MILF: Bangsamoro Region to benefit from Internal Revenue Allotment

From the MILF Website (Feb 18): Bangsamoro Region to benefit from Internal Revenue Allotment



In a consultation with local officials of North Cotabato led by Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza on February 16, government peace panel Chairman Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer clarified that the Bangsamoro Region will enjoy benefits similar to other local government units such as the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), the Philstar reported.
  

Ferrer said the LGUs under the Bangsamoro region would also benefit from the development projects to be brought by the peace process.

Government peace panel member Senen Bacani, who along with fellow peace panel member Yasmin Busran-Lao joined Ferrer in the consultation, said the 40 percent IRA of LGUs will remain intact.

 “There will be a block grant to the Bangsamoro and this will not be taken from the 40 percent IRA share of the LGUs,” Bacani said.

Bacani said the block grant is contained in the annex on revenue generation and wealth sharing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

He said the block grant is comparable to the IRA of LGUs and it will be sourced from the national revenue collections and released annually by the national government to the Bangsamoro government.

Under the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, the “block grant shall be based on a formula provided in the Bangsamoro Basic Law which in no case shall be less than the last budget received by the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) immediately before the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.”

Bacani said the annex on revenue generation and wealth sharing further stated that the formula “shall be subject to review by the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government after 10 years, on the basis of need and actual revenues generated.”

The government peace panel shared that it is working with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in determining a formula based on estimates of the cost of all devolved functions.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/820-bangsamoro-region-to-benefit-from-internal-revenue-allotment

MILF: “Fast-track consultations on BBL”-BTC Chairman Iqbal

From the MILF Website (Feb 17): “Fast-track consultations on BBL”-BTC Chairman Iqbal



Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) told the Mindanao CSO (Civil Society Organizations) Leaders Peace Summit at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, February 11 to fast-track consultations on the basic law so the Commission can submit the draft to Congress by March 31. He said that BTC is going to organize a special committee that will process the feedbacks and recommendations of the consultations for consideration by the 15-member Commission during the drafting of the bill.
  

“If there is a need for it, we will continue to engage and try to inform you about our recommendations to your recommendations,” he said.

BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal late last year announced they were targeting April 2014 for submission of the draft BBL to Congress. But in their courtesy call on President Aquino in Malacanang on January 30, Iqbal said they accepted the challenge to submit the draft sooner, on March 31.

According to Malacanang’s website, the President urged the BTC to “draw up soonest the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law so it can be ratified and implemented in time for the 2016 elections.”

During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22 last year, the President urged Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law “before the end of 2014” so that “we will have ample time to prepare for the election of a new Bangsamoro government come 2016.”

Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Mohagher Iqbal answers queries from members of the civil society organizations at the Mindanao CSO Leaders Peace Summit at Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on February 11, 2014. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

Whether or not the BTC submits on March 31 or April, Congress will still be on recess by then. It has sessions from January 20 to March 14 and will take a break from March 15 to May 4, resume on May 5 and will go on sine die adjournment from June 14 to July 27. The President will deliver his SONA on July 28.

On October 18 last year, the BTC and the Mindanao Civil Society Organization Platform for Peace (MCSOPP) signed a memorandum of agreement on the conduct of “public engagements and consultations from the drafting of the Basic Law up to its enactment.”

Consultations are also being conducted by the government and MILF peace panels, the Bangasamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) and other groups helping in the peace process.

The BTC partnership with 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 BBL.

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.

On Thursday, the MCSOPP submitted initial results from the Bawgbug Consulting Team in Sulu, Women Engaged in Action on 1325, Arumanen Manuvu Tribe, Lanao Peace Partnership, North Cotabato Consulting Team, Alliance of Progressive Labor, Mindanao Peoples Caucus/Bantay Ceasefire and SUCCEED (Sustainable Cooperation for Equitable Enterprise Development, Inc.).

The GPH and MILF peace panels signed on January 25 the Annex on Normalization and Bangsamoro Waters and Joint Cooperation.  Normalization annex is the last annex to the FAB.

The GPH and MILF peace panels are finalizing the text of the CAB which will be set for signing this month of February or March.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/818-“fast-track-consultations-on-bbl”-btc-chairman-iqbal

BIFM: Poster -- Amiril Umbra Kato

Posted to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement Facebook page (Feb 17): Poster: Amiril Umbra Kato

Making #Supreme the word of #Allah must be realized by all means”
- Amiril Umbra Kato

 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters



https://www.facebook.com/1424362144473613/photos/a.1424374837805677.1073741828.1424362144473613/1424420241134470/?type=1&theater

New superintendent aims for world-class PMA

From Solar News (Feb 17): New superintendent aims for world-class PMA



Maj. Gen. Oscar Lopez (insert) is the new PMA superintendent.

Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City – The command of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) was formally turned over Saturday afternoon in the presence of top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

 

Maj. Gen. Oscar Lopez, a cum laude graduate of PMA Dimalupig Class of 1981 and former chief of the AFP Resource Management Office, formally took over as superintendent of the country's premier military school with the retirement of Vice Adm. Edgar Abogado after 37 years in service.

 

Lopez stressed the importance of keeping the institution at par with international standards as it continues to open its doors to Thai, Singaporean, and South Korean military students through exchange in cadet agreements.

 

Lopez assumed the post in the presence of Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, AFP chief.

 

He stressed the importance of continuity in the reforms being instituted by predecessors by following the PMA Roadmap 2028, which seeks to improve the school by improving its facilities, curriculum, and training.

 

The premier military institution has since embarked on a reform of its programs to become a world-class military academy with the PMA Roadmap 2015 which eventually scaled up into a transformation guide as PMA Roadmap 2028, furthering the revised curriculum and training program in the military institution.

 

Bautista challenged Lopez to continue the legacy of former PMA superintendents by elevating the level of instruction of PMA graduates. He reminded the new superintendent that a world-class military institution is the foundation of a world-class AFP.

 

On the other hand, Abogado challenged the PMA Alumni Association Inc. which held its homecoming rites on Saturday morning, to continue in helping improve facilities of the academy as many classes have adopted classrooms, parks, facilities, and lodging quarters.

 

Lopez has served various positions in the Philippine Army, including command of the 803rd Infantry Brigade based in Northern Samar and the 8th Infantry Batallion based in Northern Samar. He was also chief of the Management and Fiscal Office of the AFP.

 

http://www.solarnews.ph/news/2014/02/17/new-superintendent-aims-for-world-class-pma#.UwLgfXKPIcA

BIFF member dead, companion nabbed in Carmen

From the Philippine Star (Feb 17): BIFF member dead, companion nabbed in Carmen

Security forces on Monday shot dead a suspected member of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and arrested another following the bandits' bungled attempt to bomb a checkpoint in Carmen town in the province.

Investigators identified the slain bandit as Tangtang Tahir, 30, who died on the spot from gunshot wounds sustained in a shootout with soldiers and policemen manning the checkpoint.

Tahir and his cashiered cohort, Nano Ampit, were riding a motorcycle together when soldiers and policemen, guarding a strategic stretch of a road  in Barangay Gen. Luna in Carmen, stopped them for a routine check.

Tahir, however, pulled out from his pocket a fragmentation grenade, which he hurled at the approaching checkpoint guards.

The built-in blasting contraption of the grenade failed to explode, providing the soldiers and policemen the chance to open fire at the duo, both armed with handguns.

Ampit voluntarily turned himself in after he saw the bloodied Tahir, who was hit in different parts of his body, fell and died from gunshot wounds.

Ampit is now being interrogated by investigators of the Carmen municipal police.

Local officials said Tahir and Ampit were wanted for their extortion activities in the municipality.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/02/17/1291423/biff-member-dead-companion-nabbed-carmen

Misuari kicks out ‘mutinous’ deputy

From the Manila Standard Today (Feb 17): Misuari kicks out ‘mutinous’ deputy

Chairman Nur Misuari of the Moro National Liberation Front on Saturday expelled his deputy for misrepresenting Misuari in a recent negotiations with the Aquino administration.

MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza said Jimmy Labawan, formerly vice chair, was ordered by Misuari ejected from the organization for improper conduct and insubordination.

Labawan represented himself as the official delegate of the MNLF to the scheduled GRP-MNLF talks in Jakarta in connection with the stalled review of the 1996 final peace accord between the government and the Misuari group.

Cerveza said Misuari has appointed Rolando Olamip, chairman of the MNLF in Davao City, as the new vice chairman of the MNLF.

Cerveza said “as of now he (Olamip) has not been given by Misuari any marching orders.”

“Labawan’s action is perceived to be a form of mutiny because he allowed himself to be used by the government to undermine the authority and the privilege that only belongs to Misuari,” Cerveza said.

Cerveza said Labawan, who actively took part in past peace negotiations in the 1970s, along with Randy Karon and Pendie Colano emerged as the new MNLF cluster that would represent the MNLF to the resumption of peace negotiations with the government.

Cerveza said the formation of the new cluster was an apparent attempt by the government to create a divide and rule tactics aimed to confuse and weaken the entire organization.

