAR. It was received by the Commanding Officer NSEO Navy Capt Rolando Sarmiento PN(GSC).

It was previously a U.S. installation known as Wallace Air Station; transfer of ownership took place in 1991. The facility was formally turned-over by the United States to the Republic of the Philippines on 16 September 1991. It became the headquarters of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NAVFORNOL) of the Philippine Navy called Poro Point Naval Station. It was later renamed to Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar after the former Navy chief. NPAO / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/09/05/nic2-naval-installation-command-2nd-anniversary/

DWDD: CALL FOR JUSTICE | PA Condemns NPA for Murdering a Tribal Chieftain

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 5): CALL FOR JUSTICE  |  PA Condemns NPA for Murdering a Tribal Chieftain    



CAMP EDILBERTO EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City (DWDD) – The 4th Infantry Division joins all Tribal Communities and the peace-loving people in condemning the NPA for killing Datu Rostico Sandag Porogoy, Tribal Chieftain of Santiago, Agusan del Norte at around 7:40 this morning, September 5, 2017.

According to the Police report, Datu Porogoy was on his way, onboard his XRM motorcycle, to visit his people in Pangaylan (a manobo community in Santiago) when three NPA gunmen, who are riding a motorcycle and armed with cal .45, shot him twice at his back and one on his right shoulder that caused his instantaneous death.

Ltc Glen Aynera, Commanding Officer of 29th Infantry Battalion said, “We decry the terroristic act and brutality of the NPA bandits. The killing of Datu Porogoy is a blatant execution. This is another Lumad killing purposely to sow threat and violence among the peace-loving Lumads and to the Filipino people as a whole.”

Datu Porogoy is the representative of CADT 134. He is a staunch peace advocate in Caraga region. He strongly denounce NPA atrocities and leads his tribe in supporting government programs for peace and development.

“The attack on Datu Porogoy is a clear and undeniable proof of the NPA’s human rights atrocities in Lumad communities. This is also a solid proof of the NPA’s continuing campaign to take control of our Lumads and anyone who gets in their way is killed in the process.” Ltc Aynera stressed.

MGen Ronald Villanueva, 4ID Commander is urging the Filipino Nation to join in shout for justice and urge the KARAPATAN and other organizations who are calling for the end of Lumad killings to similarly condemn this dastardly act and denounce the NPA’s human rights violations.

“Let not Datu Porogoy’s death be the end of his advocacy for his people, but rather an inspiration to others to pursue peace and development.” “We sympathize with his family, relatives, friends, love ones, and constituents. The AFP will intensify operations to go after the perpetrators of this cowardly attack and at the same time ensure that Lumad tribesmen loyal to Datu Porogoy will not conduct revenge killings as the attack could trigger a new wave of violence among Lumad factions. This is unfortunate because the AFP, PNP and our LGUs have been working hard to de-escalate the situation.” MGen Villanueva added. 4DPAO / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/09/05/call-for-justice-pa-condemns-npa-for-murdering-a-tribal-chieftain/

DWDD: CHANGE OF COMMAND | PMC Welcomes 31st Commandant

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 6): CHANGE OF COMMAND  |  PMC Welcomes 31st Commandant



BONIFACIO NAVAL STATION GRANDSTAND, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City (DWDD) – The Philippine Marine Corps held the traditional Change of Command Ceremony today, September 5, 2017 at the Bonifacio Naval Station Grandstand, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The ceremony was presided by the Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph S Mercado.

