Soldier dead, rebel captured

From Tempo (Oct 16): Soldier dead, rebel captured

SANTIAGO, Agusan del Norte – An Army soldier was killed and scores of New People’s Army (NPA) fighters were believed either killed or wounded while the rebels’ alleged rebel platoon leader was captured in two separate encounters in Palo 9 and Palo 8 of Barangay Poblacion 1, Santiago town, Agusan del Norte, yesterday.

Supt. Martin M. Gamba, spokesman for Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13), identified the slain Army soldier as Pfc. Rey A. Pastrana of 29thInfantry Battallion (29th IB).

The identity of the captured Platoon 1 commander of the Sanga Samahang Partido Platoon, Front Committee 16-A of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Party Committee, is temporarily withheld pending investigation, said Gamba.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/10/soldier-dead-rebel-captured/#.UmLTkpfD-AI

NPA hitman nabbed, CAFGU hurt: Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 17): NPA hitman nabbed, CAFGU hurt: Army

A suspected New People's Army hitman was arrested Sunday in Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, when his comrades harassed and fired at an isolated military outpost that day in the adjacent Brgy. Sandayao in the city.

Lt. Col. Wilfredo Isaac, 11 th Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday said the arrest of Juan Butalid in Sitio Punong, Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, yielded an improvised 5.56 Springfield gun with six live ammunition. A fragmentation grenade was also recovered from his military backpack, he said.

The arrest of Butalid was made several hours after suspected NPA rebels harassed a military detachment in Brgy. Sandayao, Guihulngan City, where a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit, identified as Ariel Celestino, was hit in the abdomen during the harassment.

Isaac, however, said Celestino, who is now in stable condition, is being treated at the Camp Lapu Lapu Station Hospital in Cebu City, where he was evacuated by an Air Force helicopter from the military outpost.

Based on the confession of Butalid, Isaac said the NPA retaliated after nine members of its Yunit Militia in Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental and Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, severed ties with the revolutionary movement, and surrendered 17 assorted firearms, including an anti-tank weapon, ammunition for 60mm mortar, and 12 rifle grenades.

Butalid admitted that the NPA is trying its best to win back the sympathy and support of their mass-based supporters in Guihulngan, where Army Bayanihan Teams are immersed with the populace in conflict-affected depressed communities in central Negros, Isaac added.

The 11IB is facilitating the availment of cash assistance for the nine ex-rebels, who surrendered firearms and explosives to its unit, under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Guns for Peace Program.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/October/17/negor4.htm

Military counts 3 election-related killings in Lanao Sur

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 19): Military counts 3 election-related killings in Lanao Sur
MARAWI CITY, Philippines – The Army has listed at least three killings in Lanao del Sur related to the October 28 barangay (village) elections.

Colonel Glen Macasero, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Friday that the latest election–related violence in the province took place on Thursday, when re-electionist chairman Hadji Mohammad Tomimbang of Barangay Ririk in the municipality of Taraka was shot dead by a lone assailant.

He said Tomimbang was on his way to a mosque in the neighboring barangay of Sambolawan for the early morning prayer when he was shot.

Macasero said that on October 12, an aspirant for the position of chairman in Barangay Oriental Beta in Lumba Caunayan town was shot dead. He did not identify neither victim nor attacker.

On Oct. 11, Salman Abdulrahman, the re-electionist chair of Barangay Bansayan in Piagapo town was also killed during an ambush by still unidentified gunmen, he said.

Abdulrahman, Macasero said, had just filed his certificate of candidacy and was on his way home with two others when the pick-up truck he was riding was fired upon by the perpetrators, using automatic rifles.

The village official’s two companions were wounded in the attack, he said.

Macasero said while the three incidents were confirmed to be election-related, Wednesday’s gun fight at the wedding of a Maranao couple in Barangay Lige that claimed the lives of three people and wounded several others, was determined to be the off-shoot of a family feud.

He said armed members of the Diamla-Dimaapao and the Tuba-Bilao clans unexpectedly met at the wedding and immediately opened fire on each other. Three gunmen died there and then, he added.

Macasero said responding members of the 51st Infantry Battalion engaged another group, suspected to be part of one of the feuding clans, and killed two gunmen.

“Three other armed men were also captured during the firefight and our soldiers recovered three M-16 rifles,” he said.

