Posted to the CPP Website (Oct 12): 13 government soldiers killed in Quezon, Bukidnon
Ariel Magbanwag (Inda)
Spokesperson
NPA South Central Bukidnon Sub Regional Command
Thirteen soldiers of the 8th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army were killed when a unit of the New People’s Army under the South Central Bukidnon (NPA-SCB) Subregional Command employed a command-detonated explosive against them in Sitio Tubod, Brgy. Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon, October 6, 2013, around 5:30 PM. Many more soldiers were wounded, while the guerrilla unit implementing the offensive action suffered no casualties.
The 8th IB troops were on combat mission from Kiranggol, San Fernando, to bolster the distressed force of the Butsoy Salusad bandit group in the wake of the recent NPA attack. The Red army has thoroughly monitored their exit route towards Quezon, Bukidnon.
An NPA team swiftly took position and set up a command-detonated explosive in a favorable spot along a road the 53 reactionary soldiers took by foot on their way home. The advance team headed by Nonong Salusad met a barrage of gunfire and a grenade lobbed by the Red fighters, immediately followed by the detonation of the explosive device right on the very spot where the main body of the reactionary troops took cover at the onset of the firefight. The 8th IB troops, fresh from their retraining course, suffered heavy casualties.
That night, they took Zaldy Dejos, a Brgy. Cawayan tanod, by force and ordered him to lead the way for them to the Command Post in Purok Pag-asa, Brgy. Salawagan. Barangay officials and Dejos’ family have complained of the reactionary troops’ use of a civilian guide under duress. The residents also complained of the strafing of Ever Ucab, a farmer caught pasturing his carabao near the place of incident. Ucab is yet to recover from the severe trauma he underwent.
Lt. Norman Tagros, 8th IB spokesperson, denies at every turn when confronted with questions by the local media regarding the incident and their casualties. No amount of the 8th IB’s denial can conceal the truth from the eyes of many barriofolks who did not fail to notice the convoy of two ambulances and two military service vehicles secretly parked near the cemetery in Salawagan. The next day, another striped KIA truck carrying a load covered in tarp was seen coming from the Command Post by residents celebrating fiesta in Salawagan. As is always the case, they deny ever committing violation of international humanitarian law in forcing a barangay tanod to guide their troops and in strafing a civilian. Worst of all, they indiscriminately accused the residents of being NPA supporters and blamed them for the harsh beating suffered by their troops.
The 8th IB’s vain justification of their combat operations in the countryside as a measure to ensure the security of the coming barangay elections is blatantly unconvincing. The fact is they are hell-bent at securing the unhampered small-scale gold mining operations of their cuddled berdugo, Butsoy. Peaceful and orderly conduct of any election can only be ensured without the presence of fascist troops.
Only in NPA base areas can there be a truly democratic election where deception, fraud, vote-buying and terrorism are all non-existent. What exist are organs of genuine people’s government in place of the rotten government presently under the reins of the ruling classes.
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20131012_13-government-soldiers-killed-in-quezon-bukidnon
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Mobile phone signal cut off as Zamboanga celebrates Virgin Mary feast
From the Manila Times (Oct 12): Mobile phone signal cut off as Zamboanga celebrates Virgin Mary feast
ZAMBOANGA CITY –Authorities on Saturday cut off all mobile phone signals for hours in Zamboanga City – scene of deadly street battles between government and rebel forces – to prevent terrorists from using cell phones to detonate bombs.
Zamboanga is celebrating the feast of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar in honor of the Virgin Mary and a long procession was held on Saturday afternoon around downtown area that was occupied by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels last month.
Security was so tight during the procession that residents were not allowed to carry backpacks. Those who wanted to pray at the shrine of the Virgin Mary at Fort Pilar were searched.
Devotees of the Virgin Mary, many of them clutching rosaries and crucifixes, marched the streets as the procession, led by Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar snaked through the city.
Military helicopters hovering overhead dropped flowers and confetti over the long procession.
“Our devotion to Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar all through the years has been our beacon of hope amidst the trials and adversities,” Salazar said.
She said that unlike in previous years, the Fiesta Hermosa celebration was a “toned-down affair” because of the MNLF siege that devastated Zamboanga and the widespread flooding brought be a recent typhoon.
“I urge our people to continue reverence to the La Virgen del Pilar to always lead us to Jesus. Our steadfast devotion to the Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar all through the years has been our beacon of hope amidst the trials and adversities. No matter how intricate and complicated the challenges are – we, the good, will always prevail,” Salazar said.
Locals are largely superstitious and attribute all things – good or bad – to the Virgin Mary and other Catholic deities and even a recent typhoon that hit the city was attributed to the gods. Other pray for the rains to stop and when the sky cleared after five days of heavy rains that submerged a huge part of Zamboanga, all praises went to the Virgin Mary and of course, Jesus Christ.
Last month’s fighting killed and wounded over 400 people and resulted in a humanitarian crisis and many of the over 100,000 residents remain in temporary shelters and evacuation areas as security forces finish clearing at least six villages occupied by separatist rebels.
Fort Pilar, where the centuries-old statue of the Virgin Mary is displayed, was hit by several mortar bombs during the fighting.
http://manilatimes.net/mobile-phone-signal-cut-off-as-zamboanga-celebrates-virgin-mary-feast/44093/
ZAMBOANGA CITY –Authorities on Saturday cut off all mobile phone signals for hours in Zamboanga City – scene of deadly street battles between government and rebel forces – to prevent terrorists from using cell phones to detonate bombs.
Zamboanga is celebrating the feast of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar in honor of the Virgin Mary and a long procession was held on Saturday afternoon around downtown area that was occupied by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels last month.
Security was so tight during the procession that residents were not allowed to carry backpacks. Those who wanted to pray at the shrine of the Virgin Mary at Fort Pilar were searched.
Devotees of the Virgin Mary, many of them clutching rosaries and crucifixes, marched the streets as the procession, led by Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar snaked through the city.
Military helicopters hovering overhead dropped flowers and confetti over the long procession.
“Our devotion to Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar all through the years has been our beacon of hope amidst the trials and adversities,” Salazar said.
She said that unlike in previous years, the Fiesta Hermosa celebration was a “toned-down affair” because of the MNLF siege that devastated Zamboanga and the widespread flooding brought be a recent typhoon.
“I urge our people to continue reverence to the La Virgen del Pilar to always lead us to Jesus. Our steadfast devotion to the Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar all through the years has been our beacon of hope amidst the trials and adversities. No matter how intricate and complicated the challenges are – we, the good, will always prevail,” Salazar said.
Locals are largely superstitious and attribute all things – good or bad – to the Virgin Mary and other Catholic deities and even a recent typhoon that hit the city was attributed to the gods. Other pray for the rains to stop and when the sky cleared after five days of heavy rains that submerged a huge part of Zamboanga, all praises went to the Virgin Mary and of course, Jesus Christ.
Last month’s fighting killed and wounded over 400 people and resulted in a humanitarian crisis and many of the over 100,000 residents remain in temporary shelters and evacuation areas as security forces finish clearing at least six villages occupied by separatist rebels.
Fort Pilar, where the centuries-old statue of the Virgin Mary is displayed, was hit by several mortar bombs during the fighting.
http://manilatimes.net/mobile-phone-signal-cut-off-as-zamboanga-celebrates-virgin-mary-feast/44093/
Peace projects
From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 12): Peace projects
Kidapawan City – Secretary Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has confirmed that her office received two years ago an approval of priority development projects worth P1.819 billion.
Funds for the projects, according to Deles, were taken from a supplemental fund under the Disbursement Accelerated Program (DAP) in 2011.
Such amount, she stressed, was used to implement priority development projects for communities in Mindanao affected by armed conflict, in line with the existing peace agreements with Moro groups.
Since 2011, least 384 projects were implemented in 199 municipalities and in 35 provinces all over the country, which included farm-to-market roads, bridges, agricultural facilities, communal irrigation systems, potable water systems, and livelihood assistance projects.
