NDFP-Mindanao condemns latest CDO bombing

Posted to the CPP Website (Jul 27): NDFP-Mindanao condemns latest CDO bombing

Jorge Madlos (Ka Oris)
Spokesperson
NDFP Mindanao Chapter

 

The NDFP-Mindanao extends it sympathy to the families and friends of the victims of the latest bombing incident at the Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City, and condemns in the strongest possible terms this dastardly act that killed six, including provincial board member RoldanLagbas, and injured 37 others.

 This was an act designed to foment sheer animosity and chaos, spreading further terror in Mindanao. We especially raise our strongest condemnation because such terrorist act targeted innocent civilians, which, for the revolutionary movement, must be brought to an end.

After the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and even before the Aquino III’s SONA, there has never been peace in Mindanao, which, even until recently, has only been punctuated by the almost daily occurrence of violence in both Moro and non-Moro areas.

Clearly, Aquino III’s braggadocio has completely misled the people into believing that a prelude to lasting peace has already been achieved in Moro areas in Mindanao. In fact, the appalling manifestation of un-peace is now occurring even in relatively peaceful areas like Cagayan de Oro City.

The failure of past and present ruling classes and reactionary regimes to address the root causes of the armed conflict both in non-Moro and Moro areas in Mindanao is the main cause why peace in Mindanao has remained elusive these past decades.

The people cannot rely on the US-Aquino regime to protect their lives and livelihoods, thus it is imperative, now more than ever, to unite to protect themselves and struggle against such forms of senseless terrorism.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130727_ndfp-mindanao-condemns-latest-cdo-bombing

Army battalion begins retraining in Zamboanga Sur

From the Mindanao Examiner blog  (Jul 27): Army battalion begins retraining in Zamboanga Sur







Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad speaks before members of the 32nd Infantry Battalion at the 1st Infantry Division headquarters in Zamboanga del Sur's Labangan town.

The Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division has formally opened a two-month reorganizational training for members of the 32nd Infantry Battalion in Labangan town in Zamboanga del Sur province.

Capt. Jefferson Somera, the division spokesman, quoted Lt. Col. Alex Rillera, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training, as saying that the retraining is part of the “Implementation Plan Pagsasanay Alfa.”

The training aims to develop the combat skills and knowledge of the soldiers.

“We will also refurbish their mobility equipment and at the same time strengthen their operational readiness towards excellent mission accomplishment,” Rillera said.

Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr, the acting division commander, commended the accomplishments of the battalion, under Lt. Col. Johnson Jemar Aseron, in its long years of deployment in the province.

In welcoming the troops, he said: “Our core competencies, as soldiers, are fighting wars and battles, because that is what we are trained for. And we need to hone that competency so that we are always on the upper hand to protect our people and defend the integrity and sovereignty of our country against threats.”

Trinidad also emphasized the objectives of the organizational training which he summed at under the acronym “TRAIN” or Total Unit Readiness, Responsiveness or Responsibility, as a unit and as individual soldier, Acquisition of knowledge and skills, Imbibe the culture of professionalism, discipline and excellence, and Nurture the spirit of service and people oriented individual soldier and unit.

The battalion had its last retraining in 1998 and since then, it became one of the best units in the Philippine Army. The unit successful internal peace and security initiatives significantly contributed to the improved socio-economic development in the island of Basilan for the past four years, Trinidad said.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/army-battalion-begins-retraining-in.html

Top communist rebel leader captured in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jul 28): Top communist rebel leader captured in Southern Philippines







Photos show captured communist rebel leader Maria Loyda Tuzo Magpatoc

A top communist rebel leader in the southern Philippines has been captured in a raid Sunday by security forces in Digos City, officials said.

Officials said Maria Loyda Tuzo Magpatoc, the Front Secretary of the Far South Mindanao Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines, was tracked down in her hideout following a long intelligence operation.

Magpatoc heads the operations of the New People’s Army in Mindanao.

Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, head of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said Magpatoc is one of the most wanted rebel leader in the country.

“Magpatoc will be accorded with fair trial before the court for the crimes she committed. This is how our justice system works,” Cruz said.

He said Magpatoc is responsible for the series of murders, extortion and kidnappings in Mindanao, mostly in the provinces South Cotabato, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, including General Santos City.

Cruz said security forces were armed with several arrest warrants against Magpatoc when soldiers and police commandos swooped down on her hideout.

In an intelligence report passed on by the army to The Manila Times, it said that Magpatoc also was the former Front Secretary of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee early on 2000 and her operations covered the areas of Surigao and Agusan provinces.

