From the Daily Tribune (Nov 17): Dellosa: Toxic waste issue will not derail RP-US drills
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa has maintained that the controversy over the supposed dumping of toxic waste by a US Navy-contracted vessel will not affect joint exercises between Filipino and US troops. In fact, Dellosa said that the AFP and the US Pacific Command will be finalizing next month the scheduled joint exercises to be held in the country next year. “It (supposed dumping of waste) will not affect (the exercises) because all of our exercises with the US have been discussed and it will be implemented next year. Actually, this December we will be signing with the US Pacific Command,” Dellosa told Camp Aguinaldo reporters Monday afternoon. Among those being lined up are Balikatan and Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise or Phiblex. Dellosa said that part of the discussion was environmental protection. “Actually, that is one of our priorities, environment protection,” said Dellosa without elaborating. The AFP chief also expressed belief that the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US is still helpful to the Philippines. “In case, there are crimes committed by US forces, at least, we know what are the procedures,” Dellosa said. Aside from the yearly Balikatan and Phiblex, there are other joint exercises between the AFP and US troops being held in the country involving thousands of American servicemen and various military hardware. There is an ongoing clamor for the scrapping of the VFA following the alleged dumping of toxic wastes in Subic Bay by a vessel of Glenn Defense Asia, a US Navy-contracted company tasked to collect and dispose waste from US ships. Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago immediately called for the termination of the VFA which was supported by some militant organizations led by Bayan Muna. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority immediately investigated the issue as retired Philippine Navy chief Mateo Mayuga, now chief executive officer of Glenn Defense, denied dumping toxic wastes in Subic Bay. Earlier, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin also maintained that VFA continued to be beneficial to the country amid the controversy in Subic Bay as he stressed that the dumping allegation should be treated as a separate issue from VFA.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/6971-dellosa-toxic-waste-issue-will-not-derail-rp-us-drills
Friday, November 16, 2012
AFP hopes to clear south Negros of rebels by yearend, Alano says
From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 17): AFP hopes to clear
south Negros of rebels by yearend, Alano says
The Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines hopes to clear southern Negros of armed New People’s Army rebels before the year ends, its commander, Navy Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, said yesterday. This was after the AFP cleared the entire Region 7, including Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Biliran provinces, of armed insurgents, as well as Southern Samar and Aklan, that were also declared insurgency-free, Alano said. As for the implementation of their campaign plan, Alano, who visited the 303rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, said they are on schedule, and even advanced in some of their target areas to make Visayas “insurgency-free” by 2016. It shows that everybody is doing their share, Alano said, adding, “This is our concept where it is just not the AFP that is being involved in addressing of security issues, but a whole nation activity”. Alano, however, admitted that there are still some pockets of resistance waged by the remaining NPA members in some areas of Negros, Panay and Samar. Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said the number of NPA rebels in Negros has dropped tremendously from about 2,000 fighters in the late 1980s, to about 200 this year. The 302nd Infantry Brigade, which spearheads the security operations in Negros Oriental, reported that about 27 armed NPA red fighters are still operating in southeastern portion of the province, while 24 have surrendered to them since last year....
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/November/17/topstory5.htm
The Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines hopes to clear southern Negros of armed New People’s Army rebels before the year ends, its commander, Navy Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, said yesterday. This was after the AFP cleared the entire Region 7, including Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Biliran provinces, of armed insurgents, as well as Southern Samar and Aklan, that were also declared insurgency-free, Alano said. As for the implementation of their campaign plan, Alano, who visited the 303rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, said they are on schedule, and even advanced in some of their target areas to make Visayas “insurgency-free” by 2016. It shows that everybody is doing their share, Alano said, adding, “This is our concept where it is just not the AFP that is being involved in addressing of security issues, but a whole nation activity”. Alano, however, admitted that there are still some pockets of resistance waged by the remaining NPA members in some areas of Negros, Panay and Samar. Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said the number of NPA rebels in Negros has dropped tremendously from about 2,000 fighters in the late 1980s, to about 200 this year. The 302nd Infantry Brigade, which spearheads the security operations in Negros Oriental, reported that about 27 armed NPA red fighters are still operating in southeastern portion of the province, while 24 have surrendered to them since last year....