Many of these projects, data showed, are located in North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, and in Sarangani where most of the beneficiaries were former combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front – many of them pro-Nur Misuari.
http://www.mb.com.ph/peace-projects/
Kidapawan City – Secretary Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has confirmed that her office received two years ago an approval of priority development projects worth P1.819 billion.
Funds for the projects, according to Deles, were taken from a supplemental fund under the Disbursement Accelerated Program (DAP) in 2011.
Such amount, she stressed, was used to implement priority development projects for communities in Mindanao affected by armed conflict, in line with the existing peace agreements with Moro groups.
Since 2011, least 384 projects were implemented in 199 municipalities and in 35 provinces all over the country, which included farm-to-market roads, bridges, agricultural facilities, communal irrigation systems, potable water systems, and livelihood assistance projects.
Many of these projects, data showed, are located in North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, and in Sarangani where most of the beneficiaries were former combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front – many of them pro-Nur Misuari.
http://www.mb.com.ph/peace-projects/
More cops, soldiers fielded to pacify rival MILF groups
From the Philippine Star (Oct 13): More cops, soldiers fielded to pacify rival MILF groups
MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Police and the military yesterday deployed 200 more uniformed personnel in Talitay town here to beef up security and help pacify two rival guerrilla factions involved in hostilities since Thursday.
Local officials said the two rival groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have figured in three encounters that left three guerrillas dead and three others wounded.
The fighting forced hundreds more of ethnic Maguindanaon families to flee their homes. More than a thousand families were dislocated in the first encounter just before noon Thursday.
The skirmishes between the two MILF groups started last Thursday morning with the killing of three security escorts of Talitay Mayor Montasir Sabal in an ambush.
The vice mayor of Talitay, Allan Sabal, said the victims were onboard the mayor’s Toyota pick-up truck which the rebels, led by Buisan Haron of the MILF’s 105th Base Command, fired at with assault rifles, killing the three security escorts on the spot.
Vice Mayor Sabal said the ambushers must have thought that the mayor, who is presently in a pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was on the vehicle.
The ambushers also fired at the relatives of the mayor’s slain security men when they tried to retrieve the bodies, provoking another firefight.
The victims’ relatives, mostly active members of the MILF’s 106th Base Command, joined the foray and engaged Haron’s group in a three-hour firefight.
On Thursday night, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu directed Senior Superintendent Rudelio Jocson, provincial police director, to initially deploy three platoons of policemen as buffer between the two feuding groups while the government-MILF ceasefire committee was trying to reposition them away from populated areas in Talitay.
The provincial peace and order council has asked the joint ceasefire committee, police and the military to pacify the two factions to prevent the conflict from affecting the Oct. 28 barangay elections in the area.
Provincial board member Bobby Katambak told The STAR yesterday that Mangudadatu has also asked the government-MILF ceasefire committee to help the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) formulate measures to ensure peaceful barangay polls in Talitay.
“The effort of the governor is parallel with the conflict resolution protocols bilaterally agreed upon by the government and MILF peace panels,” Katambak said.
He said Mangudadatu has also sought the help of local Muslim clerics in resolving the trouble amicably.
The hostilities have caused the closure of the Comelec office in Talitay since Thursday, preventing aspirants for barangay positions to file their certificates of candidacy.
“Gov. Mangudadatu was saddened by this development. His office and the provincial police are now initiating means of defusing the tension in the area, in coordination with the government-MILF ceasefire committee through the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade,” Katambak said.
Col. Noli Orense, commander of the Army’s 603rd IB, which has jurisdiction over Talitay and surrounding towns, said his emissaries have asked the relatives of the ambush victims to refrain from retaliating.
“We want them to leave everything to the police and just let the police file criminal charges against the culprits,” Orense said.
Orense said soldiers from the 68th Infantry Battalion are now deployed in strategic spots in Talitay to prevent the feuding MILF forces from getting close to each other.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/10/13/1244515/more-cops-soldiers-fielded-pacify-rival-milf-groups
MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Police and the military yesterday deployed 200 more uniformed personnel in Talitay town here to beef up security and help pacify two rival guerrilla factions involved in hostilities since Thursday.
Local officials said the two rival groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have figured in three encounters that left three guerrillas dead and three others wounded.
The fighting forced hundreds more of ethnic Maguindanaon families to flee their homes. More than a thousand families were dislocated in the first encounter just before noon Thursday.
The skirmishes between the two MILF groups started last Thursday morning with the killing of three security escorts of Talitay Mayor Montasir Sabal in an ambush.
The vice mayor of Talitay, Allan Sabal, said the victims were onboard the mayor’s Toyota pick-up truck which the rebels, led by Buisan Haron of the MILF’s 105th Base Command, fired at with assault rifles, killing the three security escorts on the spot.
Vice Mayor Sabal said the ambushers must have thought that the mayor, who is presently in a pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was on the vehicle.
The ambushers also fired at the relatives of the mayor’s slain security men when they tried to retrieve the bodies, provoking another firefight.
The victims’ relatives, mostly active members of the MILF’s 106th Base Command, joined the foray and engaged Haron’s group in a three-hour firefight.
On Thursday night, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu directed Senior Superintendent Rudelio Jocson, provincial police director, to initially deploy three platoons of policemen as buffer between the two feuding groups while the government-MILF ceasefire committee was trying to reposition them away from populated areas in Talitay.
The provincial peace and order council has asked the joint ceasefire committee, police and the military to pacify the two factions to prevent the conflict from affecting the Oct. 28 barangay elections in the area.
Provincial board member Bobby Katambak told The STAR yesterday that Mangudadatu has also asked the government-MILF ceasefire committee to help the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) formulate measures to ensure peaceful barangay polls in Talitay.
“The effort of the governor is parallel with the conflict resolution protocols bilaterally agreed upon by the government and MILF peace panels,” Katambak said.
He said Mangudadatu has also sought the help of local Muslim clerics in resolving the trouble amicably.
The hostilities have caused the closure of the Comelec office in Talitay since Thursday, preventing aspirants for barangay positions to file their certificates of candidacy.
“Gov. Mangudadatu was saddened by this development. His office and the provincial police are now initiating means of defusing the tension in the area, in coordination with the government-MILF ceasefire committee through the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade,” Katambak said.
Col. Noli Orense, commander of the Army’s 603rd IB, which has jurisdiction over Talitay and surrounding towns, said his emissaries have asked the relatives of the ambush victims to refrain from retaliating.
“We want them to leave everything to the police and just let the police file criminal charges against the culprits,” Orense said.
Orense said soldiers from the 68th Infantry Battalion are now deployed in strategic spots in Talitay to prevent the feuding MILF forces from getting close to each other.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/10/13/1244515/more-cops-soldiers-fielded-pacify-rival-milf-groups
US, Philippine Forces End Joint Maneuvers
From the Voice of America (Oct 11): US, Philippine Forces End Joint Maneuvers
U.S. and Philippine Marines board a CH-53 to prepare for a water insertion exercise to practice jumping from the chopper into water for raids and humanitarian assistance, Philippine Marine Base Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Cavite, Sept. 20, 2013. (Simone Orendain/VOA)
More than 2,000 U.S. and Philippine marines finished three weeks of joint amphibious exercises in the northern Philippines Friday, capping the year’s joint training agenda, which officials of both countries hope will be expanded in the near future. But the U.S. government shutdown has cast a shadow as the two governments talk about more U.S. troop visits to the Philippines.
The bilateral exercises closed on a day that President Barack Obama was supposed to go the Philippines. But he canceled his visit because of the U.S. government shutdown. Secretary of State John Kerry was scheduled to go in his stead, but Kerry’s trip was canceled Thursday afternoon because Manila was about to be battered by a typhoon.
Despite the nixed trips, Visiting Forces Commission Executive Director Edilberto Adan said the Philippines remains reassured by its partnership with the United States.
