From MindaNews (Dec 7): 3,000 expected to join march vs. SMI
Organizers are expecting at least 3,000 protesters to march from Digos City in Davao del Sur to this city for the third edition of “Lakbayan,” a campaign against the mining operation of foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI). The 150-kilometer march protest via General Santos City will start tomorrow (Saturday) and will reach this city on Monday, in time for the observance of International Human Rights Day, said Ryan Lariba, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Soccsksargen Region. This year’s theme is “Lakbayan 3: Lakbayan Para sa Katarungan” (Journey 3: Journey for Justice.”)
Lariba said that Lakbayan 3’s major activity will be a boxing match called “Ang Tunay Na Laban ng Bayan” (true fight of the nation), a match between President Aquino- and Armed Forces of the Philippines-backed Xstrata-SMI vs. people-backed Katawhan (“public-backed” people). “The three-day protest will put the accent to our demand for swift justice for the Tampakan “massacre” victims,” Lariba said. He was referring to the October 18 killing of Juvy Capion and her two young sons within the mines development site of Sagittarius Mines, which is backed by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer. It will likewise highlight the human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by Xstrata-SMI in “collusion” with the Aquino government against innocent civilians, indigenous peoples and environmentalists, Lariba added.
John B. Arnaldo, Sagittarius Mines spokesperson, has repeatedly said they “respect the views” of those against their Tampakan mining project. Sagittarius Mines’ application for an environmental compliance certificate had been rejected by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, anchored on the open-pit ban issued by the South Cotatabato provincial government. The company has appealed the DENR decision before the Office of the President. Last month, SMI received it fifth Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award, the highest award given to a mining company in the Philippines.
Lakbayan 3 will be staged simultaneously with Manilakbayan ng Mindanao, “a journey of Mindanawons in defense for land, environment and human rights,” where at least 70 delegates from Mindanao traveled to Manila in a 10-day activity to bring to Malacanang the issue of large-scale mining and killings in the island. Last year’s Lakbayan II was themed “Tuloy ang Laban Batok sa Dinagkung Pagmina ug Pagpanglapas sa Tawhanong Katungod” or “The Fight Continues Against Large-Scale Mining and Human Rights Violations.” Marching from Digos City, protesters also capped their activity here and burned an effigy of President Aquino aboard a backhoe.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/12/07/3000-expected-to-join-march-vs-smi/
Friday, December 7, 2012
Army relieves colonel who lost men in clash with NPA
From the Daily Tribune (Dec 8): Army relieves colonel who lost men in clash with NPA
The Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) has relieved an officer who had lost seven of his men, including a 2nd lieutenant fresh from the Philippine Military Academy, in a firefight with communist rebels in southern Isabela. According to the 5th ID based in Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Gamu town, Col. Eduardo Collado was meted an “R and R” (rest and recreation) from his post as commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade while higher officials are investigating the encounter last Nov. 17 in Echague’s Mabbayad village which led to seven soldiers killed. Col. Loreto Magundayao, 5th ID spokesman and chief of the division’s civil-military operations battalion, said Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcos, division deputy commanding general, temporarily took over concurrently as general officer-in-charge of the brigade. Marcos was the 502nd Brigade commander before his promotion to division deputy commanding general. The 5th ID covers practically the whole of Northern Luzon, with most of the Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley regions.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/7845-army-relieves-colonel-who-lost-men-in-clash-with-npa
The Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) has relieved an officer who had lost seven of his men, including a 2nd lieutenant fresh from the Philippine Military Academy, in a firefight with communist rebels in southern Isabela. According to the 5th ID based in Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Gamu town, Col. Eduardo Collado was meted an “R and R” (rest and recreation) from his post as commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade while higher officials are investigating the encounter last Nov. 17 in Echague’s Mabbayad village which led to seven soldiers killed. Col. Loreto Magundayao, 5th ID spokesman and chief of the division’s civil-military operations battalion, said Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcos, division deputy commanding general, temporarily took over concurrently as general officer-in-charge of the brigade. Marcos was the 502nd Brigade commander before his promotion to division deputy commanding general. The 5th ID covers practically the whole of Northern Luzon, with most of the Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley regions.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/7845-army-relieves-colonel-who-lost-men-in-clash-with-npa
Freeze on MILF man's bank accounts lapses
From ABS-CBN (Dec 7): Freeze on MILF man's bank accounts lapses
The freeze order on the bank accounts of a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee suspected of financing the activities in the Philippines of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah has lapsed, according to the Court of Appeals (CA). In a resolution by the Former 1st Division penned by Associate Justice Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo, the appellate court said the 6-month freeze order should no longer be in effect. "Considering that six months have already elapsed since the expiration of the original 20-day period on January 9, 2012, the extended freeze order should be deemed to have automatically expired on July 9, 2012," the resolution read.
Eduard Guerra, his wife Jocelyn, and Joseph Allan Jungoy Chan, Al Nissah General Merchant, Beauty Rich Trading, Sharif Interior and EJ & P Builders were covered by the six-month freeze order. The 6-month freeze order was an extension of the 20-day freeze order issued by the appellate court on Dec. 20, 2011 in favor of the Anti-money Laundering Council (AMLC). The freeze order covered bank accounts in Maybank, Metrobank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Banco de Oro, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Land Bank of the Philippines. Guerra was arrested in September 2010 over terrorism charges. He intended to leave for Geneva, Switzerland then via the Davao International Airport for a United Nations Human Rights Council meeting.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/07/12/freeze-milf-mans-bank-accounts-lapses
The freeze order on the bank accounts of a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee suspected of financing the activities in the Philippines of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah has lapsed, according to the Court of Appeals (CA). In a resolution by the Former 1st Division penned by Associate Justice Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo, the appellate court said the 6-month freeze order should no longer be in effect. "Considering that six months have already elapsed since the expiration of the original 20-day period on January 9, 2012, the extended freeze order should be deemed to have automatically expired on July 9, 2012," the resolution read.
