From Rappler (Jan 30): Brother of anti-mining tribal leader slain
The brother of fugitive Blaan tribal leader Daguil Cafeon was slain in an alleged encounter with soldiers in the remote village of Kimlawis in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur Tuesday morning, January 29. Killed was Kitari Cafeon who, according to the military, was hit in the hip and rushed to the Allah Valley Hospital in Koronadal City but died several hours later.
Army Capt. William Alfred Rodriguez, spokesman of the 1002nd Brigade based in Sarangani province, said a squad of soldiers from Task Force Kitako led by Sgt Edwin Olpoc was conducting foot patrol when it was reportedly fired upon by the armed tribal group led by Daguil Cafeon. After a brief encounter, Cafeon and his group reportedly withdrew, leaving behind Kitari.
The Cafeon (not Capion as previously reported) brothers and their group have been called bandits by the military.
In October 2012, Cafeon’s wife Juvy was killed together with his son and his wife’s son by first marriage when a platoon of soldiers strafed their house in nearby Sitio Datal-Alyong, also in Kimlawis, during an early morning raid.
Cafeon was unharmed because he had opted to sleep the night before in a nearby farm. The military then claimed the killing was a result of an encounter but human rights groups called it a massacre.
Cafeon himself had told media there was no exchange of gunfire as he was some 200 meters away from their house when the soldiers fired at his wife and children. Following protests, the military investigated its men and put them under court martial.
Anti-SMI
The Cafeon brothers are wanted for a string of ambuscades that left at least 6 people dead, most of them security guards, drill contractors and consultants of Sagittarius Mines Inc.. Several arrest warrants have been issued against them and their group.
Cafeon and several Blaan residents Bong Mal, Tampakan town of South Cotabato took arms to protest the ongoing mining operations of SMI in their area. Daguil Cafeon is accusing SMI of encroaching into their ancestral domain. Cafeon’s two other brothers have also joined him and are likewise wanted by the government.
http://www.rappler.com/business/special-report/whymining/whymining-latest-stories/20775-brother-of-anti-mining-tribal-leader-slain
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
A local crisis committee working to free rebel hostages
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): A local crisis committee working to free rebel hostages
The local government unit of Laak, Compostela Valley province will be negotiating with New Peoples Army rebels for the freedom of an abducted soldier and a policeman who have been in the hands of the latter for the past 12 days.
Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said Private First Class Jezreel Culango and PO1 Ruel Pasion remain in the hands of their captors after they were held captived by the rebels disguised as soldiers on January 17 in Barangay Imelda.
He said that a local crisis committee has been formed to talk to the rebels and facilitate for their release.
The soldier was about to visit his girlfriend in Barangay Mangloy, Laak while Pasion, a member of the San Isidro Police Station just happened to pass by in the area when they were accosted by the rebels.
Paniza called the incident, a desperate move by the rebels to get public attention, after their front organizations failed in their propaganda to hit government efforts in reaching out to areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo.
In a separate interview, Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of the Police Regional Office 11 also confirmed the initiative of the local government of Laak to negotiate the release of the captives.
He also hoped that just like in previous abductions of government personnel, victims will be treated well and will be released unharmed.
“Wish the captives will be freed soon to appease their respective families,” Morente said.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381359428050
The local government unit of Laak, Compostela Valley province will be negotiating with New Peoples Army rebels for the freedom of an abducted soldier and a policeman who have been in the hands of the latter for the past 12 days.
Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said Private First Class Jezreel Culango and PO1 Ruel Pasion remain in the hands of their captors after they were held captived by the rebels disguised as soldiers on January 17 in Barangay Imelda.
He said that a local crisis committee has been formed to talk to the rebels and facilitate for their release.
The soldier was about to visit his girlfriend in Barangay Mangloy, Laak while Pasion, a member of the San Isidro Police Station just happened to pass by in the area when they were accosted by the rebels.
Paniza called the incident, a desperate move by the rebels to get public attention, after their front organizations failed in their propaganda to hit government efforts in reaching out to areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo.
In a separate interview, Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of the Police Regional Office 11 also confirmed the initiative of the local government of Laak to negotiate the release of the captives.
He also hoped that just like in previous abductions of government personnel, victims will be treated well and will be released unharmed.
“Wish the captives will be freed soon to appease their respective families,” Morente said.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381359428050
Army repairs 82 houses, gov't buildings in typhoon areas
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Army repairs 82 houses, gov't buildings in typhoon areas
A total of 82 houses, nine government facilities and one chapel had been repaired by the Joint Task Force Tambayayong, an initiative of soldiers to help areas hardest hit by Typhoon Pablo which struck the region last December 4, 2012.
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 repaired 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 will 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 will go on as part of the recovery and rehabilitation effort by government on the disaster- affected areas.
He said it is the soldiers’ way of going beyond the call in 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 Joint JTF Tamabayayong exhibits the inherent nature of Filipinos to uphold the spirit of Bayanihan,” Segovia pointed out.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381359512271
A total of 82 houses, nine government facilities and one chapel had been repaired by the Joint Task Force Tambayayong, an initiative of soldiers to help areas hardest hit by Typhoon Pablo which struck the region last December 4, 2012.
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 repaired 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 will 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 will go on as part of the recovery and rehabilitation effort by government on the disaster- affected areas.
He said it is the soldiers’ way of going beyond the call in 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 Joint JTF Tamabayayong exhibits the inherent nature of Filipinos to uphold the spirit of Bayanihan,” Segovia pointed out.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381359512271
Peace committee to bring dev't projects to Tabuanlasa Islands
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Peace committee to bring dev't projects to Tabuanlasa Islands
The Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee will visit Tabuanlasa municipality on Jan. 30 - 31 to bring development projects and government services to this hard-to-reach islands south of Basilan.
Dubbed “Bayanihan sa Tabuanlasa Tungo sa Kapayapaan,” the residents of Sulloh and Lanawan islands will benefit from the services and programs that participating agencies and organizations will be bringing.
The project was conceived to rehabilitate the municipality, particularly in rebuilding some shelters destroyed in past conflicts that displaced a number of families, said Tahira Ismael, provincial administrator.
The 104th Philippine Army Brigade in Basilan will lead in the rebuilding of 37 permanent shelters, particularly in the village of Sulloh, Tapiantana. This housing project is supported by the provincial government of Basilan and the regional government of ARMM.
More than a hundred visitors are expected to arrive in Tabuanlasa, to include several participating government agencies, non-government organizations, the military and police, and media.
The Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. and the Basilan Advocates for Peace, Environment, and Sustainable Development Association Inc. (Bapesda) are expected to conduct psycho-social intervention to the children; they will also be distributing school supplies.
The Provincial Health Office and the Tabuanlasa municipal health office will lead in the conduct of medical and dental program in tandem with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The provincial Social Welfare and Development personnel and the AFP will conduct feeding sessions with the kids, too. Local teachers will also have a dialogue session with the Department of Education-ARMM.
