Army captures NPA training camp in N. Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 16): Army captures NPA training camp in N. Cotabato

Government forces captured a training camp of the communist New People’s Army in a remote village here over the weekend, an Army spokesperson today said.

The recovery of a camp in Sitio Kisimbit, Barangay Manobo, about 10 kilometers north of Poblacion Magpet, came after an hour long skirmishes between elements of the NPA Far South Front 72 command on Saturday afternoon, according to Army 1Lt. Nasrullah Sema.

Sema, speaking for the 57th Infantry Battalion, said villagers in Barangay Manobo tipped off the soldiers about the presence of about 30 heavily armed NPAs undergoing training.

“The support of the civilians was the key in the recovery of the training camp,” Sema said, adding that the Army had slowly regained peoples’ confidence.

Sema said the camp in Barangay Manobo had perimeter defense line, several running trenches and bunkers that could house as many as 50 persons at a given time.

No casualty was reported in the firefight on the government side.

Sema said he could not say whether the NPAs suffered fatalities but he was expecting heavily wounded rebels fleeing the scene.

Sema said the camp was being managed by three amazons who fled with their men as the Army assaulted the training camp.

In retaliation, the NPA Front 72 guerillas have launched a series of atrocities against civilian and military forces in areas around the country’s highest peak of Mt. Apo.

“Ka Gemma,” speaking for the NPA, claimed they attacked soldiers of the 39th Infantry Battalion detachment in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.

In an ensuing firefight, three NPAs were killed and three soldiers wounded.

Just as the fighting was raging in Magsaysay, a town near the boundary of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, another band of NPAs attempted but failed to overrun two militiamen detachment in Tulunan, North Cotabato.

Sema said two NPAs were wounded in the Tulunan incident.

Ka Gemma announced here that they will launch harassment and tactical offensives simultaneous with the state of the nation address of President Aquino on Monday.

“We are ready for them,” Sema said. “We know their movements, we know where they are and we are ready as always.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544532

Bangsamoro talks: Last 2 annexes signed 'within the year'

From Rappler (Jul 15): Bangsamoro talks: Last 2 annexes signed 'within the year'



OPTIMISTIC. Despite two more annexes left for discussion, government peace panel head Miriam Colonel-Ferrer expresses optimism both sides will reach an agreement before the end of the year. Photo by Rappler

Two annexes down, two more to go.

After the successful signing of the wealth-sharing annex for the envisioned Bangsamoro political entity, what's next in the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)?

Two more annexes – on power sharing and on normalization – await discussion and approval to complete the comprehensive agreement. The government panel is almost certain these will be signed "within the year."

The Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, signed on July 13, came 5 months after the first document, the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, was signed in February.

While the relief and contentment of the government peace panel upon the signing of the wealth-sharing annex was palpable on Monday, July 15, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita "Ging" Deles reminded reporters there is much left to be done.

"In the coming months, expect already there will be rough patches," she said in a press briefing in Malacañang. "But remember this: we are committed to see this process through."

Deles joined the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel in Malaysia for the recent negotiations with the MILF. The agreement on wealth sharing didn't come easy. Talks were originally scheduled for 4 days, and later extended to two more days after the two parties initially failed to reach a compromise.

GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer described the negotiations as "a close call," but after 6 days of talks, including a 12-hour meeting, both parties finally came to an agreement and signed the contentious annex shortly before midnight Saturday.

READ: GPH-MILF agree on wealth-sharing

READ: Still no deal: peace talks extended anew

READ: MILF returns to negotiating table

'Crunch time'

Ferrer said the other annexes have been discussed simultaneously in talks, and said both sides "already have a good number of consensus points on the power-sharing annex as well as the normalization annex."

When asked which annex would likely be tackled ahead, she said "it will be a contest between the two annexes which one gets to the finish line first."

Sources have told Rappler, however, that both sides are expected to complete the power-sharing annex next since work on the annex has started June last year, at the same time as the wealth-sharing annex. It is considered to be on the advanced level as discussions are already tackled by the panel.

The normalization annex is still still under the level of the technical working groups. In the recent talks, both sides tackled the phasing and timing of the decommissioning of MILF combatants and other armed groups, as well as the composition of the Independent Commission on Policing – the body tasked to submit recommendations on the police force for the Bangsamoro.

Ferrer admitted it would be "crunch time" for MILF once the normalization annex is discussed.

"In the normalization annex, this is where crunch time really comes for the MILF because this is the part where we will be working on the decommissioning of combatants and weapons, and as you can imagine, that is something that is not easy to give up for a group that has held on to its arms in order to pursue its cause," she said.

