2 MNLF arrested in Bukidnon

From the Sun Star-Manila (Apr 11): 2 MNLF arrested in Bukidnon

GOVERNMENT security forces have arrested two alleged "generals" of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) for possession of a firearm and ammunition in Kadingilan, Bukidnon on Thursday, police said Friday.

A report from the Bukidnon provincial police office named the suspects as Heneroso Calma and Cresildo Calayca, both members of the MNLF who hold the rank of brigadier general.

The MILF signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996. A faction of the group under MILF founding chairman Nur Misuari is opposed to the peace agreement recently signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The report said Calma and Calayca were nabbed by police and military forces at a checkpoint in Sitio Kibagsil in Kibogtok village around 4 p.m. Thursday.

"Both suspects are alleged members of the MNLF Northern Command," the report said of the suspects, who yielded a cal 45 pistol, ammunition, a magazine and a hunting knife.

Police said Calma and Calayca, who were clad in camouflage Army uniform when arrested, failed to present legal documents covering the firearm, thus they were detained. Investigators are preparing a case against the two.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2014/04/11/2-mnlf-arrested-bukidnon-337777

Rights lawyer seeks protection from surveillance, inclusion in military 'watch list'

From InterAksyon (Apr 11): Rights lawyer seeks protection from surveillance, inclusion in military 'watch list'



Human rights lawyer Catherine Dannug Salucon (second from left) with Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay (left to right) and colleagues Rey Cortez, assistant secretary general for legal affairs of the National Union of People's Lawyers, and NUPL-National Capital Region chairman Julian Oliva after filing a petition for writs of amparo and habeas data before the Court of Appeals. (photo courtesy of Karapatan)

A human rights lawyer on Friday filed petitions for writs of amparo and habeas data before the Court of Appeals as she sought protection against alleged harassment and surveillance by state forces and her inclusion in a military “watch list.”

The petition filed by lawyer Catherine Dannug Salucon names President Benigno Aquino III, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista, Intelligence Service of the AFP commander General Eduardo Año, Philippine Army chief General Hernando Irriberri, 5th Infantry Division commander General Benito Antonio de Leon, Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima and acting Region 2 police director Chief Superintedent Miguel de Mayo Laurel.

Salucon, a founding member and current auditor of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, said she had been told by human rights worker Willliam Bugatti - who accompanied her on May 24 to a hearing of clients accused of being communist rebels and charged with murder and frustrated murder in Lagawe, Ifugao - that he had noticed that “surveillance was being done on them … especially during scheduled hearings for the case in Ifugao.”

The evening of that same day, Bugatti, who worked with the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance-Ifugao, was gunned down in Kiangan town.

Bugatti’s name was number 21 on a purported list of 28 “target persons” supposedly drawn up by Charlie Company of the 86th Infantry (Highlander) Battalion, which is based in Barangay Impugong, Tinoc, Ifugao.

The list described him as a human rights worker yet also tagged him as “utak ng NPA (brains of the New People’s Army).”

Leaders and members of legal activist organizations are regularly and openly accused of having links to the communist revolutionary movement and there have been countless accounts of activists listed in so-called military “orders of battle” who end up victims of extrajudicial killings or enforced disappearances.

It was after learning of Bugatti’s murder that Salucon said she “learned from a very reliable source” that the intelligence division of the Region 2 police office had been ordered to conduct a background check on her as a “Red lawyer” and that she was being followed by ISAFP agents.

She was also informed that her name was in a military “watch list” of “so-called communist terrorist supporters rendering legal services.”

The petition also recounted several incidents during which Salucon and her staff observed unidentified men following her.

“It is strongly believed that the threats and intimidation against Atty. Salucon are due to her involvement in various cases involving human rights violations, including the case pending in RTC, Lagawe. Ifugao, and because of his close association with the NUPL and other human rights groups, it is evident that the respondents are in possession of information which indicate that they have unlawfully compiled information on her, which they used as basis in including her in the “Watch List” of so called “communist supporter” and which erroneously and maliciously tagged her as a “communist lawyer,” the petition said.