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/November/17/topstory5.htm
2 suspected BIFF members nabbed in Sultan Kudarat town
From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 17): 2 suspected BIFF members nabbed in
Sultan Kudarat town
Two suspected members of an armed lawless group operating in Sultan Kudarat province were arrested on Friday after police raided their homes and confiscated a cache of firearms. Chief Supt. Alex Paul Monteagudo, regional police director in Soccsksargen (Region 12), identified the suspects as Samson Kauten and Bulayat Gani Mamaluba, both residents of Purok Bougainvilla, Barangay Pimbalayan in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. They were suspected members of the notorious Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Their arrest came a day after a grenade went off along the highway in Tacurong City, also in Sultan Kudarat, which led to the arrest of the suspected bomber identified as Abdul Usman, also known as ‘Obing’, 37, of Barangay Kudal in Pagalungan, Maguindanao. Usman, during the investigation, named a certain Gani who allegedly gave him orders to bomb Tacurong City. The order to search the residential areas of Kauten and Mamaluba were issued on Friday by Judge Ramos of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), which covers the towns of Lutayan, Lambayong, President Quirino, and Columbio; all in Sultan Kudarat. During the raid, Monteagudo said operatives confiscated an M16; two caliber .45 pistols; Uzi-type homemade sub-machine gun; caliber 5.56 pistol; M-1 Garand rifle; a 9-mm pistol and various types of ammunition. They also recovered 22 spent shells from several guns. The raiding team was composed of operatives from RSIDT-12, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office, Lambayong municipal police, RPSB First Company and the 41st Special Action Forces. Monteagudo said the suspects were brought to the Lambayong municipal police station where they would be charged in violation of Presidential Decree 1866 or the Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=472268
Two suspected members of an armed lawless group operating in Sultan Kudarat province were arrested on Friday after police raided their homes and confiscated a cache of firearms. Chief Supt. Alex Paul Monteagudo, regional police director in Soccsksargen (Region 12), identified the suspects as Samson Kauten and Bulayat Gani Mamaluba, both residents of Purok Bougainvilla, Barangay Pimbalayan in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. They were suspected members of the notorious Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Their arrest came a day after a grenade went off along the highway in Tacurong City, also in Sultan Kudarat, which led to the arrest of the suspected bomber identified as Abdul Usman, also known as ‘Obing’, 37, of Barangay Kudal in Pagalungan, Maguindanao. Usman, during the investigation, named a certain Gani who allegedly gave him orders to bomb Tacurong City. The order to search the residential areas of Kauten and Mamaluba were issued on Friday by Judge Ramos of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), which covers the towns of Lutayan, Lambayong, President Quirino, and Columbio; all in Sultan Kudarat. During the raid, Monteagudo said operatives confiscated an M16; two caliber .45 pistols; Uzi-type homemade sub-machine gun; caliber 5.56 pistol; M-1 Garand rifle; a 9-mm pistol and various types of ammunition. They also recovered 22 spent shells from several guns. The raiding team was composed of operatives from RSIDT-12, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office, Lambayong municipal police, RPSB First Company and the 41st Special Action Forces. Monteagudo said the suspects were brought to the Lambayong municipal police station where they would be charged in violation of Presidential Decree 1866 or the Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=472268
MILF: GPH, MILF urged not to appoint ‘warlords’ in Transition Commission
Posted to the MILF Website (Nov 17): GPH, MILF urged not to appoint ‘warlords’ in Transition Commission
The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are urged not to appoint “traditional politicians who represent that abusive, warlord-led and already unacceptable status quo that the Framework Agreement seeks to replace” as members of the Transition Commission. The call was contained in the Media Statement of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) which it released to the press last November 16. Ms. Christine Sumog-oy, chair of its peace talks advocacy department, signed the declaration. The MPC, which is a grassroots network of indigenous, Bangsamoro and Christian settlers from the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, has put up a “Six Point-Criteria for the Transition Commission,” as a guide in the constitution of the Transition Commission:
1) The transition commission must be composed of men and women with proven track record in human rights, peace building and support to the GPH-MILF Peace Talks.
2) It must consider individuals who have no conflict of interest in the desired roadmap of the transition period. Thus, it must avoid as much as possible appointing traditional politicians who represent that abusive, warlord-led and already unacceptable status quo that the Framework Agreement seeks to replace.
3) Consistent with the National Action Plan of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the Transition Commission must have at least 30% women members who directly come from conflict-affected areas and with clearly identified constituency to represent.
4) A representative from the indigenous peoples must also be appointed in the Transition Commission in order to ensure that their rights are heard and protected. This representative must be chosen on the basis of consensus building among the indigenous peoples leaders with special focus on those tribes that are directly affected e.g. Teduray, Dulangan Manobo, Arumanen, B’laan and Higaonon tribes.
5) With the Transition Commission to be composed of fifteen, all-Moro members, it must ensure that the geographic areas of the Bangsamoro must be represented especially those coming from the island-provinces.
6) A representative from the Moro National Liberation Front must also be appointed in order to promote unity and convergence of the MNLF and MILF peace processes with the Philippine government. It is vital that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will actively participate in TC and will have a say in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
The statement also expressed “full trust in the wisdom and sound judgment” of President Benigno Aquino III and Chairman Al Hajj Murad, MPC in steering the transition period through to the end.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2936:gph-milf-urged-not-to-appoint-warlords-in-transition-commission&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are urged not to appoint “traditional politicians who represent that abusive, warlord-led and already unacceptable status quo that the Framework Agreement seeks to replace” as members of the Transition Commission. The call was contained in the Media Statement of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) which it released to the press last November 16. Ms. Christine Sumog-oy, chair of its peace talks advocacy department, signed the declaration. The MPC, which is a grassroots network of indigenous, Bangsamoro and Christian settlers from the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, has put up a “Six Point-Criteria for the Transition Commission,” as a guide in the constitution of the Transition Commission:
1) The transition commission must be composed of men and women with proven track record in human rights, peace building and support to the GPH-MILF Peace Talks.
2) It must consider individuals who have no conflict of interest in the desired roadmap of the transition period. Thus, it must avoid as much as possible appointing traditional politicians who represent that abusive, warlord-led and already unacceptable status quo that the Framework Agreement seeks to replace.
3) Consistent with the National Action Plan of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the Transition Commission must have at least 30% women members who directly come from conflict-affected areas and with clearly identified constituency to represent.
4) A representative from the indigenous peoples must also be appointed in the Transition Commission in order to ensure that their rights are heard and protected. This representative must be chosen on the basis of consensus building among the indigenous peoples leaders with special focus on those tribes that are directly affected e.g. Teduray, Dulangan Manobo, Arumanen, B’laan and Higaonon tribes.
5) With the Transition Commission to be composed of fifteen, all-Moro members, it must ensure that the geographic areas of the Bangsamoro must be represented especially those coming from the island-provinces.
