‘Procurement of Russian submarines unhealthy for Philippine-US alliance’

From the Philippine Star (Aug 17): ‘Procurement of Russian submarines unhealthy for Philippine-US alliance’

 

 

US Assistant Secretary of Defense and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver made the observation in reaction to the plan of the Department of National Defense (DND) to purchase submarines and some military equipment from Russia.  YouTube

Acquiring submarines and other big-ticket military platforms – including weapons systems – from Russia is unhealthy to the alliance between the Philippines and the United States, a US defense official said yesterday.

US Assistant Secretary of Defense and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver made the observation in reaction to the plan of the Department of National Defense (DND) to purchase submarines and some military equipment from Russia.

“I think they should think very carefully about that. If they would have (to) proceed with procurement of major Russian equipment, I don’t think that’s a helpful thing to the alliance,” Schriver told journalists at a defense and security roundtable at the US embassy.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who flew to Moscow after his meeting with Schriver earlier yesterday, bared last week Moscow’s offer to provide the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) diesel electric Kilo-Class submarines.

The purpose of Lorenzana’s Moscow trip was not clear but sources said he was set to meet with his Russian counterparts and other top military officials.

Lorenzana also said last week that Russia was offering a soft loan to Manila to bankroll the submarine acquisition.

Prior to facing the media, Schriver said he met with Lorenzana to discuss a wide-range of issues including counter-terrorism cooperation, regional security particularly in the South China Sea issue and a modernization plan for the AFP.

“When you buy weapons systems, particularly major platforms, you’re not just buying capability, you’re investing in a relationship,” Schriver said.

He stressed that US platforms are key to sustaining interoperability between US and Philippine forces.

Schriver also advised the Philippine government to have full understanding of the nature of the Russian regime.

“I don’t need to go through the full laundry list… Crimea, Ukraine, the chemical attack in the United Kingdom.. So you are investing in not only platforms but making a statement about our relationships,” Schriver said.

Meanwhile, Schriver also said member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are free to engage China in whatever way they want to, including joining a Beijing-led maritime drill in the South China Sea.

But he stressed these countries should have full understanding of China’s real intention in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We understand that China has its own interests to pursue. We think it’s important individual countries, as they make decisions whether to exercise with China or have exchanges, is to understand what China’s aspirations and intents in the region are,” the US official said.

“I think they’ve been transparent in a lot of ways through their behavior that they are not supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific when they challenge aircraft and surface vessels that are making lawful transits,” he pointed out.

 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/17/1843386/procurement-russian-submarines-unhealthy-philippine-us-alliance

China says it has right to protect relevant islands

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 16): China says it has right to protect relevant islands

China rebuffed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for Beijing to rethink its conduct in the South China Sea on Thursday, saying China had the right to react to foreign ships or aircraft that get close to its islands.



Flags of China and the Philippines (Thomas Peter, Reuters / MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte said China has no right to repel foreign aircraft and boats passing by its artificial islands in the disputed waterway, and that he hoped China would “temper” its behavior and stop restricting movements.

In a statement sent to Reuters, China’s Foreign Ministry said the Spratly Islands are China’s inherent territory and that China respects the right to freedom of navigation and overflight that all countries enjoy in the South China Sea under international law.

“But China has a right to take necessary steps to respond to foreign aircraft and ships that deliberately get close to or make incursions into the air and waters near China’s relevant islands, and provocative actions that threaten the security of Chinese personnel stationed there,” it said.

“China urges the relevant party to meet China halfway, and jointly protect the present good situation that has not come easily in the South China Sea,” the ministry added, without elaborating.

China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei have competing claims to the Spratly archipelago, where China has rapidly turned reefs into artificial islands that appear to be military installations, from which its personnel routinely instruct foreign vessels to leave.

Duterte has a policy of engagement with Beijing, in the hope of securing billions of dollars in grants, loans and investments, and has rejected criticism that he is acquiescing to Chinese pressure or surrendering Philippines sovereignty.

However, instead of blaming China for building and militarizing islands in disputed waters, he has said the United States was at fault for not blocking the construction when it started.

China has been angered by the United States in particular sending military ships and aircraft close to Chinese-occupied islands in the South China Sea in the name of freedom of navigation, saying the operations are highly provocative and potentially dangerous.

Diplomatic strategy

President Duterte has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to talk to its counterparts in China and discuss a better way of communicating to ships and planes sailing through or flying over the South China Sea.

“The President still gave us instructions (to) continue the diplomacy and tell them there should be a better way for us staking our claims and talking to each other,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters Wednesday night, hours after meeting with the President.

Cayetano disclosed that he, together with Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon Jr., met with the President to explain that the Chinese radio messaging to those who sail or fly over the South China Sea is “routine.”

“I was with the Defense Secretary and the NSA Secretary then we went to the President this afternoon and we told him, ‘Sir, this is routine.’ We continue to tell anyone that goes into our waters and flight over that you are in Philippine territory. And they continue to tell us,” he said.

