Troops recover ISIS flag, bomb-making materials in ASG harbor site in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13): Troops recover ISIS flag, bomb-making materials in ASG harbor site in Sulu

Government forces pursuing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands have arrested two people and recovered an ISIS flag, bomb-making components and other materials at an harbor site of the ASG in Sulu.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the harbor site was discovered while the troops from the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion (IB) Friday morning in Sitio Pangi, Barangay Latih, Patikul.

Arrojado identified those arrested at the ASG harbor site as Dakang Jomala, 58 and Rogpin Samlani Lim, 21, who are from Barangays Latih and Tulay, Patikul, respectively.

Arrojado said they were taken to the headquarters of the Army’s 35th IB for investigation and later turned over to the custody of Latih Barangay Chairwoman Lorna Albani for proper disposition.

Arrojado said the troops also recovered from the ASG harbor site two motorcycles; three jungle packs; four hammocks; two ponchos; one solar panel; two water containers; and, subversive documents aside from the ISIS flag and bomb-making materials.

He said the harbor site was discovered while the troops were pursuing the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

Sawadjaan’s group attacked around 9:30 a.m. Friday the residence of Abdukahal Umadjadi, the barangay chairman of Bungkaung, Patikul that triggered a 15-minute firefight.

The ASG brigands fled after the troops pounded them with mortar rounds.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826726

Lawless armed group tried, but failed, to overrun Army base in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13): Lawless armed group tried, but failed, to overrun Army base in Maguindanao

Outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) tried but failed to overrun an Army base in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao on Friday morning, the military here said.

Colonel Edgar Delos Reyes, commander of the 34th Infantry Battalion based in Shariff Aguak, said about 30 heavily armed BIFF simultaneously attack the 34th IB detachment using assault rifles and shoulder fired grenades at past 4 a.m.

Alert soldiers returned fire triggering a two-hour sporadic fire fight until the gunmen fled to the hinterlands of Shariff Aguak.

The skirmishes triggered mass evacuation of about 30 families but have already returned home Friday afternoon.

Delos Reyes said the gunmen were led by a certain Commander Abu Bin Laden. He could not say whether the attackers sustained fatalities or not.

No casualty on the government side.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826893

50 cops undergo 2 IHL training sessions

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13): 50 cops undergo 2 IHL training sessions

In line with its efforts to comply with the processes set by the International Humanitarian Law, around 50 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) participated in two consecutive IHL training sessions this week.

Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, PNP public affairs office chief, said all 50 officers participated in internal security operations.

The series of training was conducted by the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Mayor said these are part of efforts to integrate the teaching of IHL, also known as the law of armed conflict, in the police force.

The first training took place last Nov. 9-10 when 25 instructors from the Special Action Forces (SAF) and representatives from the Philippine Public Safety College underwent an IHL workshop in Tagaytay City to enhance their capacity to teach IHL in the PNP-SAF Training School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and integration of IHL in the curriculum of the PPSC.

While on Nov. 12-13, a separate training was held in Baguio City for 25 members of the SAF, Regional Public Safety Battalion and Provincial Public Safety Companies in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Topics include the general principles of IHL; Republic Act 9851, or the domestic IHL law; as well as international standards on policing.

“These trainings are highly relevant to these PNP units that are involved in internal security and counter insurgency operations. We look forward to continue working with the PNP to ensure that IHL is understood and appreciated among these units,” ICRC legal adviser Atty. Evecar Cruz-Ferrer said.

IHL regulates the means and methods of warfare and protects those not or no longer participating in hostilities, including civilians.

The ICRC, a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization, promotes the teaching of IHL to increase awareness and foster compliance among weapon bearers.

It has been working with the PNP HRAO since 2012 to integrate IHL and human rights law in the education of PNP personnel, and has trained around 300 police officers on these subjects.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=826807

Bomb expert bagged in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13): Bomb expert bagged in North Cotabato

Military and police operatives arrested a bomb expert and former member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Special Operations Group (MILF-SOG) during operations in North Cotabato on Wednesday.

