Military girds for more BIFF terror attacks

From the Manila Standard (Aug 31): Military girds for more BIFF terror attacks

Security has been stepped up in densely populated areas in anticipation of more terrorist attacks after a bomb went off in Sultan Kudarat, killing three people and wounding 35 others.

Military officials said Thursday that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the group they blamed for the attack, has shifted tactics to gain prominence among international terrorist organizations, and have made urban centers their primary targets.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said they raised the level of security awareness within his jurisdiction to thwart attacks on urban centers.

“Urban centers are their target—crowded places because that’s their thrust to gain support from international terrorist organizations,” Sobejana said.

He said this shift was a sign of weakness, as the terrorists are unable to confront ground troops in battle due to depleted armaments.

“The emplacement of IEDs [improvised explosive devices] is a clear manifestation that they are becoming weak, they have no firepower to fight government forces,” he said.

Since January, the BIFF suffered tremendous setbacks in a series of battles with security forces, particularly in Central Mindanao, losing hundreds of fighters to death or capture.

Sobejana said in the Isulan, Sultan Kudarat attack, several leads pointed to the BIFF.

To protect civilian communities, he said troop visibility would be increased, with more checkpoints being set up.

On Thursday, the death toll in the Isulan blast rose to three after a 21-year-old man, Welmark John Lapides, died after remaining in critical condition in a General Santos City hospital, radio dzBB reported.

The report cited Philippine National Police Region 12 spokesperson Supt. Aldrin Gonzales. Tuesday’s blast immediately killed a seven-year-old girl and a 52-year-old woman.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the recent attack suggested that neither martial law nor the Bangsamoro Organic Law could guarantee peace in Mindanao.

Lacson said security forces, particularly in Mindanao, should avert the vicious cycle of talking peace with one group while alienating others.

At the same time, an anti-terrorism bill he has proposed may give the government a much-needed boost in its fight against terrorists, since it enhances the Human Security Act of 2007 with provisions on foreign terrorists and additional predicate crimes.

“While an anti-terror law in itself cannot solve the problem of terrorism, an intensified one can, however, give the government and the law enforcement agencies the much-needed tool in dealing with the emerging threats of terrorism,” said Lacson, who headed the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001.

While he had a hand in drafting the earlier law, he said gaps in it prevented authorities from implementing it properly.

He said the occupation of Marawi City by the Maute Group in 2017 “revealed the many loopholes of the current anti-terrorism law.” He noted the Philippines was ranked the 12th most affected by terrorism by the Global Terror Index in 2017.

He added that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front came into being and became a dominant armed force in Mindanao after the government came to a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front.

The bill penalizes foreign terrorists, including those who travel to a state other than their state of residence for committing or organizing terrorist acts; and those residing abroad who come to the Philippines in transit to commit or take part in terrorist acts to target countries.

Lacson’s bill adds three predicate crimes to the 12 in the present law. These are: RA 9208, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, RA 9165, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and RA 10175, Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Covered as well are other analogous acts that tend to cause death or serious bodily injury, or intend to cause risk to the health, safety or security of the public, or intend to seriously interfere with, disrupt or destroy critical infrastructure.

Also covered are acts using weapons of mass destruction, proscribed under relevant treaties and conventions where the Philippines is a state party.

The bill punishes those recruiting another person to serve in or with an armed force in a foreign state; publishing an ad or propaganda; and other acts with the intention of facilitating or promoting the recruitment of persons to serve in any capacity in or with such armed forces.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that while it is too early to recommend an extension of martial law, he said that remains an option in dealing with terrorism in Mindanao.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday said she supports the administration’s view on martial law in Mindanao.

Arroyo’s statement came after Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Wednesday that extending martial law in Mindanao is an option after the Sultan Kudarat bomb attack.

“I support what the President does because I have been president and I believe that he does not need a peanut gallery to tell him what to do,” Arroyo said.

House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. said the House is ready to grant the President an extended martial law in Mindanao should the Chief Executive ask for it.

“The declaration of martial law is the call of the executive. The President declares or extends, Congress concurs. If the President will ask for it, then it shall be given,” Andaya said.

Andaya also urged the Palace to convene the National Security Council and Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council to discuss the progress of the Marawi rehabilitation program and the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

http://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/274365/military-girds-for-more-biff-terror-attacks.html

Basilan Island Suicide Attack: Islamic State Tapping Into ASG’s Strength?

