Palace urged to replace Westmincom chief with peace advocate

From the Philippine Star (Nov 5): Palace urged to replace Westmincom chief with peace advocate



Outgoing Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo (right) receives a token from the commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, Major Gen. Romeo Gapuz, during the former’s “farewell tour” at Camp Sioncgo in Maguindanao last week. (John Unson)

Local leaders and peace activists urged Malacañang on Tuesday to replace the outgoing chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) with an officer who has a record of peace-building in communities covered by the 1997 ceasefire accord between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, who is to retire from the military service on Nov. 9, is popular in Maguindanao and neighboring Central Mindanao provinces for his community projects supporting the GPH-MILF talks.

Ardo was commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, which covers Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and parts of the second district of Lanao del Sur, prior to his assumption as Westmincom chief last year.

“We are hoping Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and his principal, President Aquino, will replace Gen. Ardo with someone willing to continue what he has started,” said Bobby Benito, director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace in Cotabato City.

There has been a fragile peace in Central Mindanao since 2011 owing to the religious enforcement by the 6th ID and the MILF of all preliminary security agreements aimed at preventing undue hostilities while the talks are underway.

The Maguindanao provincial peace and order council, chaired by Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, said in an email that it also wants a peace advocate at the helm of the Westmincom to ensure the continuity of the fragile peace in the province.

“We want someone there who has propensity to address security problems in the province the diplomatic way in keeping with the tenets of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF,” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu, who has jurisdiction over 36 towns where the MILF has dozens of enclaves, said the zero encounter between the rebel group and units of the 6th ID since 2011 hastens the education and livelihood thrusts of the provincial government.

“Without conflicts, children can freely go to school and their parents can work in their farms quietly. We want this to continue to happen while we all look forward to the fruitful end of the GPH-MILF peace negotiations,” Mangudadatu said.

A former spokesman of 6th ID, retired Gen. Prudencio Asto, now a “peace education” teacher in Baguio City, said designating a new Westmincom commander who is also a peace advocate will preserve the gains of the GPH-MILF 1997 ceasefire agreement.

Fr. Eliseo Mercado, Jr., director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, which has various peace-building projects in Mindanao, said the Westmincom must be entrusted to an officer who has inclination to first exhaust all peaceful means of resolving domestic security issues before deciding on using force to address threats.

Ardo, who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1981, had told members of the 6th ID in Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat town during his visit last week that the Southern Moro uprising cannot be resolved with guns alone.

Ardo said the nagging Moro issue is best resolved through "convergence" of diplomatic efforts by local sectors, leaders of Moro fronts, the political communities and local government units in Moro-dominated areas.

Aveen Acuna-Gulo, project manager of the Indigenous People’s Development Program (IPDev), said the incoming Westmincom commander must have a “big heart” for indigenous non-Moro communities.

“Gen. Ardo helped in the rebuilding of the Teduray community in Mt. Firis in the second district of Maguindanao that was badly affected by armed conflicts in years past,” said Gulo, whose office has foreign-assisted community projects in remote IP tribal enclaves.

Gulo said the new Westmincom commander must have a deep appreciation of the importance of preserving the unique cultural identities of Mindanao’s indigenous non-Moro and Moro sectors.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/11/05/1253282/palace-urged-replace-westmincom-chief-peace-advocate

Gov't confident peace talks with MILF to be completed soon

From the Philippine Star (Nov 5): Gov't confident peace talks with MILF to be completed soon

The government chief negotiator said the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels would only need little time to complete the formal talks over annexes of power- and wealth-sharing to close the negotiation stage.

Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, government chief negotiator, in an informal briefing Tuesday said  they are targeting to complete the negotiation this year.

Ferrer said both panels will resume the formal talks this month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to complete the negotiation for the remaining issues on the annexes of power and wealth sharing.

“We are there in the tail end of all these details and the so-called devils in the details have been tamed… We’re down to some elements. We have been able to settle many of the details that have taken a long time. And we’re down to some elements that are of course very important and have been the toughest after more than a year, but we’re almost there. That’s the goal  - to finish it this year,” Ferrer said.

She said that based on the recent negotiation with the MILF panel, the rebel group should tone down their demands and to compromise with the government.

“Palagay ko naman kunting panahon na lang ay mabubuo na ang dalawang annexes para masabi natin nagsara na yong negotiation stage at saka papasok na tayo sa full implementation phase,” Ferrer said.