She added, "It is something that they cannot simply do when, in fact, there are so many other armed groups in the area," citing criminal groups and private armed groups in addition to the MILF.

Optimistic

Despite the challenges ahead, Ferrer expressed optimism over upcoming discussions and implementation, specifically with regards to the normalization annex. She praised the efforts of the MILF in standing by the agreements they have signed so far.

"There are still contentions on the phasing and the process as to how it will be done, but the MILF has already committed to this. It’s going to be part of the comprehensive agreement that alongside the political and economic deliverables will be these deliverables on their part," she said.

Ferrer would not give a specific time frame for the completion of the other two annexes but said "it is fair to assume the two annexes will be signed within the year."

She said both parties are looking to finish the negotiations as soon as possible in order to move on to the implementation of the agreement.

The goal, she said, is to finish everything within the Aquino administration, by 2016.

"The timetable is always a product of mutual deliberations. So that timetable really depends on both parties coming to terms with these difficult issues and as soon as we are able to do that, under pressure, just like last week, then certainly it will happen probably sooner than the pessimists expect," she said.

The parties are scheduled to meet again after the Ramadan.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/33781-bangsamoro-talks-annexes-signed-within-the-year

PH slaps China with 8 facts vs 'baseless' claim

From Rappler (Jul 15): PH slaps China with 8 facts vs 'baseless' claim

Point by point, the Philippines rebuffed China on Monday, July 15, after the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) lied in Belgium about the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute.

In a press conference, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez presented 8 facts to belie the statement made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying last Friday, July 12.

Hernandez took exception to this statement by Hua: “The Philippines' claim that ‘it had exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful settlement of the dispute’ is completely not true.”

Hua was referring to a speech by Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario in Brussels, Belgium, last July 9, about the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.

In turn, Hernandez said on Monday, “The Chinese statement is baseless.” He also blasted China’s “rigid position” that goes: “Tanggapin ninyo na amin ang buong South China Sea bago tayo mag-usap.” (First accept that the whole South China Sea is ours before we start talking.)

8 points vs China

“For the record,” Hernandez said, “we wish to present the facts as follows:

1. “As we had previously stated on numerous occasions, the Philippines and China have been exchanging views on these disputes in attempts to achieve negotiated solutions since the first Philippines-China Bilateral Consultations on the South China Sea Issue were held in August 1995. However, despite more than 17 years of consultations, no progress has been made.

2. “Since intrusions in the Bajo de Masinloc started in April 2012 alone, we have had nearly 50 consultations with China.

3. “On maritime talks indicated by China in the ASEAN meetings in Brunei, we clarify that, in fact, the Philippines invited China to hold informal talks. This was held early last year, including a two-day session in Manila. Subsequent plans to meet further were overtaken by continuing intrusions by China, especially in Bajo de Masinloc since April last year.

4. “We had all along been indicating publicly our 3-track approach of diplomatic, political, and legal tracks, including arbitration.

5. “Prior to our filing of the arbitration case, in contradiction with China’s declaration in the ASEAN meetings in Brunei that we did not signal a possible Philippine arbitration track, we did invite China to join us in bringing the issue to a dispute settlement mechanism to resolve the issue on a long-term basis. This was officially communicated through a note verbale dated April 26, 2012. In its official response to our note verbale, China stated that our proposal was a 'none ground' issue and it urged the Philippines 'to refrain from any infringement on China’s territorial sovereignty.'

6. “Prior to this, on various occasions, we had verbally invited China to join us in ITLOS. In fact, during the very first official visit of Secretary Albert F del Rosario to China in July 2011, he proposed to Chinese top leaders to jointly bring this issue to ITLOS for adjudication. During the visit, Secretary Del Rosario met at length with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi who subsequently brought the Secretary to meet with then Vice President Xi Jinping.

7. “Secretary Albert F del Rosario visited Beijing 3 times with an invitation for the Chinese Foreign Minister to visit Manila for consultations. Up to now, we are awaiting a favorable response to our renewed invitations.”

8. “In all of these dialogues, China has consistently maintained its hard line position of ‘indisputable sovereignty’ over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, based on historical facts. The Chinese unequivocal message: Tanggapin ninyo na amin ang buong South China Sea bago tayo mag-usap. It has, therefore, become impossible to continue bilateral discussions on disputes in the West Philippine Sea with China on the basis of this rigid position. This led us to finally resort to arbitration under Annex VII of the UNCLOS.”

