Forum on Bayanihan held in Iligan City

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jul 9): Forum on Bayanihan held in Iligan City





Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr speaks during a forum on Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan at the Mindanao State University in Iligan City. (Photo by Sgt. Dante Akiatan)
The Bantay Kalilintad, the local version of the Bantay Bayanihan, composed of civil society organizations in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, convened for the conduct of Bantay Bayanihan forum dubbed as “Civilian-Led Security Sector Reform: Popularizing Bantay Bayanihan and Expanding its Constituencies” held at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City.

Captain Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said the forum was initiated by Musa Mohamad Sanguila, lead convener of the Bantay Kalilintad and Director of Pakigdait Incorporated, a civil society oversight body on the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan in Lanao Provinces.

He said Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr, the acting division commander, represented Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista.

Trinidad gave an update on the gains of IPSP Bayanihan campaign both at the national level and in the Lanao Provinces.

“General Trinidad stressed the significant decrease in the violent activities initiated by both the Abu Sayyaf Group, especially against the civilians in Basilan Province, and the New People’s Army and this indicate that their capability have been reduced thru the effective counter-measures of government forces,” Somera said.

Trinidad acknowledged the initiative of the Bantay Kalilintad, but emphasized the importance of the involvement of more stakeholders in the implementation of the IPSP Bayanihan in the pursuit of peace and security in the community and to “create a broad united front against the use of armed struggle.”

Somera said the forum was attended by leaders of the different civil society organizations, religious sector, members of the Non-Violent Peace Force- International Monitoring Team and military commanders.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/forum-on-bayanihan-held-in-iligan-city.html

Muslim soldiers observe Ramadan in Mindanao

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jul 9): Muslim soldiers observe Ramadan in Mindanao

Some 1,000 Muslim soldiers under the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division have joined the observance of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Captain Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the division, said Major Adzramien Sahisa, an imam, led the observance of the Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam and one of the most important holiday in the Muslim world.

“The Command joins you as you observe your Holy Month. May this month of Ramadan cleanse your heart and your soul as you renew your faith to our Divine God (Allah). May you include in your prayers and devotion the realization of peace in Mindanao and the whole country for the people, our brothers and sisters, and for our families. May Allah bless us all,” Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr, the acting division commander.

Somera said the soldiers belong mostly to the Tausug, Yakan, Maranao and Maguindanao.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/muslim-soldiers-observe-ramadan-in.html

MNLF shows force, firepower in surprise Basilan march

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jul 9): MNLF shows force, firepower in surprise Basilan march





Security forces were thrown into alert and residents panicked after hundreds of former Moro rebels, many of them armed with anti-tank rockets and automatic weapons, paraded in Lamitan City in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, army officials said Tuesday.

Officials said members of the Moro National Liberation Front, clad in military uniform, marched through the city - some of them waving red flags - and caught local authorities by surprise.

MNLF leaders said the march was part of their peace consultation in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. The show of force was unprecedented in recent decades.

The unannounced parade sent soldiers and policemen scampering for cover and defensive positions as security forces hurriedly put up check points and road blocks to ensure control of the tense situation.

But despite the layers of road blocks, the former rebels insisted on marching through them and further caused tension in Lamitan. Security commanders, in an effort to avert any confrontation, allowed the MNLF members to pass through.

Two army armoured personnel carriers were also sent to the city as back up to troops securing Lamitan. Army officials have met with the leader of the MNLF, Nurin Ismael, to convince his group to peacefully leave the city because the presence of former rebels has caused panic to the locals.

Officials said Ismael’s group has apologized to the authorities for the uncoordinated march and eventually returned to their bases.

It was not immediately known why the MNLF forces managed to march to Lamitan undetected by the authorities.

There was no immediate statement from local government officials about the incident, but the daring march by former rebels has proved that security is still a big problem in Basilan province, just several nautical miles off Zamboanga City.

The MNLF under Nur Misuari has signed a peace accord with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war in southern Philippines. The accord also allowed the MNLF to keep their weapons. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region, but despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

And in November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and launched a new rebellion in Sulu and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed.

Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and jailed and released after several years.

 Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the South and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

But Misuari's fall had severely affected the MNLF which is now heavily divided and rift among its leaders is becoming more apparent. Misuari also ran thrice for governor in Sulu province and again in the Muslim autonomous region, but lost. However, Misuari’s popularity among many Muslims remains high and his influence over them is unquestionable.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/mnlf-shows-force-firepower-in-surprise.html

NPA rebels were killed in gun battle, says military

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 8): NPA rebels were killed in gun battle, says military
The spokesman of the military’s Southern Luzon Command on Sunday denied accusations by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that its New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were unarmed when they were killed in Thursday’s encounter with Army soldiers in the hinterlands of Juban in Sorsogon.

“That’s their rehashed propaganda line. On the contrary, they were all heavily armed and engaged our soldiers in a half-hour exchange of gunfire before they were killed,” said Lt. Col. Neil Anthony Estrella in an interview at Solcom headquarters here.

Estrella said the rebels, including National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) Bicol spokesman Greg Bañares, “were killed in a legitimate encounter.”

“Those who are saying the slain communist terrorists were mercilessly massacred are lying. They refuse to admit the NPA rebels are losing strength,” he said.

On Saturday, the CPP insisted in a statement the slain rebels were unarmed even as it appealed to human rights groups, church groups, independent lawyer groups and the United Nations to conduct an investigation.

Eight rebels were killed in the clash, including Frankie Joe Soriano, better known by his pseudonym Ka Greg Bañares.

Also killed in the firefight were Pehing Hipa, alias Ka Miloy; Ted Palacio, alias Ka Gary; David Llunar, alias Ka Rey; Romero Añonuevo, alias Ka Nene; Ailyn Calma, alias Kevin; and William Villanueva Jr., alias Ka Jay.

“Being unarmed and unable to put up any form of resistance, Ka Greg, Ka Nel and Ka Gary should have been arrested and detained as prisoners of war in accordance with provisions of the Geneva Conventions governing protagonists rendered hors de combat. They were, instead, mercilessly massacred by the soldiers of the 31st Infantry Battalion,” the CPP said.

The CPP demanded that the soldiers and officers involved in the clash be held liable for violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and pertinent protocols of the Geneva Conventions.

But, citing official military reports from Bicol, Estrella said the soldiers recovered five M16 rifles, two M203 grenade rifles, three laptops and improvised explosive devices from the slain rebels.

He said the soldiers were tipped off by concerned residents on the presence of the armed rebels in the area.

The data from the seized laptops revealed “highly classified and sensitive information” on the operations of NPA rebels in Bicol, particularly in Sorsogon, he added.

“Ka Greg’s group was not only a propaganda and information unit, it was also involved in several tactical operations against police and military forces,” said Estrella.

He said the military had identified Bañares on Friday through photos provided by rebel returnees and confirmation by his former comrades.

The CPP vowed to avenge the deaths of their comrades. It ordered all units of the NPA, particularly in Bicol, to carry out more tactical offensives against the state security forces.

Estrella said the military was ready for any retaliation by the communist guerrillas.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, public affairs office chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the military was not rejoicing at the deaths of the eight ranking NPA leaders.

In fact, he said, the military leadership was “saddened” upon learning that most of the slain insurgents had been recruited to the communist movement when they were just students.

“We’re not celebrating. We’re just doing our duty to protect the citizenry,” Zagala told the Inquirer in a phone interview.

Meanwhile, another NPA rebel was killed on Saturday morning, according to Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, acting spokesman of the 9th Infantry Division. Penky Quentas Boticario was identified through an ID found in his belongings after the encounter.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/440391/npa-rebels-were-killed-in-gun-battle-says-military

Palace assures no escalation of hostilities between military, BIFM

From the Sun Star (Jul 8): Palace assures no escalation of hostilities between military, BIFM

MALACAÑANG assured Monday that the renewed skirmishes between the government troops and the breakaway Muslim rebels in Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces would not escalate to other places.

Quoting the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the security mechanisms of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have already been working to contain the hostilities that erupted between the Army troops and the over 100 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM).

"OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) is confident that the escalation of violence can be prevented by the CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities) and the AHJAG (Ad Hoc Joint Action Group) and other security mechanisms," she said in a text message.

The CCCH is comprised of members from the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF, as well as neutral parties. Established in 2003, it has been tasked to monitor the implementation of the GPH-MILF Ceasefire Agreement and resolve complaints over ceasefire violations so that small skirmishes do not intensify.

