Senate to block US access to bases deal

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 3): Senate to block US access to bases deal

The bases access agreement that the United States government wants to clinch with the Aquino administration would face rough sailing in Congress as senators appear united against it with even the President’s own cousin Sen. Bam Aquino opposing it. The senators were not keen on relaxing access to the country’s military facilities to foreign troops even on a temporary basis, as they were unanimous in citing the unconstitutionality of the proposed arrangement that would have American forces stationed in the country on rotation.

The senators instead want a review of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to secure from the United States government a firm commitment on military support in the event of an armed conflict with China over the territorial disputes.

“I think when we voted (for the termination of) the (US) bases (agreement) out in the 90s, that was a good decision. And we should stick to that,” Senator Aquino said.

“We already have the VFA and we have some gains through the VFA. Let’s keep to amending that or supporting that as it is even more responsive to our needs,” he added.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also underscored the need to review the provisions of the VFA to make it more attuned to the times and secure a more firm commitment from the US government in fulfilling its obligation in providing military defense to the Philippines against external aggression.

“We have to review probably the VFA if it’s still beneficial to us. As we have experienced last year, at the height of the conflict with China and now with Taiwan, when support from the US was needed there was none given,” he said.

“One of the provisions or conditions of the VFA is that, if one ally is in conflict with others, the other one would (lend) support. So we need to review it,” he said.

However, Ejercito said there’s a necessity in seeking a clearer commitment from ally-countries insofar as military aid is concerned.

Senator Aquino agreed on the need to amend some of the provisions of the VFA.

“I think we can keep it at that level first and let’s see. Hopefully, we can learn from our partners and from our allies and maybe get their support but to the point of having...you know, temporary os difficult. Temporary one year, temporary two years, temporary 10 years or 25 years?,” he said.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara is of the opinion that Malacañang may have a hard time defending its proposal especially if it will involve the return of permanent military structures for foreign troops.

“Obviously, there may be constitutional or legal issues and whether it’s embodied in a treaty or an executive agreement, then the Senate would have to play a role. But again, the details would determine the extent of our involvement,” he said.
Angara shared Senator Aquino’s apprehension on the matter of period within which the temporary access will be put into effect, especially if it will outlive the Aquino administration.
“Our Constitution says we must have an independent foreign policy so you must balance that with the needs of your defense imperatives,” he added.

“I’m sure they (Executive) will brief the Senate when the time comes. When we resume (Congress’ sessions), we expect to get a briefing from the departments involved,” Angara said.

Environmental activists and militant groups also filed an urgent motion to the Supreme Court for a series of Temporary Environmental Protection Orders (TEPOs) against port calls of American military vessels.

The motion is part of an earlier petition for the writ of kalikasan regarding the USS Guardian grounding in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park that was led by Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo.

“We urge our Supreme Court justices to expedite the hearing on the Writ of Kalikasan to protect our marine environment particularly the World Heritage Site, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park from further risk of destruction from US military exercises and manoeuvrings in our territorial waters,” said Clemente Bautista of environmental group Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE).

The urgent motion comes in the wake of news that the Philippines is now considering different modalities that would allow greater US military presence and access to PH facilities including former military bases such as those in Subic.

The Aquino government through its Solicitor General said that there is no relation between the VFA and the environmental issues raised in the Kalikasan petition.

“This is wrong, because US military forces such as the USS Guardian would not be transiting Philippine waters but for the VFA-Mutual Defense Treaty(MDT) regime.

More importantly, there are no existing guidelines under the VFA-MDT regime for the protection and rehabilitation of the environment in relation to U.S. Armed Forces activities or operations in the country,” lawyer Edsel Tupaz, head legal counsel and also a petitioner in the case, said.

“Continued use of our national ports, all at the cost of the national government, for so-called ‘routine’port calls by US vessels, without having to pay for prior liquidated extraordinary environmental damages caused by a call of their very own, is an unfair situation,” Tupaz said.

Renato Reyes, Bayan spokesperson said that the growing rotational presence in the country of these US troops renders our marine protected areas highly vulnerable to destruction and degradation given the influx of military personnel, weaponry and naval and ground vessels.

Part of the P75 billion modernization fund of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be used to upgrade existing military bases, a top official of the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.

DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, during a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo, said that portion of the P75 billion AFP modernization fund for the next five years will be spent in upgrading military facilities in Cebu and Palawan.

“These are base support facilities,” said Manalo. He identified the Naval Base Rafael Ramos in Cebu as among the military bases to be upgraded.

Manalo explained that upgrading military facilities, like hangars, will just complement the acquisition of modern military hardware programmed under the AFP modernization.

It will be noted that the DND is eyeing a squadron of FA50 lead-in fighter jets for the Air Force for P18.9 billion.

The DND official, however, said that as of the moment there is no definite plan as to the former United States naval base in Subic Bay, Zambales.

It was not clear, however, whether the military facilities considered for upgrade are those being offered for use by the United States and Japan under the still being discussed access agreement.

President Aquino admitted he wants greater access for US and Japan to Philippine military bases.

The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said that Aquino is “escalating tensions” in the region based on the “false assumption that the US will automatically help the Philippines in any conflict”.  

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/16220-senate-to-block-us-access-to-bases-deal

Australia, Canada issue terror alert

From Business World (Jul 3): Australia, Canada issue terror alert

AUSTRALIA AND Canada warned yesterday about fresh threats of terrorism and kidnapping in Mindanao, and Canberra barred its diplomats from traveling to three cities in the area.

Both urged their citizens not to travel to large parts of the South, with the Australian government specifically citing the cities of Davao, Cotabato and Zamboanga.

An Australian embassy spokeswoman told AFP the travel ban went into effect from Monday and until further notice.

“We have a duty of care to ensure the safety of staff overseas,” she said.

The embassy declined to discuss any specific threats.

The Canadian embassy advised its citizens to avoid all travel to most parts of Mindanao “due to the serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.”

It said the advisory was issued Tuesday and was still valid yesterday.

Embassy spokesmen could not be reached for comment.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Web site said the new advisory for the Philippines concerned terrorism and serious crime.

The United States embassy in Manila had already warned its citizens on May 29 of a “credible kidnap threat against foreigners in Zamboanga,” it added.

In late 2002, Australia and Canada closed their Manila embassies for more than a month due to an unspecified terrorist threat.

Both missions later moved to a new building. Mindanao is the hotbed of a decades-old Muslim insurgency.

President Benigno S. C. Aquino III is aiming to sign a peace treaty with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest guerrilla force there, before 2016.

The island is also the stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, Islamic militants with links to al Qaeda who have staged deadly bombings and kidnappings of foreigners for ransom.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Australia,-Canada-issue-terror-alert&id=72814

No breakthrough in sea conflict

From Business World (Jul 3): No breakthrough in sea conflict

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN -- Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario walked into a regional security forum this week to hear his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reel off a list of complaints against Manila for stirring tensions over the South China Sea.

Mr. del Rosario was not scheduled to speak, but after hearing Mr. Wang’s speech at Sunday’s closed-door meeting in the kingdom of Brunei, he raised his hand and proceeded to rebut China’s allegations one by one, according to Philippine diplomats.

The Singapore foreign minister called it “testy exchanges.” The departure from the usual diplomatic niceties that mark such multilateral gatherings was the latest display of animosity over competing claims in the oil-rich South China Sea, one of Asia’s most dangerous military flash points.

Despite rare progress towards easing tensions between China and Southeast Asian nations at the Brunei meeting, a binding agreement remains a distant prospect, with Beijing seen in no rush to limit a growing naval reach that is alarming neighbors such as Vietnam and the Philippines.

“My response was simply that the core issue is that China has taken the position that they have indisputable sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea,” Mr. del Rosario told reporters later. “Since that is a grossly excessive claim, we need to settle this in accordance with international law. So I asked everyone to support that.”

China’s agreement later that day to hold talks with Southeast Asia on maritime rules appeared to mark a new chapter in efforts to resolve the dispute. After years of resisting efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to start talks on the proposed Code of Conduct, China said it would host talks between senior officials in September.

The code, however, would not touch on countries’ territorial claims but would set “rules of the road” for actions by ships, aiming to minimize the risk of a misstep that could lead to conflict.

The talks to be held in China are relatively low-level and were carefully described in the joint ASEAN-China statement on Sunday as “consultations” rather than “negotiations” -- an important nuance that signals that no real progress is likely.

