Soldiers recover explosives, NPA items at encounter site

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 11): Soldiers recover explosives, NPA items at encounter site

Soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion recovered guns and explosives after an encounter with suspected New People's Army rebels in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Willy Isaac, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, said Army soldiers were conducting security patrol, when residents informed them about the presence of armed rebels in a creek in Sitio Cansuhi, Brgy. Tacpao, Guihulngan City.

Isaac said that when they approached the place, the soldiers were fired at by about 15 rebels, and this led to about three minutes of running gun-battle.

The fleeing rebels left behind one hand grenade, an improvised explosive device with a detonating cord, a 357 caliber magnum revolver, five CPP-NPA flags, and a backpack containing subversive documents.

No casualty was reported on both sides.

Isaac lauded the Tacpao and Binobohan barangay residents for the support they extended to them that led to the encounter.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/July/11/negor3.htm

Al-Barka massacre case now closed as AFP chief OKs penalties set by court martial

From InterAksyon (Jul 11): Al-Barka massacre case now closed as AFP chief OKs penalties set by court martial

The Al-Barka massacre where 19 members of the Army Special Forces were killed and 14 others seriously injured by Moro rebels in October 2011 is now deemed a closed case, after the approval of sanctions handed down by a court martial on two of four officers that it tried.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista has approved the decision of the court martial imposing the punishment of “50 files down and no command responsibility for 6 months” on Col. Aminkandra Undug.

Undug was commander of the Special Forces Regiment when the government troops were attacked while trying to serve warrants on wanted elements in an area controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf  Group.

Earlier in January, the court martial found him guilty on one of the 3 Articles of War charged against him.

Another officer,  Lt. Col. Leonardo Pena, former commander of the 4th Special Forces Battalion, was found guilty Wednesday for violation of AW 97 (Disorders and Neglect to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline). He was punished “200 files down and stripped of command responsibility for two years,” meaning he cannot be promoted until 200 men in rank below him get promoted.

Col. Alexander Macario, former commander of the Special Joint Task Force-Basilan, and Lt. Col. Orlando Edralin, former commandant of the Special Forces School, were originally included in the charges but were  cleared.

Macario is Inspector General (IG) of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and Edralin is deputy camp commander in Awang, Maguindanao.

The controversial mission that led to the bloodbath had more than 8 soldiers deployed to serve warrants on suspected criminals in Barangay Cambug, Al-Barka, Basilan.

There, they were attacked by 300 armed men from the 114th Base Command of the MILF and some elements from the Abu Sayyaf.

The officers were tried by a court martial as investigation indicated errors in deploying the soldiers and lapses in preparation.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/66104/al-barka-massacre-case-now-closed-as-afp-chief-oks-penalties-set-by-court-martial

Chinese present at Ayungin, both sides on wait-and-see mode - Wescom chief

From InterAksyon (Jul 11): Chinese present at Ayungin, both sides on wait-and-see mode - Wescom chief

It’s confirmed: Chinese ships and fishing boats are very much present on Ayungin Reef, a maritime area that is part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) town off Palawan.

The confirmation comes from Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the Western Command (Wescom) that has jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

 The number of boats and government ships varies every day, however, based on the Wescom monitoring, Guerrero said Thursday.

“Pabago-bago. Minsan isa, minsan tatlo, minsan dalawa [It varies. Sometimes you see one, sometimes three, sometimes two]. It’s very dynamic,” Guerrero said.

Reliable military sources said earlier a Chinese Navy ship with bow No. 83 was still in the area with several fishing boats, contrary to a newspaper report claiming Ayungin had been cleared of Chinese ships.

Throughout this time, Guerrero said, Marine troops stationed in Ayungin continued monitoring the movements of the Chinese Navy and fishing boats in the area.

Ayungin is deemed strategic by both sides, and it is near where the Armed Forces of the Philippines deliberately grounded its derelict BRP Sierra Madre a few years ago to block passage of foreign intruders. China recently demanded that Manila take out the ship—used as a garrison of sorts by a Marine contingent---because, it claimed, it owned the entire maritime territory.