Eduard Guerra, his wife Jocelyn, and Joseph Allan Jungoy Chan, Al Nissah General Merchant, Beauty Rich Trading, Sharif Interior and EJ & P Builders were covered by the six-month freeze order. The 6-month freeze order was an extension of the 20-day freeze order issued by the appellate court on Dec. 20, 2011 in favor of the Anti-money Laundering Council (AMLC). The freeze order covered bank accounts in Maybank, Metrobank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Banco de Oro, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Land Bank of the Philippines. Guerra was arrested in September 2010 over terrorism charges. He intended to leave for Geneva, Switzerland then via the Davao International Airport for a United Nations Human Rights Council meeting.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/07/12/freeze-milf-mans-bank-accounts-lapses
Troops repel NPA attack in NCotabato town
From the Philippine Star (Dec 7): Troops repel NPA attack in NCotabato town
Soldiers wounded five more New People’s Army guerrillas and recovered hundreds of assorted ammunition and materials for fabrication of powerful roadside bombs as they foiled Thursday another NPA attempt to collect money from villagers in Magpet, North Cotabato. Combatants of the 10th Special Force Company, a component unit of the Army’s elite 5th Special Forces Battalion, managed to drive the rebels before the latter could get close to villages in Barangay Mahungcog, an agricultural area in Magpet. Col. Ademar Tomaro, commander of the Army’ s 602nd Brigade, said the soldiers learned of the presence of the marauding NPAs in Barangay Mahungcog in Magpet from farmers that have long been complaining of the extortion activities of the NPA.
Thursday’s NPA-Army encounter in Barangay Mahungcog was the 16th since combined units of the 602nd Brigade begun flushing out communist forces in Magpet late November. Soldiers managed to drive away the NPAs spotted by farmers approaching a strategic area in Barangay Mahungcog after an hour-long running firefight, wounding five rebels. Tomaro said they have no actual enemy body count, but villagers dislocated by the encounter said they saw fleeing rebels carrying five wounded companions. Barangay officials said the fleeing rebels left hundreds of ammunition of assorted calibers, live 40 MM grenade projectiles, fragmentation grenades and materials for fabrication of landmines and remote-controlled improvised explosive devices.
Officials of the Special Forces contingent helping the 602nd Brigade clear strategic areas in Magpet from NPA occupation are convinced the rebels could have suffered fatalities with the shelling of their escape route with 105 Howitzer canons by members of the Army’16th Fire Artillery Battalion.
Tomaro reiterated anew his offer of safe conduct pass for wounded rebels that intend to undergo medication in hospitals anywhere in the province and in Cotabato City. Text messages have been circulating for three days now purporting that more than 20 NPAs were wounded in a five-hour running firefights Monday in three adjoining districts in Magpet. Soldiers used 105 howitzer cannons to drive the rebels away. Villagers that evacuated for fear of getting trapped in the ensuing crossfires confirmed seeing rebels carry dead and wounded companions, mostly adolescents, as the rebels retreated to a hinterland at the border of North Cotabato and Bukidnon.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/12/07/882597/troops-repel-npa-attack-ncotabato-town
Soldiers wounded five more New People’s Army guerrillas and recovered hundreds of assorted ammunition and materials for fabrication of powerful roadside bombs as they foiled Thursday another NPA attempt to collect money from villagers in Magpet, North Cotabato. Combatants of the 10th Special Force Company, a component unit of the Army’s elite 5th Special Forces Battalion, managed to drive the rebels before the latter could get close to villages in Barangay Mahungcog, an agricultural area in Magpet. Col. Ademar Tomaro, commander of the Army’ s 602nd Brigade, said the soldiers learned of the presence of the marauding NPAs in Barangay Mahungcog in Magpet from farmers that have long been complaining of the extortion activities of the NPA.
Thursday’s NPA-Army encounter in Barangay Mahungcog was the 16th since combined units of the 602nd Brigade begun flushing out communist forces in Magpet late November. Soldiers managed to drive away the NPAs spotted by farmers approaching a strategic area in Barangay Mahungcog after an hour-long running firefight, wounding five rebels. Tomaro said they have no actual enemy body count, but villagers dislocated by the encounter said they saw fleeing rebels carrying five wounded companions. Barangay officials said the fleeing rebels left hundreds of ammunition of assorted calibers, live 40 MM grenade projectiles, fragmentation grenades and materials for fabrication of landmines and remote-controlled improvised explosive devices.
Officials of the Special Forces contingent helping the 602nd Brigade clear strategic areas in Magpet from NPA occupation are convinced the rebels could have suffered fatalities with the shelling of their escape route with 105 Howitzer canons by members of the Army’16th Fire Artillery Battalion.