BGen Alvin A Parreño took the seat as the 31st Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps as he replaced MGen Emmanuel B Salamat who took the helm of the Northern Luzon Command. BGen Parreño is a member of PMA Class 1986 and the current Deputy Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. He is a seasoned Marine Officer who began to lead marine rifle platoon during his junior officer days and grew up as a combat leader in Force Reconnaissance Battalion where he became Commander. He also commanded Marine Battalion Landing Team 3. He was promoted to Brigadier General while he was assigned as Commander, Naval Reserve Command prior to his assignment as Commander, 1st Marine Brigade in 2016. He held various key positions which honed him to be one of the finest generals of his time. He has proven his leadership skills and prowess in fighting separatist and terrorist groups in Mindanao. He received numerous medals and various commendations for his gallantry and dedication to service. The ceremony was highlighted by the symbolic passing of standards and testimonial review and retreat. MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/09/05/change-of-command-pmc-welcomes-31st-commandant/

DWDD: NEUTRALIZED | 10 BIFF members killed in airstrikes in Maguindanao

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 6): NEUTRALIZED  |  10 BIFF members killed in airstrikes in Maguindanao



DATO SALIBO, Maguindanao (DWDD) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) neutralized ten (10) members of the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in a series of airstrikes launched by the Joint Task Force Central in Maguindanao.

Elements of the 57th Infantry Battalion reinforced fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF), who were engaging factions of the BIFF Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao at 10:28am last Sunday (September 3).

The military launched airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of 10 BIFF members and wounding an undetermined number on the enemy side.

Meanwhile, two BIAF-MILF members were slain in the said clash. They were identified as Butukan Bungayen, a.k.a. MantukanBungayen, and Jojo Sampayan.

“The airstrikes were employed by our operating troops with the end state of destroying the strongholds of terrorists, thus, depriving them of means to support their nefarious ploys, which are not limited to their IED-making activities and training of recruits,” said Major General Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the JTF Central.

Said operation ended at 2:20pm of the same day.

On Monday (September 4), Air Force assets launched series of airstrikes targeting BIFF lairs as MILF members continue to engage the bandits in Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo.

“These combat operations are necessary measures taken by the MILF members against terror groups operating in Maguindanao. We laud the liberation front’s leadership for supporting the government’s drive for peace to thrive in Mindanao against terrorism, criminalities and drugs,” said Lieutenant General CarlitoG. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“We hope this call for peace would resonate and encourage more groups, organizations, and Filipinos to join the government in combating terrorism, and illegal drugs” added Lieutenant General. “It will not be limited only to combat operations but also non-combat and humanitarian efforts to prevent recruitment of our youth and other vulnerable sectors.” WESMINCOM / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/09/06/neutralized-10-biff-members-killed-in-airstrikes-in-maguindanao/

NDF/ILPS: We Salute & Support DPRK and Korean People for Stand Against US Nuclear Threats, Sanctions and Provocations

ILPS propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Sep 6): We Salute & Support DPRK and Korean People for Stand Against US Nuclear Threats, Sanctions and Provocations  

Issued by the Office of the Chairperson
International League of Peoples’ Struggle
September 6, 2017

We, the International League of Peoples’ Struggle, admire and salute the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Korean people for asserting national sovereignty, self-reliantly pursuing socialist development and strengthening the capacity for nuclear deterrence and self-defense. US imperialism merely exposes its aggressive character and the futility of its attempts to intimidate the people of Korea and the world with threats of nuclear war, provocative war maneuvers, illegitimate sanctions and malicious disinformation campaign directed against DPRK.

From Aug. 21 through Aug. 31, 2017, the US Combined Forces Command and the south Korean military conducted their annual “Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise” with approximately 17,500 U.S. troops participating joined by south Korean military personnel from all services, as well participants from seven other allies of the US, including Australia, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. This is the second of two annual war games conducted by the US and its puppet south Korea designed to simulate a “pre-emptive” nuclear strike against the DPRK as well as an invasion and decapitation of its leadership.

Just last week, US fighter jets and bombers conducted military operations over a training range east of Seoul. These included B-1B bombers capable of releasing nuclear payloads. The DPRK has repeatedly asked the US to end these provocative and reckless military exercises held right at its doorstep in exchange for a moratorium on the DPRK’s missile testing but the US has stubbornly refused. Instead US imperialism has been escalating its warmongering against the DPRK with Trump brazenly threatening to unleash “fire and fury like the world has never seen” if the DPRK ever endangers the US. His Defense Secretary, James “Mad Dog” Mattis echoed this by stating recently that “Any threat to the United States or its territories including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.” South Korea’s puppet Defense Minister followed suit by calling for the further deployment of US tactical nuclear weapons in the Korean Peninsula.