6) A representative from the Moro National Liberation Front must also be appointed in order to promote unity and convergence of the MNLF and MILF peace processes with the Philippine government. It is vital that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will actively participate in TC and will have a say in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
The statement also expressed “full trust in the wisdom and sound judgment” of President Benigno Aquino III and Chairman Al Hajj Murad, MPC in steering the transition period through to the end.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2936:gph-milf-urged-not-to-appoint-warlords-in-transition-commission&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
NPA leader tagged in Albay barangay exec’s beheading
From the Philippine Star (Nov 17): NPA leader tagged in Albay barangay exec’s beheading
A military official yesterday tagged a leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) as responsible for the beheading of a barangay councilman in Guinobatan, Albay last Nov. 11. Maj. Narsan Obuyes, spokesman of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion, said Allan Clete, alias Jack, was pinpointed by villagers as the one who beheaded Ely Oguis. Obuyes said Clete replaced Antonio Perelonia, an NPA tax collector who was killed in an encounter with soldiers in Barangay Oma-Oma, Ligao City last Sept. 27. Oguis was kidnapped on the night of Nov. 11 and his headless body was found the next day.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/11/17/867536/npa-leader-tagged-albay-barangay-exec%E2%80%99s-beheading
A military official yesterday tagged a leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) as responsible for the beheading of a barangay councilman in Guinobatan, Albay last Nov. 11. Maj. Narsan Obuyes, spokesman of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion, said Allan Clete, alias Jack, was pinpointed by villagers as the one who beheaded Ely Oguis. Obuyes said Clete replaced Antonio Perelonia, an NPA tax collector who was killed in an encounter with soldiers in Barangay Oma-Oma, Ligao City last Sept. 27. Oguis was kidnapped on the night of Nov. 11 and his headless body was found the next day.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/11/17/867536/npa-leader-tagged-albay-barangay-exec%E2%80%99s-beheading
GPH, MILF end talks on annexes a day earlier to consult principals, prepare for next round
From MindaNews (Nov 17): GPH, MILF end talks on annexes a day earlier to consult principals, prepare for next round
This week’s round of talks on the annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) will end on Saturday, November 17 instead of Sunday as both government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels agreed to consult their respective principals on the still unresolved issues and prepare for the next and hopefully, last round, a few weeks from now. The Technical Working Groups (TWGs) on power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization, ended their sessions for this round at 6 p.m. Friday with their respective joint reports to be submitted to the plenary during the closing rites on Saturday. The reports are expected to cite the progress of their work, the consensus points and the issues that have yet to be resolved. The first to end their session was the TWG on Normalization, the “harder nut to crack,” as MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal described it in his opening remarks on Monday. Members from the GPH-MILF TWG came out of their meeting room with GPH peace panel chair Marvic Leonen at 6 p.m., their laughter reverberating in the foyer at the Lower Ground floor of the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel....
.... Iqbal said normalization is the “harder nut to crack” because “it is not only about disposition of troops, weapons, decommissioning and policing, but it is more importantly tied up with implementation of the Agreement on the ground, which in turn breeds trust. Trust is something that cannot happen instantly especially between former adversaries. You have to patiently build and nurture it.” MindaNews sources said the GPH and MILF TWGs on Normalization have narrowed down the issues, based on the FAB provisions on normalization, into eight: decommissioning of the MILF, redeployment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, interim internal security, policing, Joint Normalization Committee, monitoring and evaluation, development trust fund and transitional justice....
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/11/17/gph-milf-end-talks-on-annexes-a-day-earlier-to-consult-principals-prepare-for-next-round/
This week’s round of talks on the annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) will end on Saturday, November 17 instead of Sunday as both government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels agreed to consult their respective principals on the still unresolved issues and prepare for the next and hopefully, last round, a few weeks from now. The Technical Working Groups (TWGs) on power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization, ended their sessions for this round at 6 p.m. Friday with their respective joint reports to be submitted to the plenary during the closing rites on Saturday. The reports are expected to cite the progress of their work, the consensus points and the issues that have yet to be resolved. The first to end their session was the TWG on Normalization, the “harder nut to crack,” as MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal described it in his opening remarks on Monday. Members from the GPH-MILF TWG came out of their meeting room with GPH peace panel chair Marvic Leonen at 6 p.m., their laughter reverberating in the foyer at the Lower Ground floor of the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel....
TWG on Normalization after the session Friday (L to R): MILF-TWG chair Mohamad Nasif and member Naguib Sinarimbo with GPH peace panel chair Marvic Leonen, GPH-TWG chair Zenaida Brosas and member Apple Oreta. MIndaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas
.... Iqbal said normalization is the “harder nut to crack” because “it is not only about disposition of troops, weapons, decommissioning and policing, but it is more importantly tied up with implementation of the Agreement on the ground, which in turn breeds trust. Trust is something that cannot happen instantly especially between former adversaries. You have to patiently build and nurture it.” MindaNews sources said the GPH and MILF TWGs on Normalization have narrowed down the issues, based on the FAB provisions on normalization, into eight: decommissioning of the MILF, redeployment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, interim internal security, policing, Joint Normalization Committee, monitoring and evaluation, development trust fund and transitional justice....