“By reason of such data and information, the life, liberty, and security of Atty. Salucon is under constant threat from the respondents and their agents. As in fact, the continued surveillance on Atty. Salucon by the respondents and their agents is an indication that there is an existing threat on her life, liberty and security, and that the respondents are still gathering information on her in violation of her right to privacy and security,” it added.

Salucon asked the appellate court to order the respondents to “disclose … and to provide her with copies of all the facts, information, statements, records, photographs, dossier(s) and all other evidence, documentary or otherwise, pertaining to her in their files or record including the watch list of alleged communist supporters and the Memorandum Order of the PNP;” and “to direct the respondents, and/or any persons acting on their behalf, to destroy any information gathered on Atty. Salucon.”

The human rights group Karapatan said the “harassment and surveillance of … Salucon is not only a violation of her rights but also of the right of the people to counsel, especially the poor who are falsely charged."

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/84596/rights-lawyer-seeks-protection-from-surveillance-inclusion-in-military-watch-list

Both kidnap victims safe, says Esscom

From the Star Online (Apr 12): Both kidnap victims safe, says Esscom

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian officials are working with their security counterparts in the Philippines to secure the freedom of two women kidnapped from a Sempo­rna resort dive resort 12 days ago.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohamad Mantek said both Chinese tourist China tourist Gao Huayuen, 29, and hotel worker Marcy Darawan, 40, were safe.

“We cannot provide more information at this time as it could affect efforts in getting them released,” he said here yesterday.

Both Gao and Marcy were abducted from the Singamata Reef Resort on April 2.

Security officials in the Philippines believed that their captors had taken them to the southern island of Jolo known as that country’s “kidnap capital”.

They were kidnapped by seven gunmen who were believed to be linked to the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said on Thursday that Malaysian authorities had received a note stating that the kidnappers wanted 500 million pesos (RM36.4mil) for Gao’s release.

He had also said that a team had been dispatched to meet the purported middleman of the kidnappers to discuss reducing the ransom amount.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/04/12/Both-kidnap-victims-safe-says-Esscom/

China says unaware of Semporna ransom demand

From the Malay Mail Online (Apr 12): China says unaware of Semporna ransom demand

China officials are in the dark over a 500-million Philippine peso (RM36.4 million) demand for the release of one of the country’s citizens kidnapped from Semporna, Sabah last week.

Despite Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announcing on Thursday the demand by the abductors who took two women from a resort there, representatives of the Chinese consulate here told the country’s state media that this has not been communicated to the embassy.

The report by Beijing Times and reproduced by ChinaDaily.com did not, however, name the country’s officials who made the apparent denial.

On Thursday, Zahid announced the ransom note for Chinese tourist Gao Huayun, 28, before adding that negotiations were ongoing to secure her release. The minister added that no demand was made for the Filipina resort worker who was taken at the same time.

On April 2, just a day after the Eastern Sabah Security Command’s (Esscom) first anniversary, six gunmen snatched Gao and Marcy Dayawan, a 40-year-old receptionist from the Singamata Reef Resort near Semporna.       

Sabah police have since reclassified the abductions as kidnappings after allegedly receiving phone calls from the perpetrators, but had refused to divulge information on the ransom demands.

The Abu Sayyaf, a group of Filipino militants known to have taken several tourists and Malaysians hostage for ransom, are the suspected perpetrators.

Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen also abducted a Taiwanese tourist last November from Pulau Pom Pom, off Sabah’s east coast, killing her husband during the abduction.

The abduction of the Chinese tourist came just as a Malaysia Airlines flight carrying mostly Chinese nationals disappeared on March 8 while en route to Beijing.

Relations between China and Malaysia that is now in its 40th year now appear strained as a result of both incidents.