Western media is presenting this shrill saber-rattling as the justifiable response to the DPRK’s recent missile and nuclear tests. The DPRK has made significant advances in its weapons development program this year, successfully testing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can potentially reach US bases in Guam or Alaska; a hydrogen bomb with an estimated yield of up to 100 kilotons which can be loaded onto an ICBM; solid-fueled missiles that reduce launch times from hours to minutes; and fortified missile batteries that could be hidden in forests, underneath cliff overhangs, under bridges, or positioned in other launch sites not easily tracked by enemy satellites.

The DPRK’s nuclear weapons development program is part of its deterrence and self-defense strategy against the long running US policy of hostility towards the DPRK. US bombs killed 20 percent of the population and levelled more cities in North Korea between 1950-53 than they had done in Japan and Germany during World War II. Without its development of nuclear weapons and missile delivery systems, the DPRK would have become the easy target of high intensity aggression like Iraq, Libya and Syria.

US imperialism and its puppet south Korea have never signed a peace treaty with the DPRK since the armistice in 1953. The US has never recognized the DPRK diplomatically and has threatened it with annihilation ever since it was founded in 1948. It has positioned tens of thousands of US troops, missile systems, nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in 15 bases in south Korea as a constant threat to the DPRK’s existence. And yet the US has never solved the problem of offending China and Russia by unleashing all-out aggression or nuclear war against the DPRK.

But the US persists in its scheme of pressuring China and Russia to join the US and its allies in cutting off all economic relations with the DPRK. Trump is threatening to cut US trade with any country that conducts any economic activity with North Korea in order to trigger the latter’s collapse. The US threats of further sanctions are accompanied by a major military build-up on the Korean Peninsula and the THAAD deployment in preparation for outright war, rapid invasion and the strategy of instantly decapitating the DPRK leadership.

The ILPS condemns in the strongest terms the long and continuing record of US imperialist aggression, economic blockade, war provocations and nuclear blackmail directed against the DPRK. We hold US imperialism and its south Korean puppets responsible for creating the extremely volatile situation in the Korean Peninsula at present. We encourage the Korean people of north and south to aim and work for peaceful reunification and defeat all divisive schemes of US imperialism.

The ILPS firmly stands in solidarity with and vigorously supports the Workers’ Party of Korea, DPRK and the Korean people in upholding and defending their national sovereignty, developing their socialist economy self-reliantly, building their capacity for self-defense, seeking the peaceful reunification of north and south Korea, replacing the armistice agreement with a peace treaty and fostering global conditions of greater freedom, cooperation, peace and development against US imperialism and all reaction.

The ILPS calls on all our global regional committees, national chapters and member-organizations to carry out a campaign of information and mass protest in order to expose, condemn and oppose the persistent hostile and aggressive policy of the US against the DPRK and the Korean people, the long running economic blockade and further sanctions, the military build-up which has long included nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and military exercises and other war provocations of US imperialism, its imperialist allies and its south Korean puppets in the Korean Peninsula, in the vicinity and in further areas of the Asia-Pacific region.

Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chairperson, International Coordinating Committee
International League of Peoples’ Struggle
September 6, 2017

https://www.ndfp.org/salute-support-dprk-korean-people-stand-us-nuclear-threats-sanctions-provocations/

MILF: President Duterte confers with MILF officials in Malacañang

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Sep 5): President Duterte confers with MILF officials in Malacañang



President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night received Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders in Malacañang, days after the Moro rebels expressed their frustration with the government.
A report posted online by GMA News said that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte met with MILF officials headed MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chair Ghazali Jaafar, MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal, BTC Commissioner Abdulraof Macacua, and BTC Executive Director Esmael Pasigan in Malacañang on Monday night.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Interior and Local Government Acting Secretary Catalino Cuy, and presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella were also at the meeting.

