Police arrest suspects in burning of Sultan Kudarat town hall

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24): Police arrest suspects in burning of Sultan Kudarat town hall

Police arrested in Palimbang Sultan Kudarat a man who claimed to be a Moro rebel commander and his men for their suspected involvement in illegal drug trade and the burning of the town hall over the weekend, officials said.

Speaking over a local radio station, Sahara Maulana, Palimbang municipal administrator, said police and military authorities arrested a certain Commander Jojo and his men for their alleged role in the burning of the old and new town hall last Saturday.

Police estimated the cost of damages to about P15 million.

Maulana said police probers are looking at two possible motive in the burning of the government facility.

Among them was the move of the local government unit to evict Commander Jojo and remove his house inside the government property and the suspects' alleged involvement in the drug operation in town.

She said police are looking at Commander Jojo's involvement in the incident as the possible motive since the local government had, for two occasions, directed him to vacate the area.

Maulana said the fire started at the municipal local government operations officers' office and quickly spread to other parts of the building.

Palimbang has no fire truck and help came from fire fighters from General Santos City, some two hours drive away.

Town Mayor Abubakar Maulana said the local government's priority now is the acquisition of even one fire truck and fire fighting equipment.

Palimbang is a second class municipality in the province of Sultan Kudarat with, according to the 2010 census, a population of 83,265 in 25,701 households.

Palimbang is home to undiscovered tourism sites due to its unstable peace and order situation but has recently improved a lot owing to the growing economic and political developments during recent years.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=628801

NPA a spent force - Philippine Army

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 23): NPA a spent force - Philippine Army

The state of affairs surrounding the New people's Army (NPA) as an effective nemesis of the government is probably drawingto a close, and the Philippine Army strongly doubts the Maoist rebels' ability to strike at government forces as evidenced by the dwindling number of its foot soldiers and symphatizers.

Major Rey Tiongson, spokesman of the 3 Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID), Philippine Army based in Camp Marario Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz province has underscored the steely resolve of the Aquino Administration to stamp out the decades-long insurgency in the country not only by military means, but through persistent entreaties for them to lay down their arms and rejoin the mainstream and lead normal lives.

The soft-spoken Tiongson, a product of the Philippine Military Academy Class '97, asserted that the government is not letting up in waging an emotional and psychological warfare as it tries hard to reach out to the NPA cadre through the "guns for peace” program, a brainchild of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The scheme has come to fruition as more rebels, sensing the sincerity of the government, have come out of their mountain lairs to give up their guns in exchange for a sum and use it to start a new life.

And not to be outdone, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has lent a helping hand to AFP rapid gains by offering former rebels more assistance in various forms, noteworthy of which is their gradual integration into a society governed by laws and seasoned by civilities.

“Peace is within reach,” Tiongson beamed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=628532

2 soldiers killed, 4 hurt in Quezon ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24): 2 soldiers killed, 4 hurt in Quezon ambush

Two soldiers, one of them a lieutenant, was killed while four others were wounded following a New People's Army (NPA) ambush in Barangay Cogorin, Lopez town in Quezon province Monday morning.

This took place around 7:30 a.m.

Lt. Col. Oliver Maquiling, 2nd Infantry civil-military operations chief, said that all of the casualties belonged to the 85th Infantry Battalion.

He added that the troopers were headed at Barangay Vegaflor for a military-initiated medical mission when fired upon by rebel forces.

In the ensuing firefight, one lieutenant was killed along with an enlisted personnel while four others were wounded.

An undetermined number of rebels were killed and wounded in the government troopers' return fire.

These soldiers were aboard a KM-450 truck when ambushed.

Maquiling described the ambush area as isolated and forested.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628580

Tiamzons' arrest has legal basis -- De Lima

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24): Tiamzons' arrest has legal basis -- De Lima
 
Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Monday maintained that the arrest of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) leader Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma has legal basis.

This was despite the insistence of the camp of the Tiamzons that their arrest was a violation of the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) because they are consultants to the peace negotiation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the CPP-NPA.

According to De Lima, their arrest was based on two arrest warrants involving the discovery of a "mass grave" in Inopacan, Leyte and another similar case in Northern Samar.

