Photos: AFP, Guam National Guard Conduct Briefing at the Consulate on State Partnership Program

Posted to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (Nov 8): Photos: AFP, Guam National Guard Conduct Briefing at the Consulate on State Partnership Program
 

8 November 2012- Guam National Guard, headed by Major General Benny M. Paulino, together with Col. David B. Riano, Col. George L. Cherfauros, Jr. Maj. Jumariel V. Castro, Capt. Ken S. Ole and Msg. Jocelyn Salas, visited the Philippine Consulate General in Agana on October 30. The team briefed Cosul General Bayani Mangibin on the State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Guam National Guard. The purpose of the briefing was to provide a yearly review of the implementation of the SPP.

 

http://www.dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/news-from-rp-embassies/6765-afp-guam-national-guard-conduct-briefing-at-the-consulate-on-state-partnership-program

 

Philippine, Indian Coast Guards conduct joint exercise

From the Sun Star (Nov 9): Philippine, Indian Coast Guards conduct joint exercise

An Indian Coast Guard (ICG) vessel has arrived in Manila for a five-day goodwill visit, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Friday. The ship SAMRAT, meaning "Emperor," arrived in Manila on Thursday and its personnel will be having several training activities with its counterparts in the Philippine Coast Guard. "The training will include an anti-piracy exercise which will be headed by the Commander of Coast Guard Fleet in coordination with Non-Resident Defense Attaché, High Commission of India and ICG SAMRAT. The visit will also include sports activities to further foster a strong working and personal bond between the Indian Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard," the agency said. ICG SAMRAT is an advance offshore patrol vessel designed and built indigenously by M/S Goa Shipyard Limited, India, and was commissioned on January 21, 2012. It has an overall length of 105 meters with 2,300 gross tonnages and maximum speed of 25 knots. The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS), high power with extended range External Fire Fighting System, Deluge System and two indigenously built medium range 30 mm Gun Mounts with remote control firing provisions. The “Infra Red Surveillance System” installed on board is an additional capability for the ship’s crew to detect targets during dark hours. The ship is based at Mumbai and is currently commanded by DIG Mukesh Purohit, TM.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/11/09/philippine-indian-coast-guards-conduct-joint-exercise-252446

Security forces capture 2 notorious kidnappers in Pagadian City

From the Mindanao Examiner (Nov 9): Security forces capture 2 notorious kidnappers in Pagadian City

Security forces captured 2 notorious bandits tagged as behind the series of kidnappings for ransom and murder of six people in the southern Philippines, an army spokesman said Friday. Captain Alberto Caber, of the 1st Infantry Division, said soldiers and policemen raided a hideout of bandit leader Amie Andi at a village in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur and captured Montasser Ratarta and Rachmodin Andi. “Their leader was not in the hideout when security forces stormed the place, but the operation is continuing for the capture of Amie Andi,” he told the Mindanao Examiner. Caber said Andi’s group was behind the kidnappings of Filipino traders and foreigners in Zamboanga Peninsula and was implicated in the murder of 6 people, including three children, in the town of Lapuyan in February.... Regional army chief Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III said he ordered soldiers to hunt down Andi who is believed to be hiding in Zamboanga del Sur province. “There shall be no let-up of pursuit operations against those responsible in the series of killings and kidnappings in Western Mindanao,” he said. Cruz appealed to the public to help military and police authorities by providing information about Andi’s group. “The public must realize that their role in peace and security in the region is vital to the success of the security operations,” he said. He said the two bandits are currently being interrogated in Pagadian City.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121109021845

Army joins peace run in Neg.Or.

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 9): Army joins peace run in Neg.Or.

A run for peace and solidarity for Negros Oriental and Mindanao kicked off yesterday in Canlaon City with soldiers of the Army’s 302nd Brigade and the 11th Infantry Battalion participating, a press release from the Army said. The run is a relay format with Canlaon City to Dumaguete City and Basay to Dumaguete City routes, and consisting of six legs, traversing Guihulngan, Bais, Mabinay to Dumaguete via Pamplona; and from Siaton to Valencia to Dumaguete, respectively, the press release said.... Meanwhile, a peace forum will be conducted by the Brigade at 1 p.m. today at Silliman University in Dumaguete City. Similar activities were held yesterday in Bais and Siaton, the press release added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/November/09/negor5.htm

Army ready to dialog with HR advocates

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 9): Army ready to dialog with HR advocates