On the other hand, the AHJAG is a joint effort of both parties, seeking to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

The BIFM, founded by former MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato, broke away from the MILF in 2010 after the latter dropped the call for an independent Islamic state. The government considers BIFM as a lawless element and not another rebel group.

Amid the BIFM attacks, Valte said the military will keep the peace during Ramadan and will act accordingly should harassment continue to persist.

A least five soldiers and scores of insurgents were killed in the clashes over the weekend.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/07/08/palace-assures-no-escalation-hostilities-between-military-bifm-291414

Fighting between Kato’s group, soldiers still rages

From the Manila Standard Today (Jul 9): Fighting between Kato’s group, soldiers still rages

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters said on Monday that clashes between their forces and government troops continue to rage on in various areas in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Samsudin, a sub-commander of BIFF,  said that clashes continue in Brgy. Gatu Masasapano in Shariff Aguak.

He added that the fighting between BIFF forces and troops from the 6th Infantry Battalion at Shariff Aguak  followed earlier clashes in Brgy.  Bakat, Datu Piang and Bgry. Shariff Saydona, in Cotabato on Saturday and Sunday.

But the military denied the report, saying that they stopped their operation on Monday in deference to Ramadan, a Muslim holiday which starts today.

“We [stopped] the operations because Ramadan is already [about to start]. The only clearance given to us by the joint panel is three days to conduct law enforcement operations. So we have to abide by that so as not to derail the peace process,” Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said.

Gapuz added that it was the BIFF rebels who launched an attack in an army post in Bgy. Bakat, but later withdrew with six casualties.

Samsudin, however, said that while the observance of Ramadan is “highly important” among Muslims, they had no other recourse but to defend themselves if the military attacks them.

He claimed that government troops attacked the hideout of Ameril Umbra Kato, the BIFF founder and leader, in Brgy. Gatu Masasapano.

“Fighting is ongoing after army soldiers attacked Kato’s hideout but his men retaliated,” Samsudin said.

He claimed that the army was trying to flush out Kato and his men from their hideout.

Kato, who used to be a ranking member of the MILF before his defection, is facing more than 80 criminal charges filed by the government before different courts in Mindanao.

In 2011, the MILF disassociated itself from Kato’s group and declared him a “bougat” or one who defies or does not obey an order and engages in lawless actions.

Kato currently carries a P10 million bounty on his head.

Gapuz said the military’s attacks against the BIFF were approved by the Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He added that they “will not relax” on security measures as the lawless Moro rebels are very much capable of launching attacks.

Gapuz said the number of fatalities on the government side rose to 6, an officer and five enlisted personnel, and two wounded in action.

“On the enemy side, the estimate is about 80. Pero ang sabi nila ang nakita lang dun is 18. Hindi naman pwedeng kunin yun because that is against their customs and tradition,” he said.

He admitted though that the figure is based on the information coming from civilians who allegedly saw the fatalities.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said that it remains confident that the clashes will not spill over on the ongoing peace talks.

“The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is confident that the escalation of violence can be prevented by the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group and other security mechanisms,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

The clashes happened on the eve of the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Government chief negotiator Miriam Ferrer earlier assured the public that  operations against Kato were cleared with the CCCH.

“All of the law enforcement actions that the military has taken are coordinated with the CCCH,” Ferrer said.

“We do not want that this would embroil the government and the MILF,” she added.

The military said Kato is “posturing” to disrupt the peace talks, which have reached critical stage as both panels finalize the three remaining annexes for the peace accord.

This week’s formal talks will run until Thursday, as both panels aim to resolve the thorny issue of wealth-sharing annex.

Ferrer said both panels will strive to “find compromises” during the four-day formal negotiations in Kuala Lumpur which began  Monday.

She said the government draft on wealth-sharing provides for a better fiscal arrangement than what is currently in place in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/07/09/fighting-between-katos-group-soldiers-still-rages/

Murad and PNoy exchange letters on delays in peace talks

From MindaNews (Jul 8): Murad and PNoy exchange letters on delays in peace talks

Before the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels resumed talks in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, July 8, their leaders had discussed the delays in the peace process and tried to resolve them through letters.

