Photo: Peace Rally/Anti-NPA Protest Action

Posted to the Negros Daily Bulletin (Jan 30): Photo: Peace Rally/Anti-NPA Protest Action



PEACE RALLY.’ Residents, young and old alike, of Barangays Puso and Cabacungan near the foot of Kanlaon volcano in La Castellana, Negros Occidental yesterday held a "Peace Rally" at the Cabacungan plaza, denouncing Sunday’s ambush that killed nine and wounded several others. They were specifically denouncing the New People’s Army (NPA) they believe is the group responsible for the massacre. La Castellana Mayor Alberto Nicor said he is urging residents to be vigilant and to immediately report presence of armed men.

http://www.ndb-online.com/index.htm

Photo: Anti-NPA/Peace Demonstration

Posted to the Visayan Daily Star (Jan 30):  Photo: Anti-NPA/Peace Demonstration


     Students joined the peace rally in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana.

    http://www.visayandailystar.com/

AFP chief gets 4th star

From InterAksyon (Jan 30): AFP chief gets 4th star



Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Emmanuel Bautista was promoted Wednesday to General, the highest rank in the military, and received his fourth star from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, himself a former AFP chief.

Meanwhile, Air Force Brigadier General Rolando Jungco, current head of the Office of The Adjutant General, has been named the new commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service.

Jungco, of Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982, finished his Masters in National Resource Strategy at the ICAF National Defense University in Washington DC. He will replace Major General Rolando Tenefrancia, who has reportedly been designated head of the Office of The Inspector General. Jungco will turn 56, the mandatory retirement age, on May 28, 2014. A native of Batangas, Jungco was assigned to the CRS in 2008, helping develop new concepts and methodologies in civil-military operations. He received his first general’s star on March 24, 2012.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/53889/afp-chief-gets-4th-star

Police files charges vs ComVal barricade leaders

From Rappler (Jan 30): Police files charges vs ComVal barricade leaders

Local police filed charges against the leaders of a road barricade in Montevista, Compostela Valley protesting the alleged poor government relief services.

Sr Supt Camilo Cascolan, officer-in-charge of PNP ComVal, said 8 persons were pressed with public disorder charges for leading more than 5,000 angry residents in the roadblock. Cascolan said the public disorder charges include alarm and scandal, tumultuous and public disturbance, and unlawful utterances.

Local authorities identified the leaders as Carlos Trangia, Bello Timdasan and Grace Curso from Barug Katawhan; Juland Suazo from environmentalist group Panalipdan; Sheena Duazo of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan; Tony Salubre of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas; Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa of Balsa Mindanao and a Lenny Camino.

Cascolan explained that they are just doing their responsibility, which is to preserve order in their area of responsibility.,He explained that the objective of the residents would never justify their form of protest.,"Their means is wrong," Cascolan said.

In a statement, Barug Katawhan remarked that the case is a form of political harassment in an attempt to pacify the rage of the residents. "It is actually an attack against thousands of typhoon victims who deserve a sustainable environment and equitable relief services," Barug Katawhan said.

The ComVal PNP brushed off the allegations explaining that the protesters must appreciate that maximum tolerance was exercised during the incident. "They must now answer it in the court," Cascolan added.

Barug Katawhan said they would continue their vigilance in monitoring government relief and rehabilitation services in the affected areas., "We appeal for your support to expose and oppose this harassment. The typhoon survivors and their support groups will not be cowed. The people are rising to demand justice for the people and environment," Juland Suazo posted in his Facebook timeline.

More than 5,000 residents and militants occupied the national highway in Montevista on January 15 for more than 10 hours paralyzing the only supply route for towns affected by Typhoon Pablo.
Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and ComVal Governor Arturo Uy personally talked with the protesters to urge them to voluntarily disperse which ended up in a shouting match after several deadlocks in the negotiations.

