No admin official agreed to China on Ayungin proposal – DFA

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): No admin official agreed to China on Ayungin proposal – DFA (By Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

DAMAGED. The BRP Bagacay, which was earlier hit by the China Coast Guard’s water cannon in Bajo de Masinloc, is docked at Pier 13 in Manila South Harbor on Thursday (May 2, 2024). Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo inspected the damage to the ship’s port railings, LED screen display, and a steel canopy at the back of the vessel, all estimated at PHP2 million. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said no official of the Marcos administration has entered into any agreement with China regarding Ayungin Shoal.

This was after the department issued a statement over the weekend saying that it was “not aware” of any “new model arrangement” in Ayungin Shoal referred to by the Chinese Embassy.

"In this respect, the DFA can confirm that no cabinet-level official of the Marcos administration has agreed to any Chinese proposal pertaining to the Ayungin Shoal," the DFA said in a statement.

“The DFA wishes to emphasize that only the President of the Republic of the Philippines can approve or authorize agreements entered into by the Philippine Government on matters pertaining to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and South China Sea."

“No such document, record or deal exists as far as the Philippine Government is concerned."

Earlier, the DFA reaffirmed its position on not abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf including Ayungin Shoal.

Disinformation such as this only confuses the Filipino public and distracts everyone from the real issue of China’s unfounded claims and illegal and aggressive actions in the Philippine waters, it said.

The Chinese Embassy has claimed that it had a consensus with some representatives of the current administration in addition to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s "gentleman’s agreement" with Beijing and both aim to keep the status quo in the WPS.

It has also denied that China’s agreement with the Duterte administration was done in secret and contended that the Marcos administration knows about it since the start of its office.

‘Zombie stories’

A ranking official of the Philippine Navy (PN), meanwhile, described the Chinese Embassy’s claims as “zombie stories”.

"I call them 'zombie stories' long dead but revived from the grave; (the) best approach is to put these stories where they rightfully belong - in the grave, never to be heard again,” PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a statement.

He added that these stories were all fabricated and products of the Chinese Communist Party’s imagination to “divert attention from their violations of international law”.

Trinidad also said these claims are aimed at causing divisiveness among Filipinos, aside from providing China with a "smoke screen", as they advance their agenda in the WPS. (with report from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224183

PH Navy: 104 Chinese ships spotted in 7 WPS areas

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): PH Navy: 104 Chinese ships spotted in 7 WPS areas (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad (PNA file photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – A total of 104 assorted Chinese vessels have been monitored in Philippine-held features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from April 30 to May 6.

Based on data provided by Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, on Tuesday, these vessels were spotted in seven features in the WPS.

Spotted in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) during the period were three China Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs), two People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, 16 Chinese maritime militia vessels, and two rigid-hulled inflatable floats.

Also monitored in Ayungin Shoal were three CCGVs and 30 CMMVs; Pagasa Island, one CCGV, two PLAN ships, and 35 CMMVs; Kota Island, one CCGV and one CMMV; Lawak, one CCGV; Panata Island, six CCMVs; and Patag Island, one CCGV.

Trinidad, meanwhile, noted that there were no sightings of Chinese ships in Parola and Likas Islands.

These figures are lower than the 129 vessels recorded in the same features from April 23 to 29, he added.

Sought for a comment on the decrease in the number of spotted Chinese ships, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said there could be a lot of reasons for this development.

"We cannot speculate on their activity thus, we cannot pinpoint the exact cause," she added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224208

AFP: Wescom chief's leave has nothing to do with China 'new model'

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): AFP: Wescom chief's leave has nothing to do with China 'new model' (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla (PNA file photo)

MANILA – Western Command (Wescom) head Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos went on personal leave, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Tuesday.

In a media interview, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said Carlos' post was temporarily assumed by Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command chief Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr.

She said Carlos' leave had nothing to do with the "new model" arrangement, which the Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed that Wescom agreed to, with the approval of ranking Philippine government officials.

This agreement was supposed to lower tensions between the two nations regarding the Ayungin Shoal issue.

Padilla said she is not privy to Carlos’ reasons for going on leave.

"Let's leave it at that he applied for personal reasons, let's respect 'yung decision niya (his decision) to file (for leave), it's an inherent right of every individual to go on leave, for whatever reasons," she said.

She said Torres' designation is only effective during the "absence of the incumbent" which started Tuesday.

She added that there is a need for a senior officer to supervise the Wescom in an acting capacity, considering the area's critical importance.

