Borge said Norway open to help in peace talks

From Business Mirror (Jan 9): Borge said Norway open to help in peace talks

NORWEGIAN Foreign Minister Borge Brende said his government is open to help in facilitating peace talks between the Communist Party of the Philippine-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).

 

“When it comes to peace talks with different movements in the Philippines and among them is the communist movement, and we’re committed to continue as facilitator in this different processes, as long as this is the interest of the government of the Philippines.”

 

Oslo, Norway, has been the site of negotiations between the CPP-NPA and the GRP since 2001. Three joint statements were issued from the Norwegian capital, with the recent one in 2011.

 

Malacañang has said in April last year that Norway is the third-party facilitator in the formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the leftist rebels, which bogged down in February 2013.

 

“I think the presidency of Aquino is here for several years and we are looking into the opportunity to resume talks in the future, I think this is what I can say,” Borge said.

Borge added Norway’s role as facilitator was one of the topics he discussed with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

 

“I understand that there is an interest for the future to find good solution to this ongoing problem,” Brende added.

 

Asked whether those supporting the peace talks have established a timeline for the talks on resumption, Brende said that he will announce the answer if his meeting with President Aquino in Malacañang on Thursday afternoon pushes through.

 

“Let me get back to you after my meeting with the President.”

 

The peace talks between the government and the CPP-NPA has been in limbo for months. On its 45th anniversary on December 26, Thursday, the CPP declared it is giving up on the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

 

The communist group also called for President Aquino’s ouster, saying in a statement he is worse than former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in terms of violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

 

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/25680-borge-said-norway-open-to-help-in-peace-talks

US, PHL to expand exercise prior to military agreement

From the Business Mirror (Jan 9): US, PHL to expand exercise prior to military agreement

THE United States and the Philippines have already agreed to widen the scope and frequency of the military exercises under the Balikatan even before the increased rotational presence of American troops in the country.

 

The bigger military exercises was agreed upon by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Emmanuel Bautista and US Pacific Command (Pacom) chief Admiral Samuel Locklear during the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board meeting in Hawaii late last year.

 

The exercises under the Balikatan is expected to begin March or April this year and onward.

 

“General Bautista and Locklear signed the agreement increasing the frequency of the Joint Balikatan Exercises this year and onward,” a source said.

 

The Department of Defense is currently negotiating an increased presence of US Soldiers and their equipment’s access to military camps in the country under the US pivot in Asia.

 

The negotiations are, however, taking a longer period than expected to seal because of some contentious points in the proposed agreement.

 

However, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin earlier said the Philippine side is expecting to notch the agreement within the initial months of this year as “all the issues are already being discussed by the two sides.”

 

The Philippines and the US have already programmed some of the bigger activities under the Balikatan this year, and they included joint naval, air and land drills, as well as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response operations.

 

Aside from the Balikatan, the Philippine military is holding the Balance Piston, which involve Air Forces of both countries, the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training for both navies and the Philippine Bilateral Exercise involving both forces of the two countries.

 

Meanwhile, the defense department said China could impose a fishing ban so long as it will not cover or encroach into the country’s waters and even in its claimed islands in the West Philippine Sea.

 

The department is reacting to the ban that Beijing has imposed for fisherman in the South China Sea.

 

“We will have to verify statements regarding this alleged fishing rules by China. Nonetheless, all countries are free to enforce fishing rules within their own exclusive economic zones,” said Defense Spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said.

 

“Likewise, the defense establishment is ready in enforcing the maritime rules in the Philippines. We will enforce the protection of our resources,” he added.

 

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/25681-us-phl-to-expand-exercise-prior-to-military-agreement

Clan wars among North Cotabato families erupted anew, LGU settles dispute

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9): Clan wars among North Cotabato families erupted anew, LGU settles dispute

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato -- Local officials here are trying to peacefully settle a long standing family feud, locally known as "rido" to restore normalcy and allow displaced families to return home.

Mayor Romeo Arania of Midsayap has repeatedly and separately met with two Muslim clans who happened to be related to some members of either the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) or Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

This after clashes between a village chair and an MILF commander erupted Tuesday night in Barangay Lumupog, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

"It was a long standing rido that we are trying to solve and settle peacefully," Arania who stressed both sides agreed to a amicable settlement.