China also succeeded in securing ASEAN’s agreement to involve a board of experts such as academics and former diplomats -- so-called “eminent persons” -- in guiding the process.

ASEAN countries had previously been against this, amid concerns it will result in further delays. A senior US administration official who attended the Brunei meeting said the new talks were welcome, but by no means a breakthrough.

“It’s not enough to simply promise some form of talks in the run-up to a multilateral meeting as a way of abating criticism and creating the appearance of progress,” the official said. “There has to be a full-fledged effort to try to work out in practical terms what a mechanism or set of mechanisms would be [to lower tensions].”

GROWING MILITARIZATION

Friction over the South China Sea, one of the world’s most important waterways, has surged as China uses its growing naval might to more forcefully assert its vast claims over the oil- and gas-rich sea, raising fears of a military clash.

Four ASEAN nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines, have overlapping claims with China. Washington, an ally of the Philippines and also Vietnam, has not taken sides, but Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated in Brunei its strategic interest in freedom of navigation through the busy sea and desire to see a Code of Conduct signed quickly.

Those risks have risen in recent weeks as three Chinese ships have converged just five nautical miles from a small reef where the Philippines maintains a small military force.

China has condemned the Philippine presence at the Second Thomas Shoal as an “illegal occupation,” even though the reef is within Manila’s 200-nautical mile economic exclusion zone.

The encroachment is part of China’s strategy of sending ships to far-flung parts of the sea to protect fishing fleets and press its sovereignty claims, which Manila condemned this week as causing “increasing militarization.”

Last month, Chinese state media warned that a “counterstrike” against the Philippines was inevitable if it continued to provoke Beijing in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has one of the least equipped militaries in Asia, but is pursuing a $1.8-billion modernization program and has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic, just 124 miles from one of the contentious areas on the South China Sea.

President Benigno S. C. Aquino III, who retires in 2016, said last week: “Rest assured that before I step down from office, guarding our skies are new and modern equipment like lead-in fighters, long-range patrol aircraft, close air support aircraft, light-lift fixed-wing aircraft, medium-lift aircraft, attack helicopters, combat utility helicopters and air defense radars.”

On Sunday, Beijing complaints against Manila included: the Philippines’ decision this year to appeal for UN arbitration over maritime claims without informing China and its joint military exercises last week with the United States near a disputed shoal.

Mr. Wang also condemned the Philippines for grounding an old Navy ship in the Second Thomas Shoal to claim the area. China and the Philippines accuse each other of violating the Declaration of Conduct (DoC), a non-binding confidence-building agreement on maritime conduct signed by China and ASEAN in 2002.

Such differences could be another obstacle to agreeing a more comprehensive pact as China has stressed that countries must first show good faith by abiding by the DoC. Still, the Philippines appeared to welcome the progress at the Brunei meeting, even if it was scant.

“It’s more than a chit-chat,” Evan Garcia, the Philippines’ deputy foreign secretary, told reporters. “We have to start the process.”


Thailand’s foreign minister described Sunday’s agreement as “very significant,” but most other ASEAN ministers gave it a more cautious welcome. “The quality of the process is as important as the result. We want to make sure that we [use] every possible opportunity for as much consultation as possible,” said Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia’s foreign minister. “Breakthrough makes it sound very dramatic.” 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=No-breakthrough-in-sea-conflict&id=72818

P75-billion military modernization implemented until 2016–DND

From the Business Mirror (Jul 3): P75-billion military modernization implemented until 2016–DND

THE Department of National Defense on Wednesday said President Aquino is serious in achieving credible territorial defense for the country before he steps down in 2016 with the acquisition of 24 big-ticket items with a budget of P75 billion to modernize the Armed Forces.

 

“Our objective is for all the items to be delivered and ready for use by the Armed Forces within the term of the President. These 24 big- ticket items are already in various stages of acquisition,” Fernando Manalo, defense undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiél, said.

 

First on sight is the acquisition of 12  Korean-made FA-50 “Golden Eagle” lead-in semi-multirole fighter jets with a budget of P18.9 billion and two amphibious support vessels worth P4 billion.

 

Manalo said negotiations for purchase of the aircraft from the Korean Air Space through the government of South Korea is nearly completed. The acquisition, he said, will be under a government-to-government agreement.