She is also a member of the Executive Committee of Mindanao Commission, the main party organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines in the region.

Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, also praised the arrest of Magpatoc and said her capture was the result not only of the continuous intelligence operations from various law enforcement agencies, but also from intelligence information provided by the communities.

“We urged the rebels and their leaders to surrender peacefully and join us in peace and development efforts instead of fighting a senseless war,” he said.

There was no immediate statement from either the CPP or the NPA which has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/top-communist-rebel-leader-captured-in.html

Security forces clash with bandits in Zamboanga Sibugay

From the Mindanao Examiner blog (Jul 28): Security forces clash with bandits in Zamboanga Sibugay

Government forces clashed Sunday with a group of bandits while trying to arrest them in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay, officials said.

Soldiers and policemen engaged in a firefight with the group of Amisain Unding in the village of Sisay in Tungawan town. The fighting lasted over 5 minutes, but officials said there were no casualties from both sides.

Unding’s group managed to escape and left behind assorted munitions, identification cards and a .38-caliber revolver, according to Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman.

He said security forces were hunting down Unding and his followers Langga Aukusa, Jomar Aukusa, Kasim Unding and others gunmen who are wanted for murders and arson.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/07/security-forces-clash-with-bandits-in.html

Some brgy officials linked to NPA

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 27): Some brgy officials linked to NPA

With the October 28 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections fast approaching, the issue of linkages between some barangay officials and the New People’s Army has again cropped up.

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said they have testimonies of some former rebels who used to work with barangay officials, when they are still active in the movement.

In July 2011, a member of the NPA, identified as Edgar Sagure Lopez, who turned out to be a purok president, died in an encounter with troopers of the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion in Brgy. Paitan, Escalante City, military records show.

A video footage showing some barangay officials and local government health workers in Brgy. Malasibog, Escalante City, was also recovered by government troopers after an encounter with rebels in the place.

If they had conspired with the rebel group, or worked with them for the objectives of the CPP-NPA, especially inciting people to work towards violence or lawlessness, they (barangay officials) should be arrested and detained, Aying said.

He, however, said they are trying to balance things, as they are also victims of the situation, while at the same time, violators of the law.

“If the barangay officials have not committed any violations, then we have to go through transformation, changing and winning back their hearts and minds,” Aying said.

We want them to integrate into the mainstream society, but if they have violated the laws, justice has to be served, he said.

Negros Occidental has 601 barangays, aside from the 61 of Bacolod City.

Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, the new commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, discourages voting for barangay officials who are being supported by the NPA.

Baladad also said the Philippine Army in Negros and Panay will assist the Comelec and Philippine National Police in the maintenance of peace and order during the October 28 barangay and SK elections.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/July/27/topstory9.htm

MILF, JICA sign pact for 3-year capacity dev't project

From GMA News (Jul 27): MILF, JICA sign pact for 3-year capacity dev't project

Bangsamoro folk may soon benefit from a three-year capacity development project between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The MILF said its representatives and those of the JICA signed the landmark agreement in Cotabato City earlier this week.
“This is indeed a landmark deal that the Bangsamoro can be proud of... illustrating at this early phase the real autonomy at work,” MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said.

Iqbal signed the project documents along with JICA chief representative Takahiro Sasaki, the MILF said in a news release.

MILF central committee secretariat chairman Muhammad Ameen and International Monitoring Team head Maj. Gen. Dato’ Fadzil Bin Mokhtar, as well as Marlon Deduma, Director of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), were the principal witnesses.

The project, which culminates in 2016, seeks institutional building for smooth transition, human resources development for the future Bangsamoro government officials, development planning, and improvement of service delivery.

JICA is to undertake the projects with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) chaired by Iqbal.

“Let me therefore assure our partners in the JICA that despite our imperfections, the Bangsamoro and the BTC will see to it that, insha-Allah, we will not fail them. It is our sincerity, determination and willingness to learn that will make up for what we lack in this deal. We know that our partners in JICA, fully aware of these inadequacies, are always there to help us stand on our own feet. Besides, our people are full behind us in this endeavor,” Iqbal said.

Muhammad Ameen, the Secretary to MILF chairman Al Haj Murad, said this achievement "has been watered no less than by the holy blood of our martyrs.”

“It behooves upon us, therefore, to make every effort that we succeed not only in the peace talks but in the delivery of services to our people when the time comes. We must strive to harness our skills so that we can march together towards the realization of our vision for a developed Bangsamoro. To do this we must be strategic in our steps as well as partnerships,” Ameen said.