“We have our common values. We want a democracy that is alive. Both our nations respect the rule of law. We want freedom of navigation of our seas. So this alliance is emphasized through these exercises that these two nations remain committed to the purpose, to the objectives, of the Mutual Defense Treaty,” Adan stated.
Negotiators from the Philippines and the U.S. are currently combing through the Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement to work out how the Philippines will accommodate more frequent U.S. troop visits.
The U.S. wants easy access to areas where it could dock ships, land planes and have equipment positioned and ready to use. Philippine negotiators say the plan fits well with their weak and aging military’s $1.8 billion upgrade program, and add that having more training opportunities with a visible American presence would help form a “minimum credible defense posture.” The Philippines is in a territorial dispute with China over rocks and outcroppings in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely.
While the details of the agreement were being scrutinized by the parties in several rounds of talks in Washington and Manila, marines from both countries carried out exercises in waters near disputed territory.
On a windy Friday in Ternate, Cavite - about 220 kilometers southeast of the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea - a massive CH-53 helicopter whirred above the choppy water of a small beach. A few dozen marines in full gear jumped out of its belly aiming for rubber boats below.
The troops were practicing entering locations through water for military raids and humanitarian purposes.
This was not the first time Philippine marines practiced the maneuver. But Philippine Marines spokesman Vince Salmingo said it was an important activity to share with U.S. counterparts.
“The new thing here is as much as possible we try to… avail of a new unit to do this. Our other guys were able to undergo the same training before," Salmingo explained. "But for this particular exercise… it is going to be a new unit but the same training.”
The pending agreement makes clear that there will be no U.S. bases in the Philippines, which closed down century-old American installations in 1992 under domestic pressure. The Philippine negotiators say they do not expect any doubling of the thousands of troops that come every year for joint activities.
The Mutual Defense Board, comprised of both countries’ officials, is meeting next week to plan the coming year’s joint exercises. Undersecretary Adan said they hope to have additional training scheduled under the anticipated agreement.
http://www.voanews.com/content/us-philippine-forces-end-joint-maneuvers/1767556.html
U.S. and Philippine Marines board a CH-53 to prepare for a water insertion exercise to practice jumping from the chopper into water for raids and humanitarian assistance, Philippine Marine Base Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Cavite, Sept. 20, 2013. (Simone Orendain/VOA)
More than 2,000 U.S. and Philippine marines finished three weeks of joint amphibious exercises in the northern Philippines Friday, capping the year’s joint training agenda, which officials of both countries hope will be expanded in the near future. But the U.S. government shutdown has cast a shadow as the two governments talk about more U.S. troop visits to the Philippines.
The bilateral exercises closed on a day that President Barack Obama was supposed to go the Philippines. But he canceled his visit because of the U.S. government shutdown. Secretary of State John Kerry was scheduled to go in his stead, but Kerry’s trip was canceled Thursday afternoon because Manila was about to be battered by a typhoon.
Despite the nixed trips, Visiting Forces Commission Executive Director Edilberto Adan said the Philippines remains reassured by its partnership with the United States.
“We have our common values. We want a democracy that is alive. Both our nations respect the rule of law. We want freedom of navigation of our seas. So this alliance is emphasized through these exercises that these two nations remain committed to the purpose, to the objectives, of the Mutual Defense Treaty,” Adan stated.
Negotiators from the Philippines and the U.S. are currently combing through the Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement to work out how the Philippines will accommodate more frequent U.S. troop visits.
The U.S. wants easy access to areas where it could dock ships, land planes and have equipment positioned and ready to use. Philippine negotiators say the plan fits well with their weak and aging military’s $1.8 billion upgrade program, and add that having more training opportunities with a visible American presence would help form a “minimum credible defense posture.” The Philippines is in a territorial dispute with China over rocks and outcroppings in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely.
While the details of the agreement were being scrutinized by the parties in several rounds of talks in Washington and Manila, marines from both countries carried out exercises in waters near disputed territory.
On a windy Friday in Ternate, Cavite - about 220 kilometers southeast of the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea - a massive CH-53 helicopter whirred above the choppy water of a small beach. A few dozen marines in full gear jumped out of its belly aiming for rubber boats below.
The troops were practicing entering locations through water for military raids and humanitarian purposes.
This was not the first time Philippine marines practiced the maneuver. But Philippine Marines spokesman Vince Salmingo said it was an important activity to share with U.S. counterparts.
“The new thing here is as much as possible we try to… avail of a new unit to do this. Our other guys were able to undergo the same training before," Salmingo explained. "But for this particular exercise… it is going to be a new unit but the same training.”
The pending agreement makes clear that there will be no U.S. bases in the Philippines, which closed down century-old American installations in 1992 under domestic pressure. The Philippine negotiators say they do not expect any doubling of the thousands of troops that come every year for joint activities.
The Mutual Defense Board, comprised of both countries’ officials, is meeting next week to plan the coming year’s joint exercises. Undersecretary Adan said they hope to have additional training scheduled under the anticipated agreement.
http://www.voanews.com/content/us-philippine-forces-end-joint-maneuvers/1767556.html
PH hopes US budget issue won't affect military activities
From ABS-CBN (Oct 11): PH hopes US budget issue won't affect military activities
A Philippine government official expressed hope Friday that the budgetary issue hounding the U.S. government will not affect Washington's military plans in the Philippines.
Edilberto Adan, executive director of the Philippine Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, told reporters, "It is to the advantage of the two nations to have more training and exercise activities together" as they improve "interoperability and confidence in each other."
Speaking after the closing ceremony of an annual amphibious exercise of the U.S. and Philippine armed forces, Adan said, "We're not anticipating a scaling down or lessening (of activities in the near future)."
He said a meeting between senior military officials of the two countries will take place in Hawaii next week to discuss next year's joint exercises.
The joint drills are part of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States signed in 1951, which ensures that the two countries will support each other in case of an attack by a third party.
Adan said U.S. President Barack Obama and President Benigno Aquino reaffirmed their commitment to the treaty in a phone call on Oct. 2.
The Philippines and the United States are currently negotiating for an increased rotational presence of U.S. forces in the country and for their expanded access to Philippine military facilities in light of the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo and Deputy Commandant Brig. Gen. Remigio Valdez both welcomed the proposed increased rotational presence.
"As the technology evolves, our training objective should also evolve," said Tanalgo, stressing the importance to boost the country's defense capability and ensure that the forces operate effectively in a wide range of tasks from humanitarian assistance to territorial defense.
"We are building the capacity of our personnel. So, we can build the capacities of our personnel through training and exercise with our U.S. counterparts," added Valdez.
In line with the statements made by the Philippine officials, Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy of the U.S. Marines' 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade said in a speech at the closing ceremony that the three-week amphibious exercises that involved around 2,300 U.S. and Philippine personnel "improved our readiness and our ability to respond to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief situations, and regional contingencies together."
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/11/13/ph-hopes-us-budget-issue-wont-affect-military-activities
A Philippine government official expressed hope Friday that the budgetary issue hounding the U.S. government will not affect Washington's military plans in the Philippines.
Edilberto Adan, executive director of the Philippine Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, told reporters, "It is to the advantage of the two nations to have more training and exercise activities together" as they improve "interoperability and confidence in each other."
Speaking after the closing ceremony of an annual amphibious exercise of the U.S. and Philippine armed forces, Adan said, "We're not anticipating a scaling down or lessening (of activities in the near future)."
He said a meeting between senior military officials of the two countries will take place in Hawaii next week to discuss next year's joint exercises.
The joint drills are part of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States signed in 1951, which ensures that the two countries will support each other in case of an attack by a third party.
Adan said U.S. President Barack Obama and President Benigno Aquino reaffirmed their commitment to the treaty in a phone call on Oct. 2.
The Philippines and the United States are currently negotiating for an increased rotational presence of U.S. forces in the country and for their expanded access to Philippine military facilities in light of the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo and Deputy Commandant Brig. Gen. Remigio Valdez both welcomed the proposed increased rotational presence.