De Lima said that there was also no "validation" from the government panel that the Tiamzon couple are covered by the JASIG.

However, if indeed they are covered by "immunity guarantee", De Lima said that they cannot invoke such an immunity because there is no ongoing peace negotiation between the government and the CPP-NPA.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628621

DND to acquire 46 metric tons of propellant powder

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 25): DND to acquire 46 metric tons of propellant powder

The Department of National Defense (DND), through its bidding and awards committee, announced that it is acquiring 46 metric tons of propellant powder for the government arsenal in Limay, Bataan.

Propellants fill the interior of an ammunition cartridge or the chamber of a gun or cannon, leading to the expulsion of a bullet or shell.

The project has a budget of P46 million.

It will be sourced through the General Appropriation Trust Funds.

Interested bidders must have completed a similar project within the last five years and capable of supplying the materials within 180 calendar days upon opening of the letter of credit.

Bid opening is on April 3 at the DND bidding and awards committee conference room in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628894

7th round of PHL-US EDC talks opens at Camp Aguinaldo

From the Philppine News Agency (Mar 24): 7th round of PHL-US EDC talks opens at Camp Aguinaldo

The seventh round of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation (EDC) Agreement between the Philippines and the United States formally started Monday morning with the two countries' panel members meeting at the Department of National Defense (DND) main building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"We welcome Ambassador Eric John and General Joaquin Malade to the warm weather of Manila. We hope that you will find this as a welcome respite to the never-ending winter of Washington, D.C.," Philippine panel head DND Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino said in his opening statement.

"As we begin what is now the 7th round of negotiations, this may be a good time to recollect why we are meeting here today. We recall that under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), our countries are bound to separately and jointly, by self help and mutual aid, maintain and develop our individual and collective defense capabilities," he added.

Batino also emphasized that over the past 60 years, this partnership has evolved.

"And we are challenged to continue to find ways to ensure our alliance remains responsive to the changing regional security environment," he said.

"And due to this development, the Philippines needs to find a new model for our security engagement," Batino pointed out.

"Thus, we are mindful of the need to make adjustments in the implementation of the MDT to ensure that our constitutional requirements are fully observed," he stressed.

"We also understand the changes that have taken place in the US, as you seek to re-balance to Asia within the constraints of a new fiscal environment," Batino said.

The Philippine panel head also stressed that the agreement reaffirms the two nations commitment to the enduring alliance.

"As we seek to build a minimum credible defense posture, we are leveraging our long history of partnership to meet both traditional and emerging challenges, and extend our areas of cooperation to new grounds, like humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," Batino stressed.

The DND official stated that the Philippine side expects that "this agreement will not just bolster our collective security, but will also add another dimension to our economic interaction."

"We hope to make significant progress at this round, not because of any perceived deadline, but because it is in our mutual interest to do so," he added.

"We look forward to productive discussions in the next few days, in the spirit of equality and common respect, a genuine interest to promote mutuality of benefits and support each other’s goals, and jointly contribute to the peace and stability of our region," Batino said.

As this developed, Ambassador John said that the guiding principle of the negotiations is to enhance the effectiveness of the agreement through the MDT.

"And I think that we’ve seen over the last many decades the effectiveness of the MDT but an agreement like this also proves the vibrancy of the MDT. It’s something that can be strengthened through further implementing steps that we’re taking here with this agreement," he added.

John also said that from the outset of this was the respect for the sovereignty of the Philippines.

"We hope to work with the Philippine side through this agreement on achieving minimum credible defense and strengthen the capacity of the Philippine defense forces," the US ambassador stated.

The 7th round of talks followed the sixth one held earlier this month in Washington, D.C.

In the sixth round of negotiations, both panels went through the entire draft agreement and reached consensus on many provisions, including on the proposed accord’s preamble, purpose and scope, definition of terms, ownership of constructed infrastructure, coordination on security, contracting procedures, and resolution of disputes.

The agreed minutes of the sixth round described the discussions as “substantive and productive.”