Major General Jose Mabanta, 3rd Infantry Division commander, yesterday said they are open to a dialog with human rights advocates in Negros and Panay, to stop human rights abuses in Western Visayas. This was after human rights group Karapatan-Negros condemned the alleged involvement of an Army soldier in the killing of a farmer in Toboso, Negros Occidental, last month. Mabanta said that while they are more than willing to cooperate with Karapatan-Negros, he is asking them to present evidences, to the Philippine Army so it can immediately conduct more intensive investigations. Army Sgt. Levi Tejano, a member of the 61st Infantry Battalion, was released on October 29, almost four days after he was detained for the alleged shooting to death of Vicente Villanueva in Brgy. San Jose, Toboso, after the family of the victim failed to file charges against him, police investigations show.... Tejano and Villanueva, who claimed to be a member of the New People’s Army, were having drinks on Oct. 24 and traded shots, after a heated debate over the communist ideology and democracy, investigations by the Toboso police showed.... Villanueva and Tejano, both residents of Brgy. San Jose, Toboso, and who were classmates during their elementary years, were at the house of Tejano, when the alleged shoot-out took place. Villanueva allegedly poked a homemade gun at the soldier, who was about to leave, Zuniega said....

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/November/09/topstory8.htm

‘Not the trash bin of a superpower’: Solons, groups denounce Subic toxic waste dumping

From InterAksyon (Nov 9): ‘Not the trash bin of a superpower’: Solons, groups denounce Subic toxic waste dumping

Lawmakers and cause-oriented groups on Friday denounced the alleged dumping of toxic waste on Subic Bay by a Malaysian contractor that services American ships in the Philippines. They said the U.S. contractor, Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines Inc., cannot use the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to escape accountability. Also, they said the U.S. government should likewise be held liable for the alleged dumping incident. Sen. Loren Legarda said it is “shameless” for Glenn Defense “to hide beneath the VFA and raise juridical issues” on the matter.... Meanwhile, Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Teodoro Casino Jr. called for the immediate suspension of the operations of the Glenn Defense in the Philippines.... In a separate statement, Akbayan partylist Representative Walden Bello said the action “shows a wanton disregard for Philippine laws and lack of concern for environmental safety." “We have been reduced to being the trash bin of a superpower. It seems that our environmental laws and safety counts for nothing to the United States government,” said Bello.... For its part, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) also said U.S. forces should also be held liable for the dumping incident. Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes Jr., said the incident “underscores the dangers brought by the prolonged presence of US troops and ships in the Philippines.”....

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/47648/not-the-trash-bin-of-a-superpower-solons-groups-denounce-subic-toxic-waste-dumping

Senate to probe Subic 'toxic waste' dumping

From Rappler (Nov 9): Senate to probe Subic 'toxic waste' dumping

Senators are seeking an investigation into reports that a US Navy contractor dumped hazardous waste on Subic Bay last month.  Sen Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Friday, November 9, filed a resolution to conduct an inquiry into reports that Glenn Defense Marines Asia, a Malaysian company which services American ships in the Philippines, dumped liquid waste collected from joint military exercises in October. The resolution cited media reports that said Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials found 189,500 liters of domestic waste and 760 liters of bilge water in the company's tanker, MT Glenn Guardian, during an inspection on October 15. When officials returned to take samples the next day, the cargo had been dumped into the sea without the necessary permits, according to the same reports. The captain of the ship, Edilberto Acedilla, reportedly told the officials that the water in the tanks had been treated, but a test conducted by SBMA officials showed that the toxicity of the liquid waste that was left in the ship exceeded levels set by international marine pollution conventions.  Sen Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, concurred with Santiago's resolution, warning that the alleged incident could spell an environmental disaster. “If it's proven that Glenn Defense Marine Asia had indeed dumped hazardous wastes on Subic Bay, they should immediately be made to dispose of the wastes properly as mandated by our environmental laws and international ecological standards and pay for all damages,” he said....

http://www.rappler.com/nation/15819-senate-to-probe-subic-toxic-waster-dumping

Police and military authorities ready to file murder charges against the New People's Army for the ambush of four soldiers

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 9): Police and military authorities ready to file murder charges against the New People's Army for the ambush of four soldiers

