Op/Ed piece by Amando Doronila in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 31): Trade-offs in the Bangsamoro pact
.... The Moro wars in the Philippines have been a protracted guerrilla war
stalemate that produced no decisive victory for either side. The outcome of the
negotiations between the government and the MILF—the Framework Agreement on the
Bangsamoro—was determined more by the costs of the conflict on the people of
Mindanao, the economic costs to the nation, and the dislocation wrought on
political stability than by the toll on the lives of combatants. From this
context, we are able to make sense of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro
when examining the concessions made by either side in the negotiations....The government panel was confounded by “a novel feature” of the MILF proposal
for a ministerial form of government for the Bangsamoro entity under which the
chief minister would be elected by the Assembly.... This departure from the existing electoral practices in electing officials from
top to bottom, except during the Marcos dictatorship, is unexplored territory
full of land mines that can explode in the face of Mr. Aquino’s experiment on a
political settlement to buy peace with the MILF. This arrangement opened the way
for possible challenges to its constitutionality before the Supreme Court, the
jealous guardian of the nation’s sovereignty.....
http://opinion.inquirer.net/39800/trade-offs-in-the-bangsamoro-pact
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Filipinos urged to unite, denounce violence vs armed groups
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 31): Filipinos urged to unite, denounce violence vs armed
groups
In order for there to be peace in the Philippines, the entire Filipino population should be one in denouncing the violence of armed groups, a commanding general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday night. Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista, commanding general of the Army, said in an interview with editors of the Philippine Daily Inquirer that in order to obtain peace, all sectors of society must come together and express their desire for peace. “Ordinary citizens, students, businessmen, media, all of us [should] be in unison in telling [armed groups] its about time [to] end armed struggle and there are other ways of solving our problems [and] resolving conflict,” Bautista said.... “Armed struggle is a Jurassic methodology, there are more modern [and] more humane ways of resolving conflict, definitely it’s not armed struggle, we have seen that in the past,” Bautista said. “Insurgents thrive on popular support, if the popular will is to end armed struggle and all of us [denounce] it, what will be their reason for the insurgency?” he added.... “We are presenting to our people a choice between continued armed struggle and peace. We have been there for more than 40 years, what will we choose? If we chose peace rather than armed struggle then let’s get together as a people, that is the spirit of bayanihan,” Bautista said citing the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/299276/filipinos-urged-to-unite-denounce-violence-vs-armed-groups
In order for there to be peace in the Philippines, the entire Filipino population should be one in denouncing the violence of armed groups, a commanding general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday night. Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista, commanding general of the Army, said in an interview with editors of the Philippine Daily Inquirer that in order to obtain peace, all sectors of society must come together and express their desire for peace. “Ordinary citizens, students, businessmen, media, all of us [should] be in unison in telling [armed groups] its about time [to] end armed struggle and there are other ways of solving our problems [and] resolving conflict,” Bautista said.... “Armed struggle is a Jurassic methodology, there are more modern [and] more humane ways of resolving conflict, definitely it’s not armed struggle, we have seen that in the past,” Bautista said. “Insurgents thrive on popular support, if the popular will is to end armed struggle and all of us [denounce] it, what will be their reason for the insurgency?” he added.... “We are presenting to our people a choice between continued armed struggle and peace. We have been there for more than 40 years, what will we choose? If we chose peace rather than armed struggle then let’s get together as a people, that is the spirit of bayanihan,” Bautista said citing the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/299276/filipinos-urged-to-unite-denounce-violence-vs-armed-groups
CPP: CPP calls for opposition to Aquino plans to open 1 million hectares of Moro land to foreign mining companies
From the CPP Website (Oct 31): CPP calls for opposition to Aquino plans to open 1 million hectares of Moro land to foreign mining companies
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called on the Filipino and Moro peoples “to unite and oppose plans by the Aquino regime to open up at least a million hectares of Moro land to foreign mining companies.” The CPP said this can only result in the plunder of the Moro people’s rich oil, gas and other mineral and timber resources and the exploitation and oppression of the Moro people." The CPP said the Aquino regime is taking advantage of the “peace fanfare” over the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Manila-based reactionary Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “in order to boost the entry of foreign monopoly-capitalists companies which have long been drooling over the rich natural resources in areas covered by the Moro people’s ancestral domain.” The CPP issued the statement in reaction to reports that the Aquino regime’s Department of Energy has opened for bidding Area 11 covering 600,000 hectares and Area 12 covering 456,000 hectares of mineral lands both in Cotabato. These are located in the basin areas covering 14,000 square kilometers, including parts of the Liguasan Marsh. “The US government has long been seeking to exploit the rich potentials of the Moro land,” said the CPP. It cited a 2006 intelligence assessment by the US embassy stating that “the Philippines may have untapped minerals worth between $840 billion to $1 trillion” in Mindanao....