Despite the continuous surveillance by either side, however, Guerrero indicated both Chinese and Philippine forces were acting prudently: “As far as the Wescom is concerned we are continuously monitoring our good friends in that area with what is available with my command, and we provide the reports to the national leadership for their appreciation.”

But, he quickly added, “rest assured that we will not leave Ayungin,” affirming a determined Philippine stand on the matter.

Still, he said the Chinese had not shown any overt sign that could be deemed hostile to the Marine troops at Ayungin.“They (Chinese) are not taking over, they are just monitoring. Actually, at the same time they are coming to our detachment. So we are protecting our respective outposts…There is no overt action from both sides. We will maintain our detachment in that area,” Guerrero said.

“We’re doing our best to protect our territory. Our outpost is properly manned and we are continuously monitoring the activities of other nations in that area. There is no [disruption] of our resupply activities,” he added. He was apparently referring to earlier reports that Chinese ships tried to block the small resupply boats that ferried the things needed by the Marines in the garrison.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/66127/chinese-present-at-ayungin-both-sides-on-wait-and-see-mode---wescom-chief

2 blasts rock Lanao del Norte

From ABS-CBN (Jul 11): 2 blasts rock Lanao del Norte

Two explosions rocked a residential area in Barangay Poblacion, Baroy, Lanao del Norte early Wednesday.

Authorities said the first blast occurred at around 2:30 a.m. at a bridge in Dimaporo Road, Santo Niño village.

Another explosion followed in Cabili St., Purok 2.

No casualties were reported in both blasts.

Authorities have yet to determine what type of explosive device was used.

Investigations are still ongoing.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/07/10/13/2-blasts-rock-lanao-del-norte

Air Force moves closer to getting Korea-made fighter jets

From ABS-CBN (Jul 11): Air Force moves closer to getting Korea-made fighter jets

The government is moving closer to acquiring 12 fighter trainer jets for the Air Force after the defense department’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Wednesday approved the terms of reference for the project.

Defense Assistant Secretary Patrick Velez said the terms of reference, which contain key details of the acquisition, would soon be forwarded to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for final approval.

Once the terms of reference are approved with finality, the defense department could begin negotiations with the aircraft supplier, state-run Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI).

Velez told The STAR they hope to finish the negotiations by the end of August.
“We are expediting it because it is a priority project,” Velez said.

The government has allotted P18.9 billion for the acquisition of the 12 FA-50 fighter jets for the Air Force, which has suffered from a depleted inventory due to recent aircraft accidents.

Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo had said that they are awaiting the sales agreement from Malacañang, which will pave the way for the start of negotiations with KAI.

Manalo previously told The STAR that the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state-run firm that coordinates with other countries seeking to acquire South Korean military assets, would sign in behalf of Seoul.

He said DAPA would also guarantee the performance of the assets to be bought even if a private firm manufactured the aircraft.

President Aquino has vowed to modernize the military to enable it to secure the country’s territory and to perform internal security operations.

For the Air Force, the government aims to acquire fighter jets, radar systems, close air support aircraft, and combat utility helicopters.

The Navy will be provided with two warships, amphibious assault vehicles, naval helicopters, multi-purpose attack craft, and base support facilities.

The government would also acquire rocket launchers, hand-held radios and night fighting system for the Army.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/10/13/air-force-moves-closer-getting-korea-made-fighter-jets

Palace belies re-entry of PMA grads in PNP

From GMA News (Jul 11): Palace belies re-entry of PMA grads in PNP

Malacañang on Wednesday belied supposed proposals to allow graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to join the country's police force.

 

At a press briefing, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Constitution clearly states that the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be "civilian in character."

 

"Walang stand, so far, ang PNP on pagbabalik ng military sa o ang PMA graduates sa PNP because, if you notice, sa general provision ng Constitution, there will be one police unit, Philippine National Police, civilian in character. ‘Yan po ‘yung nasa Saligang Batas," Lacierda said.

 

The President's spokesperson was reacting to earlier statements reportedly made by PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac that the police force is considering the hiring of PMA graduates.