"As the technology evolves, our training objective should also evolve," said Tanalgo, stressing the importance to boost the country's defense capability and ensure that the forces operate effectively in a wide range of tasks from humanitarian assistance to territorial defense.
"We are building the capacity of our personnel. So, we can build the capacities of our personnel through training and exercise with our U.S. counterparts," added Valdez.
In line with the statements made by the Philippine officials, Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy of the U.S. Marines' 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade said in a speech at the closing ceremony that the three-week amphibious exercises that involved around 2,300 U.S. and Philippine personnel "improved our readiness and our ability to respond to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief situations, and regional contingencies together."
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/11/13/ph-hopes-us-budget-issue-wont-affect-military-activities
Marathon session ends without power-sharing deal
From Rappler (Oct 13): Marathon session ends without power-sharing deal
NO DEAL YET. Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and panel member Abdulla Camlian. Photo by OPAPP
Despite holding a session for more than 18 hours, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) failed to agree on how power will be shared between the proposed Bangsamoro political entity and the national government in the 41st round of talks.
The last day of the negotiations inKuala Lumpur , Malaysia
At past 1 am Sunday, an MILF source said the panels reached a "technical impasse," with both sides failing to reach a consensus on details regarding the Bangsamoro's ministerial form of government. A technical impasse has to do with how the language of the agreements are formulated.
The panels could not extend another time due to the celebration of the Eid al-Adha.
(Read: Gov't, MILF extend talks for power-sharing deal)
"But very good progress has been achieved in the power-sharing annex including on the possible structure of the new Bangsamoro political entity and the intergovernmental mechanism that can be instituted to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Central and Bangsamoro governments in the exercise of various powers," government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said in a text message.
Power-sharing represents the "heart" of the negotiations, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal earlier said.
The annex contains the list of powers reserved for the central government, powers exclusive to the envisioned Bangsamoro government, and concurrent or shared powers between the two.
Under the Framework Agreement signed on Oct 15, 2012, the Bangsamoro government would take a ministerial form, where members of the legislature elected by the people would elect a chief minister among themselves.
The negotiations are down to the final details of the peace pact. Also yet to be completed is the annex on normalization, which contains the sensitive issues of decommissioning of arms and disposition of armed forces.
Constricted timeline
Failure to sign an annex in this round constricts the timeline of the Bangsamoro peace process even further – a situation recognized by the panels themselves.
In their joint statement, both sides said they hope to complete the annexes after the Eid al-Adha break.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal earlier said the delay is impeding the working timeline of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body tasked to draft the Basic Law. Iqbal also heads the commission.
For the government, there's no turning back for the peace negotiations.
Citing a June 2013 Social Weather Stations survey showing that 70% of Filipinos still believe a peace agreement is possible, Ferrer said in her opening statement: "It is evident from these survey results that the key question to many people following up this negotiation is not so much IF we will have a peace agreement, but WHEN."
The government wants the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao towards the Bangsamoro political entity before President Benigno Aquino III steps down from office in 2016.
Both the government and the MILF recognize the urgency of beating this deadline, given the uncertainty of a change in political climate when a new set of officials take over.
Lawmakers earlier said it would be ideal for the Transition Commission to finish drafting the law by the first quarter of 2014 to give Congress enough time to pass the measure.
Once the Basic Law is ratified, the ARMM will be deemed abolished, paving the way for the MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Authority to take over until the election of Bangsamoro officials in 2016.
This round of talks comes weeks after forces associated with a faction of the MILF’s rival group, the Moro National Liberation Front, attacked Zamboanga City, resulting in a 3-week standoff. The impasse ended with 139 civilian casualties and damaged homes and properties.
(READ: Zambo crisis: The fog of war)
Despite the setbacks, both sides still hope the final peace pact will end the 40-year armed struggle inMindanao .
http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/peacetalks/41220-marathon-session-ends-without-power-sharing-deal
NO DEAL YET. Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and panel member Abdulla Camlian. Photo by OPAPP
Despite holding a session for more than 18 hours, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) failed to agree on how power will be shared between the proposed Bangsamoro political entity and the national government in the 41st round of talks.
The last day of the negotiations in
At past 1 am Sunday, an MILF source said the panels reached a "technical impasse," with both sides failing to reach a consensus on details regarding the Bangsamoro's ministerial form of government. A technical impasse has to do with how the language of the agreements are formulated.
The panels could not extend another time due to the celebration of the Eid al-Adha.
(Read: Gov't, MILF extend talks for power-sharing deal)
"But very good progress has been achieved in the power-sharing annex including on the possible structure of the new Bangsamoro political entity and the intergovernmental mechanism that can be instituted to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Central and Bangsamoro governments in the exercise of various powers," government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said in a text message.
Power-sharing represents the "heart" of the negotiations, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal earlier said.
The annex contains the list of powers reserved for the central government, powers exclusive to the envisioned Bangsamoro government, and concurrent or shared powers between the two.
Under the Framework Agreement signed on Oct 15, 2012, the Bangsamoro government would take a ministerial form, where members of the legislature elected by the people would elect a chief minister among themselves.
The negotiations are down to the final details of the peace pact. Also yet to be completed is the annex on normalization, which contains the sensitive issues of decommissioning of arms and disposition of armed forces.
Constricted timeline
Failure to sign an annex in this round constricts the timeline of the Bangsamoro peace process even further – a situation recognized by the panels themselves.
In their joint statement, both sides said they hope to complete the annexes after the Eid al-Adha break.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal earlier said the delay is impeding the working timeline of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body tasked to draft the Basic Law. Iqbal also heads the commission.
For the government, there's no turning back for the peace negotiations.
Citing a June 2013 Social Weather Stations survey showing that 70% of Filipinos still believe a peace agreement is possible, Ferrer said in her opening statement: "It is evident from these survey results that the key question to many people following up this negotiation is not so much IF we will have a peace agreement, but WHEN."
The government wants the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao towards the Bangsamoro political entity before President Benigno Aquino III steps down from office in 2016.
Both the government and the MILF recognize the urgency of beating this deadline, given the uncertainty of a change in political climate when a new set of officials take over.
Lawmakers earlier said it would be ideal for the Transition Commission to finish drafting the law by the first quarter of 2014 to give Congress enough time to pass the measure.
Once the Basic Law is ratified, the ARMM will be deemed abolished, paving the way for the MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Authority to take over until the election of Bangsamoro officials in 2016.
This round of talks comes weeks after forces associated with a faction of the MILF’s rival group, the Moro National Liberation Front, attacked Zamboanga City, resulting in a 3-week standoff. The impasse ended with 139 civilian casualties and damaged homes and properties.
(READ: Zambo crisis: The fog of war)
Despite the setbacks, both sides still hope the final peace pact will end the 40-year armed struggle in
http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/peacetalks/41220-marathon-session-ends-without-power-sharing-deal
‘MNLF’ group charged with rebellion in Zamboanga City
From the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Oct 12): ‘MNLF’ group charged with rebellion in Zamboanga City
Rebellion charges have been filed against 23 alleged rebels who surrendered to the police at the height of fierce fighting between security forces and Moro National Liberation Front members in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, reports said Saturday.
Quoting Assistant City Prosecutor Glady Bernabe, Solar News reported the group of Commander Usong Ugong, was formally charged on Friday in Zamboanga City.
Ugong’s group surrendered September 17 to Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Malayo, then the local police chief, in the village of Mampang in exchange for a safe passage back to Basilan province. Ugong claimed the MNLF under Nur Misuari misled them into believing they would attend a peace rally in Zamboanga, but ended up hiding in the village when fighting erupted.
Malayo was initially reported to have been taken hostage by Ugong’s group, but this had been denied by the police officer who admitted he went to the village to negotiate for the surrender of the rebels. Malayo has been recently sacked.
But other reports claimed Ugong’s group was allegedly paid or working for a politician who sent the gunmen to Zamboanga to pose as surrenderees to demoralize the ranks of the rebel group and as a media propaganda.