As of posting, no details are available of what were discussed during the meeting.

In an editorial posted on its official website Luwaran on Saturday, the MILF scored the government’s failure to comply with its commitments specified in past agreements.

“Even the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which is the legal interpretation of the FAB and CAB, has no sponsor in Congress up to this time. Worse, it is not listed as one of the 14 priority legislations of Congress during the recent Legislative-Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting last August 29,” the MILF said in the Luwaran editorial.


“Frankly again, failure to address the legitimate grievances of the Moros of Mindanao, the conflict in Mindanao will stay with us. The use of brute force will only aggravate the problem,” MILF added.

Sec. Abella told reporters that the LEDAC meeting scheduled on September 20 would tackle the BBL.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/989/president-duterte-confers-with-milf-officials-in-malaca--ang

CPP Information Bureau: National ID system in the hands of murderous strongman will have terrible results

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 5): National ID system in the hands of murderous strongman will have terrible results

Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

5 September 2017

Duterte’s feverish push to implement a National ID system is part of his machinations to establish a totalitarian state of mass surveilance, population control, social, political and criminal profiling and mass murder.

The draft law of the National ID system has been bulldozed by Duterte’s supermajority of political allies in the House of Representatives. Will the GRP Senate pass the proposed ID system with similar dispatch and prove itself to be no more than a rubberstamp than the lower house is?

The Party joins the Filipino people in opposing the National ID system. In the hands of the Duterte regime, especially its security, military and police agencies, the National ID system will serve as an additional weapon for fascist suppression. There will be terrible results once such a weapon is placed in the hands of a strong-man tyrant as Duterte who is obsessed with summary killings and mass murder as “solution” to social problems, to silence his political opponents and suppress people’s resistance.

Such a system has long been proposed by the AFP and PNP and US military and security advisers to facilitate mass surveillance through the centralization of the collection and storage (or databasing) of personal information. Past regimes have failed to push the National ID system confronted with popular opposition. The US imperialists will congratulate Duterte if he succeeds on ramming the repressive system.

Duterte’s proposed system aims to collect an inclusive list of personal information in violation of civil rights. This include DNA information, which even under current GRP jurispudence, require a court injunction. Duterte’s National ID system will be a deathblow to privacy rights. In the hands of a repressive and oppressive state, the collection of such information will surely be weaponized and used as a tool for mass surveillance, social, political and criminal profiling.

In many capitalist countries, centralized databases of personal information collected officially as well as illegally have been used by military and security agencies for mass surveillance and “terrorist profiling” leading to stigmatizing of social, religious and political groups and false accusations against individuals.

To conceal its insiduous aims and dupe the people to support the proposed identification system, the Duterte regime makes false claims that the National ID will serve to expedite the delivery of government service. Such claims are put to dispute by the fact that the Duterte regime continues to cut the budget for public education and public health and other important social services.

How can a National ID system help facilitate the provision of public health when government hospitals are, in fact, being commercialized and privatized in whole and in part? If the priority of government is to provide everyone with free public health, free education, free public housing, public transportation and so on, there is no need for a National ID system for the people to benefit from these.

A national system of identification has nothing to do with the efficiency in the provision of public service. Under the social welfare system of Norway, where there is no such system of national identification, everyone has access to advanced public health care. In contrast, in the United States, which has one of the most extensive system of collecting and centralizing personal information, public access to health care, especially of the economically marginalized, is one of the worst in the world.

Computerization does not make a clean government. This is starkly demonstrated by continuing widespread corruption in government agencies which has computerized its record-keeping and processing. Manipulation of election results in the Philippines have become more widespread, albeit less obvious, through automation.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170905-national-id-system-in-the-hands-of-murderous-strongman-will-have-terrible-results

Remains of 28 civilians, Maute men buried

From Malay Business Insight (Sep 6): Remains of 28 civilians, Maute men buried

AUTHORITIES yesterday buried the remains of 22 civilians and six Maute Group members who were among those slain in the armed conflict in Marawi City that broke out last May 23.