Posted to Eurasia Review News & Analysis (Aug 31): Basilan Island Suicide Attack: Islamic State Tapping Into ASG’s Strength? – Analysis (By RSIS)


Southeast Asia and Islamic State

The recent suicide bombing in Lamitan City in Basilan Island and attack on a military base in Sulu Island in Southern Philippines highlight the persistent security threat posed by Islamic State (IS) in this region. The incidents show that with the right alliances, IS will be able to entrench its position in the region for a long time.

On July 31, 2018, a few days after the passing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, a military checkpoint in Basilan was struck by a suicide attack killing at least 11 people. The attack was immediately claimed by Islamic State (IS) as a “martyrdom operation”. This claim was subsequently dismissed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), who attributed the attack to Furuji Indama, a notorious leader from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

More than a week later, on 9 August 2018, IS would lay claim to another attack in the Southern Philippines that involved launching mortar shells on a military base in Sulu island. These attacks in Sulu and Basilan highlight the on-going threat that the Philippines is facing from IS in the post-Marawi era. The local jihadist groups are supported by foreign fighters and groups. Collectively, they support IS’ aim to establish a pseudo-Islamic state in the region.
Tapping into ASG

The IS maintains a presence in the Philippines through links with several local militant and jihadist groups such as the Maute Brothers group (also known as IS Lanao), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Ansar Khilafah Philippines and the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG).

The ASG has existed since the early 1990s and has overcome the deaths of key leaders to remain active. ASG has been able to retain a substantial presence and operational capability through the years by forming strategic partnerships with other jihadist and militant groups in the Southern Philippines. These groups are aligned by their mutual aim to establish an independent Islamic state. This has kept alive IS’ influence in the region.

Presently, the threat groups, are divided into two major factions: the IS-linked faction and the Sulu-based faction. The IS-linked faction is based in Basilan, which was the stronghold of former IS regional operative Isnilon Hapilon, who died last year in Marawi. During the Marawi siege, the Hapilon faction was heavily involved in the military operation. Another Basilan-ASG faction is led by Furuji Indama, who was not involved in Marawi.

The partnership between ASG and IS is unique as the ASG has maintained its localised structure, outlook and objectives despite supporting IS’ vision of a global caliphate. This localisation, despite its global links, is vital for the group to retain ground support as it is situated within deeply divided communities that are run along family or clan lines. However, ASG still needs IS to give credence to its objective of establishing an independent Islamic state and to be able to expand and recruit through IS’ large networks.

Conversely, IS relies on the strength and resilience of ASG to advance its influence in the region. The densely forested islands of Basilan and Sulu have proved ideal for ASG to launch attacks as well as act as hideouts. The ASG has also proven its resilience by surviving repeated military offensives for more than three decades. The ability to access ASG’s vast local and global jihadi networks, makes the ASG a perfect partner for IS in the Philippines.
Continued Threat from Foreign Fighters

The ASG has been providing safe haven to foreign fighters since being associated with Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in the 1980s. Thus, it is not surprising that IS’ foreign fighters who were unable to return to their home countries after being forced out of Syria and Iraq, subsequently appeared in the Southern Philippines. Though their numbers may not be large, the presence of foreign fighters is having an impact on the overall jihadist landscape in the Southeast Asian region.

The ASG, for example, has received training in bomb-making and handling of sophisticated weapons from foreign militants. The recent suicide attack in Basilan involving a Moroccan suicide bomber suggests foreign fighters or returnees from Syria and Iraq are now involving themselves in conflicts elsewhere in the world where pro-IS groups operate. These foreign operatives are not only trainers, but are also involved in executing and carrying out attacks.

Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) versus Islamic Law

The passing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by the Philippines government in July 2018 created an autonomously-governed region for Muslim majority areas in Mindanao. But this has not stopped jihadists in the south of the country from continuing to pursue their goal of an independent Islamic state.

The BBL is important for long term peace prospects in the Philippines, and bring to an end the armed rebellion in the resource-rich Mindanao. Through the law, the Duterte government is trying to address grievances among the Muslim population, by empowering local Muslims politically and economically. The BBL guarantees self-governance and the flow of development funds to the region to stimulate economic growth.

However, jihadists view the BBL as not being divinely mandated vis-à-vis the caliphate and Islamic law. They continue to pursue the idea of an independent Islamic state that upholds sharia law, including hudud laws, among others. This ideology is also conflated with the skewed ideology of transnational jihadists and the brutal operational tactics, which is the hallmark of IS.