'Peaceful' move but...

Hernandez added the Philippines “remains steadfast in peacefully resolving” the dispute before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The arbitral tribunal to settle the dispute “is now in place,” he noted.

China, however, has rejected the proceedings initiated by the Philippines.

“We moreover reiterate that the Philippines adheres to the agreement reached between the leaders of the Philippines and China in 2011 ‘not to let the maritime disputes affect the broader picture of friendship and cooperation between the two countries,” Hernandez said.

The Philippines and China remain caught in a decades-long dispute over portions of the West Philippine Sea.

To help settle the issue, Del Rosario has invited Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit the Philippines. This was after reportedly “testy exchanges” between them in the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum in Brunei.

Territorial disputes also drive a wedge between China and other members of the ASEAN – Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/33790-ph-china-baseless-belgium

Rebels surrender guns

The Visayan Daily Star (Jul 15): Rebels surrender guns

Seven firearms were surrendered by six members of the New People’s Army in central Negros to the 11th Infantry Battalion in the past two weeks.

 Lt. Col. Wilfredo Isaac, its commander, also said yesterday that seven more assorted guns with magazines of ammunition were also surrendered to them by civilians, as a result of the immersion activities of the 11IB Bayanihan teams in the hinterland areas of central Negros.

 Among the high-powered firearms surrendered were an M16 assault rifle,an M14 rifle, shotguns, assorted handguns, military records show.

Those who surrendered the firearms can avail of financial assistance under the Guns for Peace program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Isaac said.

The M16 armalite rifle has a cash equivalent of P50,000 and an M14 rifle P60,000.

Last week, 28 Yunit Militia and Party Branch members of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas surrendered en masse to the 79th Infantry Battalion in Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Isaac said the rebel returnees who surrendered the firearms, pledged to support and help the government in their peace and development effort.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/July/15/negor2.htm

Navy warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz readies to leave Hawaii en route to PHL

From GMA News (Jul 16): Navy warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz readies to leave Hawaii en route to PHL

After receiving a warm welcome from the Filipino community in Hawaii, the crew of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the Philippines' newest warship, prepared to leave and continue their journey to the Philippines.
Photos posted on the BRP Ramon Alcaraz's Facebook page on Tuesday (Philippine time) showed the crew busy making preparations for the trip home.
"(The ship's crewmembers are) conducting refueling, coordination on the engineering requirements, admin(istrative) and logistical requirements and the testing of other equipment to be utilized during the voyage," the captions on the photos read.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is expected to reach the Philippines on August 3.

During its stay in Hawaii, the crew headed by Capt. Ernesto Baldovino toured the USS Arizona Memorial.

Five enlisted personnel of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz also took their oaths of re-enlistment:

EN2 Regidor Labrador, EN3 Tomas Ciruelos Jr.,
EN3 Ernesto Cabahug,
S2YN Erica Celemin, and
EN3 Marlon Martonito.

Last weekend, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz arrived in Hawaii to a warm welcome from the Filipino-American community there.

An earlier Philippines News Agency report said Hawaii is the frigate's second port call en route to the Philippines.

Last June 28, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) docked at San Diego 28 for refueling and re-provisioning.

Following its Aug. 3 arrival, the newest warship may be commissioned in September.

The ship is named after Filipino naval hero Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, who gained distinction in World War II by shooting down three Japanese Zero fighters who tried to attack his ship.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/317623/news/nation/navy-warship-brp-ramon-alcaraz-readies-to-leave-hawaii-en-route-to-phl

MILF: No to divide Sulu

From the MILF Website (Jul 16): No to divide Sulu

 

Former governor and now Vice Governor Abdulsakur Tan of Sulu had vowed to fight a propose bill filed in congress by former Sulu Representive Munir Arbison during his third and last term in congress to divide Sulu into two or three provinces. During the last election, Arbision ran for Sulu gubernatorial post but lost.
  

Governor Tan was quoted as saying, “That splitting Sulu would only cause disunity and dissension among the people and shall be the ‘stumbling block’ to peace and prosperity; People are being misled into believing that dividing Sulu into two or three provinces will bring more progress and funding support from the national government; and the proposed division will not bring good to the province particularly in the economic aspect. The interest of the people in Sulu must be the top priority over the other’s interest”.

Base on the set-up of the MILF Provincial Political Committee of Sulu the province is divided into three provinces, Central Sulu, Northern Sulu and Southern Sulu. The Provincial Committee sees the proposal as trying to undermine the strength of the MILF in Sulu and its mass-base.