 

Lacierda, however, said that Sindac "categorically" denied making such statements.

 

"I had to ask the person who allegedly made that statement, and he categorically said he never advocated that position...  He was just laying down the options," Lacierda said. 

 

Article XVI, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution states that, "The State shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character."

 

The PMA is the primary institution in the country tasked to "instruct, train and develop" cadets for the military.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316959/news/nation/palace-belies-re-entry-of-pma-grads-in-pnp

MILF: Mindanao-based Human Rights Watchdog alarmed over abuses against Moro civilians

From the MILF Website (Jul 10): Mindanao-based Human Rights Watchdog alarmed over abuses against Moro civilians

The Mindanao Human Rights Action Centre (MinHRAC), a human rights watchdog based in Mindanao is alarmed over the increase of human rights violations allegedly committed by the security sector to some Moro civilians who were affected by the recent skirmishes between the government troops and armed group in Maguindanao town.
  

This was contained in a press release issued by the MinRHrac last July 29, 2013.

The MinHRAC reported that “On June 21, 2013 fighting broke out in the village of Bagumbayan (a sitio in Barangay Kulasi, General Salipada K. Pendatun [GSKP], Maguindanao), prompting the local residents to flee to safety from the relentless artillery shelling. Some 300 Moro families took refuge in evacuation centers in Barangay Tongol and Barangay Sumakubay, and Migkunding.”

The report says that the evacuees from the affected barangays of GSKP, experienced food shortage and other basic needs while at the evacuation centers so that they decided to return home despite the feeling of apprehensions and fear from being caught in the crossfire or artillery shelling.

The ‘Bagumbayan 8’ evacuees or internally displaced persons (IDPs) were among those who returned to their village but while in their community they were allegedly maltreated by the government soldiers identified by the said evacuees as members of the 33rd Infantry Battalion who at that time were conducting military operations in Barangay Kulasi.

According to MinHRAC press release, three of the alleged maltreated Moros are minors. They were forcibly hogtied and detained despite identifying themselves as non-combatants. At the time of their arrest, one was holding a bamboo pole with a sack attached to the end, a rudimentary but obvious ‘white flag’.

“Despite their plea to spare them, they were immediately detained, hogtied, brought to a nearby school where they were made to spend the night in two days and were physically abused to coerce them to admit that they are rebels. Around noon of the following day, they were brought to the detachment of the 33rd Infantry Battalion where their coercion continued. It was only upon pressure from human rights volunteers that they were finally turned over to the elements of the PNP,” MinHRAC elucidated.

According to the MinHRAC, “The ‘Bagumbayan 8’ had been illegally detained without access to legal counsel, and excessive inhuman abuses were not eased despite request from one of the detainees, who sustained a rope-burned injury on his upper arm. Another one complained of cigarette burns.”

The MinHRAC had negotiated for access to the “Bagumbayan 8”, and secured the release of the three minors.

“The remaining five detainees were handed over to the PNP of the Municipality of Quirino on 24 June. They have since been informed that they will be charged for Illegal Possession of Explosives under RA 9516, and labeled as terrorists. Before they were handed over to the PNP, soldiers attempted to manufacture fingerprint evidence by presenting the detainees with explosive devices and instructing the detainees to hold them,” MinHRAC wrote on its press release.

MinHRAC Human Rights Defender Ara Abdulsalam, also made a counter argument to the published article in an online news agency in relation to presentation of facts that misled readers.

Abdulsalam quoted in MinHRAC’s press release saying “I read an article in Rappler on 25 June in which the “Bagumbayan 8” were described as ‘renegade rebels’ who belong to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), alleging that they were arrested following a raid on their hideout on 24 June and were caught with homemade bomb components in their possessions.”

“What was reported was simply untrue, and it was evident to me that the person who wrote the article had no knowledge of the actual incident and did not spoke with the detainees. The notion that the detainees were ‘outsiders’ involved in an attack is preposterous. Their families have been living there for such a long time that their sitio is named after them. Why would they attack their own village?” Abdulsalam lamented.