The idea of establishing an Islamic Caliphate will continue to permeate societies in this region. IS has been effective in articulating a utopian and apocalyptic vision of an alternative society of the future and has gained support for the idea via its propaganda and messaging.
Moving Forward

Given the inadequate ability of the Philippine government to address the jihadist challenge, including the failure to stop the movement of IS foreign fighters from entering the country as well as IS’ ideological influence, violence is likely to persist, if not intensify. More claims of attacks by IS can be expected in future.

At the same time, while these attacks have so far taken place in the Philippines, neighbouring Malaysia, Indonesia and even Singapore will continue to remain vigilant and ensure that their citizens do not support or participate in them.

[Syed Huzaifah Bin Othman Alkaff is an Associate Research Fellow with the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.]

https://www.eurasiareview.com/31082018-basilan-island-suicide-attack-islamic-state-tapping-into-asgs-strength-analysis/

UNTV EXCLUSIVE: PNP discloses components of IED used in Isulan blast

From UNTV News & Rescue (Aug 31): UNTV EXCLUSIVE: PNP discloses components of IED used in Isulan blast

The components used in building the IED that rocked the town of Isulan in Sultan Kudarat on August 28, 2018 | PRO 12

 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed bomb experts to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat to examine the components of the improvised explosive device (IED) recovered from the blast site.

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said the team of experts is expected to help the authorities identify the group behind the explosion on Tuesday night (August 28) that horrified the community and killed three civilians.

Based on the images acquired by UNTV, the suspects in the blast used a cellular phone as a triggering device. Its power source was a 9 volts battery and the body or the container was formed using a barrel of a water pump.

 

Initial reports suggested that the power source and the triggering device in the Isulan blast were similar to those recovered in the botched explosion at Unitop Koronadal on August 18 during the celebration of the Koronadal International Folklore Festival.

A similar water pump was also used in the IED recovered in the failed explosion at the camp of the Philippine Army 33rd Infantry Batallion in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao in July.

 

Given the characteristics of the IED components, Albayalde ordered bomb experts to identify if the persons behind the Isulan blast were the same persons who planted the IEDs in the previous bombing attempts.

Since the explosion on Tuesday, speculations about several groups masterminding the blast surfaced, implicating the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), or the Dawla Islamiya Abu Turaife Group.

“Iyong bomb data center pinapunta natin doon to collate yun para makita kung ano talaga itong signature, kung saan galing or kung sino may gawa nitong IED na ito,” Albayalde said.

Reports, however, surfaced that the explosion in Isulan was claimed by the international terror group ISIS.

Meanwhile, Albayalde admits that the authorities in Mindanao did not expect the explosion to happen despite heightened security measures being imposed in the region. In fact, 260 security personnel were deployed to man the celebration of the Humangaya Festival.

“Nung nakita na suspicious nung nakita na sinisipa or inuusog yung bag sa ilalim ng motorsiklo hinabol na itong taong ito but then lumalabas na meron pa syang kasama na rider na nagmamaneho doon sa isang motorsiklo sa may kanto ng may Honda so doon 
sila nakatakbo at hindi nahabol ng CAFGU at sumabog na from there yung IED,” the PNP Chief explained.

During a closed-door meeting with members of Police Regional Office 12 in Isulan, a facial composite sketch of the suspect was presented to Albayalde. The description shows a medium built male suspect of 5’6 to 5’7” in height. He was wearing a black shirt and dark colored pants with a black backpack, based on the accounts of the three witnesses.

https://www.untvweb.com/news/untv-exclusive-pnp-discloses-components-of-ied-used-in-isulan-blast/

Army: ‘Desperate’ NPAs shoot civilians, one hurt

From The Daily Guardian (Aug 31): Army: ‘Desperate’ NPAs shoot civilians, one hurt

A WOMAN was injured after suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members fired at a group of private company employees in the hinterland village of Igcabugao, Igbaras, Iloilo.

The incident happened at around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday as five employees of the Century Peak Energy Corp. (CPEC) were on their way to their office after conducting site survey of its hydroelectric power project.

The victims were passing by Sitio Cinampuhan when suspected rebels allegedly fired at them.

The incident injured Shella Mae Estevez, 28, CPEC safety officer, who was hit on her lower right leg.

