Explosion kills suspected bomb carrier in Lamitan City

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 2): Explosion kills suspected bomb carrier in Lamitan City

An explosion rocked this city Tuesday afternoon killing one person, who is being eyed by police authorities as the bomb carrier.

Chief Insp. Almer Ismael, local police chief, said the incident took place around 3:40 p.m. in Barangay Balagtasan, this city.

Ismael said they have yet to establish the identity of the victim on whose possession the improvised bomb exploded.

Ismael said they have not found any identification paper from the victim’s possession.

Ismael said the victim was driving a motorcycle when the improvised bomb, which was placed in a bag he was carrying, exploded.

He said they have yet to ascertain where the victim was heading and where he came from.

Balagtasan is the last barangay of this city in the boundary with Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=540314

PAF eyes Gripin as next generation of fighter planes for its modernization

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 2): PAF eyes Gripin as next generation of fighter planes for its modernization

Swedish-made supersonic Gripen plane is emerging as the next generation of jet fighter aircraft being considered by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for its long-overdue modernization program.

A random interview conducted by Philippines News Agency on Tuesday indicated that PAF pilots prefer the Gripen jet-fighters to other types (of fighter planes) because of its lower cost, yet armed with sophisticated latest stand-off long-range anti-ship weapons and air-to-air missiles.

These are highly accurate weapons that can be unleashed even if the target is 80 kilometers away.

The air-to-air missiles can be fired beyond visual range of the pilot.

Gripen has a top speed of 1,552 miles per hour.

Gripen jet-fighter plane in flight the PAF is eyeing to acquire for its modernization. (Photo courtesy of SAAB)

Representatives from Gripen were in Manila last month to participate in the annual PAF symposium held at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay City. They said they would be happy to sell to the Philippines the multi-role Gripen fighter jets.

Gripen is manufactured by SAAB.

In its brochure distributed to the press, SAAB says that Gripen is cost-effective, new generation multi-role aircraft in the market.

The multi-role Gripen fighter aircraft costs US$ 60 million apiece while other similar planes cost as much as US$ 80 each or more.

Thailand has already purchased 12 Gripen jet-fighters while Malaysia is planning to buy the aircraft.

Aside from Sweden Air Force which bought over 200 Gripens, other countries that have Gripen in their arsenals are South Africa 26, Hungary 14, Czech Republic 14.

The United Kingdom also bought some Gripen planes but there was no mention as to the number of units it acquired from Sweden.

Gripen can take-off and land in short runways, cost-effective, tailor-made and top-of-the-line aircraft comparable to the world’s best.

“Gripen represents the ultimate in operational efficiency capable of fulfilling a range of roles, either alone or as part of a wider defense network,” SAAB said.

It also says that Gripen is “the world’s most agile fighter for close combat.

SAAB has incorporated a state-of-the art weapon system as Gripen has look-down/shoot-down capability in air combat in engaging aircraft, missiles, and even the smallest, low-flying targets.

Gripen is also difficult to match in any air combat situation.

The government is also considering the acquisition of the Korean-made jet-trainer plane that can also be used as an interim fighter aircraft.

It may be recalled that shortly after World War II up to the ‘70s, PAF was second to none in Southeast Asia in terms of air power.

But PAF has degenerated into weakling Air Force after it had phased out its fighter aircraft such as the F-86 Sabre jets, F-8 Crusaders and the F-5 “Freedom Fighters” without any replacement to date, exposing Philippine airspace unguarded since 2005 when the last of the F-5 jets were retired for good without replacement.

As a consequence intruding foreign aircraft enter Philippine airspace without being intercepted.

Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz, PAF commanding general, has been calling for the modernization of the Air Force to meet the security needs of the country.

Seeing the predicament of the Air Force, President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday vowed to provide the PAF with jet fighters, radars and other modern equipment before he steps down from office in 2016.

“I assure you that before I step down from office, our skies will be guarded by modern air assets,” the President said in a speech during the 66th PAF anniversary at Clark in Pampanga.

The President said the amount of P75 billion has been appropriated for the implementation of the New Modernization Act of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the next five years.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=540192

Aquino says US, Japan use of PHL military facilities a 'natural circumstance"

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 2): Aquino says US, Japan use of PHL military facilities a 'natural circumstance"

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said allowing the United States or Japan more access to military facilities in the Philippines is but a "natural circumstance" for a credible alliance.