Tomaro reiterated anew his offer of safe conduct pass for wounded rebels that intend to undergo medication in hospitals anywhere in the province and in Cotabato City. Text messages have been circulating for three days now purporting that more than 20 NPAs were wounded in a five-hour running firefights Monday in three adjoining districts in Magpet. Soldiers used 105 howitzer cannons to drive the rebels away. Villagers that evacuated for fear of getting trapped in the ensuing crossfires confirmed seeing rebels carry dead and wounded companions, mostly adolescents, as the rebels retreated to a hinterland at the border of North Cotabato and Bukidnon.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/12/07/882597/troops-repel-npa-attack-ncotabato-town
Bayan calling on PNoy: Free political prisoners
From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 7): Bayan calling on PNoy:
Free political prisoners
Several organizations in Bacolod City yesterday called on President Benigno Aquino III to release political prisoners and be serious in pursuing peace negotiations as part of the commemoration of the 64th anniversary of the International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10. At a press conference at the Negros Press Club building in Bacolod City, yesterday, Fr. Romeo Tagud of the Promotion of Church People’s Response said peace negotiations and ceasefire should be done not only during Christmas but must be long term. He said there are about 401 political prisoners in the country and 10 of them are in Negros Occidental but since Aquino assumed office, none of these prisoners have been released as promised.
Christian Tuayon, Bayan-Negros secretary general, said they will commemorate the 64th IHRD with province-wide protests bringing the social and economic issues faced by the people. He said human rights violation is rampant in Negros Occidental and fabricated charges have been filed against many progressive leaders. He also said that violations are also committed in the work place like unfair labor practice and demolition of houses and dislocation of livelihood of the poor.
Fred Caña, Karapan-Negros secretary general, said there is impunity in the government system because human rights abuses are tolerated by people who work for it, thus, so there is nothing to celebrate on Dec. 10 for them. Members of Bayan, Karapatan, PCPR and other organizations from south and north Negros will converge at the Bacolod City Public Plaza to hold a rally, he said. They expect speakers from Manila, he added.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/December/07/topstory8.htm
Several organizations in Bacolod City yesterday called on President Benigno Aquino III to release political prisoners and be serious in pursuing peace negotiations as part of the commemoration of the 64th anniversary of the International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10. At a press conference at the Negros Press Club building in Bacolod City, yesterday, Fr. Romeo Tagud of the Promotion of Church People’s Response said peace negotiations and ceasefire should be done not only during Christmas but must be long term. He said there are about 401 political prisoners in the country and 10 of them are in Negros Occidental but since Aquino assumed office, none of these prisoners have been released as promised.
Christian Tuayon, Bayan-Negros secretary general, said they will commemorate the 64th IHRD with province-wide protests bringing the social and economic issues faced by the people. He said human rights violation is rampant in Negros Occidental and fabricated charges have been filed against many progressive leaders. He also said that violations are also committed in the work place like unfair labor practice and demolition of houses and dislocation of livelihood of the poor.
Fred Caña, Karapan-Negros secretary general, said there is impunity in the government system because human rights abuses are tolerated by people who work for it, thus, so there is nothing to celebrate on Dec. 10 for them. Members of Bayan, Karapatan, PCPR and other organizations from south and north Negros will converge at the Bacolod City Public Plaza to hold a rally, he said. They expect speakers from Manila, he added.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/December/07/topstory8.htm
2 soldiers killed in simultaneous NPA attacks in Leyte
From InterAksyon (Dec 7): 2 soldiers killed in simultaneous NPA attacks in Leyte
The New People's Army staged simultaneous attacks in Leyte province Thursday night, leaving two soldiers dead and four other persons, including a civilian, wounded. Captain Dranreb Canto, public information officer of the 802nd Brigade, said the rebels first attacked the base of 78th Infantry Battalion’s Alpha Company in Barangay Antipolo, Albuera town at 7:50 p.m., wounding civilian Edgar Borinaga. Ten minutes after, another group of about 10 rebels attacked troops providing security to members of the Army's Bayanihan Team in Barangay Rubas, Jaro town. It was in the Jaro attack that the two soldiers died. Three other soldiers were wounded. The Army is withholding the names of the soldiers pending notification of their families. On November 30, a soldier was killed and two others were wounded when a unit of the 78th Infantry Battalion was ambushed by rebels in Sitio Calingatnan, Barangay San Pedro, Albuera, Leyte.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/49866/2-soldiers-killed-in-simultaneous-npa-attacks-in-leyte
The New People's Army staged simultaneous attacks in Leyte province Thursday night, leaving two soldiers dead and four other persons, including a civilian, wounded. Captain Dranreb Canto, public information officer of the 802nd Brigade, said the rebels first attacked the base of 78th Infantry Battalion’s Alpha Company in Barangay Antipolo, Albuera town at 7:50 p.m., wounding civilian Edgar Borinaga. Ten minutes after, another group of about 10 rebels attacked troops providing security to members of the Army's Bayanihan Team in Barangay Rubas, Jaro town. It was in the Jaro attack that the two soldiers died. Three other soldiers were wounded. The Army is withholding the names of the soldiers pending notification of their families. On November 30, a soldier was killed and two others were wounded when a unit of the 78th Infantry Battalion was ambushed by rebels in Sitio Calingatnan, Barangay San Pedro, Albuera, Leyte.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/49866/2-soldiers-killed-in-simultaneous-npa-attacks-in-leyte
Four-way talks over South China Sea postponed
From Rappler (Dec 7): Four-way talks over South China Sea postponed
