MILF: Editorial -- Omen for 2018!

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jan 3): Editorial -- Omen for 2018!

Nobody knows what is in the future. In the past, the future was only known through prophesies given to prophets. Today, there are no more real prophets, only false prophets. In spite of this, some aspects of the future can be still known by men. On the basis of solid and scientific analysis on current situation, some people can rightly predict the future. For Muslims, however, even if they are certainly sure of what happens next, they still look up to the Great Creator the ultimate cause of things. This is the reason they always say at the end of what they think would happen the remarks, Insha Allah (If Allah will!).

 

Days prior to the coming of 2018, violence marred what otherwise was a joyful days for reveller of the New Year. Fighting broke down between members of the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the military. A total of 421 families of Indigenous Peoples — Tedurays, Lambiangans and Dulangan Manobos —fled their homes following a series of attacks by the BIFF shortly before Christmas. Both incidents happened in the province of Maguindanao. In Marawi City, evacuees are still jampacked in evacuation centres or in makeshift houses. Relate these to the persistent reports of foreign-looking individuals arriving in Basilan and Sulu and the uncertainty facing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress. Include the conflict between China and the Philippines in South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. Surely, the image formed in our mind is not wholesome.

But the above is half the image. We need to look at the other half to complete the image.

The other half, of course, are the good things that happened in 2017 such as the improving Philippine economy, the successful war on drugs despite the bloody part of it, and the curbing of graft and corruption in government.

Overall, what is the real image or what do we expect in 2018?

Clearly, what lies ahead is not a paved road. It is still full of twists and turns.

Anent all these, the most logical action would be by government is really to be serious in addressing the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro people. A flip-flopping statement can only harden the stances of those opposing the BBL and soften the heart of those supporting itZFor the greater majority of the Philippine populations, the real challenge is how to overcome hatred, biases, and prejudices against the Moros in Mindanao, which negatively affects the decisions of those who are involved in policy matters vis-à-vis Moros and BBL.

For Moros, they should and must continue to work for their unity untiringly and without let-up. This is the only way they can get themselves strong. For their leaders, they should think less for themselves but more for the incoming generations of Moros.

Finally, all must conclude that the only way forward is to close ranks and solve our problems together. The enmity of the past is past and we are now in the 21st century, the age of democracy and Islamic revivalism.

 

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1143/omen_for_2018_

MILF: KPI Conducts Peace Forum in Rajah Buayan

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jan 3): KPI Conducts Peace Forum in Rajah Buayan



The Kalilintad Peacebuilding Institute (KPI) conducted a whole day peace forum on understanding the prospects of the new Bangsamoro Political Entity on January 2, 2018 at Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao.
Abdulaziz Talib, KPI staff explained the 21-year on-and-off negotiations between the Government of the Philippines,and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF).

“The Moro peace warriors has lengthy of patience in the diplomatic struggle”, Talib said.

Khairudin Anwar, one of the organizers said that it needs a series of peace forum for people to fully understand the significance of peace.

“Consultation with various stakeholders is one way of achieving inclusive peace”, Anwar added.

Prof. Esmael A. Abdula, KPI President and BLMI Training Officer emotionally mentioned the Bangsamoro long lost freedom due to endless colonization, and tyranny by both foreign governments, and Filipino dispensations that led to the unity of the Moro people.

 “The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is correcting historical injustices committed against the Moro people leading to the formation of a Bangsamoro political entity”, Abdula said.

Abdula explained that the Bangsamoro legitimate struggle for right to self-determination is recognized by the international community.

“It is the sole responsibility of the Philippine government to pass the draft BBL into enabling law that will reflect Bangsamoro culture, belief, and tradition”, Abdula said further.

“Preserve and sustain the agreements”, Abdula quoted the present MILF Chairman Ebrahim Murad’s statement.



MILF Political Committee, women sector, MILF supporters, and sympathizers of Rajah Buayan municipality attended the peace forum.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1142/kpi_conducts_peace_forum_in_rajah_buayan

MILF: PAHRODF-ICSP 2 Scholars Plant Trees at BLMI Compound

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jan 2): PAHRODF-ICSP 2 Scholars Plant Trees at BLMI Compound



PAHRODP- ICSP 2 Scholars Planting variety of fruit and hardwood trees at BLMI Compound

SIMUAY, SULTAN KUDARAT, MAGUINDANAO- The Moro People are not just warriors or peace workers, but also environmentalists. This is a reality nowadays.

Some Moro youth, and one migrant settler youth who were endorsed by the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) as scholars under the Australian Government funded Philippines-Australia Human Resource and Organizational Development Facility for In-Country Scholarship Program 2 (PAHRODF-ICSP 2) planted edible fruits seedlings such as mango, durian, rambutan, cacao, and coconut on December 30, 2017 at BLMI-owned vacant lot in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

They also planted hardwood trees like Molave, Mahogany, and Acacia.

“Trees can benefit us, and the next generation. They can be a source of charity where people, birds, and animals may eat their fruits, and tired people may rest under the shed of trees. They can help in the development of environment, and the community”, emphasized BLMI Executive Director Mahmod S. Ahmad.