"Yung access i-klaro natin -- hindi naman sila magiging permanent doon sa mga bases pero allies natin. There are only two strategic partners that we have, it is America and Japan (Let me clarify that granting them access does not mean they will be permanent in our bases)," the President said at the sidelines after the distribution of Glock 17 pistols to the Philippine National Police (PNP) held at its Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

"Kung hindi tayo makikipag-ugnayan sa kanila at mag-aayos ng mga sistema kung sakaling may gulo na, palagay ko maling paghahanda ‘yon. So kailangan nila ng may knowledge na rin ‘nung ating terrain, kailangan rin naman natin ‘yung inter-operability with them (If we do not widen our cooperation with them, and if we do not come up with a system to respond to possible conflicts, I think that is the wrong way to prepare because that is not preparing at all. They should have knowledge of our terrain and we should have inter-operability with them)," he said.

"So it is but the natural circumstance of, if you want a credible alliance, then you will have to have mutual training and that will normally occur within our territory or the allies’ territory," he added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin earlier said the government is drafting an agreement that will provide the United States greater access to the country’s bases.

He, however, clarified that there is no plan for the US troops to establish bases in the country since the Philippine Constitution prohibits it.

The proposed access agreement is reportedly one of the modalities being discussed for increased rotational presence of US forces in the region.

Meanwhile, President Aquino has ruled out going to war with China over the unresolved territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

"Nasa Constitution ho, we renounce war as policy -- bawal," he said.

The President said the government will pursue peaceful means to resolve the sea dispute instead of resorting to violence that will only affect the peace and stability in the region.

"'Yung parati nating sinasabi kailangan ng hinahon, kailangan ng matinong pag-uusap, para dumating tayo sa isang solusyon na katanggap-tanggap sa lahat ng panig (We have always appealed for calm and sensible dialogue to attain a solution that will be acceptable to all parties)," he said.

President Aquino said the Philippines has already lodged its complaint against China’s incursions into its territory before an arbitration tribunal as one of the rights of any country to protect its sovereignty.

"Pipilitin natin na hindi tayo hahantong sa kung ano mang kaguluhan dahil parang baligtad nga ‘yon sa pakay natin na magkaroon ng katahimikan, estabilidad, at pagkakataon na umunlad lahat ng nasasangkot dito sa pagtutunggali tungkol diyan sa mga territorial disputes (We will try to avoid violence because this is against our goal to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for the parties involved in the territorial disputes)," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=540315

SC told: US access to bases bad for the environment

From Rappler (Jul 2): SC told: US access to bases bad for the environment



URGENT: Militant groups ask the High Court to stop U.S. military exercises and port calls of U.S. warships. Screenshot of SC petition

Giving the US more access to Philipine military bases risks more environmental disasters caused by foreign forces, according to groups that are asking the Supreme Court (SC) to temporarily put the government plan on hold.

In an urgent motion filed on Tuesday, July 2, environmental activists and militant groups, led by Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo, asked the high court to issue Temporary Environmental Protection Orders to stop US military exercises and port calls of US warships in the Philippines.

They said these activities should not be allowed "in the absence of clear environmental guidelines, duties, and liability schemes for breaches of those duties."

The motion is part of an earlier petition for the Writ of Kalikasan concerning the grounding of the USS Guardian in January this year. The US Navy minesweeper damaged coral on Tubbataha Reef, a World Heritage site in Palawan.

At least 2,346 square meters of coral ecosystems was damaged. The US Navy admitted it was a human error.

“The growing rotational presence in the country of these US troops renders our marine protected areas highly vulnerable to destruction and degradation given the influx of military personnel, weaponry and naval and ground vessels. The unlimited access being given to these warships, without any clear environmental guidelines, reveals the fatal problems of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” said Renato Reyes, spokesperson of Bayan, one of the petitioner groups.

Clemente Bautista of the Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment urged the SC to expedite the hearing on the petition for the Writ of Kalikasan.

"US forces should be prevented from continuing with these transgressions and subjecting our environment to more danger and ecological damage,” Bautista said.