Sulu has an area of 1,600 Square Kilometers and the 15th largest island province in the Philippine archipelago in terms of area and is classified as first class province in terms of income.

Given the scenario, the MILF in the province must strengthen its advocacy programs to gain more support from the populace and win Sulu for inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro region.

http://www.luwaran.com/

MILF: GPH, MILF sign agreement on Wealth-Sharing annex

From the MILF Website (Jul 15): GPH, MILF sign agreement on Wealth-Sharing annex

 

The Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) finally reached an agreement on the Annex on Wealth-Sharing at around 10:40 p.m. Saturday in Kuala Lumpur and signed the document at midnight, Mindanews reported on July 14, 2013.
  

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles told MindaNews at 11:03 p.m. that the panels were just “cleaning up text of the annex for signing.” “It was signed at midnight,” MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal told MindaNews in a text message.

The wealth-sharing annex, considered one of the most contentious annexes was signed at 12:07 a.m. Sunday, July 14, the report said. Deles told Mindanews that “perseverance” led to the breakthrough.

The breakthrough was reached after six days of negotiations that started on July 8, including a two-day extension. As of 8:30 p.m., Iqbal had told MindaNews that there were still “four to five major issues” that had to be resolved and that the government peace panel was awaiting the response of President Aquino. The Annexes on Power-Sharing and Normalization are still on the line and subject to rounds of rigid negotiation.

The four annexes, Arrangement and Modalities, Wealth-sharing, Power Sharing and Normalization to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) will complete the comprehensive peace agreement. The Annex on Arrangement and Modalities was signed in February.

Mindanews in its succeeding   report said that the mood may not have been as euphoric as it was in early October when the final text of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) was agreed upon but the final crafting and signing of the Annex on Wealth-Sharing between the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on July 13, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur is still historic: it was forged five days short of the 16th anniversary of the signing of the June 18, 1997 ceasefire declaration between the GPH and MILF;  it was the longest ever negotiation in the 16-year talks; and it happened on the 10th death anniversary of the MILF’s founder and first chair, Ameerul Mujahideen Salamat Hashim.

The six-paragraph Joint Statement and the eight-page Annex on Wealth-Sharing were actually signed in the early hours of July 14, at around 12:07 a.m but the Wealth-Sharing deal was sealed at around 10:40 p.m, the report said. The percentage of sharing between the two parties was not mentioned in the report or in the joint statement.

The FAB provides for the creation of a new autonomous political entity called Bangsamoro Region which will replace ARMM described by President Bengino “Noynoy” C. Aquino as a “failed experiment”.

Last week’s round of negotiations was the longest in the 16-year talks, a day longer than the final round of talks that led to the signing of the FAB, even as both rounds took six days, the report said.
The President sent Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles and Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Deles stayed on until the midnight signing.

Asked what led to the breakthrough, GPH peace panel chair Ferrer told MindaNews in a text message, “everything.”

MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal told MindaNews in a text message: “I am pleased but right now I still see the bumpy road ahead. There are still many challenges ahead.”

The Joint Statement was silent on the next round of talks but MindaNews sources from both panels said they will resume talks on the remaining Annexes on Power-Sharing and Normalization, after the Ramadhan.

http://www.luwaran.com/

MILF: BDA SouthMin pays courtesy call to the new Governor of Sarangani

From the MILF Website (Jul 15): BDA SouthMin pays courtesy call to the new Governor of Sarangani



The Bangsamoro Development Agency-Southern Mindanao (BDA-SouthMin) Regional Management Office paid courtesy call to Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, the newly elected local chief executive of Sarangani Province, on July 8, 2018 at the Provincial Capitol, in its capital town Alabel.
  

The visit was led by BDA-SouthMin Regional Manager Mohalikin D. Piang. He was accompanied by Community Organizer Supervisor Rashid Piang, Administrative Assistant Moctar Sampulna, and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Gandhi Kinjiyo.

Solon was oriented on the current sub-projects being implemented in three towns of the province and got acquainted with the BDA SouthMin staff.

The governor asked for a meeting where they can level off so that he would know how the provincial government can extend help of the successful implementation of sub-projects. Piang replied they will set for schedule for such purpose soon.

At present, the Barangay Community Volunteers (BCVs) do the packaging of the proposed sub-projects with the facilitation of the BDA staff.

Among the proposed sub-projects are water system, post-harvest facilities, fishing equipment, rice retail and goat-raising.   