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/china-says-unaware-of-semporna-ransom-demand

NCMF, AFP partners for youth peace camps in Mindanao

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 10): NCMF, AFP partners for youth peace camps in Mindanao

The two-day peace camp ended Tuesday where the participants expressed their appreciation for being able to attend such an event.One youth leader-participant said his experience during the camp is one that he will carry on and remember for a long time.Participants did not only enjoy meeting with youth representatives from other provinces but were also equipped with the tools and knowledge on disaster preparedness and response, and got oriented on climate change.

They were also updated on the status of the peace process through video presentation, courtesy of OPAPP.The participants also underwent peace building and appreciative inquiry workshops, and were also given sessions on community awareness and response to emergencies with the Philippine Red Cross-Zamboanga demonstrating to them basic first aid responses.

Dr. Yusof Roque Morales-Focal Person In Charge-National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (FPIN-NCMF) said this peace camp is a result of a MOA signing between the AFP and the NCMF held October 8, 2013 at the General Headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City where both parties agreed to launch four initial peace and development programs that will counter RIDO conflict, address “gun culture” and promote a culture of peace in Mindanao.

Dr. Morales said this peace camp is the third in the four initial peace programs, the other three include Bayanihan for Peace, Reconciliation, and Healing; Peace Radio; and Enhancement of Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity Awareness among AFP personnel.

“This peace camp is the first leg of a series of camps. The next leg will be conducted in Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur and Davao.”

“We hope to create critical mass of youth in these key areas who would become able partners of the government,” Morales added.

He also informed that the youth-participants would become counterpart-volunteers for the one million Bayani Challenge- a commitment made by the AFP-NCMF to raise 1million volunteers for the Bayanihan Challenge.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1401397098626

CPP/NDF-Bicol: Gen Bautista Hallucinates With His AFP’s “Forthcoming Victory”

BDF-Bicol propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Apr 7): Gen Bautista Hallucinates With His AFP’s “Forthcoming Victory”

Maria Roja Banua
Spokesperson
NDFP Bicol Chapter

 

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen Emmanuel Bautista deliberately conceals from the people the basis for waging armed revolution. But the people are resolved that armed revolution is their principal method of breaking away from the wide-ranging and ever-worsening crisis being sponsored by an oppressive and exploitative system. Only with armed revolution, through the New People’s Army, have the people caught sight of hope in achieving genuine liberation, and claiming their rights to land and livelihood. They know fully that their establishment and defense of a truly democratic government rely upon the strength of the people’s army.

Moreover, the National Democratic Front-Bicol remains sincere in proceeding with the peace negotiations in order to pave the way towards resolving the roots of armed conflict between the Government of the Philippines and the NDFP. The people have long yearned for a peace based on justice.

This is in stark contrast with Bautista’s deathly peace that he aims to impose upon the people. For Bautista, peace is the stockpiling of arms and other materiel, under the guise of an anomalous modernization plan, in order to intensify the armed suppression of the people’s discontent. Bautista’s peace is the sustained positioning of soldiers that terrorize the peasant masses in the countryside.

It is laughable how Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt Gen Emmanuel Bautista’s impudence drives him to announce the so-called downward trend of the New People’s Army in the Bicol region, and subsequently lie about the AFP’s supposed forthcoming victory. Has early senility afflicted the self-assertive architect of Oplan Bayanihan? Bautista must have already failed to recall his admission only months ago that the AFP has been unsuccessful at implementing the first phase of their campaign to render irrelevant the people’s revolutionary movement.

Oplan Bayanihan has miserably failed in Bicol as it has been unable to occupy more than 10% of the region’s territories. The purported achievements of the so-called Peace and Development Teams have only succeeded in exposing the failure of each counter-insurgency campaign that go under a different name in every regime-change. The situation in the town of Bula in Camarines Sur province is an accurate example of how Special Operations Teams of the 80’s have mutated into present-day PDTs and have ruined the peace and order in the town. The AFP coddles former NPA members that have been expelled from the people’s army due to incorrigible corruptness. These former NPA members are driven by their handlers to misrepresent themselves as active members, perpetrate crimes in the areas, and persecute upright villagers, before attributing their vile deeds to the revolutionary forces.