The urgent motion also asks the SC to require US officials concerned to "place a deposit to the TRNP (Tubbataha Reef National Park) Trust Fund, defined under Section 17 of Republic Act 10067 (the act that created the TRNP), as a "reasonable guarantee” toward full reparations in the sum of at least Php 58,375,080 or US$ 1,459,377.00."

http://www.rappler.com/nation/32716-court-petition-stop-us-military-exercises

Aquino: US, Japan need to know PH terrain

From Rappler (Jul 2): Aquino: US, Japan need to know PH terrain

President Benigno Aquino III justified a government plan to give the US and Japan more access to Philippine military bases. He said these "strategic partners" should be familiar with Philippine terrain in case of a "disturbance."

"There are only two strategic partners that we have. It is America and Japan.... If we don't coordinate with them and fix our systems for a possible disturbance, I think that is wrong preparation. That is the absence of preparation," the President told reporters in Filipino on Tuesday, July 2.

"They need to know our terrain. We need to practice inter-operability," he added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the government is drafting plans to allow US forces to spend extended time on the Philippines' military bases. He said the same plan will be offered to Japan's military.

The plan drew mixed reactions.

READ: Give Australia, ASEAN access to bases

And it comes at a difficult time for Philippine-China relations.

On Saturday, June 29, China's state-run media warned that the Philippines should brace itself for a possible "counterstrike should Beijing continue to be provoked in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

The Philippines has accused China of "massive" military buildup in the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a statement released on the first day of the annual Asia-Pacific talks in Brunei, the Philippines warned that the Asian giant's tactics threatened peace in the region.

"Hindi naman siguro pwedeng mag-practice tayo outside of our territory. It is but the natural circumstance. If you want a credible alliance, then you will have to have mutual training that will normally occur within our territory or teh allies' territory," he explained.

Nevertheless, the President said the government will do everything to pursue peaceful means in resolving the conflict.

The Philippines brought the territorial row before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

READ: Top maritime judge to hear PH case vs China

"It is in our Constitution. We renounce war as policy," Aquino stressed.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/32707-aquino-united-states-japan-philippines-terrain

Amid South China Sea tension, PH calls for more ASEAN-US ties on maritime security

From InterAksyon (Jul 2): Amid South China Sea tension, PH calls for more ASEAN-US ties on maritime security

Amid the Philippines’ unresolved territorial dispute with China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has called for an expanded ASEAN-United States cooperation on maritime security.

Del Rosario issued the call in his address of the ASEAN-US Post Ministerial Conference in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on Monday, noting that maritime security is gaining greater importance in the dialogue partnership.

His suggestion, contained in a news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs, came a few days after he accused China of militarizing the South China Sea (or West Philippine Sea to the Philippines). Del Rosario pointed to "massive presence of Chinese military and paramilitary ships" at two groups of islets within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone called Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal. He described the Chinese military presence at these islets as "threats to efforts to maintain maritime peace and stability in the region."

“To prevent disputes from escalating into conflict,” del Rosario also called for the “full and effective implementation” of the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in the meantime that a regional code of conduct is yet to be negotiated and concluded.

The pact, which was signed in 2002, enjoins all claimants from actions that would tend to escalate tension in the area. However, it will be noted that according to Philippine authorities, since April last year, Chinese fishing vessels continue to occupy the Scarborough Shoals off Zambales, keeping Filipino fishermen from the fish-rich outcrop.

At the same time, Chinese authorities have bristled at the joint naval exercises of the Philippines and the United States near the Scarborough Schoal, which is 230 kilometers (140 miles) east of Luzon and 1,200 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese landmass.

China claims nearly all of the strategically vital South China Sea, even waters close to the shores of its smaller neighbors.

Tensions between China and other claimants to the sea, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam, have escalated in recent years amid a series of Chinese political and military actions to assert its claims to the waters.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65391/amid-south-china-sea-tension-ph-calls-for-more-asean-us-ties-on-maritime-security

Agbimuddin mystery: Is he in Sabah or Tawi-Tawi?

Posted to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 1): Agbimuddin mystery: Is he in Sabah or Tawi-Tawi?

Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

 

LAHAD DATU, Sabah—The whereabouts of the 72-year-old Agbimuddin Kiram who led the armed Sulu intrusion into Tanduo village here in February remain a mystery.

