NPA rebels gun down former Army man in Masbate

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): NPA rebels gun down former Army man in Masbate
 

New People’s Army rebels on Sunday morning shot dead a former Philippine Army soldier in Barangay Mahayahay, Cawayan, Masbate, an Army officer said Monday.

Army Captain Marjorie Panesa, public affairs chief of the 9th Infantry Division, identified the victim as Rehuel Suson, 54, a former Army soldier and currently employed as a security guard of a communication cell site in the town.

Panesa said in a text message that the victim was on board his motorcycle and was on his way home to Bangay Mactan at about 7:30 a.m. when he was waylaid by six NPA members.

Suson sustained fatal gunshot wounds in various parts of his body, killing him instantly.

Town police led by Insp. Randy Bachiller immediately responded and recovered the body of the slain security guard.

Police investigators are still determining the motive for the killing while the NPA guerrilla unit in Masbate has yet to issue a statement admitting the killing of Suson.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=752578

AFP, US Armed Forces provides health, disaster response training to Capiz residents

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): AFP, US Armed Forces provides health, disaster response training to Capiz residents

With the annual "Balikatan" exercises to start in a week's time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Armed Forces over the weekend provided a series of trainings on health and disaster response to residents, health and social workers of Tapaz town, Capiz province.

Sixty-one municipal health, social workers and residents participated in the two-day activity.

The participants are from Barangays San Nicolas and Taft, Tapaz town.

Participating also were members of the Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Task Force Panay and Joint Civil-Military Operation Task Force and their American counterparts.

Major Ray Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, said the activities are part of the pre-"Balikatan" exercises.

He added that Master Sgts. Rodney Chiles and Richard Giardine of the US Army conducted series of lectures on various topics such as community health nursing; common diseases during disaster; and healthy lifestyle.

The aim of the seminar is to identify potential and existing community health problems and support community participation in the process of preserving and improving the health of community.

Case studies on disaster management were also taken up including: preparedness for rescue, evacuation, caring for victims, personnel training, communications and stockpiling and maintenance of supplies and equipment; response actions to be taken to save lives and prevent further damage; recovery actions that must be taken to return to a normal situation after disaster; and mitigation activities to reduce or eliminate risks to persons or properties or consequences of an incident.

Aside from the recently-concluded activity, a military-to-civilian basic first responders training will be conducted at Babe’s Garden in Barangay Taft, Tapaz, Capiz on April 13 to 15.

Eighty military and civilian disaster responders are expected to participate.

Tiongson said the training aims to enhance disaster rescue, relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts capabilities of the military and its counterparts in the civilian sector.

At the 3rd Infantry Division Training School in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz, a Civil-Military Operations (CMO) exchange seminar will be conducted on April 13 to 14, 2015.

The exchange seminar is a partnership training between the AFP CMO personnel and their counterparts from the US Armed Forces Civil Affairs team which will touch on the best practices of the Bayanihan Team Activities (BTA) for the AFP and the Civil Affairs Doctrine for the US Armed Forces.

A series of structural assessment for seaports and airports in the provinces of Capiz, Aklan, and Iloilo will also be conducted.

Meantime, personnel of the AFP and US Engineering units continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder in constructing two classrooms for the Don Joaquin Arthuz Memorial School in Tapaz, Capiz.

The school building is expected to be finished on the last week of April.

The effort is part of the humanitarian civic assistance portion of Balikatan Exercise 2015 in Panay.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=752373

Palace hopeful for success of BBL, end of questions on MILF exec’s real name

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): Palace hopeful for success of BBL, end of questions on MILF exec’s real name

A Palace official on Monday seconded lawmakers’ stand that the issue about the true identity of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal should not be an issue against the on-going peace talks and hopes for the eventual resolution of this issue.

This after Iqbal said that he will disclose his real name once the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) has been passed and things begin to “normalize.”

In an SMS to reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that “I think all parties, including the senators, agree that the nom de guerre of Mr. Iqbal should not affect the peace process.”