Col. Noel Detoyato, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, in a statement Friday, identified the suspect as Abdul Manap Mentang alias "Manny/Manap/Al-Molk".

He was arrested in Barangay Panatan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato by virtue of standing warrants of arrest issued separately by Davao City and Cotabato City Regional Trial Courts for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder.

Mentang is responsible in the Sasa Wharf and Ecoland terminal bombing in Davao City in 2003 that killed 23 civilians and injured 127 others.

Previous investigations revealed that Mentang was included in the first batch of a 15-man group that was trained on basic demolition for urban terrorism by the Jemaah Islamiyah in 1995.

He was also known to have trained some MILF members on bomb-making during that time.

Mentang was arrested in Santa Ana, Manila in October 2004 but was released from jail after three months due to lack of evidence against him.

Mentang is now under the custody of the Philippine National Police in Davao City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=826770

More Lumad leaders killed as world celebrates day of action for IP heroes

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 13): More Lumad leaders killed as world celebrates day of action for IP heroes

The Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu) has assailed the Aquino administration of paying lip-service for the demand of indigenous peoples (IPs) for justice to slain IP leaders in Mindanao and Luzon.

Katribu secretary-general Piya Macliing Malayao made the statement two days after the Lumads of Mindanao and the IP leaders from Luzon offered prayers, chants, songs, dances and a vow to win justice for their colleagues last Nov. 10, the Global Day of Action for IP Heroes and Martyrs at the Manilakbayan Camp in Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

On Nov. 10, 1995, Ken Saro Wiwa and eight others from the Ogoni tribe were hanged by the Nigerian government because of their struggle against oil exploration activities of a big oil company.

Since then, the IPs, led by the Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), take time last Nov. 10 to honor and dedicate their continuing action to IP heroes and fallen comrades all over the world.

Malayao said “in the Philippines the list of IP rights defenders killed in the course of their struggle against mining and other extractive industries continues to grow.”

“Three days before the Global Day of Action for IP Heroes, yet another IP leader — Datu Manliro Landahay, council member of Salugpongan Lumad organization in Davao del Norte, was murdered by the bandit Alamara early morning of Nov. 7,” she revealed.

Days later, two IP leaders in Mindanao were reported to have been slain as well.
Out of the 73 IP members who have been killed under Aquino’s term, 58 are Lumad, the Katribu gorup confirmed.

For the past several months, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its killing machines, the Bagani forces, Alamara and other paramilitary groups, have committed the gravest crimes against the Lumad communities in Mindanao, it added.

From March to Nov. 7, 2015, 17 Lumad leaders, activists and community members, including two children, were killed in seven extra-judicial killings and four massacres.

“Today, we wave red flags to pay tribute to our heroes and martyrs and we raise our clenched fists to condemn the exacerbation of human rights violations with impunity against indigenous communities in the last remaining nine months of the Aquino regime,” Malayao said.

The IP leaders pledged to continue the struggle that their ancestors, heroes and martyrs had started.

Malayao said the Nov. 10 march to the streets of Makati City to confront mining companies and the neoliberal policies that kill our people will be followed by more protest actions.

Participants of the Manilakbayan ng Mindanao 2015, Katribu and environmental groups rallied in front of the offices of the Toronto Ventures Inc. Resources and Development, a Canadian company that operates in ancestral lands of the Subanen in the Zamboanga Peninsula and commits human rights violations against indigenous and peasant communities, and a local giant firm, which is alleged to be responsible for the abduction and disappearance of a Manobo native John Calaba, public information of the Kesasabanay Dulangan Manobo.

