NPA communications staff surrenders to Army troops in Eastern Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): NPA communications staff surrenders to Army troops in Eastern Visayas

Sick and tired of "living a life in the run," a female communications staffer of the New People's Army (NPA) Eastern Visayas Regional Party voluntarily surrendered to soldiers of the 34th Infantry Battalion last March 19.

Eastern Visayas consists of the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Biliran.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, 8th Infantry Division spokesperson, in a statement forwarded to the Philippines News Agency Saturday identified the surrenderer as "Marivic" and reportedly a member of the communications staff of Santiago Salas, NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee spokesperson.

Gutierrez said the factor that prompted "Marivic" to surrender was the incessant hardship and fighting for a causeless movement.

In addition, she said that she was not taken care of by the rebel organization when she suffered a serious illness late last year.

The 8th Infantry Division spokesperson added that "Marivic" also wanted to avail of government programs for surrendered rebels so that she can rejoin mainstream society.

Ex-rebels are entitled to avail of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Guns for Peace Program from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process’ Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) and the local social integration program of local government units.

The benefits from these programs are enough for a former rebel to start a new life.

Based on the record of the 8th Infantry Division, 24 NPA rebels have already surrendered to their custody from January 2014 to date.

Six of them already received firearm’s remuneration under the AFP Guns for Peace Program, while the rest who have not yet received their benefits under the government programs enumerated are still waiting for the processing of their claims.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628142

Military to pursue modernization plans to attain minimum credible defense, says Palace official

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): Military to pursue modernization plans to attain minimum credible defense, says Palace official

The Aquino administration will continue to adhere on strengthening the country's military to attain what it called minimum credible defense, a Palace official said on Saturday.

A security expert said China is strongly after the Ayungin Shoal (Thomas Shoal) all because it is after a bigger catch that is Recto Bank (Reed Bank).

"The President's position has always been to strengthen our Armed Forces -- para magkaroon tayo ng minimum credible defense posture," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

"So patuloy ang pagbibigay ng --- at least to this particular issue he really walks the talk, in the sense that he funds the modernization program of the AFP. Pinaglalaanan talaga ng administrasyong Aquino ng budget 'yung pagmodernisa ng ating Sandatahang Lakas," she added.

Former military officer, politician and National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said in his blog that he believes China's next move is to seize and occupy the Ayungin Shoal, which would jeopardize the Philippines' Marine detachment there.

Golez said the Philippines must prepare for China's move on Ayungin in the event that its leadership adopts a military solution to their Ayungin objective.

Ayungin is part of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) that is claimed by China. It is 105 nautical miles from Rizal town in Palawan and is within the country's exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines maintains its presence in Ayungin through the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty ship that was purposely ran aground in 1999.

China warned the Philippines to abandon the shoal and prepare to face the consequences. Few weeks ago, the Chinese blocked two Philippine civilian ships that were supposed to deliver supplies to Filipino troops there.

The Philippines insists that Ayungin is part of its territory and maintains that it would continue to send supplies to its personnel there.

The country has been negotiating for an enhanced military cooperation with the US through an increased American military presence here aimed at protecting the country's interest in the West Philippine Sea.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628237

With or without conflict, President Aquino is determined to modernize AFP --Palace official

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): With or without conflict, President Aquino is determined to modernize AFP --Palace official

The Aquino administration’s efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has nothing to do with the country’s sea dispute versus China, a Malacanang official said Saturday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, in an interview on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, said that it is mainly part of the AFP Modernization Plan.

“The President’s position has always been to strengthen our Armed Forces — para magkaroon ho tayo ng minimum credible defense posture,” Valte said.

“He (the President) really walks the talk in the sense that he funds the modernization program of the AFP,” she added.

It can be recalled that President Benigno S. Aquino III previously announced that about 63,000 new rifles will be issued to the AFP in April.

The President said that the AFP can expect modern boats, Sokol combat utility helicopters, navy helicopters, and other new vehicles in the future.

He also said that 12 lead-in fighter trainer aircraft are also to be purchased for territorial defense operations and to help the eight utility helicopters during search and rescue and disaster-relief missions.

Bidding for a twin-engine naval anti-submarine helicopter is also about to begin.

“...With or without conflict, nilalayon po natin talagang pagandahin ‘yung ating AFP,” Valte said. “Kasama po ‘yan doon sa nailatag nang AFP Modernization Plan.”