The other members of the Philippine negotiating panel are Ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III and DND Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments Raymund Jose Quilop.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628568

Military ready for NPA's retaliatory attacks in wake of Tiamzon couples' arrest

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24): Military ready for NPA's retaliatory attacks in wake of Tiamzon couples' arrest

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Major Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said on Monday the military is prepared for increase in attacks that may be conducted by the New People's Army (NPA) following the arrest of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon last Saturday in Cebu.

He made this statement in the wake of the rebels' claims that they would conduct massive retaliatory attacks against the military and the government.

"We will be prepared for any eventuality," Tutaan said,adding that attack threats are nothing new as the NPA rebels always have a strong desire to perpetuate violent incidents.

Benito Tiamzon is the chairman of the CPP-NPA while Wilma is the secretary general.

They were arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for crimes against humanity that include murder, multiple murders, and frustrated murder.

The cases against them were originally filed before the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Hilongos, Leyte but were transferred to Manila RTC Branch 32 under Judge Mario Dela Cruz.

The charges arose from their involvement in the brutal killings of 15 civilians in Inopacan, Leyte who were later buried in a mass grave that was discovered in 2006.

Benito Tiamzon was the secretary of the Eastern Visayas Regional Committee of the CPP-NPA when the mass killing took place.

Arrested with the Tiamzons were Rex G. Villaflor, of Makati City; Nona C. Castillo, Consolacion, Cebu; Joel E. Enano, Buhatan, Sorsogon; Jeosi M. Nepa, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; and Arlene J. Panea, Mactan, Cebu.

Seized from them were a Colt .45 caliber pistol, a Norinco 9mm pistol, one Kimber 9mm pistol, a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver, three magazines and 17 rounds of ammunition for .45 caliber pistol, one magazine and 19 rounds of 9mm pistol, six bullets for .357 revolver, four laptops, 16 cellular phones and 20 flash drives.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628634

President Aquino says resumption of peace talks depend on communist rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24): President Aquino says resumption of peace talks depend on communist rebels

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said the resumption of peace talks with communist rebels will only depend on their “willingness” to return to the negotiating table.

In an interview with reporters following an event in Malacanang, President Aquino said that the arrest of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, top leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA), will have an effect on the stalled peace talks with the communist groups.

“Well, they have walked out to the CPP-NPA and they have walked out of the peace talks, if you remember correctly. Does it have an impact? I don’t think so. It really depends on their willingness to go back to the bargaining table,” the President said.

He said he was not surprised with the arrest of the Tiamzons affirming that they were the ones he was referring to in a prior interview about a high-profile fugitive who will be arrested soon.

“It wasn’t a surprise because I did mention it,” the President told reporters.

CPP founding chairman Jose Maria "Joma" Sison earlier said that the arrest of the Tiamzons will impede the peace negotiations. The insurgent’s peace panel likewise condemned the arrest of the couple saying that they were both covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG), while government officials said otherwise.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier defended the legality of the arrest of the Tiamzons in Carcar, Cebu last Friday saying that they were not covered by any immunity. She stressed that guarantees under the Jasig is not operational since the peace process between the government and the communist rebels have been stalled.

President Aquino, meanwhile, believes that the arrest of the couple has delivered a “serious blow” to the CPP-NPA. “It shows you also the competency of our security forces,” he said.

On Sison’s threat of more attacks following Tiamzon’s arrest, the President said “The attacks have not ceased.

So, what are they saying? For them, it’s business as usual I guess.”

He also cited media reports that the Tiamzons were in possession of hand grenades and pistols, which he said "normally does not occupy the belongings of a peace negotiator."

President Aquino said the government should deal with “root causes” of insurgency problem to be able to stamp it out.

“That’s why we are focused on empowering our people, especially in trying to move them out of poverty in the various interventions that we have been doing from education, to health, to livelihood, to housing, to disaster preparedness and so on and so forth,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628688

Tiamzon couple, 5 co-accused in-quested at PNP Camp Crame

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24): Tiamzon couple, 5 co-accused in-quested at PNP Camp Crame

Captured rebel leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, together with five other members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), were in-quested Monday at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

According to Senior Supt. Roberto Fajardo, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region, the rebels were subjected to inquest proceedings in Camp Crame based on the authority of the Department of Justice.