MILF peace panel chair Mohager Iqbal revealed in his opening statement at the State Room of the Palace of the Golden Horses hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Monday morning that MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim “decided to write” President Aquino a letter to reiterate the “unwavering commitment of the MILF to resolve the conflict peacefully” and “politely informed him (President) of the growing frustration of the people and some members of the MILF as a result of the delay of the talks.”

Iqbal said Murad explained to the President that the delay is perceived to be not coming from the side of the MILF but from the government.

He did not say what Murad’s recommendations were but said “the President responded positively to the letter.”

“I am so sorry I cannot disclose the content of the letter because I don’t have the mandate to do so. Our chairman did not allow that copies be made except one that is intended for the Facilitator for the record of the Malaysian Secretariat,” he said.

 

Iqbal did not say when Murad wrote the President and to whom it was coursed.

MindaNews asked through mobile phone on Monday evening if Murad’s letter was sent after the shuttling of the Malaysian facilitator in early June and before the forum in Oslo, Norway on June 18 and 19. Iqbal said “yes.”

President Aquino has met and spoken with Murad three times: on August 4, 2011 in Japan, where they both agreed to fast-track the peace process, sign an agreement within the first half of the Aquino administration and implement in the second half; on October 12, 2012 in Malacanan at the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB); and on February 11, 2013 at the launching of the government’s socio-economic initiative, “Sajahatra Bangsamoro.”

First time

It is the first time letters were reported to have been exchanged between Murad and the President.

In his opening statement Monday, Iqbal noted that the last time the panels met in Kuala Lumpur on April 8 to 11, they agreed to “exchange notes” and to meet again after the May 13 Philippine elections.

Notes on how to resolve the contentious  issues on the remaining three annexes were exchanged through the Malaysian facilitator, Dato’ Tengku Abd’ Ghafar bin Mohamed, who shuttled between Manila and Maguindanao on June 6 to 8, but no date was set for the resumption of  the talks as the panels had yet to break an impasse on the wealth-sharing annex.

News that a date had been set for the resumption of the talks came out only after the Mediators’ Forum in Oslo, Norway on June 18 and 19, which was attended by GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Iqbal,  Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles and the Malaysian Facilitator, Tengku.

An article in the OPAPP website datelined Norway on June 21 and titled “GPH, MILF to resume formal talks in July,” quoted Ferrer as saying that “the panel chairs have already agreed on a date early next month to further discuss the annexes on wealth sharing, power sharing and normalization.”

The report also said Ferrer “handed over to her counterpart the government’s full proposals on the wealth sharing annex for the MILF to study and consider.”

The exchange of letters between Murad and the President apparently fast-tracked the process, at least on setting the date for the next round of talks.

The first date set for the resumption of the talks was July 3 to 5 but this was later reset to July 8 to 11.

“Most critical stage”
Iqbal also narrated in his opening statement how several foreign participants in the Oslo forum described the GPH-MILF peace negotiation as a “success story” but they told them the process is still ongoing and that they are “still treading the most critical stage” of their peace journey and that there are “many spoilers who are waiting in ambush.”

Iqbal has been the MILF’s chief negotiator for the last ten years. He took over from Murad, then Vice Chair for Military Affairs and concurrent peace panel chair until MILF chair Salamat Hashim succumbed to an illness on July 13, 2003. Hashim’s death would be made public 23 days later, along with the announcement that Murad had been elected as his successor and Iqbal, information chief, would take over as peace panel chair.

“As a negotiator for more than ten years, I have learned a lot of hard lessons… For this reason, I know that the road ahead of the current peace talks is still full of humps and bumps. But this is no reason to cause the failure of these talks. Sincere and committed partners in peace process will always find creative formula to get through any differences,” he said.

Iqbal then reminded everyone that “we are solving the Moro Problem or Question, not the Philippine Problem.”

“Remember that a historic injustice has been committed against the Bangsamoro, which must be corrected once and for all in order to put to rest all future legitimate struggles against the Manila government. Therefore, any solution requires a major shake-up of the status quo. A mere resort to legal remedies not founded on negotiated political settlement will not hold water,” he said.

Both parties had agreed in the April 2012 Decision Points and carried over into the FAB, that “the status quo is unacceptable.”