 

“Once the budget is approved, it will become so easy to enter formal negotiations. The budget aside, we are waiting confirmation from the Office of the President on the sales agreement that will be signed by our [defense] secretary and our Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché in Seoul. A sales agreement will lead to the signing of a government-to-government contract by representatives of the two governments,” Manalo said.

 

Second is the acquisition of two frigates for the Navy and two additional amphibious support vehicles with a budget of P8 billion. “We look forward to the delivery of at least four [warships]. Concerning our frigates an acquisition decision memorandum was already issued, which means the Navy had already submitted the needed document of specifications. So we can start now with the two-stage public bidding,” Manalo said.

Manalo said they are now looking for a consultant to help the procurement body when it comes to technical specifications for the vessels.

 

Also on the 24 wish list are rocket launchers for the Army; radar system support facilities, close-air support, combat utility helicopters, flight simulator and long-range patrol aircraft for the Air Force; and helicopters, multipurpose attack craft and base support for the Navy.

 

“Modernization is being implemented because there is really a need to equip our Armed Forces. We really need this because of the fact that every nation wants to modernize its armed forces and just look at our neighbors in the region—they are investing billions of dollars for the acquisition of equipment,” he explained.

 

“Let’s give our Armed Forces a chance to have modern equipment. It may not [be] at par with other countries around us, but at least it is something that we Filipinos can be proud of. As a former soldier, it is a source of pride like me and I’m sure all of us believe it will be a source of pride [for all of us] if we see our Armed Forces equipped with modern weapons,” he added.

 

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/15921-p75-billion-military-modernization-implemented-until-2016-dnd

PH gov’t, MILF to hold talks July 8 to break deadlock

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 3): PH gov’t, MILF to hold talks July 8 to break deadlock
The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels will begin a four-day exploratory meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, July 8, in a bid to settle contentious issues that have bugged the concluding phase of the already 16-year negotiations.

“I expect that it will be hard work,” said MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

The meeting comes after a four-month lull in the negotiations.

During the lull, the government did a due diligence review of all its political, economic and social commitments related to the hoped-for negotiated settlement of the Moro conflict that has spawned four decades of armed rebellion in Mindanao.

As a result of the due diligence review, government has sought refinements to the Annex on Wealth-Sharing that the parties initialed last February.

The MILF has decried this as an act of “backtracking” from the consensus although Iqbal earlier explained that based on their practice, anything settled at the level of the peace panels would still be subject to the final decision of the principals.

The MILF also pointed to some changes in the percentages of some wealth-sharing items. In its original proposal, the MILF sought a 75-25 sharing scheme in favor of the future Bangsamoro government.

According to an MILF source, the government wants the 75-25 sharing scheme retained except for 50-50 for renewable energy and 100 percent for non-metallic resources.

The MILF has stood pat on keeping the initialed document.

The Annex on Wealth-Sharing is one of the four annexes to the preliminary Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) that the parties inked Oct. 15 last year. When completed, the annexes plus the FAB will comprise the comprehensive agreement.

Iqbal said the resumption of the negotiations simply meant that the MILF agreed to discuss with government its proposed refinements to the wealth-sharing document.

There is still no consensus on two issues on power-sharing — transportation and communications, and regional waters.

Iqbal and government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer had a chance meeting mid-June in Oslo, Norway, where they discussed about the resumption of the talks.

During that chance meeting, Ferrer handed Iqbal the full document containing government’s proposed refinements to the wealth-sharing annex.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/437749/ph-govt-milf-to-hold-talks-july-8-to-break-deadlock

Army conducts drug tests; 1 found positive

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 3): Army conducts drug tests; 1 found positive

One was found positive for prohibited drugs in a random tests among Army personnel on Wednesday.

Captain Alberto Caber, administration officer at the Office of Army Chief Public Affairs, did not identify the gender nor the rank of the person.

“The said personnel will be subject to an investigation and a confirmatory testing,” he told INQUIRER.net.

Two hundred personnel underwent random drug testing in the Wednesday morning, while another 200 is still ongoing the drug test.

The drug test was conducted at the Philippine Army Headquarters.

The Philippine Army conducted a random and mandatory drug testing in compliance with the drug-free programs and policies of the government.

Section 36, Article 3 of R.A. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, mandates the conduct of random drug testing to public and private officers for purposes of reducing the risk in the workplace. This same section of R.A. 9165 also mandates the conduct of annual mandatory drug test to officers and members of the military.