The other employees were unscathed.

Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade commander, said members of the 61st Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Company and some CAFGU (Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit) members responded to the area.

“They were just a few hundred meters from the crime scene, that’s why there was an immediate response,” Arevalo said.

It was gathered that the soldiers escorted the CPEC employees in their site inspection.

But the military personnel were left behind as the CPEC employees left on board a civilian vehicle.

Arevalo said around 10 NPA members of the NPA-Komiteng Rehiyon Panay’s Southern Front Committee traded shots with responding military troops.

The rebels later withdrew to a forested portion of Igcabugao village while the victim was brought to Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal town for treatment.

‘DESPERATE REBELS’

Wednesday’s encounter was the sixth armed clash since July 21, 2018.

The first clash happened at Barangay Katipunan, Tapaz, Capiz followed by the clash at Barangay Alimodias, Miagao, Iloilo on August 1 and another at Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao, Iloilo four days later.

On August 15, another encounter happened at Barangay Atabay, San Jose, Antique and nine days later at Isian Victoria, Leon, Iloilo.

But the biggest blow was the Aug. 25 encounter that killed seven alleged ranking leaders of the NPA-KRP’s Regional Taxation Implementation Group (RTIG).

“Their extortion activities were really affected. They’re getting desperate because they have been financially deprived,” Arevalo said.

Part of the recoveries were extortion letters addressed to individuals and companies.

Arevalo confirmed that one of the letters recovered in the Antique incident was sent to CPEC.

On Dec 13, 2015, suspected NPAs also burned CPEK’s heavy equipment – two dump trucks, an Isuzu Elf truck, and another 6×6 truck – in Igbaras town.

Arevalo said the Army and the PNP in Panay have been coordinating their efforts in launching anti-insurgency campaign.

CONDEMNATION

Arevalo also urged human rights groups and advocates of human rights to condemn NPA’s attack on civilians.

He said that what happened in Igbaras was a clear violation of human rights of civilians and Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL).

https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/army-desperate-npas-shoot-civilians-one-hurt/

NPA rebel yields in South Cotabato

From MindaNews (Aug 31): NPA rebel yields in South Cotabato

A member of a New People’s Army (NPA) unit operating in Tampakan town in South Cotabato yielded on Thursday to Army and police personnel following a series of negotiations.

Lt. Col. Jones Otida, commanding officer of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion, said Friday that Jonathan Pilay Dawang alias Caloy, 32, surrendered voluntarily along with his firearm after being convinced by his family and officials of Barangay Tablu in Tampakan.

He said the surrender was facilitated by the municipal government of Tampakan and the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office.

Dawang yielded a Carbine rifle and two improvised explosive devices, two blasting caps and electric wire, he said.

Otida said the returnee was a member of the “Yunit Milisya” of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 72, which operates in the quad-boundaries of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur and Sarangani provinces.

“He mainly decided to surrender so he can live normally and peacefully with his family,” he said.

He said Dawang confided to them that he was tired of being a rebel and being chased by government troops in the mountains.

Residents of Sitio Tukay-mal in Tablu, where Dawang hails, have been also resisting the entry of NPA rebels in their village, he said.

Otida said the former rebel is currently undergoing custodial debriefing at the 27IB base in Tupi, South Cotabato.

He said they will enlist Dawang into the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program after the required verification and validation process.

Once enrolled, he said the returnee could receive over P86,000 in financial assistance through the flagship reintegration program.

These are the P21,000 reintegration assistance, P15,000 immediate assistance and the P50,000 livelihood assistance, he said.

“He will get additional cash incentive for the surrendered firearm as well as housing benefits for his family,” Otida added.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/08/npa-rebel-yields-in-south-cotabato/

P333.5-M earmarked for 2019 peace and order, public safety plan in Zambo Norte

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 31): P333.5-M earmarked for 2019 peace and order, public safety plan in Zambo Norte

The Zamboanga del Norte Peace and Order Council (ZN-PPOC) has approved the proposed budget amendment of the 2019 Peace and Order And Public Safety (POPS) Plan in a special meeting held recently at the Function Hall of Dipolog City Boulevard, presided by Vice-Governor Senen O. Angeles .

From the earlier approved P310.4-million POPS Plan for 2019, it is now P333.5 after the Council approved its amendment.