Ugong’s group has been separated from over 200 MNLF rebels now being held in the sprawling San Ramon Penal Farm and moved to the overcrowded Zamboanga Reformatory Center for a still unknown reason.
Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabella Salazar said she will not allow the rebels to go unpunished.
Rebel forces led by Ustadz Khabir Malik stormed several villages in Zamboanga on September 9 and took over 200 people hostage and used them as shield against pursuing soldiers and authorities said almost all captives had been freed or rescued.
The fighting had killed and wounded over 400 people and displaced more than 100,000 people. Malik escaped the military dragnet along with his trusted men and were either in Basilan or Sulu provinces, both strongholds of the MNLF rebels.
Misuari, who signed a peace accord with Manila in 1996, accused the Aquino government of reneging on the peal deal and launched a new rebellion, the second in more than a decade. In 2001, loyal forces of Misuari also attacked military bases in Zamboanga City and Jolo town in Sulu province and the clashes killed over 100 people.
http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/10/mnlf-group-charged-with-rebellion-in.html
Rebellion charges have been filed against 23 alleged rebels who surrendered to the police at the height of fierce fighting between security forces and Moro National Liberation Front members in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, reports said Saturday.
Quoting Assistant City Prosecutor Glady Bernabe, Solar News reported the group of Commander Usong Ugong, was formally charged on Friday in Zamboanga City.
Ugong’s group surrendered September 17 to Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Malayo, then the local police chief, in the village of Mampang in exchange for a safe passage back to Basilan province. Ugong claimed the MNLF under Nur Misuari misled them into believing they would attend a peace rally in Zamboanga, but ended up hiding in the village when fighting erupted.
Malayo was initially reported to have been taken hostage by Ugong’s group, but this had been denied by the police officer who admitted he went to the village to negotiate for the surrender of the rebels. Malayo has been recently sacked.
But other reports claimed Ugong’s group was allegedly paid or working for a politician who sent the gunmen to Zamboanga to pose as surrenderees to demoralize the ranks of the rebel group and as a media propaganda.
Ugong’s group has been separated from over 200 MNLF rebels now being held in the sprawling San Ramon Penal Farm and moved to the overcrowded Zamboanga Reformatory Center for a still unknown reason.
Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabella Salazar said she will not allow the rebels to go unpunished.
Rebel forces led by Ustadz Khabir Malik stormed several villages in Zamboanga on September 9 and took over 200 people hostage and used them as shield against pursuing soldiers and authorities said almost all captives had been freed or rescued.
The fighting had killed and wounded over 400 people and displaced more than 100,000 people. Malik escaped the military dragnet along with his trusted men and were either in Basilan or Sulu provinces, both strongholds of the MNLF rebels.
Misuari, who signed a peace accord with Manila in 1996, accused the Aquino government of reneging on the peal deal and launched a new rebellion, the second in more than a decade. In 2001, loyal forces of Misuari also attacked military bases in Zamboanga City and Jolo town in Sulu province and the clashes killed over 100 people.
http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/10/mnlf-group-charged-with-rebellion-in.html
Troops clear almost 50 percent of ‘critical areas’ in Zambo
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Troops clear almost 50 percent of ‘critical areas’ in Zambo
The government security forces have already cleared almost 50 percent of the “critical areas” in this city.
The critical areas include the adjoining barangays of Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, and Rio Hondo, since these were the sites of the heavy fighting during the standoff.
Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca disclosed that at least 1,756 structures were cleared since Day 1 of the clearing operations until Friday, October 11.
The clearing operations started September 29, a day after the standoff was declared over.
The standoff started September 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city.
Huesca said the clearing teams have recovered a total of 338 unexploded munitions and 17 assorted high-power firearms during the clearing operations.
Huesca said that they have also recovered and processed through the Police Crime Laboratory a total of 158 cadavers since the first day of the standoff.
He disclosed that 46 of the 158 cadavers were recovered since the start of the clearing operations.
He said three--one rebel and two civilians--of the 46 cadavers were females.
The clearing operations is to ensure the safe return of the residents to their respective places.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=575737
The government security forces have already cleared almost 50 percent of the “critical areas” in this city.
The critical areas include the adjoining barangays of Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, and Rio Hondo, since these were the sites of the heavy fighting during the standoff.
Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca disclosed that at least 1,756 structures were cleared since Day 1 of the clearing operations until Friday, October 11.
The clearing operations started September 29, a day after the standoff was declared over.
The standoff started September 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city.
Huesca said the clearing teams have recovered a total of 338 unexploded munitions and 17 assorted high-power firearms during the clearing operations.
Huesca said that they have also recovered and processed through the Police Crime Laboratory a total of 158 cadavers since the first day of the standoff.
He disclosed that 46 of the 158 cadavers were recovered since the start of the clearing operations.
He said three--one rebel and two civilians--of the 46 cadavers were females.
The clearing operations is to ensure the safe return of the residents to their respective places.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=575737
Friday, October 11, 2013
On assignment in Zambo with Marine snipers
From GMA News (Oct 10): On assignment in Zambo with Marine snipers
They are feared in battle zones for their pinpoint accuracy. They live by the dictum "one shot, one kill." They possess an almost god-like power: a gentle squeeze of the trigger could spell the difference between someone's life and death.
In the fight against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels in Zamboanga City, Marine snipers owned the night — thus the call sign "Night Hawks."
Equipped with night vision scopes, three sniper teams from the Philippine Marine Corps were deployed in the coastal village of Kasanyangan at the height of the three-week conflict in Zamboanga City. Kasanyangan was one of the villages occupied by the rebels loyal to founding MNLF chairman Nur Misuari.
Perched on rooftops of burned houses, snipers watched over a wide expanse of mangrove areas and fishponds where rebels waded to elude pursuing government forces. Marine sharpshooters are equipped with 5.56mm and 7.62mm M40A1 sniper rifles with day and night scopes.
From their concealed positions, they carefully picked their targets. The mere echo of the distinct sound of sniper fire can stop dozens in their tracks.
) covering the three-week siege of
Z
The author (center) covering the three-week siege ofZamboanga City
y by MNLF fightersReceiving end of sniper fire
I became familiar with that terrifying sound when I was embedded with the Marines six years ago. In July 2007 in Basilan, during a Marine search-and-rescue operation for a kidnapped Italian priest, my team and I experienced what it's like to be at the receiving end of sniper fire.
Entering enemy territory in the remote town of Al-Barka, we were pinned down for hours as snipers believed to be from Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels shot at the Marines, us included. Fourteen Marines were killed in that encounter, 10 of them beheaded, some after being wounded and captured.
I was lying on the side of an unpaved road with my head down when a bullet hit a twig just inches from my position. Even up to this day, I still remember the words uttered by a Marine soldier next to me: "Sir, ikaw na pinuputukan."
Up to now, the memory of that particular incident still sends shivers down my spine, as it was by far my closest — and hopefully my last — brush with death.
But then again, in war coverage, anything can happen. Expect the unexpected. That's why I always say a little prayer before doing stories in conflict areas even though I'm not the religious type.
But back to the Zamboanga crisis.
In the 20-day campaign against MNLF fighters, the three sniper teams of Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 accounted for 24 confirmed kills, and all of them headshots.
In one of our sorties to the frontlines of Barangay Kasanyangan, I was introduced to an officer who happened to be one of the finest Marine snipers deployed in the area.
With a firm grip he shook my hand and said, "Jun, nag-meet na tayo dati. Ikaw yung gumawa ng feature sa aming mga Marine snipers sa Fort Bonifacio."
I answered in the affirmative. Years ago we did do a story on an elite group of Marine snipers. Many of the details already escape my memory, except one: the "confidence firing" they displayed in front of the camera.
One shot, one kill: Sniper fire has become a dreaded sound in the battle zone.
A sniper team usually consists of a shooter and a spotter. In order to develop confidence between the two, at the final stage of their gruelling training, they will undergo "confidence firing."