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/11/17/gph-milf-end-talks-on-annexes-a-day-earlier-to-consult-principals-prepare-for-next-round/
MILF’s Bravo can attend FAB information campaign but…
From MindaNews (Nov 17): MILF’s Bravo can attend FAB information campaign but…
The joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (Joint CCCH) of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has approved the request of a rebel commander to attend an information campaign on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) in Barangay Delabayen, Kauswagan town in Lanao del Norte on Saturday. But MILF commander Abdurahman Macapaar, aka Kumander Bravo, can attend the FAB information campaign with only a handful of his men, MindaNews learned Friday. Last Tuesday, Bravo and his 300 armed men went to Delabayen without informing the joint CCCH, prompting the Philippine Army to reciprocate, sending troops and tanks to the area. On Thursday, Army and MILF forces were ordered to stand down as tension rose and the possibility of a shooting war loomed. Both camps had agreed to wait for the decision of the joint CCCH regarding the case of Bravo, who wanted to attend the information campaign together with his 300 heavily armed followers that day. The info campaign was reset to Saturday, Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, chief of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said he received the order from Brig. Gen. Gilberto Jose Roa, head of the government CCCH, Friday noon.Lucero said the order came with two conditions for Bravo to comply if he will go to Delabayan to attend the FAB information campaign. “Bravo will have to come with only 15 of his men as his bodyguards. There will be no show of firearms and Bravo and his men are not allowed to wear MILF uniforms,” Lucero said. Roa, who is in Kuala Lumpur attending the talks on the annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, told MindaNews that the MILF-CCCH had written the GPH-CCCH for coordination regarding the MILF’s information campaign in Delabayan on Saturday. MindaNews tried but failed to contact the MILF to ask whether Bravo is amenable to the conditions. Lucero said he heard Bravo has signified that he will abide with the conditions and will go to Delabayan with only a few of his men. The military official said the Army will be around in Delabayan to monitor the compliance of Bravo and his men to the conditions of the joint CCCH.
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/11/17/milfs-bravo-can-attend-fab-information-campaign-but-3/
The joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (Joint CCCH) of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has approved the request of a rebel commander to attend an information campaign on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) in Barangay Delabayen, Kauswagan town in Lanao del Norte on Saturday. But MILF commander Abdurahman Macapaar, aka Kumander Bravo, can attend the FAB information campaign with only a handful of his men, MindaNews learned Friday. Last Tuesday, Bravo and his 300 armed men went to Delabayen without informing the joint CCCH, prompting the Philippine Army to reciprocate, sending troops and tanks to the area. On Thursday, Army and MILF forces were ordered to stand down as tension rose and the possibility of a shooting war loomed. Both camps had agreed to wait for the decision of the joint CCCH regarding the case of Bravo, who wanted to attend the information campaign together with his 300 heavily armed followers that day. The info campaign was reset to Saturday, Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, chief of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said he received the order from Brig. Gen. Gilberto Jose Roa, head of the government CCCH, Friday noon.Lucero said the order came with two conditions for Bravo to comply if he will go to Delabayan to attend the FAB information campaign. “Bravo will have to come with only 15 of his men as his bodyguards. There will be no show of firearms and Bravo and his men are not allowed to wear MILF uniforms,” Lucero said. Roa, who is in Kuala Lumpur attending the talks on the annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, told MindaNews that the MILF-CCCH had written the GPH-CCCH for coordination regarding the MILF’s information campaign in Delabayan on Saturday. MindaNews tried but failed to contact the MILF to ask whether Bravo is amenable to the conditions. Lucero said he heard Bravo has signified that he will abide with the conditions and will go to Delabayan with only a few of his men. The military official said the Army will be around in Delabayan to monitor the compliance of Bravo and his men to the conditions of the joint CCCH.
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/11/17/milfs-bravo-can-attend-fab-information-campaign-but-3/
Military debunks latest HR complaint, says it's mere propaganda
From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 16): Military debunks latest HR complaint,
says it's mere propaganda
The military here brushed aside as mere propaganda the complaint of a farmer who claimed he was mauled by members of the 66th Infantry Battalion in Barangay San Roque, Nabunturan, this province. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the aggrieved party should have filed his complaint with the police for proper investigation. He said the complaint could have been heard in the proper venue where the accused can answer the charges. “The aggrieved party must file the complaint before a proper forum so that the accused can answer his accusations," Paniza said. The complainant filed a formal complaint on Tuesday against the soldiers before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR XI) and claimed he was mauled by them as they allegedly identified him to be a rebel leader operating in the area. Paniza said the military leadership ordered an investigation on the eight soldiers and two militiamen who allegedly figured in the incident. However, he doubted the veracity of the complaint, saying it could just be another plot to discredit the soldiers. Paniza also expressed doubts on the credibility of the complainant who allegedly demanded P3,000 for the damages during a forum held in Barangay San Isidro, Nabunturan. He said the soldiers declined to yield to his demand and cited all his claims as baseless accusation. Colonel Antonino Florendo, commanding officer of the 66th IB, expressed willingness to cooperate to an objective investigation on the alleged incident. He maintained that his soldiers did not commit human rights violation. “With the current thrust of winning the peace, the Army has put premium in the protection of the people, respect for human rights and the observation of the International Humanitarian Law,” Florendo said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=471975
The military here brushed aside as mere propaganda the complaint of a farmer who claimed he was mauled by members of the 66th Infantry Battalion in Barangay San Roque, Nabunturan, this province. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the aggrieved party should have filed his complaint with the police for proper investigation. He said the complaint could have been heard in the proper venue where the accused can answer the charges. “The aggrieved party must file the complaint before a proper forum so that the accused can answer his accusations," Paniza said. The complainant filed a formal complaint on Tuesday against the soldiers before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR XI) and claimed he was mauled by them as they allegedly identified him to be a rebel leader operating in the area. Paniza said the military leadership ordered an investigation on the eight soldiers and two militiamen who allegedly figured in the incident. However, he doubted the veracity of the complaint, saying it could just be another plot to discredit the soldiers. Paniza also expressed doubts on the credibility of the complainant who allegedly demanded P3,000 for the damages during a forum held in Barangay San Isidro, Nabunturan. He said the soldiers declined to yield to his demand and cited all his claims as baseless accusation. Colonel Antonino Florendo, commanding officer of the 66th IB, expressed willingness to cooperate to an objective investigation on the alleged incident. He maintained that his soldiers did not commit human rights violation. “With the current thrust of winning the peace, the Army has put premium in the protection of the people, respect for human rights and the observation of the International Humanitarian Law,” Florendo said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=471975