Padilla said Carlos will return to his post once his personal leave is over.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224224

PCG to put up Catanduanes base to boost monitoring in east PH

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): PCG to put up Catanduanes base to boost monitoring in east PH (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

CATANDUANES COAST. Gigmoto Mayor Vicente Tayam Jr. on the coast of the town in Catanduanes on April 5, 2023. The Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday (May 7, 2024) said a base in Catanduanes is being eyed to help boost the country's response to territorial incursions and other maritime-related incidents in the country's eastern seaboard. (PNA photo by Connie Calipay)

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is looking to establish a base in Catanduanes to help boost the country’s response to territorial incursions and other maritime-related incidents in the region.

PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said such a base would create a jump-off point for PCG vessels and cut the PCG’s response time.

“The PCG can immediately deploy our assets and drive away watercraft engaged in activities that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is not aware of,” he said during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview over PTV on Tuesday.

To date, he said PCG ships headed to Catanduanes would need to come from Subic, Pangasinan, or the Visayas area.

“The intention of [PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan] is to have a PCG base in Catanduanes to create a jump-off point for our vessels in case of territorial incursions by research vessels or whatever types of vessels of China or any other nationalities,” he said.

He added that the creation of such a base has received support from the House of Representatives.

The base is in response to the continued incursion of Chinese research vessels in the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) -- a resource-rich submerged landmass east of Luzon.

Last week, a Chinese research vessel was spotted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Catanduanes and later in Northern Samar.

Tarriela said the vessel deployed equipment allegedly used in hydrographic surveys.

“The important contribution of the PCG in monitoring this research vessel is the dark vessel detection of the Canadian government wherein we can pinpoint the location of these research vessels or any other vessels that are engaged in incursions in our exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” he said.

He said the Chinese ship was last spotted within the country’s EEZ on May 1.

On Monday, Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo filed a resolution seeking the enhancement of routine patrols in the country’s eastern seaboard after another Chinese research vessel was spotted in the area.

House Resolution No. 1707 urged the AFP and the PCG to station personnel and conduct enhanced routine patrols and maritime surveillance on the eastern coast.

In March, two Chinese research vessels were spotted in the northeastern corner of the Philippine Rise.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224239

PNP: No brewing destabilization plot among ranks

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): PNP: No brewing destabilization plot among ranks (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo (PNA photo by Lloyd Caliwan)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday denied any brewing destabilization plot against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. among its ranks.

This came after former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that high-ranking police officials were recruiting personnel to join the plot.

“First, we do not know where former senator Antonio Trillanes IV sourced his remarks but on the part of the PNP, we spoke with the chief PNP (Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil) regarding that issue earlier, and even our intelligence units here in the PNP, we have not monitored any police officer who is involved in this so-called destabilization plot and we have not monitored any destabilization plot for that matter," PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Fajardo said this kind of scheme, no matter how small, would not escape the validation efforts of their intelligence units.

“Ang pakiusap natin kay kagalang galang na dating senator Trillanes, please spare the PNP dito sa mga issue na ito at naka-focus tayo sa pagtupad ng ating mandato (We appeal to the honorable former senator Trillanes to please spare the PNP from these issues as we are focused on performing our mandate)," she added.

Fajardo said during his visits to various police headquarters, Marbil has been reminding police officers to stay apolitical, noting that there is no reason for them to engage in any destabilization plot.

She also said Marbil's visits are not a gesture of loyalty check among ranks.

“His visits to police regional offices in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as in the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) is a regular practice of a newly-assumed PNP chief. He conducts command visits so that ordinary police officers would hear from him personally the policies that he wants to implement,” Fajardo said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224237

NTF-WPS: Ayungin proposal ‘a lie’ meant to confuse Filipinos

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): NTF-WPS: Ayungin proposal ‘a lie’ meant to confuse Filipinos (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

WPS TALK. Spokesperson for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela answers queries during the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel media forum on April 12, 2024. Tarriela on Tuesday (May 7) said the “new arrangement” between the Philippines and China on Ayungin Shoal is a lie fabricated by the Chinese government to confuse the Filipino public. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The alleged new arrangement of the Philippine government with China to manage the situation in Ayungin Shoal is a lie fabricated by China to confuse the Filipinos, an official of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said Tuesday.

During a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing over PTV, NTF-WPS Spokesperson, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Chinese embassy in the Philippines has shown a pattern of issuing lies to cover for incidents in the WPS.

“Nililito lang nila ang sambayanang Pilipino. They are actually justifying ang kanilang mga maling gawin nila dito, ang mga illegal activities nila, and their aggression in the WPS (They are trying to confuse the Filipino public. They are actually justifying their wrongs, illegal activities, and their aggression in the WPS),” he said.