He said Senator Bongbong Marcos even pointed out that this issue is “tangential.”

”We hope at some point the issue of Mr. Iqbal’s true name will be resolved,” he said.

Some sectors have raised questions about the commitment of the MILF in discussing peace with the Philippine government after it was learned that Iqbal and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad have Malaysian passports.

Palace officials have reiterated that they do not doubt the MILF’s intention in the peace process and that the government knows the real names of these MILF officials.

They also said that citizenship of these officials has never been questioned and their aliases are being used as a protection.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=752479

AAR hosts PHL-US 'indirect fire operation' meet

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): AAR hosts PHL-US 'indirect fire operation' meet

The Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) formally opened the Philippines-United States "indirect fire operations" Subject Matter Expert Exchange Training (SMEET) at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Monday.

The training is between the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) and the Philippine Army as part of the yearly "Balikatan" exercise which focuses on enhancing the skills, competencies and capacity of both armies in the conduct of fire planning and indirect fire operations.

Participating in the exercise are 70 soldiers from the AAR and 55 combined infantry and artillery soldiers from USARPAC.

According to Capt. Jeffrey S. Ferrer, SMEET training fire support planner and assistant chief-of-staff for training and education of the AAR, the participants are organized into three components of the mortar and artillery gunnery team: the forward observer, fire direction center, and the firing unit.

“This will ensure the exchange of skills and competencies. The leaders will prioritize the planning of fires in support to force-on-force maneuver while the crewmen will focus on certification of personnel relative to the gunnery operations,” he added.

Col. Agane C. Adriatico, AAR deputy commander, said that the training they will undergo is more than the exchange of skills and knowledge.

“I am confident that the relationship we have established in the past will get much stronger and better as we further our commitment towards a more secure Asia-Pacific Region,” he added.

The training will run for two weeks with lectures and demonstrations.

Live fire exercises will be held at Mount Baca, Barangay Palale in Nueva Ecija as the final culminating activity in order to test the efficiency of all the personnel involved.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=752474

US expression of support for PHL in ongoing territorial dispute with China, significant

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): US expression of support for PHL in ongoing territorial dispute with China, significant

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Monday called significant, US President Barack Obama's expression of support to the country in its ongoing spat with China regarding the South China Sea.

Gazmin said Obama's expression of support could be counted as such as the US was one of the world's most powerful countries and had openly expressed its support to the Philippines.

Earlier, Obama said China shouldn’t “elbow aside” countries it was in conflict with in the South China Sea, where the United States had sounded an alarm over Chinese construction on disputed islands.

“Where we get concerned with China is where it is not necessarily abiding by international norms and rules and is using its sheer size and muscle to force countries into subordinate positions, and that is the concern we have around maritime issues,” he said.

As this develops, Gazmin said that the Philippines would continue to file protests against China regarding the new structures it constructed on Mischief Reef.

He added that the country would continue to obey the rule of law when it comes to protecting its claim at the South China Sea.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=752465

Three Bangsamoro Royal Sultanates unite for passage of BBL

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): Three Bangsamoro Royal Sultanates unite for passage of BBL

For the first time in years since the Moros’ struggle for right to self-determination, three Bangsamoro Royal Sultanates in Mindanao stand united and voiced their all-out support for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Led by the Sultans and Datus from the Royal Houses of Buayan, Kabuntalan and Taviran from different provinces in Mindanao, over 300 participants gathered Sunday for the Bangsamoro Royal Houses Solidarity Conference at the Waterfront Insular Hotel to present their position papers and statement of support to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee first vice chair Ghazali Jaafar.

Jaafar welcomed the support of the Sultanates as their voices will help in the passage of the BBL. He added that if the BBL will not be passed, the voice of the Sultanates will be known in the world.

Even as the leaders urged for the passage of BBL, sultanate leader, Prime Sultan of Maguindanao Abdulaziz Salem tore the declaration of support in front of other sultanate leaders and Jaafar during the signing of the declaration of support as the concluding highlight of the conference.

