From InterAksyon (Mar 8): Kiram camp denies 32 more killed in Sabah, says Raja Muda group on the move
The followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in Sabah's Lahad Datu town, led by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, have managed to regrouped despite continuous assault by Malaysian forces, according to the spokesman of the sultanate.
Abraham Idjirani said they last spoke to Raja Muda at 2:30 p.m., Friday. He said the crown prince told him that although his men were suffering from hunger, they managed to reassemble and were again on the move.
Idjirani also denied 32 more followers of the Sulu sultanate were killed in Wednesday's assault by Malaysian forces. He maintained that only 10 people died from their side, while four others were hurt, and 10 more were captured by Malaysian authorities.
He said the 10 died not due to assaults but through an encounter between the Royal Sulu Army and Malaysian forces.
"Isang beses lang ang engkwentro ng Royal Security Force with Malaysian police and military.Maliban do'n wala na [The Royal Security Force's encounter with Malaysian police and military was only once]. They perpetrated these acts of atrocities. Surely they are now resorting to attacking innocent and helpless civilians," Idjirani told reporters.
He also denied reports that the Sulu Army's general, Haji Musa, was killed by Malaysian forces.
"As per verification conveyed to us by relatives of Haji Musa, he is well and alive," Idjirani said.
He said Raja Muda and his men were maintaining a defensive stance despite Malaysia's rejection of a ceasefire.
Idjirani added that Raja Muda and his men only wanted to live peacefully in Sabah.
Malaysiakini.com reported that the remaining followers of the sultanate were believed to have gone into hiding in locations within the Ops Daulat area.
"We believe what is left of the enemy is in hiding in certain locations," Malaysia Armed Forces chief Gen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said at a press conference at Felda Residence Sahabat Friday evening.
Security forces that have been scouring three areas in Lahad Datu - Kampung Tanduo, Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian - have not engaged with any enemy in the last 24 hours, he said.
However, Zulkifeli said the Filipinos had yet to show any signal that they were willing to surrender.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar said the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 was invoked in the arrest of more than 50 people throughout Sabah suspected of being linked to the followers of the Sulu sultanate.
"They were arrested outside the operations area, throughout Sabah, to facilitate investigations because we believe they are linked to these intruders.
"They were arrested under the the new Sosma law, which is read together with the Penal Code," Ismail said.
On Friday morning, Sabah Commissioner of Police Hamza Taib said 79 suspects had been arrested, all of them outside the operations area, since February 12, with the exception of three who tried to escape from the Kampung Tanduo cordon on the night of March 2.
Ismail said the individuals included men and women, but he would not confirm if they were Suluks or had Malaysian identity cards.
"I cannot give more information because it will compromise our investigations," he said.
Asked about Manila's request to send a humanitarian team to assess the conflict situation in Lahad Datu, Ismail said the Philippines had yet to make a formal request.
"We have not received it through our government's official channels, nor have we been informed by Wisma Putera," he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56662/kiram-camp-denies-32-more-killed-in-sabah-says-raja-muda-group-on-the-move
Friday, March 8, 2013
PH seeks access to Filipinos detained in Sabah
From InterAksyon (Mar 8): PH seeks access to Filipinos detained in Sabah
ThePhilippines has
“strongly” asked Malaysia
that it be given access to the members of the Kiram group arrested in Sabah,
even as Malaysia has not
responded to an earlier request to allow Philippine Navy ships to dock in Sabah so that the women and children can be evacuated.
“This morning, we sent a note verbale to the Malaysian embassy to strongly request that the Philippine embassy team in Lahad Datu be given full access to 10 members of Kiram group apprehended in Sabah consistent with the Vienna Convention on Consular Affairs,” said Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez in a briefing Friday.
The DFA remindedMalaysia
Among the requests contained in the note verbale is for the Malaysian government to allow the Philippine humanitarian ship to dock in Lahad Datu and create a humanitarian corridor that would allow women, children and civilians to leave the island.
“So far these have not been granted. Maybe they are still considering that,” he said.
“The operationalization of this will depend on the people involved. The environment there in Lahad Datu will prevent them from allowing our people to dock in Lahad Datu,” he added.
At the same time, Hernandez suggested that the Kirams “lay down their arms” afterMalaysia
“At this point, after the Malaysian government rejected the call of Jamalul Kiram for reciprocity of their declaration of unilateral ceasefire, it appears that the only option left for the Kirams to save lives for certainty is to lay down their arms,” he said.
Hernandez said thePhilippines
cannot validate the reports coming from Sabah ,
including the number of deaths, because Philippine embassy officials have not
been allowed to go there.
“No information has been shared with us by the Malaysian government on the operational side being undertaken in Lahad Datu,” he said.
Hernandez said dialogues are ongoing with both parties in a bid to stop the bloodshed.
“We have been endeavoring to do that. What happened was the violence last Friday. We are continuing to explore all avenues to avoid further loss of lives,” he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56663/ph-seeks-access-to-filipinos-detained-in-sabah
The
“This morning, we sent a note verbale to the Malaysian embassy to strongly request that the Philippine embassy team in Lahad Datu be given full access to 10 members of Kiram group apprehended in Sabah consistent with the Vienna Convention on Consular Affairs,” said Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez in a briefing Friday.