The three components of the approved 2019 POPS Plan include P80.4 million for the conduct of peace and order, public safety policies, programs, projects and activities like beat patrol, checkpoint operations, seaborne patrol and other support PPPAs activities such as upgrading and purchase of equipment, vehicles, hard and softwares, and other related activities.

The second and third components of the approved budget is intended for peace and development programs such as livelihood and infrastructure support to conflict and other areas of concern in the declaration of Zamboanga del Norte as a Conflict Manageable and Development Ready province.

About P220-million is allocated for infrastructure projects which include the establishment of the Provincial Rehabilitation Center, Provincial Youth Center and Multi-Purpose Building.

The PPOC also passed a resolution supporting the request of 102nd Brigade Commander Col. Bagnus Gaerlan for fund allocation for the establishment of 10 more companies of Special Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units Active Auxiliary (SCAA) as augmentation to the military units based in the province.

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1012114

Six CPP-NPA rebels surrender in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 31): Six CPP-NPA rebels surrender in Bukidnon



IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon--Another six members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered to the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade in Bukidnon for two consecutive days this August.

Alias (aka) Gorio, aka Bryan, aka Roskie, aka Benjie, and aka Ryan are regular members of Guerilla Front 68 of CPP-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) who surrendered to the 1st Special Forces in Pangantucan town on 22 August 2018.

On August 23rd—early morning of the following day—Alias Lito, the Vice Commanding Officer of CPP-NPA’s Militia ng Bayan under Section Committee 89, NCMRC, surrendered to the 8th Infantry Battalion in Impasugong, Bukidnon. He also surrendered his Cal .45 pistol.

In a custodial debriefing, the rebels recounted their hardships in the CPP-NPA organization. They said they are becoming tired and dismayed of the leaders’ false promises.

Lieutenant Colonel Ronald M. Illana, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion also hit at the CPP-NPA leaders’ lies and deceits.

"This manifests that the CPP-NPA leadership is losing grasp on its members. Most of them realized the deception. They are now finding ways to make peace with the government," he said.

For his part, Brigadier General Eric C. Vinoya AFP, Commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, urged members of CPP-NPA to take advantage of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

“The government implements an Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program to assist those NPA and Militia ng Bayan members who wish to return to the mainstream society. I enjoin CPP-NPA members to embrace peace, go back to the folds of the law, and take advantage of this government program while it is being implemented. They will receive firearms remuneration as well as cash, livelihood, employment, housing, and health assistance,” BGen. Vinoya said. (Capt. Norman M. Tagros, CMO Officer, 403rd Inf Bde, 4ID, PA/PIA Bukidnon)

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1012156

Military leaders condemn NPAs for slaying tribal leader

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 31): Military leaders condemn NPAs for slaying tribal leader



IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon—Military officials who have pegged significant wins in the fight against insurgency in Bukidnon condemn the desperate move of the Communist Party of the Philippines New People's Army terrorists (CNTs) in blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Brigadier General Eric C. Vinoya AFP, 403rd Infantry Brigade Commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division called on the CNTs for their dastardly act and gross violations of the provisions of the IHL and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), in murdering an innocent tribal leader here.

Inadvertently showing their losing cause, CNT guerillas of the CPP-NPA, believed to be members of Section Committee 89, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, killed a 70-year old tribal leader in Dumalaguing village, Impasugong, Bukidnon.

Authorities identified the victim as Benedicto Dinoy aka Datu Mantalasan, an Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative of Higaonon tribe.

Neighbors said, 10 armed men broke into Dinoy’s house around 9 PM and dragged him out to the wilderness August 13.

The residents then heard gunshots a few minutes later.

In the early morning of August 14th, the villagers found Dinoy’s bullet-riddled body in the wilds.

Joining in, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald M. Illana, Commanding Officer of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, aslo condemned the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNT) for this cowardly attack.

“We condemn, in the strongest terms, this yet another dastardly act committed by the CPP-NPA Terrorists. Datu Mantalasan was never a military target and in no way was he taking part in the hostilities, yet, these terrorists slew him," General Vinoya said in a public statement.

The CPP-NPA has once again proven their true nature as terrorists and oppressors of the Lumads. They blatantly violated the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. They will be punished,” Brigadier General Vinoya added.