The BCVs came up with the proposed sub-projects after the stringent process of consultation with the respective members of communities in adherence with the Community Drive Development (CDD) mechanism adopted by BDA.

BDA South-Min implements development project under the Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program (MTFRDP) in the towns of Malapatan, Maasim and Maitum. Each municipality has three target barangays.

MTFRDP is a multi-donor trust fund supported by the following: Australian Aid for International Development, New Zealand Aid for International Development, Canada International Development Agency, Sweden International Development Agency, United States Aid for International Development, European Union and The World Bank.

http://www.luwaran.com/

20,000 Negrenses benefit from ‘March for Peace’

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 15): 20,000 Negrenses benefit from ‘March for Peace’ 

At least 20,000 Negrenses participated in a peace rally and availed themselves of the health services during the 13-day “Marching for Peace, Serving the Countryside” project in six hinterland barangays in northern Negros Occidental.

The initiative, led by the Provincial Peace and Integration Development Unit of Negros Occidental, in cooperation with the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army, concluded with a peace rally in Escalante City Saturday.

It started with a march of 1,000 military and police personnel on July 1 from Barangay Bato, Sagay City to Barangay Paitan, Escalante City.

On the same day, government services were also brought to Barangay Paitan.

The next stop was Barangay Bandila,Toboso, then Barangay Malatas, Calatrava, Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, and Barangays Pinapugasan and Malasibog, also in Escalante City.

First District Board Member Rolando Ponsica, who district covers Escalante, Toboso and Calatrava, said Negrenses have a role to play to promote and achieve peace in the province.

During the two-week activities, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. visited five of the six far-flung barangays and assured the residents of the provincial government’s assistance in addressing their respective concerns, particularly on lack of infrastructure, livelihood opportunities, and basic health services.

During the activities, Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, chief of Central Command in the Visayas, visited Barangay Malasibog with Marañon.

He said the initiative should set as an example for other areas in the region.

Col. Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the fight is no longer through the use guns but on how to address poverty.

The areas of Escalante-Toboso-Calatrava have been the focus of operations of the 303rd IB since two years ago, but Aying said sustained military pressure forced the two platoons of the New People’s Army to leave the area.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544373

Tadian mayor aks NPA to leave town in peace

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 15): Tadian mayor aks NPA to leave town in peace
 
Municipal Mayor Anthony Wooden Monday led his constituents in a peace rally here to ask the New People's Army to leave them in peace so they can pursue developments in agriculture, tourism and energy production.

”We ask the NPA to leave us in peace and administer our own affairs,” he said.

He said this kind of rally was also staged by the officials and residents of Bontoc, Mountain Province last July 2 in the hope they can also pursue their development programs.

The rallies were staged as a result of the June 28 ambush by the NPA of more than 100 police trainees where one was killed and nine were injured.

In both rallies, officials condemned as treacherous the NPA attack against the unarmed police trainees.

Wooden said before the attack, tourists perceived the town as among the most peaceful places in the province, and tourist spots were already being listed down.

Besides, a private investor had signified intention of putting up a hydroelectric project to produce clean energy in the area.

The mayor said the local farmers have started to have viable production of coffee and wine.

He lamented however that all these developments would be stalled when the NPA would not leave them in peace and progress.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544386

GRP-MILF peace panels set sights on last 2 annexes

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 15): GRP-MILF peace panels set sights on last 2 annexes

After successfully coming to terms on the revenue generation and wealth sharing annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, members of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panels now set their sights on agreeing on the last two remaining annexes of the FAB – power sharing and normalization.

Together with revenue generation and wealth sharing that was signed early Sunday (July 14), the other FAB annex is on transitional arrangements and modalities that was signed last February.

In a press briefing in Malacanang on Monday (July 15), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles said that the same “extreme rigor” used by the parties to finally come to terms and agree on the first two annexes would be employed once again in order to hurdle any obstacle in achieving peace.

“This has been a truly very difficult time in the negotiations but we come away with the affirmation, with the real strong sense and proof that indeed things can be as difficult, as we know they will, that the next annexes will also be difficult,” Deles said.

“But, as has been shown—and we have the proof now—that it can be difficult: we go to the table, we talk about it; we, together, look for solutions where there are problems. We don’t find our solutions in the battlefield. We find it on the table,” she added

Philippine peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, who joined Deles to brief reporters in Malacanang, said that although this was one of the “toughest” rounds in the exploratory talks, perseverance and clarity of purpose of both panels made the signing of the wealth sharing annex possible.