Cops nab BIFM member over Tacurong market bombing
From the Philippine Star (Nov 16): Cops nab BIFM member over Tacurong market bombing
Lawmen arrested a confessed member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) after setting off Friday morning an improvised explosive device at the Tacurong City public market, the fifth explosion to rock the area since October. No one was reported killed or injured in the bombing, but the incident triggered panic among local residents. Supt. Gilbert Tuzon, chief of the Tacurong City police, said the bomb was detonated along a national highway, near the city proper. Responding policemen nabbed a man named Abdul Usman, whom they noticed fleeing from the scene hastily, carrying an empty bag. Witnesses have confirmed seeing Usman roaming suspiciously near the spot where the IED went off minutes before the powerful blast was heard. Tuzon said Usman, who is also known as “Obing,” readily confessed to his being a member of the bandit BIFM, which is led by foreign-trained jihadist Ameril Umbra Kato. The suspect also admitted belonging to a BIFM gang led by a certain Commander Gani, a henchman of Kato. Tuzon said investigators are still trying to extract from Usman information on his accomplices in perpetrating the bombing.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/11/16/867459/cops-nab-bifm-member-over-tacurong-market-bombing
Lawmen arrested a confessed member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) after setting off Friday morning an improvised explosive device at the Tacurong City public market, the fifth explosion to rock the area since October. No one was reported killed or injured in the bombing, but the incident triggered panic among local residents. Supt. Gilbert Tuzon, chief of the Tacurong City police, said the bomb was detonated along a national highway, near the city proper. Responding policemen nabbed a man named Abdul Usman, whom they noticed fleeing from the scene hastily, carrying an empty bag. Witnesses have confirmed seeing Usman roaming suspiciously near the spot where the IED went off minutes before the powerful blast was heard. Tuzon said Usman, who is also known as “Obing,” readily confessed to his being a member of the bandit BIFM, which is led by foreign-trained jihadist Ameril Umbra Kato. The suspect also admitted belonging to a BIFM gang led by a certain Commander Gani, a henchman of Kato. Tuzon said investigators are still trying to extract from Usman information on his accomplices in perpetrating the bombing.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/11/16/867459/cops-nab-bifm-member-over-tacurong-market-bombing
Ships’ waste untreated–US Navy
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 17): Ships’ waste untreated–US Navy
A United States Navy vessel, which has been at the center of a waste dumping issue in Philippine waters, has no waste treatment facility, contradicting claims by a contractor that what it receives from the vessel are pretreated wastes, the ship captain said on Friday. Capt. Glenn Pendrick, commanding officer of the submarine tender USS Emory Land, told Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chair Roberto Garcia that the ship “has no waste treatment facility [which is why] we hire third party contractors.” In earlier media interviews and press statements, retired Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga, president of the Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines Inc., claimed that wastes from US vessels collected by his firm were pretreated. “Domestic waste in US Navy ships is pretreated, in accordance to their standard procedure,” Mayuga said in a statement this week.... Pendrick, who received Bello as a guest in his ship along withSBMA representatives and reporters, said he was aware of the allegations against Glenn Defense. “The US Navy is already investigating this,” he said. “[The US Navy is] committed to being good stewards of the environment… which is why when we hire third party contractors, it’s in the contract that they follow all international and local laws,” he said. Pendrick said his ship generates and disposes of gray water, oily waste and sewage.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/56484/ships-waste-untreated-us-navy
A United States Navy vessel, which has been at the center of a waste dumping issue in Philippine waters, has no waste treatment facility, contradicting claims by a contractor that what it receives from the vessel are pretreated wastes, the ship captain said on Friday. Capt. Glenn Pendrick, commanding officer of the submarine tender USS Emory Land, told Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chair Roberto Garcia that the ship “has no waste treatment facility [which is why] we hire third party contractors.” In earlier media interviews and press statements, retired Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga, president of the Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines Inc., claimed that wastes from US vessels collected by his firm were pretreated. “Domestic waste in US Navy ships is pretreated, in accordance to their standard procedure,” Mayuga said in a statement this week.... Pendrick, who received Bello as a guest in his ship along withSBMA representatives and reporters, said he was aware of the allegations against Glenn Defense. “The US Navy is already investigating this,” he said. “[The US Navy is] committed to being good stewards of the environment… which is why when we hire third party contractors, it’s in the contract that they follow all international and local laws,” he said. Pendrick said his ship generates and disposes of gray water, oily waste and sewage.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/56484/ships-waste-untreated-us-navy
Military insists, “We will not leave Paquibato”
From the leftist and often pro-CPP Davao Today (Nov 16): Military insists, “We will not leave Paquibato”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 10th Infantry Division said that its unit, the 69th Infantry Battalion, “will not leave Paquibato.” Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, 10th ID-AFP’s spokesperson said in an emailed statement, they have even identified “a strategic area” where the 69th IB’s headquarters will be transferred from Panabo City to Paquibato area “in due time.” Paniza’s announcement came after a week the Davao City Council approved a resolution exhorting the military to pullout its detachments from civilian structures such as schools and village halls.... Children’s rights group Kabiba, in the October 6 Peace and Humanitarian Mission in Pandaitan village, has also documented the actual encampment of said government troops in these civilian structures. The situation, the City Council Resolution said, is disturbing not only to residents but to non-residents as well, “knowing the danger that detachments pose to the communities should hostilities take place.” The resolution also stated that in times of civil unrest, vigilance will help “not to aggravate the peace and order situation especially in far-flung areas.”.... To “monitor and verify” the military’s statement, Kabiba vowed to visit Paquibato villages.m“We saw right before our eyes on how the soldiers have made the barangay hall and daycare center as their detachment,” said Kabiba’s Program Officer, Lovey Caragao, in a statement.... The children’s rights group scored the military for “attacking schools” and “violating children’s democratic right to education.”.... The military encampment in schools, according to Kabiba, is a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law..... “The military has no basis under the law to use civilian facilities as barracks or detachments. They should leave,” said Mary Ann Sapar of the Gabriela Women’s Party Southern Mindanao. Sapar said that “extensive documentation” of rights groups pointed to the “extreme risk” that military detachments pose to civilians, especially women and children. Militarization, she said, is one of the “seven deadly sins against women” that includes rape and incest; sexual harassment; domestic violence: sex trafficking, white slavery, and prostitution; sexual discrimination; inaccessibility or limited access to maternal health and childcare and; violence as a result of state repression....