She said once the negotiation for power-sharing annex is  completed the panel will focus on the normalization, which calls for the decommissioning of the MILF combatants and conversion of the camps into development communities.

 

Ferrer said what the government panel wants in the normalization  stage is for the MILF to present the base number, combatant strength and its weapons for the government to introduce an appropriate and good program in the decommissioning process.

The government chief negotiator said they understand that  normalization entails funds to provide an alternative social economic livelihood for those who will be leaving the combat forces and joining communities.

“Ang dating kampo...magiging civilian na yong character nya at hindi na siya mag exist,” Ferrer said.

She said the two panels have agreed  that the process in the normalization will be gradual and  will be done in phases.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/11/05/1253314/govt-confident-peace-talks-milf-be-completed-soon

Eastern Mindanao Command vows more joint operations with PNP against NPAs

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 6): Eastern Mindanao Command vows more joint operations with PNP against NPAs

The Eastern Mindanao Command on Wednesday vowed to conduct more joint operations with the Philippine National Police (PNP) following the arrest of two New People's Army (NPA) rebels and capture of four AK-47 automatic rifles in Barangay Centrala in Surallah town, South Cotabato on Sunday.

“This is just the beginning, our collaboration will further be expanded to include local government units and other agencies," said Eastern Mindanao Command chief, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III.

Cruz also lauded the PNP for their sterling work in supporting the Eastern Mindanao Command.

He added that only through strong cooperation with local authorities will the rebel threat be ended.

Also seized from the two rebels were a red Mitsubishi Lancer (PGF-172) and 15 AK-47 magazines filled with ammunition, belated reports from Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson Capt. Alberto Caber said.

Caber identified the captured NPA fighters as Ariel Ariano of Barangay San Isidro, Koronadal City and Alexander Puertogalera from Tulunan, North Cotabato.

The two were brought to the T’boli Municipal Police Station for the filing of charges.

27th Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Shalimar Imperial said the remaining NPA members in T’boli, Lake Sebu and in the nearby towns are desperate on their failed recruitment in the area.

“We really appreciate our renewed scheme for joint AFP-PNP law enforcement operations, with information sharing, our operations become more effective," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=583450

Philippines, US disagree in troop deployment talks

From the Sun Star (Nov 6): Philippines, US disagree in troop deployment talks

The Philippine defense chief said Tuesday that disagreements between the United States and Filipino negotiators are prolonging talks on an accord allowing an increase in American military presence in the country.

Negotiations began in August on a defense agreement that would allow larger numbers of U.S. troops to have temporary access to Philippine military camps and bring in aircraft, ships and other equipment. U.S. troops have already been allowed to train Filipino anti-terrorism forces in the southern Philippines since 2002.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said one key issue involves a U.S. failure to clearly accept Philippine control over and access to temporary American facilities to be set up in local camps.

"They can't say yes or no but what will happen if we won't have access? Those bases will look like their bases," Gazmin said in a telephone interview.

"You can say there is a kind of an impasse, a disagreement," he said, but added he was optimistic that the differences could be overcome.

U.S. Embassy officials did not immediately comment.

Philippine negotiators have been told to ensure that any agreement would comply with the Philippine Constitution and laws and that the U.S. would not have exclusive use of any facility established within selected Philippine military camps, Philippine officials have said.

There were also differences on how to word certain provisions of the agreement, Gazmin said.

The next negotiating session has not been scheduled. The differences mean an agreement may be reached next year at the earliest.

The Philippines' desire to bolster its defense while engaged in territorial disputes in the South China Sea has dovetailed with Washington's intention to pivot away from years of heavy military engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq to Asia.

Hundreds of American troops have been stationed in the southern Philippines for counter-terrorism training since 2002.

The presence of foreign troops is a sensitive issue in the Philippines, a former American colony. The Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to close down major U.S. bases. A pact ratified in 1999 allowed temporary visits such as joint exercises.

 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/11/06/philippines-us-disagree-troop-deployment-talks-312368

Soldiers accused of looting during Zamboanga crisis face court martial

From GMA News (Nov 5): Soldiers accused of looting during Zamboanga crisis face court martial

Five soldiers accused of looting a councilor's house at the height of the Zamboanga City crisis last September will be held to account for their alleged actions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday.

 

"Nasa court martial na... Court martial proceedings are ongoing," AFP spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said.