“Regardless (if) it’s routine, regardless of good intentions, whatever. That’s not how friends treat each other,” Cayetano quoted the President as saying.

“He’s confident we can work this out,” Cayetano said.

He further said that from the military to military point of view, the Chinese radio messaging is more sensitive to the civilian population because “you’re not used to it.”
“But for them (military) it’s a routine,” the secretary said.

On Tuesday, the President made a rare critical statement to Beijing calling it to respect the right of innocent passage for vessels passing in areas beyond national airspace.
“You cannot create an island and you say that the air above the artificial island is your own. That is wrong. The right to innocent passage is guaranteed,” Duterte said.
The President asserted that ships do not need any permission to sail through the open seas.

Cayetano is set to meet with his counterparts in Beijing next month to negotiate a framework agreement that would allow a joint exploration of natural resources to proceed in the West Philippine Sea.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/16/china-says-it-has-right-to-protect-relevant-islands/

China Issues Warnings to Philippine, U.S. Aircraft in South China Sea

From BenarNews (Aug 16): China Issues Warnings to Philippine, U.S. Aircraft in South China Sea



Philippine generals watch from the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the South China Sea as an F-18 fighter jet lands, April 10, 2018.

The United States will assert freedom of navigation in the South China Sea despite recent warnings issued by China on foreign ships and planes passing through the hotly disputed area, a top defense official said Thursday.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver said Beijing’s growing aggressiveness would not deter the U.S. from exercising the right to peacefully pass through the region.

“We’ll fly, sail and operate where international law allows,” Shriver told a select group of reporters in Manila. “So we’ve seen an increase in this kind of challenge from China, not only directed at us but to others, and we think we need to be consistent and the Chinese need to understand that this kind of challenge will not result in a change of our behavior.”

He said Washington would not allow Beijing to bully other nations by rewriting international law.

His statement came after the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Philippine aircraft have a specific response from similar Chinese challenges.

Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the Chinese warnings are a daily occurrence.

“Our pilots just [reply]: We are just doing our routine flight on our jurisdiction and territory,” he said, according to the Inquirer.

A BBC reporter who witnessed the Chinese aggression said the warnings to Philippine aircraft were less courteous than similar warnings to U.S. planes.

The Philippines and China have overlapping claims in the potentially mineral rich region, as do Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Flashpoint

The South China Sea is considered a flashpoint in the region and while claimants agreed to desist from any actions that would complicate the matter, China has been expanding and militarizing territories it occupies.

During an annual meeting of Southeast Asian diplomats held in Singapore two weeks ago, officials announced China had agreed to a draft of a “code of conduct” to govern actions in the area after three months of negotiations that ended in June. The agreement was hailed as a breakthrough even as diplomats expressed cautious optimism.

Clearly, China wants to expand its control of the sea region by its warnings even as he said it “has no impact or effect” on how the U.S. operates, Shriver said on Thursday.

He said last week’s flight that carried a CNN crew was part of “routine operations in the South China Sea.”

“I think there should be no misunderstanding or lack of clarity on the spirit and the nature of our commitment,” Shriver said, alluding to the Philippine-US mutual defense treaty of 1951.

“We’ll be a good ally, and we’ll help the Philippines respond accordingly,” he said.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/scs-warnings-08162018153426.html

If China invades Philippine-occupied island in disputed sea, US says it will help ally

From the Philippine Star (Aug 17): If China invades Philippine-occupied island in disputed sea, US says it will help ally

In July last year, a Pentagon official confirmed that the USS Stethem (DDG-63), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer of the US Navy, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the Paracel Chain in the South China Sea.  BY-NC-ND/Michael Chu

The United States will be "a good ally" to the Philippines in responding to territorial conflicts in the South China Sea, a US defense official said Thursday.

Randall Schriver, assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, gave the assurance as tensions rise over China's aggressive stance towards its claims to most of the strategic waterway.
Speaking to reporters at the US Embassy in Manila, Schriver was asked if the United States, which is bound to the Philippines by a mutual defense treaty, would help the country if China invaded the main Filipino-occupied island in the South China Sea. Pag-asa Island is the largest of the nine features controlled by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands.

"We'll be a good ally... there should be no misunderstanding or lack of clarity on the spirit and the nature of our commitment," he said.

"We'll help the Philippines respond accordingly," Schriver added, declining to give further details.

China and the Philippines, along with several other Asian nations, have conflicting claims to parts of the South China Sea, which is believed to contain vast mineral resources.

China has built up heavily defended artificial islands in the sea and Philippine observers have expressed concern in recent weeks over aggressive Chinese radio warnings to foreign planes against approaching them.

However, Schriver said US forces would continue to fly and sail in those waters.

"We've seen an increase in this kind of challenge from China, not only directed at us but others," he said.

"This kind of challenge will not result in a change of our behavior. We'll not allow them to rewrite the rules of the road or change international law."