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/cpp-calls-for-opposition-to-aquino-plans-to-open-1-million-hectares-of-moro-land-to-foreign-mining-companies
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called on the Filipino and Moro peoples “to unite and oppose plans by the Aquino regime to open up at least a million hectares of Moro land to foreign mining companies.” The CPP said this can only result in the plunder of the Moro people’s rich oil, gas and other mineral and timber resources and the exploitation and oppression of the Moro people." The CPP said the Aquino regime is taking advantage of the “peace fanfare” over the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Manila-based reactionary Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “in order to boost the entry of foreign monopoly-capitalists companies which have long been drooling over the rich natural resources in areas covered by the Moro people’s ancestral domain.” The CPP issued the statement in reaction to reports that the Aquino regime’s Department of Energy has opened for bidding Area 11 covering 600,000 hectares and Area 12 covering 456,000 hectares of mineral lands both in Cotabato. These are located in the basin areas covering 14,000 square kilometers, including parts of the Liguasan Marsh. “The US government has long been seeking to exploit the rich potentials of the Moro land,” said the CPP. It cited a 2006 intelligence assessment by the US embassy stating that “the Philippines may have untapped minerals worth between $840 billion to $1 trillion” in Mindanao....
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/cpp-calls-for-opposition-to-aquino-plans-to-open-1-million-hectares-of-moro-land-to-foreign-mining-companies
Ex-rebel killed in clash with police, army in Ilocos Norte
From the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Ex-rebel killed in clash with police, army in Ilocos Norte
A former communist rebel was killed when he and five others reportedly clashed with policemen and army troopers in a village in Currimao town, Ilocos Norte Tuesday night. Carlo Magbulos from barangay Gulpeng, Pinili town, was killed when his group fired at authorities who were alerted of an armed group’s presence in barangay Cabuusan in the town. Currimao police said that when the authorities were approaching Magbulos’ group, and declared they were police and military officers, they were fired at by Magbulos' group. A kin of Magbulos, however, said the former rebel had since surrendered two years ago and had returned to farming. Magbulos, his family added, just came from the farm and was in the company of other farmers. One of Magbulos' companions is now under tight security in a hospital, while two others are being held for questioning while two more were able to flee, authorities said.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865396
A former communist rebel was killed when he and five others reportedly clashed with policemen and army troopers in a village in Currimao town, Ilocos Norte Tuesday night. Carlo Magbulos from barangay Gulpeng, Pinili town, was killed when his group fired at authorities who were alerted of an armed group’s presence in barangay Cabuusan in the town. Currimao police said that when the authorities were approaching Magbulos’ group, and declared they were police and military officers, they were fired at by Magbulos' group. A kin of Magbulos, however, said the former rebel had since surrendered two years ago and had returned to farming. Magbulos, his family added, just came from the farm and was in the company of other farmers. One of Magbulos' companions is now under tight security in a hospital, while two others are being held for questioning while two more were able to flee, authorities said.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865396
Activists in Baguio complain of harassment
From the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Activists in Baguio complain of harassment
Activists identified with left-leaning organizations based here complained of “witch-hunting” and “trick or treating” meant to scare them. The most recent case was that of 55-year-old Milagros Ao-wat, a volunteer of the health NGO Community Health Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Region(CHESTCORE), who in September received a bag containing a black shirt, a stained white blouse and some tattered pairs of sandals. It was the Ao-wat's fifth “harassment” incident, said Imelda Tabiando of the Baguio-based Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC Inc.).... She lamented that instead of recognizing the efforts of the NGOs and development workers in helping hard to reach communities, they are tagged by the military as enemies of the state.Also, farmer-leader Modesto Hangoy from Tinoc, Ifugao, said AFP’s 86th Infantry Batalion is tagging farmers and residents as NPA rebels or symphatizers. He added that at night time, supposed intelligence agents spy on his home owing to suspicions that he is coddling NPA rebels.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865414
Activists identified with left-leaning organizations based here complained of “witch-hunting” and “trick or treating” meant to scare them. The most recent case was that of 55-year-old Milagros Ao-wat, a volunteer of the health NGO Community Health Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Region(CHESTCORE), who in September received a bag containing a black shirt, a stained white blouse and some tattered pairs of sandals. It was the Ao-wat's fifth “harassment” incident, said Imelda Tabiando of the Baguio-based Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC Inc.).... She lamented that instead of recognizing the efforts of the NGOs and development workers in helping hard to reach communities, they are tagged by the military as enemies of the state.Also, farmer-leader Modesto Hangoy from Tinoc, Ifugao, said AFP’s 86th Infantry Batalion is tagging farmers and residents as NPA rebels or symphatizers. He added that at night time, supposed intelligence agents spy on his home owing to suspicions that he is coddling NPA rebels.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865414