 

Zagala refused to name the five soldiers to protect their rights. Their names will only be released if they are convicted, he added.

 

The five soldiers were arrested for allegedly looting the house of Zamboanga City councilor BG Guingona in Barangay Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga city.

 

Zagala said the court martial is part of the due process given to suspects.

 

"At the same time, this is our way of  finding out any...wrongdoing by any of our personnel. We do not tolerate that, and this is a mechanism we can use in order to instill discipline and prevent further acts," he said.

 

The looting allegedly happened as state troops were busy fighting rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) holed up in areas of the city from September 9 to 28.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/334110/news/regions/soldiers-accused-of-looting-during-zamboanga-crisis-face-court-martial

DSWD completes P20.86-M community projects in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 5): DSWD completes P20.86-M community projects in Sultan Kudarat

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region-12 (DSWD-12) on Monday announced it has completed a total of P20.86 million social infrastructure projects in Sultan Kudarat province.

Bai Zorahayda Taha, DSWD-12 regional director, said that a total of 15 community projects in the towns of Bagumbayan and Isulan have been completed with at least 30 percent of the total project cost provided by the beneficiary-community as counterpart.

Taha said these various projects are under DSWD's Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or Kalahi-CIDSS, are now benefiting at least 10,110 households.

“Most of these projects are situated in hard to reach far-flung rural communities, answering the most pressing needs of the villagers that they have been longing for a long time,” Taha said in a statement.

She said in Isulan, new school buildings were completed in the villages of Kenram, Mapantig and Kolambog.

In Barangays Lotilla, Bual and Kudanding residents are now benefiting from the potable water system project, also constructed through Kalahi-CIDSS.

Projects are not only for in-school children as the DSWD also constructed an Aleternative Learning Center in Barangay Laguilayan.

Farmers in Barangay Dansuli were elated by the completion of a 500-meter river embankment flood protection project in the area.

With abundant water, farm to market roads and community solar driers for grains in place, residents of Barangay Impao can now better market their produce with the completion of a market building.

In Bagumbayan town, perennial problems of dilapidated, overcrowded and makeshift learning facilities will be things of the past with the completion of new school buildings in South Sepaka, Daluga and Monteverde.

Hard-to-reach villages of Sumilil and Kanulay, also in Bagumbayan, were energized with the completion of Solar Battery Charging Station and Solar Home System, respectively, while Sto. Nino villagers have now access to potable water.

“These are the fruits of our collaborative efforts in fighting against poverty, empowering communities and improving local governance,” Taha said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=582970

N. Cotabato town killings alarm officials, seek more Army and police personnel

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 5): N. Cotabato town killings alarm officials, seek more Army and police personnel

MLANG, North Cotabato -- Officials here have expressed alarm over the series of killings that hounded this highly agricultural town in North Cotabato.

Mayor Joselito Pinol, who chairs the municipal peace and order council, convened the MPOC Monday to discuss and find solution to the increasing crimes against life with a village chieftain as the latest victim.

Two of Pinol's security personnel have been separately liquidated last week while village chair Eduardo Panes of Barangay Libo-o, Mlang, North Cotabato was shot dead on November 2.

"The situation is very alarming, we need to stop this," Pinol who claimed he has received threats to his life and that of his escorts.

"A plot to liquidate me and my men was discovered and someone influential offered P1.5 million to erase us all," he added. He did not name the supposed brains to liquidate him and people close to him.

During the MPOC meeting Monday, a non-working holiday, four resolutions have been passed.

Pinol said the MPCO passed a resolution creating Mlang Task Group to be composed of Army, police and police multipliers to focus on prevention of violence and crimes against life in Mlang.

Another resolution was asking Army 602nd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Ademar Tomaro and 6th Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz to allow the local government utilize the Army Special Forces to help the police in maintaining law and order in Mlang.

The MPOC also passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to take steps to put a stop to crimes, like assigning the Army in helping police conduct mobile checkpoints.

Pinol said the MPOC also passed a resolution urging Senior Supt. Danilo Peralta, North Cotabato police director to deploy augmentation personnel to help the local police in putting a stop to the rash of killings, high profile crimes, including carnapping which is rampant in Mlang.

"We specifically request the police provincial office to assign a police special forces in Mlang," Pinol told reporters.

Pinol said at first he downplayed the threat against him and his camp but with the successive killings of his two escorts and the murder of Chairperson Panes, he was convinced the plot was real.