"Yung authority ng DOJ na mag-inquest kahit saan pwede. Pagdating naman sa hearing, kung saan nangyari (ang krimen), doon talaga yung hearing. So okay naman, wala namang problema,” Fajardo explained.

He said a case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives was filed against the Tiamzom couple, arising from the confiscation from them of four firearms and two hand grenades during their arrest in Cebu Saturday.

They were arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for them as a result of their crimes against humanity that include murder, multiple murders, and frustrated murder.

The couple were originally charged with multiple murder before the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Hilongos, Leyte but now transferred to Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 under Judge Mario Dela Cruz.

The charges were in relation to the involvement of the Tiamzons in the brutal killing of 15 civilians in Inopacan, Leyte who were later buried in a mass grave that was discovered in 2006.

The couple are now held at the Camp Crame detention center.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628712

4th Infantry Division now accepting candidates for soldier course

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 25): 4th Infantry Division now accepting candidates for soldier course

The Cagayan De Oro-based 4th Infantry Division is now accepting and processing applicants for its candidate soldier course (CSC) starting on March 24 to 28.

The unit requires 150 soldier-candidates for this quarter.

Qualified applicants must be natural born Filipino, at least 5 feet in height, aged 18 to 26 years old on the start of training and must not be 27 years old on or before the date of appointment as candidate soldier. No more age waiver shall be issued by higher headquarters.

They must have at least 72 units in college. If high school graduate only, he must possess a special skill needed in the military service and certified by the Technological Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Interested applicants must pass the Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery (PAATB) with the score of at least 80 percent.

Applicants must be of good moral character, unmarried and without child.

They must also be physically and mentally fit and has no pending case in any court and they must comply with all documentary requirements.

Supporting documents includes the following:

A. Whole body picture (colored)

B. Bio-data with 2X2 ID picture

C. Original copy of National Statistics Office

Birth Certificate with official receipt

D. Original copy of National Statistics Office

Marriage Contract of Parents with official receipt

E. Certificate of Legal Beneficiaries

(Notarized)

F. Original Transcript of Records (College/Vocational) of Form 137 and 138 (High School) with visible School Dry Seal

G. Diploma (with School Dry Seal)

H. Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery

(PAATB) Result (Official Result Authenticated by the examiner)

I. Physical and Medical Examination (PME)

Results (Authenticated and signed by the Commanding Officer of Medical Service Unit Station Hospital)

J. Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Result

(Authenticated and signed by the PFT Officer)

K. Drug Test Result (To be taken at the accredited testing center)

L. Hepatitis B Test Result(To be taken at the accredited testing center)

M. Local Clearances from the place of residence for at least ten (10) years

1. Barangay

2. Police

3. Mayor

4. Regional Trial Court (RTC)

5. National Bureau of Investigation

6. Residence Certificate

N. Affidavit of Being Single (Notarized)

O. Original Copy of Certificate of Non-Marriage (CENOMAR) with Official Receipt.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=628845

PH 'fully committed' to file pleading vs China

From Rappler (Mar 24): PH 'fully committed' to file pleading vs China



'REJECT CHINA'S INCENTIVES.' Activists dressed as clowns and holding water pistols spray a map illustrating China's claim to the South China Sea during a protest in front of the Chinese consular office in Makati on March 3, 2014. Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP

In the face of incentives from China and warnings about a possible backlash, the Philippines reassured the public it will file its written pleading against China in less than a week.

Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza told Rappler on Monday, March 24, that the Philippines will file the memorial on March 30, the deadline itself.

The country “is fully committed to submitting our memorial or written pleading to the arbitral tribunal by March 30, 2014,” Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario said in a speech on Friday, March 21.

Del Rosario said the Philippines is also focused on “pushing the arbitration to its logical conclusion.”

“This principled stance of doing what is right has been consistently articulated by President Benigno S Aquino III in 5 succinct words: 'What is ours is ours,'” Del Rosario said at the Annual Spring Summit of the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce.

The Philippines' lawyer in its case against China, Paul Reichler, said he stands by his previous statement that the memorial “will be submitted to the arbitral tribunal on time, that is, on or before March 30, 2014.”