"We mourn for the loss of the Indigenous Peoples community leader. This act is a clear evidence that CNTs show no respect to the IP culture and unmindful of the people’s right to life. They do not value the lives of innocent civilians who have no participation in any conflict. By doing so, they also violated the International Humanitarian Law which protects civilians from harm regardless of race, religion, beliefs, and culture," Lt. Col. Illana said. (Capt. Norman M. Tagros, CMO Officer, 403rd Inf Bde, 4ID, PA/PIA Bukidnon)

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1012117

Navy frigate grounded in Hasa-Hasa Shoal: DND chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31): Navy frigate grounded in Hasa-Hasa Shoal: DND chief

Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday confirmed that Navy flagship, the 3,250 gross ton BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF-15) ran aground on Wednesday in Hasa-Hasa Shoal (international name Half Moon) which lies 65 nautical miles off west of Balabac, Palawan.

He added that the Philippine Navy (PN) is still assessing the damage sustained by the frigate before towing it clear.

"That is true (grounding of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar in Hasa-Hasa Shoal) It is still there and the Navy is still assessing damage before pulling it out," Lorenzana said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The ship is one of three Hamilton-class cutters acquired by the PN from the United States Coast Guard and converted into frigates.

These ships have a gross tonnage of 3,250 tons, a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet while its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.

These vessels have a cruising range of 14,000 miles and has a sea and loiter time of 45 days and armed with a 76-mm. Oto Melara automatic cannon, 25-mm. and 20-mm. light cannons and .50 caliber machine guns.

Col. Noel Detoyato, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, said, “All afloat vessels in the Western Command area have already been mobilized to conduct assessment, retrieve the aground vessel and return her to safe harbor, and assist all personnel aboard BRP Del Pilar.”

Other assets from nearby AFP installations are also on standby for any contingency, he added.

Initial reports showed that none of the personnel on board have been hurt due to the incident.

"An investigation is expected in such situations to find out the possible causes of the grounding and to come up with steps to ensure that similar incidents will be prevented," Detoyato added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046529

BRP Gregorio Del Pilar still operational despite grounding: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31): BRP Gregorio Del Pilar still operational despite grounding: AFP

 

Photo taken by PAF Nomad C-87 on August 30, 2018.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured that the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, one of the Philippine Navy's largest warships, is still operational after it sustained minimal damage when it ran aground in the vicinity of the Hasa-hasa Shoal in Palawan Wednesday night.

The impact did not cause any heavy damage to the ship's hull, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said Friday.

"Damage to the hull is very minimal," Detoyato said, adding that the starboard or right propeller sustained damage due to the grounding.

He, however, maintained that the port or left propeller and engines remained intact.

Detoyato said two tugboats from Batangas have already been deployed to aid in the recovery of the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, with one leaving Thursday afternoon and another later on Friday.

These small craft are expected to reach the grounded frigate in two days and will be used in removing it. The grounding site is being secured by other naval assets in the area.

The ship is one of three Hamilton-class cutters acquired by the PN from the United States Coast Guard and converted into frigates.

These ships have a gross tonnage of 3,250 tons, a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet while its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots. They have a cruising range of 14,000 miles and a sea and loiter time of 45 days. They are armed with a 76-mm. Oto Melara automatic cannon, 25-mm. and 20-mm. light cannons, and .50 caliber machineguns.

"An investigation is expected in such situations to find out the possible causes of the grounding and to come up with steps to ensure that similar incidents will be prevented," Detoyato said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046548

Navy frigate in Hasa-Hasa Shoal awaiting retrieval

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31): Navy frigate in Hasa-Hasa Shoal awaiting retrieval

The safety of some 117 Philippine Navy (PN) sailors aboard BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-15), which ran aground within Hasa-Hasa Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, is a priority in the retrieval operation of the military, an official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday.

“The main concern is the safety of the crew of the ship and how long their food supplies will last until retrieval assets get to the area where it got beached,” Colonel Noel Detoyato, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview.

Based on the assessment, Detoyato said, the Navy frigate appeared to have suffered “only minimal damage,” although this has yet to be confirmed.

He declined to give any detail on the possible reason the warship would run aground 100 kilometers off mainland Palawan in the disputed sea region, saying “all will be determined by the inquiry”.

“It is on top of corals right now, waiting to be retrieved. Ang concern is to ensure ‘yong safety ng mga crew. Safe naman sila at ‘yong food supplies naman long range ang preparation (The concern is to ensure the safety of the crew. They are safe and they have food supplies… their preparation was for long range),” he said.