For his part, Sasaki said JICA is fully committed to technical cooperation with the government and MILF for the Bangsamoro.

“Japan is eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the remaining Annexes to the [Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro] and the signing of the government of the Philippines – MILF Comprehensive Peace Compact,” Sasaki said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/319437/news/regions/milf-jica-sign-pact-for-3-year-capacity-dev-t-project

Indonesia wary of 'spoilers' in PHL-MNLF peace efforts

From GMA News (Jul 27): Indonesia wary of 'spoilers' in PHL-MNLF peace efforts

Saying the review process for peace efforts between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front is at a "critical" stage, Indonesia has advised Manila to ensure there is no chance for "spoilers" to disrupt the talks.

Presidential peace process adviser Teresita Deles said this was one of the points taken up during her meeting with Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa on Friday.

During Friday's meeting, Deles said they discussed the status of the Tripartite Implementation Review of the government-MNLF final peace agreement in 1996.

"Minister Natalegawa held the view that the review process had reached a critical juncture both in terms of it substance and its process. He said that, for Indonesia, there is every interest to be able to say that the process has been completed and that everyone is on board.  He said it is important to ensure that the process does not provide any opportunity for 'spoilers' to intervene," Deles said.
She said Natalegawa also advised the government to "continue to exercise patience even in the face of provocation as he reiterated Indonesia's support for the peace process in Mindanao."

However, she did not elaborate on the "spoilers."

"We thank the Indonesian Government for their sustained support in pursuit of lasting peace in Mindanao and look forward to our steadfast partnership to ensure an inclusive peace for the entire Bangsamoro," she said.

Indonesia chairs the Organization of Islamic Conference Peace Committee for Southern Philippines (OIC-PCSP), which is facilitating the implementation review of the 1996 pact.

Friday's meeting was also a follow-through of a meeting held in Jakarta last March.

During the March meeting, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told Natalegawa the Philippine government believed it was time to bring the tripartite review process to a proper completion.

Also, Deles clarified the Philippine government's proposal had been to complete the review process, not the closure of the peace process nor the abrogation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

Indonesia's backing

Deles said Natalegawa "reiterated Indonesia's firm support for the efforts being undertaken by the Philippine government to ensure a comprehensive political settlement of the armed conflict in Southern Philippines."

"He was categorical in stating that Indonesia opposes any attempt to jeopardize the territorial integrity of the Philippines, and that any such move falls outside the ambit of the agreed-upon Tripartite Review Process," she said.

She said this was in light of reported plans to hold a so-called "Independence Assembly" to discuss a draft constitution for the "Bangsamoro republic."

Natalegawa also said the Philippine government's efforts should be "propagated and understood," she added.

"He said that, if needed, Indonesia would be willing to assist the Philippine government in explaining the current situation to members of the OIC-PCSP, starting with those who are also members of ASEAN."

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/319430/news/regions/indonesia-wary-of-spoilers-in-phl-mnlf-peace-efforts

Sabah police: Kiram revenge letter a hoax

From GMA News (Jul 27): Sabah police: Kiram revenge letter a hoax

A letter that threatened a revenge attack by followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Sabah turned out to be a hoax after all, Sabah police claimed Saturday.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib disclosed this, according to a report by Malaysia's Bernama news agency posted on Malaysia's The Star Online.

The letter dated July 3 had warned of an attack by Kiram followers in Sabah this August, supposedly in retaliation of the deadly clashes in Sabah earlier this year.

"Please don't spread such rumors to scare the public," Hamza said.

He added Sabah residents should remain calm and stop speculating, and instead cooperate with the security forces to prevent such incidents.

Earlier this year, Kiram's followers engaged Malaysian forces in a standoff that lasted three weeks. The standoff ended in deadly clashes March 1 and 2.

In turn, Malaysian forces mounted offensive operations to flush out Kiram's followers from Lahad Datu.

Earlier this month, a letter circulated supposedly signed by a "Militant Commando" who claimed to be acting on behalf of Kiram's family.

But the police did not take the rumors lightly – Hamza said they took steps to tighten security.

Such steps included mobilizing 100 strike force personnel who can respond quickly to any contingency.

On the other hand, he urged the community to keep alert for any suspicious activity, and to inform security forces accordingly.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/319458/news/nation/sabah-police-kiram-revenge-letter-a-hoax

Bill makes wearing cop uniforms a crime

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 27): Bill makes wearing cop uniforms a crime

The unauthorized wearing of military or police uniforms could soon be a criminal act punishable by a 10-year jail term if a Cebu lawmaker’s proposed measure is enacted in the 16th Congress.