The remains of the unidentified people were interred at the Makbarah Public Cemetery in Barangay Papandayan in Marawi City after post-mortem examinations on them were completed.

Tong Pacasum, head of the retrieval team at the Lanao del Sur provincial disaster risk reduction and management office, said some of the fatalities had only skeletal remains left.

Pacasum said 27 other remains were interred at the same cemetery last month. He said seven recently-recovered cadavers are also due for burial, pending the conduct of similar procedures at a hospital.

Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the regional assembly of ARRM representing the first district of Lanao del Sur and concurrent spokesman of the Provincial Crisis Management Committee, said the remains were retrieved during the early days of the fighting.

“We appeal to the public especially those who have relatives and kin that are still missing to approach the Provincial Crisis Management Committee or the Missing Persons Center in Iligan City and submit swab samples for the ante-mortem procedure,” said Adiong.

Adiong said those who may have difficulty reaching the PCMC in the provincial capitol in Marawi City may coordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The fighting has already resulted in the death of 639 Maute members, 145 soldiers, and policemen and 45 civilians.

On Monday, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said the fighting would not last beyond his retirement on October 26. He said the operations are already in the final phase or finishing touches.

The United States government is providing P730 million in additional assistance for relief operations and rehabilitation of Marawi City.

US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said P577 million of the assistance package, made through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), will be for “early recovery, stabilization and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding area.”

The rest is in the form of humanitarian assistance or for the delivery of “critical relief supplies such as safe drinking water, hygiene kits, shelter materials for evacuation centers, and for programs to protect displaced women and children.”

Kim said the P730 million assistance is on top of the earlier assistance provided by the USAID in Marawi, including 12,000 water containers and nearly 100,000 chlorine tablets to evacuees, and 6,500 desks for temporary schools and psycho-social support for teachers and students.

Also, Kim said the embassy’s public affairs section will also be providing P22 million for educational and information programs “that bring together students and women leaders to explore innovative ways to address the challenges facing Marawi residents.”

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/remains-28-civilians-maute-men-buried

WATCH | Maute fighters playing possum underneath the streets of Marawi

From News 5 (Sep 6): WATCH | Maute fighters playing possum underneath the streets of Marawi

Marawi drainage system trace

Tracing the underground drainage system in Marai that can be used as escape routes by the Maute terrorists.
They don’t just go through walls opened up from house to house in the battle of Marawi, but the terrorist Maute fighters even play possum slithering through the drainage system underneath the streets in the fight for survival.

From the nearby municipality of Marantao, the terrorists are suspected to take advantage of concealment provided by floating clumps of water hyacinth on Lake Lanao to infiltrate into the Islamic City of Marawi to reinforce their comrades.

Those inside the city are apparently able to make use of the underground drainage system to move from one part of Ground Zero to another, or, not so far-fetched, to slip away in their escape making like possums underneath the surface.

According to Salim Limpao of the Marantao Legal Office, there is no other route except via his municipality, which is just one kilometer from the center of Marawi and is situated between the battle zone and the terrorists’ other strongholds.

Security forces have taken to closely guarding the network of drainage ditches to prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the opportunity to slip past stakeouts above the ground. Some of the drainage canals are under concrete houses and hard to make out.
There is another drainage canal leading off from Bangolo Bridge to Batoh Mosque and a branch office of the Landbank of the Philippines.

According to Engineer Serad Laut, it’s possible for them to emerge through manholes and slip into nearby houses along Quezon Avenue.

While the mosque appears to be of strategic significance for the terrorists, the military tactfully prefers to leave it untouched out of respect for the sensibilities of the local population and the Islam faith.