The police and military have joined forces to expedite the investigation and filing of cases against the perpetrators involved in the ambush that killed four soldiers in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District on November 4. Superintendent Johnson Almazan, chief of the Investigation and Detection Management Service of the Davao City Police Office said their operatives are working closely with the soldiers in filing murder charges against the rebels as he underscored the need to bring the perpetrators to the bar of justice. Paquibato is a known lair of rebel leader Leoncio Pitao, alias Kumander Parago of the Pulang Bagani Command 1 of the New People’s Army. Almazan said that the complaints against the rebel leaders in Paquibato have been piling up due to the harassment perpetrated by the rebel movement on the residents and soldiers. “They can be literally covered by the arrest warrants due to the complaints filed against them,” he said. Almazan said the ambush warrants the filing of murder charges since the soldiers were unarmed and were on errand when the atrocity happened. He said the latest ambush must not be taken for granted as it showed the excesses of the rebels....
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381352427820

Nolcom, ABS-CBN Foundation, DepEd open newly constructed two classrooms

From the Philippine Information Agency (nov 9): Nolcom, ABS-CBN Foundation, DepEd open newly constructed two classrooms

Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), Department of Education (DepEd), and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation Inc. on Tuesday opened newly constructed two-classroom school buildings in Tarlac. School-recipients were San Raymundo Elementary School in Ramos town and Malinta Elementary School in barangay Villa Aglipay in San Jose town. “The project is part of the IPSP Bayanihan campaign where pooling of resources and the convergence of efforts of every stakeholder is being initiated towards fulfilling the national government’s desire to address some of the basic needs of its people,” said Nolcom Information Office chief 2nd Lt. Oscar Zaldivar...
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=561352381507

South Cotabato exec sees surrender of more NPA rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): South Cotabato exec sees surrender of more NPA rebels

The provincial government of South Cotabato is optimistic that more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the area will surrender in the coming months due to the continuing implementation of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP). Lawyer Hilario de Pedro III, South Cotabato provincialadministrator, said the initial CLIP beneficiaries in the province reported that some of their active comrades have signified interest to lay down their firearms and instead avail of the program. The local government is presently working for the inclusion into the program of 18 former members of the Front 73of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) committee. In a joint CLIP validation and authentication committee (JVAC) meeting in Koronadal, de Pedro said the provincial government is fully committed to assist the 18 rebel returnees through the integration program. The JVAC meeting was held purposely to verify information about the 18 rebel returnees, who recently signified to take part in the program. The prospective CLIP recipients, who were residents of Surallah and Lake Sebu towns in South Cotabato, are presently under the custody of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB) led by Lt. Col. Zhalimar Imperial....
  http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=470053

Army replacement in Davao del Sur town only task force augmentation

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): Army replacement in Davao del Sur town only task force augmentation

A military official has clarified it was not the entire Army battalion that was pulled out but just its augmentation unit to Task Force Kitaco, named after the towns of Kiblawan (Davao del Sur), Tampakan (South Cotabato) and Columbio (Sultan Kudarat). Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said only a unit of the 27th Infantry Battalion was replaced by the 39th IB, purposely to decrease the tension in the area following the Oct 18 incident that killed B’laan tribal leader Daguil Capion’s wife and two sons. Paniza also said Capt. Joel Wayagwag also replaced Lt. Col. Alexis Bravo as the task force commander, who earlier quit his post as commander of the 27th IB. “We are hoping that the tension there would slowly subside following the replacement of troops there,” he said....

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=469942

BAYAN: US forces also liable for toxic waste dump in Subic

Posted to the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance) Website (Nov 9): US forces also liable for toxic waste dump in Subic

Press Statement
November 9, 2012
Renato M. Reyes, Jr, BAYAN secretary general

Recent reports that toxic wastes from US warships were being dumped in Subic again underscores the dangers brought by the prolonged presence of US troops and ships in the Philippines. These dangers now increase with the Obama government’s plan to rebalance most of its military assets towards Asia. It is not just the private military contractor Glenn Marine Defense which should be held liable. It is the US government who is ultimately liable since the wastes are brought to our country by US warships.

Subic is virtually a US naval outpost now as more and more US subs and warships dock at the former base. More US warships mean more wastes. Those responsible for the waste dump must clean up the mess and pay damages to the Filipino people.The use of private military contractors like Glenn Defense Marine Philippines is merely a ploy for the US government to escape any accountability. The US government has failed to clean up its toxic wastes when it still operated US bases in our country. Now, under the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, the US is again making use of our ports and bringing in hazardous toxic wastes, and escaping any liability for its actions. Under the VFA, the Philippine government cannot even inspect US warships that bring hazardous materials in our territory.