The four-way talks between fellow Southeast Asian nations with rival claims over the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) have been postponed, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday, December 7. The meeting, originally scheduled for December 12 in Manila, was cancelled and will take place at a later date due to "scheduling problems," DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters. No new date was given.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario explained on November 21 that the talks between the vice foreign ministers of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam would focus on adopting a common position regarding their territorial claims in the South China Sea. An invitation was not extended to Taiwan, another claimant country, or China, the regional power that has been pushing to assert its sovereignty over virtually all of the disputed region via its controversial 9-Dash line map. The Philippines is proposing a multilateral approach to resolving the dispute, while China prefers bilateral talks with each claimant country. China recently decided to include the 9-Dash line map in its new passports, and both the Philippines and Vietnam reacted by refusing to stamp all Chinese travel documents, in the latest development of the row over the South China Sea.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/17511-four-way-talks-over-south-china-sea-postponed
The four-way talks between fellow Southeast Asian nations with rival claims over the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) have been postponed, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday, December 7. The meeting, originally scheduled for December 12 in Manila, was cancelled and will take place at a later date due to "scheduling problems," DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters. No new date was given.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario explained on November 21 that the talks between the vice foreign ministers of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam would focus on adopting a common position regarding their territorial claims in the South China Sea. An invitation was not extended to Taiwan, another claimant country, or China, the regional power that has been pushing to assert its sovereignty over virtually all of the disputed region via its controversial 9-Dash line map. The Philippines is proposing a multilateral approach to resolving the dispute, while China prefers bilateral talks with each claimant country. China recently decided to include the 9-Dash line map in its new passports, and both the Philippines and Vietnam reacted by refusing to stamp all Chinese travel documents, in the latest development of the row over the South China Sea.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/17511-four-way-talks-over-south-china-sea-postponed
AFP honors outstanding officer, confers military Merit Medal
From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 7): AFP honors outstanding officer, confers military Merit Medal
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conferred the Military Merit Medal (Interim) to another outstanding officer in the military service for meritorious and invaluable service to the country’s defense force. Col. Felix J. Castro Jr. who served as the commander of the 903rd Infantry (Fight and Defend) Brigade, 9th Infantry (SPEAR) Division, Philippine Army from January 17, 2011 to November 8, 2012 was the recipient of the medal for his deep sense of responsibility, outstanding leadership, professional competence, and managerial acumen. The awarding of Military Merit Medal is pursuant to paragraph 1-6l, Section II Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-053 dated 01 July 1986. Said medal is awarded to a military official for heroic achievement or meritorious service during, or in support of military action against an enemy.
Castro, in his term as 903rd Brigade Commander, ably supervised the successful conduct of the 23 Brigade-size Operations, 62 battalion-size operations, 97 company-size operations, and 12,026 small unit operations. These operations resulted to the neutralization of 43 NPA personalities (23 killed, 10 wounded, nine captured, and 11 surrendered) and confiscated 106 firearms (60 high powered/46 low powered), although many of these were outside the focus area of the brigade. The recovered firearms included one Cal .30 LMG, nine M16, nine 653, two AK47, and one M14, among others. Sixty Seven (67) improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also recovered.
Among the more significant operational accomplishments of the Brigade under Col Castro’s leadership include the death in an encounter of Andres Baja Despi @ Tisoy, the vice CO of SDG, FC79, Komprob Sorsogon; the arrest of Vanjie Herrero @ Vivian, Execom member of Komprob Masbate; the death in another encounter of Luis Gonzaga @ JP- CO of SPP, Ind KSPN, Komprob Masbate; the capture of CTL Felix Marcaida @Megs/Boy/Migo presently Execom Member, KomProb Sorsogon, BRPC PSRL 4th quarter CY 2011 (the 3rd person of KomProb Sorsogon, BRPC; former Secretary of Komprob Sorsogon, BRPC year 2008, PSRL 4th quarter CY 2009; former Secretary of LArangan 3, KomProb Sorsogon. In the absence of allocation for additional CAAs, the establishment of the Barangay Defense System (BDS) has been initiated to act as a holding organization in the cleared barangays. This has been proven effective as the NPAs find difficulty in recovering lost areas......
....With the above-mentioned accomplishments, the brigade was adjudged as the Best Brigade of 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, Philippine Army for 1st and 2nd Quarters of 2012. Maj. General Romeo B. Calizo, Commander of 9th ID, said the commendable and outstanding performance of Col. Castro served as the hallmark of honor and prestige, thereby contributing immeasurably to the accomplishment of the 9ID mission. “By these remarkable achievements, Col Castro earned distinct credit and honor not only for himself and for the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division but also for the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=801354793950
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conferred the Military Merit Medal (Interim) to another outstanding officer in the military service for meritorious and invaluable service to the country’s defense force. Col. Felix J. Castro Jr. who served as the commander of the 903rd Infantry (Fight and Defend) Brigade, 9th Infantry (SPEAR) Division, Philippine Army from January 17, 2011 to November 8, 2012 was the recipient of the medal for his deep sense of responsibility, outstanding leadership, professional competence, and managerial acumen. The awarding of Military Merit Medal is pursuant to paragraph 1-6l, Section II Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-053 dated 01 July 1986. Said medal is awarded to a military official for heroic achievement or meritorious service during, or in support of military action against an enemy.
Castro, in his term as 903rd Brigade Commander, ably supervised the successful conduct of the 23 Brigade-size Operations, 62 battalion-size operations, 97 company-size operations, and 12,026 small unit operations. These operations resulted to the neutralization of 43 NPA personalities (23 killed, 10 wounded, nine captured, and 11 surrendered) and confiscated 106 firearms (60 high powered/46 low powered), although many of these were outside the focus area of the brigade. The recovered firearms included one Cal .30 LMG, nine M16, nine 653, two AK47, and one M14, among others. Sixty Seven (67) improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also recovered.