Salem, who was asked to sign the document, scrutinized the document before signing it. But he stood up and speaking in a Moro dialect, tore each page of the document to the surprise of the people around. Salem was pointing to one provision. It was not however known what provision that he was opposing.

In a press conference, Datu Noldin Oyod, Datu sa Taviran IV, said their decision to back the passage of the BBL was a result of the plenary they held last week to discuss how to attain solidarity towards a just and dignified peace. Oyod stressed that their decision strengthens the Bangsamoro unity.

In another statement of support signed by Amil Kusain Camsa and Pinandatu Uko Mluk pushed the enactment of the BBL. It details the desire of the Bangsamoro and the failure of addressing their endless oppression. Camsa is the prime sultan of the Sultanate of Buayan Darussalam while Mluk is the Sultan of the Sultanate of Kabuntalan Darussalam.

In their statement of support, they expected BBL will give substance to their Constitutional rights citing that so much lives and properties have been lost since the 1970’s.

According to the statement, a Bangsamoro government is nothing to be feared of because the delegated functions can be recalled any time by the central government in case of abuse or mismanagement with the full sanction of the law.

It also mentioned the Mamasapano incident has nothing to do with the Mindanao conflict “which is a political crime as to validly impute or implicate the peace settlement. According to them, the Mamasapano incident is a trivial matter to derail the passage of the BBL.

“The Bangsamoro merely demands the immediate passage of the Bill to start a new life. The real and historic grievances of the Bangsamoro people were not properly addressed, if not deliberately avoided, in the previous autonomous governments established by the GRP for Muslim Mindanao,” the statement said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=752482

Senate panel fails to get Iqbal’s real name

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): Senate panel fails to get Iqbal’s real name

For almost two hours, the Senate committee on local government tried but failed to extract the real name of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal.

At the resumption of the Senate hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on Monday, Iqbal said he would reveal his true identity after the peace process is completed through the passage of the BBL.

”Once the BBL is passed by Congress, then it would be implemented and everything will become normal, I will be ready to disclose my identity but this time, I will ask not to compel me to reveal my identity,” Iqbal asked the Senate panel chaired by Sen. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.

It was revealed in last week's House hearing on the Mamasapano incident that the MILF chief peace negotiator had been using the nom de guerre Mohagher Iqbal since talks began in 1997.

During the Senate hearing, Marcos as well as Senators Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and Nancy Binay appealed to Iqbal to reveal his real name as “confidence-building measure”.

”In the interest of peace process, revealing your name would be a big help in inspiring confidence not only to the legislators and the government but in general public,” Marcos told Iqbal.

For his part, Escudero said if Iqbal has been claiming that his use of alias in signing the peace agreements with the government was just a small thing, “then why you cannot grant this small request?”

Iqbal, also chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, explained that he continued to use alias not only for his own security but for the safety of his families and the MILF as a revolutionary organization.

”We use nom de guerre to protect myself, my family, and the struggle. If I was harmed and killed, perhaps I would not be here in this august body,” Iqbal said.

”It’s not just my personal security but about the MILF because we are still in a state of conflict. It’s very complicated situation. Once the BBL is passed and everything becomes normal, everything about us will be known by the whole Philippines,” Iqbal assured.

Philippine government peace negotiating panel (GRP) chairperson Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles defended Iqbal’s decision not reveal his name for security reason.

”There are privacy and security issues here. There a right to privacy of any public official,” Ferrer said.

“He is a very public person. He does have a family and children that carry his name. We know that the MILF still has enemies,” Deles said.

Deles said she does not know the real name of Iqbal but assured that the BTC chairman is the authorized person of the MILF to talk with the government.

Ferrer, on the other hand, said she had known the real name of through her study of the Moro struggle in Mindanao.

Senator Teofisto ‘TG’ Guingona III, a lawmaker from Mindanao, also defended Iqbal, saying the MILF chief peace negotiator has family and grandchildren to protect from any threat including from other armed groups in Mindanao.