The mandatory drug testing was carried out by Task Force Midas, part of the Task Force Moses which supervises the anti-drug campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This task force is the primary arm of the AFP in identifying, apprehending, investigating, and aiding the prosecution of AFP personnel engaged in the use of illegal drugs and other drug-related activities.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/437767/army-conducts-drug-tests-1-found-positive

PH to buy two Maestrale frigates from Italy

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 3): PH to buy two Maestrale frigates from Italy

The Philippines is set to buy two Maestrale-class frigates from Italy, a defense official said Wednesday, as the Asian nation races to upgrade its military amid mounting territorial disputes with China.

The frigates, along with 12 FA-50 fighter aircraft, are the most significant items on the government’s P75-billion ($1.7-billion) military modernization budget over the next five years, Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said.

“We are modernizing not because we want to go to war with China,” he told a news conference.

He said the government had a sworn obligation to defend the “West Philippine Sea,” using the government’s preferred term for Philippine-claimed areas in the South China Sea.

“We are not saying that this is part of our preparations to assert our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. What we are saying is that we cannot just give them up.”

The frigates would add to two refurbished Hamilton-class cutters formerly used by the US Coast Guard that the Philippines acquired from its US ally to upgrade its ageing navy fleet, which includes some vessels that first saw action in World War II.

Manalo said the navy had already decided to acquire two new Maestrale-class frigates instead of buying used ones from the Italian navy, and had budgeted P18 billion for them.

The Philippines could be ready to tender by the end of the year, he added.

Meanwhile, the government had allotted P18.9 billion to acquire the fighter aircraft, which are built by South Korea, he added.

The modernization budget also provides for building or improving facilities to berth and provide maintenance to the vessels on the military’s shopping list, Manalo said.
President Benigno Aquino vowed Monday to rebuild the air force by 2016.

The Philippines, which has one of the weakest military forces in the region, retired the last of its US-designed F-5 fighters in 2005.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/79629/ph-to-buy-two-maestrale-frigates-from-italy

Traditional Moro leaders urge Muslim families to strengthen unity

Posted to the MILF Website (Jul 2): Traditional Moro leaders urge Muslim families to strengthen unity



Traditional Moro leaders urged Moro clans to strengthen unity among families and relatives.

“We must show to other people that we Muslims love one another and we are united. If we abandon unity, we gain no respect,” Datu Alimudin Hassan, Raja Muda of Sugoda Buayan pointed out.
  

Datu Tungko Saikol, Sultan of the Dikaya Clan from Kabuntalan Sultanate, also told the descendants of the couple Datu Watamama Kudanding and Bai Laga Unggo Jalani to strengthen attachment and love among the relatives as practiced by the ancestry of the Moro people.

Saikol and Hassan were guest speakers during the 1st Grand Reunion of Datu Watamama Kudanding Descendants held in Barangay Ligaya, General Santos City on June 23, 2013.

The gathering was attended by more than seven hundred members of families Kudanding, Tondog, Canacan, Panayaman, Bentaib, Dambong, and Kinjo which all descended from Kudanding and Jalani.

Sultan Saikol related the Tarsila (genealogy) and explained the connection of Datu Jalani with the royal families of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao and Buayan Sultanates.

Imam Mantil Kudanding, Watamama sa Sugoda Buayan and Vice-Chair of General Santos City Council of Imams, spearheaded the activity which was aimed to let the younger generations of his clan know each other.

He said the occasion is one way for the relatives to know each other. “It sadden me that only we old fellows know how we are connected to each other, but the young ones do not know who their relatives are,” he added.

Representatives from the different families were grateful for the opportunity that their children were able to meet their kins.

Members of the clan planned to form their families into an organization.

Other plans discussed was to put up directory of prospect blood donors who can donate blood for their relatives whenever needed and how they can help those who will be hospitalized.

The clan also gathered family trees that will be used to continue the Tarsila that will be book-bound and shall be launched next year.

Kudanding clan is one of the biggest Maguindanaon clans in Sugoda Buayan.

http://www.luwaran.com/

BDA conducts leadership training for village volunteers for Sarangani

From the MILF Website (Jul 3): BDA conducts leadership training for village volunteers for Sarangani



The Bangsamoro Development Agency-Southern Mindanao (BDA-SouthMin) Regional Management Office conducted Basic Leadership Training in two municipalities of Sarangani Province.
  

