WESTMINCOM: Operating troops discover enemy lair in Sultan Kudarat

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 26, 2023): Operating troops discover enemy lair in Sultan Kudarat

Operating troops discover enemy lair in Sultan Kudarat

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – July 26, 2023

Troops of the 37th Infantry Battalion discovered an abandoned enemy lair in Barangay Limulan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on July 24, 2023.

While conducting a decisive military operation, soldiers sighted the abandoned lair with an estimated area of 300 square meters that can accommodate more or less 15 persons. Said lair is believed to have been abandoned for two days based on the traces left by the occupants.

 
Operating troops scoured the area and recovered enemy personal belongings.

 
Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, Commander of Joint Task Force Central, commended the troops for this accomplishment. “It bespeaks of our relentless efforts to end terrorism in our area of operation.”
Troops destroyed the lair and continued to track down the enemies.

“Our Joint Task Forces continue to gain grounds in our campaign against terrorism and insurgency. Rest assured that we will maintain the same zeal to ensure the safety and security of the people, especially those in the remote communities that are prone to abuse and exploitation of the enemies of the state,” Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Midnanao Command, said.

 
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WESTMINCOM: Communist terrorist neutralized; high-powered firearms seized in Sultan Kudarat

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 28, 2023): Communist terrorist neutralized; high-powered firearms seized in Sultan Kudarat

Communist terrorist neutralized; high-powered firearms seized in Sultan Kudarat
Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – July 28, 2023

Military troops recovered the dead body of one communist terrorist group remnant and seized two high-powered firearms following the armed confrontations in Sultan Kudarat on July 27, 2023.

 
“The Joint Task Force Central continues to employ more pressure on the remaining CTG members to gain more enemy strongholds and dismantle their groups,” JTF Central Commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera said.

 
While conducting a decisive military operation (DMO) in Barangay Limulan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, troops of the 37th Infantry Battalion engaged an undetermined number of communist terrorist group remnants under the Sub-Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region. 

Likewise, while troops of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion were establishing a blockade, they encountered the withdrawing enemies. The firefight lasted for 20 minutes, after which the CTG remnants scampered in different directions.

 
The consecutive encounters resulted in the death of one CTG remnant and the seizure of two M14 rifles with magazines and ammunition, one hand grenade, and one backpack with personal belongings.
The cadaver of the slain enemy was turned over to Kalamansig Municipal Police Station for proper identification and disposition.

 
“While we intensify our DMOs, we still encourage the remaining members of the CTG and other threat groups to lay down their arms and start a peaceful life with their families,” Western Mindanao Command Chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, said.

 
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WESTMINCOM: Communist terrorist group member yield to troops in Cotabato

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 28, 2023): Communist terrorist group member yield to troops in Cotabato

Communist terrorist group member yield to troops in Cotabato
Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – July 28, 2023

A member of the communist terrorist group yielded to the troops in Cotabato on July 26, 2023.
Alias Joko, a member of Squad 3, Platoon Fury, Sub-Regional Committee 5, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, surrendered to the 34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Guiling, Alamada, Cotabato at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Lt. Col. Rey Rico, Commanding Officer of 34IB, welcomed the former rebel back to the mainstream society.

 
The surrendered personality was subsequently presented to Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran, Commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade. Brig. Gen. Gumiran attributed this success to the collaborative efforts of the military units under the 602Bde and the 11th Brigade of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces - Moro National Liberation Front (BAF-MNLF).

 
During the initial debriefing, the former rebel revealed that he was starving and having a hard time evading the military forces. Feeling tired and weary, he decided to surrender to the government forces.

 
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, urged the other CTG remnants to do the same. “It is always best to end conflicts without firing a single bullet. It is high time for them to lay down their arms and surrender for the chance of living a peaceful life with their family and loved ones.”

 
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WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom Chief expresses appreciation to contributions of US counterpart

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 29, 2023): WestMinCom Chief expresses appreciation to contributions of US counterpart

WestMinCom Chief expresses appreciation to contributions of US counterpart
Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – July 29, 2023

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, presented a Command Plaque and awarded medals to the outgoing officers and personnel of the Special Operations Task Force 511.2 on July 28, 2023.

The award of Military Merit Medal was presented to Maj. David Heuwetter III of the United States Marine Corps, the outgoing commanding officer of the SOTF 511.2. Other recipients of the award include all the outgoing officers and enlisted personnel of the team.

