Some M'lang residents arming themselves vs. BIFF

From GMA News (Dec 29): Some M'lang residents arming themselves vs. BIFF

Some residents of a remote village in M’lang town in North Cotabato—majority of them Ilonggo settlers—have started arming themselves to protect themselves and their properties from possible attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

But the Ilonggos, contrary to reports, are not members of the Ilaga Movement, an extremist and pro-government paramilitary group organized in the 70's to fight against Moro rebels.

 “No, we’re not members of the Ilaga. We are ordinary civilians who wanted to protect ourselves from our attackers, Moro inhabitants coming from nearby town of Kabacan in North Cotabato,” said Armando Tongcua, chairman of Barangay Tibao in M’lang.

 On December 26, three of Barangay Tibao’s civilian volunteers and tanods were injured when they engaged in a running gunbattle with attacking BIFF members.

Among those wounded were Tongcua’s brother Nolly; Sonny Catague, barangay tanod who suffered a fracture on his right arm after he was hit by a bullet; and Jomar Magarso, an armed civilian volunteer.

The three were brought to M’lang Specialist Hospital in Poblacion, M’lang, for treatment.

Tongcua said the attackers came from nearby barangays of Cuyapon and Lower Malamote of Kabacan and traveled to Barangay Tibao through pump boats.

He said they have to defend themselves because they believe nobody would.

“There is no Army detachment here,”  Tongcua said. “No police outpost. Every time the BIFF rebels attack us, it’s only us who would defend our lands, our properties, our lives. Nobody would, but us.”

Barangay Tibao is situated near the Liguasan marsh, believed to be a bailiwick of the BIFF, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) opposed to talking peace with the government.

Tongcua said they have been attacked and harassed many times in the past by the BIFF. He also admitted that most of their firearms are unlicensed. “How could we get the licenses for our guns? It’s so costly,” he said.

Tongcua said local officials and police are aware of their use of guns. “Each house here has a gun. Ever since, our residents here would save money just to buy a gun. This is our shield, our protector,” he said.

The report on the arming of the civilians in Barangay Tibao in M’lang came after members of the Ilaga Movement in Midsayap town, also in North Cotabato, have publicly challenged BIFF to a "gun duel."

“Kami ang harapin n’yo at ‘wag ang mga sibilyan,” an Ilaga commander told BIFF in a recent media interview.

The Ilaga officer issued the statement two days after BIFF rebels held hostage hundreds of attendees of a December 24 midnight Mass in a remote village in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato. 

Joseph Tapar, station manager of T-FM Radio in Pigcawayan and was among those held hostage inside the chapel, said they were used as human shields by BIFF rebels against the government soldiers pursuing them. 

The hostages were later released.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla Jr. told GMA News Online that there have been no recent activities of concern have been monitored from the BIFF so far.
“No violent incidents since the last two days,” he said.

The Philippine Army's 33rd Battalion for its part said 10 civilians were caught in the crossfire between the AFP and the BIFF at the border of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

The AFP is preparing for a counter-offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's breakaway group.

The AFP declared an all-out offensive against the BIFF earlier this year following the infamous Mamasapano massacre, where 44 members of the police's elite Special Action Force were killed.

Over 100 members of the BIFF have been reportedly killed in military offensives

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/549373/news/regions/some-m-lang-residents-arming-themselves-vs-biff

2 Navy officials, Army officer critical after car falls into Quezon ravine

From GMA News (Dec 29): 2 Navy officials, Army officer critical after car falls into Quezon ravine

Two officials of the Philippine Navy and an Army  officer were critically injured after their car fell into a ravine in Tagkawayan, Quezon early Tuesday.

Police identified the victims as Navy officials Alfonso Lanzuela and Gretchen Diosay and Army officer Mark Anthony Lanzuela.

The victims suffered head and body injuries due to the fall. They were rushed to the Tagkawayan District Hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Naga City.

The victim's were on board a Honda Civic when it fell into a 10- to 15-foot ravine along Quirino Highway in Barangay Rizal, Tagkawayan town at around 5 a.m.

They came from Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City and were bound for Camarines Sur when the accident happened.

Local police said the area is accident prone.

Police are investigating the incident.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/549357/news/regions/2-navy-officials-army-officer-critical-after-car-falls-into-quezon-ravine

Bicol ceasefire holding, but ‘distrust’ lingers

From the sometimes pro-CPP Bicol Today (Dec 28): Bicol ceasefire holding, but ‘distrust’ lingers

 

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) 47th founding anniversary. Photo by Edwin G. Espejo

CITY OF NAGA, Bicol Region – So far, the guns of internal conflict in the Bicol Region are silent, but “distrust” for both sides lingers.