Manilakbayan is the Mindanao people’s mobilization for the defense of land, the environment and human rights, participated by around 700 Lumads from different provinces in Mindanao.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/more-lumad-leaders-killed-as-world-celebrates-day-of-action-for-ip-heroes

Chinese tabloid nixes RP take on maritime row ruling

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 13): Chinese tabloid nixes RP take on maritime row ruling

A Chinese tabloid reportedly affiliated with Beijing’s Communist Party mouthpiece came out with an editorial entitled “Tribunal ruling not clear victory for Philippines” downplaying what has been portrayed by parts of the media as Manila’s triumph over Beijing after an international tribunal ruled that it can take on a case between the two countries over disputed territory in the South China Sea, overruling objections from Beijing that the body has no authority to hear it.

“But is this really the case? We should remember that the award in question only addresses the tribunal’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of the Philippines’ claims, that is, whether the tribunal is competent to hear the case at all. So far, nothing of substance has been decided and the Philippines’ claims may still be rejected in their entirety at the merits phase of the proceedings. So what exactly did the tribunal decide?” said The Global Times, an English-language newspaper in China.

It stressed that in the proceedings, the Philippines put forward 15 submissions.

“Only with regard to five submissions did the tribunal follow the Philippines’ argument that it has jurisdiction to rule on the merits; with regard to two submissions the tribunal found that it will only have jurisdiction if the Philippines is able to prove in the merits phase that the issues involved fall within the territorial sea of Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China), and with regard to eight submissions the tribunal decided that either the Philippines had submitted insufficient information or that it had to examine the matter further in order to decide whether or not it has jurisdiction and therefore joined the question of jurisdiction to the merits of the case,” it stated.

 

According to the paper, while the arbitration continues, for 10 out of 15 submissions the tribunal accepted the possible existence of jurisdictional hurdles, as set out by the Chinese government in its position paper of Dec. 7, 2014 and advanced in the academic literature.

“The tribunal may thus still find that it does not even have jurisdiction to decide on the merits of 10 of the submissions.

“Considering that the Philippines had argued that there was no need to join any question of jurisdiction to the merits and that all issues of jurisdiction ‘could and should be resolved at this stage of the proceedings,’ the tribunal’s decision is a slap in the face for the Philippines.”

Global Times said the tribunal in fact confirmed that China may have valid objections to its jurisdiction under Article 297 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), in particular with regard to fisheries or, more generally, the exercise of sovereign rights and jurisdiction by China in its exclusive economic zone.

“There may also be valid objections to the tribunal’s jurisdiction under Article 298 of Unclos, in particular with regard to Chinese historic rights in the South China Sea, maritime delimitation, military activities and law enforcement activities. Much will depend on the interpretation of the relevant provisions of Unclos and the facts to be established at the merits stage of the proceedings.”

It added for example, if the tribunal finds that just one of the maritime features claimed by China in the South China Sea is an island within the meaning of Article 121 of Unclos and that its exclusive economic zone or continental shelf overlaps with those generated by the Philippine archipelago, it will have to decline jurisdiction.

“Similarly, if China’s activities in the South China Sea concern ‘military activities’ or ‘law enforcement activities’ related to fisheries, the tribunal will have to refuse to take any decision concerning Chinese fisheries enforcement measures, land reclamation and construction, or the operation of Chinese law enforcement vessels. Finally, if China’s claims to historic rights are found to be permitted by the Convention and within the scope of Article 298 of Unclos the Philippines’ claim will founder for lack of jurisdiction.”

Global Times stressed “while this confirmation of China’s position is to be welcomed, there are also some aspects of the decision that do not bode well for any future decision on jurisdiction and the merits.”

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/chinese-tabloid-nixes-rp-take-on-maritime-row-ruling

Soldiers get 900 new M4 carbine rifles

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 13): Soldiers get 900 new M4 carbine rifles

The Army's 3 rd Infantry Division has been issued about 900 brand new M4 Remington rifles, its commanding general, Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, said yesterday.

The brand new rifles replaced the standard M16 rifles issued to infantry soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, that saw action during the Vietnam War in 1960s and 1970s.

Guerrero said the new rifles have already been issued to 79 th Infantry Battalion soldiers in southern Negros, and the 15 th IB in Lanao del Norte.