Macasero said the police have filed charges against those involved in the wedding incident.

He said because politics was heating up in Lanao del Sur as the elections draw near, the military has deployed an additional battalion in the province.

Macasero said the military was also trying to bring political aspirants to peace dialogues and possible signing of covenants on non-use of violence.

In Maguindanao, Moro rebels said to be supportive of a still unidentified politician stormed two villages in Pagalungan town and scared away residents as they strafed houses while searching for the most likely rival of their candidate on Thursday.

Captain Anthony Bulao, spokesperson of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, said members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front under Buto Sanday and two other rebel commanders descended on the villages of Bagoinged and Kudal as the filing of COCs for the barangay elections was coming to a close. The MILF guerrillas were reported to be supporters of a candidate and were looking for his opponent.

Bulao said some 300 villagers fled but no one was reported hurt in the incident.

He said the military has sent peacekeeping forces to the two villages and has informed the joint ceasefire committees about the incident for possible intervention so that the situation would not escalate.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/510275/military-counts-3-election-related-killings-in-lanao-sur

Harry Thomas ends tour of duty

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 19): Harry Thomas ends tour of duty

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

American Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. has ended his tour of more than three years as the United States envoy to the Philippines on Thursday, just a few days after making a farewell call on President Benigno Aquino III.

US Embassy spokesperson Kurt Hoyer said on Friday Thomas’ appointed successor is Philip Goldberg, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) at the US Department of State, but his appointment has yet to be confirmed by the US Congress.

US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Brian Goldbeck, who arrived in Manila in August last year as Thomas’ deputy chief of mission, will be on top of the mission’s affairs pending the arrival of the new envoy.

Before leaving the Philippines, Thomas received the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross, Silver Distinction from President Aquino on Monday.

He was cited for his key role in enhancing the long-standing defense alliance between the Philippines and the United States, in particular the 2011 signing of the Manila Declaration which reaffirmed the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty on its 60th year.

Thomas left Manila just as the two countries continued to nurture this alliance, highlighted of late by negotiations on the increased rotational presence of American troops in the country as part of the United States’ strategic pivot to the Asia Pacific and the Philippines’ external defense buildup.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier welcomed the appointment of Thomas’ replacement, with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario saying the career diplomat “will be a very good ambassador.”

Goldberg, 57, was one of eight officials that US President Barack Obama nominated to key administration posts on July 30, along with America’s new envoys to Indonesia, Argentina, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, Cameroon and Niger, and a new deputy interior secretary.

Prior to his INR stint, the official, who had served important posts overseas and at his home office, was posted as envoy to Bolivia from 2006 to 2008.

His time in the South American state ended in controversy when he was kicked out by Bolivian President Evo Morales for allegedly meddling in state affairs amid political unrest in his country. Goldberg denied the charges. Morales is known to be an ally of fierce US critic Venezuela.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/88255/harry-thomas-ends-tour-of-duty

CPP/NDF: Solidarity message to the 10th General Assembly of Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns

Posted to the PRWC Blog site (Oct 16): Solidarity message to the 10th General Assembly of Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns

Coni Ledesma
Chairperson
NDFP Special Office for the Protection of Children (Special Office for the Protection of Children)

 

The Special Office for the Protection of Children of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines extends warm congratulations to Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns on the occasion of your 10th General Assembly from 14-16 October 2013.

During the past year, since the Second National Conference spearheaded by you together with the Children’s Rehabilitation Center and Gabriela Alliance of Filipino Women, you have made big strides in your work among children, defending and upholding their rights, caring for those who need special attention and psychological help, and continuing to bring the situation of children to the general public. We continue to support you in your line of work and consider it a major part of caring for children.

The overwhelming majority of Filipino children are the sons and daughters of workers, peasants and urban poor and are victims of an unjust social system which consigns them to a life of exploitation, poverty, ignorance, malnourishment, disease and underdevelopment as human beings.

We consider it timely now for the development of a comprehensive organization for children, one that will uphold, protect and promote the rights of all Filipino children to participate in ways appropriate to them, in the overall struggle of the Filipino people. We call on you to help in developing such an organization.

We must assist the children to participate in educating and organizing themselves, so they contribute their skills, talents and creativity to the overall struggle. In this way, they can realize their full potential as children, together with the rest of the entire Filipino people, as active participants in the struggle for a just and democratic Philippines.