What victory does Bautista take pride in? It is disgraceful how the failed general gathers the gall to lie to himself, to his soldiers, and to the people. But then again, Bautista displays his pigheadedness to the psywar component of Oplan Bayanihan – mumbling illusions of victory amidst abounding news of NPA victories in the field.
The truth is that Bautista had to check on the 9th Infantry Division in order to constrain the demoralization that permeate amongst his troops in the face of Oplan Bayanihan’s failure to coerce the people to fight the revolutionary movement. Not even the military’s expected allies in the bureaucracy and the courts have delivered their presumed support. Also, Bautista had to assuage his troops’ anxiety as the New People’s Army continues to score outstanding victories across the nation despite the AFP’s self-assured triumph in capturing some of the revolution’s leaders.

Moreover, Bautista called on his soldiers in order to ensure Danding Cojuangco’s economic interest in profiting from the people through his control over power generation and distribution in Bicol. Bautista likewise wanted to guarantee the protection of the pro-imperialist APEC gathering in the region.

The AFP chief could very well wallow in his Oplan Bayanihan delusions. He could spring from AFP camp after AFP camp babbling about his perceived “weakening” of the revolutionary forces. But no sooner will his falsehoods be refuted by surprise attacks of the NPA. Bautista’s lies will be answered by the masses’ active offering of their best sons and daughters to join the NPA. Because the masses understand that without a people’s army, nothing else is in store for an oppressed and exploited people.

Long live the revolution!
Long live the Filipino people!

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140407_gen-bautista-hallucinates-with-his-afp-s-forthcoming-victory

CPP/NDF-Bicol: On the Declaration of a Unilateral Ceasefire this Holy Week

NDF Bicol propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Mar 11): On the Declaration of a Unilateral Ceasefire this Holy Week

Maria Roja Banua
Spokesperson
NDFP Bicol Chapter

 

Dear Jonathan,

We extend our warmest greetings to you in behalf of the National Democratic Front-Bicol.

Your query whether the CPP-NPA-NDF in Bicol will declare a unilateral ceasefire this Holy Week signifies your leaning towards the people’s welfare amidst the ongoing armed conflict between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. We value such position of yours.

The revolutionary forces recognize and respect the people’s religious traditions and activities. The document GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT guarantees the rights of the people to enjoy their freedom of conscience and religion.

Moreover, in the middle of the ongoing armed conflict between the AFP-PNP and the New People’s Army, the NPA strictly adheres to the provisions in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law that ensure the rights of civilians and those taking no active part in the hostilities.

The revolutionary forces therefore guarantee the safe undertaking of the people’s Pabasa, Visita Altares, Siyete Palabras, and other religious activities in the guerrilla zones. With or without the presence of a ceasefire declaration, the people can freely carry out such activities because the People’s Democratic Government uphold their rights.

As of today, the Military Commission of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ Central Committee has yet to declare a unilateral ceasefire. It is the NPA’s central leadership which takes the rightful position to evaluate the national situation and declare a unilateral ceasefire if need be. Please be assured that we will inform you of any development regarding this matter.

The New People’s Army in Bicol will maintain a posture of active defense. Our forces must be vigilant of the AFP-PNP’s devious ploys, most especially at a time when the people are in deep observance of their traditions. You may call to mind, Jonathan, that despite the AFP’s declaration of a Suspension of Offensive Military Operations last Christmas Season, widespread violations were committed as AFP forces continued to launch attacks on our territories.

We hope that we have responded comprehensively to your query. We would gladly entertain written interviews coming from our friends in the media. You may send your questions via our facebook account, or to our email address at mariarojabanua@gmx.com. We will strive to submit prompt replies.

Advance progressive journalism for the masses!

For the people,
Ka Roja

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140411_on-the-declaration-of-a-unilateral-ceasefire-this-holy-week

‘AFP skims P40m bounty’

From the Manila Standard Today (Apr 11): ‘AFP skims P40m bounty’

AN OPPOSITION lawmaker on Friday accused the Armed Forces, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Interior and Local Governments Secretary Manuel Roxas II of pocketing almost half of the P41.45 million in reward money for the arrest of top communist leaders.