The training was held on June 10-11 at Barangay Daliao, Maasim and June 19-20 at Barangay Libi, Malapatan. More than 50 Barangay Community Volunteers (BCVs) comprised of Muslims, Indigenous Peoples and Christians joined the activity.

The activity was geared to capacitate the volunteers with leadership skills which they can use in strengthening their respective groups. It is also part of the BDA’s efforts to capacitate the BCVs in preparation for forming them into formal People’s Organizations (POs).

Most of the participants belong to different organizations in their respective barangays.

The BCVs came from Barangays Tuyan, Lun Masla and Libi in Malapatan and Barangays Daliao, Amsipit and Lumasal in Maasim.

Staffs of BDA-SouthMin and Central Management Office staff handled the lectures and workshops.

The topics included Basic Leadership Skills and its Applications, Duties and Functions of an Effective Leader, Qualities of Muslim Leaders and Characteristics of Muslim Community.

The participants were also given lecture and underwent workshop on facilitating meeting.

The facilitators also collected ideas from the BCVs on what are the ideal characters of good leaders for them. They replied that leaders should possess bravery, trustworthiness, honesty, fear of God, responsible, transparency and patience.

The POs will implement community sub-projects funded by the World Bank administered Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program (MTFRDP) under the 4th Program Partnership Agreement coursed through the BDA.

The proposed sub-projects are aimed to help provide the basic needs and support the economic activities of target communities.

MTFRDP is a multi-donor trust fund supported by the following: Australian Aid for International Development, New Zealand Aid for International Development, Canada International Development Agency, Sweden International Development Agency, United States Aid for International Development, European Union and The World Bank.

http://www.luwaran.com/

March for peace kicks off

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 3): March for peace kicks off

About 1,000 Army soldiers and policemen participated in the 25-kilometer foot march Monday, from Brgy. Bato in Sagay City, to Brgy. Paitan, Escalante, to start the 15-day “March for Peace, Serving the Countryside”, spearheaded by the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit of Negros Occidental.

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the march for peace and civic action activity will give them a chance to show the people that they are the legitimate force of the government, who are ready anytime to protect them.

Capt. Leo Christopher Cunanan, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations officer, said the combined Army and police visibility and civilian humanitarian effort is a one-stop-shop activity that will cater to the immediate needs of the people and work on long-term needs of depressed communities in northern Negros, in tandem with multi-stakeholders.

The hinterlands barangays of Paitan, Pinapugasan and Malasibog, all in Escalante City, Bandila and Bug-ang in Toboso, Malatas in Calatrava have been identified as beneficiaries of the 15-day humanitarian efforts of PPIDU of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

The foot march was followed yesterday by civic action activities, participated in by government agencies, non-government organizations and local government units, headed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

In his speech, Marañon, urged residents of northern Negros to cooperate and contribute to the collaborative efforts of the government and various stakeholders to attain peace and development.

He also assured members of the New People’s Army who intend to return to mainstream society that the provincial government is ready to help them, citing the livelihood and financial assistance they have extended to the 89 rebel returnees and their families.

Marañon also promised to help in the rebuilding of three elementary school buildings, allegedly burned by the NPA, in previous years. The buildings have no roofs and students using it are exposed to sunlight and rain.

Paitan barangay chairman Richardy Pios thanked the provincial government headed by Marañon for bringing the services of government agencies to his constituents. “ It makes us feel that we are not forgotten”, he said.

Aying also rallied various stakeholders for unity in achieving peace and development in northern Negros. He also reiterated his appeal for the NPA to abandon the armed struggle, adding that it only hinders development in the countryside.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/July/03/topstory6.htm

Suspected ASG member killed in Basilan blast

From Rappler (Jul 3): Suspected ASG member killed in Basilan blast



Authorities have identified the man who died when an improvised explosive device (IED) he was carrying went off along the road of Barangay Balagtasan in Lamitan, Basilan, at about 3:25 pm on Tuesday, July 2.

Lamitan police said Rey Sapili, aka "Gob," is believed to be a member of terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group based in Tipo-Tipo town, also in Basilan.

The IED was in a pouch tucked around Sapili's waist when it prematurely exploded while he was driving a motorcycle. He sustained severe injuries on the right side of his abdomen.