Since he took office in mid-2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been moving the country's relations away from its traditional ally the United States and towards China and Russia.

Schriver also cautioned the Philippines against buying large-scale weapons like submarines from Russia as some local officials have suggested.

"I don't think that's a helpful thing to the (US-Philippine) alliance and ultimately I think we can be a better partner than the Russians," he said.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/17/1843422/if-china-invades-philippine-occupied-island-disputed-sea-us-says-it-will-help-ally

Ex-rebels get cash aid

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 15): Ex-rebels get cash aid

TANAUAN CITY, Batangas – Thirteen New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who voluntarily surrendered in Batangas received financial assistance worth P65,000 and will likewise be awarded various grants from the government as they took oath of allegiance and turned-over their firearms during simple rites here last Tuesday.

The rebel returnees were members of the Platoon Jupiter and Platoon Galaxy both of Sub- Regional Military Area (SRMA) 4C, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC) operating in Batangas and Cavite.

The event was also served as the launching and maiden implementation of the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in Southern Luzon.

The E-CLIP is a holistic inter-agency approach of the government to end insurgency peacefully by encouraging rebels to join mainstream society through various grants and compensations which they can use to start-over and become responsible members of the society.

The ceremony was attended by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief Eduardo Año, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Dennis Hernandez, Tanauan City Mayor Jhoanna Corona and other top military officials and local government officials.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/15/ex-rebels-get-cash-aid/

‘Drug lords give money to NPA rebels’

From the Manila Times (Aug 17): ‘Drug lords give money to NPA rebels’

BACOLOD CITY: An adviser of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has revealed that members of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in northern Negros are receiving money from drug lords in the Visayas.

Mayor Magdaleno Peña of Moises Padilla town early this week said some big-time drug dealers are enjoying the protection of the communist rebels in the area and, perhaps, this is the reason why “illegal drugs are proliferating in that part of Negros Occidental.”

“That is probably why the regional center of the rebels is in the north with Fr. Frank Fernandez in there because [they]enjoy getting support from the drug lords…,” Peña added.

He was referring to Fernandez, who is said to be the recognized leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA on Negros island.

Northern Negros or the First District is composed of the cities of San Carlos and Escalante and the towns of Calatrava, Toboso and Salvador Benedicto.

The mayor said local politicians and police officers in the district are allegedly “protecting” the illegal-drugs business.

He slammed the San Carlos City police for claiming that the 6 kilos of shabu worth P72 million seized last week in Barangay Palampas in the city belong to a new drug group, saying the city police “might be involved or just plain blind.”

“A total of 18 kilos of shabu entered Negros Occidental through the San Carlos port last week but only 6 kilos were seized,” Peña said, adding that “the remaining drugs are now being sold in other parts of the province.”

Police failed to arrest Armando Paraquelles and his wife Josephine and their cohort Ronnie Recomo, alias Putot, who escaped during the operation.

The Paraquelles couple are but “underlings of the Bertucio drug group of Calatrava,” Peña said.

The alleged leader of the group was arrested years ago and is serving his sentence at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

“The drug group is still operating in the province,” Peña said.

The mayor said he has been assisting PDEA by augmenting its operatives, supporting its logistical requirements and giving rewards to those who are able to track down those involved in illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, a former mayor of San Carlos City, challenged Peña to prove his claims.

“I am confident that none of the politicians in San Carlos City are protectors of illegal drugs. Ever since, we have these anti-illegal drug war a priority even before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said.

But he admitted that illegal drugs pass through San Carlos “because of its port.”

“This business of illegal drugs continues because it is lucrative. People make big bucks in it,” Lacson said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/drug-lords-give-money-to-npa-rebels/431116/

3 NPA terrorists voluntarily surrendered to Army

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 16): 3 NPA terrorists voluntarily surrendered to Army

 CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Three alleged Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) voluntarily surrendered to the field troops of the Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division (10th ID), Capt. Jershome O. Butt, acting Public Affairs Office (PAO) officer of the 10th ID said.


(MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin late Wednesday afternoon, the 10th ID PAO acting officer said the surrenderees, one of them a squad commander of the 2nd Squad, Guerilla Front 2 SRC 2 of the CPP-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, voluntarily gave up themselves to field troops of the 10th ID at 8 o’clock in the morning last Wednesday (Aug. 8).

Their identities were temporarily withheld for their safety and security.

“Our field units will help them thru the conduct of reorientation/redirection seminars, with help of other concerned agencies for the possible of benefits of Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” Capt. Butt said.

“The 10th ID will always accept the surrender of CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs) and their supporters,” he added.

On Wednesday, an alleged CNT escaped from his camp and also voluntarily surrendered to field troops of the Army’s 10th ID, Capt. Butt also said.

The rebel returnee was former member of Section Command 15 of the CPP-NPA SMRC, he added.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/16/3-npa-terrorists-voluntarily-surrendered-to-army/

Rebels earn P30M-P40M yearly from ‘extortion’ – Army

From the Daily Guardian (Aug 17): Rebels earn P30M-P40M yearly from ‘extortion’ – Army

AN ARMY official claimed that the New People’s Army (NPA) is all about business, not ideology.