Involved in the clan feud on one side was Chairman Datu Puti Tukuran of Barangay Lumupog and MILF Commander Abas Kudanding.

Tukuran is said to have relatives and allies both in the MILF and MNLF.

"This is not an organization fight, this is more of family feud and their affiliation or alliance with MILF or MNLF was accidental," Arania told reporters.

In January 2012, both sides clashed in Barangay Lumupog that forced hundreds of families to flee and have not returned home since.

Arania said both sides previously agreed to a ceasefire but there were occasional exchange of bullets as both sides were armed.

He said a Muslim council of elders have been mediating the warring clans with the help of the GPH-MILF ceasefire committee.

According to Arania, pride prevail among warring families thus they fire shots every time they meet or see each other.

"It was just a small barangay and the warring clans occupy two areas that when one member crosses the border he or she will be fired upon," he said.

Early this week, a house of one of the followers of Kudanding was allegedly torched and was blamed to the group of Tukuran.

"It was supposedly a quite place for a while until the reported burning of a house when they started shooting each other again," Arania said.

The displaced families who had been staying in nearby barangay of Sambolawan and other villages continue to receive assistance from the town's social welfare and development office.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=603220

PAF to recruit 600 soldiers this year

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9): PAF to recruit 600 soldiers this year

CAUAYAN CITY, ISABELA -- The Philippine Air force (PAF)– Tactical Operations Group 2 will recruit at least 600 air force soldiers this year.

PAF-TOG 2 deputy commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Jose Ritchie Pabilonia called on interested applicants in the region to take the opportunity to join the air force and serve the country and the people.

Pabilonia said the PAF TOG-2 has urged interested individuals to take the exam set on January 25, 2014 at the PAF-TOG 2 located near the Cauayan City airport in San Fermin, Cauayan City.

To qualify, applicants must have at least earned 72 units in college, a natural born Filipino citizen, single, five feet in height, not less than 18 years old or 20 years old upon admission, with good moral character and mentally and physically fit.

During the January 25 entrance examination, an applicant must bring with him two 2x2 ID pictures with white background, National Statistics Office authenticated birth certificate, and authenticated copy of transcript of records.

Pabilonia said application forms are now available at the PAF-TOG 2 headquarters in Cauayan City.

He urged interested applicants to apply now and prepare all the necessary requirements to be admitted in the entrance examination.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=603299

2 die as Moro clans trade bullets in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9): 2 die as Moro clans trade bullets in North Cotabato

Two armed men were killed and another two were wounded when two warring clans clashed in a remote village in Midsayap, North Cotabato Thursday.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the armed skirmishes erupted between the armed group of Abbas Kudanding, a field commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Barangay Lumupog Chair Datu Puti Tukuran in Barangay Lumupog.

The slain rebels belonged to MILF 105th base command, according to Capt. Antonio Bulao, speaking for the 602nd Infantry Brigade.

Two civilian volunteer organization were wounded and they were identified as Daniel Baguiner and Anuarudin Sambayaan.

Both were followers of Chairman Tukuran.

Earlier, a house owned by the followers of Tukuran was allegedly torched by followers of Kudanding thus the armed conflict erupted.

Bulao said the local government of Midsayap through its Muslim elders have been mediating in an effort to solve the conflict peacefully.

"Rido" or family feud had been one of the issues both the government and the MILF are trying to solve as this may affect the efforts to bring about peace in Muslim Mindanao.

Moro families locked in land dispute or misunderstanding normally resort to violence than bringing the issue before Philippine courts to get justice.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=603356

PH ready to protect economic zone in Spratlys

From Rappler (Jan 9): PH ready to protect economic zone in Spratlys



'CHINA GET OUT:' Hundreds of protesters troop to the Chinese consulate in July 2013 to denounce Beijing's 'bullying' over the West Philippine Sea. File photo by Vincent Go

The Philippines is verifying reports that China is requiring fishermen to ask for its permission to operate in the vast waters south of China, including the West Philippines Sea.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Peter Galvez said the Philippines is ready to protect its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which extends 200 nautical miles from the country's shores.