The firearms formed part of the 50,629 M4 rifles acquired from the American gun manufacturer, Remington Arms Company, in line with the modernization program of the AFP.

The other infantry units of 3ID – the 11th, 47th, 61st, 62nd, and 82 nd IBs – will soon receive similar brand new weapons.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/November/13/negor4.htm

PPOC supports RPA sites

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 13): PPOC supports RPA sites

The Negros Occidental Provincial Peace and Order Council yesterday passed a resolution supporting the Peace and Development Community sites for the resettlement of members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa–Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade   Tabara-Paduano Group.

The resettlement sites are in Brgy. Locotan, Kabankalan City; Brgy. Bagonbon, San Carlos City; and Brgy. Celestino Villacin, Cadiz City, Provincial Planning and Development Office Marlin Sanogal said.

The resolution is needed for the release by the national government for the resettlement funds as part of its peace closure agreement with the RPMP-RPA-ABB.

Another resolution identifying the sites of the congregated areas for the group in EB Magalona to be in Brgy. Gawahon, Victorias City and an alternate site to be scouted for the group in La Castellana since the original site has been sold by the owner to a private person was also approved.

Also approved at the PPOC meeting presided by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City are the proposed programs, projects and activities for funding under the Peace and Order Fund for 2016 amounting to P50 million.

This list will then be submitted for the concurrence of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sanogal said.

The PPOC is also allocating a P2 million counterpart fund for PAMANA-Department of Interior and Local Government projects, she added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/November/13/topstory6.htm

Lawmaker tells Makabayan: 'Attend probe instead of rallying'

From Rappler (Nov 13): Lawmaker tells Makabayan: 'Attend probe instead of rallying'

North Cotabato's Nancy Catamco urges the Lumad out in the streets to raise their issues at the congressional probe, where officials of agencies are present



NOT IN THE STREETS. Catamco said the Lumad people should air their concerns in proper venues such as the Congress probe. Photo by KILAB Multimedia

The chairperson of the House committee on indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples called on concerned individuals and groups to attend hearings on Lumad killings instead of rallying in the streets.

"Kaya nga mayroon tayong hearing para marinig natin, 'wag natin dalhin lang sa media, 'wag lang dalhin sa kalsada, hanap tayo ng magandang venue. This is the right venue where they can also air their side," North Cotabato Representative Nancy Catamco said on Thursday, November 12. (We have hearings so that we can hear [their concerns]. Let us not bring this to the media and the streets. Let us find the right venue.)

Catamco was at a public hearing on the alleged harassment of indigenous peoples in Haran and Surigao. She inhibited herself from presiding the hearing.

The representative urged the progressive groups rallying out in the streets with the Lumad community to raise their issues before the congressional probe, where concerned government agencies are present.

(READ: #Manilakbayan: Mindanao tribes demand a stop to Lumad killings)

"Kung ano-ano 'sinisigaw-sigaw nila na mga isyu na hindi napapakinggan [ng] kung sino dapat makarinig. Andito CHR, AFP, DSWD, NCIP. Na'ndito government agencies who want to respond to their call," she said. (They are rallying in the streets, shouting issues that are not heard by the right authorities. But here present is the Commission on Human Rights, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Social Welfare and Development and National Commission on Indigenous People – the government agencies which want to respond to their call.)

The committee's public hearing was temporarily suspended due to the lack of resource persons.

Makabayan bloc a no-show

Among those invited but did not attend were members of the leftist Makabayan bloc: representatives Luz Ilagan and Emm de Jesus (Gabriela), Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), Antonio Tinio (Alliance of Concerned Teachers), and Jonathan dela Cruz (Abakada). Speaking for the progressive coalition, Gabriela Representative Luz Ilagan told Rappler that there was no formal notice sent to them about the hearing.

"I was texted two days ago [that] there would be a committee hearing. Is that the proper way to inform the member of the committee?" Ilagan said in a phone interview.
"Then the committee wanted me to submit names of resource persons who I have not informed whether they are willing to attend. You just don't give names unless you ask the permission of the people concerned if they are willing to become resource persons," she added.