MinHRAC continued that “On June 27 efforts by relatives to visit the detainees were denied, the PNP stating that visiting hours were over. Around the same time, however, the PNP allowed access to the detainees by AFP soldiers dressed in plain clothes. One of the detainees was removed from his cell, blindfolded and interrogated.”

“One of the victims said that the blindfold material smelt “strange” and made him dizzy and nauseous, and that he was coerced into confessing to being a rebel”, MinHRAC reported.

MinHRAC Executive Director Lawyer Zainudin Malang said that, “The acts of the AFP and PNP are in violation of Philippine laws, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law.”

“The detainees should be released without delay, and an investigation be conducted into the actions of the military and police. What we cannot accept is for actions like these to occur with impunity. There needs to be a clear message that the rule of law shall be implemented and respected, not only in favor of the state, but also in favor of the citizens” he added.

Moreover, the MinHRAC has reported that on June 26, three homes in the detainee’s home village of Bagumbayan were burned. The report stated that some residents in a neighboring village witnessed the burning. It further said that some homes were occupied by non-Moro armed strangers.

Last Friday, the “Bagumbayan 8” filed their respective counter-affidavits together with their fellow IDPs at the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat province.

Meanwhile, there were eight wounded civilians (three of whom are children ages 2yrs.old and 1yr.old) from Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saiduna, Maguindanao who were rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC), Cotabato City, on Saturday when they sustained wounds from splinters of 105 howitzer canons explosion hitting the victims community believed to be from the military.

Radio reports here in Central Mindanao said that the wounded civilian were evacuating when the incident happened. It added that some of the victims are now in critical conditions at the hospital.

The Kawagib Moro Human Rights group in its press release had also condemned the government forces who were involved in the alleged indiscriminate artillery shelling towards the civilian communities.    

http://www.luwaran.com/

Army dismantles CPP-NPA rebels’ mass structure in Negros Oriental

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 10): Army dismantles CPP-NPA rebels’ mass structure in Negros Oriental

A total of 28 communist rebels have surrendered recently after an army troops of Bayanihan Team under the 79th Infantry Battalion dismantled the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels’ mass structure in Barangay Mnatiquil in Siaton town. 

“After realizing the futility of supporting the armed struggle and the hostility of keeping the NPAs to their shelter, 28 Party Branch Members and Peoples Militia were awakened from the deceptive insinuations on opinionated issues that brought the Solid Mass Organization or MASSO in Brgy Mantiquil Siaton, Negros Oriental,” Ltc Marion Sison, Commander of 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion said.

Lt Col. Sison said with this incident Barangay Mantiquil is now cleared from the menace of insurgency.

With the number of rebel surrenderees, nine members of Sangay sa Partido sa Localidad (SPL) led by Rosalie Nama alias POPS and nineteen members of Yunit Militia (YM) of Lubos na Asosasyong Masa (LAM)/Solid Mass Association under Diosdado Nama alias DONDI returned to the folds of the law by turning themselves in to the troops of 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion under Ltc Marion R Sison.

“The surrender of 28 persons who were utilized for chores from being underground informants to sometimes, instant and untrained fill up fighters for the NPAs was brought about by the proper information delivered by the Bayanihan Troops from issues previously exploited by the terror groups," said Sison.

They admittedly decided to turn their backs after realizing they have been fed with lies by the NPA Leadership,” said Ltc Sison.

“We treated them as victims, Sison stressed. Indeed these mass surrender of the entire community previously encapsulated by the broken Communist ideologies is a gateway to a wider opportunity for its constituents, especially the youth,” Sison added.

Brigadier General Jonas Sumagaysay, Acting 3ID Commander said, the people of Negros are happy to welcome their long lost brothers and sisters who have returned to the democratic fold.

This is a welcome development in the province of Negros Oriental where people have longed for a lasting peace. Let us help each other in the spirit of Bayanihan to end the menace of insurgency and move forward towards development in the countryside, Sumagaysay added.

Sumagaysay went on that the snowball of surrenders can be also attributed to social pressure generated by the civil society organizations, the local officials and other stakeholders who have been persistent in calling for peace coupled with sustained combat operations in the region.