On Monday, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza offered P100,000 reward money to anyone who can provide the police with information leading to the arrest of the suspects in Panes murder.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=583098

Army foils bombing attempt in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 5): Army foils bombing attempt in Maguindanao

Elements of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade prevented another attempt by suspected renegade Moro rebels to inflict injuries on soldiers and civilians when Army personnel defused a powerful improvised explosive device Tuesday morning in Maguindanao.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division said, soldiers of the 46th Infantry Battalion found the suspicious package left unattended at a waiting shed beside a highway in Barangay Iganagampong, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao at about 6 a.m.

The place is often used by civilian commuters, motorists and even soldiers as resting place or temporary shelter when heavy downpour occurs.

The soldiers on board light military truck were to take a rest after a long travel when one of them noticed a suspicious package. Upon thorough check, they found out it was an IED fashioned from 81 mm mortar with mobile phone as trigger mechanism.

Hermoso said Army bomb disposal team managed to defuse the explosive and prevented what could have been a bloody Tuesday morning where civilians or soldiers as victims.

The area is a known bailiwick of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) which the Army blamed for the series of bombings against civilians, government infrastructure and soldiers in Maguindanao.

Composed of about 1,000 armed followers, the BIFF was formed in 2008 after they broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The BIFF is opposed to the GPH-MILF peace process.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=583249

Gun raps filed vs 2 NPA rebels captured in South Cotabato town

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 5): Gun raps filed vs 2 NPA rebels captured in South Cotabato town

Police authorities filed charges on Tuesday for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban against two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who were arrested in a checkpoint in T’boli town in South Cotabato last Sunday afternoon.

Supt. Romulo Estocapio, acting public information officer of the Police Regional Office 12, identified the suspects as Alexander Puertogalera, 46, of Tulunan town in North Cotabato and Ariel Arellano, 40, of Poblacion in Norala, South Cotabato.

He said the charges were filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Koronadal City.

Estocapio said the suspects were nabbed at around 3:30 p.m. aboard a red Mitsubishi Lancer sedan with license plate PGF 172 in Barangay Sinolon in T’boli town.

A search on the suspects’ vehicle yielded four AK47 rifles bearing serial numbers 11046, 05292, 09483 and 02020; 15 magazines; 433 live bullets of caliber 7.62 or M14 rifle; and, various subversive documents, he said.

Estocapio said Puertogalera is an alleged secretary of the NPA’s regional white area committee while Arellano is one of its active members.

“They were part of the NPA unit that harassed our detachment in Sinolon last March,” he said.

Supt. Jemuel Siason, T’boli police chief, said in a briefing that they have long been monitoring the movements of Puertogalera due to his alleged involvement in previous attacks in the area.

“He is a known member of the NPA and has led some of the group’s recruitment activities,” he said.

Siason said that prior to the capture of the two suspects last Sunday, they had received intelligence reports that a rebel unit will be delivering some high-powered firearms to local NPA members.

He said they immediately set up some roadblocks along the highway leading to T’boli town in coordination with the 4th maneuver company of the Region 12 police’s public safety battalion, bravo company of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency in Region 12.

Siason said they initially flagged down the suspects’ vehicle in Barangay Centrala in Surallah town but it did not stop.

The operative gave chase and finally caught up with the suspects, who are currently in the custody of the T’boli police station, in another checkpoint in Barangay Sinolon.

South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes commended local authorities for the arrest of the two NPA rebels and the recovery of the firearms.

“Rest assured that the provincial government will always be supportive of whatever endeavors our law enforcers pursue against these lawless elements,” she said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=583247

The heroes of Zamboanga: Lessons

From Rappler (Nov 4): The heroes of Zamboanga: Lessons



HEROES OF ZAMBOANGA: President Benigno Aquino III leads awarding ceremonies for 12 officers and 6 enlisted personnel

The Zamboanga City siege was the kind of military operation that turns soldiers into heroes. On Monday, November 4, the President honored 12 officers and 6 enlisted personnel, the first batches of awardees who fought hundreds of followers of Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari.

But along with the honor, high-ranking generals and enlisted personnel bring with them lessons they learned from the urban warfare the Armed Forces is not used to.


"It's the first time we got a military operation in an urban terrain. The situation wherein even our capabilities were tested. Have you seen Black Hawk Down? It was like that," said Lieutenant General Rey Ardo, outgoing chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom). He was referring to the American film on the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia.