The accusation by Bayan Muna Rep. Isagani Carlos Zarate came in the wake of the misdeclaration by the Armed Forces of the bounty imposed on captured communist leaders, one of whom was shown to be a case of mistaken identity, and another of whom was discovered to be missing since 2007.

The top two communist leaders, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, claimed they had P1.5 million in hard cash intended for the Yolanda victims when they were captured in Cebu last month but said the military claimed it only recovered P23,000 from the couple.

Zarate said the documents from the Defense Department under Gazmin and the Interior and Local Government Department under Roxas showed the bounty on the heads of the Tiamzon couple was pegged at P10 million each, for a total of P20 million.

But the Armed Forces had understated the amount and publicly announced the reward collected was P11.52 million, or P5.6 million per head, Zarate said.

“Secretary Gazmin and Roxas, as well as the AFP, should account for the total amount actually   released as the two officials have been quiet about the AFP’s understated funds for reward money that they had collected. This involves a total of P41.45 million, of which amount, the AFP claimed to have collected only some P22.4 million. So where is the rest of the reward money?” Zarate said.

He said a “hit list” issued by Roxas and Gazmin was used as a money-making venture by the Armed Forces, even after the Court of Appeals ascertained that one of the “leaders” was just a security guard.

“The AFP collected the P5.6 million in reward money and refused to return the bounty despite the CA ruling,” Zarate said.

Zarate gave credence to the claim made by the Tiamzon couple that the Armed Forces, along with other state agencies that arrested them, might have taken the P1.5 million meant for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda “considering that it seems to be standard AFP practice to misdeclare funds.”

“Case in point is the supposed bounty for Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria which after about a week of their capture the AFP announced that they had P5.6 million each on their heads, but based on the Joint Memorandum 2012-14 of the DILG-DND which they are using, the bounty is P10 million each. It was only after we filed a resolution to investigate this that they corrected the figure,” Zarate said.

Aside from the understating of the Tiamzons’ bounty, Zarate said, three other similar cases had been recorded.

“Another case is the supposed bounty for Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, which again they said was P5.6 million but in actuality was P7.85 million,” Zarate said.

Zarate also cited the case of Leo Velasco, which the Armed Forces stated to carry P5.6-million bounty on his head but based on the joint memorandum was more than P8 million.

“What is more bizarre though is that they increased his bounty even if they knew that Velasco was missing since 2007,” Zarate said.

“With this pattern of fund misdeclaration, it is not far off that the AFP also got the P1.5 million and only declared P23,000, dividing the remainder among themselves,” he said.

Zarate said the memo from the Defense and Interior departments with a 235-person hit list for communist leaders was just being used by officials to collect reward money.

This was the same list used to arrest Rolly Panesa, a security guard, who the Armed Forces said was a ranking communist leader , Danilo Benjamin Mendoza, with a P5.6 million reward on his head, Zarate said.

“The Fifth Division of the Court of Appeals ordered Panesa freed last August 27, 2013,” said Zarate.

“This is dangerous and alarming. The hit list allows anyone to be captured, just like in the case of Panesa, who was mugged and tortured by his military captors. Panesa, a security guard, was jailed for several months in a case of mistaken identity that the CA declared as such,” Zarate said.

What was worse, Zarate said, was that the Armed Forces had collected the supposed P5.6-million bounty and never returned the money despite the CA ruling.

“This hit list and other similar lists should not be used again because it endangers the lives of individuals even those not in the list,” Zarate said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/04/12/-afp-skims-p40m-bounty-/

Two rebels killed in Cordillera

From the Manila Times (Apr 11): Two rebels killed in Cordillera

CAMP ACMOR, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE: Two members of the New People’s Army died during an encounter with government troops on Wednesday at Bandung Hill in Cordillera region.