The DFA reminded
Among the requests contained in the note verbale is for the Malaysian government to allow the Philippine humanitarian ship to dock in Lahad Datu and create a humanitarian corridor that would allow women, children and civilians to leave the island.
“So far these have not been granted. Maybe they are still considering that,” he said.
“The operationalization of this will depend on the people involved. The environment there in Lahad Datu will prevent them from allowing our people to dock in Lahad Datu,” he added.
At the same time, Hernandez suggested that the Kirams “lay down their arms” after
“At this point, after the Malaysian government rejected the call of Jamalul Kiram for reciprocity of their declaration of unilateral ceasefire, it appears that the only option left for the Kirams to save lives for certainty is to lay down their arms,” he said.
Hernandez said the
“No information has been shared with us by the Malaysian government on the operational side being undertaken in Lahad Datu,” he said.
Hernandez said dialogues are ongoing with both parties in a bid to stop the bloodshed.
“We have been endeavoring to do that. What happened was the violence last Friday. We are continuing to explore all avenues to avoid further loss of lives,” he said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56663/ph-seeks-access-to-filipinos-detained-in-sabah
Thursday, March 7, 2013
52 Filipinos, 8 Malaysia cops killed in Sabah clashes as of late Thursday
From InterAksyon (Mar 7): 52 Filipinos, 8 Malaysia cops killed in Sabah clashes as of late Thursday
Felda Sahabat, Malaysia - Malaysia said clashes between intruding Filipino militants and its security forces had left 60 people dead as of late Thursday, as it rejected a ceasefire offer from the fighters' leader.
Police chief Ismail Omar said 32 followers of a self-proclaimed Philippine sultan had been killed in two confrontations since Wednesday near the scene of a three-week standoff in Sabah state, after a military assault to dislodge them.
That brought the total dead to 60, including 52 militants. Eight Malaysian policemen were killed in skirmishes last weekend.
Troops and police are currently hunting the Islamic militants in a remote region of Borneo island, where they landed last month to assert a long-dormant territorial claim in what has become Malaysia's worst security crisis in years.
A spokesman for their Manila-based leader, who called for a midday ceasefire, said 235 people including eight women took part in the original incursion.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who flew to the region Thursday to inspect security operations, said he told Philippine leader Benigno Aquino by phone the ceasefire offer was rejected.
"I told President Aquino they must lay down their arms immediately," Najib told reporters in a village near where the army and police were searching for scores of militants.
"They have to surrender their arms and they have to do it as soon as possible."
The "sultan", Jamalul Kiram III, declared a unilateral ceasefire for 12:30 pm (0430 GMT) and urged Malaysia to reciprocate.
But Najib said Malaysian forces would press on with the offensive, sending more soldiers into the hilly region of vast oil palm estates and pockets of jungle.
Authorities said one intruder was killed in a clash Wednesday and 31 on Thursday.
They gave no details, other than to say one encounter was in the village of Tanduo, where the standoff began, and the other in the neighbouring village of Tanjung Batu to the east.
The remaining militants were still believed to be in the two villages.
Anger has mounted in Malaysia over the incursion, which began February 12 when fighters arrived from the southern Philippines to press Kiram's claim to the area.
Kiram says he is heir to the Sultanate of Sulu, which once ruled islands that are now part of the southern Philippines as well as Sabah.
The main group of militants was holed up in the sleepy farming village of Tanduo for three weeks until two deadly shootouts with security forces at the weekend triggered a military assault to dislodge them.
The attack scattered the fighters and security forces were combing through huge oil palm groves for them.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged a peaceful resolution of the bizarre incursion.
"(Ban) urges an end to the violence and encourages dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation," said a statement released by his office late Wednesday.
Kiram declared the "unilateral ceasefire... in order to reciprocate the call of the UN to preserve lives", his spokesman said.
Tension is running high in eastern Sabah due to the incursion. Residents of some towns have fled after police said gunmen were spotted in other areas down the coast, raising fears of a wider guerrilla infiltration.
Late Wednesday police said the bodies of six police officers killed in a weekend ambush in the coastal town of Semporna were mutilated.
"The bodies of dead police personnel were found to have been brutally mutilated by the armed intruders," a statement said, giving no further details.
Police have said six militants responsible for the ambush were later killed.
The incursion has created a delicate situation for the two neighbours, with Manila earlier calling for Malaysian restraint just before Tuesday's military assault was launched.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said late Wednesday that his government might seek Kiram's extradition if Manila failed to take action. But the Philippine government said that was unlikely, citing the lack of an extradition treaty.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56594/52-filipinos-8-malaysia-cops-killed-in-sabah-clashes-as-of-late-thursday
Felda Sahabat, Malaysia - Malaysia said clashes between intruding Filipino militants and its security forces had left 60 people dead as of late Thursday, as it rejected a ceasefire offer from the fighters' leader.
Police chief Ismail Omar said 32 followers of a self-proclaimed Philippine sultan had been killed in two confrontations since Wednesday near the scene of a three-week standoff in Sabah state, after a military assault to dislodge them.