“It was one of the toughest rounds that we have been through since we signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro last October. It was a close call. Both sides made difficult but also constructive decisions. With perseverance and clarity of purpose, we returned home with the signed annex on revenue generation and wealth sharing,” Ferrer said.

Comprised of eight pages, the wealth sharing annex has 12 sections detailing the: taxation; other sources of revenue; fees, and charges; grants and donations; fund transfers from central government; contracting of loans and overseas development assistance; natural resources; additional fiscal powers; auditing body; intergovernmental fiscal policy board; Bangsamoro development plan; and, gender development.

Ferrer said that “under the taxing powers, the parties have agreed that 25 percent of the central government taxes, fees, and charges collected in the Bangsamoro, except for tariff and custom duties, will go to the central government while 75 percent of it, including the shares of the local government units, will go the Bangsamoro government.”

“The signing of the second annex is, indeed, a breakthrough. We expect the discussions on the power sharing and normalization annexes to be just as intense. But, when you’re halfway through, there is no reason to turn back. The only way to go is forward,” Ferrer said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=544245

Palace bares wealth sharing deal with MILF

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 15): Palace bares wealth sharing deal with MILF

With the signing of the Annex on wealth sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Malacanang on Monday detailed its deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel Chief Negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, in a press briefing, said the wealth sharing annex comprised 12 sections -- taxation, other sources of revenue, fees and charges, grants and donations, fund transfers from central government, contracting of loans and overseas development assistance, natural resources, additional fiscal powers, auditing body, intergovernmental fiscal policy board, Bangsamoro development plan, and on gender and development.

On the section of taxation, Ferrer said, both parties have agreed that 25 percent of the central government taxes, fees, and charges collected in the Bangsamoro, except for tariff and custom duties, will go to the central government, while 75 percent of it, including the shares of the local government units(LGUs), will go the Bangsamoro government.

"This is an improvement in the current system in the ARMM (Autonomous Government in Muslim Mindanao) where sharing is at 70-30," she noted.

On fund transfers from central government, Ferrer said, the government agreed that a "special development fund" will be provided to the Bangsamoro for rehabilitation and development purposes upon the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

"This special development fund will take into account the ARMM provinces that will eventually be asked to join the Bangsamoro, as well as the other territories (that) are coming from a disadvantage position because of the years of -- the decades of conflict that has affected development in the area. This special development fund will ensure that the jumpstart mechanisms will be put in place, in order for these poorest regions in the poorest provinces in the country to be able to catch up with the rest of the country," she said.

On the matter of natural resources, Ferrer said, 75 percent of government income derived from the exploration, development, and utilization of metallic minerals within the region will go to the Bangsamoro government.

On the other hand, government revenues from non-metallic minerals like sand, gravel, and quarry resources will go to the Bangsamoro government and its local government units.

"Government income derived from fossil fuels like petroleum, natural gas, and coal, and uranium will be shared equally between the central and Bangsamoro governments," she noted.

With respect to metallic minerals within the Bangsamoro, 75 percent of such revenues shall pertain to the Bangsamoro, while fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) and uranium, the same shall be shared equally between the central government and Bangsamoro.

Of all the provisions, Ferrer said, "the jewel in the crown is the provision that the Bangsamoro will enjoy automatic appropriation and regular release of its budget."

"This allocation will be in the form of an annual block grant from the central government similar to the internal revenue allotment or the IRA received by LGUs," she stressed.

Ferrer explained that the formula for the automatic appropriation of block grant will be provided in the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

At the same time, the annex on wealth sharing provides that revenues collected by the Bangsamoro from additional taxes and their share in government income from natural resources shall be deducted from the annual block grants on the fourth year of the operation of the regular Bangsamoro government.

"This provision came from the MILF. It indicated that behind the haggling for more shares is the intent to be less and less dependent on the national government," said Ferrer.

"It indicated that the intention is not to get the 'lion’s share' for its own sake but to be able, in the future, to stand tall as a progressive and peaceful region; an equal partner of the central government in an equally peaceful and progressive country," she said.

"This, indeed, is the true meaning of partnership -- a partnership that is not based on dependency and patronage, but on the strength and capacities introduced by both for the benefit of the whole," she added.

Under the wealth sharing agreement, the Bangsamoro will also have the power to levy fees and charges in connection with the powers and functions that it shall exercise.

The Bangsamoro may also receive grants from donors, and such grants will be received by it directly.