”We must infuse culture here. We need to recognize the culture of our (Muslim) brothers down south. If you committed wrongdoing against a person, he will take revenge and he will not find you, he take it against your clan. Their culture is different. The security issue is very, very complex,” Guingona explained.

Guingona also explained that the MILF, being a revolutionary movement, is conceptually outside the ambit of the laws.

”That’s why they are called the rebels. The laws of the state cannot be applied in the revolutionary force,” Guingona said.

Guingona said he also sees no problem with Iqbal using alias “as long as he continued the peace process until its final end.”

”Mr. Iqbal said once the peace has been achieved, they cease to be a revolutionary force, they form part of the state, they will voluntary submit to the laws of the republic. And they have promised that by that that time he would reveal his name,” Guingona said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said the issue on the true identity of Iqbal will not affect the peace agreement between the government and the MILF but urged the BTC chairman to disclose his true identity as “confidence-building measure”.

“The use of a nom de guerre by Iqbal in signing the peace agreement does not constitute any legal violation, for both parties involved fully recognized Iqbal as the MILF’s chief negotiator in the peace process,” Drilon explained in a press statement.

“What is important is that the MILF will honour and fulfill its obligations under the peace agreement,” he underscored.

Still, he urged Iqbal to reveal his real name in order to help address misconceptions about the MILF’s commitment to the peace process.

Drilon also said that the use of an alias will not invalidate any document that Iqbal has signed in his official capacity as an official representative of his organization.

He pointed out that in the Senate itself, several senators have also signed official documents, committee reports and bills using nicknames. Among them are Senators Jinggoy Estrada, whose real name is Jose Pimentel Ejercito, and Ramon Revilla Jr., who was born with the name of Jose Marie Mortel Bautista.

During the hearing, Escudero moved to summon the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the next hearing to present documents that will show the real identity of Iqbal.

“We discuss this issue in this hearing without any allegation of deception, just information. And based on this information, Congress will act accordingly. Why is Mr. Iqbal agonizing over giving his real identity? Who is he afraid of? The military?” Escudero pointed out.

Escudero explained that knowing Iqbal’s identity should not be brushed aside, saying it was important to know “who we really talk to, who we deal with because this small thing has a significant effect on confidence-building which is one of the most difficult tasks in brokering peace.”

Escudero also scored officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for not knowing the real identity of the MILF chief peace negotiator considering that the Moro revolutionary group has been in existence for almost 42 years now.

AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Pio Catapang, when questioned by Escudero, admitted they did not know the real name of Iqbal and that they had no accessible information to determine this.

“In those 42 years, the AFP never thought it relevant to find the real identities of the leaders of the rebel group they have been fighting with? This is unsettling,” he said.

Escudero also questioned the government peace panel about the real identities of other MILF peace negotiators, without any allegation of deception or fraud.

The resumption of the Senate hearing on BBL focused on the ceasefire mechanisms to prevent repetition of Mamasapano encounter that lasted for almost 11 hours between the Special Action Force (SAF) and combined forces of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The Senate panel has temporarily suspended the BBL hearings to give way the Senate investigations on the Mamasapano incident that killed 44 SAF troopers last January 25.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=752496

Chinese reclamation causing irreversible and widespread damage to West Philippine Sea

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): Chinese reclamation causing irreversible and widespread damage to West Philippine Sea

The Philippines on Monday said China’s massive reclamation activities in disputed features in the South China Sea are causing "irreversible and widespread" damage to the resource-rich waters' biodiversity and ecological balance.

“We cannot accept China’s claim that its activities has not caused damage to the ecological environment of the South China Sea,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said in a statement as he warned that coastal states like the Philippines face $ 100 million worth of economic losses because of the reclamation.

A United Nations Environment Program study, according to the DFA, revealed that around 300 acres of coral reef systems were damaged as a result of the reclamation activities and that nations that depend on the sea's resources is estimated to suffer losses valued at $ 100 million a year.