Amid the Christmas ceasefire in effect since December 23 which will end two days after New Year, January 3, 2016, the rebel New People’s Army (NPA) is still in a “defensive mode”, a gesture that an “attitude of distrust” for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) runs high at the leadership level.

In a rebel statement issued December 15, 2015, as noted by Luis Jalandoni, chair of negotiating panel, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the NPA high command warned NPA units to stay vigilant against “hostile actions” by AFP units.

Its attitude of distrust for AFP during this Christmas ceasefire period may be attributed to AFP military operations during ceasefires in the past years.

In the past, there were reports of State security forces launching military operations against NPA units during ceasefire periods, but such reports were denied by the AFP high command.

“While all units of the NPA and the people’s militias shall be on defensive mode at both the strategic and tactical levels, they shall nonetheless maintain a high degree of militancy and vigilance against any hostile actions or movements of the enemy armed forces including encroachment on the territory of the people’s democratic government, surveillance and other offensive operations including so-called “peace and development”, “civil-military” or “peace and order” operations.

Active-defense operations shall be undertaken only in the face of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by the enemy forces,” the rebel statement said, as posted in the internet.

On the government side, the ceasefire declared by AFP is effective only until January 1, 2016, two days shorter than the rebels’ own declaration of ending the truce on January 3.

The State declaration covers the suspension of military operations (SOMO) by AFP against the NPA.

As of Sunday, December 27, there are no reports of the two sides breaking the Christmas truce. The ceasefire declared by both sides appears to be holding.

 

 

 

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) 47th founding anniversary. Photo by Edwin G. Espejo

 

 

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) 47th founding anniversary. Photo by Edwin G. Espejo

 

http://bicoltoday.com/2015/12/28/bicol-ceasefire-holding-but-distrust-lingers/

 

Twin blasts rock Cotabato

From ABS-CBN (Dec 29): Twin blasts rock Cotabato

COTABATO CITY - Two home-made bombs exploded along Sinsuat Avenue in this city Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

City Police Precinct 2 Chief S/Insp. Carlo Jurinario said the first blast occurred outside a karaoke bar.
An explosion in front of a nearby restaurant followed at 11 a.m. today.

Jurinario said recovered parts of the two improvised explosion devices (IEDs) were similar.

"Pareho sila ginamitan ng pulbura at may mga pako na ginamit at shrapnels," the police officer said.

Jurinario said they have received bomb threats in the past weeks.

"Ito na siguro iyun, kaya we are on alert," he said.

Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators and their motive.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/12/29/15/twin-blasts-rock-cotabato

2 intel soldiers shot dead in Marawi

From ABS-CBN (Dec 29): 2 intel soldiers shot dead in Marawi

LANAO DEL SUR - Two soldiers were gunned down by two men on board a motorcycle in Pangarungan, Marawi City on Tuesday.

The victims, who were identified as Sgt. John Bernas Saballe and Private First Class Sofronio Saliling Grame Jr., sustained gunshot wounds in the head.

Both were intelligence personnel of the Army's 65th Infantry Battalion based in the adjoining town of Saguiaran.

Authorities have launched a hot pursuit operation against the suspects.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/12/29/15/2-intel-soldiers-shot-dead-in-marawi

2 soldiers shot dead in Marawi

From MindaNews (Dec 29): 2 soldiers shot dead in Marawi

Two Army troopers belonging to the 65th Infantry Battalion based in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur were gunned down by unidentified armed men at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Pangarungan village in Marawi City.

Inspector Parson J. Asadil of Marawi City police station identified the victims as Sgt Jhon Bernas Saballe and Sofronio Saliling Grame, Jr.

Saballe was declared dead on arrival while Grame died a few minutes after undergoing treatment at Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi.

Asadil said the two victims were at the market for some purchases and to gather more information on the shooting of an ABS-CBN news team on Saturday when they were shot.

The police official denied there’s a breakdown of law and order in Marawi. He maintained the situation is under control despite the series of killing and shooting incidents.

“The murder case of the late Police Inspector Al Abnir Wahab Santos who was ambushed was elevated to higher court in Manila since two of the prime suspects were police from Lanao del Sur,” Asadil said.

Col. Roseller Murillo, commanding officer of 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Kampo Ranao has ordered putting up checkpoints at possible exits and track down the suspects.