Agbimuddin, the younger brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram, disappeared without a trace after he “fled” Lahad Datu on March 11 as Malaysian security forces recaptured Tanduo in a massive police and military offensive.

Security forces are certain that he fled to an island in Tawi-Tawi province in southern Philippines close to Sabah, but family members insist he is in Lahad Datu waging a guerrilla war.

Tawi-Tawi officials believe that Agbimuddin is with a network of sympathizers and has kept a low profile to avoid being detained by the government, which has ordered his arrest for waging a war with a foreign country.

It has also been speculated that Agbimuddin, a former assistant district officer of Kudat, Sabah, in the early 1970s, was killed by his bodyguard in Tanduo and buried in an unmarked grave sometime after the Malaysian air and ground offensive to flush out the Sulu intruders began on March 5.

Still alive

In an interview with The Star newspaper of Malaysia, Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib said the police believed Agbimuddin was still alive and was hiding in an island in his home country.

“Agbimuddin is definitely not in Lahad Datu. They can fly kites if they want to keep insisting that Agbimuddin is in Lahad Datu, hiding and moving from one place to another,” Hamza said when asked about the persistent claims by the Sulu sultanate’s spokesman, Abraham Idjirani, that Agbimuddin is still in Sabah fighting a guerrilla war.

But Hamza did not rule out the possibility that Agbimuddin was still planning to wage a guerrilla war against Sabah.

Hamza said he suspected that Agbimuddin’s family members were insisting that he was still in Sabah because he had made many promises (before the intrusion) to his followers, who were now dead or facing criminal charges in Malaysia.

“So to prevent him from being killed (in Philippines), they have to say that Agbimuddin is in Lahad Datu and still fighting,” he said, adding there had been no clashes between followers of the Sulu sultanate and security forces in Sabah since the intrusion was put down in early April.

Tanduo has since been closed to the public, with a security base set up at the seaside village and the state government working to relocate more than 20 local families in the area.

Agbimuddin and about 200 followers of the sultan of Sulu crossed the Sulu Sea from Tawi-Tawi in early February to reclaim Sabah, the Sulu sultanate’s ancestral land.

Hiding in forest

In a telephone interview with The Star in Manila, Idjirani, who is the brother-in-law of Agbimuddin, insisted that Agbimuddin was still “somewhere in Lahad Datu” waging a guerrilla war against Sabah.

Idjirani, however, did not know the exact location of his brother-in-law.

“I know that he is hiding in a forest and has adopted guerrilla tactics and is moving from one place to another around Tanduo,” he said.

Idjirani claimed that he frequently spoke to Agbimuddin.

“In fact, I spoke to him two days ago. He called us and told us that there was an encounter between the Royal Sulu Army and the Malaysian security forces in Mile 9 in Lahad Datu on June 16 and Labian on June 18,” he said.

Idjirani said he believed that Malaysian security forces could not locate Agbimuddin because he was no longer using his cell phone.

“He is no longer using his cell phone, unlike in March (during the aerial bombings). He realized that using his cell phone would lead to detection,” Idjirani said.

He said Agbimuddin and his followers were seasoned fighters.

“Even though the Malaysian forces have more firepower they cannot defeat them,” Idjirani said, adding that the Malaysian security forces were careful not to engage the Sulu group in direct confrontations.

35 arrested

Thirty-five followers of Agbimuddin were arrested by Philippine  authorities after they returned from Lahad Datu, and recently the National Bureau of Investigation recommended various criminal charges—including waging war with a foreign country—be brought against Agbimuddin and his followers who entered Tanduo between Feb 9 and 12.

Seventy-three fighters from Agbimuddin’s group were killed (59 bodies have been recovered) in the nearly eight-week armed showdown with Malaysian security forces.

Malaysian police have arrested 184 people and charged 31 with various criminal offenses, including waging war against the Malaysian king. Their cases are now in court.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/79361/agbimuddin-mystery-is-he-in-sabah-or-tawi-tawi

In the Know: Sabah incursion

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 1): In the Know: Sabah incursion

In February, a group composed of civilians and members of what was called “Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo” landed in Tanduo village in Lahad Datu town, Sabah. The leader of the group was Agbimuddin Kiram, younger brother of Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram.

Agbimuddin described his group’s action as “not an act of aggression but a journey back home.”