He said China’s claim of a “gentleman’s agreement” in the WPS was only revealed after an incident in Ayungin Shoal, similar to how they revealed the new Ayungin proposal after an incident in the Bajo de Masincloc.

“They are justifying their action by highlighting na merong mga agreement na ganyan kaya nila nagawa (that there are agreements in place, that’s why they did that),” he said.

The goal of such misinformation, he said, is to keep the Filipino public from believing their government, particularly the NTF-WPS and President Ferdinand R. Marcos.

He called on the public to carefully evaluate statements made by the Chinese embassy and to refrain from posting China’s public statements on social media.

“Itong mga maling impormasyon na ito, mga kasinungalingan ng Chinese embassy, is eventually being amplified by the Chinese trolls (This misinformation, lies by the Chinese embassy, are eventually being amplified by Chinese trolls),” he said.

“These influencers provide and amplify the false narrative and wrong information to the Filipino people that create confusion to the Filipino public,” he said.

On Sunday, Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro clarified that the Philippines is not a party to any new arrangement with China on managing the situation in Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.

He noted that any insinuation that the Department of National Defense (DND) is involved in a “new model” is a “devious machination of China through their Embassy in Manila, and it is curious that it comes right after their actions were condemned in the recent SQUAD meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224246

PCG joins last leg of Balikatan 2024 in Laoag

From the Philippine News Agency (May 8, 2024): PCG joins last leg of Balikatan 2024 in Laoag (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

COAST GUARD SHIPS. The BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) patrolling Philippine waters in this undated photo. The two Philippine Coast Guard will participate in the final leg of the Balikatan 2024 exercise between the United States and the Philippines in the vicinity waters of Laoag, Ilocos Norte on Wednesday (May 8, 2024). (Photo courtesy of PCG)

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed two capital ships and their crew to participate in the final leg of the Philippines-United States Balikatan exercise on Wednesday.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) were deployed along with 150 personnel from the Coast Guard Special Operations Force, Coast Guard Medical Service, and Coast Guard Fleet.

“The PCG will participate in the maritime strike team drill, together with US and Philippine contingents,” Balilo said.

The exercise is being held in the vicinity waters of Laoag.

Both ships were deployed to monitor and secure Balikatan exercise areas before proceeding to Ilocos Norte for the final leg of the event, Balilo said.

“On the part of the PCG, our task was to secure the perimeter during the Balikatan Exercises to make sure that there would be no intruder, and to provide assistance in case of search and rescue,” he said.

On May 1, Balilo said BRP Melchora Aquino spotted one People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessel and two other China-flagged ships in the waters of Itbayat, Batanes --one of the areas of the Balikatan exercise.

“Our BRP Melchora Aquino engaged in radio challenges with the two unidentified Chinese-flagged vessels and later saw them leaving the area,” he said.

The PLA Navy ship, positioned farther away from the two other Chinese ships, also left the area following the radio challenges.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224306

Zambo court convicts ASG female financial conduit of terror raps

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): Zambo court convicts ASG female financial conduit of terror raps (By Benjamin Pulta)

DOJ facade (File photo)

MANILA – A Zamboanga court has convicted a woman who served as a financial conduit for the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the DOJ said the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 33 found Norkisa Omar Asnalul, also known as Norkisa Omar Ibno, guilty of three counts of violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

The court sentenced her to 21 months imprisonment and PHP300,000 in fines.

Asnalul was convicted for her part in the transfer of funds from Myrna Ajijul Mabanza, the wife of ranking ASG leader Abu Anas aka Muhajirin.

Mabanza, 32, a designated global terrorist by the United States and is included in the United Nations Security Council Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or the Daesh and al-Qaeda Sanctions List, was arrested in Barangay Pasil, Indanan, Sulu last February.

Asnalul who was arrested last December is the wife of another ASG leader Ramji Asnalul aka Ramzie Ahaddin Asnaul.

The two women were involved in the transfer of funds with the leader of Islamic State East Asia, the late Isnilon Hapilon, and served as intermediaries between Hapilon and Daesh elements in Syria.

The group also helped facilitate the travel of a representative of a Daesh-linked terrorist group, the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), from Indonesia to the Philippines to purchase arms and to set up training courses for pro-Daesh Indonesian recruits with local terrorist groups on firearms use and basic bomb-making.

From March to June 2015, Asnalul in Basilan received three money transfers totaling PHP21,000 from Mabanza who was at Zamboanga del Sur to fund terrorist activities.