Filed by Cebu City 1st district Rep. Raul Del Mar, House Bill 368 seeks to amend Republic Act 493, which regulates the use and production of uniform of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

On top of the decade-long prison term, violators would also be slapped with a P20,000 fine. The bill also imposes a five-year imprisonment and a fine of P10,000 for the unauthorized sale of military and police uniforms to civilian and the production of textile, which is being used for the production of the uniforms.

Likewise, the bill also imposes a five-year imprisonment and a fine of P10,000 for the unauthorized sale of military and police uniforms to civilian and the production of textile, which is being used for the production of the uniforms.

In justifying the bill, Del Mar said that the indiscriminate wearing of AFP and PNP uniform by civilian has caused damage to the reputation of the military and the police, “especially by bad elements posing as good guys.”

“Unauthorized persons have taken advantage of the proliferation of imitations of uniforms bearing close resemblance to the official military and police uniforms to falsely represent themselves as members of the AFP or the PNP,” the solon said.

Del Mar noted that the wearing of police and military uniforms became “fashionable” as the uniforms sprung up in stores near military and police camps.

Del Mar cited RA 493 which regulates the wearing, using, manufacturing and selling of insignias, decorations and medals, badges, patches and identification cards prescribed for the military and police authorities by persons not in the service.

However, he said the law has no prohibition imposing penalty against civilians who will be caught wearing the military and police uniforms.

Del Mar also cited Article 177 of the revised Penal Code, which prohibits anyone from falsely representing himself as officer, agent or representative of any department or agency of the government.

“Despite all these legal prohibitions, criminal syndicates and individuals have not been deterred in using military or police uniforms in their unlawful and illegal activities,” he said.

http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/24185/Bill_makes_wearing_cop_uniforms_a_crime#.UfQmWY7D9lY

Malaysia readies force vs another intrusion

From the Manila Standard Today (Jul 28): Malaysia readies force vs another intrusion

MALAYSIAN authorities are not discounting the possibility that followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III may stage vengeance attacks in Sabah and are preparing a quick-response police commando unit for the purpose, according to Malaysia’s official news agency.

The Bernama news agency said at least 50 people in Sabah were detained over a July 3 letter, purportedly from “militant commandos” supporting the Sulu sultanate, hinting at news attacks to be staged in Sabah in retaliation for the Lahad Datu clashes last March.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi doubted the veracity of the July 3 letter, but Malaysian authorities are taking the matter seriously and have prepared a special police commando unit for any eventuality, Bernama said.

“Although I doubt that the letter saying that terrorists will come to unleash violence in Sabah is real, we still investigate its origin. The people of Sabah need not worry and do not listen to rumors. Security forces are always on alert and have enough officers, men, and equipment,” Bernama quoted Hamidi as saying.

Meanwhile, Sabah police commissioner Hamza Taib said the proposed special strike force will include about 100 commandos and be able to respond to any threat quickly.

“I have requested (Malaysian police headquarters) to station a strike force ready to be deployed to any part of Sabah at any time,” Hamza was quoted as saying.

Hamza said Malaysian security forces have already beefed up their presence and firepower along Sabah’s east coast even as Kuala Lumpur continues to coordinate with Philippine officials in dealing with any threat.

The Lahad Datu incident began last February 11 when 235 militants, some of whom were armed, arrived in several boats at Lahad Datu town in Sabah, Malaysia.

Coming from Simunul island in Tawi-Tawi, the militants calimed they belonged to the “Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo” and were sent by Kiram to assert the sultanate’s unresolved claim to North Borneo.

Malaysian security forces surrounded the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu where the group had gathered and after several weeks of negotiations and broken deadlines for the intruders to withdraw, security forces moved in and routed the Sulu militants.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/07/28/malaysia-readies-force-vs-another-intrusion/

Murad: MILF’s Central Committee will help fast-track signing of annexes

From MindaNews (Jul 26): Murad: MILF’s Central Committee will help fast-track signing of annexes

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Central Committee is willing to repeat in next month’s negotiations on the remaining two annexes on power-sharing and normalization, what it did in the last round of talks that helped lead to the signing of the wealth-sharing annex on July 13: gather the Central Committee here “so there will be fast and effective consultation process” with its peace panel in Kuala Lumpur, MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said.