The long term (solution) to these toxic wastes is to stop US military exercises and end US military presence in the country. The private military contractor should eventually be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. While the probe is ongoing, any scheduled Balikatan exercises, and any scheduled port call by US warships and submarines, should be suspended immediately. The Aquino government must stop playing the role of US stooge and assert our national interest in this matter.

http://www.bayan.ph/site/2012/11/us-forces-also-liable-for-toxic-waste-dump-in-subic/

BAYAN: Activists greet Obama reelection with protest, say worst is yet to come under unequal PH-US ties

Posted to the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance) Website (Nov 9): Activists greet Obama reelection with protest, say worst is yet to come under unequal PH-US ties

Members of the multisectoral group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and the International League of Peoples Struggles (ILPS) today greeted the reelection of President Barack Obama with a protest action near the US embassy in Manila. The activists from various people’s organizations scoffed at Obama’s statement that the “best is yet to come” under his presidency, which enjoys a fresh four-year mandate following the recently concluded US elections.

For Filipinos, it actually means the worst is yet to come for our sovereignty, patrimony and national interest as the Obama regime perpetuates the more than a century-old unequal ties between the Philippines and the US,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes.

Bayan members assembled at Plaza Ferguson in Ermita, Manila several meters away from the US embassy. They brought mock posters of Obama’s campaign slogan, which read “Forward, US military intervention and war”, “Forward, unequal PH-US ties”, and “Forward, PH-US VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement) and MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty)”, among others....

http://www.bayan.ph/site/2012/11/activists-greet-obama-reelection-with-protest-say-worst-is-yet-to-come-under-unequal-ph-us-ties/

CPP/PRWC: NDFP-Mindanao urges the MRLO to mobilize the Moro people in their thousand for their struggle to the right to self-determination

Posted to the CPP's Philippine Revolutionary Web Central Blog (Nov 7): NDFP-Mindanao urges the MRLO to mobilize the Moro people in their thousand for their struggle to the right to self-determination

Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos
NDFP-Mindanao

The NDFP-Mindanao urges the Moro Resistance Liberation Organization (MRLO), as one of its allied organizations, to be more resolute in its mandate to educate, organize and mobilize vast numbers among the Moro people to advance their struggle for the right to self-determination under the aegis of the national-democratic armed revolution.

While the signing of the Framework on the Bangsamoro may be considered a watershed in the Moro struggle, it cannot be denied that the pact itself is riddled with lopsided provisions that ultimately favor the design of the ruling classes, its reactionary government and US imperialism to fully and finally subdue the Moro people’s long-drawn armed resistance against national oppression and exploitation….


In view of these, the NDFP-Mindanao calls upon the MRLO to redouble its efforts at arousing thousands among the Moro people on the implications of the Framework to them, and the significance of continuing and strengthening their armed resistance to advance the struggle for their right to self-determination under the context of the people’s democratic revolution….


They must painstakingly explain to the Moro people that under the current semi-feudal and semi-colonial Philippines setting, the combination of armed and non-armed resistance is the most logical way in realizing the Bangsamoro dream….

(Sgd) Ka Oris
Spokesperson
NDFP-Mindanao

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/11/ndfp-mindanao-urges-mrlo-to-mobilize.html

CPP: NDFP-Rizal condemns the illegal arrest and detention of Teacher Lanie Latuga and five (5) other civilians and demands for their immediate release!

Posted to the CPP Website (Nov 9): NDFP-Rizal condemns the illegal arrest and detention of Teacher Lanie Latuga and five (5) other civilians and demands for their immediate release!

Arman Guerrero (Ka Arms)
Spokesperson
NDF-Rizal

The NDFP-Rizal vehemently condemns the illegal arrest of Mrs. Lanie Latuga, a teacher of Dumagat School Children and five other civilians, most of them women, by combined elements of 16th IB-PA and 59th IB-PA. They were illegally arrested after the encounter between members of NAAC-NPA-Rizal and members of combined government soldiers belonging to the “Butcher” 16th IB-PA and 59th IB-PA that resulted to the killing of the 2 government soldiers and wounding of 4 others last November 7, 2012 in Sitio Uron, Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal. Their only crime is that they were near the site where the encounter happened and were eventually accused by the government soldiers that they are NPA Amazons or NPA supporters. Up to now, Mrs. Latuga ang her companions are being held incommunicado in an undisclosed military safe house after they were fetched by a Huey helicopter. They are being held against their will, interrogated without the benefit of counsel of their choice and being forced to admit that they are NPA members....

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/ndfp-rizal-condemns-the-illegal-arrest-and-detention-of-teacher-lanie-latuga-and-five-5-other-civilians-and-demands-for-their-immediate-release