http://davaotoday.com/main/2012/11/16/military-insists-we-will-not-leave-paquibato/
The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 10th Infantry Division said that its unit, the 69th Infantry Battalion, “will not leave Paquibato.” Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, 10th ID-AFP’s spokesperson said in an emailed statement, they have even identified “a strategic area” where the 69th IB’s headquarters will be transferred from Panabo City to Paquibato area “in due time.” Paniza’s announcement came after a week the Davao City Council approved a resolution exhorting the military to pullout its detachments from civilian structures such as schools and village halls.... Children’s rights group Kabiba, in the October 6 Peace and Humanitarian Mission in Pandaitan village, has also documented the actual encampment of said government troops in these civilian structures. The situation, the City Council Resolution said, is disturbing not only to residents but to non-residents as well, “knowing the danger that detachments pose to the communities should hostilities take place.” The resolution also stated that in times of civil unrest, vigilance will help “not to aggravate the peace and order situation especially in far-flung areas.”.... To “monitor and verify” the military’s statement, Kabiba vowed to visit Paquibato villages.m“We saw right before our eyes on how the soldiers have made the barangay hall and daycare center as their detachment,” said Kabiba’s Program Officer, Lovey Caragao, in a statement.... The children’s rights group scored the military for “attacking schools” and “violating children’s democratic right to education.”.... The military encampment in schools, according to Kabiba, is a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law..... “The military has no basis under the law to use civilian facilities as barracks or detachments. They should leave,” said Mary Ann Sapar of the Gabriela Women’s Party Southern Mindanao. Sapar said that “extensive documentation” of rights groups pointed to the “extreme risk” that military detachments pose to civilians, especially women and children. Militarization, she said, is one of the “seven deadly sins against women” that includes rape and incest; sexual harassment; domestic violence: sex trafficking, white slavery, and prostitution; sexual discrimination; inaccessibility or limited access to maternal health and childcare and; violence as a result of state repression....
http://davaotoday.com/main/2012/11/16/military-insists-we-will-not-leave-paquibato/
Phl, US militaries to hold bilateral exercises next year
From the Philippine Star (Nov 16): Phl, US militaries to hold bilateral exercises next year
The militaries of the Philippines and the United States (US) will sign next month an agreement that will enable them to conduct bilateral exercises next year. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa said the agreement would be inked with the US Pacific Command and would set the direction for the drills to be held in 2013. “We are finalizing this and this December, there will be signing with the US Pacific Command,” Dellosa told reporters Thursday evening. “(The agreement will be about the exercises next year and the activities to be conducted next year with the US forces,” he added. The holding of joint military drills is part of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) signed by the US and the Philippines in 1951. The treaty seeks to strengthen the efforts of US and the Philippines “for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security.” Under the MDT, the two countries, separately or jointly, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attacks. Among the joint military drills staged by the US and the Philippines are the Balikatan, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training or CARAT and the annual Amphibious Landing Exercise or PHIBLEX. Dellosa said the signing of agreements on military exercise is done every year. He said next month’s signing might be held in the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City....
The militaries of the Philippines and the United States (US) will sign next month an agreement that will enable them to conduct bilateral exercises next year. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa said the agreement would be inked with the US Pacific Command and would set the direction for the drills to be held in 2013. “We are finalizing this and this December, there will be signing with the US Pacific Command,” Dellosa told reporters Thursday evening. “(The agreement will be about the exercises next year and the activities to be conducted next year with the US forces,” he added. The holding of joint military drills is part of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) signed by the US and the Philippines in 1951. The treaty seeks to strengthen the efforts of US and the Philippines “for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security.” Under the MDT, the two countries, separately or jointly, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attacks. Among the joint military drills staged by the US and the Philippines are the Balikatan, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training or CARAT and the annual Amphibious Landing Exercise or PHIBLEX. Dellosa said the signing of agreements on military exercise is done every year. He said next month’s signing might be held in the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City....