This is how Colonel Benedict Arevalo, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, described the rebels following insinuations that government troops “massacred” seven NPA leaders in Antique province.

“Again, it was a legitimate operation. They were criminals who fought against government operatives,” Arevalo said Thursday.

He claimed that the rebels are nothing but bandits who preyed on individuals and companies.

“We recovered proofs that are more than sufficient to prove that they have been into massive extortion activities,” Arevalo said.

In fact, the 301st IB modestly pegged the “earnings” of the NPA-Komiteng Rehiyon Panay (KRP) from its alleged extortion activities at P30 million to P40 million a year.

The amount was based on the documents seized from Maria Concepcion “Concha” Araneta-Bocala, the CPP-NPA-NDF secretary general of KRP.

Araneta-Bocala was arrested at Barangay Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City on Aug. 1, 2015.

But a year later, local courts granted her urgent motions for release on bail as she participated in the resumption of formal peace talks between the government and the NDFP on Aug. 20 to Aug. 27, 2016.

“Given that the arrest happened three years ago, the number could increase,” Arevalo said.

With the incoming elections, the Army commander said they expect that the group would further intensify its extortion racket.

Among the stash recovered at the Antique clash site on Aug. 15, 2018 were several “extortion” letters signed by Ariston Remus of the Napoleon Tumagtang Command of the NPA’s Southern Front Committee.

Most of the letters were sent in August 2018.

The letters were rejoinders to earlier letters (based on the attachments) asking the individual or company to a meeting. The receiver was given 10 days to reply to the letter.

Part of the letter reads, “…liwat kami nga makipag-angot sa inyo agud magpahanumdum sining nasambit nga katuyuan. Magahulat kami sang inyo balos sa sulod sang napulo (10) ka adlaw. Kon anuman ang mangin panan-awan kag tindog ninyo sa amon pang-agda, ini ang mangin tuntungan sang rebolusyonaryong kahublagan sa pagtratar sa inyo kag sa inyo kompanya.”

(We will again get in touch with you to remind you about our purpose. We would wait for your response within 10 days. Your response would determine the actions of the revolutionary movement against you or your company.)

 WHAT MASSACRE?

Immediately after the incident, the NPA’s Coronacion Chiva Waling-Waling Command called the Antique incident a massacre, not a legitimate encounter.

Julio Montana, the spokesperson of the rebel unit, said the seven casualties are not armed partisans, thus the recoveries may have been “planted.”

But he refused to comment on the alleged extortion letters recovered from the scene saying they will issue a formal statement soon.

“Well, what can you expect from this group and even Karapatan? That’s something that is expected from them. The massacre angle is nothing but fake news,” Arevalo said.

The two groups, instead, should look into the acts of the NPAs in milking individuals and companies.

“If they ask for money saying that’s for a project, what kind of a crooked logic is that? I hope Karapatan should stopped meddling with the issue. If they want, they could join the NPA in the mountains at doon na lang kami magkita,” he said.

PEOPLE’S VICTORY

For Major General Dinoh Dolina, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division commander, the neutralization of the suspected ranking NPA leaders is the product of the vigilance of the civilian populace.

“It is the people who provided reliable information to the AFP-PNP Intelligence Group regarding the activities and whereabouts of the members of the Regional Extortion Group of this terrorist organization. The tip-off is an indication that the people can no longer endure their extortion demands and other terroristic activities that they are casting in the area,” he added.

Dolina said the operation is not only a victory for the government forces “but most of all, it is the people’s triumph who are longing for the CPP-NPA terrorist-free community.”

The clash happened after members of the San Jose Police Station, Antique Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade Intelligence Task Group attempted to arrest two rebels.

The subjects of the arrest warrant were Jason “Bebe” Talibo and Joven “Lex” Ceralvo.

Talibo was charged for frustrated murder before the Regional Trial Court Branch 67 in Guimbal, Iloilo while Ceralvo, along with Robert Buencochillo and Mary Joy Calapardo, among others, were charged with rebellion before the same court branch.

Government operatives tracked the rebels at an abandoned place in Barangay Atabay late evening Tuesday. At around 12:10 a.m. Wednesday, police and military operatives allegedly engaged eight NPA leaders in a 30-minute firefight.

Seven bodies were recovered in the aftermath of the purported gunfight.

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police director, identified the cadavers as that of Jason Talibo, Liezel Bandiola of Nabas, Aklan; Jason Sanchez; Karen Ceralvo, 41, of Vizcara Subdivision, Kalibo; Felix Salditos, 59, of Ilog, Negros Occidental; and Rene Yap, 60, of Poblacion, Leganes, Iloilo. One body remains unidentified.

Ceralvo is believed to have survived and escaped the police and military dragnet.