 

"All countries are free to enforce fishing rules within their own exclusive economic zone. The defense establishment is ready to assist in enforcing the maritime rules in the Philippines EEZ," Galvez said.

 

"We will enforce the protection of our resources," he added.

 

Manila filed before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) a historic arbitration on the territorial dispute, following Beijing's aggressiveness in the South China Sea. (READ: Hearings on PH, China dispute begin)

 

Tension has marked territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines is among 6 countries claiming islands in the Spratlys, locally known as the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

 

The vast waters is a strategic area for military operations and is believed to be rich in oil.

 

In April 2012, the Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) located off the coast of Zambales province was also the site of a tense standoff between Philippines and China ships. The Philippines sent warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar although it was later pulled out. (READ: PH Navy in standoff with Chinese ships)

 

Amid growing tension in the region, the Armed Forces of the Phiippines (AFP) is shifting its focus from fighting insurgents to territorial defense.

 

"We are continuing our modernization program. We are acquiring assets to improve our capability to patrol and secure our national territory.... We are looking at more air assets and water craft to be able to address this particular situation," Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Tuesday, January 7, on the sidelines of the joint DND-AFP New Year's Call.

 

Northen Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief Lieutenant General Gregorio Catapang said the situation in Panatag is "relatively quiet," although they continue to monitor Chinese coastguard ships passing by the area.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/47572-afp-protect-economic-zone-west-philippine-sea

Shake-up: AFP top brass retiring this year

From Rappler (Jan 9): Shake-up: AFP top brass retiring this year



CLASSMATES: AFP chief General Emmanuel Bautista and Northern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler

By the end of 2014, the military would have an entirely new top brass. The chief of staff, the vice chief of staff, the commanding generals of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, as well as chiefs of 3 of the 6 major commands are all retiring this year.

Army chief Lieutenant General Noel Coballes is the first to retire on February 7, when he turns 56, the mandatory retirement age in the milixtary. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Tuesday, January 7, that the Board of Generals (BOG) has already submitted to President Benigno Aquino III its list of nominees to replace Coballes.

Air Force chief Lieutenant General Lauro Catalino Dela Cruz is retiring on April 30 while Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano is retiring on May 1.

Armed Forces chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista is retiring on July 20. Vice chief of Staff Lieutenant General Alan Luga is retiring on May 12.

Four other 3-star generals are also retiring this year:

February 16 — Philippine Military Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Edgar Abogado

August 17 — Western Command chief Lieutenant General Roy Deveraturda

September 6 — Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Rainer Cruz

September 8 — Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Caesar Ordoyo

Strong contenders in the Army post

All eyes are on the selection of the next Army chief, a key post that has become the stepping stone of those later picked as AFP chiefs of staff.

This was Bautista's route. He was Army chief for 14 months before he was appointed chief of staff of the 125,000-strong Army-dominated troops.

Two names have been floated as the possible successor of Coballes in February and possibly even of Bautista in July — Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr and 7th Infantry Division commander Major General Hernando Iriberri.

Catapang is a classmate of Bautista in the Philippine Military (PMA) "Dimalupig" Class 1981. He enjoys the advantage of familiarity to President Aquino who hails from Tarlac, where Nolcom is based.

Catapang could take Bautista's route. He may be appointed Army chief in February and then chief of staff in July.

When he was a young lieutenant, Catapang joined the military revolt against the Marcos dictatorship as member of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM). He was part of the EDSA rebel force that secured the Radio Veritas station in Quezon City that was used by the mutinous units to broadcast their anti-Marcos propaganda.

After Edsa 1, Catapang pushed for the disbandment of RAM because it was becoming divisive. The group would be responsible for various coup attempts against the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino. (READ: Gregorio Catapang: 'I was prepared to die for this cause')

Before becoming the Nolcom chief, Catapang was the same command's operations chief and then later commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division based in Nueva Ecija.

"Trabaho lang po, kahit sa'n po tayo makarating, basta mabigyan tayo ng panibagong trabaho, trabaho lang po tayo (We're just doing out job. We will continue to do our jobs wherever we will be appointed next)," said Catapang.