Marines intensify operations vs. Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
From the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Marines intensify operations vs. Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
Marine troops have intensified pursuit operations against Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah believed to be holding seven kidnap victims in Sulu province, a senior naval officer said. Rear Admiral Armando Guzman, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), which is overseeing the Marines' operation in Sulu, said naval blocking operations also continued in the coast of Sulu to prevent the militants from slipping out of the province. “This is a normal combat operation designed to constrict the movement of the Abu Sayyaf,” Guzman said. Marines encountered a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits over the weekend. Ten bandits and four Marines were killed in the six-hour encounter in the hinterlands of Patikul town. Guzman said that part of the campaign plan was the massive civil-military operations to win the hearts of the villagers and pressure the militant group from merging with the community....
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865438
Marine troops have intensified pursuit operations against Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah believed to be holding seven kidnap victims in Sulu province, a senior naval officer said. Rear Admiral Armando Guzman, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), which is overseeing the Marines' operation in Sulu, said naval blocking operations also continued in the coast of Sulu to prevent the militants from slipping out of the province. “This is a normal combat operation designed to constrict the movement of the Abu Sayyaf,” Guzman said. Marines encountered a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits over the weekend. Ten bandits and four Marines were killed in the six-hour encounter in the hinterlands of Patikul town. Guzman said that part of the campaign plan was the massive civil-military operations to win the hearts of the villagers and pressure the militant group from merging with the community....
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865438
Race on for top AFP post
From the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Race on for top AFP post
The race is on for the top military post that would be vacated by General Jessie Dellosa three months from now. As gathered by The STAR, at least two senior military officers are eyeing the top post in the Armed Forces of the Philippines when Dellosa retires in January. The two officials are Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmmanuel Bautista and Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz. “Uso na naman ang gapangan ngayon. It’s between two PMA classes, the PMA Class of 1981 and PMA Class of 1980,” a Camp Aguinaldo insider said. Bautista is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981 while Dela Cruz is a member of the PMA Class of 1980. It was learned that the two senior military officials are reportedly enjoying the back of powerful group of backers, all with the direct access to the Palace. Dellosa, a member of the PMA Class of 1976, will reach the military's mandatory retirement age of 56 in the middle of January next year. Dellosa took over the AFP's top post from retired Air Force general Eduardo Oban Jr.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865449
The race is on for the top military post that would be vacated by General Jessie Dellosa three months from now. As gathered by The STAR, at least two senior military officers are eyeing the top post in the Armed Forces of the Philippines when Dellosa retires in January. The two officials are Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmmanuel Bautista and Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz. “Uso na naman ang gapangan ngayon. It’s between two PMA classes, the PMA Class of 1981 and PMA Class of 1980,” a Camp Aguinaldo insider said. Bautista is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981 while Dela Cruz is a member of the PMA Class of 1980. It was learned that the two senior military officials are reportedly enjoying the back of powerful group of backers, all with the direct access to the Palace. Dellosa, a member of the PMA Class of 1976, will reach the military's mandatory retirement age of 56 in the middle of January next year. Dellosa took over the AFP's top post from retired Air Force general Eduardo Oban Jr.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865449
Army: Libingan ng mga Bayani ready
From the Philippine Star (Oct 31): Army: Libingan ng mga Bayani ready
The Army is prepared for the influx of visitors in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the final resting place of soldiers and other prominent personalities. Col. Renato Verceles, chief of the Army’s Grave Services Unit, said preparations have been undertaken to ensure the convenience of the visitors of the cemetery on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. These preparations include the cleaning and repainting of concrete crosses, pruning of trees and trimming of flowers, bush cutting of grasses, aligning of crosses, repair of bathrooms, and repairing of street lights. The Army also cleaned "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers," which was built in honor of nameless war heroes. Maj. Harold Cabunoc, spokesman of the Army, said the Operational Order Pagmamahal 2012 has been launched to assist the cemetery’s visitors. He said a public assistance and information center would be set up to help relatives and families in locating the grave of their departed loved ones. “The Philippine Army will also deploy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams and Ambu-Medic Teams for security and medical support,” Cabunoc said....
