Rebel killed, two Army troopers hurt in Northern Samar encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28): Rebel killed, two Army troopers hurt in Northern Samar encounter

A New People's Army (NPA) fighter was killed while two members of the 34th Infantry Battalion was wounded following a 45-minute firefight in Barangay Rombang, Laoang town, Northern Samar Saturday morning.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, 8th Infantry Division spokesperson, said their 34th Infantry Battalion was deployed in the area after reports reached them that the rebels were extorting food and money from the residents.

During the issuing firefight, a NPA fighter was killed and two government troopers, Pfc. Ambel G. Cabanjen and Cpl. Allan H. Virtudazo, were wounded.

Gutierrez said the rebels fled after seeing one of their number killed, leaving behind two M-16 automatic rifles, two improvised explosive devices and six backpacks containing personal items.

He added that the wounded soldiers are now in stable condition.

Major Gen. Gerardo T. Layug, 8th Infantry Division commander, lauded the troops for their efforts in serving and securing the people of Barangay Rombang from NPA extortion attempts.

“The unrelenting peace and security efforts and dedication of your soldiers to ensure that communities are always insulated from harm and violence manifest their commitment to service,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=548812

Army brigade teams up with Rotary for nature, humanity

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28): Army brigade teams up with Rotary for nature, humanity

In support to the governments’ trust to protect and preserve the environment, the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade under the able leadership of Col. Edmundo Pangilinan hosted the tree planting activity in partnership with the Rotary Club International of Tacurong City and Systems Technology Incorporated (STI) College on Friday.

The activity was a joint project of the military and the Rotary Club of Tacurong City as part of its environmental awareness and protection campaign in the face of global warming.

Theme of this year's activity was "For nature and humanity: Tree Planting” was also in support to the Annual Tree Planting/Tree Growing Day of the City Government of Tacurong.

Tree planting is also part of the Tacurong City program geared towards combating the effects of global warming and climate change.

Miguel Lopez, Rotary president, said his group will continue to engage other groups and organizations in promoting environmental protection programs such as tree planting and greening program.

The group decided to have the tree planting activity at the back of the Army brigade headquarters because it was located up a hill and overlooking the city that needs to have trees since it was idle for years.

A total of 200 seedlings of Narra and mahogany were planted at the back portion of the 61st CMO Company Barracks which was also participated by selected students of Bachelor of Science in Office Administration of STI-Tacurong City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=548835

BIFF bombs but failed to destroy Maguindanao bridge

From the Philippine News Agency  (Jul 28): BIFF bombs but failed to destroy Maguindanao bridge

Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters attempted anew to destroy a vital bridge on Saturday night in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao, the military here said.

The 10-meter bridge in Barangay Magaslong sustained minor cracks but remained intact, according to Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division.

Hermoso said residents living near the bridge pointed at two BIFF bandit leaders, identified as Abu Sumaya and Montaser, as the ones who planted the improvised device fashioned from two 60 mm mortars which went off at about 9 p.m.

The same group had bombed last month Magaslong bridge which is few hundred meters from the bridge the BIFF tried to destroy Saturday night.

Hermoso said cellphone-detonated IED did not cause major damage to the bridge.

Hermoso added guerillas wanted the disable the bridge to prevent military hardware from going to Datu Piang and Shariff Saydona Mustapha towns that the BIFF had been harassing since last month.

“Once the bridge is disabled, we will have a hard time bringing our agricultural products to other parts of Maguindanao,” Sumail Kasim, a farmer from Datu Piang’s agriculture area.

Hermoso said the Army withheld its offensive against the bandit groups in deference to the observance of fasting month.

“Very unfortunate that the BIFF continues to harass Army detachments which may result to military operations that would disrupt the fasting month,” Hermoso said.

According to James Mlok, chief of the second district engineering office in Maguindanao, the two bridges remained passable to light vehicles, even to military six by six trucks.

Mlok could only appeal to guerillas to spare major bridges as it has nothing to do with their ideological struggle.

“I’m appealing to armed men to refrain from destroying government infrastructures built to make the lives of Moro people convenient,” he said after inspecting the bridge Sunday morning.

“Our brother and sister Muslims who will suffer and become inconvenient if roads and bridges are damaged,” he said.