Aquino OKs reassignment of 8 senior AFP officers
From the Philippine Star (Nov 16): Aquino OKs reassignment of 8 senior AFP officers
President Benigno Aquino III has approved the reassignments of eight senior military officers, triggering another wave of leadership change in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
President Benigno Aquino III has approved the reassignments of eight senior military officers, triggering another wave of leadership change in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Among the military units affected by the latest reshuffle were the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), and various Army field units. Maj. Gen. Nonato Alfredo Peralta, Jr., the outgoing Superintendent of the PMA, has been named chief of the Army’s 2nd division in Tanay, Rizal. Peralta, a member of PMA class ’79, will be succeeded by his classmate Lt. Gen. Irineo Espino, the current Inspector-General of the military. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año has been designated ISAFP chief, succeeding Maj. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, who is now the commander of the Maguindanao-based 6th Infantry Division. Año, who has been credited for the capture of several leaders of the communist rebellion, will assume the post next week. Prior to his designation as ISAFP chief, Año served as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence. Succeeding Año as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence is Brig. Gen. Virgilio Hernandez, the outgoing assistant chief of ISAFP and a member of PMA class ’83. The leadership change also covered some field units of the Army. Col. Felix Castro, Jr. has been appointed new Assistant Commander of the 9th Infantry Division based in Camarines Sur. He will succeed Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, who is now the AFP deputy chief for operations. Col. Joselito Kakilala, the current chief of the AFP Task Force GenSan (General Santos), has been designated chief of the Army’s 903rd brigade. Kakilala, who used to work for the AFP Civil Relations Service, is a member of PMA class ’84. Col. Marcos Norman Flores, Jr., the current chief of AFP Task Force Davao, has been named chief of the 1002nd brigade Also covered by the reassignment is Col. Vicente Yordan, who has assumed as chief of the 55th Engineer Brigade. A former chief engineer of the Army, Yordan is a graduate of PMA class ’82. “Appointments in key-positions in the AFP are very important in coping with the dynamics of our organization,” AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa said in a statement. “We are confident that the newly appointed senior officers will be able to infuse new vigor and bring fresh ideas to their respective offices,” he added.
Clash between soldiers, MILF averted in Lanao del Norte
From MindaNews (Nov 16): Clash between soldiers, MILF averted in Lanao del Norte
The Philippine Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) averted Thursday a major shooting war from erupting, a month after the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) between the government and the MILF.
Both camps ordered their troops to stand down in Kauswagan and Munai towns in Lanao del Norte, and have agreed to stop building up or mobilizing their forces, now separated only by a stretch of rice fields in Munai town until they received words from the government and MILF joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH). The government and the MILF CCCH teams are currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, together with their respective peace panels, to settle the annexes of the FAB. “This is a case of misunderstanding,” said Aga-Khan Mangondato Sharief of the MILF Local Monitoring Team, after a meeting with Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, chief of the Army 103rd Infantry Brigade in Iligan City, this afternoon. Army troops went on high alert, sending tanks and personnel to the towns of Munai and Kauswagan after of MILF commander Abdurahman Bravo, aka Kumander Bravo, and 300 of his armed men wanted to attend an information campaign on the FAB in Barangay Delabayan on Thursday.
Bravo relented this morning and withdrew his forces to the old poblacion of Munai, some 18 kilometers from Barangay Delabayan in Kauswagan, site of the MILF’s FAB information campaign.
Lucero said Bravo’s movement with his armed men apparently violated the 1997 cease agreement between the Philippines and the MILF, which states that both the MILF and the Philippine military should inform the joint government-MILF CCCH before moving their forces to prevent misunderstanding and a shooting war. Brig. Gen. Gilberto Jose Roa, head of the government CCCH, said their MILF counterparts did not inform them that Bravo would be moving along with his troops to Delabayan. In their meeting this afternoon, Sharief appealed to the Philippine Army for some understanding. “Delabayan is a small village…Bravo hails from this village and every one knows him,” Shareif said. Sharief said he appealed to the Philippine military to allow Bravo to come to the meeting in Delabayan with 60 of his bodyguards, not 300 armed men. After meeting for one hour with the MILF, Lucero came out and said he would allow Bravo to go to Delabayan, provided all of his bodyguards will not show their firearms “so as not to cause alarm.” But Lucero stressed they will have to wait for the decision of the joint MILF and government CCCH teams whether they will agree to this arrangement. “We will do everything to preserve the gains of the peace agreement,” Lucero said. Sharief said they were amenable to Lucero’s suggestion to wait for the decision of the government-MILF CCCH panel.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/11/16/clash-between-soldiers-milf-averted-in-lanao-del-norte/
The Philippine Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) averted Thursday a major shooting war from erupting, a month after the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) between the government and the MILF.
BACK FROM PATROL. An Army patrol arrives at their camp in Munai town in Lanao del Norte on Nov. 15, 2012. Army troops and the MILF have stand down in Kauswagan and Munai towns since Tuesday and averted a possible crisis following the threat of MILF commander Abdurahman Bravo, aka Kumander Bravo, who wanted to attend an information campaign about the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement with his armed men. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo
Both camps ordered their troops to stand down in Kauswagan and Munai towns in Lanao del Norte, and have agreed to stop building up or mobilizing their forces, now separated only by a stretch of rice fields in Munai town until they received words from the government and MILF joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH). The government and the MILF CCCH teams are currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, together with their respective peace panels, to settle the annexes of the FAB. “This is a case of misunderstanding,” said Aga-Khan Mangondato Sharief of the MILF Local Monitoring Team, after a meeting with Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, chief of the Army 103rd Infantry Brigade in Iligan City, this afternoon. Army troops went on high alert, sending tanks and personnel to the towns of Munai and Kauswagan after of MILF commander Abdurahman Bravo, aka Kumander Bravo, and 300 of his armed men wanted to attend an information campaign on the FAB in Barangay Delabayan on Thursday.