 
Lt. Gen. Galido presented the awards during the exit call of the team on Friday. The Chief of Unified Command Staff, Col. Emmanuel Cabasan, and other WMC officers graced the ceremony held at the Laong Laan Hall at Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city.

 
The WestMinCom Commander commended the US forces for their successful mission in the Philippines. Lt. Gen. Galido also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the US troops for their support to the WestMinCom, particularly in enhancing the knowledge and skills of the Filipino soldiers. “Their expertise contributed to the effective implementation of our campaign against terrorism and other criminalities in our area of operation.”

 
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Swimming in circles – the quest for a South China Sea code of conduct

Posted to the Straits Times (Jul 24, 2023): Swimming in circles – the quest for a South China Sea code of conduct (By Ian Storey)

Two decades on, talks between Asean and China continue and are supposed to accelerate, but real progress is nowhere in sight

Chinese fishing vessels swarming near Iroqouis Reef and Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea on June 30. PHOTO: ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

Tracking events in the South China Sea is a bit like watching the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, a comedy in which a self-centred TV weather reporter is forced to relive the same day over and over again.

The movie was so successful that its title quickly passed into the English vernacular to describe a repetitive series of negative experiences, seemingly without any prospect of improvement.

It has certainly been Groundhog Day in the South China Sea over the past six months.

China’s survey ships, coast guard vessels and maritime militia have repeatedly intruded into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. Earlier in July, China tried again to prevent the Philippines from resupplying its troops on Second Thomas Shoal. In the same week, Vietnam banned a movie and a TV drama series because it thought they contained images depicting China’s nine-dash line. In 2023, the US Navy continued to conduct Freedom of Navigation Operations in the Paracels and Spratlys.

When Indonesia took over the Asean chairmanship in January, it sought to tamp down tensions by pledging to speed up talks between the 10-nation bloc and China on the Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea.

Jakarta appears to have achieved a modicum of success. Earlier in July, it announced that Asean and China had completed the second reading of the negotiating text (the first reading was completed in July 2019) as well as a set of guidelines to accelerate talks on future drafts.

Neither the guidelines nor the second reading have been published. However, informed sources suggest that there might be less to both than meets the eye.

The guidelines are essentially an agreement to increase the frequency of meetings of the Asean-China Joint Working Group – which is tasked with drawing up the COC – to four or more a year. Curiously it also includes an aspirational deadline of three years to complete the talks but without specifying an exact timetable.

The second reading itself consists of a preamble (which was already finalised in 2022) and some basic principles the 11 parties had already agreed on, including that the Code should be in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

The main difference between the first reading and the second is that provisional agreement has been reached on a few more paragraphs. However, in order to get to that point, the negotiators skirted around a set of contentious issues which are proving to be quite intractable.

The stumbling blocks

The first of these is the geographical scope of the agreement. The nub of the problem here is China’s nine-dash line, which Beijing uses to demarcate its expansive territorial and jurisdictional claims in the South China Sea. None of the South-east Asian claimants accept the legal basis of the nine-dash line because it violates their maritime rights enshrined in Unclos.

In 2016, a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal agreed with them, ruling that the U-shaped line was incompatible with Unclos. On the seventh anniversary of that ruling in July, China reiterated that it would not abide by the tribunal’s judgment.

If China insists on including the nine-dash line in the discussions on the geographical scope of the agreement, the South-east Asian claimants will continue to push back. It seems unlikely that China will drop its insistence that the nine-dash line be included in the discussions. After all, if China takes every opportunity to promote the line in popular culture, why would it not do so in inter-governmental negotiations?

The second problem is whether the COC should include a list of prohibited activities, such as land reclamation, the militarisation of occupied atolls and harassing ships belonging to other claimants. Some South-east Asian countries, especially Vietnam, are very keen on doing this, but China is less so because it is through actions such as these that it tries to enforce its claims.

But if the COC is to add value to the non-binding 2002 Asean-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea, it needs to include a list of tension-generating activities the claimants should desist from.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Banding with friends: The Philippines’ ace in sea row with China
Catching dreams or chasing shadows for South China Sea Code of Conduct

The third problem is the legal status of the Code. If it is legally binding, it should presumably include mechanisms to referee disputes between the claimants and impose penalties on those who violate it. Some Asean members may deem this approach too confrontational. Therein lies the dilemma: If the COC has no legal force, a violator can act with impunity; if the Code is non-binding and voluntary, it will not be a step up from the DOC, which is the whole point of the COC.