Arevalo said Talibo, 27, of Barangay Igdalayon, Igbaras, Iloilo was the finance officer of the KRP’s Southern Front Committee while Sanchez, 28, of Barangay Igtuble, Tubungan Iloilo, was the assistant finance officer of the NPA’s Regional Taxation Implementation Group (RTIG).

On the other hand, Bandiola was the NPA-RTIG’s cultural staff while Ceralvo alias Liway is Joven Ceralvo’s first wife and was designated as educational functional staff and RTIG member.

On top of extortion letters, recovered from the scene were three hand grenades, two caliber .40mm ammunitions, two rifle grenades, a homemade single-shot 12-gauge shotgun, two homemade caliber .38 revolvers, a homemade KJ9 pistol, three magazines for KJ9, and two empty magazines of undetermined caliber.

Also seized were two laptops (MacBook Pro and Lenovo brands), a netbook, 22 analog mobile phones, 7 Android phones, 5 tablets, and Canon DSLR camera, 5 Canon DSLR spare batteries, two pocket WiFi, a power bank, among others.

Meanwhile, the 3ID leadership said it is commending the civilian populace for the continuous and unwavering support and cooperation to the Army and PNP.

“We are calling other communities in Panay to do the same in order to put an end to the CPP-NPA terrorists’ ruthlessness,” Dolina said.

Despite what happened, the 3ID reiterated its call to the members of the CPP-NPA members to lay down their arms, abandon their armed struggle, and return to the folds of the Government.

“The Army, PNP and the local government units are more than willing to help their transformation towards a new and peaceful life together with their love ones through the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” Dolina said.

https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/rebels-earn-p30m-p40m-yearly-from-extortion-army/

AFP reaffirms commitment to IHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17): AFP reaffirms commitment to IHL



General Carlito Galvez Jr. (left), Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, leads the Pledge of Commitment during the celebration of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) month on August 16 at Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Club, Camp Aguinaldo. Also in the photo are: Undersecretary Severo Catura, Executive Director for Presidential Human Rights Committee; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Strategic Communication Ernesto Abella; DFA Undersecretary for Defense Policy Ricardo David Jr.; and Mr. Boris Kelecevic, Deputy Head of Delegation, International Committee of the Red Cross. (Photo by Corporal Joel Manzano/PAOAFP)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment towards the promotion of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), in a ceremony held at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club (AFPCO) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

General Carlito Galvez Jr, AFP Chief of Staff, led the Pledge of Commitment of Military Officers and Enlisted Personnel during the official opening of the celebration of IHL Month this August.

The Department of National Defense (DND) is hosting this year’s national celebration of the IHL Month with the theme “Kaligtasan ng Mamamayan sa Panahon ng Digmaan, Sama-sama nating Pagtulungan”.

Among the guests during the ceremony were: Undersecretary Severo Catura, Executive Director for Presidential Human Rights Committee; Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella; Undersecretary for Defense Policy Ricardo David Jr; and Mr. Boris Kelecevic, Deputy Head of Delegation, International Committee of the Red Cross.

Activities lined up for the month include IHL photo exhibit on August 16 at Heroes Hall of General Headquarters Building in Camp Aguinaldo; IHL Fun Run, Human Formation, and Bloodletting on August 17 at the Philippine Army Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio; and series of IHL Training/Seminar on September 5 to 6 at AFPCOC.

Also part of the celebration is the “Toys and Books for Children of Marawi” — a donation campaign for the month of July to August.

The Philippines, as a Contracting Party to the Four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, subscribes to the basic principle of disinterested humanitarian aid to all victims of war and armed conflict without discrimination, and accepts direct responsibility for the application of IHL when involved in an armed conflict.

Annually since 1999, the DND and the Department of Foreign Affairs co-chair a government inter-agency ad hoc committee to formulate and implement activities to commemorate the IHL Day on 12 August and the whole month of August as IHL month.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1045131

DND exerts efforts to protect humanitarian workers

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17): DND exerts efforts to protect humanitarian workers 

All efforts are being exerted to ensure that the Philippine military complies with the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of Republic Act 10530, also known as the Red Cross and Other Emblems Act of 2013.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made the pronouncement as the country observes International Humanitarian Law Month this August.

“I encourage everyone to assist the Department in taking all the concrete measures to ensure the proper implementation of this IRR,” in his speech read by DND Undersecretary for Defense Policy Ricardo David at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers Club, Quezon City, Thursday.

The DND chief also urged everyone to contribute to the betterment of humanity and to make the world a better place to live in through the observance of the humanitarian law.

Under the IRR, the DND, in partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry, is vested with a regulatory function in the implementation of IHL, particularly in the protection of humanitarian workers and non-combatants, and prosecution of the violators of the law.

RA 10530 also highlights the importance of respecting the international emblems of humanity such as the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystals through the protection of personnel and emergency response assets in times of armed conflicts.