He said a closed-circuit television footage in a nearby establishment captured the images of the suspects that could lead to the identity of the assailants.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/12/29/2-soldiers-shot-dead-in-marawi/

Civilians arming against BIFF

From MindaNews (Dec 29): Civilians arming against BIFF

KAURAN, Ampatuan, Maguindanao – Civilians in this farming village have armed themselves in anticipation of more attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

On Monday, civilian farmers who call themselves “Christian settlers,” said they opted to carry guns “to defend ourselves and our communities.”

At night, they would remain awake to guard residents who have left their homes in the peripheries and flocked to the village center due to fear of another attack.

At daytime, they would take turns in taking a nap or tending their farms for a few hours.

On Christmas Eve, an attack by around 300 heavily armed BIFF rebels left six farmers in Kauran and four others in neighboring villages in neighboring provinces dead.

“This is too much. Who will protect us especially at night but ourselves only,” a fortyish farmer said, brandishing his M-16 Armalite rifle. Like other farmers, he asked not to be named.

“We mourn the death of our six village mates. Our farmers want freedom, our farmers just wanted to till the lands to feed their families and send the children to school,” another armed man said, his face showing signs of lack of sleep.

“We have information they may attack again. This time we are ready, we cannot let them kill us doing nothing to defend ourselves,” a man in black shirt and armed with an M-16 declared.

After the December 24 attack, male villagers would remain in their communities while the children and women move to the village hall at night. Others have gone to their relatives in nearby towns in Sultan Kudarat province.

At night, armed male villagers would patrol the village’s periphery, and sometimes trade shots with armed men.

A village councilman said it really pained him to see the relatives of the victims. “They were all bread winners, they were unarmed, they were ordinary farmers, their families are now orphaned,” he told reporters.

“It’s Christmas. It really hurts when we are supposed to celebrate. Now we are mourning the loss of our loved ones,” said a sister of a slain farmer.

“Worse, the BIFF rebels were sniping at us as we retrieved the dead bodies. How heartless,” she said.

One of the six persons killed in Kauran was a Balik-Islam Muslim. His decomposing body was seen three days after the attack in a bamboo plantation and bore torture marks. His throat was slit.

A woman relative of the victim asked, “So where are those defending the human rights?

The victim’s family said he was wrongly tagged as a Cafgu member when he was just a farmer. He was in his farm to spray pesticide on black bugs when the attack took place.

On Monday, the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance Response Team of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed relief goods to displaced families, including a check worth P10,000 for each family that lost a member.

The provincial government distributed another P10,000 cash and a sack of rice for the family of each dead farmer.

Maj. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, Western Mindanao Command chief, who attended the turnover rites Monday for the new 1^st Mechanized Brigade commander, said they will launch a counter-offensive to stop the atrocities.

Dela Cruz was once assigned as chief of the 1^st Mechanized Brigade in 2012 in Shariff Aguak town where he engaged the BIFF.

“As long as there are groups that harass our helpless civilians, we will hold the attackers responsible and accountable. We will not allow them to go on with senseless killings,” Dela Cruz told reporters.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/12/29/civilians-arming-against-biff/

2 soldiers killed in Marawi City

From the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 29): 2 soldiers killed in Marawi City
 

Unidentified assailants on Tuesday shot dead two army soldiers assisting in the investigation into the ambush of a television news crew in the volatile city of Marawi in Lanao del Sur province in the Muslim autonomous region.

The duo – Sergeant John Saballe and Private First Class Sofronio Grame, Jr – from the 65^th Infantry Battalion were killed outside the Ranao Broadcasting Corporation near the Masjid Islamic Center.

The soldiers were supposed to meet a civilian informant when they were attacked in the busy market area of Pangarungan village. A woman near the scene was also shot and wounded and was rushed to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center.

Colonel Roseller Murillo, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, confirmed the murder of the soldiers and said the duo was on an official mission in Marawi City in connection to the ongoing investigation into the attack on the news team of ABS-CBN just recently.

Murillo said the soldiers were supposed to meet an informant. It was unknown if the attack was caught on security cameras outside the Ranao Broadcasting Corporation.

Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr said he was saddened by the latest attack and urged authorities to speed up investigation into the spate of violence in Marawi.

“We are deeply saddened by yet another brutal murder committed in Marawi City by unidentified men. We sympathize with the families of two victims, who were just performing their duties as public servants by ensuring peace and order in a place far away from their homes during this holiday season.”

“We also heard that an innocent female bystander was hit by a bullet during the incident and is now fighting for her life. Whatever reason there is behind these senseless killings happening in our province, it can never be acceptable,” Adiong said.