I wish you great success in your work.

http://philippinerevolution.net/statements/20131016_solidarity-message-to-the-10th-general-assembly-of-salinlahi-alliance-for-children-s-concerns

CPP/NPA: Video: Status--Negros

Posted to the PRWC blog site (Oct 2013): Video: Status--Negros

Sine Proletaryo
Oktubre 2013
Status: Negros, Sine Proletaryo's latest video featuring the interview of Ka Marco Marasigan, CPP spokesperson for Negros Island, relating revolutionary work and people's war development in Negros island...

Status: Negros

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xtu2qbrO59k

 

An interview with Ka Marco Marasigan, spokesperson for the Negros Island Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines, on the current status of the Negros revolutionary forces and mass movement. This is part of the "Status of the Revolution" series which will tackle the situation of the revolutionary forces in various regions and islands, in line with the CPP's upcoming 45th anniversary on December 26, 2013.

 

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2013/10/status-negros.html

MILF: Editorial--Changing the Status Quo

Editorial posted to the MILF Websites (Oct 18): Changing the Status Quo

There is only one sure way to change the status quo: launch a revolutionary armed struggle and once victory is attained, everything falls in place. The other way is through reforms, but this approach is held by the neck by the power-that-be. It hardly changes anything. The third option is through negotiation after a long and bloody engagement between the warring parties. This is what the MILF and GPH is doing for the last 16 years.
  

However, common in all three options is that all takes too long to see results or to achieve the avowed objectives. Sometimes, the situation worsens in the transition. Besides, armed struggle is bloody and destructive and the outcome cannot be ascertained until all the prerequisites needed for victory are present. Mere reforms will hardly make any difference. The powerful will only listen with closed ears and minds to people’s voices and rumblings. Sometimes, force is used to cow people and kill their aspiration dead on track. Similarly, negotiation is not an assured menu for solving, say, the Bangsamoro Question. Without effective safeguards and people’s participation and foreign good offices or helping hand, agreements can be set aside by powerful partners in negotiation.

However, in the case of the GPH-MILF peace negotiation, there is clearly enough goodwill on both sides. The MILF has found a fitting and reliable peace partner in President Benigno Aquino III. This alone gives enough reason for the success of these peace talks.

However, much of the difficulty in the current peace negotiation between the GPH and MILF is about the mistrust for the future. Both sides have legitimate fears and risks that cannot be aside just that. However, between the two partners, the MILF is clearly the weaker partner and, therefore, its fears shall be seriously considered by government. There is no guarantee for the uncertain future except good agreement and effective implementation mechanism. More importantly, this agreement should be enshrined in the Constitution to make it difficult for the next administration in Manila to change.

Moreover, the GPH should be magnanimous enough to give enough powers and resources to the Bangsamoro, so that it can stand on its feet, without detaching the umbilical cord that connects the son to the mother. The Bangsamoro is still part of this country and it is still Filipino by citizenship. The real guarantee for the unity of this country is to give what is fair and due to everybody, especially to the Bangsamoro. On top of it all, this government must have the political will to overcome all challenges to the deal with the MILF.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/613-changing-the-status-quo

MILF: Moro leaders air sentiments to LGU Gensan in a peace forum

From the MILF Website (Oct 18): Moro leaders air sentiments to LGU Gensan in a peace forum



Moro leaders in General Santos City aired the sentiments of the Muslim constituents during the peace forum with the city officials stressing that peace will be realized “when there is justice, equity and no discrimination against the Muslims.”
  

The Peace Forum held at Venue 88 Convention Hall in this city on October 10, 2013, was attended by Moro leaders, City Councilor Jeng Cagal, City Administrator Atty. Arnel Zapatos, and City Police Director Senior Superintendent Froilan Quidilla provided a venue to discuss on how cooperation with Muslim communities will strengthen peace in town.

“We, the Muslim, are natives in this town, yet we seem to be treated like second class citizens,” Esmael Mutalib, Chairman of the Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi Association in Gensan (SUBATAGEN), lamented.

He said Muslims in the city are left behind in terms of social, political and economic development.

“People here seem to forget that Gensan is part of Moroland. We have been here in our homeland since time immemorial but we’re treated like strangers,” Mutalib, also a prominent Tausog leader, further lamented.