The Basilan Jaycees Inc. is also expected to turn-over to the local schools around 20 boxes of books. The Asia Foundation, through Bapesda, had promised to donate books to the elementary schools.
At the preparatory meeting in Isabela City, Tabuanlasa Mayor Muktar Y. Junaid was elated, expressing his gratitude to the Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee also known as Team Basilan for the initiatives.
Tabuan-Lasa is one of the 11 municipalities and a city that comprise the province of Basilan in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The town is politically subdivided into 12 barangays, and is part of the lone congressional district of Basilan with a population of 13,384 people.
The 12 barangays that make up Tabuan-Lasa, which were formerly part of the municipality of Sumisip, are situated in the islands and detached from mainland Basilan.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421359451553
The Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee will visit Tabuanlasa municipality on Jan. 30 - 31 to bring development projects and government services to this hard-to-reach islands south of Basilan.
Dubbed “Bayanihan sa Tabuanlasa Tungo sa Kapayapaan,” the residents of Sulloh and Lanawan islands will benefit from the services and programs that participating agencies and organizations will be bringing.
The project was conceived to rehabilitate the municipality, particularly in rebuilding some shelters destroyed in past conflicts that displaced a number of families, said Tahira Ismael, provincial administrator.
The 104th Philippine Army Brigade in Basilan will lead in the rebuilding of 37 permanent shelters, particularly in the village of Sulloh, Tapiantana. This housing project is supported by the provincial government of Basilan and the regional government of ARMM.
More than a hundred visitors are expected to arrive in Tabuanlasa, to include several participating government agencies, non-government organizations, the military and police, and media.
The Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. and the Basilan Advocates for Peace, Environment, and Sustainable Development Association Inc. (Bapesda) are expected to conduct psycho-social intervention to the children; they will also be distributing school supplies.
The Provincial Health Office and the Tabuanlasa municipal health office will lead in the conduct of medical and dental program in tandem with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The provincial Social Welfare and Development personnel and the AFP will conduct feeding sessions with the kids, too. Local teachers will also have a dialogue session with the Department of Education-ARMM.
The Basilan Jaycees Inc. is also expected to turn-over to the local schools around 20 boxes of books. The Asia Foundation, through Bapesda, had promised to donate books to the elementary schools.
At the preparatory meeting in Isabela City, Tabuanlasa Mayor Muktar Y. Junaid was elated, expressing his gratitude to the Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee also known as Team Basilan for the initiatives.
Tabuan-Lasa is one of the 11 municipalities and a city that comprise the province of Basilan in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The town is politically subdivided into 12 barangays, and is part of the lone congressional district of Basilan with a population of 13,384 people.
The 12 barangays that make up Tabuan-Lasa, which were formerly part of the municipality of Sumisip, are situated in the islands and detached from mainland Basilan.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421359451553
Army doubles efforts to rid Samar of insurgents
From the Philippine Information Agecny (Jan 30): Army doubles efforts to rid Samar of insurgents
“We have reduced the enemy’s capabilities,” said Colonel Romeo Labador, the commanding officer of the 801st Infantry Brigade as he reports to the Samar Peace and order Council, Monday. He cited a decline in the number of insurgents collectively known as CNN meaning, CPP/NPA/NDF.
“We have cleared 42 barangays,” he added. By this he meant barangays that have been influenced by the CNN and now have withdrawn support to the insurgents. He added that they also have reduced the enemy capabilities citing a reduced number of insurgents and firearms.
He reported that their forces focused more efforts on the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) which target the hearts of the local populace. This approach involves governance, delivery of basic services, economic reconstruction and sustainable development and security sector reform.
So that presently, Labador and other army battalions focus their resources in converging with their civilian partners in government bringing them to the hinterlands which they called peace and development forum. Government agencies lay out their programs to the locales and accommodate their reasonable needs, the army also bring their medical/dental services.
One army commander said that Samarnons have become insurgents because they feel neglected by the government, through the army, government services will be brought to their barangays.
While there is no let-up in their security measures, the army feels that combat does not necessarily end the war.
The team of Labador also proudly declared that for the past year, there was no report of any human rights violation of their troops based at Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221359507854
“We have reduced the enemy’s capabilities,” said Colonel Romeo Labador, the commanding officer of the 801st Infantry Brigade as he reports to the Samar Peace and order Council, Monday. He cited a decline in the number of insurgents collectively known as CNN meaning, CPP/NPA/NDF.
“We have cleared 42 barangays,” he added. By this he meant barangays that have been influenced by the CNN and now have withdrawn support to the insurgents. He added that they also have reduced the enemy capabilities citing a reduced number of insurgents and firearms.
He reported that their forces focused more efforts on the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) which target the hearts of the local populace. This approach involves governance, delivery of basic services, economic reconstruction and sustainable development and security sector reform.
So that presently, Labador and other army battalions focus their resources in converging with their civilian partners in government bringing them to the hinterlands which they called peace and development forum. Government agencies lay out their programs to the locales and accommodate their reasonable needs, the army also bring their medical/dental services.
One army commander said that Samarnons have become insurgents because they feel neglected by the government, through the army, government services will be brought to their barangays.
While there is no let-up in their security measures, the army feels that combat does not necessarily end the war.
The team of Labador also proudly declared that for the past year, there was no report of any human rights violation of their troops based at Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221359507854
Soldiers too are protectors of the environment
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Soldiers too are protectors of the environment
Sixty soldiers assigned in Western Visayas underwent a three-day training recently on environmental laws, policies, and regulations in compliance with the 3rd Infantry Division's Executive Order No. 23 also known as "Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force."
The training also gave the soldiers a better understanding of guidelines in the implementation of anti-illegal logging operations.
Livino B. Duran, technical director, FMS of DENR-6 lauded the initiative of the 3rd Division for this training saying, "As law enforcers, we are in charge of handling and apprehension of forest violators and as partner agencies, we continue to collaborate to protect our environment and its resources."
Col. Wilson Leyva, chief of staff 3ID, said, "At this time when we are directly feeling the adverse effects of climate change, it is imperative upon us to take a pro-active measures including the implementation of the National Greening Program to ensure the protection of our environment from degradation caused by illegal activities."
The creation of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force will allow the troops together with the DENR and PNP top enforce the moratorium and lead the anti-illegal logging campaign.
The Task Force is also mandated to ensure the implementation of the Executive Order under the supervision of the DENR and likewise assist the agency in the enforcement of other environmental laws.
In Region 6, Resolution No. 2012-002 series of 2012 prescribing the mechanics of operation for Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign was signed last March 2,2012 in Iloilo City by then Regional Executive Director Julian Amador of DENR, Dir. Evelyn Trompeta of DILG, PC/SUPT Cipriano E. Querol of PNP 6 and MGen Jose Z. Mabanta Jr, Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=971359453809
Sixty soldiers assigned in Western Visayas underwent a three-day training recently on environmental laws, policies, and regulations in compliance with the 3rd Infantry Division's Executive Order No. 23 also known as "Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force."