One of the two fatalities was identified as Daniel Alunday alias Katikid from Poswoy, Kalinga Apayao. Soldier Manuel Dagsan, who was hurt in the clash that lasted for more than an hour, is in stable condition.

http://www.manilatimes.net/two-rebels-killed-in-cordillera/89178/

AFP's 'Bayanihan' gets 'above satisfactory' marks from Visayas CSOs

From InterAksyon (Apr 11): AFP's 'Bayanihan' gets 'above satisfactory' marks from Visayas CSOs



Samar newsman Rommel Rutor delivers the Visayas assessment of the military's implementation of of Oplan Bayanihan. (photo by Ricky Bautista, InterAksyon.com)

Civil society groups in the Visayas gave the Armed Forces of the Philippines an “above satisfactory performance” rating for the implementation of “Oplan Bayanihan” in the Visayas last year.

The rating was given during an assessment conference on the military counterinsurgency program Thursday at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

Aside from assessing Bayanihan, the conference also tackled security reforms.

Civil society “Bantay-Bayanihan Network” teams gave their assessment of the military plan.

“As far as the Bayanihan operational indicators of the military is concerned, the AFP is hitting ‘above satisfactory,’ but we should take note that the consistency of its impact to communities is anchored on concrete policies, which is the second part of our assessment, and (in) that, the AFP is lagging behind” Samar Island Press Club president Rommel Rutor, who presented the Visayas assessment, said.

“In 2013, I would say that the so-called whole nation approach is still a military approach,” Rutor said.

Reacting to the Visayas assessment, Colonel Francisco F. Mendoza Jr., who represented the Cebu-based Central Command, said: “I agree on your observations and rest assured that we will also advise our lower units to correct any negative practice as far as policy implementation is concern to make the assessment and evaluation more comprehensive.”

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/84598/afps-bayanihan-gets-above-satisfactory-marks-from-visayas-csos

NegOr to be declared "conflict-manageable, development-ready”

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 11): NegOr to be declared "conflict-manageable, development-ready”

With the continued strengthening of peace efforts in Negros Oriental, a joint declaration of "Conflict-Manageable and Development Ready Province" will be held on April 28 at the Perdices Memorial Coliseum, this city. 

According to Deputy Commander Col. Cristopher Estella of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, with the Oplan Bayanihan and military combat operations, the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) forces continue to dwindle fast.

A recent encounter between NPA forces and government troops in Pamplona town resulted to two rebels killed and a number of them wounded and the recovery of high-powered firearms.

Col. Estella said the military has reduced the level of the enemy’s capabilities to threaten the stability of the government and for the civil authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of Negrenses.

He added that based on some parameters, the NPA’s support system has been greatly reduced in the hinterland barangays, as the residents themselves informed the military through text messages the presence of unidentified armed men in the area.

“Once a province is declared as conflict manageable and development-ready, there are advantages that enhance the general feeling of security for the Negrenses, and the province will experience development in its economic and boost tourism industry,” Col. Estella explained.

Expected to sign the joint declaration in a formal ceremony include Gov. Roel Degamo, Armed Forces of the Philippines Commander of 3ID Major General Aurelio Baladad, and Regional Director P/CSupt. Danilo Constantino of Police Regional Office-7.

Meantime, more Bayanihan Team Operations and combat focus operations will be conducted by the Army to stop insurgents.

Instead of engaging in armed conflict, the Army also encourages militants to consider different avenues in returning to the “folds of the law” such as asking for assistance from local government units, the military official said.

Col. Estella said the Army continues its efforts to collaborate with the LGUs, government agencies, non-government organizations, and the local communities in pursuing the goal of the province to become insurgency-free.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1111397118185

(UPDATE) Leftist rebels storm mining firm in ComVal

From the Philippine Star (Apr 11): (UPDATE) Leftist rebels storm mining firm in ComVal

Leftist rebels from the New People 's Army (NPA) raided a mining firm in southern Philippines and burned 21 assorted heavy equipment, a military spokesman said today.