Among the more significant operational accomplishments of the Brigade under Col Castro’s leadership include the death in an encounter of Andres Baja Despi @ Tisoy, the vice CO of SDG, FC79, Komprob Sorsogon; the arrest of Vanjie Herrero @ Vivian, Execom member of Komprob Masbate; the death in another encounter of Luis Gonzaga @ JP- CO of SPP, Ind KSPN, Komprob Masbate; the capture of CTL Felix Marcaida @Megs/Boy/Migo presently Execom Member, KomProb Sorsogon, BRPC PSRL 4th quarter CY 2011 (the 3rd person of KomProb Sorsogon, BRPC; former Secretary of Komprob Sorsogon, BRPC year 2008, PSRL 4th quarter CY 2009; former Secretary of LArangan 3, KomProb Sorsogon. In the absence of allocation for additional CAAs, the establishment of the Barangay Defense System (BDS) has been initiated to act as a holding organization in the cleared barangays. This has been proven effective as the NPAs find difficulty in recovering lost areas......
....With the above-mentioned accomplishments, the brigade was adjudged as the Best Brigade of 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, Philippine Army for 1st and 2nd Quarters of 2012. Maj. General Romeo B. Calizo, Commander of 9th ID, said the commendable and outstanding performance of Col. Castro served as the hallmark of honor and prestige, thereby contributing immeasurably to the accomplishment of the 9ID mission. “By these remarkable achievements, Col Castro earned distinct credit and honor not only for himself and for the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division but also for the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=801354793950
Peace-promoting projects in Quezon, begin
From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 7): Peace-promoting projects in Quezon, begin
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had began implementing peace- promoting projects under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program (Kalahi-CIDSS Pamana) in selected areas in Quezon province. The program is being implemented in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP). Most of the targeted areas under the program are the identified municipalities with conflict-affected barangays (CABs). These are Kalahi-CIDSS municipalities of Mulanay, and Catanauan with 23 CABs.
Each CAB will receive P300,000 grant as an augmentation of funds for the communities to implement infrastructure, and other development projects promoting peace. The project will implement the community driven development approach of Kalahi-CIDSS with the same program objectives- to empower people, to improve local governance and reduce poverty, but with special emphasis on barangays affected by conflict and violence.
Under the program, all CABs will be provided with development projects. A manner different to Kalahi-CIDSS which uses the participatory prioritization mechanism--a criteria-based vote casting by community representatives to decide which projects needs to be prioritized. The program specifies that the focus is strengthening the communities’ capacity to address issues of peace through activities that ensure participation. It also emphasizes that Kalahi-CIDSS is not only a poverty alleviation program but also an instrument in achieving peace and resilient communities in CABs.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=631354841436
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had began implementing peace- promoting projects under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program (Kalahi-CIDSS Pamana) in selected areas in Quezon province. The program is being implemented in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP). Most of the targeted areas under the program are the identified municipalities with conflict-affected barangays (CABs). These are Kalahi-CIDSS municipalities of Mulanay, and Catanauan with 23 CABs.
Each CAB will receive P300,000 grant as an augmentation of funds for the communities to implement infrastructure, and other development projects promoting peace. The project will implement the community driven development approach of Kalahi-CIDSS with the same program objectives- to empower people, to improve local governance and reduce poverty, but with special emphasis on barangays affected by conflict and violence.
Under the program, all CABs will be provided with development projects. A manner different to Kalahi-CIDSS which uses the participatory prioritization mechanism--a criteria-based vote casting by community representatives to decide which projects needs to be prioritized. The program specifies that the focus is strengthening the communities’ capacity to address issues of peace through activities that ensure participation. It also emphasizes that Kalahi-CIDSS is not only a poverty alleviation program but also an instrument in achieving peace and resilient communities in CABs.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=631354841436
NOLCOM, ABS-CBN foundation beneficiaries go on field trip in Tarlac
From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 7): NOLCOM, ABS-CBN foundation beneficiaries go on field trip in Tarlac
Around 800 beneficiaries of various school projects of Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera recently converged in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac for a Lakbay Aral and Handog Pasasalamat. Nolcom Information Officer 2LT. Oscar Zaldivar disclosed that the attendees came from Bacooc Elementary School, Libtec Elementary School, and Dumayco Elementary School in Abra; Jose Democrito Elementary School in Nueva Ecija; Taliptip Elementary School in Bulacan; Villa Bacolor Elementary School, Malinta Elementary School, San Raymundo Elementary School, Bilad Elementary School, and Malinta Elementary School in Tarlac; and Amolong Elementary School, Balindan Elementary School, Natonin Elementary School, and Layog-ogtong Elementary School in Mountain Province.
There were also delegates from Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Pangasinan. “Projects in these areas included the construction of classrooms, libraries, playgrounds, comfort rooms, and centralized water systems,” Zaldivar added. The beneficiaries toured famed spots in Tarlac namely Capas National Shrine, Aquino Center, and SM. The students and teachers mingled with high-ranking officials of Nolcom during a bonfire held in Camp Aquino golf course. ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation program director Tina Monzon-Palma led the ceremonial conferment of plaques of appreciation to the different units of Nolcom headed by Lieutenant General Anthony Alcantara, for their support to the projects. The foundation also gave gifts to the beneficiaries and awarded the winners of its Parol Making contest.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=561354674084
Around 800 beneficiaries of various school projects of Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera recently converged in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac for a Lakbay Aral and Handog Pasasalamat. Nolcom Information Officer 2LT. Oscar Zaldivar disclosed that the attendees came from Bacooc Elementary School, Libtec Elementary School, and Dumayco Elementary School in Abra; Jose Democrito Elementary School in Nueva Ecija; Taliptip Elementary School in Bulacan; Villa Bacolor Elementary School, Malinta Elementary School, San Raymundo Elementary School, Bilad Elementary School, and Malinta Elementary School in Tarlac; and Amolong Elementary School, Balindan Elementary School, Natonin Elementary School, and Layog-ogtong Elementary School in Mountain Province.