Asnalul also received two international remittances amounting to PHP50,000 on two occasions from a certain Rosdy Bin Benjamin from Sabah and Santra Husin Aman.

Justice Secretary Remulla, meanwhile, welcomed the court's ruling.

“The conviction of a member of the terrorist group more so, a financial facilitator, strengthens the government’s resolve not to give in to their unlawful demands.”

Remulla, likewise, recognized the panel of prosecutors who worked hard for this conviction.

“I congratulate you for a job well done. This serves as a big win against the ASG network,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224253

Soldiers seize high-powered firearms in central Negros clash with NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): Soldiers seize high-powered firearms in central Negros clash with NPA (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

SEIZED. The high-powered firearms and ammunition seized by troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion after an encounter with New People’s Army remnants in the hinterlands of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Monday afternoon (May 6, 2024). The troops responded to reports from residents of Sitio Tagok, Barangay Carol-an about the continued extortion activities of armed rebels. (Photo courtesy of 94th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

BACOLOD CITY–Troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) seized several high-powered firearms after an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) remnants in the hinterlands of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Monday afternoon.

In a belated report on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Donald Van Almonte, commanding officer of 94IB, said the troops responded to reports from residents of Sitio Tagok, Barangay Carol-an about the continued extortion activities of communist rebels.

“We initiated a combat operation at the specified location, where the troops first encountered around 10 communist terrorists at 3:39 p.m. The firefight lasted for 10 minutes,” he added.

By 4:41 p.m., pursuing forces engaged seven NPA rebels for about five minutes, about a kilometer away from the first encounter site.

According to the 94IB report, the troops encountered remnants of the dismantled Central Negros Front 2, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.

The 94IB soldiers recovered four M16 rifles, one carbine rifle, and two rifle grenades as well as four long and two short magazines of M16 with 139 rounds of live ammunition and a carbine magazine with two live ammunitions.

They also found a bandolier and two backpacks.

In a separate statement, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, thanked the officials and residents of Barangay Carol-an for providing timely information to the troops.

He added that the encounter stopped the NPA remnants from pursuing their plan to intimidate and extort from the Indigenous Peoples communities in remote villages of Kabankalan.

“Your support, cooperation, and efforts in the ongoing battle against insurgency in Barangay Carol-an have been instrumental in the 94IB's success against the insurgents,” Edralin said.

In February 2019, officials and residents of Barangay Carol-an agreed to declare persona non grata all members of the the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its political wing, the National Democratic Front.

A month before, NPA rebels gunned down former village watchman Cornelio Morales in Sitio Camandag in front of his daughter and their neighbors, prompting residents of the 27 sitios (sub-villages) in Barangay Carol-an to condemn the presence and the atrocities of the CPP-NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224194

Southern Leyte town declared rebel-free

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7, 2024): Southern Leyte town declared rebel-free (By Sarwell Meniano)

PEACE. Local officials release white doves during the declaration of Bontoc, Southern Leyte as rebel-free on May 6, 2024. The town has had no sightings and no activity of armed rebels for one year now. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The town of Bontoc in Southern Leyte has been declared free from threats of the New People’s Army (NPA) with no sightings and no activity of armed rebels in the area for a year.

Through a resolution of the municipal peace and order council and the Sangguniang Bayan, the town was declared on May 6 as Stable Internal Peace and Security Conditions, said Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Brigade.

“The declaration manifests the real peace enjoyed by the populace of Bontoc as a result of collaborative efforts of the local government units, government agencies, law enforcement agencies, various sectors, and the populace in maintaining peaceful and orderly communities,” Vestuir said in a statement on Tuesday.

Highlight of the declaration is the signing of a memorandum of understanding and pledge of commitment by different stakeholders, and the simultaneous release of white doves.

In his speech, Bontoc Mayor Noel Alinsub thanked all stakeholders who helped in attaining the conditions for the declaration of their town as having stable internal peace and security conditions.

“I urged all to work together to maintain peace and security in the municipality of Bontoc. The local government, together with the police and military and other government agencies and offices and various sectors of the society, will continue to work together to keep their town peaceful and safe,” the mayor said during the ceremony at the town’s gymnasium.

Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines' phases of normalization, a province is given the SIPS status if no violent terroristic activity has been conducted by the NPAs for at least one year.

Based on the military records, no atrocity has been recorded in Bontoc for more than a year now.

Bontoc is a 4th class town in Southern Leyte province with a population of 29,799 people.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224213