Meanwhile, in the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division first semester report, a total of 62 regular members of the NPA have already surrendered and live normally in the mainstream society. 

This number includes 26 rebels who are members of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Panay (KR-P), 33 from Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros (KR-N) and 3 from Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral-Bisayas (KR-SB). The numbers does not count NPA members who have been monitored to have left the movement for the period.

This year’s first semester surrenderees is up by 18 or 40 percent compared to first semester of last year where 44 NPA rebels have laid down their arms and returned to mainstream society and chose to live peacefully.

Sumaygaysay said “We expect more rebels to surrender in the coming days because we know that they are already tired of the futile armed struggle and wanted to go down and abandon the armed violence.”

He added, the CPP-NPA is losing the support of the populace while their ranks continue to go back to the democratic folds and start a lawful and peaceful life.

The continued Bayanihan in Western Visayas is a successful effort of the people who longed for lasting peace in this part of the country, stressed Sumaygaysay.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1111373348897

R-XI remains top counter-insurgency priority

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 10): R-XI remains top counter-insurgency priority

Army chief Lt. General Noel Coballes affirmed that Davao Region (R-XI) remains a top priority area in the anti-insurgency campaign in the country.

He said that recent development like the continued activities of the rebels in the area remain a security concern for the government.

Coballes said the status of the region as a venue of the anti- insurgency campaign will change only depending on the assessment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly on the dwindling dissent in the area.

On the abduction of five soldiers who remain in the hands of the rebels in Paquibato District, he said that the Army will not negotiate for the freedom of the captives, stressing that the government does not negotiate with terror groups. 

However, Coballes said that a negotiation is being pursued by another group for the safe release of the soldiers.

“We remain firm in our policy not to negotiate with terrorists,” he said.

Coballes was in Davao City to listen to the regular meeting of the Philippine Army Multi-Sector Advisory Board where genuine reforms in the ranks are being pursued based on governance and strong-private-public partnership.

The meeting aimed to allow the Army to showcase significant achievements of operational and tactical units relative to the Army Transformation Roadmap and Internal Peace and Security Plan implementation.

It also showcased the disaster response and rehabilitation convergence efforts of Army units and civilian-stakeholders in the area of responsibility of the 10th Infantry Division.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381373429098

Editorial: Spoilers

Editorial from the Philippine Star (Jul 10): Spoilers



The latest rampage of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement or BIFM, according to security officials, is meant to sabotage the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. This is hardly unexpected from a group that broke away from the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front reportedly due to differences over the peace initiative.

The MILF acted in a similar manner when the government was negotiating a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front. These days the MNLF is also acting up, in what many see as an effort to be consulted on the final peace deal with its breakaway faction. The peace pact signed by the government with the MNLF in 1996 has not yet been fully implemented, and now a new deal is being finalized with another group, covering the same area.

The fate of the original peace agreement shows that such deals need follow-through and coordinated support from government agencies as well as the private sector.

Armed conflict in the Muslim south has raged for centuries, with ideological aspirations enjoying mass support due to extreme poverty, social injustice and bad governance. Law enforcement often fails to prevent the bloodbath arising from clan feuds.

Today the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which will be part of the envisioned Bangsamoro entity under the peace deal with the MILF, remains one of the least developed areas in the country. The ARMM is awash with guns. Its people are badly in need of sustainable livelihood opportunities. A peace deal can provide the region with a period of calm and optimism. The opportunity must be seized to make the people start enjoying the dividends of peace.

Addressing the roots of public support for insurgencies is the best way to marginalize spoilers such as the BIFM. The group must be dealt with decisively even as the peace process is pursued with the MILF. The government cannot keep negotiating another peace pact with any troublemaker that comes along after a formal peace deal has been signed.

http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2013/07/10/963729/editorial-spoilers

What Went Before: The Al-Barka MILF-military encounter

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 10): What Went Before: The Al-Barka MILF-military encounter

Despite a ceasefire, fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) clashed with military troops on Oct. 18, 2011, in Al-Barka town in the province of Basilan. The encounter, which lasted from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., left 19 soldiers and six Moro insurgents dead.