“To be clear: my instructions have always been, and remain, to file the memorial on March 30, as provided in the rules of procedure issued by the arbitral tribunal,” Reichler told Rappler on Sunday, March 23.

These reassurances came after government insiders disclosed an offer from China to stop the Philippines from filing the memorial. Observers also warned about a possible backlash from China.

Seen to agitate China, the memorial will contain two basic elements. The written pleading, for one, will tackle the meat of the country's arguments against China, called the merits of the case.

'Very strong on merits'

The memorial will also contain arguments about a major hurdle: Does the tribunal have jurisdiction over the case? (READ: PH faces major hurdle in China case)

Jardeleza said that in other arbitration proceedings, parties “bifurcate” the case. This means tackling jurisdiction first, then the merits. In these cases, Jardeleza said the first question is: “Do you or do you not have jurisdiction? Indeed if there is no jurisdiction, there is no need to go into the merits.”

The Philippines “proposed to the tribunal that we do it together,” Jardeleza said. “We are tactically better off having both jurisdiction and merits.”

He said the country chose to do this because it is “very strong on the merits.”

“If you have a very strong case, you do not talk about jurisdiction. You go to straight to the case,” Jardeleza explained.

“And then,” he added, “if you convince the judges that you're strong on the merits and our claim is just, then the issue of jurisdiction will be folded in as a win on the merits. That's the reason why while ordinarily, you go first for a question on jurisdiction, in the particular circumstances of this case, the legal team decided that we propose – and we were allowed – to discuss jurisdiction and the merits at the same time.”

It ends up cheaper, too, “because then you just spend once on one memorial,” Jardeleza said. He declined to reveal the cost.

He said the tribunal will rule on jurisdiction “together with the merits.” Manila expects this ruling by 2015.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/53740-philippines-committed-case-china

Militants storm camp to protest PH-US talks

From Rappler (Mar 24): Militants storm camp to protest PH-US talks

NO TO US BASES: About 60 members of militant groups protest in front of the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler

Militant groups were back at the gates of Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, March 24, to protest ongoing negotiations for a military deal that will increase the number of American troops in the Philippines and give them access to military bases.

The activists are angrier as the panels are set to complete the talks purportedly in time for the visit of US President Barack Obama in April. They threw paintball bombs at the wall of the military's main headquarters, which soldiers immediately washed away with water hoses.

Inside Camp Aguinaldo, members of the Philippines and US panels met for the 7th round of talks. Both sides are stuck on the legality of a deal that they intend to be a mere executive agreement signed by Cabinet Secretaries.

Senator Miriam Santiago, chairperson of the Senate foreign relations committee, argued it would need Senate approval. (READ: Miriam: PH, US military deal needs Senate OK)

[Video]

Treaty or not?

Both Philippine panel chairman Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino and US panel chairman Ambassador Eric John stressed that the agreement will be a mere implementation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Signed in 1951, it's an agreement which states that the two countries shall separately and jointly develop capacity to resist an armed attack.

John said: "The guiding principle of the negotiations is to enhance the effectiveness that we have through the implementation of this agreement of the long-standing Mutual Defense Treaty. I think that we’ve seen over the last many decades the effectiveness of the MDT, but an agreement like this also proves the vibrancy of the MDT. It’s something that can be strengthened through further implementing steps that we’re taking here with this agreement."

Batino explained that the agreement they are negotiating is meant to "make adjustments in the implementation of the MDT, to ensure that our constitutional requirements are fully observed."

'Temporary' bases

The Philippine panel has always intended the bases access deal to be an executive agreement. It was the US panel that initially raised concerns because they feared its legality would be questioned. But the Americans are apparently satisfied with the explanation of the Aquino government.

The government sought US assistance to develop "minimum credible defense" in the wake of the agressiveness of China in the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea). The request coincides with the US strategy to rebalance to the Pacific. While the Philippines is more concerned with defense cooperation, the US has been vocal about its economic interests in the region.

Santiago explained that the bases access deal cannot be considered an implementation of the MDT.