Detoyato added that floating assets, which include motorized tugboats, are now on their way to Hasa-Hasa Shoal to tow it to the nearest possible port area in the province.

Dubbed “Goryo” by its crew, the Navy frigate ran aground while doing routine domain assessment patrol around 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, at an estimated distance of two nautical miles from Hasa-Hasa Shoal.

“All afloat vessels in the Western Command (WESCOM) have already been mobilized to conduct an assessment, retrieve the aground vessel and return to safe harbor, and assist personnel aboard BRP Gregorio del Pilar,” Detoyato said in an earlier statement.

He added other assets from nearby military installations have also been ordered to “standby for any contingency.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046539

Abandoned house yields high-powered firearm in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31): Abandoned house yields high-powered firearm in Maguindanao



A government soldier inspects the M16 rifle recovered at an abandoned house in Barangay Takepan, Pikit, North Cotabato, after villagers reported of indiscriminate firing of guns in the area, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said on Thursday (Aug. 30). (Photo by 6ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Government troops recovered a high-powered firearm at an abandoned house in Barangay Takepan, Pikit, North Cotabato, after villagers reported an indiscriminate firing of guns in the area.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, Army’s 6th Infantry division spokesperson, said on Thursday that combined forces from the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion and the local police responded to the report. They found an M16 rifle with six magazines and an ammunition bandolier left behind a deserted house in Sitio Gantong, Barangay Takepan.

“Our troops are still conducting an investigation to verify the owner of the house,” Encinas said.

He said government troops were detailed in Barangay Takepan to keep the peace in the community.

Only recently, the town government of Pikit, in coordination with local military and police units, created Task Force Pikit aimed at resolving the series of killings that rocked the locality in the past weeks.

This month alone, at least seven persons were separately killed in a series of ambush incidents believed to have stemmed from land conflicts in the boundaries of Pikit and Aleosan towns.

The affected villages include Ginatilan, Manualanan, Silik, Balong, Bualan, Buliok, Pagangan, Ladtingan, and Lagunde.

Chief Insp. Ronnie Castañares, Pikit police chief, said there are parcels of lands in the area contested by several landed families since 2007, particularly in Sitio Valencia, Pagangan, Pikit, and Sitio Tubac in Aleosan.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046546

NPA rebel yields with gun, explosives in South Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31): NPA rebel yields with gun, explosives in South Cotabato

A member of a New People’s Army (NPA) unit operating in Tampakan town in South Cotabato surrendered Thursday to Army and police personnel following a series of negotiations.

Lt. Col. Jones Otida, commanding officer of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion, said Friday that Jonathan Pilay Dawang alias Caloy, 32, gave himself up voluntarily along with his firearm after being convinced to do so by his family and officials of Barangay Tablu in Tampakan.

Otida said the surrender was facilitated by the municipal government of Tampakan and the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office.

Dawang yielded a Carbine rifle and two improvised explosive devices, two blasting caps and electric wire, he said.

Otida said the returnee was a member of the “Yunit Milisya” of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 72, which operates at the boundaries of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur and Sarangani provinces.

“He decided to surrender so he can live normally and peacefully with his family,” he said, adding that Dawang confided to them that he was tired of being constantly pursued by government troops in the boondocks.

Residents of Sitio Tukay-mal in Tablu, where Dawang hails, have been also resisting the entry of NPA rebels in their village, he said.

Otida said the former rebel is currently undergoing custodial debriefing at the 27IB base in Tupi, South Cotabato.

He said they will enlist Dawang into the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) after the required verification and validation process.
Once enrolled, he said the returnee will receive more than PHP86,000 in financial assistance through the government's flagship reintegration program.

“He will get an additional cash incentive for the surrendered firearm, as well as housing benefits for his family,” Otida added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046555

Region 8 project monitoring body enlists Army as new member

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31): Region 8 project monitoring body enlists Army as new member



PROJECT MONITORING. Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division Commander Major Gen. Raul Farnacio greets National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director and Regional Project Monitoring Committee Chairman Bonifacio Uy before the start of a recent project problem-solving session. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) has listed the Philippine Army as member of a committee tasked to monitor infrastructure projects in remote Eastern Visayas areas infested with communist rebels.

Acting on the request of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) approved the proposal to consider the military as one of the members of the body.

The RPMC, composed of officials from the government and private sector, admitted that several projects, especially in Samar provinces, have been delayed due to threats of the New People’s Army. Consequently, incomplete projects have affected the delivery of basic service to poor families.