The training also gave the soldiers a better understanding of guidelines in the implementation of anti-illegal logging operations.
Livino B. Duran, technical director, FMS of DENR-6 lauded the initiative of the 3rd Division for this training saying, "As law enforcers, we are in charge of handling and apprehension of forest violators and as partner agencies, we continue to collaborate to protect our environment and its resources."
Col. Wilson Leyva, chief of staff 3ID, said, "At this time when we are directly feeling the adverse effects of climate change, it is imperative upon us to take a pro-active measures including the implementation of the National Greening Program to ensure the protection of our environment from degradation caused by illegal activities."
The creation of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force will allow the troops together with the DENR and PNP top enforce the moratorium and lead the anti-illegal logging campaign.
The Task Force is also mandated to ensure the implementation of the Executive Order under the supervision of the DENR and likewise assist the agency in the enforcement of other environmental laws.
In Region 6, Resolution No. 2012-002 series of 2012 prescribing the mechanics of operation for Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign was signed last March 2,2012 in Iloilo City by then Regional Executive Director Julian Amador of DENR, Dir. Evelyn Trompeta of DILG, PC/SUPT Cipriano E. Querol of PNP 6 and MGen Jose Z. Mabanta Jr, Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=971359453809
Nine NPA rebels abandon armed struggle in Catanduanes
From Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Nine NPA rebels abandon armed struggle in Catanduanes
The Army unit in the island province of Catanduanes continues to win the peace as a significant number of NPA rebels abandoned the armed struggle and joined the main stream of the society this January.
“Nine NPA rebels made the right decision to go down the mountains from the period Jan 17-27 this year,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rodolfo Batang, commanding officer of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in San Andres town in Catanduanes.
Batang said the primary activities the unit is focusing now is the enrichment of knowledge of the former rebels through livelihood programs and seminars that they hope would enable them to support themselves when they are taken back to the mainstream society.
In 2012, also eight NPA rebels surrendered to the 83rd Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Batang.
“Through our Bayanihan Teams (BTs) which are deployed in insurgency influenced areas in Catanduanes, the citizens are educated on the importance of the IPSP 'Bayanihan' campaign of the AFP against insurgency,” said Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya AFP, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade in Daraga, Albay.
The brigade has operational jurisdiction of Army units in Albay and Catanduanes.
“The active presence of our BTs and the continuous operations drove them to voluntarily go down the mountains because they are no longer able to move freely among the masses from whom they used extortion money and other insurgency tactics,” Visaya said.
He also said that these surrenderees should set as examples for other rebels to follow.
Aside from the “snowball” of surrenders, Visaya said that through the efforts of the Bayanihan Teams, an M16 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher and 46 pieces of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition were also surrendered last January 20, 2013 in San Vicente, Virac, Catanduanes.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=771359527288
The Army unit in the island province of Catanduanes continues to win the peace as a significant number of NPA rebels abandoned the armed struggle and joined the main stream of the society this January.
“Nine NPA rebels made the right decision to go down the mountains from the period Jan 17-27 this year,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rodolfo Batang, commanding officer of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in San Andres town in Catanduanes.
Batang said the primary activities the unit is focusing now is the enrichment of knowledge of the former rebels through livelihood programs and seminars that they hope would enable them to support themselves when they are taken back to the mainstream society.
In 2012, also eight NPA rebels surrendered to the 83rd Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Batang.
“Through our Bayanihan Teams (BTs) which are deployed in insurgency influenced areas in Catanduanes, the citizens are educated on the importance of the IPSP 'Bayanihan' campaign of the AFP against insurgency,” said Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya AFP, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade in Daraga, Albay.
The brigade has operational jurisdiction of Army units in Albay and Catanduanes.
“The active presence of our BTs and the continuous operations drove them to voluntarily go down the mountains because they are no longer able to move freely among the masses from whom they used extortion money and other insurgency tactics,” Visaya said.
He also said that these surrenderees should set as examples for other rebels to follow.
Aside from the “snowball” of surrenders, Visaya said that through the efforts of the Bayanihan Teams, an M16 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher and 46 pieces of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition were also surrendered last January 20, 2013 in San Vicente, Virac, Catanduanes.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=771359527288
Prayer rally held for slain victims of La Castellana ambush
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): Prayer rally held for slain victims of
La Castellana ambush
A prayer rally was held Tuesday in Barangay Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental as tribute to the nine fatalities in the ambush early Sunday morning believed perpetrated by members of the New People’s Army.
The prayer rally was attended by residents particularly families of the victims and military personnel led by 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Oscar Lactao. Local officials of La Castellana led by Mayor Albert Nicor and officials of Barangay Cabacungan and Barangay Puso also joined the prayer rally.
A mass was also held for the victims of rebel atrocities after which Mayor Nicor expressed his sorrow for the untimely demise of the victims and hope that this gruesome incident will not happen again. The families of the victims cried for justice for their kin who were indiscriminately sprayed with bullets, with rebels not even sparing innocent minors and civilians. They strongly condemned the rebels who perpetrated the gruesome crime. Despite the fear gripping the two hinterland barangays the days following the bloodbath, anxious residents hope the terror-filled atmosphere will fade away so that they could go back to normal life. Col. Lactao, however, observed that the tense situation has somehow stabilized in the two adjoining barangays days after the grisly incident where a police officer and eight civilians mostly members of the Barangay Peace-keeping Action Team were killed and 12 others including two police officers and four minors were wounded. He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will extend a helping hand particularly financial assistance to the bereaved families of the slain victims. The military authorities also making validation relative to the information on the suspected lairs where the rebel perpetrators are holed. Earlier, C/Supt. Agrimero Cruz, regional director of the Police Regional Office 6 based in Camp Delgado here ordered the creation of Task Force La Castellana headed by Negros Occidental provincial director S/Supt. Celestino Guara to investigate the incident and track down the suspects.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=492608
A prayer rally was held Tuesday in Barangay Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental as tribute to the nine fatalities in the ambush early Sunday morning believed perpetrated by members of the New People’s Army.
The prayer rally was attended by residents particularly families of the victims and military personnel led by 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Oscar Lactao. Local officials of La Castellana led by Mayor Albert Nicor and officials of Barangay Cabacungan and Barangay Puso also joined the prayer rally.