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865461
The Army is prepared for the influx of visitors in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the final resting place of soldiers and other prominent personalities. Col. Renato Verceles, chief of the Army’s Grave Services Unit, said preparations have been undertaken to ensure the convenience of the visitors of the cemetery on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. These preparations include the cleaning and repainting of concrete crosses, pruning of trees and trimming of flowers, bush cutting of grasses, aligning of crosses, repair of bathrooms, and repairing of street lights. The Army also cleaned "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers," which was built in honor of nameless war heroes. Maj. Harold Cabunoc, spokesman of the Army, said the Operational Order Pagmamahal 2012 has been launched to assist the cemetery’s visitors. He said a public assistance and information center would be set up to help relatives and families in locating the grave of their departed loved ones. “The Philippine Army will also deploy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams and Ambu-Medic Teams for security and medical support,” Cabunoc said....
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865461
NPA medical officer killed in battle: Army
From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 31): NPA
medical officer killed in battle: Army
A woman believed to be a medical officer of the New People’s Army died in an encounter with soldiers of the 47th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Set-an, Brgy. East, Candoni, Negros Occidental, yesterday. Lt. Col. Rodrigo Sosmena, 47th Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday identified the slain alleged NPA amazon as Julia Pacheco Tabat, with aliases of “Ka Pinay,” “Gab” and “Alex,” who, he said, served as the medical officer of the South West Front committee of the NPA. Sosmena said the encounter took place at about 5 a.m. yesterday, as his troops responded to reports of civilians that about 20 armed NPA rebels led by Reniel Cellon, alias Kumpol, were consolidating in the area, recruiting and training minors in medical courses, as red fighters, and in making improvised explosives devices, and on landmine operations.... Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the group of Ka Kumpol is responsible for the series of killings in the hinterlands of Candoni, Ilog, Cauayan and Sipalay City, with civilians, former government militiamen and soldiers on Peace and Development Team missions, as their victims....
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/31/topstory1.htm
A woman believed to be a medical officer of the New People’s Army died in an encounter with soldiers of the 47th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Set-an, Brgy. East, Candoni, Negros Occidental, yesterday. Lt. Col. Rodrigo Sosmena, 47th Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday identified the slain alleged NPA amazon as Julia Pacheco Tabat, with aliases of “Ka Pinay,” “Gab” and “Alex,” who, he said, served as the medical officer of the South West Front committee of the NPA. Sosmena said the encounter took place at about 5 a.m. yesterday, as his troops responded to reports of civilians that about 20 armed NPA rebels led by Reniel Cellon, alias Kumpol, were consolidating in the area, recruiting and training minors in medical courses, as red fighters, and in making improvised explosives devices, and on landmine operations.... Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the group of Ka Kumpol is responsible for the series of killings in the hinterlands of Candoni, Ilog, Cauayan and Sipalay City, with civilians, former government militiamen and soldiers on Peace and Development Team missions, as their victims....
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/31/topstory1.htm
PNoy: No contracts for oil exploration until wealth-sharing issue with MILF is addressed
From InterAksyon (Oct 31): PNoy: No contracts for oil exploration until wealth-sharing issue with MILF is addressed
The government will not award any service contracts for oil exploration in areas near the Liguasan Marsh until it forges a wealth-sharing agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), President Benigno Aquino III said on Wednesday. "Chairman Murad is correct, Wealth-sharing is one of the annexes that we have to finish," Aquino said referring to the annexes of the government's framework agreeement with the MILF that will pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro region in the Philippines. "From what Energy Secretary Rene Almendras explained to me, we have not yet opened the areas for bidding," the President added....