Jose accused China of “disregarding peoples in the surrounding states who have depended on the sea for their livelihood for generations” by pursuing said activities unilaterally.

Manila also pointed out China’s damaging fishing practices in the Philippine-claimed Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc near Zambales province.

China, Jose said, “tolerated environmentally harmful fishing practices by its nationals” at the shoal, which in effect “breaches its obligations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).”

The Philippines, Jose said, is especially concerned by a recent Chinese Foreign Ministry statement that once their reclamation work on seven areas are completed, these would provide “comprehensive services to meet civilian demands and satisfy the need of necessary military defense.”

“Such statements by China only serve to raise the spectre of increasing militarization and threaten peace and stability in the region,” Jose said, adding Beijing seeks to distract the world from its massive and illegal expansion in the area.

China insists all its activities in the resource-rich South China Sea are within its legal and territorial jurisdiction as it dismissed protests from other claimants like the Philippines and Vietnam. Other claimants are Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Beijing maintains “indisputable” and “historical” sovereignty over nearly the entire waters through it’s so-called nine-dash line, an assertion that Manila calls “excessive” and “illegitimate.”

“We call on China to stop the reclamation activities and to be mindful of its responsibilities as a claimant state and an important member of the international community,” Jose said.

China, he said, must respect the letter and spirit of a non-binding and non-aggression pact it signed with Association of South East Asian Nations on the South China Sea in 2002.

Manila also called on China to cooperate in discussing constructive long-term solutions to the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

The Philippines brought its case against China to an arbitration tribunal in 2013, but Beijing rejected Manila’s complaint, saying it has no legal basis.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=752495

Army, PNP verifying reports of Basit Usman sighting in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): Army, PNP verifying reports of Basit Usman sighting in Basilan
 

Police and military authorities are verifying reports that wanted Filipino bomb expert Abdul Basit Usman was sighted in one of Basilan's remote villages.

This, after a former town mayor of Basilan told reporters Usman was sighted with about 10 armed men, four of whom were foreign looking.

Chief Supt. Ronald Estilles, police regional director in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) based in Parang, Maguindanao and who has administrative and operational control over police in the island province, directed the Basilan PNP to verify the reports.

Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, commander of Joint Task Force Zambasulta, told reporters the military is verifying the report.

Mayor Joel Maturan, former mayor of Ungkaya Pukan town, told reporters he was able to talk to one of the commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Basilan who told him Usman and a group of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was seen in a remote village of Tuburan town.

He did not say when the group was sighted.

With the statement from ex-Mayor Maturan, military intelligence officials believed Usman, who carries a 1 million US-dollar bounty, could have slipped out of Maguindanao and went to Basilan at the height of the military's massive law enforcement operations in Maguindanao.

He said Usman is being coddled by a former MILF commander who turned official of the Abu Sayaff Group.

Senior Superintendent Mario Buyuccan, Basilan police provincial director, has reported to PNP-ARMM that it received the report over the weekend and has been verifying the presence of the country's most wanted man.

Before he was monitored in Maguindanao along with the slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias 'Marwan," Usman stayed in the jungles of Basilan and preached radical Islam.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=752657

War games highlight show of aerial force

From the Manila Standard Today (Apr 13): War games highlight show of aerial force

A total of 92 military aircraft from the United States, Philippines and Australia will be  taking part  in this year’s Balikatan exercises   scheduled on April 20- 30, 2015.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP public affairs office chief, said that the Americans will be deploying 76 military aircraft while the Philippines will be allocating 15 planes and helicopters while the Australian Defense Forces   will deploy one.

Earlier, the AFP said  that 11,740 troops from the three countries will be participating in this year’s Balikatan exercises.

This can be broken down into 6,656 personnel for the US, 5,023 for the AFP and 61 for the Australian Defense Forces.

He added that the US will be deploying three naval vessels while the AFP will be sending one.