A mass was also held for the victims of rebel atrocities after which Mayor Nicor expressed his sorrow for the untimely demise of the victims and hope that this gruesome incident will not happen again. The families of the victims cried for justice for their kin who were indiscriminately sprayed with bullets, with rebels not even sparing innocent minors and civilians. They strongly condemned the rebels who perpetrated the gruesome crime. Despite the fear gripping the two hinterland barangays the days following the bloodbath, anxious residents hope the terror-filled atmosphere will fade away so that they could go back to normal life. Col. Lactao, however, observed that the tense situation has somehow stabilized in the two adjoining barangays days after the grisly incident where a police officer and eight civilians mostly members of the Barangay Peace-keeping Action Team were killed and 12 others including two police officers and four minors were wounded. He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will extend a helping hand particularly financial assistance to the bereaved families of the slain victims. The military authorities also making validation relative to the information on the suspected lairs where the rebel perpetrators are holed. Earlier, C/Supt. Agrimero Cruz, regional director of the Police Regional Office 6 based in Camp Delgado here ordered the creation of Task Force La Castellana headed by Negros Occidental provincial director S/Supt. Celestino Guara to investigate the incident and track down the suspects.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=492608
Photo Essay: UP community says: Save Tubbataha, Junk VFA (Palma Hall, UP campus)
Photo essay posted to the Arkibong Bayan (People's Archive) (Jan 30): Photo Essay: UP community
says: Save Tubbataha, Junk
VFA (Palma Hall, UP campus)
UP Community Says Save Tubbataha Junk VFA
January 30, 2013
January 30, 2013
Concerned members of the University of the Philippines
(UP) Diliman community express outrage over the wanton damage of the Tubbataha
Reef by the USS Guardian, a US mine sweeper that initially docked at Subic last
January 12 and was supposed to make a stopover at Puerto Princesa City before
going to Indonesia.
The Tubbataha Reef, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, is part of the Coral Triangle which contains at least 40% of the world fish and 75% of the world’s coral. It also serves as one of the key sources of coral and fish larvae of the greaterSulu Sea which sustains
the fishing activity in the surrounding area. (Source:
http://tubbatahareef.org/wp/global_ecological_significance)
US US
That the US Navy will only be fined US$300 (or roughly PhP12,000) for every damaged square meter is unacceptable even if it may be legal. The Coral Reef is priceless and its damage is made worse by the blatant and arrogant disregard of theUS
First, the warship ignored the warning of the Park Rangers that they were entering a protected area and should not proceed. Instead theUS
Second, when the ship ran aground, the crew prevented the Park Rangers from boarding the ship by going into a battle formation.
This is not the first time thatUS
brought harm to our people and our environment and encroached on our sovereignty. TheUS has not
yet cleaned up the toxic wastes that they left in Subic and Clark
since 1992. Just recently, a US Naval contractor dumped solid and human waste
in the vicinity of Subic Bay . Drone and
missile testing is being done inside our territory. The New York Times reported
the admission by US officials that in 2006 an American Predator unmanned aerial
vehicle, or drone, fired a “barrage of Hellfire missiles” in the “jungles of
the Philippines US drone
was discovered floating off the island
of Masbate Philippines
US military forces, battle ships, and warplanes can move around Philippine territory and do damage to the people and environment with impunity because of the Visiting Forces Agreement.
It is in this light that concerned members of the UP Diliman community strongly call on the Aquino administration to make the US Navy accountable for the damage to the Tubbataha Reef and to assert thePhilippines
We renew our call to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement. This call is consistent with the patriotic tradition of the University of thePhilippines
Save the Tubbataha Reef!
US Troops Out Now!
Junk the Visiting Forces Agreement
The Tubbataha Reef, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, is part of the Coral Triangle which contains at least 40% of the world fish and 75% of the world’s coral. It also serves as one of the key sources of coral and fish larvae of the greater
That the US Navy will only be fined US$300 (or roughly PhP12,000) for every damaged square meter is unacceptable even if it may be legal. The Coral Reef is priceless and its damage is made worse by the blatant and arrogant disregard of the
First, the warship ignored the warning of the Park Rangers that they were entering a protected area and should not proceed. Instead the
Second, when the ship ran aground, the crew prevented the Park Rangers from boarding the ship by going into a battle formation.
This is not the first time that
brought harm to our people and our environment and encroached on our sovereignty. The
US military forces, battle ships, and warplanes can move around Philippine territory and do damage to the people and environment with impunity because of the Visiting Forces Agreement.
It is in this light that concerned members of the UP Diliman community strongly call on the Aquino administration to make the US Navy accountable for the damage to the Tubbataha Reef and to assert the
We renew our call to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement. This call is consistent with the patriotic tradition of the University of the
Save the Tubbataha Reef!
US Troops Out Now!
Junk the Visiting Forces Agreement
US lawmaker apologizes for grounded USS Guardian, silent on destruction to reef
From the Daily Tribune (Jan 30): US lawmaker apologizes for grounded USS Guardian, silent on destruction to reef
At the height of crisis facing the United States Navy involving its grounded minesweeper USS Guardian, a congressional delegation composed of the members of the United States Congress and a city mayor from the state of California arrived in Manila conveying apologies, particularly on the Tubbataha incident, in a meeting with President Aquino yesterday morning in Malacañang.
“We had a courtesy call by the congressional delegation headed by Rep. Ed Royce of California. He was together with Congressmen Tom Marino of Pennsylvania, Vernon Buchanan of Florida, Matt Salmon of Arizona, and Eliot Engel of the 16th District of New York,” said Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesman, who gave the information that Royce officially extended the apology to the President. “The US congressional delegation also, through Congressman Ed Royce, expressed regrets over the Tubbataha Reef (incident),” Lacierda said.
Aside from the congressional delegation, Lacierda said, the city mayor of Daly City has also tendered for a courtesy call along with other city officials.“We had a courtesy call from Mayor Raymond Buenaventura of Daly City. He is a Fil-Am. He is the second Filipino-American mayor of Daly City,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda refused to provide details of the discussion done by the delegation with the President which according to him lasted for almost an hour. He only said that it was a “fruitful discussion.” “So it was a very fruitful discussion. So, overall, we had a very good courtesy call by these two delegations. And, again, we look forward to deeper business relations and the opening up of more economic opportunities between the US and the Philippines,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda insisted that the courtesy call to the President was meant for trade discussion. “This is primarily a trade delegation. They were talking about business opportunities. In fact, to strengthen their economic ties with the Philippines and to explore more opportunities here was the emphasis of our discussion. In fact, after the meeting with the President, this particular congressional delegation was going to have lunch or did have lunch with the economic cluster team,” Lacierda added.
He said he was uncertain whether the courtesy call was scheduled before of after the day of Tubbataha incident in Sulu sea on Jan. 17. He said the regular protocol was that a courtesy call has to be arranged through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “We’ll verify that but it’s always coursed through the DFA. For instance, apart from the congressional delegation (there was also) a request to pay a courtesy call on the President by Mayor Buenaventura of Daly City. So everything is done through DFA when it comes to foreign government officials who would like to pay a courtesy call on the President,” Lacierda said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/item/9880-us-lawmaker-apologizes-for-grounded-uss-guardian-silent-on-destruction-to-reef
At the height of crisis facing the United States Navy involving its grounded minesweeper USS Guardian, a congressional delegation composed of the members of the United States Congress and a city mayor from the state of California arrived in Manila conveying apologies, particularly on the Tubbataha incident, in a meeting with President Aquino yesterday morning in Malacañang.