Bravo relented this morning and withdrew his forces to the old poblacion of Munai, some 18 kilometers from Barangay Delabayan in Kauswagan, site of the MILF’s FAB information campaign.
Lucero said Bravo’s movement with his armed men apparently violated the 1997 cease agreement between the Philippines and the MILF, which states that both the MILF and the Philippine military should inform the joint government-MILF CCCH before moving their forces to prevent misunderstanding and a shooting war. Brig. Gen. Gilberto Jose Roa, head of the government CCCH, said their MILF counterparts did not inform them that Bravo would be moving along with his troops to Delabayan. In their meeting this afternoon, Sharief appealed to the Philippine Army for some understanding. “Delabayan is a small village…Bravo hails from this village and every one knows him,” Shareif said. Sharief said he appealed to the Philippine military to allow Bravo to come to the meeting in Delabayan with 60 of his bodyguards, not 300 armed men. After meeting for one hour with the MILF, Lucero came out and said he would allow Bravo to go to Delabayan, provided all of his bodyguards will not show their firearms “so as not to cause alarm.” But Lucero stressed they will have to wait for the decision of the joint MILF and government CCCH teams whether they will agree to this arrangement. “We will do everything to preserve the gains of the peace agreement,” Lucero said. Sharief said they were amenable to Lucero’s suggestion to wait for the decision of the government-MILF CCCH panel.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/11/16/clash-between-soldiers-milf-averted-in-lanao-del-norte/
NPA rebel surrenders
From the Sun Star-Davao (Nov 16): NPA rebel surrenders
A MEMBER of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to Task Force Davao (TFD) Sunday, claiming that hard life in the revolutionary movement forced him to do so.The rebel surrenderee was identified as Rodolfo Velos Lugas alias "Bunso", 29, an alleged member of the NPA under the 1st Pulang Bagani Command-Southern Mindanao Region Command (PBC1-SMRC). Lugas is a resident of Barangay Pandaitan, Paquibato District, Davao City, where he also used to operate. Lugas first turned himself in to the local officials of Paquibato District, and was then endorsed to TFD last Sunday.TFD executive officer Lt. Col. Gerry Besana said Lugas confessed that he joined the revolutionary movement last April. He claimed to be part of two separate encounters against the 10th Infantry Division's Bagani Long Range Platoon (BLRP) last September and October at in Km. 26 and Sitio Alon, Malabog District, respectively. Lugas also admitted to having witness different crimes committed by the NPA rebels against the military and civilians in Paquibato. The spokesperson for the 10th Infantry Division, Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, said Lugas may shed some information with regards to the operations of the NPA and the crimes that they have committed. "Hindi ko pa alam kung gaano kalalim ang involvement niya sa kilusan kaya hindi pa pwede mag-speculate kung ano ang mga krimeng nagawa ng NPA. Depende na siguro yan sa information na ibibigay niya (I still don't know how deep is his involvement to the rebel movement so it's still early to speculate what crimes the NPAs committed. It all depends on the imformation we can get from him)," Paniza said. TFD commander Col. Marcos Norman Flores, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said: "It's a welcome development. I always admire such decision by any rebel to go back to the folds of the law. It means that he is aware of his senses and he cares for his future and his family."Flores also assured that Lugas will receive help from the local government."We will make sure that he will receive financial support from the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP)," he said. CLIP is part of the Internal Peace and Security Plan-Bayanihan, which aims to provide livelihood opportunities and other development programs for rebel returnees.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2012/11/16/npa-rebel-surrenders-253519
A MEMBER of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to Task Force Davao (TFD) Sunday, claiming that hard life in the revolutionary movement forced him to do so.The rebel surrenderee was identified as Rodolfo Velos Lugas alias "Bunso", 29, an alleged member of the NPA under the 1st Pulang Bagani Command-Southern Mindanao Region Command (PBC1-SMRC). Lugas is a resident of Barangay Pandaitan, Paquibato District, Davao City, where he also used to operate. Lugas first turned himself in to the local officials of Paquibato District, and was then endorsed to TFD last Sunday.TFD executive officer Lt. Col. Gerry Besana said Lugas confessed that he joined the revolutionary movement last April. He claimed to be part of two separate encounters against the 10th Infantry Division's Bagani Long Range Platoon (BLRP) last September and October at in Km. 26 and Sitio Alon, Malabog District, respectively. Lugas also admitted to having witness different crimes committed by the NPA rebels against the military and civilians in Paquibato. The spokesperson for the 10th Infantry Division, Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, said Lugas may shed some information with regards to the operations of the NPA and the crimes that they have committed. "Hindi ko pa alam kung gaano kalalim ang involvement niya sa kilusan kaya hindi pa pwede mag-speculate kung ano ang mga krimeng nagawa ng NPA. Depende na siguro yan sa information na ibibigay niya (I still don't know how deep is his involvement to the rebel movement so it's still early to speculate what crimes the NPAs committed. It all depends on the imformation we can get from him)," Paniza said. TFD commander Col. Marcos Norman Flores, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said: "It's a welcome development. I always admire such decision by any rebel to go back to the folds of the law. It means that he is aware of his senses and he cares for his future and his family."Flores also assured that Lugas will receive help from the local government."We will make sure that he will receive financial support from the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP)," he said. CLIP is part of the Internal Peace and Security Plan-Bayanihan, which aims to provide livelihood opportunities and other development programs for rebel returnees.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2012/11/16/npa-rebel-surrenders-253519
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