This year's IHL month theme is “Kaligtasan ng Mamamayan sa Panahon ng Digmaan, Sama-sama Nating Pagtulungan”.

“Let’s all ensure respect for IHL and make sure that it is at the heart of our mandate and mission,” Lorenzana added.

The Philippines, as a Contracting Party to the Four Geneva Conventions of Aug. 12 1949, subscribes to the basic principle of disinterested humanitarian aid to all victims of war and armed conflict without discrimination, and accepts direct responsibility for the application of IHL when involved in an armed conflict.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1045152

DND to acquire subs, equipment advantageous to military

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17): DND to acquire subs, equipment advantageous to military

In acquiring modern equipment like submarines, the Department of National Defense (DND) will only procure platforms that will be most advantageous to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the DND spokesperson said Friday.

"While our acquisition of submarines for the Philippine Navy is still under study and nothing is final at this point, we emphasize that the defense department will procure equipment that is most advantageous for the Armed Forces of the Philippines through our AFP Modernization Program," Arsenio Andolong said.

He also clarified that the country can acquire equipment from any nation as long as the procurement follows the proper process as provided for under Philippine laws and the platform meets the requirements of its end-users.

"In the case of the planned submarine purchase, we will consider any and all offers," Andolong said, adding that DND will honor all its alliances and international partnerships through the conduct of international defense and security engagements.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Russia is willing to provide advanced versions of its Kilo-class submarines to the Philippines through "soft loans" but clarified that the country is still looking for other sources.

Kilo-class submarines have a surface displacement of 2,350 tons, a length of 73.8 meters, capable of speeds up 17 to 20 knots and can be armed with a variety of torpedoes, missiles and naval mines.

It has a cruising range of around 6,000 to 7,500 nautical miles. In the ASEAN region, Vietnam is known to operate six improved Kilo-class submarines in its fleet.

The DND plans to procure the country's first submarines under the Horizon Two of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP).

Procurement of the naval craft was earlier scheduled under Horizon Three which is expected to run from 2023 to 2028 while Horizon Two is scheduled from 2018 to 2022. Budget for the program is roughly placed at PHP300 billion.

Horizon One lasted from 2013 to 2017 and resulted in the acquisition of the three Del Pilar-class frigates, 12 FA-50PH light-lift interim fighters, two strategic sealift vessels, to name a few.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1045191

Return of Balangiga Bells shows US sincerity : DND chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17): Return of Balangiga Bells shows US sincerity : DND chief

The return of the Balangiga Bells to the Philippines will demonstrate the United States' sincerity in forging a lasting relationship with the Filipino people, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday.

"The return of the Balangiga Bells will be a strong indicator of the sincerity of the Americans in forging a lasting relationship with the Filipino people and truly symbolic of what their government has referred to in the past as an ironclad alliance between our two countries," he added.

The bells were taken from the Balangiga Church in Samar by American troops as war booty following the "Balangiga Massacre" in 1901. One of the three bells has been displayed at the 9th Infantry Regiment in Camp Cloud in South Korea, while the other two are displayed at the former base of the 11th Infantry Regiment at the FE Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

"We thank US Defense Secretary James Mattis for his effort in seeking the return of the bells to our country. We do hope that the US government will follow through with their commitment and that it will become a reality soon," Lorenzana said.

He said while understanding the resistance of some quarters in the US against the return of the Balangiga Bells, all must remember that both sides lost many lives during the Filipino-American War.

"It was a dark chapter in the shared history of our peoples, which should never be allowed to happen again. Let us not forget, however, that the time came when we set aside our differences and fought side-by-side against a common enemy in World War II. Currently, we are again working together to fight terrorism," the defense chief said.

He added that in this ever changing world, it is time to heal the wounds of the past, move on, and look to the future.

"We call on the American people not to allow the bells to serve as trophies for atrocities that were committed by both sides on Philippine soil a very long time ago," Lorenzana said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1045205

CAFGU detachment commander shot dead by colleague

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17): CAFGU detachment commander shot dead by colleague

The commander of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment based in the village of Da-an Sur, Tapaz in Capiz was shot dead by his colleague on Thursday night.

Lt. Colonel Roderick Garcia, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 12 Infantry Battalion (12IB), said Bonny Jimenez, 39, is currently detained at Tapaz Municipal Police Station for shooting Staff Sergeant Ronio Esoy, 40, using an M16 service firearm.

Esoy sustained more or less 10 gunshot wounds in the different parts of his upper body, mostly in the chest.

“He was dead on the spot,” Garcia said in an interview Friday.

He said Jimenez asked permission from Esoy on Wednesday if he could go home to his family in Barangay Taganghin, also in Tapaz town.

“Since we are on red alert, the commander did not allow him to go,” he said.

Garcia said that around 6 p.m., while Esoy was watching television inside their administration office together with other members of CAFGU, Jimenez, who was drunk, approached his commander and shot him.

Garcia said the suspect was disarmed and apprehended by Sergeant Jose Melysendy, Asst. Detachment Commander and was turned over to responding police officers.