“We had a courtesy call by the congressional delegation headed by Rep. Ed Royce of California. He was together with Congressmen Tom Marino of Pennsylvania, Vernon Buchanan of Florida, Matt Salmon of Arizona, and Eliot Engel of the 16th District of New York,” said Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesman, who gave the information that Royce officially extended the apology to the President. “The US congressional delegation also, through Congressman Ed Royce, expressed regrets over the Tubbataha Reef (incident),” Lacierda said.
Aside from the congressional delegation, Lacierda said, the city mayor of Daly City has also tendered for a courtesy call along with other city officials.“We had a courtesy call from Mayor Raymond Buenaventura of Daly City. He is a Fil-Am. He is the second Filipino-American mayor of Daly City,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda refused to provide details of the discussion done by the delegation with the President which according to him lasted for almost an hour. He only said that it was a “fruitful discussion.” “So it was a very fruitful discussion. So, overall, we had a very good courtesy call by these two delegations. And, again, we look forward to deeper business relations and the opening up of more economic opportunities between the US and the Philippines,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda insisted that the courtesy call to the President was meant for trade discussion. “This is primarily a trade delegation. They were talking about business opportunities. In fact, to strengthen their economic ties with the Philippines and to explore more opportunities here was the emphasis of our discussion. In fact, after the meeting with the President, this particular congressional delegation was going to have lunch or did have lunch with the economic cluster team,” Lacierda added.
He said he was uncertain whether the courtesy call was scheduled before of after the day of Tubbataha incident in Sulu sea on Jan. 17. He said the regular protocol was that a courtesy call has to be arranged through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “We’ll verify that but it’s always coursed through the DFA. For instance, apart from the congressional delegation (there was also) a request to pay a courtesy call on the President by Mayor Buenaventura of Daly City. So everything is done through DFA when it comes to foreign government officials who would like to pay a courtesy call on the President,” Lacierda said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/item/9880-us-lawmaker-apologizes-for-grounded-uss-guardian-silent-on-destruction-to-reef
Al Barka raid leader now immune from arrest
From the Daily Tribune (Jan 30): Al Barka raid leader now immune from arrest
The peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had virtually turned fugitives who are members of the rebel group into untouchables, with their warrants of arrest sus-pended, in-cluding that on Dan Lak-saw Asnawi, the MILF commander who led the Al Barka carnage of 19 Special Forces soldiers, including four junior officers, in 2011.
This was evidenced by a Jan. 21 public meeting between Army 104th Brigade chief Col. Carlito Galvez and Asnawi in Sumisip, Basilan where the two, along with some of their men, witnessed a supposed peace covenant between warring clans in the area.
The government and the MILF signed in Oct. 15 last year the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro that seeks to create a substate for the rebel group.
Asnawi, commander of the 114th Base Command of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), was tagged in the Oct. 18, 2011 clash between combined MILF and Abu Sayyaf fighters and members of the Army’s elite 4th Special Forces Battalion in Al Barka town.
The Special Forces were dispatched to serve an arrest warrant against Asnawi and Abu Sayyaf leader Long Malat for their involvement in the 2009 killing of 14 members of the Philippine Marines, some of them were beheaded, also in Al Barka.
The 10-hour clash resulted in the killing of 19 Special Forces soldiers, four of them junior officers. Again, Asnawi was charged, in fact he was among the subjects of President Aquino’s declaration of “all-out justice.”
At a press briefing yesterday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista did not categorically answer queries why Asnawi was not arrested during a meeting with Galvez and how could justice be served to the victims of his atrocities. Galvez is the military commander in Basilan province.
“These matters are in fact being discussed in our Framework Agreement, our panels are meeting. In fact, that is one of the things being discussed, the transitional justice. So we just wait for the final outcome of the negotiations,” replied Bautista when asked why Asnawi was not arrested.
“We have decided, both sides have decided to end the armed struggle, we had the Framework Agreement to settle these issues peacefully,” added Bautista.
Pressed what are the sentiments of the soldiers on the matter, Bautista replied “we support the peace process but we also are after justice, rule of law…that is why the transitional justice is being discussed, this is our mechanism.”
Likewise, the Philippine Army is having a difficult time implementing the elections gun ban on areas in Mindanao which are supposed territories of the MILF.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division even had to issue an appeal to the public to help in the effective implementation of election gun ban in those areas. “We need cooperation from the commuters and motorists during implementation of gun ban to avoid delays,” Col. Dickson Hermoso said.
Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said gun owners should make documents at hand so that it can be checked by soldiers manning checkpoints without delay. The 6th ID covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato. The 6th ID is based in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
Hermoso made the appeal following complaints by motorists that soldiers are “very strict” in the gun ban implementation that causes heavy traffic flows along highways in Maguindanao.
More than a dozen election gun ban violators have been arrested and at least 20 assorted firearms were confiscated. According to Hermoso, there are local officials who, sometimes, refused to be subjected to inspection, thereby causing delays and traffic jams.
In implementing election gun ban which began on Jan. 13, the military and the police are applying “plain view” principle. Maguindanao is home to many loose firearms, including those in the hands of MILF, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and other armed groups.
Relatedly, Bautista yesterday received his fourth star from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin during simple donning of ranks ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/item/9885-al-barka-raid-leader-now-immune-from-arrest
The peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had virtually turned fugitives who are members of the rebel group into untouchables, with their warrants of arrest sus-pended, in-cluding that on Dan Lak-saw Asnawi, the MILF commander who led the Al Barka carnage of 19 Special Forces soldiers, including four junior officers, in 2011.
This was evidenced by a Jan. 21 public meeting between Army 104th Brigade chief Col. Carlito Galvez and Asnawi in Sumisip, Basilan where the two, along with some of their men, witnessed a supposed peace covenant between warring clans in the area.
The government and the MILF signed in Oct. 15 last year the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro that seeks to create a substate for the rebel group.
Asnawi, commander of the 114th Base Command of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), was tagged in the Oct. 18, 2011 clash between combined MILF and Abu Sayyaf fighters and members of the Army’s elite 4th Special Forces Battalion in Al Barka town.
The Special Forces were dispatched to serve an arrest warrant against Asnawi and Abu Sayyaf leader Long Malat for their involvement in the 2009 killing of 14 members of the Philippine Marines, some of them were beheaded, also in Al Barka.
The 10-hour clash resulted in the killing of 19 Special Forces soldiers, four of them junior officers. Again, Asnawi was charged, in fact he was among the subjects of President Aquino’s declaration of “all-out justice.”