That brought the total dead to 60, including 52 militants. Eight Malaysian policemen were killed in skirmishes last weekend.
Troops and police are currently hunting the Islamic militants in a remote region of Borneo island, where they landed last month to assert a long-dormant territorial claim in what has become Malaysia's worst security crisis in years.
A spokesman for their Manila-based leader, who called for a midday ceasefire, said 235 people including eight women took part in the original incursion.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who flew to the region Thursday to inspect security operations, said he told Philippine leader Benigno Aquino by phone the ceasefire offer was rejected.
"I told President Aquino they must lay down their arms immediately," Najib told reporters in a village near where the army and police were searching for scores of militants.
"They have to surrender their arms and they have to do it as soon as possible."
The "sultan", Jamalul Kiram III, declared a unilateral ceasefire for 12:30 pm (0430 GMT) and urged Malaysia to reciprocate.
But Najib said Malaysian forces would press on with the offensive, sending more soldiers into the hilly region of vast oil palm estates and pockets of jungle.
Authorities said one intruder was killed in a clash Wednesday and 31 on Thursday.
They gave no details, other than to say one encounter was in the village of Tanduo, where the standoff began, and the other in the neighbouring village of Tanjung Batu to the east.
The remaining militants were still believed to be in the two villages.
Anger has mounted in Malaysia over the incursion, which began February 12 when fighters arrived from the southern Philippines to press Kiram's claim to the area.
Kiram says he is heir to the Sultanate of Sulu, which once ruled islands that are now part of the southern Philippines as well as Sabah.
The main group of militants was holed up in the sleepy farming village of Tanduo for three weeks until two deadly shootouts with security forces at the weekend triggered a military assault to dislodge them.
The attack scattered the fighters and security forces were combing through huge oil palm groves for them.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged a peaceful resolution of the bizarre incursion.
"(Ban) urges an end to the violence and encourages dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation," said a statement released by his office late Wednesday.
Kiram declared the "unilateral ceasefire... in order to reciprocate the call of the UN to preserve lives", his spokesman said.
Tension is running high in eastern Sabah due to the incursion. Residents of some towns have fled after police said gunmen were spotted in other areas down the coast, raising fears of a wider guerrilla infiltration.
Late Wednesday police said the bodies of six police officers killed in a weekend ambush in the coastal town of Semporna were mutilated.
"The bodies of dead police personnel were found to have been brutally mutilated by the armed intruders," a statement said, giving no further details.
Police have said six militants responsible for the ambush were later killed.
The incursion has created a delicate situation for the two neighbours, with Manila earlier calling for Malaysian restraint just before Tuesday's military assault was launched.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said late Wednesday that his government might seek Kiram's extradition if Manila failed to take action. But the Philippine government said that was unlikely, citing the lack of an extradition treaty.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56594/52-filipinos-8-malaysia-cops-killed-in-sabah-clashes-as-of-late-thursday
USS ‘Blue Ridge’ crew told to behave while in Manila
From the Business Mirror (Mar 7): USS ‘Blue Ridge’ crew told to behave while in Manila
THE crew members of the US Pacific Fleet’s flag ship were told to behave during their four-day furlough in Manila.
“They should behave accordingly and watch each other,” said the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) commander, Capt. Will Pennington.
Pennington spoke to reporters shortly after the arrival of the warship at the Manila South Harbor for a routine port call midmorning on Thursday.
Pennington said there were 90 sailors of Filipino ancestry among USS Blue Ridge’s 700-strong crew.
“They are doing a good job,” he said.
One of them is Chief Petty Officer Archie Amante, 34, a native of Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila, and a 15-year veteran of the US Navy.
Amante asked journalists about the traffic in Manila.
“Is it still the same way to go to Tondo?” he asked in Tagalog. Amante said this is his third visit to the Philippines. His first ship was the USS Juneau (LPD-10). He has been aboard USS Blue Ridge for two years.
Amante said he plans to visit Boracay and Misibis, Albay, on his next visit to the Philippines as the USS Blue Ridge’s port visit is too short.
Pennington said the crew would engage in community relations, as well as sports activities with the Philippine Navy during the USS Blue Ridge’s stay.
Pennington said his ship’s visit to the Philippines has nothing to do with the country’s ongoing tiff with China and the grounding of the USS Guardian (MCM-5) on January 17.
“The visit was long planned well before those incidents happened and nobody should be afraid of our visit,” he added.
Pennington talked to reporters who he allowed to tour the ship’s forecastle, flight deck, pilot house and the wardroom.
At the flight deck, journalists also saw two Sikorsky H-60 helicopters, which are used for transport by the ship’s ranking officers.
The USS Blue Ridge arrived after a two-day trip from Hong Kong. Pennington said it is not the policy of the US to reveal the future ports of call of its assets.
The USS is currently forward-deployed to US Navy Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan, and is the third Navy ship named after the Blue Ridge Mountains, a range of mountains in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern US.
AFP: US soldiers in Negros on ‘humanitarian’ mission
From the Business Mirror (Mar 6): AFP: US soldiers in Negros on ‘humanitarian’ mission
THE 40 American soldiers in Negros Oriental jointly conducting exercises with the Philippine military are on a humanitarian mission, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.