Catapang was in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, January 6, for the turn-over ceremony of Nolcom's P379,000 donation to ABS-CBN's Sagip Kapamilya Foundation. Nolcom turned acacia trees felled by Typhoon Santi in October into furniture and sold them.

Gazmin's spokesman

The other strong contender for the top Army post is one of Catapang's deputies, the current 7th Infantry Division commander Major General Hernando Iriberri, who enjoys the backing of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

He was Gazmin's former senior military adviser and spokesman (when Gazmin was Army chief) before he became the commander of the Army's 503rd Brigade in Abra and later 7th ID chief.

A member of PMA "Matikas" Class 1983, Iriberri is considered too young for the post. But seniority was not an issue for Aquino when he appointed Bautista Army chief in 2011 and AFP chief in 2012. He bypassed commanders more senior than him. (READ: Son of slain general is new AFP chief)

Catapang's other route

Whether or not he takes the Army's top post, Catapang is also among those in contention for the post of AFP chief of staff.

His current post as chief of Nolcom is also a key post that has launched the career of previous AFP chief of staff General Ricardo David, the first chief of staff under the Aquino administration.

David's route could work for Catapang. Iriberri could take the top Army post while Catapang waits it out as Nolcom chief for 5 months until Bautista retires in July.

Iriberri can then wait for Catapang's retirement on July 11, 2015 and have 9 months to become chief of staff before he himself retires on April 22, 2016 – a month before the 2016 presidential elections.

Other names

While Catapang is the strongest contender for now, there's also no telling how the tide will change from February to July as shown in the previous selection of the chief of staff. Dela Cruz was believed to be a shoo-in for the post, but the President surprised many when he appointed Bautista instead.

If seniority will be the primary consideration, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero will be a candidate. The former Marine commandant will remain as the most senior 3-star general when all the 9 have retired. The first and only chief of staff to come from the Marines is now Muntinlupa Representative Rodolfo Biazon.

A possible dark horse in the chief of staff race is current Deputy Chief for Plans (J5) Major General Jeffrey Delgado of PMA Class 1982. He comes from the Air Force and was the President's senior military adviser and later commander of the 15th Strike Wing.

Delgado is perceived to be the strongest candidate to succeed Dela Cruz as commanding general of the Philippine Air Force.

Transitioning military

Bautista retires in July as the AFP begins the second phase of Oplan Bayanihan, the military's Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) that aims to make insurgency irrelevant by 2016. The military will start handing over the security operations of various local government units to the police.

"The year 2014 is our transition period. We will initiate gradual transition [of LGUs] to appropriate agencies of government," Bautista said.

The New People's Army (NPA) remains the biggest threat to internal security. It is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which recently declared it has given up on the peace talks with the Aquino administration.

Bautista belittled CPP's plans to grow its numbers back to 25,000. The military earlier estimated their numbers to be around 4,000. The CPP remains strong in other areas, especially in Mindanao.

Against the backdrop of growing maritime disputes in the region, Bautista said the military has to aggressively shift its focus on territorial defense. The military also has to deal with the impact of climate change.

"Our approach to territorial defense remains the same. We renounce war as an instrument of national policy. We would like to resolve conflicts in the most peaceful manner. It applies internally and also externally. We will continue to pursue that national policy, without saying that we will not prepare for any contingencies. We will prepare for any contingencies that is why we have modernization program," said Bautista.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/47320-changing-of-the-guard-military

Norway hoping for resumption of stalled GPH-NDF talks

From InterAksyon (Jan 9): Norway hoping for resumption of stalled GPH-NDF talks

Visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende discussed with Philippine officials the possibility of resuming in the coming months stalled peace negotiations with communist rebels as he assured his country would continue to act as third-party facilitator in the talks.

“We’re committed to continue as facilitator ... as long as this is the interest of the government of the Philippines,” Brende told reporters after meeting with Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles.

Brende was also expected to take up the matter in his meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacanang Thursday afternoon.