He said other CAFGU members were unable to stop Jimenez because “his actions are normal and there was no indication that it would happen.”

Meanwhile, the cadaver of the victim was brought to Somo Memorial Services for autopsy.

Esoy, a native of Pilar, Capiz, has been the commander of CAFGU detachment since 2016.

Jimenez, meantime, has been a CAFGU Active Auxiliary member for five years.

Garcia said Jimenez will face criminal cases for murder because “he has the intent to kill.”

Administrative cases will also be filed against him for violation of the “Articles of War”.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1045176

US, UK warn of kidnapping threat in Philippines

From the Anadolu Agency (Aug 15): US, UK warn of kidnapping threat in Philippines

Palawan was site of kidnapping in 2000 which resulted in the deaths of 22 Filipino soldiers and at least five kidnap victims

The American and British embassies in Manila warned their citizens Tuesday about kidnapping threats in Palawan province, citing information from local authorities.

In a security alert posted on its website, the U.S. embassy cited the Western Command Armed Forces of the Philippines as saying it “remains on heightened alert and continues to tighten its security posture in Palawan against all forms of threats amidst circulating information on probable kidnapping in the province”.

 

The embassy reminded Americans to be vigilant, review their personal security plans and monitor local media for updates.

The British government advised its citizens to remain vigilant at all times and cautioned them against traveling to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups.

London cited a warning from local authorities in Palawan of a “heightened risk from kidnapping”.

"There has been an increase in kidnapping of foreign nationals, including attacks targeting foreigners and tourists since late 2015. Terrorist groups continue to plan kidnap operations against western nationals in the Philippines," the advisory said.

Palawan is a top tourist destination not only in the Philippines but also in Asia. It ranked fifth this year on Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of Top 10 islands in Asia.

Military and local authorities in Palawan have recently warned the public against a kidnapping threat by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles, the group has been carrying out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion in a self-determined fight for an independent province in the Philippines since 1991.

It has been deemed responsible for the 2000 Dos Palmas Resort kidnappings in Palawan in which 17 Filipinos and three Americans were abducted which led to the deaths of at least 22 Filipino solders and five of the original hostages, including two American nationals.

 

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/us-uk-warn-of-kidnapping-threat-in-philippines/1231521

Duterte Plays Catch-Up on Defense Spending With Cash for Troops

From Bloomberg (Aug 15): Duterte Plays Catch-Up on Defense Spending With Cash for Troops

President Rodrigo Duterte is beefing up the ranks of the Philippines’ military and police as his government continues to wage its war against illegal drugs and Islamic State militants in the country’s south.

The Interior and Defense Departments will receive record amounts in the proposed 2019 budget of 225.6 billion ($4.22 billion) and 183.4 billion pesos respectively following the resolution of an funding impasse in the lower house Wednesday. Their allocations will increase by as much as a third, while other major agencies will suffer spending cuts.

Much of the funding will go towards fulfilling one of Duterte’s key campaign promises: doubling the salaries of all uniformed personnel. Entry-level police and military will see a 100 percent pay hike, while all ranks will enjoy a 72 percent boost on average by next year. The government also plans to create 10,000 new posts in the Philippine National Police and 5,000 in the prison and fire bureaus.

 

The budget increase -- the largest in the defense sector since 2011 -- underlines Duterte’s efforts to boost the police and the military amid reports the Islamic State is behind a recent suicide attack in the Mindanao region and despite mounting opposition to his drug war.

Top Priority

The defense sector will enjoy a boost while other agencies see spending cuts

Source: Department of Budget and Management

Congress threatened to stall deliberations on the 3.76-trillion-peso budget for next year to protest spending cuts and force a reenactment of the 2018 spending plan. Congressman Joey Salceda says lawmakers will still find ways to finance the pay hike for uniformed personnel, likely tapping the government’s emergency Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund instead.

‘Decrepit’ Military

Still, Duterte’s preference for more boots on the ground could undercut the longer-term goal of building up arms, Richard Heydarian, non-resident fellow at think tank ADR-Stratbase Institute, said in an interview.

Campaign Promise

Duterte has invested heavily to double the salaries of the military and police

 

Source: Department of Budget and Management

Note: Data sums up budgets of Defense and Interior Departments

The pay hike alone, which wasn’t granted to other public servants, will cost 64.2 billion pesos over two years. In comparison, the government spent just 85.3 billion pesos to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2013 to 2017. That’s since been raised to 300 billion pesos from 2018 to 2022.

"The important thing at this point is for the Philippines to upgrade and modernize its decrepit military hardware and focus on maritime and aerial branches, which are crucial for external security," Heydarian said.