Balikatan is an annual combined joint exercise between the governments of the  Philippines and US.

This is conducted every year to serve as a venue for joint and combined training between the Philippines and United States militaries.

“Our Armed Forces and the US Armed Forces are coming together for this mutual defense and disaster response exercises towards a more responsive partnership to the community focusing on development and community service,” Cabunoc said.

This year’s Balikatan is the 31st in the series of bilateral exercises based on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

The exercise is designed to enhance the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces in capability development in the conduct of not only traditional military training but with civil military projects focusing on reaching out towards priority communities.

Balikatan 2015 will be conducted in three simultaneous events.

Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) events is the conduct of combined and joint civil-military operations by the AFP, US and Australian Defense Forces (ADF) in selected areas of the Western Command (WESCOM) area of responsibility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in Panay Island, to enhance civil-military cooperation in support of the AFP and US objectives.

In the Command Post Exercise (CPX) event, the scenario will focus on Marine Security (MARSEC) with Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) to demonstrate the capability of the AFP National Maneuver Force. 

Selected US and ADF staff members will form a Joint Liaison Group (JLG) to support the capability development at each staff.

While the Field Training Exercises (FTX) events will have the following involved unit; the Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), AFP Special Operations Force (SOF), United States Army (USAR), United States Air Force (USAF), United States Navy (USN), United States Marine Crops (USMC), and United States SOF (US SOF) will be held in Crow Valley Gunnery Range (CVGR), Tarlac; Basa Air Base (BAB), Floridablanca and Clark Air Base (CAB) Angeles City, both in Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija (FMNE); Marine Base Gregorio Lim (MBGL), Ternate, Cavite; Naval Base Heracleo Alano (NBHA), Sangley Point, Cavite and at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantiouqui (NSLG), San Antonio, Zambales to enhance capacities and improve tactics, techniques and procedures, reinforce relations, and improve interoperability of AFP, US and ADF forces.

Opening ceremony of Balikatan 2015 will be held at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on April 20 while the closing ceremony will be at Clark Airbase on April 30.

Balikatan Exercise Director for this year is Vice Adm. Aexander S. Lopez while Brig. Gen. Rodolfo B Santiago is the Exercise’s Vice Director and also the commandant of AFP Command and General Staff College.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/04/13/war-games-highlight-show-of-aerial-force/

BIFF sets retaliatory strikes vs military

From the Manila Standard Today (Apr 13): BIFF sets retaliatory strikes vs military

Members of the separatist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are reportedly preparing retaliatory attacks to avenge the series of setbacks they suffered from the military’s recent anti-terrorism campaign.

Informed sources said the BIFF will also strongly oppose the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law by staging attacks against the military.

“There is very reliable information that the BIFF is out to avenge the series of military operations against them, resulting in the death of dozens of militants,” the source said.

It was earlier reported that the BIFF is planning to stage bombing attacks in Metro Manila as part of their plan to exact revenge on the military and to emphasize their rejection of the BBL.

Several improvised explosive devices (IED) were discovered by the military in separate areas in Maguindanao in the past two weeks, which the source said was an indication that the BIFF is planning something “serious.”

The military claimed to have killed at least 129 BIFF separatists, including three ranking commanders and also wounding hundreds of others in clashes in the outskirts of Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak and Shariff Saydona towns in Maguindanao in the past two months.

The military campaign against the BIFF has also resulted to the arrest of Muhammad Ali Tambako, the leader of the newly formed terrorist group Justice Islamic Movement (JIM).

Tambako was reportedly the most trusted commander of BIFF leader Umbra kato, a former top MILF commander. The latter allegedly left the MILF because of differences with MILF chairman Murad Ibrahim.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang recently suspended military operations against the BIFF to pave the way for the reconstruction of damaged houses and other structures due to the intense fighting in Maguindanao.