“Planting more trees, and caring them continuously is the most effective way of preserving, and sustaining the environment”, said Norhamen Abdulkadir, ICSP 2 scholar.

After planting trees, the scholars shared updates on the development of their thesis proposals, and REAPs about agriculture and economic sustainable development, ARMM health status, family planning in the Bangsamoro community, participatory governance, LGU participation in the Peace Process between the Government of the Philippines, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, social transformation strategy, sanitation in Islam, and Islamic Banking System incorporating co-ownership.

The BLMI endorsed scholars are presently enrolled in prominent universities in Mindanao, and in Metro Manila.

Ahmad told them that BLMI can be a channel to implement their re-entry action plan (REAP) in the community.

The REAP is a unique feature of the Australia Awards Scholarships and PAHRODF interventions in the Philippines. It is a mechanism that enables returning scholars and intervention participants to apply what they learned, implement better work processes, improve their organization’s effectiveness, and ultimately contribute to the development in the Philippines. The REAP outlines a change initiative in which learners will use their new or enhanced competencies to address a real problem or opportunity in their workplace. It is implemented within one or two years after a learning intervention and is monitored.

The REAP addresses the challenge of translating learning into tangible improvements in an organization. It bridges not only the gap between the classroom and the workplace but more importantly, it links the acquisition and use of competencies at the individual level to the achievement of organizational outcomes.

Australia Awards Scholarships is an international development scholarship scheme of the Australian government with the goal of developing leadership and building partnerships and enduring linkages between Australia and its partner developing countries including the Philippines. The program is designed to provide high-achieving Filipino development leaders with the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees in Australia’s premier academic institutions. In the Philippines, this is administered by the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through P Australia Awards Scholarships is an international development scholarship scheme of the Australian government with the goal of developing leadership and building partnerships and enduring linkages between Australia and its partner developing countries including the Philippines. The program is designed to provide high-achieving Filipino development leaders with the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees in Australia’s premier academic institutions. In the Philippines, this is administered by the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through PAHRODF.

The scholarships are open to individuals, from public or private sectors, planning to pursue studies in the following priority areas: basic education; social protection/welfare; peace and development; public financial management; disaster risk reduction and management; organizational development/human resource management and development; trade and economic development; foreign relations; governance; and, mining and mining-related fields.

The scholarships are open to individuals, from public or private sectors, planning to pursue studies in the following priority areas: basic education; social protection/welfare; peace and development; public financial management; disaster risk reduction and management; organisational development/human resource management and development; trade and economic development; foreign relations; governance; and, mining and mining-related fields.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1141/pahrodf-icsp-2-scholars-plant-trees-at-blmi-compound

IN FIGHT VS. TERRORISM//Duterte wants to intensify maritime security ties with Indonesia

From GMA News (Jan 4): IN FIGHT VS. TERRORISM//Duterte wants to intensify maritime security ties with Indonesia

President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his intention to improve the Philippines' maritime security cooperation with Indonesia to stop terrorists from entering the country.

Duterte made the remark during the courtesy call of Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the Presidential Guest House in Davao City on Wednesday.

"While declaring that the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Marawi are in full swing, President Duterte said that he wants to intensify maritime security in cooperation with Indonesia as foreign and local terrorists continue to enter and exit the country despite the military efforts to go after these elements," a press release from Malacañang read.

Trisha Macas @trishamacas

President Duterte welcomed Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City earlier today. : Palace

Aside from maritime security and terrorism, Duterte also raised the possibility of the resumption of the Philippines-Indonesia routes to further strengthen trade.

He also said he is interested to provide scholarships for Muslim students, especially those who are enrolled in the Madrasa institutions.

Retno, meanwhile, expressed her interest to pursue the joint education program between the Philippines and Indonesia to "spread the Islamic values" in Southeast Asian nations, Malacañang said.

She also relayed to Duterte her government's desire to confer passports for around 300 Indonesian descents living in Mindanao.

Retno was joined by Indonesian Embassy in Manila Charge d’affaires Budi Dhewajani, Consul General for Indonesian Embassy in Davao Berlian Napitupulu, and Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director for Southeast Asian Affairs Deni Abdi, among others.

Undersecretary Enrique Manalo of the Department of Foreign Affair as well  Undersecretary Lorna Dino and Director Marge Ballesteros of the Department of Education joined Duterte during the meeting.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/638529/duterte-wants-to-intensify-security-ties-with-indonesia/story/?just_in

Joint Task Force-NCR gets new commander

From Update Philippines (Jan 4): Joint Task Force-NCR gets new commander


Former Central Command deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, formally took command of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) during short ceremonies Wednesday.

Arrojado, who also served as commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Force Sulu, units tasked to pursue and neutralize Abu Sayyaf terrorists, replaced Brig. Gen. Jesus Manangquil Jr., a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1985.

Manangquil, meanwhile, will be the incoming commander of the 9th Infantry Division in Bicol Region.

JTF-NCR is the military formation tasked to protect Metro Manila from all forms of threats, including terrorism.