Talks between the government and the National Democratic Front, which represents the revolutionary movement led by the Communist Party of the Philippines, to end the 45-year old insurgency have been stalled since 2011.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/78365/norway-hoping-for-resumption-of-stalled-gph-ndf-talks

50 families flee as MILF, govt militia clash in North Cotabato

From InterAksyon (Jan 9): 50 families flee as MILF, govt militia clash in North Cotabato



At least 50 families have fled their homes, with more set to evacuate, in Barangay Lumupog, Midsayap, North Cotabato after clashes erupted Thursday morning between members of local government militia and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Captain Antonio Bulao, spokesman of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, said barangay chairman Datu Rhenz Tukuran, leads the Civilian Volunteer Organization.

The rebels, from the MILF’s 105th Base Command, are headed by Commander Abas Kudanding and have been joined by fighters under Commanders Haon and Obitin.

Bulao said two MILF fighters were reported killed while CVO members Daniel Bagener and Anuaruden Sambayan were wounded.

Although the CVO is supposed to be an unarmed village watch, this rule is routinely ignored in many parts of the country where they are often used by the military as “force multipliers.”

In some places, they are also used as private armies of political warlords.
Bulao said sporadic fighting continued to take place as of this posting and more residents were leaving their homes to seek shelter at evacuations centers set up in Barangay Sambulawan.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/78379/50-families-flee-as-milf-govt-militia-clash-in-north-cotabato

Aquino seeks Norway's help to revive talks with Reds

From InterAksyon (Jan 9): Aquino seeks Norway's help to revive talks with Reds



President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday sought Norway's help in reviving failed peace talks with the National Democratic Front, his peace adviser said, nearly a year after negotiations hosted by Oslo fell apart.

Aquino met Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende after the visiting diplomat said Norway remained committed to mediating negotiations between Manila and the NDF in a bid to end the 45-year old insurgency.

"While serious problems have confronted and continue to challenge this particular peace process, the president affirmed the government's commitment to pursue a peaceful settlement of all internal armed conflict," presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said after the meeting.

The communist insurgency has claimed 30,000 lives since 1969 according to government estimates, though its armed force is down to about 4,000 guerrillas from more than 26,000 in the late 1980s.

"The government of the Philippines will continue to consult with Norway as to how the process may move forward in light of current difficulties," said Deles.

In April last year the government announced that the peace talks being brokered by Norway had collapsed, dampening hopes of a political settlement before the Aquino’s term ends in 2016.

Speaking to reporters earlier Thursday, Brende urged the government and rebels to consider returning to the negotiating table in the coming months.
"We are looking at the opportunities to resume talks in the future ... during the (Aquino) presidency," Brende said after meeting with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

On Sunday Luis Jalandoni, the Netherlands-based chief rebel negotiator, said in a statement to news organizations that they were holding the Aquino government "responsible for stopping the peace process."

He accused the government of failing to honor agreements between the negotiators, including the release of detained rebels who the NDF claims are consultants.

"Because of the Aquino government's refusal to comply ... the prospects this year of the peace negotiations between the Aquino administration and the (rebels) are dim," he said.

The government has had better results in negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, with which it hopes to sign a treaty before Aquino leaves office.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/78381/aquino-seeks-norways-help-to-revive-talks-with-reds

Gov't vows to address root causes of rebellion

From the Philippine Star (Jan 7): Gov't vows to address root causes of rebellion

The government admitted today that to attain lasting peace in southern region, it has to address the systemic and institutional causes of rebellion.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. made the statement when asked if the government was relieved on the reported death of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander Habier Malik, considered as the bravest and fearsome warrior of the MNLF-Misuari faction and led some 300 rebels in last year's Zamboanga siege.

"What we are looking at is the entire peace process and we are looking at institutions or organizations, not on certain individuals," he said.

Coloma said that for the peace process to be effective, the government must pinpoint the sources of discontent among the people of Mindanao.

The official said that Malacanang, the presidential palace, has yet to get confirmation from the military regarding Malik's purported death.

The MNLF signed an autonomy deal with the Philippine government in 1996, but the guerrillas aligned with Misuari did not lay down their arms and accused the government of reneging on a promise to develop Muslim regions.