“This undertaking is part of our continuing engagements with the US Armed Forces for the benefit and development of rural communities in the country,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista said on the fourth day of Operation Pacific Angel.
The week-long joint operation that began Monday, according to an AFP briefing document, is being conducted for the first time in Negros Oriental until March 9.
The AFP said the American soldiers and Filipino troops under the Philippine Army’s 302nd (Achiever) Brigade began the operation with repairs on three school buildings and two medical missions.
The AFP said the Americans, members of the US Pacific Air Force (USPacAF) under the US Pacific Command (USPaCom) headed by Lt. Col. Alvin Alana, will also help put up a water tower and paint classrooms.
The AFP said about 35,000 patients are expected to benefit from the daily medical missions composed of general healthcare, optometry, dental, physical therapy and circumcision.
“We are looking forward for this mission and see the smiling faces of the patient, especially the children we will help,” said Alana.
The AFP said aside from medical missions, the soldiers will also hold lectures on “preparedness among different forces during calamities and disasters.”
Last year, a magnitude 6.9-earthquake hit Negros Oriental leading to the death of 51 people, 112 injured and 62 missing, according to a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
“The total number of population affected in 180 barangays, nine municipalities, two cities, and two provinces in Central Visayas or Region VII [was pegged] at 63,899 families [and/or] 320,165 persons,” the NDRRMC report said.
Bautista said they expect Operation Pacific Angel to become an annual activity.
The USPaCom arrived on Sunday in the Philippines or six days before the lead ship of the US Seventh Fleet, the USS Blue Ridge, docked in Manila.
Army troops sent to Palanan to build schools
From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 7): Army troops sent to Palanan to build schools
The 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (5ID,PA) based at Gamu town sent last week army troops composed of the camp’s engineering brigade to help in the construction of school buildings in the town of Palanan.
Col. Loreto Magundayao, public affairs chief of 5ID, said the deployment in the area is part of the army’s spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ aimed at helping the government in its efforts to bring development in remote areas.
Bayanihan is a flagship program of the present Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Emmanuel Bautista.
The coastal town of Palanan is one of the four coastal towns in Isabela considered hard-to-reach due to the absence of road networks in reaching the area.
The town can only be reached by air and sea transportation.
It is also one of the coastal towns hardest hit by typhoons Juan, Pedring and Quiel in recent years which has damaged agricultural crops and infrastructure to include school buildings.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=481362553832
The 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (5ID,PA) based at Gamu town sent last week army troops composed of the camp’s engineering brigade to help in the construction of school buildings in the town of Palanan.
Col. Loreto Magundayao, public affairs chief of 5ID, said the deployment in the area is part of the army’s spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ aimed at helping the government in its efforts to bring development in remote areas.
Bayanihan is a flagship program of the present Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Emmanuel Bautista.
The coastal town of Palanan is one of the four coastal towns in Isabela considered hard-to-reach due to the absence of road networks in reaching the area.
The town can only be reached by air and sea transportation.
It is also one of the coastal towns hardest hit by typhoons Juan, Pedring and Quiel in recent years which has damaged agricultural crops and infrastructure to include school buildings.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=481362553832
U.S. Fleet flagship in Manila
From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 7): U.S. Fleet flagship in Manila
The United States Ship (USS) Blue Ridge (LCC-19) will arrive in Manila Thursday, March 7.
The United States Seventh Fleet flagship will dock at the Manila South Harbor for a routine port call and goodwill visit.
According to the United States Embassy, the visit will highlight the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Philippines.
Aside from being the command ship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, the USS Blue Ridge is also the lead ship of the two Blue Ridge-class command ships of the U.S. Navy.
Its primary role is to provide command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) to the commander and staff of the US Seventh Fleet.
The USS Blue Ridge was commissioned on November 14, 1970 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a command and control ship for the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Embassy Manila-Public Affairs Section/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=241362619500
The United States Ship (USS) Blue Ridge (LCC-19) will arrive in Manila Thursday, March 7.
The United States Seventh Fleet flagship will dock at the Manila South Harbor for a routine port call and goodwill visit.
According to the United States Embassy, the visit will highlight the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Philippines.
Aside from being the command ship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, the USS Blue Ridge is also the lead ship of the two Blue Ridge-class command ships of the U.S. Navy.
Its primary role is to provide command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) to the commander and staff of the US Seventh Fleet.
The USS Blue Ridge was commissioned on November 14, 1970 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a command and control ship for the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Embassy Manila-Public Affairs Section/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=241362619500
2 guards to testify in Anikow case
From the Philippine Star (Mar 7): 2 guards to testify in Anikow case
Two security guards of the Rockwell Center will be taking the witness stand in the next hearing of the Anikow murder case on Thursday at the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 59.
Makati City Assistant Prosecutor Hannah Arriola said the prosecution will be presenting security guards Dominador Arroyo and Randy Lecta.
Arriola said the two security guards will be testifying on the incident involving the four accused: Galicano Datu, 22, Juan Alfonso Abastillas, 24; Crispin Dela Paz, 28; and Osric Cabrera, 27; were arrested by the Makati Police.