Westmincom supervises the volatile area of Mindanao, where threat groups like the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and roque elements of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) operate.

"We have to look into our joint operations. We have to look into the capability of fighting in urban terrain, more on equipage, more on personnel training," said Ardo.

Ardo received the Distinguished Service Star, the second highest award a soldier can receive in his career.

It's the same award received by deputy chief of staff for operations Brigadier General Rodelio Santos and AFP public affairs office chief Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala.

The award recognizes their "eminently meritorious and valuable service rendered during the Zamboanga Crisis."



WOUNDED PERSONNEL MEDAL: Marine Pfc Eduardo A. Jose. Photo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines

Night-fighting capabilities

For Marine Pfc Eduardo Jose, the Zamboanga City crisis highlights the need for the government to arm the soldiers with high-tech equipment.

A rebel's bullet hit his left arm and pierced through his chest and reached his lungs. It happened on the second day the military launched its calibrated response, September 14. He received the Wounded Personnel Medal.

Night-fighting equipment could have helped, he said. Because the rebels were also wearing uniforms, Jose said it was difficult to distinguish them from fellow soldiers when it got dark.

Jose is afraid he will not be able to recover his strength. "The fracture was bad. My lungs were hit. It may be difficult."

He momentarily forgot his worries when he received the award from the President no less. "High morale," he said.

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT STAR: Lieutenant Colonel Oriel Pangcog, battalion commander of the JSOG Task Force Arrow

Highest honor

But the officer who received the highest honor for combat was given to Lieutenant Colonel Oriel Pangcog, battalion commander of Joint Special Operations Task Force Group Arrow.

He led 250 Scout Rangers, who were among those who engaged Misuari's trusted commander Habier Malik and his men in a close-quarter combat. He received the Distinguished Conduct Star award.

The first days of the assault were the most difficult, he said. "At that time, we didn't know what was inside the battle zone. We had to adjust. Eventually, we were able to get the hang of it."

The standoff dragged for 3 weeks because they had to make sure the hostages were not caught in the line of fire. "If it happened in the mountains, we could launch canons or use airplanes and mortars. We could have ended it immediately. But we were very deliberate as we combed the houses. It got more difficult as we approached the shanties," Pangcog said.

"The President said our paramount concern is the lives of the hostages. We could have ended it immediately – launch an assault and destory everything. But all the hostages would die," he said.

The Scout Rangers were among the AFP's elite troops. But Pangcog admitted they were all scared, too. "Takot din. Lahat takot. Ang mga sundalo ko nakita ko takot, kaya sabi ko, relax lang. (We were scared, too. My soldiers were scared, so I told them to relax.)

"I tried not to think about it. We just took it day by day. We tried to accomplish our objective every day," he added.

Death of comrades is always the most difficult. The Rangers lost 3 colleagues. Another 40 were hospitalized because of various injuries.

He recalled a day when "20 plus" soldiers were hurt because the rebels were waiting for them at the end of the alley.

While he was satisfied with the performance of his team, he acknowledged that more training would help.

"For the rangers, we need more training for urban areas like Zamboanga City. At the same time, I appeal to the rebels not to involve the civilians," Pangcog told reporters.

"We can benefit from more training, force protection equipment, and clearing operations," he added.

There's no dearth of stories on heroism in the operations that involved over nearly 3,000 soldiers. AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista said they are screening possible recipients of the medal of valor, the highest combat recognition a soldier can receive.

Theirs will be the best stories soldiers will bring home from the crisis.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/42890-zamboanga-heroes-lessons

AK-47s smuggled for NPA

From InterAksyon (Nov 5): AK-47s smuggled for NPA



SMUGGLED. These AK-47s are supposedly meant for the New People's Army. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army

Two alleged rebel couriers tried to smuggle 4 AK-47s for the New People's Army (NPA), triggering a 5-minute car chase in Tboli town, South Cotabato on Sunday, November 3, the military said.

In a press statement, 1Lt Abel Porto, spokesman of the Army's 27th infantry battalion, said they set up checkpoints following intelligence reports that a cache of powerful firearms for the NPA guerrillas was to be transported from Tulunan, Cotabato to Tboli in South Cotabato.

On Sunday, police and soldiers flagged down a red Mitsubishi Lancer in Barangay Central in Surallah, South Cotabato. Instead of stopping, the driver and his companion drove past the checkpoint prompting the police and soldiers to give chase.