“Labawan is not authorized to attend the supposed meeting since it is only Misuari who is the official titular head of the MNLF who can engage the government in any negotiations,” Cerveza said that Labawan’s move appeared to be part of a government strategy to oust Misuari who remains at large.

“The sole purpose of it is to eventually unseat Misuari as chairman of the MNLF because he is facing a case,” Cerveza said.

Labawan’s group was to include Randy Karon and Pendie Colano and others as MNLF representatives to the upcoming peace negotiations with the government in local and international engagement.

“It is the plan by the government because they think Misuari will not be in the position to negotiate because of his case that’s why a new group was formed,” the spokesman said.

“They are coming up with a resolution asking the government to represent the MNLF to attend the Jakarta meeting if there would be talks,” Cerveza added.

However, Cerveza noted that the new MNLF group would have no international bearing to the peace talks since it is Misuari who is duly recognized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jakarta that brokered the Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF culminating in 1976.

“Misuari is the legitimate representative of the Bangsamoro people and the MNLF under Misuari as the permanent observer member to the OIC,” he emphasized.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/02/17/misuari-kicks-out-mutinous-deputy/

NPA rebels injure 5 soldiers in Abra ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 17): NPA rebels injure 5 soldiers in Abra ambush

A band of armed men suspected to be members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed Philippine Army (PA) soldiers in patrol in Barangay Lenneng, Baay-Licuan, Abra at around 9 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 16, 2014), injuring five of them, three of them seriously, according to the report of the civil military group based in that province.

The ambush site is a hinterland area some 35 kilometers northeast of the capital town of Bangued.

Army Captain Regie Go, civil military operations officer of the 41st infantry battalion of the PA based in Abra reported here that three of the injured soldiers are still confined at the Abra Provincial Hospital, while two others were already discharged.

Go said the identities of the injured soldiers cannot be disclosed for the meantime until after the notification of their relatives.

Army soldiers are still in hot pursuit operations against the rebels who staged the ambush. The incident was an isolated case as there were no similar incidents in the past 13 months.

The ambush site was near the place where the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) guerillas under the command of certain “Ka Angat”, one of the trusted lieutenants of the late Father Conrado Balweg, was ambushed by the NPA in 1989. “Ka Angat” and four other CPLA guerillas died in that encounter.

The place is believed to be one of the places in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) where there are remnants of the subversive movement of the Communist Part of the Philippines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=616928

61 cops complete intelligence course

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 18): 61 cops complete intelligence course

To strengthen intelligence gathering of the men in the Philippine National Police (PNP), 61 uniformed men of the Ilocos Norte PNP went through a three-month or equivalent to 480-hours special schooling on intelligence course held for the first time at the Takuat Training Center in San Nicolas town here.

The schooling of commissioned and non-commissioned police officers is usually conducted in Camp Crame but this time, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte funded the police intelligence training worth approximately P500,000 and invited speakers from Camp Crame instead.

In a joint closing ceremony of Police Intelligence Officers Course Class 2013-68 and Police Intelligence Course Class 20134-112 on Feb. 17 held at the Plaza del Norte in Laoag City, Governor Imee Marcos hopes the intelligence-trained men and women will apply their newly-acquired knowledge and skills in the pursuit of preventing crimes and ensure peace and order in the province.

Among the skills developed include both written and oral intelligent analysis of situations and on-field demonstrations of lessons learned.

Prior to that, the selected participants underwent qualifying examinations, neuro-psychiatric tests, and other qualifying examinations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=617123

Cops intensify manhunt vs Maguindanao bombers after fall of its leader

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 18): Cops intensify manhunt vs Maguindanao bombers after fall of its leader
 
Police in Maguindanao have intensified its manhunt against accomplishes of Maguindanao's most wanted man involved in the 2007 deadly bombing in Gen. Santos City who was killed Monday after resisting arrest, authorities said Tuesday.

On Monday, police shot dead Yusop Kusain after he opened fire on members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and police special forces serving arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in the bombing at a tuna canning plant in Gen. Santos City.

Kusain tossed a hand grenade and shot it out with lawmen forcing the police to return fire, killing him instantly in a remote village in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.

Quoting report from Maguindanao police office, Chief Supt. Noel Delos Reyes, police regional director in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said two policemen were wounded when Kusain, alias Commander TMX, fight it out with lawmen.

Four people were killed in 2007 when Kusain, allegedly led a team of bombers mulcting a tuna canning factory, set off an improvised explosive device.

Kusain who has links with regional terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, was also linked to several bombings in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Koronadal City and Tacurong City with bus firms, malls and public transport terminals as targets.