Arriola said the two security guards blocked the Volvo sports utility vehicle used by the accused in fleeing the scene and later radioed the Makati Police for assistance.
The accused had earlier posted P300,000 each in bail after the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to show evidence that there was conspiracy to commit murder and that the accused had killed Anikow with abuse of superior strength.
“We will be presenting the two security guards just to complete the evidence. They have no personal knowledge of the incident but they were the arresting officers,” said Arriola.
The two security guards were supposed to have been presented in court Thursday but the prosecution asked the court to present them on Friday's hearing instead.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/03/07/916916/2-guards-testify-anikow-case
Two security guards of the Rockwell Center will be taking the witness stand in the next hearing of the Anikow murder case on Thursday at the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 59.
Makati City Assistant Prosecutor Hannah Arriola said the prosecution will be presenting security guards Dominador Arroyo and Randy Lecta.
Arriola said the two security guards will be testifying on the incident involving the four accused: Galicano Datu, 22, Juan Alfonso Abastillas, 24; Crispin Dela Paz, 28; and Osric Cabrera, 27; were arrested by the Makati Police.
Arriola said the two security guards blocked the Volvo sports utility vehicle used by the accused in fleeing the scene and later radioed the Makati Police for assistance.
The accused had earlier posted P300,000 each in bail after the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to show evidence that there was conspiracy to commit murder and that the accused had killed Anikow with abuse of superior strength.
“We will be presenting the two security guards just to complete the evidence. They have no personal knowledge of the incident but they were the arresting officers,” said Arriola.
The two security guards were supposed to have been presented in court Thursday but the prosecution asked the court to present them on Friday's hearing instead.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/03/07/916916/2-guards-testify-anikow-case
Police arrest ranking NPA leader
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7): Police arrest ranking NPA
leader
Police operatives arrested on Wednesday a leader of the New People’s Army (NPA), who is also one of Bicol’s most wanted persons, at Barangay Lanang, Aroroy town in Masbate, a report reaching Camp Gen. Simeon Ola, the police regional headquarters, here said Thursday.
Joint police and military operatives collared Ruel Vargas alias Weng, a native of Masbate, at his hideout in Aroroy town, according to Supt. Renato Bataller, Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol spokesperson.
Vargas is in PNP list of most wanted persons for the killing of Nelson Nadura, a former NPA rebel leader who turned media reporter in the ‘80s.
Bataller said Vargas is considered by the PNP as Bicol’s 3rd ranking most wanted person and carries a P150,000 bounty on his head. Vargas is facing murder and rebellion charges at the Regional Trial Court Branch 47 under Judge Maximino Ables.
Bataller said Vargas is a member of the executive committee of communist guerrilla front under the NPA Jose Rapsing Command operating in Masbate province.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=504672
Police operatives arrested on Wednesday a leader of the New People’s Army (NPA), who is also one of Bicol’s most wanted persons, at Barangay Lanang, Aroroy town in Masbate, a report reaching Camp Gen. Simeon Ola, the police regional headquarters, here said Thursday.
Joint police and military operatives collared Ruel Vargas alias Weng, a native of Masbate, at his hideout in Aroroy town, according to Supt. Renato Bataller, Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol spokesperson.
Vargas is in PNP list of most wanted persons for the killing of Nelson Nadura, a former NPA rebel leader who turned media reporter in the ‘80s.
Bataller said Vargas is considered by the PNP as Bicol’s 3rd ranking most wanted person and carries a P150,000 bounty on his head. Vargas is facing murder and rebellion charges at the Regional Trial Court Branch 47 under Judge Maximino Ables.
Bataller said Vargas is a member of the executive committee of communist guerrilla front under the NPA Jose Rapsing Command operating in Masbate province.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=504672
2 hurt in separate grenade attacks in Maguindanao, North Cotabato
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7): 2 hurt in separate grenade attacks
in Maguindanao, North Cotabato
A Muslim couple was hurt when motorcycle-riding men fired fragmentation grenades in three different areas in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Wednesday, the Army said here Thursday.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said another grenade attack also hit the Cotabato City house of a town treasurer in Maguindanao but nobody was hurt.
Two powerful improvised explosive devices were defused by Army bomb experts in Mlang, North Cotabato on Wednesday night.
Hermoso said two men riding in tandem on a motorbike tossed a hand grenade at the residential house of Norodin Samaon on Oblate Village, Barangay Rosary Heights 4, Cotabato City at about 8:00 p.m. Samaon is the municipal treasurer of Talitay, Maguindanao.
Another grenade was found at the main gate of Samaon’s house and was safely defused by bomb experts.
Eight hours earlier, four rifle grenades were fired by still unidentified men in three areas in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, according to Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Maguindanao police director.
Two rifle grenades landed in the roof of Ali Silongan Kuli, 40 and exploded at about 10:00 a.m. Kuli and his wife Hanna were slightly wounded.
Another rifle grenade was found at a vacant lot in Barangay Poblacion Shariff Aguak.
While the police and Army were defusing the grenade, another rifle grenade fired from M-203 grenade rifle fired from nowhere landed in another vacant lot, about 400 meters away.