The suspects were finally caught in Barangay Sinolon in Tboli.

Found in the possession of Ariel Ariano, the driver who is from Barangay San Isidro, Koronadal City, and Alexander Puertogalera from Tulunan, North Cotabato were 4 AK-47s and 15 fully loaded magazines.

The two are now detained at the Tboli police station where they are undergoing further investigation.

Lt Col Shalimar Imperial, commander officer of the 27th Infantry Battalion, said the rebels have stepped up their procurement of firearms. Government seizure of AK-47s in previous raids prove this. Most of them have defaced serial number making it difficult to trace their origin.

Maj. Gen. Rainer Cruz III, commanding general of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said the intelligence community is verifying reports these AK-47 were brought via transport ships.

Among the areas being monitored is the eastern part of Mindanao, particularly in the Surigao provinces, where there are a lot of mining activities and ore shipment.

Cruz said the firearms came from China.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/42920-smuggling-ak-47s-npa

POST-SIEGE | EU helps Zambo residents avoid dangers of unexploded mines

From InterAksyon (Nov 5): POST-SIEGE | EU helps Zambo residents avoid dangers of unexploded mines

As part of its commitment to support the peace process in Mindanao and following the three-week siege by followers of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari, the European Union is funding a program to teach evacuees of Zamboanga how to avoid risks presented by unexploded ordnance (UXO) and mines.

According to the Delegation of the EU in the Philippines, 18 local volunteers, including local NGO staff and students from the Western Mindanao State University, were trained by FSD Swiss (a humanitarian Mine Action NGO) on what UXO look like; where they might be found; the risks they pose; safe behaviors to adopt; unsafe behaviors to avoid; and who to call for assistance.

Training sessions for aid agencies and volunteers involved in relief efforts were also held. Risk education posters and billboards, based on the course and appropriate to the local situation, are used in the presentations and are prominently displayed in evacuation centers and around the city.

During the Train-the-Trainer course, students learned how to design and deliver safety messages and materials, and the communication skills and strategies they needed to ensure timely and effective delivery of these messages.

Staff from the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, provided assistance in conducting the training, and in making initial contact with camp managers in the evacuation centers.

The Zamboanga Police Bomb Disposal team also gave trainers an update on clearance operations in UXO-affected neighborhoods and the types of UXO residents returning to their homes might encounter.

Close liaison between the trainers and the Zamboanga City Police Department ensures that, if returnees encounter UXO, they know who to call and that they can expect something to be done about the hazard.

The trainers now have a Facebook page, MRE Zamboanga, (MRE is for "Mines and UXO Risk Education) on which they post pictures of their activities in the camps: https://www.facebook.com/#!/mre.zamboanga

In September 2013, weeks of intense fighting between Philippine security forces and a faction of the MNLF left parts of Zamboanga City littered with UXO. While a clear-up operation by the Philippine Bomb Disposal teams has removed most of the UXO, hazardous items will continue to be uncovered as residents and repair teams return to the area, and rubble and debris is removed.

Earlier, in October 2013, the European Union provided P17 million to fund emergency supplies and assist in the management and provision of services at evacuation sites around Zamboanga.

The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. FSD is currently active in eight countries worldwide.

In partnership with the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL), FSD is conducting a humanitarian mine action project in Mindanao. Under this project, FSD carries out surveys in villages affected by UXO and, wherever possible, facilitates UXO clearance. FSD also provides mines and UXO risk education (MRE) for conflict-affected communities. This project is implemented in 26 municipalities in Maguindanao, Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur and benefits from a P32-million grant from the European Union.

The project is funded by the European Union under its Instrument for Stability (IFS) program, and is implemented under a signed agreement between the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/74171/post-siege--eu-helps-zambo-residents-avoid-dangers-of-unexploded-mines

CPP hails Fr. Joe Dizon, 'revolutionary, patriot, servant of the masses'

From InterAksyon (Nov 5): CPP hails Fr. Joe Dizon, 'revolutionary, patriot, servant of the masses'



The Communist Party of the Philippines on Tuesday mourned the death of Fr. Joe Dizon, paying tribute to the “revolutionary Catholic priest, patriot and humble servant of the working class and the toiling masses.”

Dizon, who was a prominent figure in the campaign to oust former President Joseph Estrada and helped convene various groups such as the election watchdog Kontra Daya, died late Monday night at the age of 65.