Mutalib related the difficulty for Muslim job seekers to get hired in private companies due to discrimination. “Our job applicants are told ‘tatawagan ka lang namin (we will just call you up)’ but that is it, their applications are trashed,” he explained.

He also noted that some hospitals refuse to release cadavers of hospitalized Muslim until bills are settled. “We hope the city government can look into this because Muslims must be buried within 24 hours,” he explained.

Mutalib also said that there are Muslims who are disapproved by lending firms or appliance stores to avail their products.

Datu Alimudin Hassan, Raja Muda of Sugoda Buayan, noted that Muslims in the city are participative in activities inclined to peace. He said that the Muslims want harmonious relationship with the Christian Settlers and Indigenous People (Blaan).

Professor Isnira Baginda from Mindanao State University disclosed the insensitivity of some police or security personnel in establishments while checking customers’ belongings using bomb-sniffing dogs.

“Our bags or clothes should not be touched nor sniffed by dogs which Muslims consider dirty like swine,” she explained. “The inspection should be done manually,” she suggested.

She also asked if the city government can do something to persuade mall owners to put up Musallah “prayer area” for Muslim shoppers.

Gacal responded that they will look into the possibility of coming up with an ordinance that will address discrimination.

He announced that the City Council has already deliberated in their session the restructuring of the Office on Cultural Communities Affairs, an institution under the Office of the City mayor that will handle concerns of the Muslims.

The city councilor suggested for another forum specifically to discuss issues and concerns of the Muslims.

Zapatos said there will be programs for the Muslim communities through the said office.

He thanked the Muslim leaders for their support to peace. “We always look forward for your participation in peace dialogues,” he added.

Police Community Relations Group Director Chief Superintendent Sonny David, Chief of the Police Community Relations, also graced the affair.

He said “Respect and understanding are key to peace” and added that the national headquarter will back up the maintenance of good relationship among the people.

Quidilla enjoined Baginda to be the resource person for orientation of his policemen on cultural sensitivity.

There are reports that some Muslim job applicants changed Islam as their religion to other Christian denominations in their resume and use Christian when applying for work in malls.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/615-moro-leaders-air-sentiments-to-lgu-gensan-in-a-peace-forum

MILF: Local feud between forces of MILF and MNLF in Matalam resolved

From the MILF Website (Oct 19): Local feud between forces of MILF and MNLF in Matalam resolved



The feud that entangled members of the 108h Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Sebangan Kutawato State Revolutionary Command (SKSRC) of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Matalam, Cotabato since May this year was finally resolved.
  

In a Reconciliation Kanduli held at Matalam Municipal Gymnasium right after the congregational prayer to commemorate the Eidl Adha, the feuding parties celebrated with warm embrace their reconciliation.

Commander Haji Bayan Abbas of the 108th Base Command – BIAF and Datu Dima Ambil of the SKSRC led the reconciliation ceremony which the honorable Governor Lala Talino-Mendoza had organized.

Both Datu Dima and Hadji Bayan made their commitment to ensure that the reconciliation of their forces got involved in the feud will be lasting, adding “what happened between their men and their families were challenges that had been overcome.”

The high ranking commander form the MILF and MNLF stressed the feud was not organizational involving the MNLF and MILF.

“This reconciliation is very momentous as it is forged during the Eidl Adha."

“We will impose disciplinary actions to anyone under our command that will willfully violate our commitment,” they said.

Gov. Talino-Mendoza conveyed her full support to the reconciliation and vowed to step up the province development and unity programs.

Talino reiterated all-out support to the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and MILF under the facilitation of Malaysia.

The leadership of the MILF and MNLF, the government and MILF ceasefire committees, Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team, the Provincial Government of Cotabato, Mayors Valdivieso of Matalam and Pagalungan former Mayor Datu Norodin Matalam, former congressman Datu Jimmy Matalam and Jabib Guibar, Chaimrna of the Local Monitoring Team exerted all the efforts that led to this reconciliation.