A battalion-sized formation, or about 500 troops, from JTF-NCR will be augmenting the Philippine National Police contingent tasked to secure the annual Black Nazerene procession, also known as the “Traslacion”, on January 9, he added.

When asked about possible security threats, including terrorism, against the annual procession, Arrojado, a member of PMA Class of 1984, said they always consider all forms of threats.

He, however, added that the terrorism angle is not verified as of now.

Arrojado said they are not expecting any threat other than criminality.

“Except for usual criminality, and others, so far, in my capacity as new chief, wala pa naman nakarating. Kung meron man, then we will be prepared for it,” the JTF-NCR chief said.

https://www.update.ph/2018/01/joint-task-force-ncr-gets-new-commander/23659
 

Israel upgrading PH military’s armoured carriers

From Update Philippines (Jan 4): Israel upgrading PH military’s armoured carriers



Israel’s Elbit Systems Land and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) will be upgrading the firepower of Philippine Army’s 44 M113A2 armoured personnel carriers (APC) and convert 5 M113A2s into mortar carriers.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the said project on November 29, 2017 amounting to PHP1,051,650,000

According to MaxDefense Philippines this M113A2 upgrading project will be through a negotiated procurement which is still under Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization First Horizon second list. 

In this project, 44 APCs will be armed with 12.7mm machine guns in Remote Controlled Weapons Stations (RCWS) and 5 APCs will be converted into mortar carriers armed with Soltam 81mm Cardom mortar.

M113A2 APCs to be upgraded are part of 114 M113A2 APCs transferred by United States government through its Excess Defense Article (EDA) Program in 2015.

Elbit already delivered 28 refurbished and upgraded APCs to Philippine military with contract price of PHP882 million, signed in 2014. Upgrades included installation of 25 mm unmanned turrets, 12.7 mm remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS), fire control systems (FCS) for 90 mm turrets, and conversion to recovery units.

https://www.update.ph/2018/01/israel-upgrading-ph-militarys-armoured-carriers/23649

Wife of abducted North Cotabato police official dies

From the Philippine Star (Jan 3): Wife of abducted North Cotabato police official dies



NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — The cancer-stricken spouse of a police officer snatched by rebels in President Roxas town last week passed away before dawn Wednesday.

 

Felomina, mother of Inspector Menardo Cui, told reporters Wednesday that her daughter-in-law, Florelie, passed away wishing for her husband's release by the New People’s Army.

 

Cui was abducted by NPAs while in a videoke bar in the town proper of President Roxas along with his off-duty subordinates.

 

Florelie had repeatedly appealed to the NPA to release Cui, deputy municipal police chief of President Roxas, before she succumbed to cervical cancer.

 

The Cuis, who reside in Magpet town in North Cotabato, have three children.

 

Felomina said all three of her grandchildren might quit school since there is no one now who would provide for their daily needs.

 

In a statement, the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion said Cui was taken by his NPA captors to the hinterland boundary of North Cotabato and Bukidnon provinces.

 

There is a strong NPA presence in forested areas between the two provinces.

 

Intelligence agents of the 39th IB, which operates in President Roxas and nearby towns in North Cotabato, are helping the police locate Cui and his abductors.

 

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/01/03/1774257/wife-abducted-north-cotabato-police-official-dies

Exiled communist leader asks Duterte to return to negotiating table

From the Gulf News-Philippines (Jan 3): Exiled communist leader asks Duterte to return to negotiating table

In May 2017, Duterte suspended the talks following NPA attacks on government forces

 

The exiled founder of the 49-year-old Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) called on President Rodrigo Duterte to return to the negotiating table in 2018.

Duterte “should return to the negotiating table in 2018”, said CPP founder Jose Maria Sison in an online interview from the Netherlands, a transcript of which was sent to reporters on Tuesday.

 

It was a New Year’s wish, said Sison, adding, “He should allow the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front [NDF, the negotiating arm of the CPP-NPA] panels to work out the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms to lay the basis for a just and lasting peace.”

But during CPP’s celebration of the party’s 49th anniversary, on December 26, it ordered the NPA to intensify guerrilla attacks nationwide, and to build “the broadest united front” to overthrow Duterte.

 

“We are looking forward to mark the Party’s 50th anniversary next year with even bigger and more momentous victories in the ideological and organisational fields,” CPP said, adding that members of its “growing peasant movement” will stage more demonstrations in 2018.

Four rounds of government-NDF negotiations were held in Europe after Duterte — who called himself a socialist — was elected in mid-June 2016. Duterte was a student of Sison at Manila’s Lyceum University in the 70s.

In May 2017, Duterte suspended the talks following NPA attacks on government forces.

On November 23, Duterte signed Proclamation No. 360 that terminated the government-communist peace talks. On December 5, he issued Proclamation No. 374, which declared the CPP-NPA a terrorist organisation. It has yet to be approved by a regional trial court.

In 2002, the US State Department had classified the CPP-NPA as a foreign terrorist organisation.

Both sides have been engaged in on and off peace talks since 1992.

Criticising the great divide between the haves and the have-nots in the Philippines, the CPP-NPA reached 25,000 in 1968, during the time of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The number dwindled to 5,000 after the ouster of Marcos by a people-backed military mutiny in 1986.