Just before he died, Dizon was a leading figure in the anti-pork barrel movement.

The CPP did not say if Dizon had any direct involvement with it, but it recognized him as “among the pioneer organizers of the Basic Christian Community in the 1960s, which put into practice the progressive Catholic social teaching of having preferential option for the poor,” an advocacy “being advanced by the Christians for National Liberation,” one of the underground organizations within the National Democratic Front.

The CPP cited Dizon’s work organizing the urban poor and workers’ communities, where he "became tempered in their struggles." In 1995, he set up the Workers’ Assistance Center in Dasmarinas, Cavite that helped workers within the Cavite Export Processing Zone.

It also acknowledged Dizon’s advocacy for human rights and social justice, and his opposition to “US interventionism in the Philippines.”

“He will be remembered as among those who carried forward the revolutionary tradition among the Filipino clergy, pioneered by Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora who stood up against Spanish colonialism, and carried forward by the likes of Fr. Pops Tentorio and Willhelm Geertman who dedicated and sacrificed their lives serving the masses, and revolutionary martyrs Frs. Frank Navarro, Zacharias Agatep and Nilo Valerio who marched the path of the people’s war and dedicated their lives as armed fighters of the people,” the CPP said.

Tentorio and Geertman were missionaries who were murdered by what their friends and human rights advocates believe were military agents.

“With his demise, Fr. Joe Dizon’s name is now etched into the granite stone of the Filipino people’s gallery of heroes and martyrs, where it will inspire future generations to dedicate their lives to the struggle for national and social liberation and the struggle to end oppression and exploitation,” it said.

Dizon’s remains are at the San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan City, where a tribute is scheduled Wednesday night.

On Thursday morning, Dizon’s remains will be transferred to the Parish of the Holy Rosary in Rosario, Cavite.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/74206/cpp-hails-fr--joe-dizon-revolutionary-patriot-servant-of-the-masses

RaptorSwag penetrates into Chinese cyberspace

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Nov 4): RaptorSwag penetrates into Chinese cyberspace



A new hacker group called RaptorSwag on Monday boasted to have penetrated through databases of Chinese government agencies and was surprised how easily it was able to hack into the protected domain.

“We took a stroll through China's internal security today, whistling with our hands tipping a hat as we greeted the guard at the front door. Without their notice, we slipped by unseen, shifting so much data from the Chinese government onto our main battle tank of highly sophisticated intrusions that it began to weigh us down. We had no choice. We had to drop it somewhere, and the twitter hoard looked like the best place to start,” it said.

It said despite China’s projection as a powerful nation, RaptorSwag managed to “raped” China with a single SQL injection, the easiest of all attack vectors. SQL refers to “structured query language,” a standardized query language for requesting information from a database.

SQL has been the favorite query language for database management systems running on minicomputers and mainframes. Increasingly, however, SQL is being supported by PC database systems because it supports distributed databases (databases that are spread out over several computer systems). This enables several users on a local-area network to access the same database simultaneously.

“China is silly. They toss around images of their powerful army and their unstoppable government, yet in all the rage about making propaganda reels, they do not sufficiently secure their systems from basic attacks,” RaptorSwag said in a statement, adding it also breached into China’s Chamber of International Commerce and International Trade Sub-Council.

RaptorSwag also dared Chinese hackers for a confrontation. “We cordially invite any group of Chinese assassin squads to murder us in our homes in retaliation for this release. But they won't. They are too scared,” it said.

“We initially compromised 71 internal Chinese government databases, but in the interest of time, we couldn't be bothered to dump it all at once, so we're bringing a nice little sample to show you we have access to everything. We could have simply dropped the tables and columns from each one if we had more time to spare. Regardless, this is a great way to show China that they are really easy to own,” it added.

RaptorSwag said it is made up of a team of dedicated individuals “who took one good look around modern hacking culture and realised nothing of any note was occurring anymore.”

“We hacked multiple websites as “Anonymous,” - referring to the hactivist group – “but then noticed that its many technicalities put a restriction on what we feel matters most - self amusement.”

RaptorSwag also put out its Twitter account - https://twitter.com/raptorswagger - where it posted a link where the public can access the internal databases from the Chamber of International Commerce and International Trade Sub-Council.