Capt. Ernest Carolina, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division, said some 30 NPA guerrillas stormed the motor pool of the Apex Mining Co. in Masara village, Maco town in Compostela Valley province on Thursday afternoon.

Carolina said the leftist rebels torched drilling machines, payloaders, and backhoes.

Military officials, however, could not yet provide the cost of damage inflicted by the leftist rebels. No one was also reported killed or wounded in the incident.

Carolina said they have yet to establish the motive for the attack.

He said troops from the Philippine Army's 9th Infantry Battalion have been deployed to pursue the NPA guerrillas.

The attack took place just a week after leftist rebels swooped down on the Phil Alstron Mining Co. in Agusan del Norte province and burned eight heavy equipment.

The military said the NPA guerrillas raided the mining firm for its refusal to pay "revolutionary tax."

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/04/11/1311567/update-leftist-rebels-storm-mining-firm-comval

Peace and Order Councils of 3 Samar towns declare their towns as "Peaceful and Development Ready Municipalities"

Statement from the Division Public Affairs Office, 8th Infantry Division posted to the Samar News (Mar 26): Peace and Order Councils of 3 Samar towns declare their towns as "Peaceful and Development Ready Municipalities"



 

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar – Peace and order councils of three towns of Samar Province declare their towns as Peaceful and Development Ready Municipalities in a joint signing of declaration held at Marju Krishel Hotel, Calbayog City.

The towns of Tagapul-an, Sto. Niño and Almagro all of Samar were declared by the peace and order councils of said municipalities headed by their town mayors as peaceful and development ready.

The joint signing and declaration of said towns was made possible after the towns met the parameters stipulated under National Internal Peace and Security Plan, namely: different threat groups failed to function as organized insurgent movement; there is minimal threat to stability, peace and order and development, as well as transgression of laws; no established support system for threat groups; effort to infiltrate unaffected areas and sectoral organizations has been prevented; and the arouse, organize, mobilize (AOM) and Ideological, Political and Organizational were thwarted and prevented.

These mean that rebel activities need minimal military interventions as it can be easily addressed by the PNP troops in said municipalities.

The declaration was attended by Hon Kathleen S. Prudenciado, Mayor of Almagro, Samar; Hon. Lilia A. Coñejos, Mayor of Sto. Niño, Samar; Hon.Vicente F. Limpiado Sr., Mayor of Tagapul-an, Samar and Ms Luz D. Tacal of Samar PSWDO, representing Hon. Sharee Ann T. Tan, Governor of Samar. It was also attended by Maj Gen Jet B Velarmino AFP, the Commander of 8th Infantry Division, Col Wilson B. Leyva, the Commander of 801st Brigade, Philippine Army and Lt Col Glen C. Calambuhay, the Commanding Officer of 43rd Infantry Battalion. While Philippine National Police was represented by Chief Inspector Felipe R. Tan, Chief, Police Community Relation, Samar Provincial Police Office.

The declaration of the three towns as peaceful communities and ready for development symbolizes that a new era of peace and progress has started in Samar Province. That rebellion is a thing of the past and no longer the craze or fad of the masses. This also indicates that the 8th Infantry Division is still on the running to meet its target for the whole Samar Province to be declared as Peaceful and Development Ready comes June 2014.

In her message, Hon Lilia A. Conejos, Mayor of Almagro, Samar said: "There were so many violence in my town in the past, people got killed because they do not give in to the extortion demands of the NPA rebels. I thank the military for helping us to move on and cleansed our town of NPA rebels and help us realized our dream of a having a peaceful community to live on."

Maj Gen Jet B. Velarmino AFP, the Commander of the 8th Infantry Division said: The Joint Declaration of the municipalities of Almagro, Sto. Niño and Tagpul-an of Samar Province as 'Peaceful and Development Ready Municipalities' shows that the spirit of Bayanihan is strong among the Army, the Local Government Units and other stakeholders in these municipalities."