The two sides blamed each other for the clash. MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said it was a deliberate attack by the military and the MILF would protest it to the international monitoring team and the ceasefire committee.

The MILF charged that the Special Forces troops intruded into its “area of temporary stay.”

Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command at the time, said the troops did not intrude into the MILF area and were about 4 kilometers from it when they were fired upon by the rebels, prompting them to fight back.

The incident in Al-Barka was followed by an Oct. 21 clash between MILF forces and the military in Zamboanga Sibugay province, where seven people were killed.

On Oct. 23, suspected MILF guerrillas attacked in Basilan and Lanao del Norte provinces, killing five civilians and two soldiers.

Despite the attacks, President Aquino refused to declare an all-out war against the MILF.

Aquino said the government would not be forced into making hasty and irresponsible decisions while peace talks with the MILF were about to be resumed.

On Nov. 3, the government and the MILF peace panels held informal talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and agreed to continue the investigation of the clash in Al-Barka.

Six months after the incident, a seven-man general court-martial was appointed to arraign four senior Army officers for the deadly operation.

The officers, relieved of their posts and charged with the deaths of the 19 soldiers, were Col. Amikandra Undug, former commander of the Army Special Forces Regiment; Col. Alexander Macario, former commander of the Special Operations Task Force-Basilan; Lt. Col. Leonardo Peña, former commander of the 4th Special Forces Battalion in charge of the troops deployed to Al-Barka; and Lt. Col. Orlando Edralin, former commandant of the Special Forces Training School.

Macario and Edralin were cleared by a military court on Oct. 31, 2012, because of “insufficient evidence,” while the general court-martial late last year denied Undug’s motion to have the charges against him dropped.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/441859/what-went-before-the-al-barka-milf-military-encounter

Sajahatra Bangsamoro adopts Philhealth's SAGIP

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 10): Sajahatra Bangsamoro adopts Philhealth's SAGIP

The Sajahatra Bangsamoro program will adopt Philhealth’s Strenghtening and Guaranteeing Insurance for the Poor (SAGIP) Module. 

Recently, 11 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front – Project Management Team (MILF-PMT) were trained in the use of SAGIP, an information system that will be installed in the local government units.

SAGIP is an important component of the Social Protection Support Initiatives (SPSI) Program which aims to introduce interventions that will enable PhilHealth’s poor members to pay for and sustain their health insurance coverage.

It will be linked to information other information systems like Department of Health’s Watching Over Mothers and Babies (WOMB) and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustaining Interventions in Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) that will be crucial in the identification of social services interventions particularly on the technical and skills training, livelihood and employment assistance.

”We really mean to have a sustainable membership and benefit coverage particularly for the sponsored members of Bangsamoro,” Dennis Lloyd Lee of the Philhealth Information Technology and Mangement Department said.

He added the same benefits will ”eventually be expanded to individually paying members and OFW Members.”

Using information from WOMB, SIPAG and SAGIP, government agencies like DOH, Philhealth and DSWD will finance the social health insurance needs of the members. The same information will also be used to train the beneficiaries to become productive and become economically independent and become capable of paying for their contributions.

Meanwhile, LGUs, through their respective social welfare and development offices, would also use the linked information systems to undertake microfinance assistance projects , register non-NHTS (National Household Targeting System) members,implement social interventions, and monitor economic status of beneficiaries.

It is also designed to maintain or improve their membership level with Philhealth and improve services through efficient infrastructure to be provided by Philhealth.

At the training, Dr. Miriam Grace G. Pamonag, OIC Regional Vice President of Philhealth 12, told the participants, ”it is easy to enroll with Philhealth; however, the real battle is during hospitalization.”

”We honor whatever you encode in the system but it is also important to validate the entry. There is no doubt that Philhealth will be very flexible about it,” Pamonag added. ”We hope to come up wth a policy that fits to your need. Rest assured that all issues and concerns raised from this forum will be forwarded to the Central Office.”