"The signing of the second annex is, indeed, a breakthrough. We expect the discussions on the power sharing and normalization annexes to be just as intense. But, when you’re halfway through, there is no reason to turn back. The only way to go is forward," said Ferrer.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=544328

Gov't admits to have 'intense' discussion on normalization, power sharing annexes with MILF

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 15): Gov't admits to have 'intense' discussion on normalization, power sharing annexes with MILF

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel admitted there will be "crunch time" when discussions on normalization and power sharing annexes start with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"We expect the discussions on the power sharing and normalization annexes to be just as intense. In the normalization annex, this is where crunch time really comes for the MILF because this is the part where they will be talking about -- we will be working on the decommissioning of combatants and weapons," said GPH peace panel Chief Negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer in a press briefing on Monday.

Ferrer said the decommissioning "was something that is not easy to give up for a group that has held on to its arms in order to pursue its cause. It is something that they (MILF) cannot simply do when, in fact, there are so many other armed groups in the area. There are so many other, well, criminal groups, private armed groups, and so on."

She noted there are still contentions on the phasing and the process as to how it will be done, "but the MILF has already committed to this."

Ferrer said the normalization annex will provide for a joint normalization committee which will see through this whole process.

There will also be an independent decommissioning body that will take care of the disposition of the weapons as well as the inventory and programming for the transition of former combatants into ex-combatants.

"It’s going to be part of the comprehensive agreement that alongside the political and economic deliverables will be these deliverables on their part -- a movement from an armed group into a socio-political movement or various socio-political organizations including a political party for the MILF to transition from that kind of a status to one that is fully part of a mainstream politics and society," she said.

With regards to power sharing, Ferrer said there is a provision that would talk about a list of powers that will be called "reserved powers" of the central government.

Such reserved powers include foreign affairs, national defense, coinage and monetary policy.

"We also have two other list, which are quite long. We talk about concurrent powers that will have to redefine competencies and then exclusive powers, powers that are being devolved basically to the Bangsamoro," she noted.

"So all of this, each item there -- there are about 50 items -- each one of them we expect contentious discussion. We have resolved some these 50 items on the list. You know, every now and then, we do need to come back, go back with regards to how we will language the text with reference to this," she added.

Ferrer said that although there may be dissatisfaction remarks that maybe expressed when the discussion on normalization and power sharing annexes start, "the important thing is that both (GPH, MILF) want this process to succeed, both want to come to an agreement; and, therefore, we will find a way to get there."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&sid=&nid=0&rid=544365

PHL blasts China for WPS comments

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 15): PHL blasts China for WPS comments

The Philippines on Monday blasted China’s Foreign Ministry for saying that Manila is spreading “misleading” and “incorrect” information on the status of its territorial disputes with Beijing in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez branded as “baseless” the comments of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which said last week that “the Philippines’ claim that it had exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful settlement of dispute is completely not true.”

The latest exchange of diplomatic barbs between China and the Philippines is the latest manifestation of long standing territorial feud between Asian superpower China and the Philippines over West Philippine Sea territories that have reignited in recent years by tense confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in two disputed shoals – Scarborough and Ayungin – off Manila’s western coasts.

Hernandez said since August 1995, the two Asian nations have been exchanging views on the disputes in attempts to achieve a negotiated solution.

“However, despite more than 17 years of consultations, no progress has been made,” he said, adding the two sides have had nearly 50 consultations when a standoff in the Scarborough Shoal, or locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, erupted between the Philippines and China in April last year.

Subsequent plans to meet, he said, were further overtaken by continuing intrusions by China in Philippine waters since April 2012, particularly in the Scarborough Shoal, which Manila says is within its territory but is being claimed by China even it is far from its nearest landmass of Hainan province.

“In all of these dialogues, China has consistently maintained its hard line position of “indisputable sovereignty” over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, based on historical facts,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said China’s unequivocal message is: “Tanggapin ninyo na amin ang buong South China Sea bago tayo mag-usap. (Acknowledge that the entire South China is ours before we talk.).”

“It has, therefore, become impossible to continue bilateral discussions on disputes in the West Philippine Sea with China on the basis of this rigid position. This led us to finally resort to arbitration under Annex VII of the UNCLOS,” Hernandez said.

UNCLOS stands for United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a 1982 accord by 163 countries that aims to govern the use of offshore areas and sets territorial limits of coastal states.

The Philippines and China are both signatories to the treaty, which also allows member-states to seek legal remedy on territorial disputes through mediation.

Despite the risks of standing up to China, the Philippines sought arbitration under the UNCLOS last January to question the legality of Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

China has dismissed the Philippine action, which got the backing of several Asian and Western nations like Japan, the United States and European Union.