Supt. Jocson said no one has claimed responsibility and police remained clueless on the motive of the grenade attacks.
It came while the police and Army are implementing election gun ban and Maguindanao still under state of emergency in the aftermath of 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
In Mlang, North Cotabato, an alert balut vendor prevented what could have been a bloody Wednesday night when his alertness brought him to an unattended bag at a roadside.
Police Inspector Rolando Dillera, deputy town police chief, said the vendor noticed that a man alighted from a passenger jeep near a restaurant. The man was carrying a back pack which he put down in a dimly lit area then boarded another vehicle.
Dillera said the vendor approached the bag, checked on it and found two 60 mm mortars inside. He then alerted the police who cordoned off the area until bomb experts arrived and properly defused the explosives.
Police found two 60 mortars with blasting caps and mechanical clock as trigger mechanism. No one has claimed responsibility and investigators remained clueless on the motive of the bombing attempt.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=504700
A Muslim couple was hurt when motorcycle-riding men fired fragmentation grenades in three different areas in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Wednesday, the Army said here Thursday.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said another grenade attack also hit the Cotabato City house of a town treasurer in Maguindanao but nobody was hurt.
Two powerful improvised explosive devices were defused by Army bomb experts in Mlang, North Cotabato on Wednesday night.
Hermoso said two men riding in tandem on a motorbike tossed a hand grenade at the residential house of Norodin Samaon on Oblate Village, Barangay Rosary Heights 4, Cotabato City at about 8:00 p.m. Samaon is the municipal treasurer of Talitay, Maguindanao.
Another grenade was found at the main gate of Samaon’s house and was safely defused by bomb experts.
Eight hours earlier, four rifle grenades were fired by still unidentified men in three areas in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, according to Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Maguindanao police director.
Two rifle grenades landed in the roof of Ali Silongan Kuli, 40 and exploded at about 10:00 a.m. Kuli and his wife Hanna were slightly wounded.
Another rifle grenade was found at a vacant lot in Barangay Poblacion Shariff Aguak.
While the police and Army were defusing the grenade, another rifle grenade fired from M-203 grenade rifle fired from nowhere landed in another vacant lot, about 400 meters away.
Supt. Jocson said no one has claimed responsibility and police remained clueless on the motive of the grenade attacks.
It came while the police and Army are implementing election gun ban and Maguindanao still under state of emergency in the aftermath of 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
In Mlang, North Cotabato, an alert balut vendor prevented what could have been a bloody Wednesday night when his alertness brought him to an unattended bag at a roadside.
Police Inspector Rolando Dillera, deputy town police chief, said the vendor noticed that a man alighted from a passenger jeep near a restaurant. The man was carrying a back pack which he put down in a dimly lit area then boarded another vehicle.
Dillera said the vendor approached the bag, checked on it and found two 60 mm mortars inside. He then alerted the police who cordoned off the area until bomb experts arrived and properly defused the explosives.
Police found two 60 mortars with blasting caps and mechanical clock as trigger mechanism. No one has claimed responsibility and investigators remained clueless on the motive of the bombing attempt.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=504700
Photo: USS Blue Ridge on 4-day good will visit
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7): Photo: USS Blue Ridge on 4-day good will visit
The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) prepares to drop anchor atManila South
Harbor
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) prepares to drop anchor at
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21
Army encounters NPAs at Butuan City watershed area
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7): Army encounters NPAs at Butuan City
watershed area
Army Special Forces on security patrol encountered an undetermined number of armed men believed to be members of the New People's Army (NPA) Wednesday afternoon.
Col. Potenciano Camba, commanding officer of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, confirmed in a local radio interview Thursday morning that his troops were conducting a security patrol following reports from civilian residents near the area that an armed group was collecting supplies and other materials from them.
But the soldiers were fired upon by the armed group upon reaching Sitio Tagkiling, Brgy. Anticala, this city, around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The exchange of gunfire went on for about 20 minutes after which the armed group withdrew from the area.
The pursuing government troopers, according to Camba, discovered a temporary camp abandoned by the fleeing rebels. Shells and magazines of AK47 and M16 rifles and backpacks were recovered in the encounter area.
The place of the encounter is part of the Taguibo Watershed area which was near the tree-planting activity site on March 2 participated by some local political bets, students, members of the socio-civic groups and faculty members of Father Saturnino Urios University, according to Camba.
The army official said incidents of harassment including in other parts of the region must be a way of the rebels to show that they are still a force to reckon with, particularly that their anniversary on March 29 is approaching.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=504775
Army Special Forces on security patrol encountered an undetermined number of armed men believed to be members of the New People's Army (NPA) Wednesday afternoon.
Col. Potenciano Camba, commanding officer of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, confirmed in a local radio interview Thursday morning that his troops were conducting a security patrol following reports from civilian residents near the area that an armed group was collecting supplies and other materials from them.
But the soldiers were fired upon by the armed group upon reaching Sitio Tagkiling, Brgy. Anticala, this city, around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The exchange of gunfire went on for about 20 minutes after which the armed group withdrew from the area.
The pursuing government troopers, according to Camba, discovered a temporary camp abandoned by the fleeing rebels. Shells and magazines of AK47 and M16 rifles and backpacks were recovered in the encounter area.