The Philippine government is also trying to forge a comprehensive peace deal with the MNLF breakaway group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim rebel group now in the country. 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/01/07/1276185/govt-vows-address-root-causes-rebellion

China tightens grip on disputed sea

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 9): China tightens grip on disputed sea

Permit needed to fish in South China Sea
In a broadening campaign to enforce its territorial claims, China says it’s beefing up its police powers in the disputed South China Sea, presumably including waters known in Manila as West Philippine Sea, and requiring foreign fishermen to ask Beijing’s permission to operate within most of the vast, strategic waterway.

The move, which took effect this month, comes on the heels of the late November announcement of a new air defense zone requiring foreign planes to notify Beijing of flights over a huge swath of the East China Sea, where China is locked in a bitter territorial dispute with Japan.

The steps are prompting concerns that President Xi Jinping’s push to assert China’s role as a regional power could spark a confrontation with neighbors.

“These sort of assertions of sovereignty, or territorial claims, will continue. Xi believes he can’t afford to be seen as soft,” said Joseph Cheng, a politics expert at City University of Hong Kong China.

The affected waters account for 2 million of the South China Sea’s 3.5 million square kilometers, a sweeping area encompassing island groups claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines and others—and in some cases occupied by their armed forces.

The islands sit amid the world’s busiest commercial sea lanes, along with rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas deposits.

The Philippines refers to parts of the South China Sea within its 327-km exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as the West Philippine Sea and Vietnam calls the waters within its own exclusive economic zone the East Sea.

Maritime dispute

Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez said on Wednesday that the country’s diplomats were seeking more information on the new South China Sea rules.

“We are verifying the news with our embassies in Beijing and Hanoi,” Hernandez said.
There was no immediate response from Vietnam.

Philippine and Chinese coast guard ships faced off for more than two months in 2012 at Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a rich fishing ground off Zambales province within Manila’s EEZ.

Bad weather forced Manila to call back its ships, leaving Beijing to seize the shoal, which the Chinese had since cordoned off.

In January last year, the Philippines took the dispute to the United Nations for arbitration.

China refused to take part in the arbitration, but the DFA said the process was going on just the same and a ruling could be expected even without China’s participation.

The UN arbitration tribunal, however, has no power to enforce its decisions.

New rules

The United States says it doesn’t take sides in the sovereignty dispute but insists on the right to freedom of navigation in the area.

The new rules demand that foreign vessels seek permission to fish or survey within waters administered by Hainan, China’s southernmost island province, which looks out over the South China Sea.

Authorities in the provincial city of Sansha, on an island far south of Hainan, held a joint drill on Jan. 1 involving 14 ships and 190 personnel from various border patrol and law enforcement agencies.

“Rampant infringement by foreign fishing vessels” was among the activities targeted in the practice scenarios, law enforcement official Wang Shizhen was quoted as saying by the official China News Service.

Passed by Hainan’s provincial legislature in late November, the new rules say only that permission must be obtained from unnamed “relevant departments” under China’s Cabinet.

Chinese law allows for the confiscation of catches and fishing equipment and fines of up to $83,000 for violators.

While it would be nearly impossible to enforce the rule over such a vast area, the requirement seems to emphasize China’s determination to compel foreign nations to take its sovereignty claims seriously.

Beijing has moved systematically to put teeth behind its island claims, setting up the Sansha city administration in 2012 to administer the scattered, lightly populated region of island groups and reefs.

China has also combined its civilian maritime agencies into a single coast guard to increase effectiveness, and even has cracked down on activity in the area by foreign maritime archeologists.

Air defense zone

Farther north, China’s announcement of its air defense zone drew opposition from Japan, South Korea and Australia, all US treaty partners.

The zone is seen largely as a means of strengthening China’s claim to tiny uninhabited East China Sea islands administered by Japan and also claimed by Taiwan.

For more than a year, Chinese patrol vessels have aggressively confronted Japanese ships in the area, leading to fears of a clash.

But Xi is under far less nationalist pressure at home to take a hard line on South China Sea issues, said Cheng, the China politics expert.

Despite the new fishing rules, Beijing will likely seek to avoid increasing frictions by enforcing them too zealously, Cheng said.