Since then, however, the 3,800 strong CPP-NPA has remained in control of far-flung “red villages” that do not receive government services. It has been Southeast Asia’s longest running leftist group whose insurgency campaign has claimed 30,000 lives.

 

http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/exiled-communist-leader-asks-duterte-to-return-to-negotiating-table-1.2150514

Abu hunter is new Joint Task Force-NCR chief

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 3): Abu hunter is new Joint Task Force-NCR chief



Joint Task Group Commander Col. Alan Arrojado briefs AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. about the current situation in Sulu in this March 4 file photo. AFP Public Affairs Office PHOTO
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, a Philippine Army veteran in operations against Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, has been named as the new commander of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR).

Brig. Gen. Jesus Mananquil relinquished his post to Arrojado on Wednesday in a turnover ceremony held at JTF-NCR headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo.

Prior to his latest designation, Arrojado was the deputy commander of the Central Command based in Cebu.

He served as commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, where he led the operations against the Abu Sayyaf group for almost two years.

He was pulled out of his assignment in Abra in late 2014 to become Sulu commander. He was sacked mid-2016 amid a string of kidnappings and intensified operations against the bandit group.

READ: Sulu commander relieved amid intensified ops vs Abu Sayyaf

As the new JTF-NCR, he will head a brigade-size task force in Metro Manila composed of units from the Army, Navy, and Air Force based at Camp Aguinaldo, the military’s main headquarters.

Arrojado told reporters that his new assignment is an “urban jungle” compared to his “jungle” assignment in Sulu.

“We are prepared for that. We have to adjust through the lessons learned in Marawi…And of course with the other happenings around the world, may lone wolf, ganyan, we are preparing for contingencies,” he said.

Arrojado was referring to the Marawi siege, which challenged soldiers used to jungle warfare into fighting in an urban setting. /jpv

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1984.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/957176/abu-hunter-is-new-joint-task-force-ncr-chief-abu-sayyaf-arrojado-joint-task-force-ncr-army

Supporting Abu Sayyaf: Filipino to know fate Jan 31

From the Daily Express (Jan 3): Supporting Abu Sayyaf: Filipino to know fate Jan 31

Kota Kinabalu: A Filipino teenager, who pleaded guilty to supporting the Abu Sayyaf terror group, will know his fate on Jan 31.

High Court Judge Ravinthran Paramaguru fixed the date for the self-employed teenager on Tuesday for facts and sentencing pending submission of his probation report. The teenager, had on Nov 30, 2017, pleaded guilty to knowingly canvassing support for the militant group via Facebook under the name of 'Abu Tahlaba Al-basilanie' between March 1 and March 6 last year.

The offence under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code provides for imprisonment for life or jail of up to 30 years, or with a fine and liability of forfeiture of any property used or intended to be used in connection with the commission of the offence.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali, who stood in for DPP Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam told the court that a report by the Welfare Department is needed because the accused was still a child during the offence committed.

She added that in the police investigations stated that the accused was 18-year-old and that according to the investigation, he was born on Jan 19, 1999.

Counsel Mohd Nazim Maduarin, representing the teenager, agreed that the accused is still a child offender.

He said the teenager, a Yakan, came to the State illegally from Philippines and had told him that he was born on March 3, 1999.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=122040

Warship Aid Spotlights Malaysia-Philippines Naval Ties

From The Diplomat (Jan 3): Warship Aid Spotlights Malaysia-Philippines Naval Ties

The humanitarian assistance dispatched was just the most recent instance of wider collaboration between the two sides despite remaining differences.



 Over the weekend, a Malaysian naval vessel arrived in the Philippines as part of the humanitarian assistance being dispatched following the outbreak of Typhoon Tembin last week, which had left hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced. The interaction put the spotlight on longstanding security cooperation between the two Southeast Asian states, which has included a humanitarian component in times of need.

As I have noted before, Malaysia and the Philippines, both members of the Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN), have long tried to forge greater cooperation to deal with a range of traditional and non-traditional threats – including terrorism, piracy, and illegal fishing – in spite of the differences that remain between them (See: “Confronting Threats in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas: Opportunities and Challenges”).

One form of that collaboration has been humanitarian assistance. For instance, most recently, Malaysia was one of the countries that provided humanitarian aid to the Philippine government as it continued to battle Islamic State-linked militants following their siege in the southern city of Marawi (See: “ASEAN’s Post-Marawi Islamic State Challenge”). That aid included the provision of food, personnel, and military aircraft to help the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (the AHA Center) fly out some of its ASEAN relief items stored in the hub in Subang.

Following the outbreak of the Typhoon Tembin, which had devastated the southern Philippines, Malaysia had signaled early on that it would be contributing some humanitarian assistance to the Philippines. Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had publicly said that he had called Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to express his sympathy and concern and that the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) were on standby to provide humanitarian assistance. Subsequently, Malaysian defense officials had indicated that the MAF would be deploying humanitarian aid to areas in the Philippines affected by the storm, in addition to some of the other forms of ongoing assistance between the two sides, including in related search and rescue operations.