The place of the encounter is part of the Taguibo Watershed area which was near the tree-planting activity site on March 2 participated by some local political bets, students, members of the socio-civic groups and faculty members of Father Saturnino Urios University, according to Camba.
The army official said incidents of harassment including in other parts of the region must be a way of the rebels to show that they are still a force to reckon with, particularly that their anniversary on March 29 is approaching.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=504775
President Aquino orders AFP to 'reassess' sending of troops abroad
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7): President Aquino orders AFP to
'reassess' sending of troops abroad
President Benigno S. Aquino III has tasked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to reassess the viability of sending Filipino troops to assist in humanitarian missions vis-Ã -vis the need to uphold the peace and security at the home front, saying a “delicate balance” between the two had to be reached.
In an interview here, the President said he wanted the “vital function” of Filipino contingents sent to the Middle East, Haiti, East Timor, Cambodia and the Golan Heights.
“Ngayon, ‘yung lahat itong deployment nga na ito, may vital function. We are part of the global community. Syempre, kung may katahimikan sa Gitnang Silangan ay nakakatulong rin sa ating sarili ito na, for instance, basta nagkaroon ng giyera diyan nagkakaroon ng upward spiral ng price of oil; napapataas ang lahat ng bilihin, etc,” the President said.
“So tina-task ko ang ating AFP, in particular, to…parang to reassess, matagal na, na can we afford to send this number of people? I am told the number is about a thousand for all of the deployments everywhere when we also have our needs here in the country,” he added.
“So I’m still awaiting the results of that study. Ang balancing is meron naman tayong obligasyon na makatulong mag-enhance ng world peace, ano, pero meron rin naman tayong pansariling interes. Kailangan rin sigurong pagtugmain... ‘yung hindi napapabayaan ang alin man ditong obligasyon,” the President said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=504701
President Benigno S. Aquino III has tasked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to reassess the viability of sending Filipino troops to assist in humanitarian missions vis-Ã -vis the need to uphold the peace and security at the home front, saying a “delicate balance” between the two had to be reached.
In an interview here, the President said he wanted the “vital function” of Filipino contingents sent to the Middle East, Haiti, East Timor, Cambodia and the Golan Heights.
“Ngayon, ‘yung lahat itong deployment nga na ito, may vital function. We are part of the global community. Syempre, kung may katahimikan sa Gitnang Silangan ay nakakatulong rin sa ating sarili ito na, for instance, basta nagkaroon ng giyera diyan nagkakaroon ng upward spiral ng price of oil; napapataas ang lahat ng bilihin, etc,” the President said.
“So tina-task ko ang ating AFP, in particular, to…parang to reassess, matagal na, na can we afford to send this number of people? I am told the number is about a thousand for all of the deployments everywhere when we also have our needs here in the country,” he added.
“So I’m still awaiting the results of that study. Ang balancing is meron naman tayong obligasyon na makatulong mag-enhance ng world peace, ano, pero meron rin naman tayong pansariling interes. Kailangan rin sigurong pagtugmain... ‘yung hindi napapabayaan ang alin man ditong obligasyon,” the President said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=504701
MNLF chair calls on Pnoy, UN and UK to intervene in Sabah row
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7): MNLF chair calls on Pnoy, UN and UK to
intervene in Sabah row
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Muslimin Sema has called on President Benigno Aquino III, United Nations and United Kingdom to intervene now in the Sabah row before more lives will be lost as the tension continued between the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and the Malaysian forces.
Sema, also the vice mayor of Cotabato City, said that it is now the right time for Aquino and officials of UN and UK to act before it’s too late. “I am calling on Pnoy, UN and UK to intervene in Sabah (row) to avoid slaughter of Sultan Kiram’s followers,” he said.
This came after the national government has remained passive on the incident even as more than 30 people were already reported killed in the ongoing battles between two warring groups of Kiram’s armed men and Malaysian police forces.
It was reported that some of Kiram’s men holed up in Lahad Datu are MNLF members, who were earlier trained in Malaysia.
In a press conference in Davao City on Thursday, Aquino was quoted as saying that the Sabah incident is now being investigated by the Department of Justice in determining the people behind the armed conflict and the extent of their involvement.
He said the Philippine government would only make a concrete move upon reaching the result of the ongoing investigation.
Sabah on Borneo island has been the subject of a tug-of-war between descendants of a Sulu sultan and Malaysia. The crisis took a violent turn this month after Malaysian troops attacked members of the Sultanate of Sulu who arrived in Sabah on Feb. 14 to stake their claim on the island.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=504829
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Muslimin Sema has called on President Benigno Aquino III, United Nations and United Kingdom to intervene now in the Sabah row before more lives will be lost as the tension continued between the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and the Malaysian forces.
Sema, also the vice mayor of Cotabato City, said that it is now the right time for Aquino and officials of UN and UK to act before it’s too late. “I am calling on Pnoy, UN and UK to intervene in Sabah (row) to avoid slaughter of Sultan Kiram’s followers,” he said.
This came after the national government has remained passive on the incident even as more than 30 people were already reported killed in the ongoing battles between two warring groups of Kiram’s armed men and Malaysian police forces.