However, a committee staff told Rappler they sent both an SMS and a formal written notice to those invited.

Meanwhile, Ilagan also pointed out that they did not attend primarily because they couldn't expect objectivity in a hearing initiated by Catamco.

(READ: Did lawmaker call Lumad evacuees ‘stinky’?)

"How can you expect objectivity when the chair is the accuser, the presiding officer, and the person who, by the way, is also being accused by the other side as causing the commotion?" Ilagan said.

In an interview after the hearing, Catamco said, "I think they’re the ones discriminating [against] the hearing. I even inhibited myself [from chairing] this hearing to give them their side also."

Catamco has been at odds with nongovernmental organization workers and Makabayan bloc legislators as she insisted that Lumad "bakwits (evacuees)" must be "freed" and sent home as soon as possible.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier blamed Catamco for the violence that erupted when authorities raided a temporary shelter of Lumad evacuees in Davao City to return them to their communities.

(READ: Duterte: Lawmaker to blame for clash in Lumad evacuees' site)

Leading to a conclusion?

ANAC-IP Representative Jose Panganiban, who presided the hearing, said they could make conclusions based on the important testimonies during the two-day hearing.
Contrary to previous reports, Panganiban said, it seemed the indigenous community was not displaced due to heavy military presence in their residence.

(READ: TIMELINE: Attacks on the Lumad of Mindanao)

Around 700 Lumad were relocated to Haran from their homes in Davao del Norte and Bukidnon.

"Ang lumalabas ngayon, base dun sa pahayag nung mga unang nagsalita, ay kaya andun 'yung mga katutubo sa Haran eh dahil di umano ay naimbitahan sila dahil darating si Presidente PNoy, darating si Manny Pacquiao, at makikipag-usap sila kay Mayor Duterte." (What was revealed today is, based on the testaments of those who spoke earlier, the IPs in Haran were there because they were invited to see President Aquino and [boxing champion and Sarangani Representative] Manny Pacquiao. They would also meet with [Davao City] Mayor [Rodrigo] Duterte.)

"Pakikinggan lang natin 'yung kahapon saka ngayon eh maari nang mag-conclude 'yung committee na ganun nga ang nangyari. Eh ayaw nga natin ng ganun kasi gusto ngang mapakinggan natin 'yung side nila." (Based on those statements, the committee can conclude that was what transpired. But we do not want that because we want to hear their other side.)

Asked what would happen if the other parties continue to snub the hearing, Panganiban answered in Filipino, "If they will continue refusing to attend the hearing, we will [still] release a committee report."

Walk with the Lumad

Meanwhile, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano stressed that the conflict in Lumad communities “is all about the issue on resources, fighting over resources because the lumad areas are rich in natural resources.”

“There are many mining groups in the area small and large scale and in fact government is not aware about the activities. It is better to get into the bottom of the issue because there are so many implications, from economic to cultural implications. We have to look into the issue comprehensively,” he said.

Individuals and groups from various sectors have come out in support of the Lumad’s plight.

As part of ongoing protests dubbed #Manilakbayan, about 700 Lumad and organizations supporting them are walking to call for justice and peace on Friday, November 13.

 

(READ: #Manilakbayan: Lumad to march against 'gov't abuses')

 

#Manilakbayan is a series of demonstrations held in Manila that come as a result of the increasing militarization in Mindanao and the human rights violations against the indigenous peoples of the area. The participants, called Manilakbayanis, have journeyed from their homes in Mindanao to Manila to have their voices heard.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/112606-lumad-congress-hearings

US B-52 bombers fly near islands claimed by China

From Rappler (Nov 13): US B-52 bombers fly near islands claimed by China

It is just the latest challenge from Washington to Beijing over the fate of the Spratly Islands, after the guided missile destroyer the USS Lassen last month sailed past a series of islets in Subi Reef in the Spratly chain



B-52. A photo dated September 1, 1997 shows a US B-52 Stratofortress bomber in flight. File Photo from EPA/US AIR FORCE

Two US B-52 bombers flew close to islands in the South China Sea claimed by Beijing and were given verbal warnings from a Chinese air traffic controller, the Pentagon said Thursday, November 12.