Adiong appealed to the Aquino government to look into the series of killings in Marawi and his province and also urged for the reactivation of the special anti-crime task force to solve the atrocities in Lanao del Sur.

“We are also appealing to the national government to really look into all these hostilities happening in our province for the sake and the safety of each and every one living here. We specifically ask Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police and the Department of National Defense to immediately revive Joint Task Force Ranao, a special anti-crime task force that was formed to resolve all sorts of crimes committed in Lanao del Sur. We condemn these brutal acts and we need to put an end to all this madness as soon as possible,” Adiong said.

The killings of the soldiers succeeded the slay try on the news team led by Ronnie Enderes, Emilito Balansag and Gary Montecillo who just came from the town of Ditsa Ramain where they pursued a story on the spate of bombings of power lines in the province.

They were travelling back to Marawi City when gunmen attacked them on Bangolo Street. The trio survived the ambush after escaping their attackers who were on three motorcycles and then drove themselves to an army base where they sought refuge.

Troops from the 65^th Infantry Battalion escorted the news team to Iligan City after they sought refuge to the army base following the attack. The motive and the perpetrators of the attack are still being investigated, although there were reports that a radicalized group sympathetic to ISIS were behind the assault on the news crew.

The military and police are also looking into the possible involvement of radical jihadists Khilafah Islamiyah Movement, locally known as “Ghuraba” (Stranger) into the attacks and other atrocities in Lanao del Sur and other areas in Northern Mindanao. 

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/2-soldiers-killed-in-marawi-city/

93 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani in 10 months

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): 93 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani in 10 months

At least 93 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the hinterlands of Sarangani Province have surrendered to government troops in the last 10 months.

1Lt. Teresita Ingente, spokesperson of the Army’s 1002nd Brigade, said Tuesday the rebels started to yield after a major encounter in February with elements under the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Tugal, Barangay Datal Anggas in Alabel, Sarangani.

The clash led to the killing of seven NPA rebels, including one of its prominent leaders identified as Tolentino Bariquit alias Ka Brigol.

“There was an influx of surrenderees after that encounter,” she said.

Ka Brigol headed the NPA’s Front 71’s “Platoon Mazda” and previously led Front 74 of the rebel group’s Far South Mindanao Regional Revolutionary Committee.

Before his death, the 50-year-old Ka Brigol was serving as deputy secretary and political officer of the Front 71.

Ingente said the returnees were mostly members of the NPA’s Front 71 and 75 that are mainly operating in Alabel, Glan and Malapatan towns in Sarangani and Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur.

“Front 75 reportedly dissolved after the death of Brigol and we were able to confirm that from the returnees,” she said.

Ingente said the series of surrenders since February and the collapse of the Front 75 showed that the operating forces of the NPA rebels have been decimated and already weakened.

She said such situation is contrary to the rebels’ claims that their forces in Sarangani have increased by 20 percent since last year.

She was referring to a statement made by Ka Efren, spokesperson of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Regional Revolutionary Committee, as part of the celebration of the 47th anniversary last Saturday of Communist Party of the Philippines.

“Our operations are continuing and along with that are negotiations with a number of rebels who have sent surrender feelers,” Ingente said.

She added that the returnees are now with their families and leading new lives through various assistance provided by the national government and the local government of Saragani under the flagship Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).

CLIP reintegrates former rebels into the social mainstream and uplifts their socio-economic conditions to enable them to become active partners in the local development.

The program also seeks to contribute towards the achievement of the goal of permanent peaceful closure of all armed conflicts with non-state armed groups.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=841941

Sniper shoots dead police official

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): Sniper shoots dead police official

CAMP GEN. SIMEON A. OLA, Legazpi City -- The deputy chief of police of Libon town in Albay did not reach the hospital alive after he was gunned down by a sniper while manning a checkpoint at Sitio Pinagbadilan, Barangay Buga, Libon Tuesday morning.

Police Senior Supt. Marlo S. Meneses, Albay Provincial Police Office director, said the incident occurred at about 5:45 a.m. while Police Senior Insp. Joerem Kallos of the Libon Municipal Police Station was busy manning the checkpoint as his fellow police officers were conducting an operation to arrest Gilbert Concepcion, a former member of the Philippine Army who has been identified as involved in a string of criminal cases like murder and robbery.

Concepcion has been tagged as the No. 1 Regional Most Wanted Person in Bicol.