My team and I watched in awe the hair-raising display of markmanship.
A shooter was lying on his stomach with his sniper rifle on two sacks of sand. And from about 50 meters away, his spotter was standing and holding a balloon by his side. No scopes, just iron sights, the shooter carefully aims for the balloon... the spotter closes his eyes. Everyone in the shooting range was holding their breath. The shooter pressed the trigger... bang! The balloon burst. Perfect hit.
Same procedure was repeated, with the roles reversed. The spotter became the shooter. A Marine instructor told us for a sniper team to be efficient there has to be full trust between the shooter and the spotter.
After our encounter at the firing range, we met again, only this time the sniping was for real: the targets weren't balloons but human beings.
The sniper I met was the highest-ranking officer on the three Marine sniper teams of MBLT3. For security reasons, we will not reveal his true identity, as well as the others who will be mentioned in this story.
With him was a young lieutenant. According to his comrades, the junior officer was responsible for a big number of sniper kills in the campaign against MNLF rebels. Armed with his night vision scope, he stalked his prey deep in the night.
Concealed in an elevated spot, he surveyed the field for movement by escaping rebels trying to reach mangrove areas.
"Silhouette lang ng mga kalaban ang nakikita namin sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan," he said.
His thick northern accent became even more evident as we talked about his exploits.
"Actually parang nag-aagawan kami. Tatlong teams kami, paunahan, parang pag tinamaan panalo ako. Uyyy score ko isa," he said.
The senior sniper was not as callous: "Para sa bayan ang ginagawa namin, kesa naman sa mga kasama pa namin sila maka-inflict ng damage. Hindi ito payabangan."
Good thing sniping operations were done during the night, one sniper said. "At least sa gabi hindi namin nakikita kung ano itsura kapag tinatamaan sila."
On the night of September 26, 2013, at around 8:30, the members of Night Hawks were monitoring a fishpond between Brgy Kasanyangan and Brgy Rio Hondo when they saw a group of about 15 men swimming across the pond.
They relayed a message through radio. Then after getting the go-signal to engage, the teams picked their targets, five for each of them. When the shooting started, one by one the MNLF rebels fell.
Come daybreak, the bodies were all over the place. As a matter of procedure, personal belongings like wallets were secured from the bodies. But one stood out from the rest because identification cards of MNLF commander Habier Malik—the man who led 400 or so MNLF fighters in the Zamboanga siege—were found on him.
The man was shot in the head, making facial identification impossible. Days later, the Philippine National Police, which conducted the forensic examination, declared that the man was not Malik. The conflict's most valuable target had eluded the Marine snipers, but many others had not.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/330335/news/specialreports/on-assignment-in-zambo-with-marine-snipers
They are feared in battle zones for their pinpoint accuracy. They live by the dictum "one shot, one kill." They possess an almost god-like power: a gentle squeeze of the trigger could spell the difference between someone's life and death.
In the fight against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels in Zamboanga City, Marine snipers owned the night — thus the call sign "Night Hawks."
Equipped with night vision scopes, three sniper teams from the Philippine Marine Corps were deployed in the coastal village of Kasanyangan at the height of the three-week conflict in Zamboanga City. Kasanyangan was one of the villages occupied by the rebels loyal to founding MNLF chairman Nur Misuari.
Perched on rooftops of burned houses, snipers watched over a wide expanse of mangrove areas and fishponds where rebels waded to elude pursuing government forces. Marine sharpshooters are equipped with 5.56mm and 7.62mm M40A1 sniper rifles with day and night scopes.
From their concealed positions, they carefully picked their targets. The mere echo of the distinct sound of sniper fire can stop dozens in their tracks.
) covering the three-week siege of
ZThe author (center) covering the three-week siege of
y by MNLF fightersReceiving end of sniper fire
I became familiar with that terrifying sound when I was embedded with the Marines six years ago. In July 2007 in Basilan, during a Marine search-and-rescue operation for a kidnapped Italian priest, my team and I experienced what it's like to be at the receiving end of sniper fire.
Entering enemy territory in the remote town of Al-Barka, we were pinned down for hours as snipers believed to be from Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels shot at the Marines, us included. Fourteen Marines were killed in that encounter, 10 of them beheaded, some after being wounded and captured.
I was lying on the side of an unpaved road with my head down when a bullet hit a twig just inches from my position. Even up to this day, I still remember the words uttered by a Marine soldier next to me: "Sir, ikaw na pinuputukan."
Up to now, the memory of that particular incident still sends shivers down my spine, as it was by far my closest — and hopefully my last — brush with death.
But then again, in war coverage, anything can happen. Expect the unexpected. That's why I always say a little prayer before doing stories in conflict areas even though I'm not the religious type.
But back to the Zamboanga crisis.
In the 20-day campaign against MNLF fighters, the three sniper teams of Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 accounted for 24 confirmed kills, and all of them headshots.
In one of our sorties to the frontlines of Barangay Kasanyangan, I was introduced to an officer who happened to be one of the finest Marine snipers deployed in the area.
With a firm grip he shook my hand and said, "Jun, nag-meet na tayo dati. Ikaw yung gumawa ng feature sa aming mga Marine snipers sa Fort Bonifacio."
I answered in the affirmative. Years ago we did do a story on an elite group of Marine snipers. Many of the details already escape my memory, except one: the "confidence firing" they displayed in front of the camera.
One shot, one kill: Sniper fire has become a dreaded sound in the battle zone.
A sniper team usually consists of a shooter and a spotter. In order to develop confidence between the two, at the final stage of their gruelling training, they will undergo "confidence firing."
My team and I watched in awe the hair-raising display of markmanship.
A shooter was lying on his stomach with his sniper rifle on two sacks of sand. And from about 50 meters away, his spotter was standing and holding a balloon by his side. No scopes, just iron sights, the shooter carefully aims for the balloon... the spotter closes his eyes. Everyone in the shooting range was holding their breath. The shooter pressed the trigger... bang! The balloon burst. Perfect hit.
Same procedure was repeated, with the roles reversed. The spotter became the shooter. A Marine instructor told us for a sniper team to be efficient there has to be full trust between the shooter and the spotter.
After our encounter at the firing range, we met again, only this time the sniping was for real: the targets weren't balloons but human beings.
The sniper I met was the highest-ranking officer on the three Marine sniper teams of MBLT3. For security reasons, we will not reveal his true identity, as well as the others who will be mentioned in this story.
With him was a young lieutenant. According to his comrades, the junior officer was responsible for a big number of sniper kills in the campaign against MNLF rebels. Armed with his night vision scope, he stalked his prey deep in the night.
Concealed in an elevated spot, he surveyed the field for movement by escaping rebels trying to reach mangrove areas.
"Silhouette lang ng mga kalaban ang nakikita namin sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan," he said.
His thick northern accent became even more evident as we talked about his exploits.
"Actually parang nag-aagawan kami. Tatlong teams kami, paunahan, parang pag tinamaan panalo ako. Uyyy score ko isa," he said.
The senior sniper was not as callous: "Para sa bayan ang ginagawa namin, kesa naman sa mga kasama pa namin sila maka-inflict ng damage. Hindi ito payabangan."
Good thing sniping operations were done during the night, one sniper said. "At least sa gabi hindi namin nakikita kung ano itsura kapag tinatamaan sila."
On the night of September 26, 2013, at around 8:30, the members of Night Hawks were monitoring a fishpond between Brgy Kasanyangan and Brgy Rio Hondo when they saw a group of about 15 men swimming across the pond.
They relayed a message through radio. Then after getting the go-signal to engage, the teams picked their targets, five for each of them. When the shooting started, one by one the MNLF rebels fell.
Come daybreak, the bodies were all over the place. As a matter of procedure, personal belongings like wallets were secured from the bodies. But one stood out from the rest because identification cards of MNLF commander Habier Malik—the man who led 400 or so MNLF fighters in the Zamboanga siege—were found on him.