It is just the latest challenge from Washington to Beijing over the fate of the Spratly Islands, after the guided missile destroyer the USS Lassen last month sailed past a series of islets in Subi Reef in the Spratly chain.

It also comes ahead of a visit to Asia next week by President Barack Obama that will see territorial disputes at the fore of discussions with regional leaders, several of whom have claims in the resource-rich South China Sea.

"On a flight that took off and returned to Guam on November 8 and 9 respectively, two B-52s flying a routine mission in international airspace in the vicinity of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea received two verbal warnings from a Chinese ground controller despite never venturing within 15 nautical miles of any feature," said Commander Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman.

"Both aircraft continued their mission without incident, and at all times operated fully in accordance with international law."

http://www.rappler.com/world/regions/us-canada/112643-us-b52-bombers-fly-islands-claimed-china

Sea rows 'central issue' in Obama Asia visit

From Rappler (Nov 13): Sea rows 'central issue' in Obama Asia visit

National Security Advisor Susan Rice says territorial claims in the South China Sea – which have put the United States in direct dispute with China – will feature prominently during a trip to the Philippines and Malaysia



OBAMA IN ASIA. US President Barack Obama speaks at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, USA, 11 November 2015. Olivier Douliery/EPA

Territorial disputes will be a "central issue" when Barack Obama meets Asian leaders next week, the White House said Thursday, but downplayed hopes for a "code of conduct" to ease tensions.

National Security Advisor Susan Rice said territorial claims in the South China Sea – which have put the United States in direct dispute with China – would feature prominently during a trip to the Philippines and Malaysia.

"This will be a central issue of discussion both at the East Asia Summit as well as at the ASEAN-US Summit (both in Kuala Lumpur) and the other engagements that we have throughout our visit to Asia," Rice said.

That seemed at odds with China's insistence that an Asia-Pacific summit next week in Manila should not discuss rising tensions.

Beijing, along with several other Asian capitals, have a knot of claims to maritime territory.

But China's decision to reclaim and build on reefs and other bodies recently prompted the US Navy to send in guided missile destroyer the USS Lassen to within 12 nautical miles of at least one of the artificial islets in the Spratlys chain.

Besides China, the other claimants are the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan, with some of their claims overlapping.

During his trip to the Philippines, Obama will tour a maritime facility, designed to underscore the US commitment to Philippine maritime security, amid talk of a fresh batch of US aid.

Manila recently won the right for an international panel to hear several territorial disputes with China. Beijing has so far ignored the proceedings.

Rice said the US view "has always been that these disputes need to be resolved through peaceful, legal means."

"The establishment of and implementation of a code of conduct agreed among the leaders of the region, the states of the region and, in particular, the claimants would be a positive step forward," she added.

"But I don't expect it to be a concrete outcome of this particular visit."

Last week an Asia-Pacific defense ministers' meeting in Malaysia ended on a sour note as the United States and China butted heads over whether a final joint statement should mention the South China Sea.

Asked why Obama was willing to attend so many Asia summits in short order, senior Obama foreign policy aide Ben Rhodes said "when we're not at the table, we're on the menu."

The issue is likely to come up again in bilateral meetings with leaders from Canada, Australia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

During his visit to Malaysia, Obama will also visit a refugee center, to highlight the issue as a "global challenge."

"There are enormous refugees flows out of Syria into Europe. There are enormous refugee flows in Africa. There are enormous refugee flows in Asia," said Rhodes.