Hours before midnight, the residents lifted their barricade after the local government agreed on the minimum demands of the protesters. At least 1,900 family packs and 100 bags of rice were distributed while Soliman committed to add 10,000 bags of rice.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/20697-police-files-charges-vs-comval-barricade-leaders

US lawmakers support PH legal track on China

From Rappler (Jan 30): US lawmakers support PH legal track on China



PH-US TIES. President Benigno Aquino III exchanges views with the United States Congressional Delegation headed by newly selected chairman of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Representative Edward Royce, during the courtesy call at the Music Room, Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau




A visiting delegation of 5 US congressmen supports the Philippines' decision to ask an arbitral tribunal to resolve the territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

The lawmakers conveyed this message to President Benigno Aquino III during a courtesy call in Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, January 30, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a statement, the DFA said the US Congressional Delegation headed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep Ed Royce told Aquino that "the Philippines’ legal track promotes the peaceful resolution to the dispute" in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

"The outcome of the proceeding would provide more stability and predictability in the region," the DFA quoted the American congressmen as saying.

They also "expressed that they will convey back home that the US should take a stronger stance in the West Philippine Sea dispute," the DFA said.

East Asian tour

The US lawmakers visited the Philippines from January 23-30 on the 3rd stop of a tour around East Asia that took them first to South Korea and Taiwan, and will end in China.

On Tuesday the delegation met with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Energy Secretary Carlos Petilla and Natural Resources and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to discuss maritime security, defense, trade and investment.

After the meeting, DFA Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Carlos Sorreta said the lawmakers "were very interested in the merits of our arguments" regarding the West Philippine Sea.,"We conveyed our determination to see this case through and they have said they will support it," he told reporters.

Sorreta added: "Their next stop is China, and it is our hope [that] they will discuss it with the Chinese."

http://www.rappler.com/nation/20744-us-lawmakers-support-ph-legal-track-on-china

Military repairs 82 houses, 9 gov’t facilities in ‘Pablo’-hit Davao areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): Military repairs 82 houses, 9 gov’t facilities in ‘Pablo’-hit Davao areas

A total of 82 houses, nine government facilities and one chapel have been repaired by the "Joint Task Force Tambayayong," an initiative of soldiers to help areas hardest hit by typhoon "Pablo" last December. Captain Severino David, spokesperson of the EastMinCom disclosed the information based on the report of Colonel Edgardo Clerigo, commander of the "JTF Tambayayong."

The number of rehabilitated structures comprised of 60 houses in Compostela Valley; 22 houses in Davao Oriental; six school buildings in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo, Compostela Valley; a police installation in Montevista; one chapel in New Bataan and two day-care centers in Boston and Baganga, respectively, from January 14 to 26 this year. David said the repair works would continue in order to help survivors bring back their lives to normalcy.

Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the EastMinCom, said the effort to assist communities would go on as part of the recovery and rehabilitation effort by government on the disaster-affected areas. He said it was the soldiers’ way of going beyond the call of duty by giving service to the people which they are sworn not only to protect but also to assist in times of great need.

Segovia also thanked the support of the local government units and non-government organizations for this pursuit. He also urged other sectors to extend their support by providing donations by way of construction materials. “This support will assist greatly in the mobilization to help the affected areas re-establish and to expedite their move towards recovery. More than ever, the 'JTF Tamabayayong' exhibits the inherent nature of Filipinos to uphold the spirit of Bayanihan (cooperation),” Segovia pointed out.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=492366

La Castellana ambush a cover-up of NPA’s dwindling strength- PA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): La Castellana ambush a cover-up of NPA’s dwindling strength- PA

Military officials said the Sunday ambush in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, where nine people were killed and six were wounded, was the New People's Army's (NPA) way of showing that it was still a force to reckon with despite its dwindling strength.

Capt. Ryan Cayton, deputy spokesperson of 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, said the La Castellana carnage was just a cover-up of its already weakening forces and desperate armed struggle.

Earlier, Police Regional Office Western Visayas (PRO6) regional director Police C/Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. also called on government agencies concerned, particularly the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), to extend help in the pursuit of justice. Cruz said the rebels inhumanity was a blatant and clear violation of human rights for the brutal killing of victims despite they begged for their lives.
Meanwhile, latest information reaching Iloilo City on Wednesday said the wounded victims including the two police officers were already stable. Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office OIC director Senior Supt. Celestino Guara, who also head the Task Force La Castellana investigating the bloody incident, said PO2 Jeffrey Alvarez and PO3 Constantino Villegas have been allowed by the hospital’s attending physicians to leave as outpatients after they were given immediate medical treatment for the gunshot wounds on their legs.