There were also delegates from Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Pangasinan. “Projects in these areas included the construction of classrooms, libraries, playgrounds, comfort rooms, and centralized water systems,” Zaldivar added. The beneficiaries toured famed spots in Tarlac namely Capas National Shrine, Aquino Center, and SM. The students and teachers mingled with high-ranking officials of Nolcom during a bonfire held in Camp Aquino golf course. ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation program director Tina Monzon-Palma led the ceremonial conferment of plaques of appreciation to the different units of Nolcom headed by Lieutenant General Anthony Alcantara, for their support to the projects. The foundation also gave gifts to the beneficiaries and awarded the winners of its Parol Making contest.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=561354674084
Negrense soldier dies in line of duty in Compostela Valley
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 7): Negrense soldier dies in line of
duty in Compostela Valley
An army soldier from Negros Occidental was among those who perished during the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley province. The military authority has identified the Negrense soldier as Sgt. Maximo Olivarez, 38, of Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental. Olivarez, who is presently assigned with the 66th Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company, was among the platoon of soldiers which set-up the command patrol base in preparation for rescue operation in the area affected by flashflood. Report have it that Olivarez was carried away by the strong flood waters along with seven other fellow soldiers. His cadaver was found several hours later.
Apart from Olivarez, six other army troopers of 66IB previously assigned in Negros Occidental had not been accounted and three more soldiers had been reported injured during the incident. Olivarez and 49 other victims perished in the mudslide and flashflood in the southern mountain of New Bataan, Compostela Valley.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=477980
An army soldier from Negros Occidental was among those who perished during the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley province. The military authority has identified the Negrense soldier as Sgt. Maximo Olivarez, 38, of Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental. Olivarez, who is presently assigned with the 66th Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company, was among the platoon of soldiers which set-up the command patrol base in preparation for rescue operation in the area affected by flashflood. Report have it that Olivarez was carried away by the strong flood waters along with seven other fellow soldiers. His cadaver was found several hours later.
Apart from Olivarez, six other army troopers of 66IB previously assigned in Negros Occidental had not been accounted and three more soldiers had been reported injured during the incident. Olivarez and 49 other victims perished in the mudslide and flashflood in the southern mountain of New Bataan, Compostela Valley.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=477980
5 NPAs wounded, 6 camps seized by gov't forces in North Cotabato
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 7): 5 NPAs wounded, 6 camps seized by
gov't forces in North Cotabato
MAGPET, North Cotabato -- Five communist rebels were wounded and hundreds of ammunition were recovered as the military seized control of six abandoned camps of the New Peoples Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of this town Thursday. Colonel Ademar Tomaro, 602nd Army brigade commander, said the military's 10 Special Forces Company and elements of the 57th Infantry Battalion have been pursuing a band of communist guerillas who have been mulcting from farmers in Barangay Mahungcog here. "The NPA forced taxation activities have forced civilians to cooperate with the military," Tomaro said in his report to the 6th Infantry Division. Tomaro admitted there was no body count in the NPA fatalities but civilians told soldiers that they saw some five wounded rebels being carried by their comrades away from the encounter site. About 60 families have abandoned their homes for fear of getting caught in the crossfire as the rebels retreated to their villages.
Colonel Prudencio Asto, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said Maj. Gen. Ronnie Ordoyo, 6th ID chief, supported the offer to the NPA of Colonel Tomaro to accompany wounded rebels from the mountains to the military hospital for medication. In the nearby village of Doles, Magpet, the soldiers also seized at least six NPA satellite camps straddling across several villages and there were indications the guerillas stayed in these areas for days prior to last week's skirmishes. Following Thursday's intense firefight, the rebels moved deep into the foot of the country's highest peak -- Mt. Apo. Tomaro has deployed more forces in Magpet to contain the threat of communist guerillas.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=478045
MAGPET, North Cotabato -- Five communist rebels were wounded and hundreds of ammunition were recovered as the military seized control of six abandoned camps of the New Peoples Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of this town Thursday. Colonel Ademar Tomaro, 602nd Army brigade commander, said the military's 10 Special Forces Company and elements of the 57th Infantry Battalion have been pursuing a band of communist guerillas who have been mulcting from farmers in Barangay Mahungcog here. "The NPA forced taxation activities have forced civilians to cooperate with the military," Tomaro said in his report to the 6th Infantry Division. Tomaro admitted there was no body count in the NPA fatalities but civilians told soldiers that they saw some five wounded rebels being carried by their comrades away from the encounter site. About 60 families have abandoned their homes for fear of getting caught in the crossfire as the rebels retreated to their villages.