"Malaysia hosts a very significant population of refugees, including a significant number of Rohingya who have had to leave (Myanmar)," he added.

http://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/112620-sea-rows-issue-usa-obama-asia

Gunmen raid village, torch school cottage in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner (Nov 12): Gunmen raid village, torch school cottage in Southern Philippines 

Suspected militias raided a village before dawn Thursday and torched a school cottage and destroyed a tree nursery in the southern Philippine province of Agusan del Sur, church leaders and human rights group said.

Human rights group Karapatan said the attack also destroyed a 2,500-square meter demo farm run by the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, Inc. (ALCADEV) in Sibagat town. No one was reported killed in the latest raid on ALCADEV schools which opened in June 2013, but it left about three dozen students and teachers without a demo farm and cottage in the village of Padiay.

Bishop Antonio Ablon told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner that the gunmen also burned many school text books and other educational supplies, including sewing machine, rice stocks, diesel generator and audio-visual equipment used by students.

It was the second attack since September this year when militias – used by the army in fighting communist rebels – killed ALCADEV’s executive director Emerito Samarca and tribal leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Juvello Sinzo. The militias also burned two elementary schools operated by the Tribal Filipino Program for Surigao del Sur in the villages of Han-ayan and in Panukmuan all in Lianga town in Surigao del Sur province.

Karapatan accused the 23^rd Infantry Battalion as having a hand in the attack and other killings of tribal members in the provinces who were suspected as sympathizers or members of the New People’s Army rebels.

“This is the height of impudence. The Aquino regime continues to ignore the public uproar on the Lumad (indigenous people) killings and the resounding call to pull-out the military troops from the Lumad communities in Mindanao and to dismantle the AFP-backed paramilitary groups. It has instead given the military carte blanche to go on a rampage against the people in remote villages,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said.

AFP refers to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Palabay said they and other church groups are currently investigating the spate of extrajudicial killings of natives in Talaingod town in Davao del Norte and in Cabanglasan in Bukidnon province.

She said among those recently murdered by the militia group Alamara and government troops were Datu Manliro Landahay, a council member of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon, the same organization that runs the Lumad schools in Davao provinces; and Mankombete Mariano, who was shot and then hacked to death by Dela Mance militia group in Bukidnon.

The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command has denied all accusations against the soldiers and branded the attacks as clan war.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/gunmen-raid-village-torch-school-cottage-in-southern-philippines/

PNP receives EOD equipment from US Gov’t

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 12): PNP receives EOD equipment from US Gov’t

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently received Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment from the United States Department of State Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program.

PNP Chief Director General Ricardo C. Marquez received the equipment through the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Anti-terrorism Assistance (DS/ATA) led by Mr. Thomas McDonough, Regional Security Officer of US Embassy.

The EOD equipment, worth $1.7 million USD, will assist the PNP in countering the huge number of grenade/explosive and improvised explosive device (IED) incidents.

The equipment donation includes six Ford Ranger pickup trucks, three EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) robots, EOD suits, and other explosive counter measures support equipment.

According to PNP, the DS/ATA has been providing training and equipment to the Philippine government since 1986, particularly to the police force to help develop its capacity to prevent, interdict, counter and investigate terrorist activity, particularly in restive regions of Mindanao and in the Metro Manila area.

In early 2007, DS/ATA started assisting the PNP by establishing an EOD and K-9 facility for the National Capital Region Police Office. Built with funding from the DS/ATA Program, the said facilities include a kennel, veterinary clinic and billets for an EOD “K-9 unit”, six bomb detector dogs and PNP K-9 handlers specially trained to detect explosives devices.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241447237739/pnp-receives-eod-equipment-from-us-gov-t

Gov't. communicators urged to highlight public service efforts

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 12): Gov't. communicators urged to highlight public service efforts 

A top commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Northern Mindanao urged government communicators to highlight the efforts of their respective offices to serve the people through their programs and projects.

Speaking at the 13th Mindanao Communicators’ Congress held in the Pryce Plaza Hotel, Major General Oscar Lactao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division said there are aplenty of accomplishments done by the Aquino Administration.