Other wounded victims identified as Jason Oximar, Victoriano Donasco, Jamil Roma, Bonifacio Bayate, Cristituto Perolino, Jerry Lacuedo, Roger Behar and Antonio Tornea were also reported in stable condition at the Western Visayas Regional Hospital in Bacolod City. Guara said of the wounded civilians presently confined in the said hospital, four were minors, two of whom has already been declared outpatients.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=492423

9 NPA rebels surrender in Catanduanes

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): 9 NPA rebels surrender in Catanduanes

At least nine New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Catanduanes gave up their armed struggle and surrendered on Monday to a Philippine Army (PA) official, Army Maj. Angelo Guzman, PA Bicol spokesperson, said Thursday.

Guzman said the strength of the communist movement is slowly waning after government forces heightened its “Bayanihan” program, an internal peace and security initiative aimed to end the four decades-old insurgency problem in the country.

Quoting Army Lt. Col Rodolfo Batang, commanding officer of the Army’s 83rd Infantry Battalion, he said the surrender of nine NPA rebels here is an indication that the command’s Bayanihan program is going on in full throttle.

Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, the newly installed AFP chief of staff, in a command conference in Manila told various AFP commanders to make “insurgency insignificant” by 2016. “They (rebels) have made the right decision to go down the mountains and abandoned the armed struggle and joined the main stream of society,” Guzman said.

He identified those who surrendered as Victor Soriao alias Vicvic, Edna Tavera alias Rona, Dante Coranes alias "Nhads", father and son Domingo dela Cruz Sr. alias "Kikay-Kikay" and Domingo Dela Cruz Jr., Eddie Tesorero alias "Taptap", Quimpo Ralla alias "Lilo", Florida Francisco alias "Pida" and Francisco Mejares alias "Ikwi."

Guzman said the NPA rebels surrendered in separate occasions from Jan. 20 to Jan. 27. Last year, a total of eight NPA rebels in Catanduanes surrendered to the command, he added. NPA rebels operating in the island province of Catanduanes belong to the Nerissa San Juan Command.

Guzman said those who surrendered are presently detained at the Army camp in San Andres town in Catanduanes and would undergo screening for the government’s “Balik-Loob” program. The rebels also surrendered an M16 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher and 46 pieces of 40mm grenade ammunition.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=492506

GPPB authorizes DND to start pre-negotiations with SK for fighter jets

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): GPPB authorizes DND to start pre-negotiations with SK for fighter jets

The Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) has authorized the Dept. of National Defense to start negotiations with South Korea regarding the acquisition of 12 KAI F/A-50 "Golden Eagle" fighter jets for the Philippine Air Force.

KAI is short for Korea Aerospace Industries. The F/A-50 is also known as the TA-50. The PAF decommissioned its last fighter jets, the Northrop F-5 "Freedom Fighter" last 2005, leaving the country with no supersonic interceptor capability.

This was revealed by Patrick Velez, DND assistant secretary for acquisitions, installations and logistics, Wednesday. The GPPB is chaired by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. "The GPPB has already approved the KAI (F/A)-50 (for pre-negotiations) last December. Remember that KAI (fighter manufacturer) was designated as the number one in a certain list of proponents or possible suppliers (of the Air Force's next generation of fighter jets)," he added.

Velez said the pre-negotiations will determine whether the aircraft is acceptable for Philippines service. "And if everything pushes through, we might be able to finish the contract by February," Velez stressed.

The country is expected to spend P18 billion if this aircraft will be selected as the PAF's next supersonic fighter plane. The F/A-50 design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50. The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots. The altitude limit is 14,600 meters, and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service. There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters, five in the fuselage and two in the wings. An additional 1,710 liters of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.

Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow. The F/A-50 "Golden Eagle" uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and Korea Aerospace Industries. The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4-1.5. Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN of thrust with afterburner.

And instead of the government-to-government bidding for the two frigates for the Philippines Navy, Velez said that the DND is now shifting to an "open bidding" so that the best possible and most capable ships can be acquired. The country is projected to spend around P11.7 billion for this frigates which must have the capability to engage air, surface and sub-surface targets and give the country a minimum credible deterrent in the West Philippines Sea. "Procurement process for the frigates must be done within the first quarter of 2013," Velez stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=492413

DND decries corruption claims by TI

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): DND decries corruption claims by TI

Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin Wednesday denied claims by Transparency International United Kingdom, which claimed the Philippines is one of the countries whose defense sectors have very high risk of corruption.