 

Lost Ground

 

The Philippines plays catch-up on defense spending amid terror and drug threats

Source: Department of Budget and Management

Note: Data sums up national government spending per sector

The police are on the front lines of Duterte’s war on drugs, which has so far killed more than 4,300 people and placed about 147,800 under arrest, according to Palace figures. The military continues to see violence in the Mindanao region after the ISIS-led siege last year, while Beijing is fast building outposts in the South China Sea.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the planned increases for Interior and Defense Departments were an investment in the country’s peace and order. "It’s important for people to feel secure in their homes, streets and place of work," he said in a message. "It’s also important for foreign and domestic tourists to feel secure in their destinations."

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-15/duterte-plays-catch-up-on-defense-spending-with-cash-for-troops

Philippine Troops, Police Kill 8 Rebels in Joint Operations

From BenarNews (Aug 15): Philippine Troops, Police Kill 8 Rebels in Joint Operations

Soldiers and police carried out joint operations in the central and southern Philippines on Wednesday, killing one leader of Abu Sayyaf militants and seven communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, a military official said.

An operation on the remote island of Jolo in the south was carried out before dawn against Absulajim Abdulgani, a bomb expert and a known sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf extremist group, said Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command.

Abdulgani (aka Suraka Ingog) was the highest-ranking Abu Sayyaf leader slain since a suicide bomb attack killed 11 people on the southern island of Basilan two weeks ago, Dela Vega said.

The military initially suspected the Abu Sayyaf group was behind the Basilan bomb attack, but the Islamic State (IS) took responsibility and said it was carried out by a Moroccan national.

Authorities have cautioned against the claim, although the military has captured a Filipino Muslim cleric who allegedly helped foreign fighters enter Basilan, where the Abu Sayyaf group was formed in the early 1990s.

The Abu Sayyaf is considered more of a criminal gang engaged in kidnappings, bombings and beheadings during the past two decades.

The U.S. Department of State, which has designated Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization, estimated the group’s armed strength in July 2012 at between 200 and 400 fighters.

One of Abu Sayyaaf’s Basilan commanders, Isnilon Hapilon, later pledged allegiance to the IS and led the siege of southern Marawi city last year. About 1,200 people were killed in the five-month battle that began in May. It was only declared over when the military killed Hapilon and some of the ring leaders in October.

Earlier this week, the military said two soldiers were wounded in a clash with an Abu Sayyaf unit on Jolo.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that at least one militant was killed and six wounded, the military said.

Clash with New People’s Army

Also on Wednesday, the military carried out joint operations with the police on the central island of Antique, triggering a clash that killed seven members of the communist NPA.

Regional police chief John Bulalacao said security forces were sent to arrest two NPA members on murder charges and for extortion activities in the area, but the guerrillas fought back.

Those killed belonged to the NPA’s Napoleon Tumagtang Command of Southern Front, Bulalacao said, adding troops recovered firearms and a list of targets of extortion.

“The suspects who chose to put up a fight against our police and military operatives have been victimizing community members and business owners here,” Bulalacao told BenarNews.

“The extortion letters, assorted firearms, cash and bank books recovered are proof of their criminal activities,” Bulalacao said.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which has been waging Asia’s longest running insurgency that began in 1969. Peace talks between the group and Manila are suspended.

The government had accused the rebels of plotting to overthrow the government of President Rodrigo Duterte later this year despite negotiating peace.

Communist leader Jose Maria Sison, who lives in self-exile the Netherlands, has denied the allegation and blasted his former student of propagating what he called fantastic lies aimed at stopping the talks.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/militants-killed-08152018133015.html

Duterte terminates peace talks with CPP, cites abuses

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 15): Duterte terminates peace talks with CPP, cites abuses

President Duterte said he has “terminated” the government’s peace negotiations with the communist rebels, and would instead continue fighting them.



President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he could “not deal” with communist rebels since they have not only killed soldiers and civilians but also demanded a coalition government.

“I have terminated the talks with the Reds — Communist Party of the Philippines with Sison because in the series of agreements before, even the time of Aquino, they entered into so many things that they scattered the privileges and power which they wanted,” he said during the launch of the “Pilipinas Angat Lahat Alliance” in Malacañang last Tuesday.

“We summed it all and it would really appear that it was a coalition government and I said, “I cannot give you an inch of that even. I cannot give you what is not mine,'” he added.

Duterte declared that the government would instead resume the fight against the communist rebels, who have committed atrocities against the community.

“I cannot deal with the Communist Party because to date, they have killed so many thousands soldiers, barangay captains, innocent civilians, suspected of being agents of the military,” he said.

“We have suffered and — in numbers. And I think it would not be good. We will just have to continue fighting,” he added.

The President recently laid down some conditions prior to the resumption of the peace talks with the communist rebels, including holding the negotiations in the country instead of abroad. The communist rebels must also agree to a ceasefire and stop collecting revolutionary taxes for the revival of the talks.

Communist leader Jose Maria Sison, however has rejected the President’s fresh demand to resume the peace negotiations in the country, saying it was risky for the rebel negotiators. He reportedly said they would rather talk peace to the country’s next leader.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/15/duterte-terminates-peace-talks-with-cpp-cites-abuses/