Murad told a delegation of civil society leaders in Mindanao Thursday morning (July 25) that as far as the MILF Central Committee is concerned, “we are always ready for whatever is necessary in the peace process because … we are all fully supportive.. we are fully sold out (to) this peace process and everybody is supportive.  So we can always do the same and even more than that if necessary, as the situation dictates.”

Murad said that during the last two days of the extended talks on July 12 and 13, while the panels were negotiating in Kuala Lumpur,  “we were here gathered in this room (conference room of the MILF Peace Panel’s office within Camp Darapanan). While they were discussing there, we were also discussing here.”

He said it was the “first time we did this, that while the panel is there, we also had the Central Committee assembled here to discuss whatever problems are being met at the negotiating table.”

Murad noted that some think the wealth-sharing annex can serve as guide to the next annexes but there are some views that the next annexes can be “more bloody.”

 

But he is confident that with the “motivation to move forward and the sincerity and the interest to move forward, then I think we can move forward in these two other annexes.”

The Central Committee, he added, is “at this point trying to discuss all possible difficult issues” in relation to the power-sharing annex. “We are exploring all other possible means in order to hasten the process because we know that further delaying the process will have a very negative impact on the timeframe we have set for the transition mechanism and once we cannot catch up with the time frame, then it will affect the entire mechanism” that would install the Bangsamoro government by 2016.
The Central Committee “will be very cooperative in order that this process will be hastened,” he said.

In constant touch with principals

MIlF peace panel chair Mohager Iqbal earlier told MindaNews that they were in constant touch with the Central Committee and that on the second day of the extension, at 3:15 p.m. of July 13, when both parties were still in a deadlock, he received a text message from Murad that the Central Committee had decided that if there is no progress in the talks, the panel should return home and not agree to another extension.  Iqbal said that when the parties returned for the plenary, he read the text message in Maguindanaon and translated it into English.

President Aquino and the Cabinet secretaries involved in the issues on wealth-sharing, were also in constant touch with the GPH peace panel. On July 11, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles and Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda went to Kuala Lumpur, with Deles staying on until the signing.

The government (GPH) and MILF peace panels are resuming talks in Kuala Lumpur next month after the Ramadhan, to continue negotiations on the remaining two annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) that would complete the comprehensive peace pact:  power-sharing and normalization. The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities was signed on February 27 while the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing was signed on July 13.

Under the FAB, the parties actually committed to finish the annexes before yearend 2012.

Through their technical working groups, the panels started negotiations on wealth-sharing and power-sharing in August 2012 and normalization in November 2012.

More than 90% settled in power-sharing annex

While acknowledging that he is not at liberty to divulge the sticky points in the power-sharing annex, Murad said the GPH and MILF peace panels had actually settled “more than 90%” of the issues.

He likened the status of the Power-sharing annex to the Wealth-sharing annex before the deadlock on contentious issues was broken on July 13.

“Generally the other issues were all settled already but there are still some two or three issues which are very ticklish and that is where we are focusing on – two or three, maybe four issues that are very ticklish and sensitive,” he said of the power-sharing annex.

“Even the panels have been saying that more than 90% have been settled already as far as power-sharing (is concerned but the) remaining less than 10 per cent is the heart of the issue which is very, very difficult to resolve so that is why we have to focus on these particular issues,” Murad said in his two-hour meeting with civil society leaders.

Present were some 40 representatives of  Mindanao-based coalitions such as the Consortium of Bangamoro Civil Society (CBCS) represented by Abdulbasit Benito of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace, Mindanao Coalition of Development Networks (Mincode) under former Abanse Pinay Representative Pat Sarenas, Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW) represented by Gus Miclat of the Initiatives for International Dialogue and Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) led by Mary Ann Arnado. Also present were officials of Oxfam led by Cherian Mathews, the new Regional Director of Oxfam GB, Asia Region.

“Inspiration for generations”

Oxfam, which has been providing humanitarian assistance in the conflict-affected areas in the Bangsamoro for decades now, provided assistance to the summit of Mindanao’s civil society  on the Bangsamoro peace process held in Davao City early this month and the gathering in Cotabato for Thursday’s dialogue with Murad.

“When we walk with communities who are displaced, we can only do so much to meet their immediate needs. Unless there is a peace process that will lead to enduring peace, the whole situation will not change,” Mathews said.

To Murad, he said, “You are an inspiration for the generations to come…  You will be remembered for the courage you have shown in the peace process.”

Sarenas and the other leaders asked Murad how they can help hasten the process.