On Saturday, the KD Kedah, a patrol vessel, was arrived at Naval Station Romulo Espaldo in Zamboanga City, where it had been scheduled to deliver about 45 tons of aid, mostly consisting of food supplies and clothing. The assistance was handed over to Philippine officials on board the vessel by Naval Region 2 Commander Rear Admiral Abdul Rahman Ayob, who led the humanitarian aid mission.

According to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), he also paid a courtesy call on Rear Admiral Rene V Medina, Commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), and Rear Admiral Rene V Medina AFP and Lt Gen Carlito G. Galves Jr, Commander Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM). Though few specifics were disclosed from the meeting, discussions included not just the state of relief efforts but other topics as well such as security issues related to the waters in the southern Philippines, which continues to be a priority for both countries and a platform for wider subregional and regional cooperation.

https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/warship-aid-spotlights-malaysia-philippines-naval-ties/

Opinion: The calm over South China Sea dispute may be short-lived

Opinion piece in the Straits Times (Jan 3): The calm over South China Sea dispute may be short-lived
(By Emily Rauhala)

President Donald Trump railed against a lot of things last year. Chinese construction in the South China Sea was not really one of them, despite his campaign tough talk.

Focused on North Korea and evidently enamoured of President Xi Jinping, the voluble United States President said relatively little as China continued to build on disputed islands, rocks and reefs. A recent Chinese report hailed progress in the South China Sea last year, noting construction totalling 290,000 sq m. That included work on hangars, missile shelters and large radar and and sensor arrays, according to satellite images reviewed by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, a US think-tank.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled against those claims, but the finding has largely been ignored - both by the Philippines, which brought the case, and by Beijing.

Having added thousands of hectares to the Spratly Islands in recent years, China is now building outposts there. Once operational, these bases will enable the Chinese military to better patrol the South China Sea, potentially changing the regional balance of power. It is both a territorial dispute and a test of regional influence, with an increasingly assertive China often appearing to set the terms.

Though Chinese reclamation and building predate Mr Trump, many expected the Republican President to push back more forcefully than the previous administration. The National Security Strategy released last month does mention China's "efforts to build and militarise outposts in the South China Sea endanger the free flow of trade, threaten the sovereignty of other nations, and undermine regional stability".

But experts see few signs that the issue is a White House priority. "Nobody in the White House is super focused on South China Sea stuff, at least as far as we know," said law professor Julian Ku from Hofstra University School of Law and an expert on the South China Sea. "I think it's going to remain on the back burner and that's definitely going to help the Chinese."


An image showing infrastructure China has reportedly built on Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratlys. Experts see few signs that the South China Sea issue is a White House priority. The US will likely need to take its strategy on the issue off "auto-pilot", says the Centre for Strategic and International Studies' Ms Bonnie Glaser. PHOTO: ASIA MARITIME TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE / FACEBOOK

The administration's quiet approach gave China a "free pass" last year, ceding ground at a critical time, said Dr Jay L. Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines' Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea."If (the Chinese do) base ships there and move in weapons, it will complete their planning, it will make permanent their dominance of the South China Sea," he said. "Because once they do that, they won't be pulling back."

This year, that may create new challenges for Mr Trump.

As a candidate, Mr Trump cast China as an always-winning upstart that ought to be cut down to size. China will "go in the South China Sea and build a military fortress the likes of which perhaps the world has not seen", he warned in 2016. "Because they have no respect for our president and they have no respect for our country."

Most experts believe China will press ahead with both civilian and military building projects. Having constructed facilities for planes and ships, it may soon start rotating them through on a regular basis.

But in his first year in office, Mr Trump has been the one showing respect, heaping praise on China's authoritarian President. A readout from his November visit with Mr Xi said Mr Trump raised the South China Sea issue, but he did not stress it publicly. In Vietnam, he casually offered to mediate - though there did not seem to be any takers.

The President's approach so far has been to regularise the type of Freedom of Navigation Operations, or Fonops, that the Obama administration authorised in 2015. May saw the first Fonop of the Trump era, when a destroyer, the USS Dewey, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands. There have been several since.

A spokesman for the National Security Council said the Fonops programme challenges excessive maritime claims by various states in order to preserve free movement on the sea and in the air.

The problem, experts said, is that Fonops have thus far failed to stop Chinese building - and are therefore unlikely to stop whatever comes next.

"Fonops are not a full strategy," said Ms Bonnie Glaser, a senior adviser for Asia at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, in Washington. "It was not enough in the Obama era and it's not enough under Trump."

Though Mr Trump has given no clear signs that he plans to make the South China Sea a priority this year, his hand may be forced. The President's push to get China to rein in North Korea is not going to plan. He has said as much on Twitter.

In the months ahead, he will likely face pressure to take a tougher line with Beijing. "We know that the Pentagon, unlike the Trump administration, is very much worried about the South China Sea," said Dr Richard Javad Heydarian, a Manila-based security analyst. "The Pentagon is looking at options to bring the fight to the Chinese and up the ante there."