A caliber .45 pistol and a cellular phone were found in his possession.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/32750-killed-in-basilan-blast

DND wants delivery of 4 fighter jets ASAP

From Rappler (Jul 3): DND wants delivery of 4 fighter jets ASAP



'MINIMUM DETERRENCE': DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo details AFP's modernization plan. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler

Two days after President Benigno Aquino III vowed more support for the Philippine Air Force, a defense undersecretary disclosed the department is working for the immediate delivery of at least 4 of the total 12 FA-50 fighter jets it will be purchasing from South Korea.

Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said the Department of National Defense (DND) has begun negotiations with the Korean Aerospace Industry (KAI) while it is waiting for Malacañang's final approval of the sales agreement. It will be a government-to-government procurement that requires multi-year obligational authority from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

"Once we get confirmation of the sales agreement and once we get the multi-year obligational authority from DBM, we can start formal negotiations and we can schedule the delivery of at least 4 fighter jets," Manalo told reporters.

"We are negotiating for the immediate delivery of a certain number out of the 12 we are going to procure. We are hoping we can get at least four so our pilots can start their training," Manalo added.

The Philippines retired the last of its US-designed F-5 fighters in 2005 and lacks air defense.

'Minimum deterrence'

In May, Aquino announced a P75-billion military upgrade to defend the country's territory against "bullies." The 12 fighter jets will cost P18.9 billion, part of the 24 items in the shopping list of the AFP.

READ: P75-B boost for PH navy to resist 'bullies' and PH to buy 12 South Korean fighter jets

The AFP modernization will give the Philippines "minimum deterrence capability" so that other countries would "think twice about waging wars against us," Manalo said. Manila is embroiled in a diplomatic row with Beijing over islands in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

The AFP modernization program will serve various purposes, Manalo added.

"We cannot deny that we have an internal security problem. We cannot deny that there are terrorist threats. We need to assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea," Manalo said.

"We are not advocating war. But we cannot just ask soldiers to defend our rights using only their hands. We have to give them equipment," he said. "Buhay na natin ang nakatalaga dito," he added. (Our lives are at stake here.)

Frigates for the Navy

Two frigates will be procured for the Phippine Navy, too. It will cost P18 billion.

Manalo said the navy had already decided to acquire two new Maestrale-class frigates from Italy instead of buying used ones from the Italian navy.

The frigates would add to two refurbished Hamilton-class cutters formerly used by the US Coast Guard that the Philippines acquired from its US ally to upgrade its ageing navy fleet, which includes some vessels that first saw action in World War II.

Manalo is hoping the military's procurement of frigates will give the country a chance to join military exercises with other countries.

Under the 2013 General Appropriation Act, P5-billion was allocated to the "regular fund" of the AFP while P10.6 billion was for "unprogrammed funds." The latter is intended for projects that are awaiting approval.

Manalo said the DND's 2014 budget proposal also includes an allocation of P15 billion for the "unprogrammed fund."

Bases upgrade

Military bases will be upgraded. Manalo said hangars and other infrastructure in various military bases, such as the Naval Base Rafael Ramos in Cebu, will be improved to make them suitable for the new equipment.

Aside from fighter jets and frigates, the Philippines will procure the following:

·                     rocket launcher, handheld radios, night fighting system for the Philippine Army

·                     radar system and long range patrol aircraft for the Air Force

·                     Combat utility helicopter

·                     flight simulator

·                     Lead in fighter trainers

·                     amphibious assault vehicle

Manalo said the objective is to deliver all these within the term of President Aquino. Outside the P75-billion budget, the DND is also procuring 55,000 assault rifles.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/32793-philippines-delivery-fighter-jets

Catapang new Nolcom commander

From Rappler (Jul 3): Catapang new Nolcom commander



Two military officers who in their youth joined the military revolt against the Marcos dictatorship will be holding turn-over ceremonies on Friday, July 5, with one replacing the other.

Maj Gen Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr will assume command of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) based in Camp Aquino in Tarlac on Friday, July 5, to replace Lt Gen Anthony Alcantara, who is retiring, according to Camp Aguinaldo sources.

Alcantara, a 1979 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, served as Nolcom commanding general for more than a year. He's one of the few former Constabulary officers who decided to join the Army when the Philippine Constabulary was abolished to give way to the creation of the Philippine National Police in the 1990s.