The bombing of the bridge in Datu Piang was preceded by a mortar shelling by suspected BIFF guerillas on detachments of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, also in Maguindanao, which is part of the guerillas’ offensive against government forces aimed at disrupting the Mindanao peace process.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=548831

Four ranking CPP/NPA surrenderees undergoing process of availing gov’t benefits

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28): Four ranking CPP/NPA surrenderees undergoing process of availing gov’t benefits 

The four ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) who raised the white flag on Saturday before army troopers are now in the custody of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) based at its headquarters in Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3ID spokesman, named the rebel-returnees as Ka Hasim, vice-commander of Igabon Platoon Central Front Committee and his wife, Ka Inday who was the medical officer of the group; Ka Tirso, a political aide of Hasim, and Ka Allan, a squad leader.

The four rebel returnees are natives of Jaminda, Capiz. Tiongson said the four are currently going through the process of availing government benefits granted to rebel returnees under the Balik Baril program.

The four ranking rebel officials surrendered to the army soldiers belonging to the 3ID's 61st Infantry Battalion in Calinog, Iloilo on Saturday.

With their surrender, they brought with them firearms which they handed over to the army soldiers that include a fragmentation grenade, a .38 caliber revolver with six live ammunitions and .357 caliber revolver loaded with three live ammos in its chamber.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=548856

Army chief in Western Visayas backs localized peace talks with NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28): Army chief in Western Visayas backs localized peace talks with NPA

The chief of the Philippine Army in Western Visayas has expressed support to the localized peace talks with the New People’s Army (NPA) being pushed by his predecessor and Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, newly-installed commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said that the peace process undertaken by the government with the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) is one form of localized peace talks.

“We are for it,” said Baladad, who was in Negros Island to visit the Army troops over the weekend.

Former 3rd ID chief, Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, had also been calling for localized peace talks with the NPA in the region during his term.

Baladad said he is optimistic that localized peace talks even with the NPA can work out.

This can be attained if “all of us will work together,” he said, adding that “the problem as far as insurgency is concerned is multi-faceted.”

What people can see is just the tip of the problem, he added.

“What is visible is just the armed group of the NPA but the problem is not just the armed component of the NPA rebels,” Baladad said.

He pointed out the insurgency problem has social, economic and political dimensions and all these have to be considered because these compose 70 percent of the problem.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=548893

Japan unveils plans to provide patrol ships, new ODA package to the Philippines

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28): Japan unveils plans to provide patrol ships, new ODA package to the Philippines

Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a plan at a meeting Saturday with Philippine President Benigno Aquino to provide Manila with 10 coast guard patrol ships through a yen loan to help it counter an increasingly assertive China.

In a bid to help achieve peace on Mindanao, where the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group is in conflict with the government, Abe also spelled out a new package of official development assistance aimed at building schools and clinics, and developing personnel for an autonomous political entity to be established.

"Relations between Japan and the Philippines are rooted in their long-term friendly history and exchanges," Abe told a joint news conference with Aquino after their summit in Manila, pledging to further strengthen bilateral ties through new Japanese assistance.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=548806

Woman NPA leader, tagged one of Most Wanted, arrested in Digos City

From InterAksyon (Jul 28): Woman NPA leader, tagged one of Most Wanted, arrested in Digos City



A suspected New People’s Army leader, tagged by security forces as one of the most wanted NPA leaders in the country, was arrested 5am Sunday by joint elements of the AFP, PNP and CIDG at the Old Terminal in Barangay Zone 3, Digos City.

The suspect was identified as Maria Loyda Tuzo Magpatoc alias Gwen, and alleged to be the Front Secretary of the Far South Mindanao Regional (FSMR) Committee.

Magpatoc is responsible for a series of criminal activities like murder, extortion and kidnapping in the areas of SocSarGen and parts of Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and  Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, according to the military’s easter Mindanao Command.

Magpatoc was arrested by virtue of several warrants of arrest for cases ranging from murder, robbery, homicide and damage to property.

EastMinCom data said Magpatoc in early 2000 also became the Front Secretary of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) which also covers the areas of Surigao and Agusan. She is also an alleged member of the Executive Committee of Komisyon Mindanao or Mindanao Commission, the main party organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Mindanao.

The arrest of Magpatoc is the result not only of the continuous intelligence operations of various law enforcement agencies but also from the reports of the communities to the 10th Infantry Division’s (10th ID) Peace and Development Teams under Maj General Ariel B Bernardo, the Division Commander, according to an EastMinCom statement.