Conversely, talks on increased rotational presence of United States troops in the Philippines are ongoing, which Malacanang had earlier acknowledged as part of the country’s efforts to achieve minimum credible defense posture, particularly with the aggressive posturing of China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=628220

USS New Orleans arrives in Manila

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 22): USS New Orleans arrives in Manila

Another United States Navy (USN) vessel, the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) with about 1,000 sailors and Marines on board, dropped anchor in Manila Bay Saturday for a routine port call.

USS New Orleans arrived just as the the US Seventh Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge departed following a four-day goodwill port visit.

Officials say the port visits highlight the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

Such visits, they say, allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.

“While in Manila the sailors and Marines aboard the USS New Orleans are very eager to strengthen their understanding of a country with such strong historical ties to the United States,” said a statement from the US Embassy.

The New Orleans is commanded by Cdr. David Ray and has a crew of approximately 360 sailors. About 750 Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are embarked aboard the transport ship.

USS New Orleans is part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and is homeported in San Diego, California.

http://www.mb.com.ph/uss-new-orleans-arrives-in-manila/

Army, NPA clash in North Cotabato; 200 families leave homes

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 22): Army, NPA clash in North Cotabato; 200 families leave homes

Some 200 families, mostly lumads, remain at the evacuation centers in Magpet town in North Cotabato as Army intensified its military operations against communist guerillas allegedly hiding in the area.

The families, according to Magpet municipal social welfare officer Antonia Fernandez, evacuated to safer areas in nearby Barangay Amabel when armed fighting between government troops and the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) erupted last week.

Of the 200 displaced families, at least 30 come from Sitio Timodos, Barangay Manobisa — site of the latest landmine attack the NPA launched against the 57th IB that killed two soldiers and wounded seven others.

Fernandez said initial relief assistance was given to displaced families.

“But since the armed fighting has not ceased, more and more families have to leave their homes. Right now, we’re feeding some 200 families from at least two conflict-affected barangays. We actually need some help from the provincial government and regional office to be able to feed these war victims,” said Fernandez.

Captain Manuel Gatus, chief of the civil military operations of the 57th IB, said their presence in the area will help secure villagers from any possible attacks from the NPAs.

“We are here to bring peace. We’ve known for so long that these rebels have been harassing our villagers, extorting our traders and small-time farmers,” said Gatus.
The rebels, he stressed, ‘are already on the run.’

“We’re running after those rebels who were behind the latest attacks in towns of Matan-ao and Bansalan in Davao del Sur. Our intelligence reports said that these rebels have sought refuge in the hinterlands of Magpet, Makilala, and Arakan in North Cotabato,” said the military official.

http://www.mb.com.ph/army-npa-clash-in-north-cotabato-200-families-leave-homes/

GRP, MILF panels to tap foreign experts to observe signing of Bangsamoro pact

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 22): GRP, MILF panels to tap foreign experts to observe signing of Bangsamoro pact

Foreign experts will be invited to sit in an independent body that will oversee the decommissioning of combatants and firearms of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as part of the normalization annex of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB).

Government of the Philippines chief negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, in a statement, said that both the GRP and MILF peace panels are now working on the terms of reference for the different bodies that will be created as part of the normalization process.

Among the bodies being eyed is the Joint Normalization Committee which will oversee the programs for normalization, including the transitional security arrangements that will build on the current cooperation under the ceasefire agreement.

“We are also going to invite local and foreign experts who will sit in the Independent Decommissioning Body that will manage the inventory and verification of the MILF combatants and armory,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

“Moreover, we will form a Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission that would study and propose programs that would address historical grievances and heal the wounds of war,” she added.

According to Coronel-Ferrer, the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) is scheduled on March 27 in Malacañang Palace with no less than President Aquino and MILF chairman Al Haj Murad expected to deliver their messages.

Coronel-Ferrer said that the CAB signing seals the partnership for peace and prosperity between the government and the MILF.

“This partnership is based on our shared aspiration to heal the wounds of conflict, enable meaningful autonomy for the Bangsamoro, and nurture peace and development in Muslim Mindanao,” she said.

The CAB brings together all the major agreements signed by the parties in the course of the 17-year negotiations. Its most important parts are the FAB and the four Annexes.