At a press briefing yesterday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista did not categorically answer queries why Asnawi was not arrested during a meeting with Galvez and how could justice be served to the victims of his atrocities. Galvez is the military commander in Basilan province.
“These matters are in fact being discussed in our Framework Agreement, our panels are meeting. In fact, that is one of the things being discussed, the transitional justice. So we just wait for the final outcome of the negotiations,” replied Bautista when asked why Asnawi was not arrested.
“We have decided, both sides have decided to end the armed struggle, we had the Framework Agreement to settle these issues peacefully,” added Bautista.
Pressed what are the sentiments of the soldiers on the matter, Bautista replied “we support the peace process but we also are after justice, rule of law…that is why the transitional justice is being discussed, this is our mechanism.”
Likewise, the Philippine Army is having a difficult time implementing the elections gun ban on areas in Mindanao which are supposed territories of the MILF.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division even had to issue an appeal to the public to help in the effective implementation of election gun ban in those areas. “We need cooperation from the commuters and motorists during implementation of gun ban to avoid delays,” Col. Dickson Hermoso said.
Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said gun owners should make documents at hand so that it can be checked by soldiers manning checkpoints without delay. The 6th ID covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato. The 6th ID is based in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
Hermoso made the appeal following complaints by motorists that soldiers are “very strict” in the gun ban implementation that causes heavy traffic flows along highways in Maguindanao.
More than a dozen election gun ban violators have been arrested and at least 20 assorted firearms were confiscated. According to Hermoso, there are local officials who, sometimes, refused to be subjected to inspection, thereby causing delays and traffic jams.
In implementing election gun ban which began on Jan. 13, the military and the police are applying “plain view” principle. Maguindanao is home to many loose firearms, including those in the hands of MILF, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and other armed groups.
Relatedly, Bautista yesterday received his fourth star from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin during simple donning of ranks ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/item/9885-al-barka-raid-leader-now-immune-from-arrest
Visiting American lawmakers reiterate US apologies for minesweeper grounding
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 30): Visiting American lawmakers reiterate US apologies for minesweeper grounding
Visiting members of the United States House of Representatives reiterated their country’s regrets for the grounding of the USS Guardian on the protected Tubbataha Reef, an official of the US Embassy in Manila said Wednesday.
Brian Goldbeck, the Embassy’s Chargé d’ Affaires, shared this on his Twitter account Wednesday morning, recounting the visit of US lawmakers headed by US Congress foreign affairs committee chairman Ed Royce and five of his Capitol Hill colleagues on Tuesday afternoon.
“In Royce meeting with Speaker (Feliciano Belmonte) plus 11 members, [US lawmakers] expressed regrets re Guardian incident, commitment to protect environment and close cooperation with the Philippine government,” Goldbeck said in his account (@USEmbManilaNo2).
US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. and top officials of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet had apologized for the incident, saying the US is aware of the importance of Tubbataha’s unique environment.
The US Congress delegation visited the Philippine House of Representatives on Tuesday after a meeting with Cabinet secretaries at the Department of Foreign Affairs, where the two parties are known to have had no discussion of the incident.
US Representatives Gregory Meeks, Vern Buchanan, Eliot Engel, Matthew James Salmon and Thomas Anthony Marino joined the delegation in the three-day visit, the first three known to be members of the US Congress’ environmental caucus.
DFA officials had confirmed that the two sides virtually had no discussion of the US Navy ship accident as talks focused on expanding Philippine-US defense and economic cooperation and Philippine gains in the areas of preventing human trafficking and human rights violations and climate change mitigation.
Environment Secretary Ramon Paje was known to have briefly mentioned the incident but “there was not much of a discussion” of the incident, said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia.
Militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, which has long been opposed to US presence in the Philippines, said it was “mind-boggling” why the reef accident was not taken up in Tuesday’s DFA meeting.
“The PH government should have impressed upon the US congressional delegation that we are dead serious in seeking damage claims for Tubbataha. The PH government should have impressed upon the US congressional delegation that the initial attitude of the officers and crew of the USS Guardian was unacceptable,” said Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. in a statement.
Bayan is among groups pressing for US accountability, criticizing why the crew of the USS Guardian was allowed to leave the ship and sail off to Japan base without first facing liability for the accident.
The USS Guardian, a minesweeper, rammed into Tubbataha Reef on the morning of Jan. 17 following a refuel and re-supply port call in Subic. The US Navy has cited faulty navigational equipment as the cause of the accident. Concerned groups have called the incident an environmental disaster.
Philippine and US authorities are now working on the delicate removal of the warship from the marine sanctuary without causing further damage to the Unesco World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea. Since its grounding two weeks ago, the USS Guardian has reportedly damaged some 1,500 square meters of sensitive coral habitat in the protected reef.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/63131/visiting-american-lawmakers-reiterate-us-apologies-for-minesweeper-grounding-2
Visiting members of the United States House of Representatives reiterated their country’s regrets for the grounding of the USS Guardian on the protected Tubbataha Reef, an official of the US Embassy in Manila said Wednesday.
Brian Goldbeck, the Embassy’s Chargé d’ Affaires, shared this on his Twitter account Wednesday morning, recounting the visit of US lawmakers headed by US Congress foreign affairs committee chairman Ed Royce and five of his Capitol Hill colleagues on Tuesday afternoon.
“In Royce meeting with Speaker (Feliciano Belmonte) plus 11 members, [US lawmakers] expressed regrets re Guardian incident, commitment to protect environment and close cooperation with the Philippine government,” Goldbeck said in his account (@USEmbManilaNo2).
US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. and top officials of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet had apologized for the incident, saying the US is aware of the importance of Tubbataha’s unique environment.
The US Congress delegation visited the Philippine House of Representatives on Tuesday after a meeting with Cabinet secretaries at the Department of Foreign Affairs, where the two parties are known to have had no discussion of the incident.
US Representatives Gregory Meeks, Vern Buchanan, Eliot Engel, Matthew James Salmon and Thomas Anthony Marino joined the delegation in the three-day visit, the first three known to be members of the US Congress’ environmental caucus.
DFA officials had confirmed that the two sides virtually had no discussion of the US Navy ship accident as talks focused on expanding Philippine-US defense and economic cooperation and Philippine gains in the areas of preventing human trafficking and human rights violations and climate change mitigation.
Environment Secretary Ramon Paje was known to have briefly mentioned the incident but “there was not much of a discussion” of the incident, said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia.
Militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, which has long been opposed to US presence in the Philippines, said it was “mind-boggling” why the reef accident was not taken up in Tuesday’s DFA meeting.
“The PH government should have impressed upon the US congressional delegation that we are dead serious in seeking damage claims for Tubbataha. The PH government should have impressed upon the US congressional delegation that the initial attitude of the officers and crew of the USS Guardian was unacceptable,” said Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. in a statement.