Aside from China, it also hacked into the websites of various foreign governments, including Syria and Russia, and is targeting the United States and United Kingdom.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/11/raptorswag-penetrates-into-chinese.html

GPH peace panel urges Zamboanguenos to support inclusive peace deal

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Nov 4): GPH peace panel urges Zamboanguenos to support inclusive peace deal

Members of the government peace panel have called on different sectors in this city to rally behind the inclusive peace deal that the government is pushing in the ongoing southern peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

According to government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the presence of the government peace panel in Zamboanga City -- although it’s not part of the proposed Bangsamoro territory -- is to provide the stakeholders the accurate information in the ongoing southern peace talks with the MILF.

“We all know the vitality of the having the accurate information. That is why we are here to share those information to you. At the same time, we also want you to be part of explaining those accurate information to other people,” she said.

“Having accurate information will help us reach a common understanding,” she added.

Colonel-Ferrer, along with Secretary Mehol Sadain, Chair of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and Atty. Anna Tarhata Basman, the head of the panel’s legal team, arrived in this city on Monday, November 4, to jump start the two-day consultation process with different stakeholders here.

“We really want to know the thoughts of the stakeholders, and listen to their suggestions and advices because we don’t want the occurrence of armed conflict,” Colonel-Ferrer explained to the stakeholders here.
“We encourage everyone to be part of this whole peace process,” she urged.

“This peace negotiation is inclusive. Even though we are talking to the MILF, our main goal here is to address the Bangsamoro question, and all stakeholders will be benefited,” Coronel- Ferrer said during a consultation forum with leaders of Muslim communities here.

For his part, Sadain said that the government’s “efforts with the MILF will benefit also the people of Zamboanga to reap the dividends of peace.”

“I think it is but proper that we put our acts together now and we should realize that whatever happens in other provinces will somehow affect not just Zamboanga City but also the rest of the country,” he said.

The panel also explained the relevancy of the ongoing talks with the MILF as a complementary track of the 1996 Final Peace Process between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to achieve a common solution to address the clamor of the Bangsamoro people.

In the consultation process, the panel explained the dynamics of the tripartite review process with the MNLF, and the government’s plan to converge the 1996 Final Peace Agreement and the future comprehensive agreement with the MILF.

“[There are] two things (tripartite review process between government and the MNLF, and the negotiations between government and the MILF) running on parallel tracks. The hope is for them to converge on the later time, and the best timing would be during the enactment of the Basic Law, where both interests would be taking into consideration,” Sadain explained.

Sadain was referring to the proposed law that will be crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and be submitted to the Congress to give more political power to the Bangsamoro. Under the peace plan, the Basic Law will address the deficiencies of the current Republic Act 9054 that created the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The deficiencies in the RA 9054 are also reflected in the 42-concensus points that the government and the MNLF came up in the tripartite review process.

Members of the panel explained that if there were misunderstandings between the government and the MNLF, particularly the Nur Misuari faction, it could be addressed in proper venue such as the tripartite review process, where the two sides can discuss and dialogue, rather than use violence.

The MNLF-Misuari faction attacked this city on September 9 -- five days before the two parties will meet in Indonesia to resume the tripartite review process. More than 100, 000 people here were displaced during the 20-day crisis.

Abdul Hamid Irin, village chairman of the Santa Barbara, said one of the ingredients to end the armed conflict in Mindanao is for the for the peace process to be inclusive. Sta. Barbara is one of the most affected villages during the Zamboanga City standoff.

“It is time for us Muslims to put our acts together and unite for our common good,” Atty. Yaser Sapion of the Darul Iftah said.

Aside from consulting members of the Muslim communities here, the negotiating team also made a courtesy call to Lilia Nuño, the city’s second district representative, and members of the civil society groups.
“It is high time for all Muslims to unite and work together for the common good of all Bangsamoro,” Rep.  Nuño said.

Colonel-Ferrer said despite of the attack perpetuated by the MNLF-Misuari faction in this city, the government is not abandoning the peace process with the MNLF, saying other factions within the organization and still believed in the primacy of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement and did not support the actions taken by Misuari and his followers.

“In fact, there is an ongoing preparation to resume the tripartite review process,” she announced.

“The government is open to talk peace with groups that have legitimate grievances, which do not use violence to pursue their cause,” Basman said.

Among those will be consulted here are the local government unit of this city, the media and other non-government organizations.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/11/gph-peace-panel-urges-zamboanguenos-to.html