The question is what the Chinese side does next. Most experts believe China will press ahead with both civilian and military building projects. Having constructed facilities for planes and ships, it may soon start rotating them through on a regular basis.

Beijing could declare what are known as "straight baselines" in the Spratlys. These are in effect perimeters connecting the outermost points of a group of islands, turning the sea within into "internal waters".

In the case of the Spratlys, straight baselines would enclose features occupied by other nations.

China declared straight baselines in the Paracel island chain in 1996 and has in recent years signalled that it may do so in the Spratlys, a move that would be hotly contested and would almost certainly draw a US response.

A less likely scenario would be Beijing beginning to dredge near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed, U-shaped reef not far from the Philippine coast.

Since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, China has held off land reclamation there. If the Xi-Duterte truce falls apart, Beijing could decide to start crossing what has long been seen as a US red line.

Any of these moves would require the US to rethink the status quo and take South China Sea strategy off "auto-pilot", said Ms Glaser. "There is not enough thinking about what the US will do to deter or respond to what will be the next Chinese actions in 2018."

http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-calm-over-south-china-sea-dispute-may-be-short-lived

Maguindanao clashes trap tribe members

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 3): Maguindanao clashes trap tribe members

 Fighting erupts anew in Teduray villages; ARMM execs say aid can’t get through



Teduray villagers fleeing the fighting in their communities in three towns in Maguindanao province receive relief packs and other items from the government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. —EDWIN FERNANDEZ
SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao — About 1,600 members of Teduray communities here could not leave their homes in the towns of Datu Unsay and Datu Saudi Ampatuan as fighting continued between soldiers and Islamic State-inspired gunmen, officials said on Tuesday.

Fatima Kanakan, director of the Office of Southern Cultural Communities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said these “lumad” (indigenous peoples) were trapped in their communities after clashes broke out on Christmas Day.

“They could not go out [of the] two sitios (subvillages) and we could not reach them for food and relief assistance,” Kanakan said. “We are worried over their safety. We are trying our best to reach them for food supplies.”

She said the trapped civilians were in the remote Sitio of Bagong in Barangay Maitumaig in Datu Unsay town, and in Sitio Kyamko on Hill 224 in Barangay Kabingi in Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Their villages are about 5 kilometers away from where government troops and members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are fighting in the contiguous villages of Maitumaig (Datu Unsay), Kambingi (Datu Saudi Ampatuan) and Kubentog (Datu Hofer town).

Kanakan said the residents were hesitant to leave for fear that they would step on landmines. She said a Teduray died after stepping on an improvised bomb on Dec. 26.

Relief workers from the ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-Heart) failed to enter the area to bring aid after the military advised them that BIFF men rigged the route to the two villages with explosives.

Burned houses
The military said 18 more Teduray houses were burned by BIFF members in Barangay Kubentog in Datu Hofer on Dec. 31, after setting on fire a dozen other houses in the village of Limpogo in that town on the same day.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, chief of the 6th Infantry Division’s Civil Military Operations Office, said the BIFF, led by Esmail Abubakar, who is also known as Commander Bungos, fired their guns indiscriminately while the burning was going on.

Artillery fire

Besana said members of the 57th Infantry Battalion had been directing artillery fire toward Mt. Firis, considered holy ground for the Teduray lumad and straddling Datu Unsay, Datu Hofer and Datu Saudi Ampatuan towns, due to the presence of about 80 BIFF fighters there.

The military said the BIFF wanted to take over Mt. Firis because it was where their leader, Ameril Umbra Kato, launched the group in 2008.

Ramil Masukat, ARMM disaster risk reduction and management officer, said ARMM-Heart on Monday distributed relief aid and food packs to 1,780 Teduray in Datu Unsay.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu also ordered the distribution of 50 sacks of rice and other nonfood provisions to affected families, Lynette Estandarte, Maguindanao medical team leader, said.

The BIFF attacks on the Teduray communities in Maguindanao started when the military launched another major operation against the gunmen before Christmas.

Besana said the BIFF had suspected the Teduray to have provided information about their presence to the military.

On Christmas Day, the gunmen also razed three Teduray houses in the area.

On Dec. 29, BIFF gunmen seized six Teduray in Datu Hofer town but four of them escaped.

But the gunmen, on the same day, shot and killed Teduray leader Diego Met Dagadas in the upland village of Mt. Firis in Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, said the local government had been aiding Teduray evacuees staying at the Datu Hofer town center.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, in a report in December, said the military operations against the BIFF in Maguindanao had displaced more than 11,000 families since August last year.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/957021/maguindanao-clashes-trap-tribe-members

Former mass base supporters of NPA attend peace rally: military

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 3): Former mass base supporters of NPA attend peace rally: military

A PEACE rally was initiated following the surrender of 290 former alleged members of the New People’s Army’s underground mass organization on Dec. 28-29 in Barangay Araibo, Pantukan town, Compostela Valley.

The group marched around the barangay with rallyists raising their slogans and placards that state, “No to Communism,” “No to ceasefire violation,” “Yes to Democracy,” “We Love Peace & Justice,” “No to Terrorism,” and other related messages.

Prior to the peace rally, the former members NPAs underwent a two-day debriefing by the 66th Infantry Battalion.

Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, the commander of 66th IB, told TIMES that the activity was intended to “de-radicalize” the surrenderees and allow them to integrate back into society.

“This will totally bring them to the realization that causes themselves to be a part of the insurgency problem of our government,” Parungao said.

A series of lectures were given by the different sectors of the government to educate and inform them of the government plans and programs. Likewise, team-building activities were also conducted for the returnees to feel that they form a significant part of the community.

The military has accused the NPA of violating its own ceasefire by allegedly ransacking houses in Sitio Mabugnao, Barangay Las Arenas in Pantukan when they celebrated the CPP anniversary.

Parungao expressed his gratitude on the support extended by the local government of Pantukan through Mayor Roberto Yugo and other partner agencies for the success of the peace rally and the live-in seminar.

“This is not for us, but for our brothers and sisters in barangay Araibo of Pantukan,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Noel S Clement, commander of the 10ID, said that they appreciate “the peace initiatives of the local government and our units involved in pursuing peace.”

“With these former members of CPP-NPA-NDF conducting peace rally and the community as well, it is just a matter of time that all the people will come together and denounce NPA atrocities,” Clement said.

“We call on our citizens to unite against the anti-people NPA extortion gang disguised as a fake revolution,” he added.

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/former-mass-base-supporters-of-npa-attend-peace-rally-military/

Suspects in Tacurong New Year’s Eve bomb attack in police custody

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 3): Suspects in Tacurong New Year’s Eve bomb attack in police custody

Police are in custody of three suspects in the New Year’s Eve bombing of a KTV bar here that left two dead and 16 others wounded, police said.

Two of the three suspects were slightly injured when an improvised explosive device exploded inside a pedicab that briefly parked in front of Gina KTV bar along the national highway in Barangay Buenaflor here, according to Senior Superintendent Raul Supiter, Sultan Kudarat police director.

Supiter declined to name the suspects until the cases of multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder are filed in court.

He said the two suspects were arrested in the hospital after they were initially treated from minor injuries. The third suspect who was not among the injured was arrested Wednesday morning.

Supiter heads the Special Investigation Task Group (STIG-Gina) formed by Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO-12 regional director, following a command conference here Tuesday.

The blast occurred at around 11:05 p.m. on December 31 in front of Gina KTV. Pedicab driver Dominador Datahan, 45, and his passenger Ali Suharto, 19, died while being treated in a hospital hours after the IED exploded inside the pedicab.

Another passenger, Aladin Laguiab, 21, was critically injured.

“We have witnesses who provided police probers with detailed statement,” Supiter told reporters. He added that the real motive of the bomb attack has remained uncertain as the case continues to build up.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020339

Military, police units alerted for 'Agaton' relief efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 3): Military, police units alerted for 'Agaton' relief efforts

Military and police units were alerted to help in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions in wake of the onslaught of tropical depression 'Agaton'.

This was emphasized by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo in a message late Tuesday.

"In view of the Tropical Depression 'Agaton', all units of the AFP in the direct path of the weather system are tasked to assist LGUs (local government units) and other relevant govt agencies on HADR. All other units in Mindanao and Visayas not on the direct path are also tasked to make their Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) available if need arises," he added.

The same was reiterated by Philippine National Police Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.

"I have alerted all RDs (Regional Directors) in PROs (Police Regional Offices) along the path of Tropical Depression 'Agaton' to activate their respective disaster contingency plans and mobilize available units and personnel for disaster response operations in coordination with LGUs and local DRRMC in their areas," he stressed.

Based on PAGASA's 5 a.m. weather bulletin, 'Agaton' was estimated to be 175 kilometers west northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

It has a maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of 65 kph.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020319

Military units to go all out vs. NPA with truce ending

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 3): Military units to go all out vs. NPA with truce ending

With the conclusion of the Yuletide truce this Jan. 2, military units can now pursue New People's Army (NPA) terrorists who blatantly violated their own ceasefire declaration by attacking government troops and civilian communities.

"The AFP will resume focused military operations after the SOMO (suspension of military operations) has lapsed. All ground units will pursue NPA members who violated their own ceasefire declaration by attacking government troops and harrassing civilian communities," AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a message Tuesday.

The AFP implemented a unilateral ceasefire during the Yuletide Season which started 6 p.m. of Dec. 23 to 6 p.m. of Dec. 26 and 6 p.m. Dec. 30 until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 2.

This ceasefire was mirrored by the NPA but some of its units opted to attack military units in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

He added that military units will resume pro-active combat measures nationwide to protect vulnerable communities from armed threats and deceptions of the NPA.

"Our non-combat efforts on assisting other line government agencies on infrastructure development and community health engagements will continue," Arevalo said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020324

Arrojado is new Joint Task Force-NCR chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 3): Arrojado is new Joint Task Force-NCR chief

Former Central Command deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, formally took command of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) during short ceremonies Wednesday.

Arrojado, who also served as commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Force Sulu, units tasked to pursue and neutralize Abu Sayyaf terrorists, replaced Brig. Gen. Jesus Manangquil Jr., a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1985.
Manangquil, meanwhile, will be the incoming commander of the 9th Infantry Division in Bicol Region.