The displaced families had returned to their communities of origin right after the reconciliation ceremony.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/616-local-feud-between-forces-of-milf-and-mnlf-in-matalam-resolved

Bangsamoro Transition Commission and CSO sign MOA on public consultation

From MindaNews (Oct 18): Bangsamoro Transition Commission and CSO sign MOA on public consultation

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body tasked by the government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law,  and the Mindanao Civil Society Organization Platform for Peace (MCSOPP) signed Thursday afternoon a memorandum of agreement on the conduct of “public engagements and consultations from the drafting of the Basic Law up to its enactment.”

The partnership between the 15-member GPH-MILF BTC and the MCSOPP, a platform comprising at least 120 groups and networks, aims to “promote transparency, inclusiveness and active participation of the local stakeholders” to generate “massive public support and ownership of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

SIGNING. Members of civil society with Bangsamoro Transition chair Mohagher Iqbal (center), concurrent MILF peace panel chair, at the signing of the memorandum of agreement on public consultations Thursday at the BTC office in Cotabato City. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

The GPH and MILF peace panels signed on October 15, 2012 the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) to pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro, a new autonomous political entity that would replace the 23-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by June 30, 2016, the end of the Aquino administration.

Four annexes to the FAB are needed to complete the Comprehensive Peace Agreement: power-sharing, wealth-sharing, normalization, and transitional arrangements and modalities. They should have been finished before December 31, 2012 but only two have been signed thus far: transitional arrangements in February and wealth-sharing in July.


The MOA provides that at least 128 consultations will be conducted at the district level in the proposed core areas of the Bangsamoro and in every municipality included in the target expanded areas, with the consultation design approved by both the BTC and the MCSOPP.

The MCSOPP will submit the results of the consultations to the BTC.

The MOA signing was done shortly before 3 p.m. at the BTC office along Magallanes St.

Address expectations and fears

BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal, concurrent chair of the MILF peace panel and MILF information chief, said public consultation is “indispensable” in the writing of the BBL because the public “must be consulted on matters affecting them.”

Once done, the draft law will be submitted to Congress and certified urgent by the President. When passed, a plebiscite will be conducted to determine if residents in the proposed areas want to be part of the Bangsamoro.

Iqbal said consultations will ensure “greater chances of public ownership of the process and the basic law” and allow the BTC to know the “expectations and fears of the people” so they can address them in their drafting of the Basic Law.

CONSULATIONS. Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Mohagher Iqbal signs the memorandum of agreement on public consultations with lawyer Mary Ann Arnado and other leaders of civil society organizations on Thursday, October 17 at the BTC office in Coatabato City. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

“This engagement will not only be regional but also national in character. If possible, everyone, every household and every stakeholder will be reached out  so that the Bangsamoro Transition Commission will have the widest support and reliable feedback mechanism in writing the Basic Law,”  said Iqbal.

“ I must say here for the nth time that the issue of peace is more important than the issue of war. Peace-making is essentially more complex than war-making. It is very easy to destroy but it is very hard to construct. This is the reason why all of us should nurture peace carefully; because it is only through this that the future is bright. In war, all of us will suffer and this country will never ever progress. War is the mother of all forms of poverty,” Iqbal stressed.

“Social contract”

Guiamel Alim, chair of the MCSOPP Steering Committee, described the MOA a “historic social contract that provides for the formal cooperation of CSOs and the BTC to give the public an opportunity to participate in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.”

Alim, also executive director of Kadtuntaya Foundation and a member of the Council of Elders of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, said the BTC is deeply committed to the Bangsamoro but needs help because it is faced with 3 Ks:  “kakulangan sa human resources; kakulangan sa financial resources; and kakulangan sa panahon” (lack of human resources, financial resources and time).

Aside from helping in the consultations, CSOs will also help in lobbying for the passage of the BBL in Congress, as well as help in the plebiscite and beyond 2016.
For Alim, “the real transformation of the Bangsamoro will be seen in 2016 and beyond.”

TRANSFORMATION. MCSOPP steering committee chair Guiamel Alim says the transformation of the Bangsamoro will be seen in 2016 and beyond. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

“In the end, the CSOS want to be part of a historical process of setting up a society where peace and development are felt not just by a few but by all. We are going to sign the MOA as part of this history for Change,” he said.

Julaida Juanday of the United Youth of the Philippines (Unyphil), said: “we want peace, we want change and we don’t want to suffer again from hardship and violence caused by armed conflict or war. As youth, we should support this because this is for us. This is for the new generation.”