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46923/pnoy-no-contracts-for-oil-exploration-until-wealth-sharing-issue-with-milf-is-addressed
The government will not award any service contracts for oil exploration in areas near the Liguasan Marsh until it forges a wealth-sharing agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), President Benigno Aquino III said on Wednesday. "Chairman Murad is correct, Wealth-sharing is one of the annexes that we have to finish," Aquino said referring to the annexes of the government's framework agreeement with the MILF that will pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro region in the Philippines. "From what Energy Secretary Rene Almendras explained to me, we have not yet opened the areas for bidding," the President added....
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46923/pnoy-no-contracts-for-oil-exploration-until-wealth-sharing-issue-with-milf-is-addressed
13 soldiers to face court martial for deaths of wife, sons of anti-mining lumad leader
From InterAksyon (Oct 31): 13 soldiers to face court martial for deaths of wife, sons of anti-mining lumad leader
Thirteen soldiers will face court martial for shooting dead the wife and two sons of a tribal leader who opposed a Swiss-Australian mining project, the military said Wednesday. A military inquiry found the soldiers were negligent when they engaged in a shootout with the tribal leader because they did not try to avoid civilian casualties, said armed forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza. "There is a violation of the rules of engagement. You should fire only aimed shots and determine your targets before you fire," he told AFP. Paniza said a lieutenant and 12 enlisted men involved in the killings could face life in jail if found guilty....
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46929/13-soldiers-to-face-court-martial-for-deaths-of-wife-sons-of-anti-mining-lumad-leader
Thirteen soldiers will face court martial for shooting dead the wife and two sons of a tribal leader who opposed a Swiss-Australian mining project, the military said Wednesday. A military inquiry found the soldiers were negligent when they engaged in a shootout with the tribal leader because they did not try to avoid civilian casualties, said armed forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza. "There is a violation of the rules of engagement. You should fire only aimed shots and determine your targets before you fire," he told AFP. Paniza said a lieutenant and 12 enlisted men involved in the killings could face life in jail if found guilty....
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46929/13-soldiers-to-face-court-martial-for-deaths-of-wife-sons-of-anti-mining-lumad-leader
Navy reservists train in Samar
From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 31): Navy reservists train in Samar
Sixty navy reservists are undergoing Ready Reserve Organizational Training at the Samar State University (SSU) to ensure that they can respond to their call of duty at any given time and scenario. Colonel George Fernandez, chief of staff of the Naval Reserve Command, served as guest speaker in the opening ceremony on October 27. In his message, Fernandez said that as reservists, they must always be equipped with the right knowledge and skills in times of disaster, calamities and emergencies. “Our reserve force must serve as effective complements of our regular forces,” he told them. "You will be organized into a cohesive force, trained as a team but develop individual skills ready in times of mobilization and offer peacetime services especially in the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” he said. “We also want you to assist our regular forces in the conduct of nation-building efforts in support to the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) 'Bayanihan,’” Fernandez urged reservist-trainees....
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221351590634
Sixty navy reservists are undergoing Ready Reserve Organizational Training at the Samar State University (SSU) to ensure that they can respond to their call of duty at any given time and scenario. Colonel George Fernandez, chief of staff of the Naval Reserve Command, served as guest speaker in the opening ceremony on October 27. In his message, Fernandez said that as reservists, they must always be equipped with the right knowledge and skills in times of disaster, calamities and emergencies. “Our reserve force must serve as effective complements of our regular forces,” he told them. "You will be organized into a cohesive force, trained as a team but develop individual skills ready in times of mobilization and offer peacetime services especially in the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” he said. “We also want you to assist our regular forces in the conduct of nation-building efforts in support to the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) 'Bayanihan,’” Fernandez urged reservist-trainees....