JTF-NCR is the military formation tasked to protect Metro Manila from all forms of threats, including terrorism.

A battalion-sized formation, or about 500 troops, from JTF-NCR will be augmenting the Philippine National Police contingent tasked to secure the annual Black Nazerene procession, also known as the "Traslacion", on January 9, he added.

When asked about possible security threats, including terrorism, against the annual procession, Arrojado, a member of PMA Class of 1984, said they always consider all forms of threats.

He, however, added that the terrorism angle is not verified as of now.

Arrojado said they are not expecting any threat other than criminality.

"Except for usual criminality, and others, so far, in my capacity as new chief, wala pa naman nakarating. Kung meron man, then we will be prepared for it," the JTF-NCR chief said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020359

DOJ: Attacks basis for legally tagging CPP-NPA as terrorists

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 3): DOJ: Attacks basis for legally tagging CPP-NPA as terrorists

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday cited numerous attacks made by Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in various provinces all over the country as basis to legally declare it as a terrorist group.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, head of the panel tasked by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, said that they are close to finalizing the government's resolution to be filed before a Regional Trial Court seeking to declare the CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations.

Ong said the attacks occurred as President Rodrigo Duterte was “extending his hand” and “showing good faith” in the peace talks between the government and the rebels.

“The point is, the President was extending his hand, showing his good faith and sincerity for just and lasting peace. And yet ito pa ang mga offensives ang kapalit ng peace negotiations,” Ong told reporters during the press conference.

The senior prosecutor said their investigation showed how the CPP-NPA did not honor the good faith and sincerity extended by the Duterte administration and continued their offensives during the earlier peace talks.

"They committed terrorist acts that will justify in designating them as terrorist organization," Ong explained.

The petition was expected to be filed with the court within January, Ong said, explaining the DOJ was still waiting for certified copies of incident reports on the attacks.

“Perhaps (it would be filed) within the month, kaya na ito. So many incidents, im still waiting for the reports to come in, certified true copies of the reports,” Ong said.

“We listed about 15 incidents. Baka i-zero in namin ito sa 10 or 12,” he said.

Ong said that among the attacks cited was the ambush of suspected communist rebels against two soldiers in a storm-hit village in Catubig, Northern Samar.

On December 17, two soldiers were reportedly injured when suspected rebels opened fire on a military unit heading towards Barangay Hinagoyonon, Catubig to assist residents affected by flooding.

“These are very recent incidents. The attack on the rescue operations ng military sa Catubig, Samar (during) typhoon Urduja,” he noted.

“We were able to gather incidents, they call it atrocities, tactical offensives, incidents of terrorist acts, but we want to focus in the incidents after the president assumed office,” he said.

Ong clarified that the petition will target the organization and not its individual officials like founding chairman Jose Mari Sison.

"But there are implications once the petition is granted and they are declared a terrorist group. Under the Human Security Act, you can apply for judicial order for wiretapping against members of a terrorist organization. You could also apply surveillance of bank accounts or freeze their assets," he explained.

Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9372 (Human Security Act of 2007) requires the DOJ to first seek clearance from the court before an organization, association or group of persons can be declared as terrorist and outlawed group.

“The petition will also lay down their history. There were incidents in the past that showed a pattern,” he said.

Earlier, Aguirre said he had formed a team of prosecutors to file a formal petition in court to legally declare the groups as “terrorists.”

Ong is head of the team created by Aguirre to draft the petition following President Duterte’s decision to issue a proclamation naming the CPP as a terror group.

“It has excellent chances (of being approved) because of the numerous supporting evidence we have (showing) that they are committing terroristic activities despite numerous initiatives of President Duterte to reach out to them,” Aguirre said in a text message to reporters on December 6.

Aguirre expressed confidence that the lower court would grant the government’s request following President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation naming the CPP-NPA as terror organizations.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the President has signed a proclamation formally designating the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

Roque said the President signed the proclamation pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10168 or the Human Security Act.

Roque said that under the law, affiliate revolutionary groups of the CPP-NPA would now also be considered terrorist groups, and anyone proven to be financing them would be held liable.

Citing the pertinent provisions of RA 10168, Roque said that a designated person is “any person or entity designated or identified as a terrorist, as one who finances terrorism or a terrorist organization or group under the applicable United Nations Security Council resolution or by another jurisdiction or supranational jurisdiction and pursuant to the proclamation which implements the Human Security Act.”

“Take note that the domestic statute and the UN Security Council prohibit the giving of funds to terrorist organizations. This will enable law enforcement agencies to run after individuals who will, in any way, provide financial support to the NPA now that it has been described as a terrorist organization,” Roque said.

In his proclamation, Duterte directed the Department of Foreign Affairs “to publish the foregoing designation of CPP-NPA and other designated persons, organizations, in accordance with Sections 3 and 15 of RA 10168 and its implementing rules and regulations.”

The proclamation was issued after the Philippine government terminated peace talks with the CPP-NPA after a series of violent attacks that the President said is against humanitarian law.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020411