However, Catapang said despite the temporary suspension of operations, the military will continue to hunt BIFF terrorists, including Abdul Basit Usman, the top adviser of BIFF leader Umbra Kato.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/04/13/biff-sets-retaliatory-strikes-vs-military/

Army’s approach to healing wounds of war

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 12): Army’s approach to healing wounds of war



Some of Army’s battle casualties were recently given training on basic photography and computer literacy at the Army General Hospital to prepare them for non-combat duties once they are discharged from the hospital.
PRIVATE First Class Christopher Mejos had his second chance in life after his chest was grazed by a bullet from an AK47 assault rifle in a firefight with communist rebels in Misamis Oriental in 2013.

But he had been confined in a military hospital since then.

“We encountered almost 300 members of the New People’s Army in Barangay (village) Pelaez in Misamis Oriental last August 8, 2013 and I was shot in the chest and it broke my bone on the right side,” he said in an interview recently.

He was given first aid after the fighting but he was rescued only after two days in the mountains.  Only two soldiers from the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion were wounded, and his condition was critical then.

One year and seven months later, he remains under therapy and complains of a wire inside his chest that makes his breathing difficult.

“I have difficulty breathing because of the wire inside my chest but I cannot undergo surgery because I will have to use my own money. So I went here at the Philippine Army General Hospital to see what can be done,” he said.

He was told that the surgery would cost about P300,000, including the doctor’s fee.

Mejos, 33, who has a live-in partner and two children, wants to go back to service but his body is weak.

“I love my country. I want to serve and stay here. I also get my financial support for my family here. I want to return, my will is strong but my upper body is weak,” he said.

He has already served nine years in the military service and wants to make it at least to 20 years.

“I hope I reach 20 years in service and then retire so I can support myself and my family,” he said.

Healing the wounds of war

Mejos was just one of the 42 battle casualties who were recently given a two-week training on combat photography and basic computer literacy at the Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio.

They were taught basic photography, equipment familiarization and basic theories in photo and video production. They were also taught with the basic computer skills such as using Microsoft programs, which will give them enough knowledge when they will be assigned to office or administrative functions once they are healed.




Some of Army’s battle casualties were recently given training on basic photography and computer literacy at the Army General Hospital to prepare them for non-combat duties once they are discharged from the hospital.
On the average, there are about 500 soldiers wounded in battle every year.

“When Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri was visiting battle casualties he told me to think of a way to prepare them for non-combat duties once they get out of the hospital. Many of them are recuperating and they have plenty of idle time here. So as a public affairs officer, this is what I thought of. When they get out of here and join combat again they will be armed with an M-16 and a camera to record events from the frontlines,” Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Noel Detoyato said.

Healing is not only a physical aspect but mental as well, according to the Army spokesman.

“We need to teach them skills that they will look forward to use once they get out of the hospital. That is one aspect of mental healing. They should feel that it doesn’t make them less of a soldier just because they are in the hospital. We have to mentally heal them to prepare then before they go out,” Detoyato said.

Because of the success of the training, more trainings will be made in the coming months, he said.

“Eventually after they retire they will still get to use these skills. So those who are still young in service they will be able to use these skills for a long while,” Detoyato said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/684995/armys-approach-to-healing-wounds-of-war

Another ‘rebel leader' falls

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 13): Another ‘rebel leader' falls

A month after an arrested New People's Army leader was freed from jail, another suspected leader of the group was apprehended Saturday by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit 6 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, for the crime of arson.

The arrested suspect, alleged by the police to be the Finance and Logistic Officer of the Northern Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros was identified as Joseph Sibugan, with the aliases of Sakay and Rubin Arquellon Lumacang.

Sibugan was denied bail by San Carlos Regional Trial Court Judge Kathrine Go.

The RIU 6 operatives headed by SPO2 Rolando Saniana were assisted by the local police force in serving the arrest warrant to Sibugan in Hacienda Nena, Brgy. 14, Victorias City.

Police investigations showed that Sibugan is allegedly involved in the collection of revolutionary taxes from sugar planters and landowners in northern Negros.