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221351590634
Framework Agreement advocates adopt “I am for Peace” slogan, hold assembly
From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 31): Framework Agreement advocates adopt “I am for Peace” slogan, hold assembly
While details of the Framework Agreement need to be ironed out, aggressive information and education campaign of peace advocates, supporters and stakeholders are ongoing to generate public awareness and better understanding to achieve the goal of the agreement. With the slogan “I am for Peace” local officials, residents and peace advocates welcomed and joined the peace ambassadors in the conduct of a general assembly cum medical and dental mission, fun games and feeding program in the town of Aleosan, Cotabato Province last Oct 29, 2012. Peace ambassadors composed of artists Jeffrey “Epi” Quizon, Ebe Dancel, football players of the Philippine Azkals and local singing talent sensation Khomeini Bansuan immersed with civil society groups, executives and other sectors of the community in the assembly rallying for support to the Framework Agreement initiated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)....
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1661351647965
While details of the Framework Agreement need to be ironed out, aggressive information and education campaign of peace advocates, supporters and stakeholders are ongoing to generate public awareness and better understanding to achieve the goal of the agreement. With the slogan “I am for Peace” local officials, residents and peace advocates welcomed and joined the peace ambassadors in the conduct of a general assembly cum medical and dental mission, fun games and feeding program in the town of Aleosan, Cotabato Province last Oct 29, 2012. Peace ambassadors composed of artists Jeffrey “Epi” Quizon, Ebe Dancel, football players of the Philippine Azkals and local singing talent sensation Khomeini Bansuan immersed with civil society groups, executives and other sectors of the community in the assembly rallying for support to the Framework Agreement initiated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)....
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1661351647965
Govt security forces arrest NPA extortion team member
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 31): Govt security forces arrest NPA
extortion team member
Joint elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police (PNP)captured a New People's Army (NPA) rebel in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental Tuesday. The police identified the arrested rebel as Sarah Alvarez, alias Olsen, said to be a member of NPA extortion team.... Alvarez is reportedly involved in the murder of 1Lt. Archie Polenzo of 62IB in Cadiz City in 2010 and the armed robbery of a fishpond in Sagay City in 2011. "This will cripple their (NPAs) extortion activities," said Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Brigade Commander. For his part, 62IB Commander Efren Morados said, "her significance is evident with her direct links with financial and logistics bureaus of the NPA movement within Northern Negros and the island as a whole. She plays an important role in the Northern Negros Front's extortion activities."
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=467242
Joint elements of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police (PNP)captured a New People's Army (NPA) rebel in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental Tuesday. The police identified the arrested rebel as Sarah Alvarez, alias Olsen, said to be a member of NPA extortion team.... Alvarez is reportedly involved in the murder of 1Lt. Archie Polenzo of 62IB in Cadiz City in 2010 and the armed robbery of a fishpond in Sagay City in 2011. "This will cripple their (NPAs) extortion activities," said Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Brigade Commander. For his part, 62IB Commander Efren Morados said, "her significance is evident with her direct links with financial and logistics bureaus of the NPA movement within Northern Negros and the island as a whole. She plays an important role in the Northern Negros Front's extortion activities."
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=467242
Army exhorts soldiers to get more evidence vs. rebels
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 31): Army exhorts soldiers to get more
evidence vs. rebels
The Army has challenged all enlisted men to collect, first and foremost, substantial evidence strong enough to effectively bring justice to their fallen comrades slain by New People’s Army rebels. Maj. Gil Ileto, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Western Visayas, was obviously disheartened by the court's decision to drop the murder charges against Roger Belo, an NPA rebel from Capiz accused of killing a government soldier after witnesses withdrew. Ileto issued the challenge to keep military morale high. Belo was captured by police and soldiers from the 61st Infantry Batallion on Oct 21 last year. Saddened by the unfortunate turn of events, Ileto exhorted his fellow soldiers to dig more evidence against persons running afoul of the law to make them pay for their crimes no matter who they are.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=467353
The Army has challenged all enlisted men to collect, first and foremost, substantial evidence strong enough to effectively bring justice to their fallen comrades slain by New People’s Army rebels. Maj. Gil Ileto, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Western Visayas, was obviously disheartened by the court's decision to drop the murder charges against Roger Belo, an NPA rebel from Capiz accused of killing a government soldier after witnesses withdrew. Ileto issued the challenge to keep military morale high. Belo was captured by police and soldiers from the 61st Infantry Batallion on Oct 21 last year. Saddened by the unfortunate turn of events, Ileto exhorted his fellow soldiers to dig more evidence against persons running afoul of the law to make them pay for their crimes no matter who they are.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=467353
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