It was reported that some of Kiram’s men holed up in Lahad Datu are MNLF members, who were earlier trained in Malaysia.
In a press conference in Davao City on Thursday, Aquino was quoted as saying that the Sabah incident is now being investigated by the Department of Justice in determining the people behind the armed conflict and the extent of their involvement.
He said the Philippine government would only make a concrete move upon reaching the result of the ongoing investigation.
Sabah on Borneo island has been the subject of a tug-of-war between descendants of a Sulu sultan and Malaysia. The crisis took a violent turn this month after Malaysian troops attacked members of the Sultanate of Sulu who arrived in Sabah on Feb. 14 to stake their claim on the island.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=504829
MNLF condemns terrorist acts in Eastern Sabah
From the Philippine News Agency/Bernama (Mar 7): MNLF condemns terrorist acts in Eastern
Sabah
The Moro National Liberation Front of southern Philippines has condemned the violent acts committed by the terrorists who intruded into Lahad Datu and Semporna in Sabah, its present chairman Muslimin Sema said Thursday.
Muslimin, appointed chairman by the front's highest decision making body, the central committee back in 2008, also stated that Nur Misuari was just an ordinary member of the central committee. The MNLF, he said, considered Sabahand and Malaysians as their own brothers.
"We (MNLF) do not support with (sic) what is happening in Sabah (the intrusion and the violent acts of the terrorists). We disapprove it. The incidents in Sabah are done to drive a wedge between our peoples.
"The incidents are also to break the bond between Sabah and the southern Philippines, as well as between Malaysia and Philippines. They want to destroy the bond (between the two peoples)," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview via telephone from Manila Thursday.
Two days ago, Malaysia dispatched fighter jets and ground troops in armored personnel carriers to put to a end a nearly three-week armed standoff in the seaside village of Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
The joint police and military security operation codenamed "Ops Daulat" is still ongoing right now. The intense standoff in Lahad Datu and Semporna has cost the lives of eight policemen and at least 52 terrorists.
On Misuari's statement recently that the MNLF was ready to send its armed fighters to Sabah to help the Sulu terrorists, Muslimin said, he was dissapointed with the former MNLF leader.
"His statement is uncalled for and irresponsible. I hope that I have the power to stop him (Misuari) from making the statement. Sabah and Malaysia are not our enemy," he said.
Misuari, he said, was just an ordinary central committee member and did not wield wide influence in the front.
Asked if there were members of the MNLF involved in the Sabah incidents, he said an investigation had been launched by its central committee to determine the matter.
"The investigation by the central committee members in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu have found that no regular members of MNLF are involved in the Sabah intrusion. We are not involved in any kind of violence," he said.
However, Muslimin said, if there were members of MNLF involved with the violent acts committed in Sabah, it was done on their own and was never condoned by the front's leadership.
"If they committed the acts, it was done as an individual person as the MNLF never sanctioned their acts," he said, adding that most of the Filipinos' residing in Sabah earned a decent living.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=504840
The Moro National Liberation Front of southern Philippines has condemned the violent acts committed by the terrorists who intruded into Lahad Datu and Semporna in Sabah, its present chairman Muslimin Sema said Thursday.
Muslimin, appointed chairman by the front's highest decision making body, the central committee back in 2008, also stated that Nur Misuari was just an ordinary member of the central committee. The MNLF, he said, considered Sabahand and Malaysians as their own brothers.
"We (MNLF) do not support with (sic) what is happening in Sabah (the intrusion and the violent acts of the terrorists). We disapprove it. The incidents in Sabah are done to drive a wedge between our peoples.
"The incidents are also to break the bond between Sabah and the southern Philippines, as well as between Malaysia and Philippines. They want to destroy the bond (between the two peoples)," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview via telephone from Manila Thursday.
Two days ago, Malaysia dispatched fighter jets and ground troops in armored personnel carriers to put to a end a nearly three-week armed standoff in the seaside village of Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
The joint police and military security operation codenamed "Ops Daulat" is still ongoing right now. The intense standoff in Lahad Datu and Semporna has cost the lives of eight policemen and at least 52 terrorists.
On Misuari's statement recently that the MNLF was ready to send its armed fighters to Sabah to help the Sulu terrorists, Muslimin said, he was dissapointed with the former MNLF leader.
"His statement is uncalled for and irresponsible. I hope that I have the power to stop him (Misuari) from making the statement. Sabah and Malaysia are not our enemy," he said.
Misuari, he said, was just an ordinary central committee member and did not wield wide influence in the front.
Asked if there were members of the MNLF involved in the Sabah incidents, he said an investigation had been launched by its central committee to determine the matter.
"The investigation by the central committee members in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu have found that no regular members of MNLF are involved in the Sabah intrusion. We are not involved in any kind of violence," he said.
However, Muslimin said, if there were members of MNLF involved with the violent acts committed in Sabah, it was done on their own and was never condoned by the front's leadership.
"If they committed the acts, it was done as an individual person as the MNLF never sanctioned their acts," he said, adding that most of the Filipinos' residing in Sabah earned a decent living.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=504840
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)