The Kirams are among the descendants and heirs of the sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, and they are asserting their historical claim to Sabah.

The heirs say Sabah was ceded in 1704 to the sultan of Sulu by the sultan of Brunei, who was grateful to the sultan of Sulu for helping quell a rebellion against him.

Every year, the Malaysian Embassy in the Philippines issues a check in the amount of 5,300 ringgit (about P72,000) to the legal counsel of the heirs. Malaysia considers the amount “cession” payment for Sabah, while the heirs consider it “rent.”

According to Abraham Julpa Idjirani, secretary general and spokesman for the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, the direct descendants and heirs of the sultan of Sulu and North Borneo are Sultan Jamalul, Sultan Bantilan Esmail Kiram III, Datu Alianapia Kiram, Datu Phugdal Kiram, Datu Baduruddin Kiram and Agbimuddin, crown prince and official administrator of Sabah.

Agbimuddin’s intrusion led to a two-week standoff with Malaysian police and military troops that erupted in violence on March 1. More than 60 members of Agbimuddin’s group were killed in the fighting, which also spilled over to other villages as Malaysian forces tried to flush out the intruders. At least eight Malaysian police officers and two soldiers were also killed.

According to reports, Agbimuddin has not been heard from since the fighting ended in early April.

As of April, more than 180 people have been detained in connection with the incursion led by Agbimuddin, while more than 350 have been arrested for other acts related to the incident.

Thousands of Filipinos living and working in Sabah fled the state during the fighting and returned to southern Philippines.

Earlier this month, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima denied that the government was planning to hand over Jamalul and his followers to Malaysia, contrary to reports that the Kirams were claiming that Malacañang had plans to hand them over to Malaysia to face charges there for their incursion into Sabah.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/79367/in-the-know-sabah-incursion

CPP/CPDF/NPA: Salute the Leonardo Pacsi Command of the NPA-Mountain Province for the Victorious Tactical Offensive in Tadian

Posted to the CPP Website (Jul 1): Salute the Leonardo Pacsi Command of the NPA-Mountain Province for the Victorious Tactical Offensive in Tadian

Simon Naogsan (Ka Filiw)
Spokesperson
Cordillera People's Democratic Front

The Cordillera People’s Democratic Front commends the Leonardo Pacsi Command (LPC) of the NPA in the Mountain Province for the successful tactical offensive last June 28 against the 103 counterinsurgency trainees and trainors of the Cordillera Regional Public Safety Batallion (RPSB) that netted 14 high-powered firearms.

With only one casualty on the side of the PNP, the NPA was able to exercise restraint in carrying out a precisely-planned operation, targetting only the fully armed escorts and the responding support vehicle.

The success of the tactical offensive can only be attributed to the support of the masses, mastery of the terrain by the Red fighters and the firm resolve of the NPA to defend the democratic interests of the oppressed Filipino masses including the national minorities against the armed and police forces of the fascist state. Despite the superiority in firepower and number of the PNP, the NPA was able to utilize the element of surprise as well as command and control. The target of the attack was the fully armed escorts who advanced themselves and took positions at conspicuous locations. They were way ahead from the “trainees” when ambushed. Precise and minimum firepower together with the call to surrender was enough to neutralize the target. That accounted for the least casualty. If it were the so-called “trainees” that had been targetted, the result would have been different.

Under Oplan Bayanihan, the Internal Security Operation (ISO) of the present US-Aquino Regime is dictated by the US Counterinsurgency Guide to bolster security forces. The PNP is now being transformed and trained as active combat force to augment the AFP in the implementation of counter-insurgency operations. The troops of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) ambushed are not new recruits but were undergoing a 45-day course on Special Counter-Insurgency Unit Training (SCOUT).

In the earlier training courses conducted in the same training ground at Babalaan, Tadian, Mountain Province, the LPC reported that although they were fully aware of such training they just let it pass hoping that the PNP would honor earlier assurances in discreet meetings that they would not engage themselves in counter insurgency operations. However, not long after these trainings they would figure in the ambush at Asipulo, Ifugao by the Nona del Rosario Command of the NPA-Ifugao in April this year. Documents obtained by the Red fighters during the battle indicated that the PNP unit had just freshly graduated from the same training ground in Babalaan,Tadian.