Colonel Prudencio Asto, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said Maj. Gen. Ronnie Ordoyo, 6th ID chief, supported the offer to the NPA of Colonel Tomaro to accompany wounded rebels from the mountains to the military hospital for medication. In the nearby village of Doles, Magpet, the soldiers also seized at least six NPA satellite camps straddling across several villages and there were indications the guerillas stayed in these areas for days prior to last week's skirmishes. Following Thursday's intense firefight, the rebels moved deep into the foot of the country's highest peak -- Mt. Apo. Tomaro has deployed more forces in Magpet to contain the threat of communist guerillas.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=478045
AFP renews vow to uphold human rights, joins in the celebration of Human Rights Consciousness week
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 7): AFP renews vow to uphold human
rights, joins in the celebration of Human Rights Consciousness
week
The 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID)based at Camp Gen. Macario Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz renewed its pledged to uphold human rights as it joined in the celebration of the National Human Rights Consciousness Week celebrated from Dec. 4 - 10. In his email dispatch, Army's spokesperson Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto said soldiers from the different Army units in the region under the overall jurisdiction of the 3ID would continue their enduring commitment to the people in line with the guidance from the national leadership and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ directive to enhance the culture of Human Rights-International Human Law-Role of Law within the rank and file of the AFP.
He said they will continue dispensing their responsibility of respecting and protecting the human rights of every individual regardless of race, religion, creed, belief, culture and social status in line with the Internal Peace and Security Plan (Bayanihan) which gives premium on serving the people and provides focus on peace and development efforts.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=478149
The 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID)based at Camp Gen. Macario Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz renewed its pledged to uphold human rights as it joined in the celebration of the National Human Rights Consciousness Week celebrated from Dec. 4 - 10. In his email dispatch, Army's spokesperson Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto said soldiers from the different Army units in the region under the overall jurisdiction of the 3ID would continue their enduring commitment to the people in line with the guidance from the national leadership and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ directive to enhance the culture of Human Rights-International Human Law-Role of Law within the rank and file of the AFP.
He said they will continue dispensing their responsibility of respecting and protecting the human rights of every individual regardless of race, religion, creed, belief, culture and social status in line with the Internal Peace and Security Plan (Bayanihan) which gives premium on serving the people and provides focus on peace and development efforts.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=478149
President Aquino names U.P. professor as the new government peace panel chief negotiator
From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 7): President Aquino names U.P.
professor as the new government peace panel chief
negotiator
President Benigno S. Aquino has appointed University of the Philippines Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer as the new chairperson and chief negotiator of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel, a Malacanang official announced on Friday. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that Professor Coronel-Ferrer was named as the successor of Mario Victor F. Leonen who was appointed by President Aquino as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court last November.
Coronel-Ferrer is a professor of Political Science at the U.P. where she teaches comparative politics and political theory. She was director of the U.P. Third World Studies Center from 2000 to 2003 and deputy director from 1995 to 1998. She also convened the Program on Peace, Democratization, and Human Rights of the U.P. Center for Integrative and Development Studies until 2005. Beginning in July 2010, she joined the Government Negotiating Panel for Talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Prof. Coronel-Ferrer co-chaired the Non-State Actors Working Group of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines from 1999-2004. She joined fact-finding missions organized by international NGOs investigating violence in Cambodia (1993, 1997), East Timor (1999, 2000), and Nepal (2003). She was one of 27 Filipino women who are part of the “1000 Women for the Nobel,” nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
She also served as visiting professor at Hiroshima University in Japan, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea, and Gadja Madah University in Indonesia; and had written several articles on Philippine civil society, politics, regional autonomy and peace processes in international and local journals and books.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=478155
President Benigno S. Aquino has appointed University of the Philippines Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer as the new chairperson and chief negotiator of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel, a Malacanang official announced on Friday. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that Professor Coronel-Ferrer was named as the successor of Mario Victor F. Leonen who was appointed by President Aquino as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court last November.
Coronel-Ferrer is a professor of Political Science at the U.P. where she teaches comparative politics and political theory. She was director of the U.P. Third World Studies Center from 2000 to 2003 and deputy director from 1995 to 1998. She also convened the Program on Peace, Democratization, and Human Rights of the U.P. Center for Integrative and Development Studies until 2005. Beginning in July 2010, she joined the Government Negotiating Panel for Talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Prof. Coronel-Ferrer co-chaired the Non-State Actors Working Group of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines from 1999-2004. She joined fact-finding missions organized by international NGOs investigating violence in Cambodia (1993, 1997), East Timor (1999, 2000), and Nepal (2003). She was one of 27 Filipino women who are part of the “1000 Women for the Nobel,” nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
She also served as visiting professor at Hiroshima University in Japan, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea, and Gadja Madah University in Indonesia; and had written several articles on Philippine civil society, politics, regional autonomy and peace processes in international and local journals and books.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=478155
High Hopes for Philippine Peace Plan
From U.S. News & World Report (Dec 6): High Hopes for Philippine Peace Plan
A month after the announcement of a potentially historic peace deal between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the two sides continue to iron out the details, one of the negotiators has already picked up an award for his efforts, and, most importantly, peace still reigns. The agreement promises to end an almost 30-year-old insurgency by the Islamic separatist group by enlarging the autonomous region in Mindanao and increasing its political and economic power. If the promise is ultimately met, considerable credit would be due to the Philippine government for handling the conflict in ways which, careful study of past counterinsurgencies shows, improved the odds for success.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front was created in 1984 as an Islamic outgrowth of the more secular Moro National Liberation Front, which formed in the early 1970s. In 1996, the National Front reached a negotiated settlement with the Philippine government that created the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The new peace agreement aims to expand this area into a larger region called Bangsamoro.While both the National Liberation Front and the Islamic Liberation Front are Muslim separatist movements, the Islamic Front is more extremist and, until now, had been unwilling to accept anything less than a fully independent state in Muslim Mindanao. This is not the first peace agreement to be negotiated between the Philippine government and the Islamic Front. Indeed, the two parties have engaged in on-again, off-again peace talks since 1986 (with the National Front taking the lead in negotiations prior to 1996). Numerous ceasefires have been negotiated (and broken), and a peace agreement was drafted in 2008, only to be declared unconstitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is not the only insurgent group still operating in the Philippines. The country currently contends with both a violent communist insurgency (the New People's Army) and an Islamic terrorist movement with ties to Al Qaeda (the Abu Sayyaf Group). The government has successfully used a combination of counterinsurgency strategies against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in recent years, raising expectations that the new peace deal will also succeed—and in a manner that favors the government's interests.