The man was shot in the head, making facial identification impossible. Days later, the Philippine National Police, which conducted the forensic examination, declared that the man was not Malik. The conflict's most valuable target had eluded the Marine snipers, but many others had not.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/330335/news/specialreports/on-assignment-in-zambo-with-marine-snipers
Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 10): Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit
Indonesia’s military chief is in the Philippines for a three-day visit.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/87613/indonesian-military-chief-starts-3-day-manila-visit-2
Indonesia’s military chief General Moeldoko pays a courtesy call to Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday at the General Headquarters Camp Aguinaldo. He is on a “goodwill visit” to the country from October 9 to 11. Photo from AFP Public Affairs
Indonesia’s military chief is in the Philippines for a three-day visit.
General Moeldoko, commander-in-chief of Tentara Nacional Indonesia (Indonesian Defense Forces), paid a courtesy call to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines General Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday at Camp Aguinaldo.
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said his visit was part of a tradition of military chiefs among Asean counterparts.
He will be in the country from October 9 to 11.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/87613/indonesian-military-chief-starts-3-day-manila-visit-2
Reds say Oplan Bayanihan results in wrongful arrests, including that of scientist Gargar
From Bulatlat (Oct 9): Reds say Oplan Bayanihan results in wrongful arrests, including that of scientist Gargar
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) added its voice to demands of human rights groups, youth groups, teachers and scientists calling for the release of UP professor Kim Gargar [2], who is presently being detained in the Davao Oriental Provincial Jail in Mati town. In a statement emailed to media Tuesday, the CCP denounced the arrest, imprisonment and “false charges” levelled against Gargar.
“Professor Gargar’s detention underscores the grave injustice in Philippine society where the big plunderers of the environment and the people’s money enjoy their high-style living while those who choose to serve the people and defend their land and resources are made to rot in jail,” the CPP said.
Professor Gargar was taken into custody last October 1 by soldiers of the 67th Infantry Battalion in Cateel, Davao Oriental, near an area where they encountered a unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) several hours earlier. The military claims Gargar was arrested with an M-16 rifle, “landmines” and so-called subversive documents.
The UP professor denied all charges against him by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In interviews, he asserted that he has been in Compostela Valley since late June to carry out a six-month resource mapping to develop a reforestation program with the aim of rehabilitating the areas devastated by typhoon Pablo in December 2012. Gargar said his research effort is in coordination with the Panalipdan environmental group and the Balsa Mindanao disaster relief network.
Professor Gargar is the Networking Officer of the Center for Environmental Concerns–Philippines and a PhD candidate in Chronobiology in the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in The Netherlands. He finished his masteral education in Physics at the University of the Philippines, and BS in Physics, magna cum laude, at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in 2000.
Aside from supporting calls for the release of Professor Gargar, the CPP also urged for the return of all his scientific notes, digital files, research and personal materials. It echoed the complaint of Filipino environmentalists that for as long as Gargar remains in detention, he is prevented from conducting his research work for the people of Compostela Valley, and that, in turn, “only serves the big mining companies that do not want to be bothered by demands for reforestration and rehabilitation.”
Growing number of false arrests under Aquino
“The arrest and detention of Professor Gargar reminds us of the growing number of cases of wrongful arrests and killings by the reactionary armed forces victimizing civilians which the Armed Forces of the Philippines have accused as being members of the NPA,” said the CPP.
Recently, the AFP was compelled to release Rolly Panesa [3], a security guard employed by the Megaforce Security. Panesa was arrested by the AFP in October 5, 2012 and accused of being “Benjamin Mendoza” whom the AFP claimed to be a leader of the CPP in the Southern Tagalog region. He was severely tortured and detained for nine months and was released only last September.
In November 15, 2010, troops of the 19th IB shot at the team of distinguished botanist Leonardo Co [4] killing Co and his two companions Ronino Gibe and Policarpio Batute. In February 16, 2012, elements of the 1st Special Forces Battalion, 1st Infantry Battalion and the 59th Infantry Battalion fired at forest hunters in Magdalena, Laguna killing two residents and wounding three. In October 18, 2012, soldiers of the 27th IB killed pregnant mother Jovy Capion [5]and her two sons age 13 and 8.
“In these and numerous other cases of killing or arresting ordinary civilians, the AFP invariably claims that they encountered members of the New People’s Army,” said the CPP. “They make grand declarations that those arrested or killed are leaders of the CPP or NPA as if these justify their fascist crimes.”
The revolutionary group warned that because of the all-out support extended by Aquino to the AFP’s Oplan Bayanihan war of suppression, these “fascist soldiers are emboldened to wage all-out war in the countryside with complete disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law.”
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/141a1613b1254e39
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) added its voice to demands of human rights groups, youth groups, teachers and scientists calling for the release of UP professor Kim Gargar [2], who is presently being detained in the Davao Oriental Provincial Jail in Mati town. In a statement emailed to media Tuesday, the CCP denounced the arrest, imprisonment and “false charges” levelled against Gargar.
“Professor Gargar’s detention underscores the grave injustice in Philippine society where the big plunderers of the environment and the people’s money enjoy their high-style living while those who choose to serve the people and defend their land and resources are made to rot in jail,” the CPP said.
Professor Gargar was taken into custody last October 1 by soldiers of the 67th Infantry Battalion in Cateel, Davao Oriental, near an area where they encountered a unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) several hours earlier. The military claims Gargar was arrested with an M-16 rifle, “landmines” and so-called subversive documents.
The UP professor denied all charges against him by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In interviews, he asserted that he has been in Compostela Valley since late June to carry out a six-month resource mapping to develop a reforestation program with the aim of rehabilitating the areas devastated by typhoon Pablo in December 2012. Gargar said his research effort is in coordination with the Panalipdan environmental group and the Balsa Mindanao disaster relief network.
Professor Gargar is the Networking Officer of the Center for Environmental Concerns–Philippines and a PhD candidate in Chronobiology in the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in The Netherlands. He finished his masteral education in Physics at the University of the Philippines, and BS in Physics, magna cum laude, at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in 2000.
Aside from supporting calls for the release of Professor Gargar, the CPP also urged for the return of all his scientific notes, digital files, research and personal materials. It echoed the complaint of Filipino environmentalists that for as long as Gargar remains in detention, he is prevented from conducting his research work for the people of Compostela Valley, and that, in turn, “only serves the big mining companies that do not want to be bothered by demands for reforestration and rehabilitation.”
Growing number of false arrests under Aquino
“The arrest and detention of Professor Gargar reminds us of the growing number of cases of wrongful arrests and killings by the reactionary armed forces victimizing civilians which the Armed Forces of the Philippines have accused as being members of the NPA,” said the CPP.
Recently, the AFP was compelled to release Rolly Panesa [3], a security guard employed by the Megaforce Security. Panesa was arrested by the AFP in October 5, 2012 and accused of being “Benjamin Mendoza” whom the AFP claimed to be a leader of the CPP in the Southern Tagalog region. He was severely tortured and detained for nine months and was released only last September.
In November 15, 2010, troops of the 19th IB shot at the team of distinguished botanist Leonardo Co [4] killing Co and his two companions Ronino Gibe and Policarpio Batute. In February 16, 2012, elements of the 1st Special Forces Battalion, 1st Infantry Battalion and the 59th Infantry Battalion fired at forest hunters in Magdalena, Laguna killing two residents and wounding three. In October 18, 2012, soldiers of the 27th IB killed pregnant mother Jovy Capion [5]and her two sons age 13 and 8.
“In these and numerous other cases of killing or arresting ordinary civilians, the AFP invariably claims that they encountered members of the New People’s Army,” said the CPP. “They make grand declarations that those arrested or killed are leaders of the CPP or NPA as if these justify their fascist crimes.”
The revolutionary group warned that because of the all-out support extended by Aquino to the AFP’s Oplan Bayanihan war of suppression, these “fascist soldiers are emboldened to wage all-out war in the countryside with complete disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law.”