The team was also advised to coordinate with the Local Health Insurance Office in Cotabato City headed by Sharihana G. Sali or the Philhealth Regional Office Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under by Atty. Khaliquzzaman Macabato.

”Before the end of the year, we hope to achieve more. The National Health Insurance Program is ours. As owner of the program we have the obligation and responsibilities to take care of it. Let’s join hands to work this out for the benefit of the next generation,” Dr. Pamonag reminded the participants.

”When we see each other I hope we can altogether memorize our vision that ”Bawat Filipinop Miyembro, Bawat Miyembro Protektado, Kalusugan Natin Segurado. Let us nurture the partnership,” she added.

Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program is a socio- economic initiative of the Aquino administration that aims to uplift the health, livelihood and education conditions of Bangsamoro communities.

President Benigno Aquino III launched the program when he visited the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on February 11, 2012.

During the program launching, Philhealth distributed 11,000 Philhealth cards to members of the Bangsamoro communities.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611373441265

US won’t re-establish permanent bases in PH, says US embassy

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 10): US won’t re-establish permanent bases in PH, says US embassy
Amid plans to expand its access to the country’s bases, the United States does not intend to reestablish permanent military presence in the Philippines, according to the American Embassy in Manila.

The US Embassy said in a statement given to the Philippine Daily Inquirer that ongoing negotiations seeking to open up Philippine military bases to greater US access would like to expand cooperation between the two countries in the areas of military training and disaster preparedness.

“The United States is not seeking to create or reopen any military bases here. Working with the Philippines, we seek to promote security and stability for our nations and in the region,” Embassy officials said in a statement.

Echoing earlier statements of Philippine diplomatic officials, the Embassy said an agreement on the “temporary access by US forces” would be within the framework of the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement, which have been governing the parameters of Philippine-US defense ties.

“The United States and the Philippines, as friends and allies, engage in mutually agreed, mutually beneficial military cooperation to enhance the training and capabilities of our forces, strengthen inter-operability for defense as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-terrorism, and non-proliferation,” said the Embassy.

“An access agreement will increase opportunities for joint military training and exercises and allow the pre-positioning of equipment and supplies enabling us to respond quickly to disasters,” the Embassy said of the plan, which has invited criticism from those rejecting US involvement in the country’s sovereign affairs.

 

Philippine Ambassador to Washington D.C. Jose Cuisia Jr. said Monday in Manila that negotiations continued on the base access plan, first bared by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in June. The prospect cropped up in the course of periodic bilateral consultations between the two countries, the envoy had said.

 

Cuisia also guaranteed the public that a base access agreement would only be sealed if deemed beneficial for both countries and would be drafted in compliance with provisions of the Philippine Constitution.

 

The US is the Philippines’ closest defense ally, providing financial and technical aid in bolstering the Philippine military and law enforcement agencies.

 

The US’ permanent military bases in the country were booted out through a Senate vote in 1992, but Washington has maintained constant defense ties with Manila, punctuated of late by its strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific.

 

The Philippines is meanwhile beefing up its external defense capabilities amid regional security concerns, particularly the tense disputes over the West Philippine Sea.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/80299/us-wont-re-establish-permanent-bases-in-ph-says-us-embassy

Relatives, friends pay tribute to 2 Ateneans

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 10): Relatives, friends pay tribute to 2 Ateneans

Relatives and close friends of the two alumni of Ateneo de Naga University (AdeNU), who were among the eight communist rebels killed in an encounter with Army soldiers in Sorsogon on July 4, offered a Mass for them at the Jesuit-run school in Naga City on Monday.

Even former acquaintances in the underground movement in the 1990s showed up to pay their respects to Frankie Joe Soriano, alias Ka Greg Bañares, spokesperson of the communist-led National Democratic Front-Bicol, and Ted Palacio, alias Ka Gary.

After his graduation in college, Soriano joined the guerrillas to organize farmers. He was assigned to the town centers of Camarines Norte until 1995. He was a member of the Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines until his death.

Palacio graduated in 1994 with a BS Computer Science degree. He was an instructor in computer science at AdeNU when he went underground in 1995 and joined the armed struggle in 1999.