He said many information need to be relayed to the people  with regards to completion of schools and road projects, increasing number of the beneficiaries of the  Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and more hospitals operational as the budget of the Department of Health.

“These things need to be relayed to the people because government projects are not very much highlighted to them through information,” Lactao said.

He revealed that the effort now of the government forces in his area of responsibility is to reach out to the indigenous peoples by bringing in the government services to them.

Lactao said the IPs are often very far, isolated and are easily exploited by the armed groups.

He also bared that two out of three rebels nowadays are members of the indigenous communities.

“The rebels are exploiting the situation of the IPs being far and isolated, and very vulnerable from agitation and recruitment, ” Lactao said.

He said this situation prompts the military to make its internal security operation IP-centered by bringing in the government services to the indigenous communities where the soldiers provide security to working government personnel.

Lactao said the government must connect with the IPs so that they will not be enticed to bear firearms and to fight to authorities.

On the killings of three IPs in Lianga, Surigao del sur, he said that the security sector has already identified and filed cases against three perpetrators identified as Margarito Layno, Bobby and Loloy Tejero.

“Warrants of arrest were issued and these persons are being pursued by the Task Force Bangkaw headed by the police to bring them to justice.  We urge them to surrender to prevent violence in the time of their arrest,” Lactao said.

He said that the perpetrators had been with the rebel movement for ten years before they turned their backs against their former comrades. 

The perpetrators were implicated in the killings of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development or ALCADEV director Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, chairman of the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang Sa Sumusunod or MAPASU, and his cousin Bello Sinzo in Lianga, Surigao del Sur in September this year.

Lactao stressed that these suspects are not members of the military.

“They are more akin to the rebels.  They simply left the rebel movement and currently fight each other,” he said.

Lactao that aside from the lumad killings in Lianga, a total of 357 IPs have been attributed to the rebels including the murder of Loreto Mayor Latasa and his son and two other datus.

He called on the progressive organizations to also give attention to the IPs killed by the rebels, especially the noncombatants and voiceless.

“You ought to give balance information,” Lactao said. 

 http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2381447283967/gov-t-communicators-urged-to-highlight-public-service-efforts-

Security intensified for upcoming APEC Leaders’ Summit—Paynor

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 13): Security intensified for upcoming APEC Leaders’ Summit—Paynor

Security preparations for the 21 heads of state who will arrive in Manila for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit next week have been further strengthened, APEC 2015 National Organizing Council Director General Marciano Paynor Jr. said on Thursday.

“Because of the very high profile nature of our guests and of course, the nature of the world security today, we have to be ready and we have to be prepared,” Ambassador Paynor said during a media briefing at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Among the leaders who are expected to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18 to19 are US President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Paynor said security arrangements for the leaders have been planned by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in coordination with the security teams of the foreign leaders.

He said possible threats against the leaders are considered in every place they go, thus, these should be addressed accordingly.

“We tweaked the security arrangements depending on the threat assessment … depending on the leaders who are coming,” he said.

Paynor said police personnel in the National Capital Region have been stretched and even complemented by those from other regions.

He said the stringent security preparations are usually done during APEC events. He also assured the public that cell sites of telecommunication companies will not be blocked next week.

Preparations for the final APEC meetings, which starts today through the Concluding Senior Officials Meeting, are 95 percent to 97 percent ready but they are still scrutinizing minute details to ensure the success of the biggest international event to be hosted by the country since 1996.

“The President (Benigno S. Aquino III) is on top of everything and he has given us the directive that our hosting must be a success from all points,” Paynor said. “This is really a production of sorts where you have 21 different leaders who have a common agenda, common schedule, but they have also their own. We have to ensure that each economy’s agenda will be followed hassle-free, and that they come out of here feeling satisfied that they have done their work, that their objectives were met. And at that point, we can say that we have had a successful hosting of APEC 2015."

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3001447321094/security-intensified-for-upcoming-apec-leaders-summit-paynor-