“Above ARMM, below independence”
“Moreover, it is not symmetry or what is common to all peoples of the Philippines is the problem; rather, it is what distinguishes the Bangsamoro from the rest of the inhabitants that we must address, and which distinctiveness we have already discovered the formula: ‘asymmetrical relationship.’ This means, the parties must find a political solution that is above the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and below independence. If we faithfully subscribe to this formulation, the parties can move the process very fast. There would be no back-and-forth movements like what happened for the last more four months,” Iqbal said.

He explained that they rejected the ARMM because “it is not autonomous but an administrative region like the rest of the regions in the Philippines.”

“To fast-track the process, therefore, the government must not offer anything already granted to the ARMM especially by R.A. 9054 or by other legislations. For, these are givens that need no longer be negotiated on. On the other hand, the MILF must not demand anything reserved for an independent state. In order to aid them, they can learn from other models on state-substate asymmetrical relationship that are available around us,” said Iqbal.

Iqbal said he hopes they can sign “hopefully the annex on wealth-sharing” in this round of talks.

He acknowledged that too much pressure is building against us, especially on government.

Last week, the CSO (Civil Society Organization) Summit on the Bangsamoro Peace Talks held in Davao City called on both panels to “sign the peace agreement now” because “time is running out.”

Bangsamoro women who gathered at the plaza in Cotabato City at around the same time the panels opened their talks in Kuala Lumpur, also made a similar call.

MindaNews asked for a copy of Ferrer’s opening statement but no copy has been sent as of 9:30 p.m. The speech has not also been uploaded in the OPAPP website.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2013/07/08/murad-and-pnoy-exchange-letters-on-delays-in-peace-talks/

Samar NPA launches new attack

From the Manila Times (Jul 8): Samar NPA launches new attack

AMID claims by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that the New People’s Army (NPA) is losing the war, the communist rebels continues to engage the military as it launched another attack against government security forces in Samar province.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman, 8th Infantry Division, disclosed on Monday that the latest encounter took place in Barangay Diit in the town of Matuginao that left one soldier wounded and allegedly an undetermined number on the rebels’ side.

He said the soldier-members of the “Bayanihan” Team of the 43rd Infantry Battalion were conducting routine community and security patrol in the area when they were engaged by some 15 heavily armed rebels.

Wounded was Private First Class Eduardo Carcillar.

Gutierrez said that based on information provided by the residents, the withdrawing rebels carried their wounded comrades as they retreated.

Prior to the encounter, Gu-tierrez added, an abandoned NPA camp was also discovered by operating troops of the 34 Infantry Battalion in the boundary of the hinterlands villages of Pio del Pilar and Can-Maria in Lapinig town.

He said the discovered NPA camp has a makeshift hall and tents and can accommodate 30 people.

Troops assessed that the NPA camp was abandoned few days ago.

Last week, the rebels also engaged government forces in a 35-minute firefight in Barangay Upper Calmayon, Juban, Sorso-gon that resulted in the death of eight rebels.
On Sunday, the NPAs retaliated by firing at a group of students participating in a fun run in Gubat, Sorsogon that left one female student injured.

Earlier, NPA rebels in Northern Samar and Zamboanga del Sur also engaged government forces in separate encounters that left one soldier dead and 11 others injured.

But despite the series of attacks initiated by the NPAs, the AFP said that it is still winning the war under the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, the government’s new anti-insurgency strategy.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, chief, Public Affairs Office, said that AFP still has the upper hand against the NPA with a 40-percent increase in military-initiated engagements against the armed rebels from fourth quarter of 2012 to first quarter of 2013.

Since January up to March this year, he added, the AFP recorded 96 focus-military operations against the NPA who only conducted 46.

Zagala claimed that through IPSP, more and more NPAs were returning to the government fold.

 The AFP has declared 25 provinces as NPA-free.

http://www.manilatimes.net/samar-npa-launches-new-attack-2/17072/

Officer in ‘Morong 43’ case belittles Leftist allegations

From Malaya (Jul 9): Officer in ‘Morong 43’ case belittles Leftist allegations























Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad

ARMY chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes yesterday confirmed the designation of a senior military officer linked to the controversial arrest of the “Morong 43” as new commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division based in Capiz.

Coballes vouched for the integrity of Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, outgoing AFP deputy chief of staff for operations, who has been charged with torture in connection with the arrest of the “Morong 43” at a farmhouse in Morong, Rizal in February 2010.