Other Asian nations including those with territorial disputes with China have not been as aggressive to protect their trade relations with Beijing and avoid incurring China’s ire.

The Philippines is locked in a long-running dispute with China over the South China Sea or also known as West Philippine Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims over the waters where undersea gas deposits have been discovered in several areas.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying claimed the Philippines “is keen on attacking China in international settings while unilaterally shutting the door for negotiation and consultation.”

“Such practice is anything but helpful to solve the issue. China urges the Philippine side to change its wrong course, stop misleading public opinion and come back to the right track of solving the dispute through bilateral negotiation and consultation,” Hua said.

Hernandez belied Hua’s accusations, saying “we had all along been indicating publicly our three-track approach of diplomatic, political, and legal tracks, including arbitration.”

“Prior to our filing of the arbitration case, in contradiction with China’s declaration in the ASEAN meetings in Brunei that we did not signal a possible Philippine arbitration track, we did invite China to join us in bringing the issue to a dispute settlement mechanism to resolve the issue on a long-term basis,” Hernandez said.

“This was officially communicated through a note verbale dated April 26, 2012. In its official response to our note verbale, China stated that our proposal was a ‘none ground’ issue and it urged the Philippines ‘to refrain from any infringement on China’s territorial sovereignty.’”

On various occasions, Hernandez said the Philippines verbally invited China to join them before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to determine which among the two states have sovereign rights over the Scarborough Shoal.

“In fact, during the very first official visit of Secretary Albert del Rosario to China in July 2011, he proposed to Chinese top leaders to jointly bring this issue to ITLOS for adjudication. During the visit, Secretary Del Rosario met at length with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi who subsequently brought the Secretary to meet with then Vice President Xi Jinping,” Hernandez explained.

He also said Del Rosario thrice relayed during his visits to Beijing the invitation for the Chinese Foreign Minister to visit Manila for consultations.

“Up to now, we are awaiting a favorable response to our renewed invitations,” Hernandez said.

Meanwhile, he said the Philippines “remains steadfast in peacefully resolving the West Philippine Sea dispute before the Arbitral Tribunal, which is now in place.”

Hernandez maintained the Philippines adheres to the agreement reached between the leaders of the Philippines and China in 2011 “not to let the maritime disputes affect the broader picture of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&sid=&nid=0&rid=544382

18th IB facilitates release of 8 kidnap victims in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 15): 18th IB facilitates release of 8 kidnap victims in Basilan
  
The 1st Infantry Division's 18th Infantry Battalion, helped by stakeholders in Basilan, has successfully facilitated the release of eight civilians Monday, miliutary officials said.

The eight were earlier reported kidnapped by suspected members of the Moro National Liberation Front July 11.

Capt. Jefferson Somera, 1st Infantry Division spokesperson, said the victims were freed around 11:40 a.m. at the vicinity of Barangay Bohe Lebung, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

Aiding them in their negotiations for the victims' release were members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, MNLF and officials of the Lamitan City, Tipo-Tipo and Al-Barka.

According to 18th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. CJ Paolo P. Perez, the efforts to release the victims gained momentum with the support of Al-Barka Mayor Damsalam Lajid, Tipo-Tipo Mayor Thong Istarul, former Basilan Vice Gov. Alrashid Sakahul and ranking members of the MILF and MNLF.

The freed victims were identified as Faija Banua 44, Satra Banua 13, Haide Banua 9, Dalma Ambihal 50, Hapsa Ambihal 28, Kalipa Ambihal 22, Pasri Ambihal 2 and Haipa Hambihal, five months old.

The eight were taken last July 11 in the vicinity of Triangle, Brgy Malinis, Lamitan City Basilan by the group of MNLF Commander Addang Hassan, the military said.

The release of the victims is in exchange for the freeing of Hudjaima Ahlil, 21, Karima Ahlil, 15, and Raida Ahlil,13 at Sitio Riverside, Barangay Matibay, Lamitan City, Basilan around 7p.m. Sunday.

The three were abducted last July 9 prompting the MNLF leader to abduct eight people to ensure the release of his family.

The three are reportedly daughters of Commander Hassan.

Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad, Jr., 1st Infantry Division acting commander, commended all of the above-mentioned individuals for their aid in releasing the victims.

“I congratulate the Local Government Units of Basilan, our MNLF and MILF brothers and our soldiers for making the contending parties solved their disagreement in peaceful way,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=544385