These documents provide for the road map and the terms pertaining to the creation of the Bangsamoro entity and the transformation of the MILF from an armed group to an active participant in governance and societal reform.

“From the FAB to the CAB, we have come a long way,” she said.

“We dedicate the signing of the CAB to all the people who have helped us reach this stage in the journey. To them we owe this opportunity to bring our people closer together toward shared peace and prosperity under one country standing tall before the global community,” she added.

The CAB serves as basis for the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law being done by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. The draft law will be submitted to Congress and certified by the President as urgent. A plebiscite will then be held at the areas identified in the agreement after the law is passed.

These areas are the current provinces and cities under the Autonomous Region in Muslin Mindanao (ARMM), the cities of Isabela and Cotabato, six municipalities in Lanao del Norte, and 39 barangays in six municipalities of Cotabato province.

Other geographic areas that are contiguous to the enumerated places and that wish to join the plebiscite may do so through a resolution passed by the local government unit concerned or a petition of at least 10 percent of registered voters in the locality two months before the conduct of the plebiscite.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law will provide for the modalities that would allow them to join the plebiscite.

Colonel-Ferrer and MILF panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal will sign the CAB with Malaysian Third Party Facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed signing as witness.

The Moro National Liberation Front earlier stressed that the signing of CAB will not stop the MNLF, led by Chairman Nur Misuari, to pursue independence through its own Bangsamoro Republik through peaceful means.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Aquino administration has a particular invitation to the Malaysian Prime Minister Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak to be present on the actual signing event.

“Again, the invitation was for Prime Minister Najib to witness the signing as well but, we are still waiting for a confirmation,” Lacierda said.

He added the crafting of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law is still with the Transition Commission.

“We are hoping that they would be able to finalize everything by March or by April. The Bangsamoro Transition Commission will forward it to the office of the President for further review,” Lacierda said.

He added once the drafted Bangsamoro has been approved by Aquino, they would then submit it to Congress.

“The President will certify it as urgent. Hopefully, during the deliberations will take, and as committed already by, at least, the press statement of Senate President Frank Drilon, hopefully by the end of this year, we will have the Bangsamoro Basic Law enacted,” Lacierda said.

The Palace mouthpiece said that Secretary Ging Deles has already made the rounds with the House and the Senate and briefing them on the comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement plus the four annexes.

“We certainly would hope that the House and the Senate realizing how important and how vital this particular peace agreement is to the development in Mindanao would support,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said if there would be some issues raised, then the executive branch will be there to help their fellow legislators to clarify some of their concerns.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/grp-milf-panels-to-tap-foreign-experts-to-observe-signing-of-bangsamoro-pact

Bayan sec-gen out on bail

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 21): Bayan sec-gen out on bail

The secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Negros was released yesterday afternoon after posting bail of P1,000 for maltreatment charges, at the Hall of Justice in Bacolod City.

Christian Tuayon, 27, of Brgy. Purisima in Manapla town, Negros Occidental was arrested Wednesday, minutes after he attended a hearing on the case being faced by his fellow militants, on the strength of a bench warrant issued by Branch 1 presiding judge Jose Paolo Ariola of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

The warrant was for Tuayon’s failure to attend a hearing on the maltreatment charges filed against him by Police Officer 1 Albert Villahermoso, a member of the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion, reports said.

Station 2 policemen brought Tuayon and the other two inmates with separate cases to the Hall of Justice at about 2:30 p.m. to get their commitment orders for their transfer to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Senior Insp. Jovil Sedel, station’s chief told the DAILY STAR.

When Tuayon and the police were on their way to MTCC Branch 1, Cesar Beloria Sr. was already there and they proceeded to the clerk of the court to pay the bail bond for his temporary liberty, Sedel said.

Beloria had filed a motion to quash the warrant of arrest and a motion to reconsideration before the MTCC Branch 1, reports said.

Tuayon allegedly tapped the hat of Villahermoso, and hit his nose. This happened in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, during the visit of President Benigno Aquino on May 5, 2012.

Tuayon told the DAILY STAR yesterday that the police and the media present in Talisay then knew how the tension had risen and how the policemen “inhumanely” dispersed and injure people during the rally.

He said he failed to attend only one hearing, since the subpoena from the court had not been delivered to him.

Tuayon, who had been detained at the lock-up cell of Station 2 for almost 24 hours, said he condemn the slow process of his case.