Meneses said a group of law enforcers led by Police Chief Insp. Rodel Pescuela, Libon chief of police, was on its way to serve a warrant of arrest to Concepcion at Barangay Molosbolos where he stays among his relatives since he has been wanted by the law for his string of criminal cases.

Kallos and his men immediately set up the checkpoint to prevent Concepcion from escaping but the suspect apparently got wind of the move to arrest him and allegedly sent a sniper to gun down Kallos to clear the way for his escape.

Meneses said Concepcion was a former New People’s Army rebel who had surrendered and had been absorbed by the government as a soldier.

He said the former rebel was trained by the Philippine Army but got involved in many crimes, including the killing of engineer Nelson Morales of Malinao, Albay.

Morales was the former Makati City engineer and trusted official of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

He was planning to run for mayor of Malinao town in 2010 when he was gunned down in front of the town church.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=841961

Suspects in the shooting of the ABS-CBN crew charged

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): Suspects in the shooting of the ABS-CBN crew charged

The suspects in the shooting of the Iligan-based ABS-CBN television crew in Marawi City last Dec. 26 have been charged in court, a police officer said Tuesday.

Police Supt. Seigfred Ramos, provincial director of the Lanao del Sur police office, said the suspects were members of a budding “extortion group” of young adults.

He said the witnesses have identified one of the suspects who reportedly returned to the area where the television crew members were shot.

The police has not released the names of the suspects, but said that “they are known in Marawi City.”

Ramos said the suspects reportedly followed the pick-up of the ABS-CBN crew after the service vehicle allegedly “sideswiped” a motorcycle on their way back to Marawi City.

Ronnie Enderes, the ABS-CBN reporter in Iligan City, said that the suspects were riding tandem in two separate motorcycles. He said one of the suspects shot the driver, but missed.

“They wanted to immobilize the vehicle since the other suspect shot the vehicle's left back tire, but also missed,” Enderes said.

He said the ABS-CBN crew sped to the nearest military camp to seek help. “No one was hurt during the incident and that the military escorted us safely back to Iligan City,” Enderes said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=842076

FA-50PHs to do speed-pass at 119th death anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): FA-50PHs to do speed-pass at 119th death anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal

The newly-acquired and commissioned South Korean-made FA-50PHs "Fighting Eagle" will be making a speed-pass during the 119th death anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on Wednesday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said the FA-50PHs will be making a speed-pass over the Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park, Manila around 7 a.m.

The FA-50PHs pass will be preceded by an aerial flower drop.

A formation of SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 trainer aircraft and helicopters will be also conducting fly-bys, Detoyato added.

Two of the country's first FA-50PH jet aircraft arrived at Clark Air Base, Angeles City, Pampanga last Nov. 28.

These two are part of the 12-plane order from Korea Aerospace Industries which amounted to Php18.9 billion.

The F/A-50 (the other designation for the FA-50PH) is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking and radar-guided missiles.

It will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines gets enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.

Incidentally, the F/A-50 design is largely derived from the F-16 and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50.

The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.

The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 feet), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.

There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons), five in the fuselage and two in the wings.

An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.

Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.

The F/A-50 uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and Korean Aerospace Industries.

The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.

Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=841892

2 ranking officers appointed to command 2 SOLCOM brigades

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): 2 ranking officers appointed to command 2 SOLCOM brigades

Two senior officers were appointed to command two brigades assigned to the Lucena-based Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), the unit spokesperson said Tuesday.

Appointed to command the Cavinti, Laguna-based 202nd Infantry Brigade was Col. Glorivine R. Dida while Col. Fernando T. Trinidad assumed leadership of the 903rd Infantry Brigade in Castilla, Sorsogon.

Dida is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986 while Trinidad is a member of PMA Class of 1987.

Guzman said Dida is a native of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat.

Prior to his current position, he was the Director of the Doctrine Center, Training and Doctrine Command.

As a junior officer, he served his platoon leader, company commander and battalion intelligence officer duties in Mindanao.

He was also a former commander of the 84th Infantry Battalion in the Visayas.

Dida replaced Col. Rodel Mauro R. Alarcon who is now the assistant commander of the 2nd Infantry Division based in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.

The 202nd Infantry Brigade provides internal security Operations in Rizal and northern part of Quezon Province.

Regarded as one of the military's top and respected intelligence officers, Trinidad was the former assistant chief-of-staff for intelligence of the Philippine Army prior his appointment to 903rd Infantry Brigade.

He was also the former commander of the 31st Infantry Battalion in Camarines Sur and Norte.