Friends and classmates grieved in silence as they shook hands before the 30-minute Mass started at 9:30 a.m. Fr. Rex Alarkon, a classmate of Palacio in high school, celebrated the Mass.

“There is an end in our struggle on earth,” Alarkon said, but “there is somebody greater than our aspirations—God.”

“All of us are equal before God. We pray to the Lord to grant them eternal peace,” he said.

Siblings of Bañares and Palacio thanked those present for remembering and respecting the memories of their loved ones.

Jasper Soriano, second to Frankie, who was eldest among three siblings, said the family respected his brother’s decision to join the rebels even if it hurt them.

“Maybe they (NPA members) also have their cause which other people cannot accept. For his loved ones and family, he left behind, we remain neutral,” Jasper said. Their brother, he said, possessed more good qualities than bad.

Doris Palacio, a younger sister of Ted, described the “unbearable pain” of losing him, especially that another elder brother had just died. She called Ted “Manoy Boboy,” a term of endearment for an elder brother.

“I will say that Manoy Boboy is now in peace,” she said. His body lies in their home in Naga.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/442467/relatives-friends-pay-tribute-to-2-ateneans

NPA leader in Sorsogon has abandoned followers, says Army commander

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 10): NPA leader in Sorsogon has abandoned followers, says Army commander
The top leader of the communist insurgents in Sorsogon abandoned his men after last week’s encounter with the military that left his top lieutenants dead, the military said on Wednesday.

Andres Hubilla alias Ka Magno, secretary of the Komite ng Probinsya Sorsogon of the New People’s Army (NPA), has slipped out of the province, said Colonel Joselito Kakilala, commander of the Army’s 903rd Brigade, which carried out the assault against the communist insurgents late last week.

Kakilala said Hubilla has been living it up in Sorsogon while leading peasants in the revolutionary movement.

Hubilla has a P10 million mansion in Sta. Cruz village in Casiguran, Sorsogon, according to the military.

The July 4 clash took place right inside an NPA camp in the hinterlands in Upper Calmayon in Juban town, killing top NPA leaders in Sorsogon.

The NPAs in Sorsogon are practically leaderless, crippled, and scattered, according to Kakilala.

“They lost the brains in the movement in that area,” he said.

Among those killed was Greg Banares, the spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Bicol and Ramil Anonuevo, a member of the NPA’s national special operations group who was implicated in the assassinations of former communist party top leaders Filemon “Popoy” Lagman and Romulo Kintanar.

“We hit not only the command and control of Sorsogon but also the entire Bicol region,” Kakilala said.

Banares’ partner, Christine Puche, who handled the propaganda efforts of the communist insurgency in the region was also killed.

“It would take some time for the NPA to find a replacement for Banares of his caliber,” Kakilala said.

The military’s recent victory in Sorsogon was a “big blow to the NPAs because soldiers were able to penetrate the security of the top cadres right inside their headquarters,” highlighting the communist insurgents’ “vulnerability” to government forces.

Kakilala said the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has begun its propaganda against the military, such as calling the Upper Calmayon encounter a massacre.

It was the CPP’s only way to discredit the government, Kakilala said, describing the NPA in Sorsogon as “vicious,” for killing civilians and extorting money from them.

Kakilala said that he has ordered his men to prevent any regrouping by the NPA.

“We should not give the NPA the space and time to organize, train, and conduct tactical offensives against government forces including the PNP (Philippine National Police),” he said.

In Mindanao, the CPP’s secretary of its guerilla front in the Southern Mindanao regional committee surrendered to the Army’s 10th Infantry Division on Wednesday.

Top NPA leader Narciso Ruben alias Jason left the movement because of “hardship, disillusionment with the NPA, and military pressure,” said Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, commander of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command.

“More from the NPA would likely surrender. It’s very rare that a front secretary would surrender. He was carrying a Smith & Wesson revolver. He was alone when he surrendered,” Cruz said.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Emmanuel Bautista will preside over a command conference on Wednesday on the internal security operations of the military.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/442451/npa-leader-in-sorsogon-has-abandoned-followers-says-army-commander