The fourth problem is China’s demand, included in the first reading, that the littoral states cease cooperation with foreign energy companies in “disputed” waters. China seems to have inserted this provision in an attempt to coerce other countries into signing joint development agreements with Chinese companies.

The South-east Asian claimants view this gambit as an egregious violation of their sovereign rights under Unclos. But it is hard to see how China would agree to drop this provision because to do so would fundamentally undermine its own jurisdictional claims.

In short, the second reading does not appear to have moved the COC dial very much. Agreement has been reached on some paragraphs, but the most contentious issues are still unresolved. As such, it looks likely that the talks will drag on for at least several more years before final agreement is reached – if it can be reached at all.

In Groundhog Day, the main character is able to break the monotonous time loop only after he finds happiness by improving his behaviour and falling in love. Judging by recent events, love, happiness and better behaviour are all a distant prospect in the South China Sea, as is the COC.

[Dr Ian Storey is a senior fellow with the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. This is an edited version of an article published in Fulcrum, the commentary and analysis website of the institute.]

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WESCOM: LOOK | "Wings of Friendship"

Posted to the Western Command (WESCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 25, 2023): LOOK | "Wings of Friendship"

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 takes WESCOM troops to a rare MV-22 Osprey ride in the Palawan skies, fostering camaraderie and friendship among allies.

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WESCOM: LOOK | AFP and US forces strengthen strategic partnership with year-round training activities

Posted to the Western Command (WESCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 28, 2023): LOOK | AFP and US forces strengthen strategic partnership with year-round training activities

WESCOM, Palawan – In a remarkable testament to their strong strategic partnership, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its US counterparts have been actively engaging in continuous training activities throughout the year. This collaboration is particularly evident in AFP Western Command (WESCOM), where joint training exercises with US forces are conducted on an ongoing basis.

Most recently, they successfully concluded the Gas-Oil Platform Takedown and Recovery (GOPLAT-TR) Training 2023 at the Headquarters Joint Task Force Malampaya in El Nido, Palawan. 

Prior to the GOPLAT-TR, one standout training exercise that also took place in WESCOM’s joint operational area was the US Army Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) Piston 2023. This exercise focused on enhancing unconventional warfare capabilities for direct action and territorial defense. 

The Philippine Army’s 18th Special Forces Company (18th SFC) based in Rizal, Palawan, and its US counterparts underwent intensive training to acquire specialized skills necessary for effectively addressing unconventional threats. 

]Another significant training event was the Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 2023, which emphasized aviation-supported operations for joint and combined forces in countering external threats. 

The exercise aimed to enhance coordination between the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and its US Marine Corps (USMC) counterparts while utilizing aviation capabilities.

Looking ahead, there are still several upcoming training events that will further strengthen the AFP’s capabilities alongside its US and international allies. 

Exercise ALON is scheduled from August 14 to September 22 – a bilateral exercise between the PMC, US troops, and the Australian Defense Force (ADF) aimed at enhancing interoperability while rehearsing territorial defense strategies and island maneuver operations. 

SEACAT 2023 is set for August – a multilateral exercise designed to foster cooperation among participants by addressing crises, contingencies, and illegal activities within maritime domains. 

In September, Tempest Wind 2023 will take place – a crisis action mission rehearsal between the AFP’s Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and US SOCPAC – focusing on inter-agency crisis planning at a national level. 

KAMANDAG 07-2023 is scheduled for October between the PMC and USMC. 

Lastly, Lantern Piston will provide an avenue for joint training and capacity-building exercises that aim to enhance the strategic partnership between the AFP, the US, and other allied forces.

These training activities highlight the commitment of both the Philippines and the US to work together in addressing challenges in establishing a rules-based order. By sharing expertise, building capacity, and conducting continuous joint exercises throughout WESCOM’s joint operational area, this strategic partnership seeks to promote stability, peace, and adherence to international law.

Through these collaborative efforts with the US and other international allies, the AFP’s capabilities are being strengthened – a significant step towards establishing a rules-based order while fostering stronger partnerships among nations committed to regional security.