Meanwhile, Lt General Ricardo Rainier G Cruz III, commander of the EastMinCom said, “Magpatoc will be accorded fair trial before the court for the crimes she committed. This is how our justice system works in the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Magpatoc as the overall leader of FSMR  and previously with NEMRC could be held liable under RA 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other crimes against humanity under provisions on the Responsibility of the Superior of a non-state insurgent organization on all the atrocities/violations committed.”

“The 39th Infantry Battalion under 1002nd Brigade, 10th ID is providing the requirements of Magpatoc while the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office through its Children and Women’s desk is assisting her needs while under custody”, Cruz added.

The PNP is also processing the documents of Magpatoc for the subsequent inquest to the court where she is alleged to have committed the crime.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/67371/woman-npa-leader-tagged-one-of-most-wanted-arrested-in-digos-city

PH's second warship now in Guam - DFA

From InterAksyon (Jul 28): PH's second warship now in Guam - DFA



BRP RAMON ALCARAZ. DFA PHOTO

The Philippines’ second warship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, arrived safely Saturday morning at the Guam Naval Base from Pearl Harbor in Hawaii after 10 days of sailing in the Pacific Ocean, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a news release.

The newly acquired Hamilton-class cutter of the Philippine Navy will be docked at the naval base from July 27 to 28 for refueling and restocking, and is scheduled to depart for Manila at 4 p.m. today, July 28.

The DFA did not say when the warship will arrive in the Philippines.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a 115-meter decommissioned US Coast Guard ship that the Philippines acquired last year, was acquired amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

The warship, which underwent $15.5-million (P620-million) refitting and refurbishment and sea trials in May, is expected to boost capabilities of the Philippine Navy in patrolling the country's waters.

The weather high-endurance cutter had served as the US Coast Guard’s USCGC Dallas for four decades before it was turned over to the Philippine Navy under the Excess Defense Article Military Assistance Program of the United States.

The crew of BRP Alcaraz effectively maneuvered to bring the ship to the dockside of Pier “X-ray” at exactly 9 a.m. to the delight and excitement of the waiting crowd, the DFA said.

As soon as the ship was properly berthed, BRP Alcaraz’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Ernesto O. Baldovino, together with the other officers and crew, alighted and made a formation at the pier’s side to meet the welcoming crowd.

The 88 officers and crew of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz were warmly greeted by the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Guam led by Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin, Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) president Roy S. Adonay, and other members of the Filipino-American community.

Also present to meet Capt. Baldovino and his crew were Vice Speaker Benjamin J. F. Cruz and Senator Tina Rose Muna Barnes, Legislative Secretary/Majority Whip, of the 32nd Guam Legislature, Capt. John Ward, Commander of the Naval Base Guam, Col. David B. Riano, and Capt. Kenneth Ola of the Guam National Guard.

Senator Barnes expressed the warm Hafa Adai greetings on behalf of the government of Guam, and presented Captain Baldovino a Certificate of Appreciation from the 32nd Guam Legislature sponsored by Senator Dennis Rodriguez Jr.

After the short welcome ceremonies, Capt. Baldovino invited Consul General Mangibin and the other officials to board the BRP Alcaraz for a short briefing at the war room and a tour of the ship.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/67364/phs-second-warship-now-in-guam---dfa

Nur’s Bangsamoro independence threat ‘misinformation’ — Malacañang

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 29): Nur’s Bangsamoro independence threat ‘misinformation’ — Malacañang

Malacañang branded yesterday as misinformation the threat of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari to declare an independent Bangsamoro Republic with its own Constitution as a result of what Misuari said were efforts of the government to abrogate the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) signed between the government and the MNLF.

Presidential deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said the Aquino ad-ministration will leave to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) the manner that the government will address Misuari’s threat.

“We’ll leave that to OPAPP, but as we have mentioned, OPAPP Secretary (Teresita) Deles went to Indonesia to speak to the Foreign Minister because they were the head of the monitoring team, if I am not mistaken. So, anyway, we have some concerns,” she said.

“What the OPAPP was saying is that, after almost six years of tripartite review, the joint review process has already established the consensus points and the joint mechanisms between the MNLF representatives and the ARMM regional government,” Valte added.

She said Deles made clear that what the government had proposed was the completion of the review process and not the closure of the peace process or the abrogation of the 1996 FPA.