It is preposterous to elevate “jogging” as justification to downgrade armed trainees as “unarmed” combatants preparing to be pitted against the Red fighters. If such logic is to be followed, Ms. Abigael Valte of Malacanang and the PNP spokespersons should well be reminded that the unit of the LPC that was ambushed in the early morning of June 2 in Aguinaldo, Ifugao, wherein comrades Artus “Ka Libre” Talastas and Ronelson “Ka Renan” Balatines perished as martyrs, were unarmed while exercising when attacked by the 54th IB. This was also the same case when another unit of the LPC was attacked at Sitio Tappo, Barangay Banawel, Natonin, Mountain Province in the early morning of April 21, 2012 while undertaking stationary jogging and temporarily unarmed.

Since the US-Aquino regime took power, the former PNP Regional Mobile Group renamed and deodorized as RPSB has been increasingly utilized to augment the AFP’s counter-insurgency campaign in the Cordillera region. It has been involved in numerous incidences of human rights violations. In early 2011, a drunken RMG officer ran amoc that resulted in the massacre of innocent civilians including the host of a birthday party in Tinoc, Ifugao.

The CPDF commiserates with the family of the slain Police Officer Denver Balabag and the wounded PNP. It has never been the practice of the NPA in the Cordillera to raid police detachments unless the station is notoriously involved in anti-people activities. However, recent events have proven that the units of the PNP-RPSB are training themselves and allowed themselves to join the AFP in counterinsurgency operations. The SCOUT training and other counter insurgency trainings has intentionally divided the national minorities, pitting local police in counterinsurgency campaign when previously the indigenous people stood as one in defending ancestral land, resources and livelihood.

The CPDF calls on the people of the Cordillera not to join the counter revolutionary forces of the US-Aquino regime – the Philippine Army, CAFGU and the PNP. You will just be serving the interest of the ruling system whose sole purpose is to plunder the resources of the Cordillera. Let us not be victims of the divide and rule tactics of the enemy of the masses. To those who have already enlisted in the Army, PNP and CAFGU: desist from enlisting in counterinsurgency units like the RPSB and refrain from joining combat operations. We reiterate our call for the progressive rank and file of the PNP and the AFP to join the underground revolutionary mass organizations such as the Crispin Tagamolila Brigade. Likewise, continuing talks by the field operational units of the NPA with local police officials at the field level has yielded discreet tactical favorable arrangements before and must continue.

In time, the advance of the people’s war to a higher strategic stage will bring about numerous daring and successfull tactical offensives to arm the swelling ranks of the New People’s Army. #

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130701_salute-the-leonardo-pacsi-command-of-the-npa-mountain-province-for-the-victorious-tactical-offensive-in-tadian

MILF tight-lipped on position regarding gov't proposal to revise wealth-sharing annex

From GMA News (Jul 1): MILF tight-lipped on position regarding gov't proposal to revise wealth-sharing annex

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has decided on whether or not to accept the government's proposal regarding the wealth-sharing annex under the landmark Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

But Ghadzali Jaafar, vice chairman for political affairs of the MILF, refused to disclose their position as they await the resumption of the peace talks on July 8.

"Mayroon na kaming mga positions adopted vis-a-vis 'yung proposal, so d'un na lang i-take-up ng peace panel sa meeting nila. With due respect, huwag na nating pag-usapan," Jaafar said Monday, adding they arrived at the decision after a whole-day meeting.

Jaafar said they will meet up to further discuss their decision this week.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/315411/news/nation/milf-tight-lipped-on-position-regarding-gov-t-proposal-to-revise-wealth-sharing-annex

PNoy vows to beef up air force fleet with long-range planes

From GMA News (Jul 1): PNoy vows to beef up air force fleet with long-range planes

New aircraft, including attack helicopters and long-range patrol planes, will be procured in the next five years to beef up the country's air force, President Benigno Aquino III vowed Monday.

During the Philippine Air Force's (PAF) 66th anniversary celebration here, Aquino pledged to allocate a portion of the Armed Forces' P75-billion modernization fund for the next five years to buy lead-in fighters, long-range patrol aircraft, close air support aircraft, attack helicopters, air defense radars, flight simulators and other modern equipment.