 
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WESCOM: Naval Reserve Force Development: Exercise Pagsasama 2023 Commences in Palawan

Posted to the Western Command (WESCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 29, 2023): Naval Reserve Force Development: Exercise Pagsasama 2023 Commences in Palawan

BRGY. MACARASCAS, Palawan – In a significant event today, July 29, Brigadier General Doroteo Jose M Jalandoni PN(M), the Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9 at the General Headquarters AFP, presided as the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of Exercise Pagsasama 2023 in Naval Station Carlito Cunanan, Brgy. Macarascas, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

 
Exercise Pagsasama 2023 marks a pivotal moment for Naval Forces West (NFW) as it initiates a unilateral exercise primarily involving the Philippine Navy’s (PN) fleet-marine reservists in the Western Command (WESCOM) joint operational area. This exercise aims to enhance the readiness and capabilities of the PN's regular force by working hand in hand with its reservist counterparts.

During his speech, BrigGen Jalandoni emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure the country's national security. He urged all participants to contribute to the reserve force development, stressing that "the reservist is a significant aspect of the AFP's total capability.”

Exercise Pagsasama 2023 is expected to test the coordination, training, and operational efficiency of the fleet-marine reservists. Through joint exercises like this, WESCOM, through the NFW, aims to strengthen its capabilities and better protect the country's maritime interests.

This exercise represents the ongoing commitment of WESCOM to ensuring the sovereignty and security of the Philippines. BrigGen Jalandoni's presence as the presiding officer and keynote speaker serves as a symbol of dedication and leadership within the armed forces, inspiring participants to excel and work as a cohesive unit.

As Exercise Pagsasama 2023 kicks off, NFW is poised for a week of intensive training scenarios and simulations. With the opening ceremony now concluded, all eyes are set on a successful and impactful Exercise Pagsasama 2023.

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Kalinaw News: 17IB ng 5ID at NPA, nagkabakbakan

Posted to Kalinaw News Facebook Page (Jul 28, 2023): 17IB ng 5ID at NPA, nagkabakbakan (17IB of 5ID and NPA, clashed)

JUST IN: 17th Infantry Battalion at NPA, nagkasagupaan sa Lasam, Cagayan (17th Infantry Battalion and NPA clashed in Lasam, Cagayan)
Read: https://bit.ly/3qhQgHv

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17IB ng 5ID at NPA, nagkabakbakan ((17IB of 5ID and NPA, clashed))

Nakasagupa ng kasundaluhan ng 17th Infantry Battalion sa ilalim ng 502nd Infantry Brigade ang mga miyembro ng Komiteng Probinsya Cagayan, Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley dakong ala-una ng hapon, Huwebes, Hulyo 27, 2023, sa Barangay Sicalao, Lasam Cagayan.

Ayon sa mga paunang impormasyon, tumugon ang mga kasundaluhan ng 17IB sa impormasyon na naisangguni sa kanila ng isang residente ukol sa presensya ng mga armadong grupo sa nasabing lugar. Agad na nagsagawa ng security operations na nagresulta ng 20 minutong palitan ng putok. Nasa humugit kumulang na 15 na miyembro ng KomProb Cagayan ang nakasagupa ng 17IB na minamanduhan ni Edgar Bautista na mas kilalang si Ka Simoy, kalihim ng West Front Committee ng KomProb Cagayan.

Matapos ang palitan ng putok, narekober ng kasundaluhan ang iba't- ibang matataas na kalibre ng baril at gamit pandigma na kinabibilangan isang M16 rifle, isang M14 rifle, dalawang shut gun ammo, dalawang rifle grenade, 40 rounds ng 7.62 mm, tatlong backpack, tatlong claymore mines, apat na magazine, isang hand grenade at isang commercial radio. Inaalam pa kung may sugatan o nasawi sa panig ng teroristang grupo samantalang walang naiulat na sugatan sa panig ng kasundaluhan.

Ayon kay Ltc Oliver Logan, 17IB Battalion Commander, "Nagpapasalamat tayo sa suporta ng ating kababayan para matugis ang mga miyembro ng KomProb Cagayan. Hindi natin hahayaang makaperwisyo sila sa ginagawa nating Search Rescue and Relief Operations dito sa Cagayan."

Ang bakbakan ay mangyari habang abala sa pag-agapay sa mga LGU upang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga Cagayanong apektado ng Bagyong Egay, na kung saan ay sinabi ng mga kasundaluhan na hindi sila titigil upang tugisin ang mga teroristang CPP-NPA. Courtesy of DPAO, 5ID, PA



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