A 2010 RAND study of 30 recent counterinsurgencies, Victory Has a Thousand Fathers: Sources of Success in Counterinsurgency, indicated that "effective counterinsurgency practices tend to run in packs." The study's authors developed a scorecard of 15 good and 12 bad counterinsurgency practices that perfectly discriminates the historical cases into wins and losses, with obvious implications for future counterinsurgency efforts. "Good" practices included incorporating strategic communication strategies, reducing tangible support to insurgents, avoiding collateral damage, and winning over the population in the area of conflict. "Bad" counterinsurgency practices, in contrast, included collective punishment, resettlement of the population, and coercion or intimidation.
A quick tally reveals that the Philippine government's recent counterinsurgency strategy against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has consisted of predominantly "good" practices (12 good practices and only three bad practices, for a score of +9). To put this score into perspective, all of the historical counterinsurgency forces that won scored a 5 or higher. In the Philippines, those good counterinsurgency practices include the government's use of strategic communication, campaigns to win popular support, and efforts to reduce tangible support to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Nonetheless, the Philippine government had to make concessions. Perhaps most importantly, the agreement gives Mindanao's 4 million Muslims a share of the proceeds generated by the region's as-yet-untapped mineral wealth. The government will face numerous hurdles in bringing the Bangsamoro region into existence by the target date of 2016. Yet if we believe that history is the best predictor of success in counterinsurgency, the Philippine government has reason to be optimistic.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/world-report/2012/12/06/high-hopes-for-philippine-peace-plan
A month after the announcement of a potentially historic peace deal between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the two sides continue to iron out the details, one of the negotiators has already picked up an award for his efforts, and, most importantly, peace still reigns. The agreement promises to end an almost 30-year-old insurgency by the Islamic separatist group by enlarging the autonomous region in Mindanao and increasing its political and economic power. If the promise is ultimately met, considerable credit would be due to the Philippine government for handling the conflict in ways which, careful study of past counterinsurgencies shows, improved the odds for success.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front was created in 1984 as an Islamic outgrowth of the more secular Moro National Liberation Front, which formed in the early 1970s. In 1996, the National Front reached a negotiated settlement with the Philippine government that created the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The new peace agreement aims to expand this area into a larger region called Bangsamoro.While both the National Liberation Front and the Islamic Liberation Front are Muslim separatist movements, the Islamic Front is more extremist and, until now, had been unwilling to accept anything less than a fully independent state in Muslim Mindanao. This is not the first peace agreement to be negotiated between the Philippine government and the Islamic Front. Indeed, the two parties have engaged in on-again, off-again peace talks since 1986 (with the National Front taking the lead in negotiations prior to 1996). Numerous ceasefires have been negotiated (and broken), and a peace agreement was drafted in 2008, only to be declared unconstitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is not the only insurgent group still operating in the Philippines. The country currently contends with both a violent communist insurgency (the New People's Army) and an Islamic terrorist movement with ties to Al Qaeda (the Abu Sayyaf Group). The government has successfully used a combination of counterinsurgency strategies against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in recent years, raising expectations that the new peace deal will also succeed—and in a manner that favors the government's interests.
A 2010 RAND study of 30 recent counterinsurgencies, Victory Has a Thousand Fathers: Sources of Success in Counterinsurgency, indicated that "effective counterinsurgency practices tend to run in packs." The study's authors developed a scorecard of 15 good and 12 bad counterinsurgency practices that perfectly discriminates the historical cases into wins and losses, with obvious implications for future counterinsurgency efforts. "Good" practices included incorporating strategic communication strategies, reducing tangible support to insurgents, avoiding collateral damage, and winning over the population in the area of conflict. "Bad" counterinsurgency practices, in contrast, included collective punishment, resettlement of the population, and coercion or intimidation.
A quick tally reveals that the Philippine government's recent counterinsurgency strategy against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has consisted of predominantly "good" practices (12 good practices and only three bad practices, for a score of +9). To put this score into perspective, all of the historical counterinsurgency forces that won scored a 5 or higher. In the Philippines, those good counterinsurgency practices include the government's use of strategic communication, campaigns to win popular support, and efforts to reduce tangible support to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Nonetheless, the Philippine government had to make concessions. Perhaps most importantly, the agreement gives Mindanao's 4 million Muslims a share of the proceeds generated by the region's as-yet-untapped mineral wealth. The government will face numerous hurdles in bringing the Bangsamoro region into existence by the target date of 2016. Yet if we believe that history is the best predictor of success in counterinsurgency, the Philippine government has reason to be optimistic.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/world-report/2012/12/06/high-hopes-for-philippine-peace-plan
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