The birthing of peace

Fr. Roberto Layson, parish priest of  Datu Piang in Maguindanao who witnessed the signing, imagined peace in the womb of a mother about to give birth.

“Soon, the mother will give birth and all of us will be happy,” Layson said in Filipino. But everyone, he said, needs to help the mother to ensure the baby she delivers, lives.

“Yung sanggol na yun ay yung kapayaan na matagal na po nating hinihintay. Sana po sa tulong ni Allah, ang Panginoon nating lahat, makita natin na buhay siya pagdating ng panahon.” (The newborn child is the peace that we have long been waiting for. With the help of Allah, our God, we will see the baby live).

BIRTHING OF PEACE. Fr. Roberto Layson, parish priest of Datu Piang in Maguindanao, says everyone must help to ensure that peace will live on. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

As parish priest of Pikit in North Cotabato and head of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), Layson experienced four wars in six years – 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003 – in Pikit.

Laywer Mary Ann Arnado, secretary-general of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus said they hope to achieve their “modest contribution” within a six-month time frame starting Thursday.

Even if the Kuala Lumpur talks did not yield positive results last week, “we already want to hit the ground so people will feel there is something going on already,” Arnado said of the consultations.

She explained that the participating CSOs are a mixed group of “Muslims, Christians, indigenous peoples, all wiling to accompany the Bangsamoro.”

Cotabato City Councilor Jojo Cortez said peace will benefit everyone in Mindanao, especially in his city.

Active peace builders

Kristian Herbolzheimer,  Director of the Philippines and Colombia Programmes of Conciliation Resources, an NGO-member of the GPH-MILF peace process’ International Contact Group  (ICG) said the challenge for the BTC is “really to make  each and every person in the Bangsamoro feel they are part of this process, that they are not passive listeners to the armed actors taking decisions on behalf of them building peace (but) they are active peace builders because their voice and their opinion are being listened to and responded to and reflected in the new constitution which is what the basic law, at the end of the day, is all about.”

He said a momentum must be created where everyone in the Bangsmaoro feels “there is a better future for all of us and we will be part of it.”

Malaysia’s Maj. Gen. Dato Fadzil bin Mokhtar, head of mission of the International Monitoring Team, said the partnership between the BTC and the CSOs will “strengthen ownership” of the peace process and a “step towards realizing aspirations of parties to have inclusive peace, durable, lasting, acceptable to all.”

Gus Miclat, executive director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) said the signing of the MOA is a “mere formalization of what has already been there.”

He recalled that CSOs have been doing public consultations in the past and submitting them to the panels for consideration but the MOA “formalized and institutionalized what we have been doing.”

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2013/10/18/bangsamoro-transition-commission-and-cso-sign-moa-on-public-consultation/

DND official says bidding competition to ensure quality ships for PHL frigate program

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19): DND official says bidding competition to ensure quality ships for PHL frigate program

With 11 shipyards expressing interest in the Department of National Defense's P18-billion frigate program, DND spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez expressed confidence the competition will ensure the delivery of quality ships to the Philippine Navy.

He added this also meant the competing shipyards will do their best to come up with suitable and innovative designs which are within the DND's budget.

"Hopefully, we (will) get the best quality and more capabilities for the budget we have," Galvez stressed.

Earlier, 11 firms have expressed their interest to participate in the DND's frigate program.

These companies are Piriou Naval Services, Navantia Sepi (RTR Ventures), Thyssenkrupp Marine System, STX Offshore & Shipbuilding, Damen Shipyards, Fincantieri, STX France SA, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Inc., Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., DCNS France and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd.

The frigates will be the most heavily armed vessels in Philippine Navy service.

Technical specifications obtained by MaxDefense: Philippines, a blogsite for Philippine defense related matters, revealed that the ships, at minimum, will be armed with:

-76mm gun at forward section with target tracking radar and/or electro-optical target acquisition and fire control computer;

-one stabilized secondary gun;

-four . 50-caliber machine guns;

-primary and secondary guns shall be integrated to combat management system;

four surface-to-surface missile launchers, minimum 50km range, active homing seeker and ECCM capability;

-surface-to-air missile launching system, minimum quadruple launcher, minimum 6km range, IR or semi-active homing seeker, with ECCM and/or IR CCM capability;

-anti-submarine torpedoes, minimum range 2km, minimum depth 500m, with acoustic countermeasures capability, two triple launchers (one on each side).