“Through the participation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in RPMC meetings, delays in implementation of projects due to security-related reasons shall be appropriately addressed,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Bonifacio Uy said, quoting Lorenzana’s letter.

Uy, chairperson of RDC’s monitoring arm, RPMC said the military will help check some ongoing projects and report their status in quarterly meetings.

Lt. Col. Gasanara Sultan, Army’s 8th Infantry Division assistant chief of staff for civil military operations, said they can tap all military units in the region to monitor ongoing construction activities, secure heavy equipment, and escort personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inspecting the project.

“Our efforts will be coordinated with DPWH because we need to know what kind of projects we have to prioritize in monitoring,” Sultan said.

At least 188 major projects in Eastern Visayas have been listed by the RPMC as priority for monitoring this year, citing their importance to the attainment of regional development goals and targets.

These projects include post-Yolanda reconstruction activities; resettlement sites in Tacloban City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Biliran; livelihood projects; irrigations; social infrastructure; agriculture and fishery; road and bridges; roads leading to tourism destinations; roads in conflict-stricken areas; seaports; and airports.

Uy said the project monitoring initiative by RDC members, both from government and private sector, will help ensure timely implementation of programs and projects critical to the attainment of goals in the 2017-2022 Regional Development Plan.

The official said programs and projects with substantial negative slippage and problems in implementation have been the priority for field monitoring and problem-solving sessions.

The RPMC is RDC’s project monitoring arm responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of priority programs and projects implemented in the region, particularly those that are encountering implementation bottlenecks and projects that are worthy for replication.

The body forwards monitoring reports and recommendations generated during the problem-solving sessions to the council for information and appropriate action.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046568

PH Marines extends mobile recruitment in Iloilo until Sept. 9

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31): PH Marines extends mobile recruitment in Iloilo until Sept. 9

The Philippine Marines Corps (PMC) has extended until Sept. 9 its mobile recruitment in Iloilo to allow ample time for applicants to submit their documentary requirements.

The recruitment targets 400 recruits from Western Visayas. To date only 260 have submitted applications.

“This is to give ample time to interested individuals to grab the opportunity,” said Capt. Jieve Ajijul, officer-in-charge of the PMC’s mobile recruitment team, in an interview Friday.

“We believe that there are still those who are really interested to apply but they are still waiting for the release of their requirements,” he said.

PMC started accepting applications last August 21 until Sept. 4 only. The recruitment processes were conducted in Molo and Arevalo campuses of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University.

He said they already wrote letters to local chief executives in some towns in the province of Iloilo so they could bring the mobile recruitment to their areas.

“We know that there are interested applicants in the towns so we will be the one to get their applications,” he said.

The PMC’s recruitment is open to natural born Filipino, from 18 up to 25 years old and six months, not a day older during application.

For high school graduates of the four-year curriculum, they need to submit authenticated birth certificate, diploma, form 137 and NC-2 certification from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

For high school graduates under the K to 12 curriculum, they must submit a diploma and form 137; and those who earned at least 72 units in college, they need to submit their high school diploma, form 137 and transcript of records.

Qualified applicants will undergo six months training, Ajijul said.

During the training period, each candidate soldier could earn PHP18,587 monthly, excluding their allowance, food, billeting and full compliments of uniform.

After completing the training, private marine soldiers will be earning a minimum income of PHP29,668, or a gross monthly pay of PHP40,000 including allowances.

Ajijul recalled that it was 14 years ago when the last recruitment was conducted in Iloilo where 300 candidates were recruited.

The Philippine Marines is a military branch of service that is into combat and amphibious operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046587

Rebel killed in clash with Army in Mountain Province

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 31): Rebel killed in clash with Army in Mountain Province

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela – A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) member was killed in an encounter between Army soldiers and communist guerrillas in the mountains of Mainit village in Bontoc, Mountain Province that lasted from Thursday night to Friday morning, the military said.

Army Captain Jefferson Somera, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson and public affairs chief, told the Philippine News Agency that the slain ebel has not yet been identified. The body has been brought to a local funeral parlor for autopsy.

No casualty was reported on the government side.

Two M-16 Armalite rifles were also seized from the rebels.

The Army soldiers from the 50th Infantry Battalion pounced on the estimated 30-member communist group, whom they chanced upon during a security operation in the village.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046616