Valte reiterated the warning of the OPAPP staff to be observant on the alleged “misinformation” circulating in some provinces of Mindanao which she said contained unsubstantiated facts about the peace process.

OPAPP undersecretary Jose Lorena warned the public against malicious text messages last Saturday which he said are circulating false information that aim to sow fear and derail the peace process.

“We urge the public to be critical against false information. We also call for sobriety as our government, both national and local, are carefully handling the peace and security in Mindanao. It is best to seek out information from reliable sources and understand the context before making conclusions,” he added. “We rely on the public to guard the process,” Lorena said.

Lorena said the text messages stated that MNLF members are set to hold a gathering and declare independence in reaction to the government efforts to end the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco, in a text advisory through the Philippine Information Agency Region IX, advised her constituents “to be careful in forwarding text messages from unverified sources as some unscrupulous individuals are circulating false information to cause undue alarm to the general public.”

Climaco assured that the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the local government are exerting all efforts to maintain normalcy, peace, and security in the city.

“No curfew has been imposed. Classes remain normal in all levels in the City,” Climaco said.

Deles, in a statement, clarified the status of the Tripartite Implementation Review of the GPH-MNLF 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

Deles explained that while the government’s position is that “it was time to bring the tripartite review process to a proper completion,” the “government will continue to engage relevant parties of the MNLF, through the existing mechanism, to find a just and comprehensive political solution for the issue of the Southern Philippines”.

Deles said that “after almost six years of tripartite review, a joint review process had already established consensus points and some joint mechanisms and actions particularly between MNLF representatives and the ARMM regional government.”

“From the start, what the GPH proposed to complete was the review process, not the closure of the peace process nor the abrogation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement,” Deles said.

Since 2007, the GPH had been engaged in conversations with the MNLF on the review of the implementation of the 1996 FPA.

Not a peace negotiation, the review process is being facilitated by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, specifically its Peace Committee for the Southern Philippines (OIC-PCSP) which is headed by Indonesia, she said.

Indonesia as facilitator to the review process, through Minister for Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa, advised the Philippine government to continue to exercise patience even in the face of provocation as he reiterated Indonesia’s support for the peace process in Mindanao.

Deles said Natalegawa held the view that the review process had reached a critical juncture both in terms of it substance and its process.

Natalegawa said to Deles 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.

Natalegawa further noted that the efforts of GPH should be propagated and understood.

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

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/17256-nur-s-bangsamoro-independence-threat-misinformation-malacanang

Clueless gov’t security forces on heightened alert after CdO blast

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 29): Clueless gov’t security forces on heightened alert after CdO blast

Police and military forces in Cagayan de Oro City remained on heightened alert after Friday’s deadly bombing at a bistro that left six persons dead and 48 others wounded as the Aquino government yesterday admitted that there were no clues yet to the culprits.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said investigators were recon-structing the bomb site to gather more clues on the attack in the capital of Misamiz Oriental, a relatively peaceful city in Mindanao, where various rebel groups and armed gangs operate.

“We are doing everything (to determine the suspects). We have placed the police in Mindanao, the intelligence community and the army on heightened alert to prevent a similar attack,” Roxas said over dzBB radio.

Investigators have yet to determine the explosive used in the attack, which hit a bistro packed with at least 100 persons. Most were doctors and pharmaceutical representatives who had just attended a national convention at a nearby hotel.

Forty-eight others were wounded in the blast, police said.

Contrary to earlier reports, Roxas said investigators had not found shrapnel or metal fragments at the blast site, which would have indicated an explosive device made from a mortar bomb.

“According to the doctors who did the autopsy report, there were no shrapnel that can be attributed to a grenade explosion,” he added.

“It is also not an IED (improvised explosive device) made from mortar or artillery shell,” Roxas stressed.

Ordnance experts have found wires and a battery that could have been used as a trigger but not much else.

Roxas’ statement suggested the attack may not have been the work of Muslim militants who operate in other parts of the Mindanao and are known to use mortar bombs rigged to a timing device.

Asked whether investigators were looking at any specific group behind the blast and what the motive could be, he said: “If it’s business rivalry, fighting over land, or terrorism we could not say yet until we know all the facts and details.”

Cagayan de Oro is a bustling city that has been relatively unscathed by a decades-old Muslim and communist insurgency that have plagued parts of Mindanao.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country’s largest Muslim insurgent force, yesterday said it had no forces operating near Cagayan de Oro and condemned the attack as un-Islamic.