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/141a1613b1254e39
Davao region peace council assures all-out support to JPSCC
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 11): Davao region peace council assures all-out support to JPSCC
The Regional Peace and Order Council 11 expressed full support for the creation of a Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC) between the military and the police inDavao
RPOC-XI chair Governor Rodolfo del Rosario assured the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) that the council welcomes the JPSCC, which intends to unify all efforts of the military and the police in addressing peace and security, as well as, disaster response concerns inEastern Mindanao .
He said the document is highly called for, especially with the volatile peace and order situation inMindanao today.
The joint efforts of the military and the police, according to him, are crucial in securing the initiatives of local government units (LGUs) in localizing the peace process, through the provision of sustained welfare program to critical communities.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, EastMinCom Commander MGen. RicardoRainier Cruz III, PNP Chief Police
Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima and DIPO-EM Dir. PCSupt. Manuel Barcena signed
Wednesday three joint letter directives that formed the JPSCC.
Sr. Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, Public Information Officer of the PNP, said the JPSCC would facilitate the enhancement of capability and inter-operability of military and police units to ensure that “local stakeholders attain a safer place to live, work and do business,” among others.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=575456
The Regional Peace and Order Council 11 expressed full support for the creation of a Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC) between the military and the police in
RPOC-XI chair Governor Rodolfo del Rosario assured the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) that the council welcomes the JPSCC, which intends to unify all efforts of the military and the police in addressing peace and security, as well as, disaster response concerns in
He said the document is highly called for, especially with the volatile peace and order situation in
The joint efforts of the military and the police, according to him, are crucial in securing the initiatives of local government units (LGUs) in localizing the peace process, through the provision of sustained welfare program to critical communities.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, EastMinCom Commander MGen. Ricardo
Sr. Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, Public Information Officer of the PNP, said the JPSCC would facilitate the enhancement of capability and inter-operability of military and police units to ensure that “local stakeholders attain a safer place to live, work and do business,” among others.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=575456
3 more die as Maguindanao clan war continues
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): 3 more die as Maguindanao clan war continues
Three more persons were killed, two others wounded including minors, as infighting between followers of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continued Friday, authorities said.
Two of the three civilians killed were identified as Ali Nords and Salanggao Andi, both residents of Poblacion Talitay. The third fatality has yet to be identified.
Elements of 68th Infantry Battalion have been deployed to the area to prevent the escalation of armed hostilities involving armed followers of Talitay Mayor Montasir Sabal and Commander Haron Buisan of the 105th base command of the MILF.
The conflict started Thursday with the ambush and killing of three unarmed security personnel of Mayor Sabal in a road leading to Poblacion Talitay.
Sabal was not with the group as he was on a pilgrimage toMecca , Saudi Arabia
Talitay Vice Mayor Allan Sabal blamed the group of Buisan in the ambush that also left two other Sabal's bodyguards wounded.
Sabal's followers retaliated and engaged the suspects in in a sporadic firefight that sent hundreds of civilians fleeing.
The three civilian fatalities were on board a multi-cab vehicle along with their valuables as they flee for fear of getting caught in a crossfire.
As they approached the borders of Talitay and Datu Anggal towns, they were ambushed by armed men on Friday morning.
Chief Inspector Freddie Solar, Talitay police chief, identified the two wounded victims as Dagadas Salanggao and Kinao Ali Pasawilan.
Solar said both the Sabal and Buisan families are locked in a long standing family feud due to politics. They are both affiliated with the MILF.
Von Al Haq, speaking for the MILF's military arm, said efforts have been underway to "disengage" the warring clans and ensure the security of civilians.
He also appealed to the military not to intervene as the issue is being looked into by the government and MILF ceasefire committee.
As a result of the armed conflict, aspirants for the upcoming barangay elections failed to file their certificates of candidacy with the Commission on Elections office Friday, the first day of filing.
Mary Ann Mangudadatu, Talitay election officer, and her staff were prevented by the police from proceeding to the town proper Friday as the warring clans were still trading bullets.
Comelec personnel tried but failed to proceed to Talitay proper Saturday as fighting was still on going.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=575709
Three more persons were killed, two others wounded including minors, as infighting between followers of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continued Friday, authorities said.
Two of the three civilians killed were identified as Ali Nords and Salanggao Andi, both residents of Poblacion Talitay. The third fatality has yet to be identified.
Elements of 68th Infantry Battalion have been deployed to the area to prevent the escalation of armed hostilities involving armed followers of Talitay Mayor Montasir Sabal and Commander Haron Buisan of the 105th base command of the MILF.
The conflict started Thursday with the ambush and killing of three unarmed security personnel of Mayor Sabal in a road leading to Poblacion Talitay.
Sabal was not with the group as he was on a pilgrimage to
Talitay Vice Mayor Allan Sabal blamed the group of Buisan in the ambush that also left two other Sabal's bodyguards wounded.
Sabal's followers retaliated and engaged the suspects in in a sporadic firefight that sent hundreds of civilians fleeing.
The three civilian fatalities were on board a multi-cab vehicle along with their valuables as they flee for fear of getting caught in a crossfire.
As they approached the borders of Talitay and Datu Anggal towns, they were ambushed by armed men on Friday morning.
Chief Inspector Freddie Solar, Talitay police chief, identified the two wounded victims as Dagadas Salanggao and Kinao Ali Pasawilan.
Solar said both the Sabal and Buisan families are locked in a long standing family feud due to politics. They are both affiliated with the MILF.
Von Al Haq, speaking for the MILF's military arm, said efforts have been underway to "disengage" the warring clans and ensure the security of civilians.
He also appealed to the military not to intervene as the issue is being looked into by the government and MILF ceasefire committee.
As a result of the armed conflict, aspirants for the upcoming barangay elections failed to file their certificates of candidacy with the Commission on Elections office Friday, the first day of filing.
Mary Ann Mangudadatu, Talitay election officer, and her staff were prevented by the police from proceeding to the town proper Friday as the warring clans were still trading bullets.
Comelec personnel tried but failed to proceed to Talitay proper Saturday as fighting was still on going.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=575709
Government hopes to reach agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on power sharing annex
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 11): Government hopes to reach agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on power sharing annex
The Aquino administration expressed optimism that both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels can finish the power sharing annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), a Palace official said.
"Both sides are extremely optimistic that... they both expressed their optimism as well as their commitment to have something done by this round," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing inMalacanang
Palace
Valte said the government peace negotiators are optimistic to reach an agreement with the MILF, at least on the power-sharing annex, following the resumption of the 41st formal exploratory talks inKuala
Lumpur in Malaysia
Both parties stressed the need to ensure just and acceptable solutions to address the decades-old conflict inMindanao .
During the opening ceremonies for the 41st formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur this week, the government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer reiterated the importance of due diligence in coming up with viable solutions to the Bangsamoro problem.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, in his opening statement, proposed to “finish the two remaining annexes especially on power sharing.”
The wealth-sharing annex was signed by both parties after concluding the 38th series of exploratory talks inKuala
Lumpur , Malaysia
The Parties believe that the annex on wealth sharing will provide sufficient guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s provisions on wealth sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=575601
The Aquino administration expressed optimism that both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels can finish the power sharing annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), a Palace official said.
"Both sides are extremely optimistic that... they both expressed their optimism as well as their commitment to have something done by this round," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing in
Valte said the government peace negotiators are optimistic to reach an agreement with the MILF, at least on the power-sharing annex, following the resumption of the 41st formal exploratory talks in
Both parties stressed the need to ensure just and acceptable solutions to address the decades-old conflict in
During the opening ceremonies for the 41st formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur this week, the government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer reiterated the importance of due diligence in coming up with viable solutions to the Bangsamoro problem.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, in his opening statement, proposed to “finish the two remaining annexes especially on power sharing.”
The wealth-sharing annex was signed by both parties after concluding the 38th series of exploratory talks in
The Parties believe that the annex on wealth sharing will provide sufficient guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s provisions on wealth sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=575601
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)