"Nananalig ako: sa pagsasanib ng mga pagkilos ng pamahalaan upang gawing mas moderno ang inyong mga pangangailangan, at ang panibagong dangal at kumpiyansa ng taumbayan sa ating kasundaluhan, talagang magiging abot-langit ang serbisyong hatid ng Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas," said Aquino, the military's commander-in-chief.

Aquino said the procurement aims to strengthen the country's defense and prevent the loss of lives among soldiers, adding last week's plane crash in Palawan involving a military 0V-10 Bronco aircraft should never happen again.

"Ang ganitong mga pangyayari nga mismo ang iniiwasan natin simula’t sapul pa. Kaya naman, nakatutok tayo sa modernisasyon ng ating pambansang tanggulan," the President said.

Aquino added that the PAF should be modernized to be able to make Filipinos feel more secure against those who try to "shock" and "pressure" them.

Aquino made these statements amid an ongoing territorial dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/315372/news/nation/pnoy-vows-to-beef-up-air-force-fleet-with-long-range-planes

Sulu sultanate denies Malaysia has stopped pursuing fighters

From the Philippine Star (Jul 1): Sulu sultanate denies Malaysia has stopped pursuing fighters

The Sultanate of Sulu on Monday branded as propaganda the announcement made by the Malaysian government that it has stopped operations against the sultanate’s royal security force (RSF) fighters who are still holed-up in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Abraham Idjirani, the sultanate’s spokesperson added that Malaysia is simply moving its forces away from the jungles of Lahad Datu to prepare for a possible spillover of clashes into populated areas.

Musa Aman, Sabah chief minister, was quoted on Sunday by the Malaysian newspaper, The Star Online, as saying that operations to chase the RSF fighters and their supporters have stopped.

However, Aman said a security zone with permanent stationed troops has been set-up along the coastline where the RSF fighters had earlier landed.

“Why are they (Malaysian security forces) strengthening their security zone? Is it to defend Lahad Datu and the other districts from attack? Or are they afraid that the clashes will no longer happen inside the jungles of Lahad Datu?” said Idjirani.

Idjirani said he has spoken with Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram at around 9 a.m. The younger brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram said they will not abandon their position, the sultanate spokesman added.

Last June 18, Agbimuddin reported a clash between some 400 fighters and volunteers in the RSF and Malaysian security forces in Kampung Dengan Tungku in Lahad Datu.

Agbimuddin reported that the RSF fighters were moving through Dengan Tungku at about 1 p.m. when they encountered the Malaysian troops.

Idjirani said the clash in Dengan Tungku was also confirmed by Hajib Mujaha Hashim, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front's Islamic Command Council.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/07/01/960396/sulu-sultanate-denies-malaysia-has-stopped-pursuing-fighters

Unidentified men torch Abra town mayor's backhoe

From the Philippine Star (Jul 1): Unidentified men torch Abra town mayor's backhoe

A backhoe owned by the construction firm of Mayor-elect Dominic Valera of Bangued town in Abra was torched by unidentified men in Baay-Licuan town.

The Cordillera police said the project implementor of the construction firm identified as 44-year-old Vicki Dawigen Sabian reported the incident to the police on Sunday morning.

The equipment worth P6,000,000.00 was parked along the Abra-Kalinga road particularly at Km 473 sitio Nagpawayan, Baay-Licuan, Abra when it was torched.

The police have yet to determine the motive for the attack.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/07/01/960402/unidentified-men-torch-abra-town-mayors-backhoe

BIFF suspected to be behind Maguindanao blast

From the Philippine Star (Jul 1): BIFF suspected to be behind Maguindanao blast

Investigators are convinced Sunday’s roadside bombing in Sharif Aguak town in this province, which reportedly wounded two soldiers and a bystander, was perpetrated by the brigand Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The improvised explosive, planted at one side of a highway straddling through the town proper of Shariff Aguak, went off past 9:00 a.m. Sunday just as a convoy of soldiers led by Col. Noli Orense, commanding officer of the Army’s 603rd Brigade, was passing by, en route to the venue of the mass oath-taking of elected provincial and municipal officials in Buluan town, also in Maguindanao.

One of Orense’s subordinate-soldier Pfc. Reynaldo Sotto, and a still unidentified motorist, who was said to be an off duty member of the Philippine Marines, and a bystander were slightly wounded in the blast.