Murad said he hopes they would be “more pro-active” in the next steps on the roadmap to the Bangsamoro, such as letting the public understand the agreements, submitting to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission results of  civil society’s consultations and  discussing the peace process with members of Congress.

Murad said he believes the reason why the Annex on Wealth-Sharing was finally signed on July 13, was because of “the interest of both parties to finish off the wealth-sharing agreement.”

He said they were aware that if the wealth-sharing annex had not been settled, “there can be some negative impact not only in the peace process but even on the ground.”

He explained that both parties “were not able to get exactly what they want but then that is part of the process. There has to be some compromise.  We are happy on our side, the Central Committee of the MILF and our people are happy that we have this wealth sharing annex finalized.”

The GPH and MILF peace panels signed the FAB on October 15 last year to pave the way for the creation of the “Bangsamoro,” a new autonomous political entity that would replace the 23-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by June 30, 2016.

The FAB also provides that the ARMM would be deemed abolished once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is ratified, and will be replaced by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority that would govern the area until the first set of officials of the Bangsamoro  that will be elected on May 9, 2016 takes over on June 30 that year.

In his State of the Nation Address last Monday, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III called on Congress to pass before the end of 2014 the law creating the Bangsamoro, as he assured that whatever agreement the government will sign with the MILF will be implemented.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2013/07/26/murad-milfs-central-committee-will-help-fast-track-signing-of-annexes/

WHAT WENT BEFORE: Oakwood Mutiny

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 27): WHAT WENT BEFORE: Oakwood Mutiny

Early on July 27, 2003, some 300 soldiers took over the Oakwood Premiere serviced apartments in Ayala Center, Makati City, to demand the resignation of certain officials and air their grievances against the military establishment.

Calling themselves the Magdalo group, the soldiers railed against alleged anomalies in the Armed Forces of the Philippines  Retirement and Separation Benefits System, the military procurement system (including the purchase of substandard equipment for soldiers) and the construction and repair of various facilities at Marine Base, Cavite, as well as the alleged transfer of arms and ammunition to unauthorized parties.

They also called for the resignation of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, then Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, then Philippine National Police Director Gen.  Hermogenes Ebdane, and Victor Corpus, then chief of the AFP Intelligence Service.

The soldiers occupied Oakwood for at least 20 hours before emerging from negotiations with the government and ending their mutiny. They were later charged with coup d’etat.

Among those charged was Magdalo spokesperson Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes IV. A commission chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Florentino Feliciano was later formed to investigate the mutiny.

In its report issued in October 2003, the Feliciano Commission said the mutiny was a “well-planned” power grab, and not a spontaneous protest.

Quoting facts it had gathered, the commission said the soldiers plotted to take over the government and establish a 15-member council, but that the plot was discovered, leading to an arrest order by then President Arroyo on the evening of July 26.

But the commission conceded that some of the soldiers’ grievances were legitimate, and that they were rooted in corruption in the military. The report also underscored the need for modernization in the military establishment.

The report warned that the AFP “could implode and collapse with unpredictable consequences” if the issues were not addressed.

The commission’s report identified the leaders of the Magdalo group as Trillanes, Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala, Army Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, Navy Lt. James Layug and Marine Capt. Gary Alejano.

Trillanes ran for senator in 2007 as guest candidate under the Genuine Opposition ticket (which was, incidentally, not registered with the Commission on Elections) and won while in detention. He was released in December 2010 after more than seven years in detention, following President Aquino’s issuance of Proclamation Order No. 75.  The order granted amnesty to those who joined the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, the 2006 failed coup and Marine standoff, and the 2007 Peninsula hotel siege. In January 2011, Trillanes led 94 other former junior military officers and enlisted personnel in retaking their oath of allegiance to seal the amnesty granted them.

Trillanes ran for a second term in the May 2013 elections and won, garnering more than

13.9 million votes.

In May 2008, Gambala and Maestrecampo were among the nine former Magdalo rebel officers who were pardoned by President Arroyo and freed after nearly five years in detention, following their admission of guilt. They were discharged from military service by a military tribunal after pleading guilty to violating the Articles of War.

Layug ran for congressman in the second district of Taguig City in the 2010 elections, but lost.

The party-list Magdalo Para sa Pilipino, composed of former mutineers, won in the 2013 elections with its representatives Alejano and Francisco Ashley Acedillo.

In March this year, former Army officers First Lieutenants Lawrence San Juan and Rex Bolo were sentenced to long prison terms after spurning President Aquino’s offer of pardon. They were found “guilty as participants of the coup,” and were ordered to serve a maximum of 12 years in jail by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Andres Soriano.