Baladad, then a colonel, was commander of the 202nd Brigade that arrested the Morong 43.

The military has said the Morong 43 are members of the New People’s Army. The group members said they are health workers.

“General Baladad won’t be given a key position if he is not upright,” said Coballes of Baladad, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, who is expected to assume his new post on Friday.

Coballes said the designation of Baladad as 3rd ID commander is effective June 20, the day Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta retired from service.

The Army division is currently headed by 3rd ID deputy commander Brig. Gen. Jonas Sumagaysay in concurrent and acting capacity.

Information about Baladad’s new designation was leaked last week. The human rights group Karapatan said Baladad’s promotion is an “exemplary display of impunity” under the Aquino government.

Baladad, asked to comment on the criticisms from the Left, said: “As of now, the case is still pending. Where is the presumption of innocence there?”

Baladad said the Court of Appeals has already sustained the arrest of the 43 who, he said, are NPA rebels. “In effect, it was not illegal arrest,” he said.

Baladad said the Left is opposing his designation because they want to prevent an “effective officer” from getting promoted.

“To me, if they see a commander that’s effective, they don’t want that (officer) to go up…They will harass you so you won’t be too aggressive to achieve the mission,” he said.

Baladad said the case would not prevent him from doing his job.

“If a commander will show that he is losing his aggressiveness, then the NPA will achieve what they want to happen - for the commanders to lose their aggressiveness,” he said.

Baladad is facing torture charges filed by some of the 43 arrested in Morong. Five of them have confessed membership in the NPA.

Government prosecutors withdrew the charges filed against the 43 after President Aquino said evidence against them were inadmissible in court.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/35507-officer-in-morong-43-case-belittles-leftist-allegations

AFP quizzes rights abuses’ veracity

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 9): AFP quizzes rights abuses’ veracity

As the military leadership continued to question the veracity of a scathing report on human rights in the country, the Armed Forces office yesterday challenged Karapatan to provide evidence if it indeed documented hundreds of human rights abuses in the first half of the Aquino administration.

“Karapatan must prove the veracity of (its) claims. (Its) records are not accurate, and these purported human rights violations are only allegations which have not been filed to the proper authority,” Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, stressed.

“They should engage other agencies concerned particularly the AFP to once and for all verify and reconcile their records with ours, and with the CHR (Commission on Human Rights),” he added.

According to Karapatan, from July 2010, or the start of the Aquino administration, to April 30, 2013, it has documented 142 victims of extra-judicial killing, 164 cases of frustrated killing, 16 victims of enforced disappearance, 293 persons arrested and detained, 16 children with ages ranging from four to 15 killed during encounters that mainly involved paramilitary groups under the command of AFP units.

Zagala said if Karapatan is really advocating human rights, it should coordinate with the AFP-Human Rights Office (HRO) and the CHR to resolve the issues.

“We urge Karapatan to coordinate with the AFP-HRO or the CHR. If they are really advocating human rights, they should work with us in finding out remedies, the courses of action to solve the issues,” he added.

“As far as the AFP is concerned, our efforts in upholding International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Rule of Law in all our security operations have been effective,” Zagala stressed.

Karapatan also reiterated its call for the dismantling of all paramilitary groups in the country and the revocation of Executive Order (EO) 546.

According to Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay, EO 546 spurred the use of paramilitary groups and private armies by political warlords such as the Ampatuans.

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo’s EO 546 allowed local officials to employ members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units (Cafgu) and Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVO) to purportedly address insurgency in the country.

The group said Aquino, instead of revoking the order, expanded and strengthened the EO by creating the Special Cafgu Auxiliary Action (SCAA) to protect operations of mining firms.

Palabay also cited the appointment of Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad as commanding general of 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army as an “exemplary display of impunity under the Aquino government.”

Baladad is among the military and police officers currently facing civil and criminal charges of torture and illegal detention of 43 health workers known as the Morong 43.
The 43 health workers were illegally arrested in February 2010. They were handcuffed and blindfolded for two days.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, however, defended the appointment of Baladad, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1982, which took effect June 20 upon the retirement of Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr.

“General Baladad will not be given a key position if he is not upright... there is no result yet on the case,” he said.