“Beijing wants relations with Southeast Asia to be relatively smooth,” he said. “They can’t afford to alienate too many neighbors at one time.”

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/96073/china-tightens-grip-on-disputed-sea

In the Know: AO renames South China Sea as West Philippine Sea

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 9): In the Know: AO renames South China Sea as West Philippine Sea
In 2012, President Aquino issued an administrative order renaming the South China Sea waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as the West Philippine Sea.

The West Philippine Sea was the site of a two-month standoff between Philippine and Chinese vessels in 2012.

From early April to mid-June in 2012, Chinese and Philippine ships faced off with each other at Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea after Chinese vessels stopped the Philippine Navy from arresting alleged Chinese poachers.

The encounter resulted in about 50 bilateral consultations between China and the Philippines following the standoff.

Bilateral consultations between the Philippines and China over the disputed waters have been held for nearly two decades.

But after fruitless talks, the Philippines filed a motion for arbitration in a United Nations tribunal in January last year as it sought for a peaceful solution to its territorial dispute with Beijing over territory in the West Philippine Sea.

In its submission, the Philippines asked for the nullification of China’s so-called nine-dash-line claim, which encompasses almost all of the South China Sea, including parts within the West Philippine Sea, the waters within Manila’s 327-kilometer EEZ.

On Jan. 26, 2013, President Aquino, talking to reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, cited two separate incidents of Chinese harassment of Philippine fishing boats at Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) off the coast of Zambales province.

China has rejected the UN proceedings, citing its “indisputable sovereignty” over the territory but the case has progressed despite Beijing’s refusal to participate in the arbitration.

In September last year, President Aquino canceled a planned trip to China for a trade fair in Nanning after Beijing reportedly required the withdrawal of the arbitration case as a condition for the trip.

On July 11, 2013, nearly six months after the Philippines filed the complaint, the five-member tribunal tasked to deliberate the case met and drafted the rules of procedure to govern the proceedings.

On May 10, 2013, the Philippines protested the presence of a fleet of Chinese fishing boats, accompanied by patrol vessels at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Reef), which lies 196 km from Palawan province, well within the Philippine EEZ.

Ayungin Shoal is a strategic gateway to Reed Bank, believed to be rich in oil and natural gas. Beijing says the shoal is part of the Spratlys, a group of 250 islets spread over 427,350 sq km, claimed entirely by China, Taiwan and Vietnam and in part by Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/96087/in-the-know-ao-renames-south-china-sea-as-west-philippine-sea

Cordillera lawmen undergo counter-insurgency training

From the Manila Times (Jan 8): 64 Cordillera lawmen undergo counter-insurgency training 

CAMP BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet: The Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) opened on Tuesday the 25th Special Counter-Insurgency Operations Unit Training (Scout) at the Log Cabin in Camp Bado Dangwa,

La Trinidad, Benguet to enhance operational capability of police personnel. Police Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez, PRO-COR Regional Director, has required 64 police non-commissioned officers who recently graduated from the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course to join the training to further enhance their skills to respond to any emergency and police action.

The Scout is a rigorous 45-day training course required of all PNP personnel to equip them with the necessary skills for dealing with armed criminals and threat groups and enable them to capably respond to any man-made or natural disasters.

http://manilatimes.net/64-cordillera-lawmen-undergo-counter-insurgency-training/66150/

Army needs 1,100 men for Cagayan Valley, Cordillera

From the Manila Times (Jan 8): Army needs 1,100 men for Cagayan Valley, Cordillera

GAMU, Isabela: At least 1,100 recruits who are qualified and interested Filipino citizens will be joining the Fifth Infantry Division, Philippine Army (5ID, PA) based here.

Besides casualties, almost the same number of army personnel have retired and will be retiring in the next two years, thus the need to start recruiting more than a thousand more soldiers for the division, Army officials said.

 “At the moment we have 400 vacancies left by retired soldiers and those that were killed in action excluding the 700 regular recruitment quota of the division for the year 2014-2015,” Army Sgt. Jake Lopez of the 5ID civil military operations battalion said.

http://manilatimes.net/army-needs-1100-men-for-cagayan-valley-cordillera/66153/