Bayan is among groups pressing for US accountability, criticizing why the crew of the USS Guardian was allowed to leave the ship and sail off to Japan base without first facing liability for the accident.
The USS Guardian, a minesweeper, rammed into Tubbataha Reef on the morning of Jan. 17 following a refuel and re-supply port call in Subic. The US Navy has cited faulty navigational equipment as the cause of the accident. Concerned groups have called the incident an environmental disaster.
Philippine and US authorities are now working on the delicate removal of the warship from the marine sanctuary without causing further damage to the Unesco World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea. Since its grounding two weeks ago, the USS Guardian has reportedly damaged some 1,500 square meters of sensitive coral habitat in the protected reef.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/63131/visiting-american-lawmakers-reiterate-us-apologies-for-minesweeper-grounding-2
AFP chief stands by soldiers in Quezon shooting incident
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 30): AFP chief stands by soldiers in Quezon shooting incident
Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista is standing by the officers and men of the Army’s 1st Special Forces Battalion implicated in the bloody Quezon incident. “Our direction is unity of effort with all security forces to address security issues. Our soldiers, they just do their job. As long as they (were) doing their job, there is nothing really to worry about because they did what they think was right,” Bautista said in a press conference Wednesday at the Defense Department.
Bautista declined to comment on the Philippine Daily Inquirer report that the Special Forces troopers have been offered to become state witnesses. “I think the Justice Department and or the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) can answer that,” he said.
Bautista said the military is now reviewing the protocols followed by the soldiers when the Philippine National Police calls for augmentation force in its operations.
Bautista said the PNP’s notice of request, made by the team of Superintendent Hansel Marantan, was “under a tight time frame.” “There was no time to study the situation. We are reviewing how we can have due diligence given time constraints. We want to be deliberate,” Bautista said.
Initial media reports said that there were 25 Special Forces troopers involved in the bloody clash between government security forces and an alleged group of gun-for-hire led by reported jueteng lord Victor “Vic” Siman in Atimonan town in Quezon province last Jan. 6.
However, Philippine Daily Inquirer sources said of the 25 soldiers, only around 14 were actually deployed to the checkpoint on Maharlika Highway, including Abang.
The rest were left at a police station in Quezon. Of Abang’s group, four others were stationed at the first checkpoint and did not participate in the shooting incident, one of the Inquirer sources said.
Siman and 12 others were killed in the clash. Only Marantan was injured from the side of the government security forces.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/349941/afp-chief-stands-by-soldiers-in-quezon-shooting-incident
Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista is standing by the officers and men of the Army’s 1st Special Forces Battalion implicated in the bloody Quezon incident. “Our direction is unity of effort with all security forces to address security issues. Our soldiers, they just do their job. As long as they (were) doing their job, there is nothing really to worry about because they did what they think was right,” Bautista said in a press conference Wednesday at the Defense Department.
Bautista declined to comment on the Philippine Daily Inquirer report that the Special Forces troopers have been offered to become state witnesses. “I think the Justice Department and or the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) can answer that,” he said.
Bautista said the military is now reviewing the protocols followed by the soldiers when the Philippine National Police calls for augmentation force in its operations.
Bautista said the PNP’s notice of request, made by the team of Superintendent Hansel Marantan, was “under a tight time frame.” “There was no time to study the situation. We are reviewing how we can have due diligence given time constraints. We want to be deliberate,” Bautista said.
Initial media reports said that there were 25 Special Forces troopers involved in the bloody clash between government security forces and an alleged group of gun-for-hire led by reported jueteng lord Victor “Vic” Siman in Atimonan town in Quezon province last Jan. 6.
However, Philippine Daily Inquirer sources said of the 25 soldiers, only around 14 were actually deployed to the checkpoint on Maharlika Highway, including Abang.
The rest were left at a police station in Quezon. Of Abang’s group, four others were stationed at the first checkpoint and did not participate in the shooting incident, one of the Inquirer sources said.
Siman and 12 others were killed in the clash. Only Marantan was injured from the side of the government security forces.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/349941/afp-chief-stands-by-soldiers-in-quezon-shooting-incident
La Castellana Mayor Says Ambush Isolated, Dares NPA Rebs to Issue Statement
From the Negros Daily Bulletin (Jan 30): La Castellana Mayor Says Ambush Isolated, Dares NPA Rebs to Issue Statement
Barangay Puso, La Castellana, Neg. Occ. - Mayor Alberto Nicor considered Sunday’s massacre-ambush in Barangay Puso here as an isolated case but nevertheless challenged the New People’s Army (NPA) to issue a statement whether they are behind or not the incident which left a policeman and eight civilians kiled and 12 others wounded. He assured visitors to the town and those engaged in business not to be afraid.
Nicor said the local government unit has extended cash assistance to the families of the victims.
He said the town government also help in the burial of whose who were killed. Nicor said the provincial government through Provincial Board Member Melvin Ibañez has also extended food stuff and cash assistance to the victims.
Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (5th district, Neg. Occ.) has also committed to shoulder the hospitalization of the victims who are confined in the government hospitals.
Nicor, who described the incident as inhuman, said it is the first time that such incident happened here.
Previous insurgency-related incidents involved burning of farm equipments, but has not claimed the lives of innocent civilians. If it was the NPA who were behind the ambush-massacre, then they should come out with a statement, he said.
Military officials here pointed at the NPA rebels as the ones behind the ambush citing witnesses’ accounts that the ambushers before leaving the area shouted, "Mabuhay ang NPA."
http://www.ndb-online.com/013013/local-news/local-news-la-castellana-mayor-says-ambush-isolated-dares-npa-rebs-issue-statement
Barangay Puso, La Castellana, Neg. Occ. - Mayor Alberto Nicor considered Sunday’s massacre-ambush in Barangay Puso here as an isolated case but nevertheless challenged the New People’s Army (NPA) to issue a statement whether they are behind or not the incident which left a policeman and eight civilians kiled and 12 others wounded. He assured visitors to the town and those engaged in business not to be afraid.
Nicor said the local government unit has extended cash assistance to the families of the victims.
He said the town government also help in the burial of whose who were killed. Nicor said the provincial government through Provincial Board Member Melvin Ibañez has also extended food stuff and cash assistance to the victims.
Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (5th district, Neg. Occ.) has also committed to shoulder the hospitalization of the victims who are confined in the government hospitals.
Nicor, who described the incident as inhuman, said it is the first time that such incident happened here.
Previous insurgency-related incidents involved burning of farm equipments, but has not claimed the lives of innocent civilians. If it was the NPA who were behind the ambush-massacre, then they should come out with a statement, he said.