He said his arrest is due to their advocacy for change and respect for human rights.

He said that no matter how many of them will be nabbed, their battle will not stop, they will still continue to seek for justice whether they are in or out of the lock-up cells

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/March/21/topstory3.htm

Gov't efforts vs KFRG in Zambo yield results with arrest of kidnap leader

From the Zamboanga Today (Mar 21): Gov't efforts vs KFRG in Zambo yield results with arrest of kidnap leader


















Government efforts to arrest members of syndicated crimes in Western Mindanao area have finally yielded results after capturing a leader of the kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) involved in the Casipong kidnapping case and other series of kidnapping incidents in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

Chief of the Presidential Commission on Transnational Crime (PCTC) in Western Mindanao field office Chief Inspector Alexander Lorenzo said that KFRG leader Mamay Aburi together with a certain Moin Dunggan and 3 others were collared at the vicinity of San Antonio Avenue, Parañaque City, at about 12 noon yesterday.

Lorenzo said that Aburi’s group was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives under criminal case number I-5472 and I-54733.

Authorities tagged Aburi as a leader of a notorious group, which is linked with the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who was responsible for as series of kidnapping and extortion activities in Zamboanga Peninsula.
Aburi’s group was also blamed for the kidnapping of Kathy Mae Casipong, recently freed in Zamboanga Sibugay Province.

The group also planned and executed the kidnapping of Randel Talania; Cynthia Cabiberder, and the 5 year-old Alexa Dela Cruz.

It was also responsible in the massacre of 10 Badjao fishermen at Pandalosan Island, Olutangga, Zamboanga Sibugay last December 26, 2013.

Based on police reports, Aburi and his followers were also tagged behind the kidnapping of the Australian National Warren Rodwell.

The group of Aburi is now under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame.

Last March 7, this year, joint forces of the police and military operated at Aburi’s lair in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, by virtue of a warrant of arrest which resulted to the recovery of high-powered firearms, grenades and explosive materials and the arrest of his followers Alvin Prontosa and Hajer Dunggan.

Authorities said that Aburi managed to slip out from the government forces and flew to Metro Manila where he was arrested.

Lorenzo told Zamboanga Today that the joint government efforts has stretched out to the different parts of the country which came to the arrest of the two former policemen and 3 others in Gatchallian Village, Manuyo 2, Las Piñas City last week.

The five were believed to be members of the Mexican drug cartel in the Philippines.

Ex-cop PO3 Mohammad Pon Mansul and his 4 companions involved in illegal drugs operation were arrested by the PCTC, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Naval Intelligence Security Group (NISG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) last March 13, 2014.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/16995-govt-efforts-vs-kfrg-in-zambo-yield-results-with-arrest-of-kidnap-leader.html

Negotiators fly to KL to finalize Mindanao peace pact

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 21): Negotiators fly to KL to finalize Mindanao peace pact

The peace panels of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to finalize the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that will be signed at Malacanang on March 27.

“They are now in Kuala Lumpur to put the finishing touches on the CAB,” Commissioner Abdulla Camlian of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission said Friday at the Conference on Electoral Systems and Political Parties under the Bangsamoro Ministerial Form of Government.

Camlian read a message that MILF chief negotiator, Prof. Mohagher Iqbal, was supposed to give at the conference, organized by the Asia Foundation and the British Embassy in Manila.

Lawyer Jose Luis Martin Gascon of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, who read the message of government chief negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, said the final CAB document could be completed on Friday or Saturday.

In a statement, the OPAPP said that more than a thousand people are to attend the “big event” at Malacañang.

Ferrer and Iqbal, as the chief negotiators, will sign the CAB with Malaysian Third Party Facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed signing as witness.

“President Benigno Aquino III, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles and MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim are expected to deliver their messages before attendees coming from the international community and various sectors,” the statement said.
 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/587822/negotiators-fly-to-kl-to-finalize-mindanao-peace-pact

Another US ship arrives

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 22): Another US ship arrives

USS New Orleans. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

 

An American transport dock ship is set to drop anchor in Manila on Saturday, the second to arrive this week for a routine port call.

The United States Embassy in Manila said on Friday that USS New Orleans, an assault ship that transports Marines and their equipment to their areas of assignment, will arrive Saturday with 360 sailors and about 750 embarked Marines from the California-based 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The port call “highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines,” the US Embassy said in a statement.