The MILF, which is negotiating a peace deal with Manila, was also willing to help track down the perpetrators if asked by the government, said the group’s vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar.

“We have an existing agreement to help each other out in interdicting criminal elements,” Jaafar told Agence France Presse.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/17258-clueless-gov-t-security-forces-on-heightened-alert-after-cdo-blast

Gov’t to reactivate Subic as military base — Gazmin

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 29): Gov’t to reactivate Subic as military base — Gazmin

The Department of National Defense (DND) has unveiled a plan to recommission the former US naval base on Subic Bay for Philippine military use which appears to reciprocate the US government’s plan for the rotational presence of its personnel in the country.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the government plans to transfer air and naval forces to Subic Bay as soon as relocation funds are available amid negotiations with the United States on a proposal to position US military equipment and rotate military forces in the country while avoiding the contentious issue of re-establishing permanent bases.

The country has a small navy and air force and relies heavily on support from the United States, a close ally, to modernize its military and upgrade its capabilities. Part of this relationship has involved regular short-term visits by American military forces for joint training, humanitarian work and disaster response.

Gazmin said the plan to reactivate Subic as a military base is meant for “the protection of the West Philippine Sea” which is how the government calls the South China Sea. Subic Bay is a natural deep harbor that can accommodate large warships, he said referring to two used Hamilton-class cutters acquired from the United States Coast Guard that are now the Philippine Navy’s flagships.

Gazmin said the naval fleet base at Sangley Point in Cavite province has a shallower harbor.

Subic’s international airport has been underutilized since U.S. courier giant FedEx transferred its lucrative regional hub from Subic to China in 2009, officials said.
The Philippines plans to grant visiting U.S. forces, ships and aircraft temporary access to more of its military camps to allow for a larger number of joint military exercises than are currently staged each year under an.

A larger U.S. presence could be used for disaster response and serve as a deterrent to what Philippine officials say have been recent aggressive intrusions by China into its territorials waters.

The Philippines has backed Washington’s efforts to reassert its military presence in Asia as a counterweight to China’s rise.

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country’s second Hamilton-class cutter in service, will leave Naval Base Guam Sunday afternoon for the last leg of its voyage to the Philippines.

“BRP Ramon Alcaraz will begin final voyage to the Philippines when it departs Guam Naval Base at 4 p.m. on Sunday, 28 July 2013,” the Philippine Embassy in Washington said.

The distance from Guam to the Philippines is 1,534 miles or 2,?469 kilometers.
The Filipino frigate had been docked at Pier X-Ray in Guam, following a 10-day voyage across the Pacific Ocean from Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic earlier said the vessel is due to arrive at Subic Aug. 4, with President Aquino expected to take part in the welcome. He said the vessel will be commissioned in October and may be deployed to protect the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The arrangement under negotiation seeks to allow American forces to visit for longer periods and be stationed on Philippine military bases.

Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, the head of the Pacific Command, said the United States was looking for access that would enable it to help the Philippines in its defense as well as to aid in responding to disasters as he reiterated stated American policy that it would not reopen bases in the Philippines.

The United States maintained large military bases in the Philippines for nearly a century to counter imperial Japan’s expansion before World War II and, later, to ensure a regional presence in the cold war.

But in 1992, the last American base in the country closed after street protests against what some saw as a painful reminder of decades of American rule, and a decision by the Senate to discontinue the US bases agreement.

The government had reiterated that no new American bases will be put up in the country and said any new agreement would be in line with the Constitution. He said the discussions with the United States involved the use of “rotational” forces.

The New York Times had quoted James Hardy, Asia-Pacific editor for IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly, saying a likely model for the use of such forces in the Philippines was the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, a contingent of about 500 members of the United States military who come from various branches.

The task force, which focuses on counterterrorism, has been based on a Philippine military base in Mindanao since 2002 in a facility that is officially considered temporary.

The United States has also used its former naval base in Subic Bay for ship visits.
Subic Bay is a special economic zone catering to private investors. Last year a subsidiary of the United States defense contractor Huntington Ingalls Industries set up operation for the stated purpose of servicing United States Navy ships, suggesting to some that the American presence in the area would grow.

Hardy said the American military’s use of Subic and the rotational presence model used in the southern Philippines were both indications of what an American presence in the Philippines might look like.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/17257-gov-t-to-reactivate-subic-as-military-base-gazmin

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