Military officials here pointed at the NPA rebels as the ones behind the ambush citing witnesses’ accounts that the ambushers before leaving the area shouted, "Mabuhay ang NPA."
http://www.ndb-online.com/013013/local-news/local-news-la-castellana-mayor-says-ambush-isolated-dares-npa-rebs-issue-statement
‘Ambush-Massacre Victims’ Kins Cry for Justice’
From the Negros Daily Bulletin (Jan 30): ‘Ambush-Massacre Victims’ Kins Cry for Justice’
Barangay Puso, La Castellana, Negros Occ.- Immediate families of victims of the ambush-massacre in Barangay Puso, La Castellana town early dawn, Sunday, January 29 are crying for justice as they condemned what they called as a heartless and inhuman act of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who spent about 300 empty shells of various caliber of high-powered firearms on the about 30 passengers, including three policemen, on board a civilian truck.
Mayor Bordig Nicor at thre ambush site eysterday.*(APT photo)
Military and local officials described what happened as an ambush massacre citing that the about 20 armed NPA rebels opened fire indiscriminately on the victims for several minutes.
Avelino Ordoñez, 48, narrated to reporters who went to the area yesterday, how his wife shielded him from the rain of bullets. His wife, Virginia Ordoñez, 50, succumbed to at least 27 gunshot wounds and one of the eight who died on the spot. What is more heartless is that one of the rebels continued to shoot at her despite the fact that she was already dead, Ordoñez said.
He recalled that he even shouted to one of the armed men that they were civilians and the truck they were using was that of the barangay, however, he said he was told that it was their fault they were together with the cops.
Ordoñez also recalled that he was among those standing at the back of the truck when he heard the first volley of fire and he saw some of his companions falling one by one. He said the firing kept on for about 30 minutes. He also saw one of the armed men jump up at the back of the truck and finished off a man who was still moving and asking for help.
Ordoñez said he stayed in the area until daylight and picked up the internal parts of his wife as her body was blasted by the bullets fired. "Why did they do this to us? We want justice," Ordoñez said.
He said of those who survived including children jumped off the truck and escaped.
TRUCK DRIVER.
Gema Dingcong, wife of the truck driver, Ricky Dingcong said she cannot accept what happened to her husband. "They have no conscience," Dingcong’s widow said. She described her husband as a good provider and hasd no vices.
She asked what will happen to their two children now that her husband was killed in the ambush-massacre. "Dapat tagaan hustisya and kamatayon sang bana ko," she cried. Her husband’s face was distorted beyond recognition as his head was blasted by gunfire from the ambushers. Her husband was also among the first who was killed.
SLAIN COP
Rommel Canja, elder brother of Police Officer 3 Richard Canja said his brother was killed because of his uniform. He claimed that even as a policeman, his brother had no known enemy and was very close to the residents in their barangay.
Canja who was hit in the first volley of gunfire as he was seated at the front seat of the Canter truck was allegedly finished off by the assailants at close range with a gunshot in the head as he was lying down in the ground.
His remains are at the Barangay Cabacungan Hall and not in his house in Barangay Puso due to apprehension of his immediate family.
SR. SUPT. GUARA
Earlier, Sr. Supt. Celestino Guara, Provincial Police Office caretaker, said Canja was the target of the assailants because he spearheaded the forming of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) in Brgy. Puso.
But his elder brother Rommel believes it was incidental that it was his brother who was on duty when the barangay officials requested for security for the benefit dance being held as part of the Puso barangay fiesta celebration.
The Canter truck was supposed to ferry the policemen back to the poblacion after securing the programs and benefit dance and the civilians just requested to hitch a ride home.
Canja and eight other civilians were killed in the ambush massacre while 12 others were wounded.
http://www.ndb-online.com/013013/local-news/local-news-%E2%80%98ambush-massacre-victims%E2%80%99-kins-cry-justice%E2%80%99
Barangay Puso, La Castellana, Negros Occ.- Immediate families of victims of the ambush-massacre in Barangay Puso, La Castellana town early dawn, Sunday, January 29 are crying for justice as they condemned what they called as a heartless and inhuman act of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who spent about 300 empty shells of various caliber of high-powered firearms on the about 30 passengers, including three policemen, on board a civilian truck.
Mayor Bordig Nicor at thre ambush site eysterday.*(APT photo)
Military and local officials described what happened as an ambush massacre citing that the about 20 armed NPA rebels opened fire indiscriminately on the victims for several minutes.
Avelino Ordoñez, 48, narrated to reporters who went to the area yesterday, how his wife shielded him from the rain of bullets. His wife, Virginia Ordoñez, 50, succumbed to at least 27 gunshot wounds and one of the eight who died on the spot. What is more heartless is that one of the rebels continued to shoot at her despite the fact that she was already dead, Ordoñez said.
He recalled that he even shouted to one of the armed men that they were civilians and the truck they were using was that of the barangay, however, he said he was told that it was their fault they were together with the cops.
Ordoñez also recalled that he was among those standing at the back of the truck when he heard the first volley of fire and he saw some of his companions falling one by one. He said the firing kept on for about 30 minutes. He also saw one of the armed men jump up at the back of the truck and finished off a man who was still moving and asking for help.
Ordoñez said he stayed in the area until daylight and picked up the internal parts of his wife as her body was blasted by the bullets fired. "Why did they do this to us? We want justice," Ordoñez said.
He said of those who survived including children jumped off the truck and escaped.
TRUCK DRIVER.
Gema Dingcong, wife of the truck driver, Ricky Dingcong said she cannot accept what happened to her husband. "They have no conscience," Dingcong’s widow said. She described her husband as a good provider and hasd no vices.
She asked what will happen to their two children now that her husband was killed in the ambush-massacre. "Dapat tagaan hustisya and kamatayon sang bana ko," she cried. Her husband’s face was distorted beyond recognition as his head was blasted by gunfire from the ambushers. Her husband was also among the first who was killed.
SLAIN COP
Rommel Canja, elder brother of Police Officer 3 Richard Canja said his brother was killed because of his uniform. He claimed that even as a policeman, his brother had no known enemy and was very close to the residents in their barangay.
Canja who was hit in the first volley of gunfire as he was seated at the front seat of the Canter truck was allegedly finished off by the assailants at close range with a gunshot in the head as he was lying down in the ground.
His remains are at the Barangay Cabacungan Hall and not in his house in Barangay Puso due to apprehension of his immediate family.
SR. SUPT. GUARA
Earlier, Sr. Supt. Celestino Guara, Provincial Police Office caretaker, said Canja was the target of the assailants because he spearheaded the forming of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) in Brgy. Puso.
But his elder brother Rommel believes it was incidental that it was his brother who was on duty when the barangay officials requested for security for the benefit dance being held as part of the Puso barangay fiesta celebration.
The Canter truck was supposed to ferry the policemen back to the poblacion after securing the programs and benefit dance and the civilians just requested to hitch a ride home.
Canja and eight other civilians were killed in the ambush massacre while 12 others were wounded.
http://www.ndb-online.com/013013/local-news/local-news-%E2%80%98ambush-massacre-victims%E2%80%99-kins-cry-justice%E2%80%99
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