“This visit will allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation,” said the embassy.

 

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/100791/another-us-ship-arrives

Phl to sign P24B jet, helicopter deals with SKorea, Canada

From the Philippine Star (Mar 21): Phl to sign P24B jet, helicopter deals with SKorea, Canada

The Philippines will sign close to P24-billion worth of defense deals on Friday  as it seeks to  boost its security capabilities.

Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said the contracts to be inked would involve the purchase of 12 lead-in fighter trainer jets worth P18.9-billion from South Korea and eight combat utility helicopters worth P4.8-billion from Canada.

The signing of the deal for the South Korean jets was supposed to be held this week.

However, the schedule was moved to March 28 to accommodate the schedule of Young Ho Oh, president of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

“Our initial plan was to have the signing on March 22 but the representative of KOTRA requested that it be moved to March 28 in view of the non-availability of the president of KOTRA,” Manalo told reporters Friday.

“I was told that the president of KOTRA will accompany the president of South Korea in her official visit to Germany,” he added.

KOTRA is the agency in charge of the South Korean government’s commercial transactions. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will be the supplier of the jets, which will be used for territorial defense operations.

“This is a manifestation of the trust of the two countries,” Manalo said.

“This project has long been delayed many many years since the approval of the Republic Act 7898 in 1995. We should have acquired these (jets) before,” he added, referring to the Armed Forces Modernization Act.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, the chiefs of the Air Force, Navy and Army and other defense officials are expected to attend the signing ceremony.

KAI President and Chief Executive Officer Ha Sung Yong and South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Hyuk Lee are also expected to witness the event.

KAI will be providing FA-50 jets, which are derived from the family of T-50 advanced jet trainer air assets. The first batch of jets will be delivered late next year. The delivery of the jets is expected to be completed by 2017.

VIP helicopters

Meanwhile, three of the eight combat utility helicopters to be acquired from Canada will be used to transport top Philippine officials.

“Three of these eight helicopters will be configured as VIP helicopters,” Manalo said.

“We were able to negotiate that if the contract is signed within the month of March, within first quarter of 2014, then they’ll be able to deliver at least three of the helicopters in September in time for the hosting of the Philippines of the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation),” he added.

The remaining five helicopters will be used to replace aging Bell 412 helicopters acquired during the Ramos administration.

Manalo said the helicopters to be acquired from Canada also belong to the Bell 412 variant but with more advanced features.

The Defense department will acquire the helicopters through a government-to-government transaction with the Canadian Commercial Corp.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/03/21/1303546/phl-sign-p24b-jet-helicopter-deals-skorea-canada

Bayan: US has yet to pay damages over Tubbataha incident

From the Philippine Star (Mar 20): Bayan: US has yet to pay damages over Tubbataha incident

More than a year after a US Navy ship ran aground in Tubbataha Reef, the US government has yet to pay the damages for the destruction of corals at the world heritage site, militant group Bayan said on Friday.

"The US Navy is a respondent to our Supreme Court petition regarding the damage wrought by the USS Guardian on the Tubbataha reef in January 17, 2013. More than a year since the incident, not a single cent has been paid. Not one soldier has been made accountable under Philippine law as the US officers merely got a slap on the wrist," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said.

Reyes said the situation is aggravated by the docking in Manila of the USS Blue Ridge, the command ship of the US 7th Fleet in the Pacific.

"In light of the US' continuing refusal to pay damages, every port call by US ships is an affront to our sovereignty. Every port call is an insult to our people. If the US can act with impunity in Tubbataha, we have every reason to be worried with the ongoing access negotiations which aim to bring more ships and troops in the country for a longer period of time," he added.

With this development, Reyes said their group will also oppose the new de facto basing agreement between the Philippine and US governments.

"The US 7th Fleet Commander tries to sweet talk Filipinos into accepting a one-sided access pact and into forgetting US violations of Philippine laws," Reyes said.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/03/21/1303495/bayan-us-has-yet-pay-damages-over-tubbataha-incident

Masbate town official escapes NPA ambush

From InterAksyon (Mar 21): Masbate town official escapes NPA ambush

The administrative officer of the municipality of Batuan in Masbate cheated death Wednesday when New People's Army guerrillas detonated an improvised explosive device and fired at him as he passed by.