"We have been very transparent since the time of President (Benigno) S. Aquino III (which started in 2010). We made a lot of reforms in the bidding process to make it more transparent," he added. Gazmin said they even invited members of the media, civil society groups and even the Makati Business Club when bidding proceedings are ongoing.

The DND chief added they even provided interested civilians with Defense System Management seminars to give the latter more understanding on how the bidding process in the military goes on. He also stressed that accountability is emphasized in the DND bidding process as timelines are strictly followed. Gazmin also added he was unsure on what time frame TI used in its surveys on the Philippines but emphasized that it could not be during 2010.

The Philippines, according to TI, is among the countries whose defense sectors were at “very high risk” of corruption as it has inadequate safeguards to prevent graft. Eighty-two countries were surveyed in this study.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=492384

AFP's Bautista says review underway for military-police assistance pact

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): AFP's Bautista says review underway for military-police assistance pact

Following the bloody Atimonan shootout which left 13 persons dead last Jan. 6, the Armed Forces Wednesday announced it is reviewing the cooperation agreement between soldiers and police in peace and security operations.

Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista, AFP chief, made this statement after 21 soldiers were implicated in the incident after responding to a call for help by local police. "We are reviewing (the incident) right now to make sure that such incident won't happen again," he added.

The AFP chief also mulls the installation of safeguards to eliminate such occurrence. Bautista stressed the soldiers implicated in the Atimonan case went there in good faith based on the request for assistance by the police. But the AFP chief said they will await the results of the official investigation before coming up with a decision on how to sanction these soldiers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=492436

Despite rebel attacks AFP to pursue 'Bayanihan'

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): Despite rebel attacks AFP to pursue 'Bayanihan'

Despite New People's Army attacks, the most violent being in La Castellana town, Negros Occidental, the Armed Forces ) announced that it will still continue to implement its Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan" . Nine people died in the La Castellana attack.

Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista, AFP chief, said this is because the latter offers the best way for insurgent fighters a chance for peace and to be integrated peacefully intp society. Despite this pronouncement, he said the military will fulfill its mandate of protecting the country and its citizens against external and internal aggression. "We will sustain 'Bayanihan' and what happened in (La Castellana, Negros Occidental) will serve as a wake-up call for us on whether we want violence to rule our country," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=492469

PCG amenable to dismantlement option for USS Guardian

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): PCG amenable to dismantlement option for USS Guardian

As long as it has no adverse effects to the marine environment, the Philippine Coast Guard is amenable to the option eyed for the removal of the USS Guardian (MCM-5), still grounded at Tubbataha Reef at the Sulu Sea. "As long it will not have adverse effect on the marine environment, this option might be allowed," Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said. However, he added this is still not final as US Navy salvage teams are still to present their salvage plan to Philippines authorities.

US Pacific Fleet spokesperson Capt. Darryn James earlier said the USS Guardian will be removed in sections and that dismantlement could last a month. This was after salvage teams found a "propagation of cracks" at the ship's hull. "After a full review of all possible alternatives, our only viable option is to dismantle the damaged ship and remove it in sections," James stressed.

Recovery options earlier eyed include towing and lifting. He further said the USN is "developing a thoughtful and deliberate plan to safely remove individual sections of the ship without causing the release of harmful materials." Two heavy lift ship-borne salvage cranes are now en route to Tubbataha and expected to arrive Feb. 1, during which the dismantling operations will begin.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=492507

Gov't buying modern fighter jets for training, disaster response -- Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): Gov't buying modern fighter jets for training, disaster response -- Palace

The Philippines is buying 12 fighter jets from South Korea primarily for training, interdiction, disaster response, Malacanang said Wednesday.

The Dept. of Defense announced Wednesday the Philippines is purchasing combat aircraft from South Korea as part of its modernization program. “We are buying. I confirmed it with Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. They are primarily for training, interdiction, disaster response. These planes have camera capabilities to monitor and also take pictures of disaster areas. So it will be used in a number of ways,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told a press conference in Malacanang.