Click and watch the video report below:


 

Lumad student dies in Davao hospital after he was shot by alleged military agent

From News 5/InterAksyon (Sep 6): Lumad student dies in Davao hospital after he was shot by alleged military agent


Map of Talaingod, Davao del Norte from en.wikipedia.org
A 19-year-old Lumad student died after he was shot by an alleged military agent in Davao del Norte Tuesday afternoon, according to Task Force Lakbayan, the organizing committee for this year’s Lakbayan ng mga Pambansang Minorya.

In a text message to media Wednesday morning, the task force said Obillo Bay-ao, a Grade 6 student of Salugpongan Community Learning Center, sustained serious wounds from the shooting and was declared dead by the Davao Regional Hospital at 9 p.m., Tuesday, September 5.

He was rushed to the hospital the same day after an alleged member of a paramilitary group, identified as Ben Salangani, shot him in the province’s Talaingod town at about 2:30 p.m.

Bay-ao’s death is the 47th case of political killing in Southern Mindanao Region, according to the task force.

The UP Diliman community hosts about 3,000 members of national minority groups, including the Lumad, as part of the three-week long Kampuhan sa Diiman, a yearly solidarity campaign against the ongoing alleged militarization of indigenous schools and communities.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned Bay-ao’s killing.

“Why is the regime killing the future of the nation? What kind of tyranny is this?,” said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr., who also denounced the Caloocan police’s killings of 17-year-old Grade 11 student Kian Loyd delos Santos and former University of the Philippines student 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz.

“The drug war and the regime’s all-out war and counter-insurgency drive will claim the lives of more young people if these are not stopped,” said Reyes.

“The entire premise of these programs is problematic because it believes that complex social issues can be solved with iron-fisted rule,” he said.

“It believes that illegal drugs can be solved by physically eliminating street-level, slum-dwelling pushers. It believes that the insurgency can be defeated by bombing communities and killing unarmed activists,” said the Bayan leader.

“(Rodrigo) Duterte once said that we cannot build a nation on the bones of dead Filipinos. Mr. President, the bones keep piling up, and they are getting younger and younger,” added Reyes.

PH orders police helicopter from Bell Helicopter Textron

From Update Philippines (Sep 6): PH orders police helicopter from Bell Helicopter Textron



The Philippine National Police (PNP) is getting one unit of brand new rotary twin engine helicopter from Bell Helicopter Textron based in United States. This is after PNP chief Director General Ronald del Rosa signed the Notice of Award in June 2017.

The award to Bell Helicopter Textron has a contract price of Four Hundred Thirty-Five Million Seven Hundred Ninety-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Forty-Eight Pesos (PHP435,797,548.00), inclusive of taxes, duties, and other charges.

Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia’s offer was declared as the lowest calculated bid but was post-disqualified due to its failure to comply with the documentary requirements stated in the Bidding Documents and Republic Act 9184, says in the recommendation submitted to General dela Rosa.

With the lowest calculated bidder disqualified, Bell Helicopter Textron’s offer, with second lowest calculated bid, was declared as the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bid. Asian Aerospace Corporation’s offer was the third lowest calculated bid.

Contract for the said order was signed July 6. Notice to Proceed was also issued.

https://www.update.ph/2017/09/ph-orders-police-helicopter-from-bell-helicopter-textron/20534

National Police acquiring 2 Single Engine Turbine Helicopters

From Update Philippines (Sep 6): National Police acquiring 2 Single Engine Turbine Helicopters

The Philippine National Police (PNP) today conducted the pre-bid conference for its procurement of two (2) units of Single Engine Turbine Helicopter.

The submission and opening of bids is scheduled on September 21.

Helicopters to be acquired – as per specifications approved by National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on August 4 this year – must have a hover ceiling of 6 thousand feet to 16 thousand feet.

NAPOLCOM also set the fuel capacity at 440 liters to 1,500 liters. It must also accommodate 2 pilots and minimum of 4 passengers.