Coballes added that opposition to Baladad’s appointment was expected from the “enemy.”

“You don’t expect any positive statement from the enemy,” he stressed.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/16433-by-mario-j-mallari-as-the-military-leadership-continued-to-question-the-veracity-of-a-scathing-report-on-human-rights-in-the-country-the-armed-forces-office-yesterday-challenged-karapatan-to-provide-evidence-if-it-indeed-documented-hundreds-of-hum

Army’s 7th ID and Nolcom have new commanders

From the Business Mirror (Jul 8): Army’s 7th ID and Nolcom have new commanders

 Brig. Gen. Hernando Delfin Carmelo Iriberri is the new commander of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID) based in this camp.

Iriberri replaces Maj. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., who has been promoted as chief of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines based in Camp Aquino, Tarlac.

 

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983, Iriberri is a recipient of five Distinguished Service Stars, two Gold Cross Medals, one Long Service Medal, numerous military merit and commendation medals, campaign medals, and various other citations, badges and awards both from military and civilian organizations.

 

Iriberri also served as senior military assistant to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and chief of the Unified Command Staff of the Southern Luzon Command.

 

The 7ID has jurisdiction over army brigades and battalions in the Ilocos and Central Luzon regions and maintains a force in Mindanao.

 

Catapang is eyeing enhanced collaborative efforts of the Armed Forces with stakeholders in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera regions against what he calls as “nontraditional security threats that include climate change, transnational crimes, global terrorism and maritime security.”

 

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/16128-army-s-7th-id-and-nolcom-have-new-commanders

Lawyer asks Navy chief to release Marine colonel

From the Business Mirror (Jul 8): Lawyer asks Navy chief to release Marine colonel

A LAWYER asked the Navy leadership on Monday to immediately release from detention a retired Marine colonel who was convicted by a court martial for “disrespect of the President.”

 

Ana Luz Cristal, counsel for retired Marine Col. Generoso Mariano, urged Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano, Navy flag officer in command, to release her client since the court martial had already issued determined that the sentence has been served.

 

“On May 16, 2013, the Navy General Court Martial rendered its verdict. Part of the dispositive portion states: “x x x x x The court martial sentenced the Accused [Mariano] to suffer the penalty of one-year imprisonment.  His preventive detention from July 15, 2011 shall be credited to his service of sentence, and which shall be deemed served. Thus, his immediate release from detention upon approval by the convening authority [is recommended],” Cristal’s letter said.

 

Cristal personally delivered the letter to Alano.

 

Contacted through his mobile phone, Mariano said he was still waiting for his release order.

 

“I don’t know what keeps the Navy so long to release me. I have already served the sentence more than enough and yet they’re delaying my release,” Mariano lamented.

 

“To date, more than one month has lapsed but our client is still in detention, despite the aforementioned order. We are constrained in the interest of justice, to seek for the immediate release of our client, as his continuous stay in the detention facility is gravely unjust and a clear violation of his constitutional rights. We do hope this request merits your prompt action and favorable consideration,” Cristal added.

 

Mariano was ordered restricted to camp a day before his mandatory retirement after a video of him criticizing President Aquino on several social issues was uploaded on YouTube.

 

Mariano was a multiawarded officer in the Marine Corps. 

 

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/16141-lawyer-asks-navy-chief-to-release-marine-colonel

Heightened US military presence seen

From the Business Mirror (Jul 8): Heightened US military presence seen

THE Philippines will continue to welcome the American military to make use of military bases and accommodate them under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to enhance the Philippines’s own military’s capabilities.

 

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia made the statement, saying that the proposals for use of Philippine military bases by US forces have been under discussion during the last two years.

 

“You know we have the bilateral strategic dialogue every year. For the last two years that I’ve been in Washington, we’ve had three dialogues so far,” Cuisia said on Monday.

 

He added that a fourth dialogue has been scheduled and part of the discussions is “how can we strengthen the alliance between the US and the Philippines.”

 

Asked what bases are the Americans allowed access to, Cuisia said: “I cannot disclose that.”

 

However, he said the arrangement would be beneficial to the country, as it would enhance the Philippine military’s capabilities.

 

“It will definitely contribute to a better training of our armed forces, our Navy, our Air Force and so on. We also hope to be able to get more assistance from the US in terms of military security assistance.”