Troopers of the Regional Public Safety Battalion troopers have beefed up the Victorias City Police Station, in guarding Sibugan, who is now due for transfer to the San Carlos Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Sibugan was positively identified by a rebel returnee, the police said.

Last month, Rogelio Posadas, alias Poten and Isko, who was arrested Jan. 9 at a police checkpoint in San Carlos City, was also freed from jail last month, after reportedly posting bail of P180,000.

Posadas tagged by the military as the secretary of the Northern Negros Front- KR-Negros, is facing murder, homicide and robbery-in-band charges in court. But for still unknown reasons, he was still able to post bail.

Aside from Posadas, other alleged rebel leaders arrested in Negros Occidental, are Romeo Natan, regional commander of the NPA, Mary Grace Delicano-Sumayang, Nilda Natan Bertulano, Rogelio Danoso, and Hernando Llorente who rejoined their comrades in the mountains, after posting bail and being released from detention, the military said.

They had been charged for murder, robbery-in-band, frustrated murder, attempted murder and arson, among others, that the militant organizations dismissed as “trumped up charges”.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/April/13/topstory4.htm

Ex-Army soldier killed by suspected NPA rebels in Masbate

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 13): Ex-Army soldier killed by suspected NPA rebels in Masbate

Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels gunned down a former Army soldier Sunday morning in Cawayan, Masbate, an Army official said Monday morning.

Captain Marjorie Panesa, public affairs chief of the 9th Infantry Division, identified the victim as Rehuel Suson, 54, a former Army soldier and a security guard of a telecommunication cell site in Cawayan town.

Panesa, in a text message, said Suson was on his motorcycle on his way home when he was waylaid by six communist rebels in Barangay Mahayahay, Cawayan at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

She added Suson was on his way home to Barangay Mactan, Cawayan when he was attacked.

Panesa said Suson bore multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of the body.

Policemen led by Inspector Randy Bachiller of the Cawayan Municipal Police Office immediately responded and recovered Suson’s body.

Investigators from the police are still determining the motive of the killing.

But the NPA guerrillas have yet to issue a statement owning to the killing.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/685102/ex-army-soldier-killed-by-suspected-npa-rebels-in-masbate

Joint Task Group Sulu halts operations against Abu Sayyaf leader to rest, resupply

From GMA News (Apr 12): Joint Task Group Sulu halts operations against Abu Sayyaf leader to rest, resupply

A military operation against a senior Abu Sayyaf leader had to be called off because it had been compromised and because troops needed to rest after 14 days of continous operations, a military commander in Sulu said Sunday.

 

Col. Allan Arrojado, commander of the Army’s Joint Task Group Sulu, said operations against Radullan Sahiron, one of the senior leaders of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, and his men were halted Sunday morning.

 

The order came hours after soldiers engaged Sahiron’s advance party in a barangay in Indanan town around 12:30 a.m. A soldier was wounded while the Abu Sayyaf incurred an undetermined number of casualties, Arrojado said.

 

The military was acting on information that Sahiron and his men were proceeding to Indanan town to link up with other Abu Sayyaf members.

 

“We (military) went ahead of them, we were supposed to ambush them. But the main group didn’t go first. The advance party came first. The fighting warned Radullan and [he] withdrew (to the south),” Arrojado said.

 

Arrojado said the decision was also meant to give the troops the time rest, refurbish their equipment and resupply their ammunition.

“Of course, after 14 days of operation, our troops have to go down from the mountain and rest,” he said.

 

He said, though, that the soldiers from the elite Army 1st Scout Ranger Battalion are keeping an eye on the Abu Sayyaf and are ready to reengage the group if necessary.

 

Sahiron is one of several Filipino terrorists wanted by the US government, which has offered $1 million for information leading to his arrest. He is linked to the kidnapping of three Americans and 17 Filipino tourists from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan in May 2001 and other incidents.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/468542/news/regions/joint-task-group-sulu-halts-operations-against-abu-sayyaf-leader-to-rest-resupply