Trinidad succeeded Col. Cesar M. Idio who is now the new assistant commander of the 8th Infantry Division in the Eastern Visayas.

The 903rd Infantry Brigade provides internal security operations in the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=841895

AFP retirees urge Congress to allot funds to their Museum and Historical Library

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): AFP retirees urge Congress to allot funds to their Museum and Historical Library

Retired military officials and rank and files have sought the help of lawmakers-comrades to probe into the sorry state status of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Museum and Historical Library in Camp Aguinaldo which needs a little push from the concerned agency.

Magdalo Party-list Reps. Gary Alejano and Ace Acedillo said the sorry state of the AFP Museum warrants urgent attention for it is facing acute financial difficulties that severely hamper the proper preservation and management of its collections, exhibitions, archives and also the well-being and professional advancement of its staff.

They said giving separate funds from the General Appropriations Act will give more life to the museum and library that can be used for research.

“It has resulted in the inability of the AFP Museum to maintain the quality service that its founders and staff have worked so hard to build,” said Alejano, a vice chairman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security.

Alejano said the annual revenue generated by the AFP Museum from its meager admission fees and occasional endowments are grossly insufficient to cover even the museum’s maintenance and operating expenses.

Alejano and Acedillo are the principal authors of House Resolution 2462 seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the status of the AFP Museum and Historical Library.

Alejano, a former Marine officer, said the establishment of the museum complements Section 3, Article XIV of the Constitution which provides that the State shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, and foster love of humanity, respect for human rights and appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country.

According to him, the AFP Museum and Historical Library located at Bulwagang Heneral Arturo T. Enrile in Camp Aguinaldo was founded in 1996 to preserve, perpetuate, conserve and promote the Philippine military traditions, culture and history.

“The founding of the AFP Museum was only governed by a verbal pronouncement of the late Gen. Arturo Enrile which renders its existence devoid of any documentary proof,” said Alejano. Enrile was a former AFP chief of staff during the Ramos administration.

For his part, Acedillo said the AFP Museum and Historical Library Foundation Inc. was established in 1997 by a group of individuals from the military and the private sector to ensure the continuity of the museum’s educational and curatorial activities.

He said presently, the absence of a restoration and conservation laboratory, storage facilities, proper ventilation, and museum lighting pose serious risks of damage to priceless artifacts.

“Inadequate funding is taking its toll on the hardworking personnel of the AFP Museum, who for years have not received the rightful compensation that they deserve. Moreover, the AFP Museum has not been able to set up its historical library due to limited space it shares with the AFP Theater, which owns the building that houses the museum,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=841980

2 more retired military officials appointed to DND

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): 2 more retired military officials appointed to DND

Two retired and distinguished military officials have been appointed to serve in sensitive posts at the Department of National Defense (DND).

They are former Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, now Undersecretary for Civil Veterans and Retiree Affairs, and former Northern Luzon Command commander Lt. Gen. Felicito Trinidad who is now Assistant Secretary for Human Resources.

DND Public Affairs Office chief Arsenio Andolong said Millan is a highly decorated and recognized naval professional, who was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), and recognized as one of The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) 2007 awardees from the Metrobank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro.

The Alcala, Pangasinan, native was also the 34th PN chief (April 30 2014 to August 10 2015), Commander of the Naval Forces in Western Mindanao, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Philippine Navy, Commander of the Naval Reserve Command, Deputy Commander of the Naval Forces of Western Mindanao (plus being concurrent Commander of Naval Task Force 61) and Commander of the Philippine Navy’s Naval Air Group (December 2003-September 2004 and April 2007-April 2008).

Millan graduated with a Master in Business Administration degree from the Colegio De San Juan de Letran, and had training abroad in multiple topics, including combined force maritime component utility at the commander level, Western Pacific and international sea power, maritime air surveillance and missile cruiser orientation.

Trinidad had an equally distinguished career with the Philippine Army. His credentials include his services as 1st Infantry Division commander (August 2013 to June 2014).

He came to the fore during the September 2013 Zamboanga Siege, when he served as the overall ground commander of all Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police troops against rogue Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) elements.

The result was a one-sided victory for government troops, with 183 MNLF fighters killed and 292 MNLF combatants captured.

He also served as Northern Luzon Command head.

Trinidad has a Master in Business Administration degree from De La Salle University, and had training abroad in multiple topics, including political warfare, strategic planning, defense resources management, command and general staff training and doctrines, national security and military and peacekeeping operations

Both are graduates of the Philippine Military Academy "Sandigan" Class of 1982.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=842092