With these armaments, the ships will capable of engaging any aerial, surface and sub-surface threats that may intrude in Philippine territory.

At present, the most potent weapon system in PN service is the 76mm Oto Melara main gun and Mark 38 Model 2 25 mm "Bushmaster" auto-cannon fitted in the Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates and Emilio Jacinto class patrol vessels.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=577985

23 NPA members in Ilocos Region running in Oct. 28 barangay polls

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19): 23 NPA members in Ilocos Region running in Oct. 28 barangay polls

Top military and police officials declassified an intelligence report showing that the local communist terrorist New People's Army (NPA) has fielded its own men to run for barangay chairman and councilman in the barangay elections in Region 1 this October 28.

Senior Supt. Sterling Raymund Blanco, chief of the regional intelligence division of the Region 1 police, said in a briefing Friday afternoon at Camp Florendo that at least 23 NPA members are being monitored to be running in the barangay polls in the provinces of Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and La Union.

Blanco said some of these NPA members are even incumbent barangay officials.

Aware of the NPA plan to take advantage of the barangay elections, either to penetrate the local government or stage terrorism activities, police and military officials have prepared a tight security plan to prevent any untoward incident during the election period.

Chief Supt. Ricardo Marquez, Region 1 police director, said the strengthened security in the four provinces will be in effect during and after the elections.

“We have come up with security plan before and after the elections to ensure our peace and order situation,” Marquez said, adding that the Army and the Navy have joined the police in these preparations.

Meanwhile, Col. Vic Castro of the 72nd Infantry Brigade said they will be on alert during the election to help policemen prevent any attack by the rebels.

“The NPA might take advantage of the election period because this is the best time to stage ambush or any kind of sabotage of facilities, including vital installations,” Castro stressed.

The police and military together with the poll body have identified 171 barangays in Region 1 as election areas of concern. At the same time, they also put on watch at least 14 criminal gangs and two private armed groups.

For his part, Atty. Noli Pipo, Comelec regional director, asked for tight security of election personnel and teachers to avoid any untoward incident while they are performing their election duties.

“We all know that there is tension, intense political rivalries in the barangay level because those contesting are relatives, families, friends and neighbors,” Pipo said.

Overall, Pipo expressed confidence that elections in Region 1 would be peaceful and orderly.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=577945

NPA activities neutralized in 5 Northern Samar towns

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19): NPA activities neutralized in 5 Northern Samar towns

Five towns of rebel-infested Northern Samar province have been jointly declared by the provincial government and the Philippine Army as manageable conflict-affected and development-ready areas.

Governor Jose Ong, Jr. declared on Thursday the towns of Allen, Biri, Capul, San Antonio and San Vicente 'insurgency-free' after noting zero rebel activities for the past several years.

“The significance of this occasion goes beyond the assurance that the constituents of these municipalities can live happier in these secured areas. The absence of insurgency is vitally more significant as it will pave the way for the launching of more development projects,” Ong said.

Brig. Gen Jet B. Velarmino, commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th infantry division, attributed the achievement to the participation of local residents.

“As we join them in their victory, I also encourage each and every resident of Northern Samar to sustain what you have started. Let us nurture what we have just achieved and commit ourselves to winning the peace,” Velarmino added.

These towns are located in the northwestern part of the province are all island municipalities except for Allen, the region’s gateway to Luzon.

These areas are now considered as tourist destinations. Biri is known for rock formations. The towns of Capul, San Antonio and San Vicente are endowed with white and pink beaches.

The Philippine Army said they are on track in making the provinces of Samar and Northern Samar insurgent-free by 2016.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, is optimistic of significantly minimizing New People’s Army activities in the two economically-depressed provinces of Samar by 2016.

Of the six provinces in Region 8, four have already been declared as insurgent-free, these are Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.

The Army official could not give exact estimate of the strength of the insurgents operating in Samar since many of them come to Samar from Bicol and move back to Bicol.

The absence of road networks in the tri-boundaries of the island and lack of education, make people vulnerable to the influence of communist-rebels.