“I think they will argue the prior treaty is a Mutual Defense Treaty and they are just carrying out the details, but I will argue to the contrary. Posting the war powers, the war equipment of a foreign sovereign state in our territory is not a minor case of detail. It is a major subject in itself. It cannot be classified as an executive agreement but as a treaty to which the Philippine Senate must give its concurrence,” the senator told reporters on March 14.

The "temporary" basing will have a duration of less than 20 years. The US will be allowed to construct facilities inside Philippine military bases, which can only be accessed by designated Philippine authorities. (READ details of the agreements here.)

Trapped between 2 bullies

The militant groups said the bases access deal is a "de facto basing agreement for US troops." They are also asking government to release to the public the draft it submitted to the US. (READ: PH presents to US 'full draft text' of military bases access deal)

Despite the strong US statements against China's aggressiveness, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said "the US will not engage China in armed conflict."

"This is something Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin refuses to understand. They see the US as saviors versus China when in fact the US has far greater economic interests in China than the Philippines. The US will not engage China in armed conflict," Reyes said.

"The Aquino regime is trying to sell the line that we need US bases to counter the threat of China. Aquino is telling the people we need to welcome the bigger bully to fend off another bully. This line of thinking does not serve national interest and only places us at even greater disadvantage," he added.

Reyes said they are preparing for an internationally coordinated protest with anti-bases activists from Japan, South Korea, Guam.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/53768-protests-philippines-us-military-deal

'Jasig has become a bounty list'

From Rappler (Mar 24): 'Jasig has become a bounty list'

Instead of facilitating the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) has become a "bounty list," according to Carol Araullo of the leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

Araullo was referring to the government's alleged violation of the Jasig when military and police forces arrested alleged Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) top leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon. The two were captured in Cebu on March 22. (READ: Aquino: Tiamzons' arrest a serious blow to rebels)

Araullo said the Jasig, which is supposed to allow members of the NDFP negotiating panel and underground members to safely talk to troops to consult them on the peace process, has turned into a "bounty list" for the government.

Speaking to reporters outside the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame where the Tiamzons are being detained, Araullo repeated the NDFP's stand that the two are consultants, not party leaders. As such, the two should be granted immunity from arrest.

The talks collapsed last year, however. In December 2013, the CPP said they were giving up on the administation of President Benigno Aquino III and stressed "it has no choice but to wait for the next regime to engage in serious negotiations."

The justice department on Monday, March 24, maintained their arrest was legal since the peace negotiation with the communist group ended. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the Jasig can only be "operational" while peace talks are ongoing.

On Monday, the Tiamzons, 5 others and their legal team walked out of the inquest proceedings at Crame, saying it was "highly irregular."

Araullo said placing bounties for the arrest of suspected CPP leaders was not helping the search for peace.

The Tiamzons have standing warrants for crimes against humanity, including murder, multiple murder, and frustrated murder charges. This afternoon, after an inquest proceeding, more charges were slapped against the Tiamzons: illegal possession of firearms, illegal possession of explosives, and harboring criminals.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/53773-jasig-tiamzon-arrest

Aquino: Tiamzons' arrest a serious blow to rebels

From Rappler (Mar 24): Aquino: Tiamzons' arrest a serious blow to rebels

President Benigno Aquino III believes the arrest of two top leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) brings the government a step closer to crushing the communist insurgency.

His statement came on Monday, March 24, just two days after Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma Tiamzon – tagged by the government as the chairman of the CPP-New People's Army (NPA), and CPP-NPA secretary-general, respectively – were arrested in Cebu. (READ: CPP chief, wife nabbed in Cebu – military)

"I believe it does deliver a serious blow," Aquino told reporters in Malacañang after leading the oathtaking of business officials. "And it shows you also the competency of our security forces."

But the President was also quick to say that in order end insurgencies, the government must address "the root causes of the problem."

"That’s why we are focused on empowering our people especially in trying to move them out of poverty in the various interventions that we have been doing from education, to health, to livelihood, to housing, to disaster preparedness and so on and so forth," he said.

Aquino also said he does not think the couple's arrest will affect the peace talks, adding the CPP has walked out the peace talks with the government.