Police said Alfred Yuson, 44, was riding his motorcycle to work when the ambush happened on the road between Barangays Canvanez and Nasanding around 1:30 p.m.

Yuson managed to flee the area unscathed and reached the town’s police station.

Police and military teams that rushed to the area found a large hole in the ground caused by the explosion, detonating cord and empty M16 shells.

Yuson has reportedly long been threatened by the rebels, who suspect him of being a government informer, charges he has denied.





http://www.interaksyon.com/article/83169/masbate-town-official-escapes-npa-ambush

1 dead in AFP-NPA encounter in Rizal

From ABS-CBN (Mar 20): 1 dead in AFP-NPA encounter in Rizal

A New People's Army (NPA) guerrilla died in an encounter with the Philippine Army in Sitio Wawa, Barangay San Rafael in Rodriguez, Rizal Thursday.

According to Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan of Rodriguez Police Station, joint forces from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intensified its efforts to clear the area of rebels
.
They are also expecting the death toll to increase as clashes continue.

The military strengthened its security patrol operations in the area in time with the NPA's celebration of its 45th founding anniversary on March 29.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/20/14/1-dead-afp-npa-encounter-rizal

Mayor says MNLF should be held accountable for deaths of IDPs

From the Zamboanga Today (Mar 20): Mayor says MNLF should be held accountable for deaths of IDPs

Worried by the rising death toll at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex (JFEMSC) and Cawa-Cawa Boulevard, Mayor Ma. Isabelle "Beng" Climaco-Salazar said the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels should be held accountable for the deaths of the evacuees.

Mayor Climaco said the 101 deaths (of evacuees) should be included in the list of casualties as a consequence of the MNLF attack in Zamboanga City, September last year.

"We have to put accountability where accountability should be," she said in a press conference at City Hall last Monday.

"Why are we in this particular situation? We are here because the MNLF attacked the city of Zamboanga who wanted to plant their flag in the city," she added.

Expressing hopes that United Nations humanitarian agencies will extend their assistance program for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Zamboanga City, the mayor said the city is not yet capable of being fully independent at this time.

Mayor Salazar stressed that "at this very moment, because we are still in our early recovery stage, the city of Zamboanga, particularly the 26,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP) cannot go yet without external support."

"But nonetheless, our team in the city government is also preparing for the plan wherein the local government unit will be absorbing all of our displaced people," she said, referring to the Zamboanga Action Plan 2014.

She appealed to the generous patron to provide fresh drinking water for children, Cerelac, and energy drinks, as well as allergy medication for the children.

"What we are concerned about is the acute nutrition that is the cause of the death and the chronic nutrition that our local government is responding," the mayor said.

Earlier, Dr. Rodel Agbulos, head of the City Health Office (CHO), disclosed that the deaths of people at grandstand and Cawa-Cawa boulevard shoreline evacuation centers have reached to 101, in which 41.5% were females and 58% were males while 48% were reported in children under 5 years old.

Agbulos said diarrhea was the leading cause of mortality for children under five years (37.5%) and pneumonia (14%) was the leading cause of morbidity among the 5-59 age group.

He added 57% of deaths occurred outside health facilities (i.e. in the evacuation centers - JFEMSC and Cawa-Cawa shoreline) and that 76 dengue cases were reported from January 1 to March 10, 2014.

The CHO said the top causes of death include age, pneumonia, cardiac arrest/heart attack, asthma, neonatal deaths (home delivered), and complicated diseases (DM, stroke).

The sports complex and R.T. Lim Boulevard have been the temporary shelters of thousands of evacuees since the crisis broke out last September 9, 2013 following the attack of MNLF renegades loyal to Nur Misuari on at least six villages in the city.

Evacuees mostly belonging to Badjao, Sama, Tausug, and Yakan tribes have been severely affected by the September siege, with virtually all of their homes, including stilt houses and properties were burned and destroyed.

On Tuesday, Climaco met with the UN humanitarian agencies headed by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Luiza Carvalho to evaluate and revise the humanitarian Zamboanga Action Plan for its possible extension beyond the end of March 2014.

Since the start of the assistance program, the UN through its donor countries and different humanitarian agencies such as Australia, the Spanish government, Japan, and others - has provided more than P100 million aid for IDPs in Zamboanga City.
http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/16980-mayor-says-mnlf-should-be-held-accountable-for-deaths-of-idps.html