Orense said he is convinced that the blasting contraption of the explosive, triggered from a distance via mobile phone, could have malfunctioned since they were already past the spot where it was planted when it went off.

Investigators of the Shariff Aguak municipal police and an Army ordnance unit in the area said the home-made roadside bomb was fashioned from a live 105 Howitzer artillery round rigged with a battery-operated blasting mechanism attached to a mobile phone.

The bombing preceded another blast in a secluded spot also in Shariff Aguak about four hours later.

No one was reported killed or injured in the second bombing, but the incident triggered panic in the  area.

Military intelligence sources said feedback from confidential informants, among them Muslim clerics, claim that the outlawed BIFF could be responsible for the twin Shariff Aguak bombings.

The BIFF, founded in 2011 by a radical cleric, Ustadz Ameril Umrah Kato, has been on a rampage since last week for the military’s restoration of government control over its enclave at the border of President Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat and Gen. SK Pendatun, Maguindanao.

Members of the group fired assault rifles and anti-tank rockets on two Army detachments in Midsayap, North Cotabato and set off improvised explosives as they escaped in simultaneous attacks just before the weekend.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/07/01/960409/biff-suspected-be-behind-maguindanao-blast

Chinese news analyst calls Philippines a 'troublemaker'

From the Philippine Star (Jul 1): Chinese news analyst calls Philippines a 'troublemaker'

Writing a commentary in China's state press agency, Xinhua news analyst Lu Yu saw the Philippines under President Benigno Aquino III a bad hat in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

"The Philippines, under its current administration, has been a true troublemaker in the region," Lu said, complaining that the country has "assaulted and detained" Chinese fishermen and had an old warship "stranded on purpose" at Ren'ai Reef or the Second Thomas Shoal.

Related story: Chinese ship runs aground in Tubbataha

The remark was published Monday following Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario's pronouncements on Sunday before the international community in Brunei accusing China of "militarization" at sea.

Del Rosario said at the security forum of Asean leaders that there is a "massive presence of Chinese military and paramilitary ships" off Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal and the Second Thomas Shoal, calling China's activities "threats to efforts to maintain maritime peace and stability in the region."

Lu scoffed at the statement of Del Rosario, saying that it is the Philippines that has been trying to exhibit its might and poses itself as the distressed party before other countries.

"For a country that has been zealous about taking in retired warships from other countries to build up its military power and that has from time to time conducted war games in the South China Sea, the top Philippine diplomat's claims carried a particularly strong sense of irony and absurdity," Lu said.

The news analyst claimed that the Philippines has launched a two-track approach on the decades-old sea row: seeking help from other countries such as US and Japan and tying the sea row in various Asean gatherings to "sabotage" China's diplomatic relations.

Related story: Japan to take Phl's side in South China Sea dispute

"So far the strategy has got nowhere. Outside meddling in regional affairs has only complicated the matter. Other countries, especially the United States, which has been talking about a new type of major-country relationship with China, are not showing Manila blanket support," Lu added.

A Chinese fishing vessel got stranded last April on the Philippines' marine sanctuary Tubbataha Reef. Its 12-member crew faced poaching and bribery charges and were detained in a provincial jail.

A retired Philippine warship, meanwhile, has been aground off Second Thomas Shoal since 1999. Chinese officials have renewed calls for the government to retrieve the vessel in late July.

'Water of peace'

Lu also said that China only wants to turn the South China Sea into a "water of peace, friendship and cooperation" but Manila insists in "too much theatrics."

"For other ASEAN countries, they are also tired of seeing Manila poison the atmosphere of one regional meeting after another with provocative  accusations again China, with which the bloc has enjoyed rather fruitful relations," the analyst said.

Del Rosario, however, maintained that the country does not favor the use of force in settling the tension with the Asian giant.

"We condemn any threats of use of force. We condemn that. And we continue to pursue to resolution of our disputes in a peaceful way," del Rosario added, citing Chinese media reports warning of a "counterstrike" from China if Manila continues to provoke Beijing.

China on Sunday agreed to formally discuss a South China Sea "code of conduct" with Southeast Asian leaders to ease maritime tensions with the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia. The talks will be held in September in a move that Thailand's foreign minister hailed as "very significant."

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/07/01/960419/chinese-news-analyst-calls-philippines-troublemaker