The new planes will be deployed whenever they are necessary, he added. “If there is a disaster, it will be deployed to monitor and see the extent of damage, for instance, in a disaster area. It will be deployed whenever there’s a need for the plane to be deployed,” he explained.

The military hardware upgrade is already a priority even before the country’s latest incident with China, Lacierda said, noting the dispute wasn’t an issue when the government decided to upgrade its military hardware.

The government is modernizing the country’s military air assets after the air force decommissioned its fighter jets, Lacierda said. “We don’t have any existing jets right now that are in use, therefore, it is necessary for us to upgrade based on our commitment to upgrade our military hardware and this is part of the ongoing process of modernizing our military,” he said.

The Armed Forces Modernization Act has been a priority for the administration, he said, noting that the plan to buy new fighter aircraft is part of the modernization program.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=492569

So-called "permit to campaign/permit to win" a military invention to discredit the revolutionary movement

Posted to the CPP Website (Jan 30): So-called "permit to campaign/permit to win" a military invention to discredit the revolutionary movement

Fr. Santiago Salas (Ka Sanny)
Spokesperson
NDF Eastern Visayas Chapter

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today said the alleged price list by the revolutionary movement for “permit to campaign/permit to win” fees in the coming elections is an invention by the 8th Infantry Division. "The allegation of the revolutionary movement’s “permit to campaign/permit to win” fees is a long-running attempt of the reactionary government and the military to deny and discredit the People’s Democratic Government," said Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, NDF-EV spokesperson.

“The 8th ID is maliciously trying to reduce into a mere financial transaction the otherwise highly significant reality of reactionary politicians negotiating with the People’s Democratic Government. The reactionary politicians recognize that there are two governments in the country today, and in negotiating for electoral access they thereby accept the authority, territory, and the laws and policies of the People’s Democratic Government.”

Fr. Salas added that all candidates in the 2013 elections must have permission for electoral access from the People’s Democratic Government. “The reactionary politicians must negotiate the terms and conditions of their electoral access. They must abide with the requirements imposed on them, such as they must not threaten the people or buy votes, they must not bring excessive armed security or the military and police in their campaign sorties, and they must contribute to the well-being of the people. Those who violate the terms of their electoral access are subject to punishment like the disarming of their armed minions, confiscation of bribe money, and other such measures deemed necessary by the revolutionary authorities.”

Fr. Salas also scoffed at the military’s claim that electoral candidates can buy a “permit to win.” “A candidate with electoral access from the People’s Democratic Government must still convince the people in the revolutionary territory who are politically conscious and therefore critical of the reactionary ruling system.

The revolutionary forces and the awakened masses understand the reactionary elections are farcical and will not lead to basic changes. But they can certainly work together against reactionary die-hards who support the military’s human rights violations under Oplan Bayanihan, who are involved in plunder, and who are pushing for imperialist mining and other anti-national and anti-democratic policies.

Meanwhile, candidates who are progressive in carrying nationalist and democratic aspirations will certainly strike a chord with the people. Thus the revolutionary forces and the people are the ones who must win in being united in what can be best gained in taking advantage of the reactionary elections to further advance the revolutionary struggle.”

The NDF-EV spokesperson urged the people to be critical of the coming elections and to intensify their armed and unarmed struggles. “The ruling system uses the reactionary dual tactics of armed violence on one hand to suppress the people, and elections on the other hand to sow disunity and calm the people without undertaking fundamental changes.

The revolutionary forces must then do their best in the revolutionary dual tactics of intensifying the armed struggle and in taking advantage of the reactionary elections to unite the people. The New People’s Army must increase offensives throughout the election period and beyond to broadcast to the people that revolution is the answer to their problems, not the elections.

The revolutionary forces in the cities and countryside must seize the day to arouse, organize and mobilize the people in mass struggles for land, work, political and electoral reforms and other basic issues during the election period to highlight what the people are really demanding. The reactionary elections have always been about who will continue or will be the next to exploit and oppress the people, but the people can turn the tables on the reactionaries and advance the revolutionary cause.”

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/so-called-permit-to-campaign-permit-to-win-a-military-invention-to-discredit-the-revolutionary-movement