As this develops, the PNP already sealed a contract with Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. for the delivery of one brand new rotary twin engine helicopter.

https://www.update.ph/2017/09/national-police-acquiring-2-single-engine-turbine-helicopter/20542

Air Force may soon acquire additional combat utility helicopters

From Update Philippines (Sep 5): Air Force may soon acquire additional combat utility helicopters



The Philippine Air Force (PAF) may soon be acquiring additional combat utility helicopters (CUH), MaxDefense Philippines said. This is after Canadian Commercial Corp. (CCC) and Department of National Defense (DND) singed an Implementing Arrangement in July.

According to MaxDefense, helicopters, probably Bell 412, may be acquired through government-to-government negotiation.

MaxDefense said PAF has requested for 16 new CUHs for funding under the AFP Modernization Program Horizon 1 for 2017. It added that as of August 2017 the request remains the same with PHP12.1 billion expected budget.

The most recent acquisition of Bell 412EP helicopters for the Philippine Air Force from Bell Textron Helicopter of Canada through CCC was in 2014 via government-to-government negotiation.

Eight helicopters were acquired and accepted mid-2015.

With their four-bladed main rotor and twin-engine design and night capability, these helicopters provide better performance and better capability for the PAF in providing heli-lift operations for combat support and in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

https://www.update.ph/2017/09/air-force-may-soon-acquire-additional-combat-utility-helicopters/20496

PH navy enhances capability against terrorism, transnational crimes, other maritime threats

From Update Philippines (Sep 5): PH navy enhances capability against terrorism, transnational crimes, other maritime threats

Naval Forces West photo

Naval Forces West of the Philippine Navy participated in the scenario-driven activity of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) 2017 in waters east of Puerto Princesa City last August 30.

Naval Forces West deployed Jose Andrada-class patrol craft BRP Teotimo Figoracion (PC-389), a fixed-wing aircraft (NV312), and a special operations unit (NAVSOU-4).

The participation of Philippine Navy aimed at enhancing its “capability in its fight against global terrorism, transnational crimes, and other maritime threats in the region,” Naval Forces West said.

“Focusing on real-time information exchange, coordinated surveillance operations, tracking, and conduct of Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) to the Contact of Interest (COI), the exercise aims to enhance the participating navies’ capabilities against maritime threats and regional real-time information exchange,” Naval Forces West said.

A US Navy vessel played the role of Contact of Interest.

SEACAT is a multilateral exercise being participated by Unites States and ASEAN countries.

This year’s SEACAT was joined by Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard, together with navies and coastguards of seven Southeast Asian countries from August 21 to September 1.

https://www.update.ph/2017/09/ph-navy-enhances-capability-against-terrorism-transnational-crimes-other-maritime-threats/20500

2 Killed in Moro Islamic Liberation Front, BIFF clash

From Update Philippines (Sep 5): 2 Killed in Moro Islamic Liberation Front, BIFF clash



Fighting between joint government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and ISIS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao has continued, the latest of which happened Sunday that left two MILF fighters killed.

The MILF Task Force Ittihad (Unity) clashed over the weekend with BIFF Esmael Abdulmalik faction in Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, Capt. Arvin John Encinas told reporters.

Among those reported killed was an operation officer of MILF 118th base command.

Encinas, spokesperson for the 6th Infantry Division, said the Army has been providing blocking positions around the so called “SPMS box” or the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi town), Mamasapano and Datu Salibo.

Fighting between MILF and BIFF has been going on since three weeks ago after the ISIS-inspired group tried to encroach MILF communities in the SPMS box.

Von Al Haq, speaking for the MILF, said his group will continue to defend its areas to prevent the ISIS-inspired armed men from encroaching civilian communities.

Under the 1997 ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF, the rebel movement is mandated to help the government get rid of terrorists and kidnappers.

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police provincial director, said the police have remained on alert alongside the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade and 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade to prevent spillover of clashes between the MILF and BIFF to other Maguindanao towns and in North Cotabato.

More checkpoints have been set up to ensure public safety, he said.

https://www.update.ph/2017/09/2-killed-in-moro-islamic-liberation-front-biff-clash/20506