 

“So there’s going to be more training, more exercises and so on.”

 

He added that the arrangement would still fall under the VFA.

 

“Oh yes, [it will be] within the VFA, that’s the underlying agreement. We won’t go beyond that and we want to assure you that whatever agreement is entered into is going to be in line with the Constitution of the Philippines.”

 

Cuisia did not give a timeline as to when the new arrangement would take effect.

 

“There’s no timeline because again, we have to make sure that the agreement is acceptable to both parties and sometimes, this things take time.”

 

Asked if it’s within the year, he said: “We hope but we cannot say.”

 

Last week Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta said the US military is again welcome to use Subic Bay in Zambales and Clark Field in Pampanga as long as prior approval is granted by the government.

 

Azcueta made the statement following a meeting with Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint chiefs of staff, who traveled to the country as part of a regional trip to generate support for the US military pivot toward Asia.

 

The United States used to maintain bases in Subic and Clark for decades after World War II, but the Senate rejected another RP-US Military Bases Agreement in the early 1990s, and the facilities were returned to the Philippines.

 

The announcement of an expanded military relationship last week came after months of talks between Washington and Manila, and appears to be another step forward in the US plan to bolster its forces in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Cuisia is in the Philippines for two weeks to accompany the 10 delegates to the Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program, who were selected based on their scholastic achievements, leadership skills, advocacy and commitment to pay back the Filipino community in the US and in the Philippines.

 

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4004111469161356591#editor/target=post;postID=3444960692642293642

CPP/NPA: Eight soldiers killed in Sorsogon in NPA active defense

From the CPP Website (Jul 8): Eight soldiers killed in Sorsogon in NPA active defense

At least eight soldiers belonging to the 31st Infantry Battalion were killed when a platoon of the Celso Minguez Command succeeded in carrying-out active defense maneuvers in Sitio Madagusong, Brgy. Macawayan, Irosin, Sorsogon in the early morning hours last July 6, 2013.

The Red fighters successfully countered the attempt of the fascist troops of the 31st IB to encircle and overpower them. They were able to inflict heavy casualties against the AFP. A Sgt. Canuel of the 31st IB and seven other soldiers were killed in action when the NPA detonated explosives and fired upon the attacking soldiers. The spokesperson of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, Col. Joselito Caquilala, concealed the actual number of soldiers who were killed in the encounter.

An NPA Red figher, Pinky Boticario (Ka Gerald), from the same barrio, was martyred in the course of the firefight. The NPA-CMC pays its highest tribute to its fallen Red fighter.

Later that afternoon, a team of NPA Red fighters detonated explosives against the vehicle of the 508th PNP Public Safety Management Battalion. The PNP-PSMB is a combat unit of the PNP being used in counter-guerrilla operations under Oplan Bayanihan. The demolition operation was carried out along the Maharlica Hi-Way in Barangay Ponong, Casiguran. Several policemen were wounded in the attack. The NPA team was able to safely retreat from the area.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130708_eight-soldiers-killed-in-sorsogon-in-npa-active-defense

Govt peace panel chair: Talks with MILF resume in a 'congenial' tone

From GMA News (Jul 8): Govt peace panel chair: Talks with MILF resume in a 'congenial' tone

The Philippine government's chief peace negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said Monday she is positive talks with the secessionist group will "achieve something" despite pending contentious issues.

Peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said both parties resumed peace talks in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in a "congenial" tone as they try to agree on the wealth-sharing and power-sharing arrangements for the proposed Bangsamoro political entity. 

"We're focusing on the options here. We had a very congenial discussion on these issues. These issues are still on the table," Coronel-Ferrer said in an interview aired over ANC.

She added that the 38th round of peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF will last until Thursday.

The peace talks resumed months after the MILF had accused the government of delaying the signing of the peace agreement after allegedly reneging on its commitment to meet with MILF negotiators immediately after the May 10 elections and for proposing changes in the wealth-sharing agreement.

MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar earlier said that his group is likely to reject the government's proposed changes in the wealth-sharing annex.

Last October, the government and the MILF signed a landmark framework agreement that would pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro territory to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316561/news/nation/govt-peace-panel-chair-talks-with-milf-resume-in-a-congenial-tone