"Does it have an impact? I don’t think so. It really depends on their willingness to go back to the bargaining table," Aquino said. He added that "the attacks [of the NPA] have not ceased."

He also cited grenades and pistols reportedly in the Tiamzons' possession when the two were arrested, "something which normally does not occupy the belongings of a peace negotiator." The Tiamzons denied the allegation. (READ: Tiamzons leave 'irregular' inquest)

The CPP has slammed the government for offering a reward for the arrest of communist leaders even as it seeks peace negotiations with the rebel group.

Benito Tiamzon, as senior party leader, was known to have taken a hardline position on the peace process with the Aquino government. (READ: Benito Tiamzon: Writer, organizer, party man)

The military is now bracing for retaliatory attacks from communist rebels following their leaders' arrest.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/53754-aquino-tiamzon-arrest-serious-blow-rebels

Tiamzons' arrest doesn't cripple CPP – Joma

From Rappler (Mar 24): Tiamzons' arrest doesn't cripple CPP – Joma

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison recalled how he and wife Julie were arrested in 1977. The party was not crippled then, he said. In the same way, Sison said that the arrest of Benito Tiamzon and wife Wilma Austria will not cripple the armed struggle now. (READ: CPP chief, wife nabbed in Cebu – military)

"Benny Tiamzon and Wilma Austria will be replaced automatically by comrades. To use basketball parlance, I say the CPP has a deep bench. The Central Committee is replenished and further strengthened by the increasing number of national cadres as well as regional cadres from some 17 regions," Sison said in an interview with Liberation International, the publication of the CPP's political wing, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

This is not the way the military sees it. Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista said Tiamzon's arrest will result in a "vacuum in leadership" that "will be felt" by the organization. He called on the members of the CPP and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), to surrender.

President Benigno Aquino III also said the Tiamzons' arrest delivers "a serious blow" to the CPP. (READ: Aquino: Tiamzons' arrest a serious blow to rebels)

The military sees Tiamzon as the "center of gravity of the CPP-NPA-NDF here in the Philippines as the acting chairman in lieu of Jose Maria Sison who is in Utrecht as Chairman Emeritus." The military holds Tiamzon responsible for "the landmining, the killings, and the violence of the NPA."

Military intelligence chief Major General Eduardo Año said "it only takes one email from Tiamzon to give direction to all regions." He said it would take the CPP at least 6 months to convene a plenum and elect the replacement of Tiamzon.

The government also claims it is Tiamzon who is blocking peace talks between the CPP and the government. It was supposedly Tiamzon who prevailed upon Sison to renege on his earlier commitment to a "special track" that would have fast-tracked the peace process. Sison denied this government narration as "malicious intrigue." (READ: Benito Tiamzon: Writer, organizer, party man)

Hallucinations?

The military's statements drew taunts from the CPP, however.

"The CPP dismissed as hallucinations the claims by the armed forces that the recent arrest of CPP leaders and peace consultants Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria spells doom for the armed struggle being waged by the NPA," the CPP said in a statement posted on its website on Monday, March 24.

CPP singled out the AFP chief.

“AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista is self-delusional in believing that NPA Red fighters and revolutionaries would respond to his calls for them to surrender to the Aquino regime," it added.

The CPP maintains that the armed struggle will continue because of the "AFP's brutalities and widespread abuses."

"With such deep-rooted causes for the armed conflict, the Aquino regime and the AFP are indeed hallucinating if they believe that the Tiamzons’ arrest will cause the armed struggle to dissipate," it said.

The CPP claims it has 150,000 "dedicated cadres" in more than 110 front committees nationwide. Military estimates put their number down 4,000.

The CPP continues to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the Tiamzon couple. They are supposed to be covered by immunity because they are consultants of the NDFP, Luis Jalandoni, chief negotiator of the NDFP in peace talks with the government said. (READ: Nat'l Democratic Front condemns arrest of Tiamzon couple)

Chief government negotiator Alex Padilla refuted this, saying, the verification process in 2012 failed because the NDFP failed to submit a list of the aliases and photos of "underground" personalities who are participating in the peace process.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/53790-tiamzons-arrest-cpp-joma