Oakwood mutiny: Wrong, right

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 27): Oakwood mutiny: Wrong, right



10 YEARS AGO Army Captains Milo Maestrecampo (center) and Gerardo Gambala (seated) hold press conference in Makati City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Ten years after the Oakwood mutiny, the military continues to regard the caper by more than 300 junior officers and enlisted men as a “wrong” but “necessary event” that led to reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“Definitely, we don’t agree with the method because that was [committing] violence against our own organization, but in a way it became an eye-opener. If our officers are doing this, it means that there is something wrong so let’s do something [about it],” said AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

Zagala described the mutiny as “wrong,” but ironically it “became the necessary event” that led to reforms in the military.

“I would have to say that Oakwood became a catalyst for reforms. Things changed after Oakwood, for the better,” he added.

Zagala said “changes in the AFP were being implemented even before the Oakwood mutiny, but Oakwood hastened the implementation of those reforms.”

Cry vs corruption

The Oakwood mutiny was carried out on July 27, 2003, in the heart of Makati Central Business District, and was generally seen as a cry against corruption in the military leadership during the Arroyo administration.

But the Feliciano Commission, formed shortly after to investigate the mutiny, described it as a “well-planned” power grab, and not a spontaneous protest, in its October 2003 report.

The commission said the soldiers plotted to take over the government and establish a

15-member council, but that the plot was discovered, leading to an arrest order by then President Arroyo on the evening of July 26.

The commission however conceded that some of the soldiers’ grievances were legitimate, and that they were rooted in corruption in the AFP. The report also underscored the need for modernization in the military establishment.

Led by now Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, the Oakwood mutineers, who called themselves the Magdalo group,  sought amnesty from President  Aquino in 2011, and got it two weeks before the Makati Regional Trial Court was to hand down its verdict on the case.

Citing prudence, then trial court Judge Oscar Pimentel did not promulgate his decision since the amnesty order was in Congress and appeared headed to an overwhelming approval by President Aquino’s allies.

Seven years’ detention

Trillanes and the other Oakwood mutineers were finally free after seven years in detention under the Arroyo administration. In a twist of fate, it was now former President Arroyo who remains on house arrest on allegations of corruption.

The Pampanga representative has been unable to attend sessions at the House of Representatives, while Trillanes is now serving his second term in the Senate.

Two other Magdalo officers, Gary Alejano and Francisco Ashley Acedillo, have been elected as Magdalo party-list representatives.

Whatever motive was behind the Oakwood mutiny, the defense establishment responded by issuing policy reforms meant to solve the corruption issue.

Zagala said he believed the reforms began after then defense secretary, the late Angelo Reyes, was relieved from his post, with President Arroyo taking over his post temporarily before the appointment of top lawyer Avelino Cruz.

Cruz carried on changes outlined in the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR).

The PDR, Defense System of Management and the Security Sector Reform (SSR) have become buzzwords in the defense and military establishments.

In a nutshell, the policies emphasized planning and strategy, resource management, capability upgrade, human security and financial accountability.

Under the SSR, whose cornerstone includes justice and human rights, stakeholders are consulted by the AFP on ways that it can improve itself as an institution.

Zagala said that starting in 2006, funds were farmed out to individual AFP units instead of being centrally managed.  Under this new system, officers are taught fiscal management and accountability, and are compelled to be strategic as well in planning their operations.

The military also established a grievance system that allows officers and their men to raise complaints against their superiors or contemporaries.

This resulted in the Inspector General actually wielding enough power to investigate [anomalies] and make recommendations to the AFP chief of staff,  Zagala said.

“We want to know what else we can do to make the changes possible. It’s very hard to accept that you need to look into the organization, find something wrong and change. [But] in the AFP, it is our way to improve,” he added.

Zagala said the military’s Internal Peace and Security Plan  Bayanihan aimed to change the values of soldiers and not just improve their fighting capabilities.

Moral standpoint

“[The plan] includes a moral standpoint, such as avoiding human rights violations. We are saying to the soldiers, this is the new armed forces, this is how you should act,” the AFP spokesperson added.

Zagala said there was no guarantee that “there would be no complaints or grievances” against the military by its own soldiers in this new era in the AFP.

“By nature, we are not a perfect organization.  There will be problems that would spring up and need to be addressed … We cannot say [that] after Oakwood, no one would complain anymore,” Zagala said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/453527/oakwood-mutiny-wrong-right

Army tank near Misuari's home raises tension

From ABS-CBN (Jul 27): Army tank near Misuari's home raises tension

The military on Friday deployed an armored personnel carrier (APC) tank to Barangay San Roque, Zamboanga City where members of the Moro National Liberation Front have been convening since Thursday.