Samar and Northern Samar registered the lowest simple literacy rates in Eastern Visayas at 85.4 percent and 88.3 percent, respectively, according to the National Statistics Office.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=577995

60 suspects in Zambo standoff to be transferred to Bagong Diwa

From InterAksyon (Oct 18): 60 suspects in Zambo standoff to be transferred to Bagong Diwa



Suspected MNLF gunmen are taken to detention in a bus in Zamboanga City (AFP file)

At least 60 suspected Moro National Liberation Front fighters will be detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City after the Supreme Court approved the transfer to Metro Manila of their trial for charges over their alleged involvement in the deadly Zamboanga City standoff.

Explaining the procedure, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the high court will first order the Zamboanga regional trial court to “elevate the records of the case” to the Taguig RTC.

The judge to whom the case is raffled off will then issue a commitment order for the transfer of the suspects from Zamboanga to Bagong Diwa.

The suspects are all accused of rebellion and violations of international humanitarian law.

Also charged is MNLF founder Nur Misuari, his trusted lieutenant Habier Malik, who led the rebels in Zamboanga, and two other commanders, all of whom remain at large.

De Lima said the Zamboanga suspects will be separated from other “high profile” Bagong Diwa detainees, notably alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf and members of the Ampatuan clan and others accused of involvement in the 2009 Ampatuan massacre.

The Justice secretary explained that the transfer of venue was originally requested by Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabella Climaco-Salazar, who cited security concerns, especially should the MNLF attempt to spring the suspects.

“We concurred, the prosecutors concurred, the National Prosecution Service agreed na hindi dapat sa Zamboanga, mas delikado, mas nagpo-pose ng serious security concern, mas mataas ang probability na ma-rescue (that the trial shouldn’t be in Zamboanga, it’s more dangerous, poses a serious security concern, a higher probability of rescue),” De Lima said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73017/60-suspects-in-zambo-standoff-to-be-transferred-to-bagong-diwa

2 abducted Filipino charity workers freed

From the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Oct 19): 2 abducted Filipino charity workers freed



Spanish priest and peace advocate Fr Angel Calvo, extreme right, speaks to freed kidnapped victims Frederick Banot and Cherden Masong  in Zamboanga City in this photo posted by the Claretian missionary on his Facebook page.

Kidnappers have freed two teachers working for a Catholic charity foundation in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, police said Saturday.

Police said the victims - Frederick Banot and Cherden Masong – were seized by gunmen on September 4 in the village of Tairan in Lantawan town and had been released in the neighboring province of Sulu after more than six weeks in captivity.

“The victims were released by their abductors in (the village) of Bagsak in Talipao town and brought to an unnamed Catholic priest in Jolo,” Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, the Sulu police chief, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Capt. Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said the victims were forcibly taken by the gunmen from a staff house in Lantawan town and dragged them to waiting speedboats and escaped.

The duo arrived in Zamboanga City and was met by Spanish priest and peace advocate Fr Angel Calvo, who also heads the Zamboanga-Basilan-Integarted Development Alliance, and has been active in community development and Christian-Muslim peace and reconciliation works in southern Philippines for many decades now.

“Fredrick and Cherben, the two volunteers from the Claret Samal Foundation, were finally released in Jolo, Sulu. They are safe, sound and they arrived in Zamboanga City for debriefing and (medical) check up yesterday morning,” the Claretian priest said.

The foundation helps in various programs aimed at uplifting the lives of ethnic Badjao and Yakan tribes in Basilan, one of five provinces under the autonomous region.

It was unknown if any ransom is paid for the Banot and Masong’s freedom and no individual or group claimed responsibility for the abductions, but Abu Sayyaf rebels and bandits are actively operating in the province and have been previously blamed for many ransom kidnappings and killings.

In May this year, gunmen also abducted a social worker Jennelyn Enprera in Basilan’s Ungkaya Pukan. The woman, who was later freed, works for the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and was said to be in-charge of the government’s anti-poverty alleviation program called Pantawid Pamilya, whose objective is to provide financial support to poor families for the children’s health and education.

Another group of gunmen is also holding Lucio Gonzales, a skipper of a fishing trawler seized off Lantawan town. The kidnappers demanded P15 million for the freedom of Gonzales.

Basilan is one of five provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and is notoriously known for its kidnappings and ambuscades. Provincial government officials rarely release any statement about local abductions and are hardly accessible for media interviews.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/10/2-abducted-filipino-charity-workers.html