A former aide for ex-President Fidel V Ramos, Alcantara was a member of the Constabulary's Special Action Force that withdrew support from then President Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 February revolt.


 

RETIRING. Nolcom chief Lt Gen Anthony Alcantara

Catapang, on the other hand, belonged to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement that plotted the revolt against Marcos. He was part of the EDSA rebel force that secured the Radio Veritas station in Quezon City, that was used by the mutinous units to broadcast their anti-Marcos propaganda.

Catapang is currently commanding general of the 7th infantry division based in Nueva Ecija. He used to be the operations chief of Nolcom.

Prior to his Nolcom stint, Alcantara was the deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and was once a contender both for the posts of Army and AFP chief.

He was the commander of the Army's 6th infantry division that led operations against followers of the Ampatuans in the aftermath of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

 http://www.rappler.com/nation/32771-catapang-new-nolcom-commander

DFA chief breaks 'niceties' to defend PH – report

From Rappler (Jul 3): DFA chief breaks 'niceties' to defend PH – report

Defending the Philippines’ territorial claims, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario put his foot down to the point of breaking "diplomatic niceties," a report said Wednesday, July 3.

In a report by Reuters, the Singapore foreign minister was quoted as saying that Del Rosario engaged in “testy exchanges” with his Chinese counterpart in the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum in Brunei.

This supposedly happened last Sunday, June 30, incidentally the day when Del Rosario “expressed serious concern over the increasing militarization of the South China Sea.”

Reuters said that, on that day, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi delivered a litany of complaints against the Philippines. Wang decried the Philippines’ moves that supposedly aggravated the rift over the South China Sea.

Del Rosario was not scheduled to speak, but after hearing Wang's speech at Sunday's closed-door meeting in the kingdom of Brunei, he raised his hand and proceeded to rebut China's allegations one by one, according to Philippine diplomats,” Reuters said.

Reuters described this as a "departure from the usual diplomatic niceties."

In his public statement on Sunday, Del Rosario didn’t give details about the supposed military build-up in the South China Sea. However, he said the Chinese actions violated a pact in 2002 in which rival claimants to the sea pledged not to take any actions that may increase tensions.

Setting the tone for the Brunei event, a powerful arm of China's state-run media warned the Philippines on Saturday, June 29, that its defiance could lead to aggressive Chinese action.

Del Rosario on Sunday expressed alarm at such rhetoric. "The statement on counterstrike is an irresponsible one. We condemn any threats of use of force. We condemn that. And we continue to pursue the resolution of our disputes in a peaceful way," he said.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/32819-del-rosario-testy-exchanges-china-asean

Aquino courting impeachment over planned bases access deal - group

From InterAksyon (Jul 3): Aquino courting impeachment over planned bases access deal - group

President Benigno Aquino III could be courting an impeachment case for suggesting that the United States and Japan would be given access to former American military bases in the country, an activist group said Wednesday.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said granting the two countries basing rights, even temporarily, could constitute culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

"Obviously, the President is consciously and deliberately circumventing the Charter. Whether the use of bases is permanent or temporary, the Constitution bans US, Japan or any foreign military bases and troops in the Philippines," Antonio Flores, KMP secretary general, said in a statement.

Flores stressed that the Constitution "expressly prohibits foreign bases, troops and facilities" in the country.

On Tuesday, Aquino said giving the US and Japan access to the former military bases would allow the Philippines to forge a "credible alliance."

The US maintained Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base until 1991, when the Philippine Senate voted to terminate the Philippines-US Military Bases Agreement.

Section 25, Article XVIII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states: “After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America concerning Military Bases, foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that
purpose and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.”

“The President is courting an impeachment complaint for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for trampling our sovereignty and rabid puppetry to the US,” Flores said.

The KMP also assailed Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for “deceiving the Filipino people” by saying the Philippines would not build new bases and would instead transfer its own military facilities to Subic.

“With or without new facilities, the fact is, US troops will be given access to the already existing military facilities they left in 1991. Under the guise of moving the Philippine Navy and Air Force to Subic, the Aquino government paved the way for the return of the US military bases in Subic,” Flores said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65485/aquino-courting-impeachment-over-planned-bases-access-deal---group