The presence of the military tank and several soldiers and policemen raised tension in the village and the whole of Zamboanga City.

Several text messages have been circulating for a week now regarding an alleged plan of the MNLF to create a rally or disturbance.

MNLF founder Nur Misuari in his press conference on Thursday, however, denied that they have plans of disturbing the peace in Zamboanga City.

Task Force Zamboanga Commanding Officer Col. Andrelino Colina also denied that they consider Misuari and his men as threats to the security of the city.

The deployment of the soldiers and putting up of checkpoints are part of a military routine, he said.

He also said the tank has long been on standby in their camp and needs to be brought out once in a while.

On Friday, top military and police officials gathered in a closed-door meeting at the Western Mindanao Command, as they received information that together with Misuari is a certain Daniel Xavier, who allegedly introduced himself as a representative of the United Nations.

However, no individual from the United Nations was introduced to the media during the press conference.

Security was tight during the almost 3-hour press conference held in Misuari's home. Members of the media entering the compound were frisked and were made to turn off their cellular phones and remove the battery of their cameras.

They were also told to position the camera fronting Misuari and were prohibited from taking other shots inside the compound.

Reporters estimated that around 50 MNLF members were inside the compound, apart from those who waited outside.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga District 2 Representative Celso Lobregat called on the MNLF not to hold any of their activities in Zamboanga City as the city is not part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Lobregat said the presence of Misuari and his men only revived the memory of the Cabatangan Siege, wherein MNLF rebels held hostage over a hundred residents of Fairview Drive in Sta. Maria and Cabatangan Villages.

In a statement read by her staff, Mayor Maria Isabel Climaco-Salazar called on her constituents not to believe the rumors being circulated through text messages.

She asked the people to be cautious in forwarding such messages as these only create more confusion and tension among the people.

She denied that a curfew has been imposed and maintained that classes in all levels in the city remain normal.

The lady mayor also assured the public that the police and the military are exerting all efforts to keep the security in the city intact.

Sources told ABS-CBN that the MNLF members will be leaving for Jolo, Sulu, Friday night.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/07/26/13/army-tank-near-misuaris-home-raises-tension

China turns Panganiban Reef into naval station

From ABS-CBN (Jul 27): China turns Panganiban Reef into naval station

The Chinese have transformed the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef in Palawan into a forward naval station with at least one ship docked in the area, a senior security official disclosed Friday.

The official, who asked not to be identified, pointed out that since China’s illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef in 1994, Beijing had slowly transformed the area into its forward naval facility in the West Philippine Sea.

“At one given time there’s a Chinese frigate out there,” he said of the area located around 130 nautical miles from Hulugan Bay in Palawan and 97 nautical miles from Pag-Asa, an island municipality in the disputed Spratlys archipelago.

Aside from the presence of Chinese naval ships at Panganiban Reef, the source said the place is now considered as the most advanced naval fortification in the disputed region, servicing the needs of Chinese fishermen and their fishing boats.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the other day that it is verifying reports that Chinese gunboats have been monitored at Panganiban Reef, which is part of Philippine territory.

“They have long been there, they already established a forward naval station,” the source said, saying that Panganiban Reef or Meijie Reef to the Chinese, rightfully belongs to the Philippines as it is well within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

In 1994, China occupied the reef by building structures on stilts and then slowly transformed the area into a heavily fortified eight-story naval facility complete with radar domes, helipad and piers.

Windmills installed in the structure have been supplying electricity to the facility.

At present, the source said all Chinese gunboats and paramilitary vessels being deployed in the area by the China’s Southern Fleet are using the naval facility in Panganiban Reef.

This explains why China was able to immediately deploy its Navy ships and other vessels to pull out its frigate that got stuck at Half Moon Shoal down south in Palawan in July last year.

“Those frigates that were seen securing their grounded Chinese missile-firing gunboat came from their forward naval station at Panganiban Reef,” the source said.

Aside from Panganiban Reef, the Chinese have already put several naval facilities in its occupied reefs in the Spratlys, including Subi Reef, where it has put up a three-story facility with gun emplacements, a helicopter landing pad, a radar dome, and lighthouse.

China, citing historical facts, is claiming almost the entire South China Sea as an integral part of its maritime domain, a claim that is now being challenged by the Philippines before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/07/26/13/china-turns-panganiban-reef-naval-station