"We are very happy to be part of this endeavor and we can proudly say that we are moving towards the right direction. Together, we are sending a strong message that these municipalities believe that it is through peace and development efforts, and not armed struggle, that we can achieve a sustainable development and a just and lasting peace in this part of Samar Province," he added.

http://www.samarnews.com/news2014/mar/c983.htm

MILF: Muslim community leader urges gov’t to sincerely implement the Bangsamoro peace deal

From the MILF Website (Apr 12): Muslim community leader urges gov’t to sincerely implement the Bangsamoro peace deal



A Muslim community leader urges the Philippine Government to implement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) sincerely with notion that “We do not want to repeat the same mistake again for according to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) not all provisions of the Philippine Government-MNLF peace agreement were implemented.”
  

The government and MNLF, represented by MNLF Chairman Prof. Nur Misuari, signed in 1996 the final peace accord with hope that the agreement will bring peace and development in Southern Philippines.

“A Mu’min (believer) should not be bitten twice by the same snake coming from the same hole,” said Ustadz Akman Abtahi, President of Al-Hiqma Learning Institute and Chairman of Purok Bangsamoro in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City, during the Muslim Leaders Consultative Dialogue/Forum on April 8, 2014 at Mindanao State University- Gensan.

Abtahi pointed out that for the Muslims, an agreement is indeed sacred and it deserves respect and “must be implemented.”

Imam Jimmy Ubpon, President of General Santos City Council of Imams, further stressed the need to adhere to an agreement for Muslims consider it sacred.

Abtahi added, “What will happen if the Bangsamoro peace agreement won’t be implemented? I do not want to predict.”

“Is there a guarantee that the draft basic law will still be 100% intact after it will be  scrutinized by Congress?” he asked. “How will the MILF react if they will not be satisfied?” he further asked.

“Actually there are no changes in the process now compared with the MNLF deal,” he recalled.

He said the government has three branches, executive, legislative and judiciary which he suggested should have representatives that had constituted the GPH Peace Panel “so that there will be no more question.”

“We should have also looked at that matter unlike now, only the executive entered into agreement with the Bangsamoro,”  he elaborated.

Still being drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will provide the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the ARMM.


employs tedious consultations with various stakeholders, both Moros and non-Moros, drawing ideas and recommendations for the inclusive formulation of the basic law. The BBL will be ratified by qualified voters in Bangsamoro territory through a plebiscite.

Ustadz Ansar Kudanding urged fellow participants to put their trust to the MILF leadership who are fighting for the rights of the Bangsamoro people in diplomatic process and enjoined everyone to pray that the peace agreement will truly bring the realization of Bangsamoro governance.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/918-muslim-community-leader-urges-gov’t-to-sincerely-implement-the-bangsamoro-peace-deal

No 'immediate' threat to upcoming Obama visit so far, but intel community on the job

From GMA News (Apr 11): PNP: No 'immediate' threat to upcoming Obama visit so far, but intel community on the job

At least for now, the Philippine intelligence community has not detected any "immediate" terrorist or criminal threat to the visit of US President Barack Obama on April 28 and 29.

Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac on Saturday said the PNP and other agencies continue to validate information involving threats.

"Wala pa kaming nkaukuhang info at this date and time na ikababahala ng ating kababayan... Wala pa kaming nakikitang immediate threat, whether terrorist or criminal, subali't tuloy ang pag-validate," Sindac said on state-run dzRB radio.

He said other government agencies involved in validating possible threats include the Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

On Friday, Philippine Ambassador to Washington D.C. Jose Cuisia Jr. said Obama is due to visit the Philippines April 28 and 29.

Cuisia said Obama and President Benigno Aquino III are expected to discuss defense and security cooperation, trade and people-to-people exchange.

He added it will be "working visit" for Obama.

Obama will also visit Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia this month. He was supposed to visit the Philippines in October 2013 but it was canceled after the US government went into a shutdown.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/356615/news/nation/pnp-no-immediate-threat-to-upcoming-obama-visit-so-far-but-intel-community-on-the-job