The wounded police commandos were rushed to a hospital in North Cotabato.

Police believed Kusain's companions are still hiding in Maguindanao and possibly in the company of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a militant group operating in Maguindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=617157

Solon seeks P10-M reward for informants of terrorism

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 17): Solon seeks P10-M reward for informants of terrorism

A lawmaker has proposed the grant of not more than P10 million as a reward for any person who shares vital information leading to the prevention or resolution of grave crimes and those that threaten public order.

Rep. Samuel Pagdilao Jr. (Party-list, ACT-CIS) said the P10-million reward could still go higher provided it is authorized by the President and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice.

This provision is embodied under House Bill 3507 or the “Community Informant Incentive Act,” which seeks the creation of the Community Informant Incentive Program for the purpose of paying rewards, incentives and other benefits to informants of certain crimes committed under the Revised Penal Code and other special laws.

Pagdilao, author of the bill, said the program is designed to encourage the public to assist law enforcement agencies by sharing vital information necessary for the prevention and resolution of crimes.

“Although not always reported by the media, the use of information supplied by community members as informants is everywhere in our criminal justice system,” Pagdilao said.

At present, Pagdilao said there are only two laws that provide a reward system for information helpful to the solution of crimes and both are limited in scope.

“First is Republic Act 6981 also known as the Witness Protection and Security Program” which is applicable only to two kinds of prospective witnesses—those that witnessed or has knowledge of the commission of any crime and those that participated in the commission of the crime and desires to be a state witness,” he said.

Pagdilao said the second law, Presidential Decree (PD) 171 or “Providing for Rewards and Incentives to Government Witnesses and Informants and other purposes” provides rewards and incentives to government witnesses and informants.

“However, PD 1731 only covers crimes against National Security or Public Order or organized/syndicated crime. It does not cover other crimes punishable by reclusion perpetua or higher or those classified under special laws as capitals offense or punishable by life imprisonment or higher.” Pagdilao explained.

Under the bill, the Secretary of Justice may pay or give benefits or other incentives to any person who furnishes information leading to the arrest or conviction of any person for the commission of an act of terrorism against the Republic of the Philippines as defined under Section 3 of RA 9372 or the “Human Security Act of 2007.”

Also a reward awaits any person who shares information leading to the arrest or conviction of any person committing any of the unlawful acts enumerated in Section 4, Article 11 of RA 9165 otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” among others.

The measure provides that the Secretary of Justice may pay a reward or give benefits under this Act in the form of money, education and livelihood assistance, or other incentives including immunity from criminal prosecution.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=616798

BRP Ramon Alcaraz fitted with 'Bushmaster' auto cannons soon

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 17): BRP Ramon Alcaraz fitted with 'Bushmaster' auto cannons soon

The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that installation of the two Mark 38 Model 2 25mm "Bushmaster" for the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) is dependent on the availability of the U.S. Coast Guard armament team who will install the weapons.

The American team is expected to arrive before March, Navy officials said.

The weapons are already here and just waiting for technical team to install and calibrate the two Mark 38 Model 2 25mm automatic cannons.

The decision to seek U.S. Coast Guard aid in installing these automatic cannons came in wake of the high cost of having the guns installed by a private shipyard.

The guns were supposed to be installed before BRP Ramon Alcaraz's Nov. 22 commissioning but the cost of having it done here was just to expensive for the Navy.

PN officials hope that the weapons will be active before the end of March.

The weapon was commissioned by the U.S. Navy following the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in 2000. It was designed to counter high-speed maneuvering surface targets and will be installed in almost all U.S. surface ships by 2015.

The remotely controlled chain gun system can fire as many as 180 25m rounds per minute at targets as far as two kilometers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=616846

Military says: Search operations for Misuari still ongoing

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 17): Military says: Search operations for Misuari still ongoing

Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade based in Jolo, Sulu, said on Monday the search operations for fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari are still ongoing.

Misuari is wanted for instigating the Zamboanga City siege last September which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and destruction of billions of pesos worth of private and public properties.

"(We have) some information on Misuari's (location) but we are continuously validating (to determine) his exact location," Cenabre said.

He likened Misuari to a rat always in hiding in the wake of reports that the MNLF founding chairman had been spotted in Sulu.

He said that the continuing search operations for Misuari are part of the military's various peace and security missions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=616924

2 troop-carrying 'Huey' helicopters now pursuing rebel group in Abra

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 17): 2 troop-carrying 'Huey' helicopters now pursuing rebel group in Abra

Two "Huey" helicopters carrying troops were deployed Monday morning to help the 5th Infantry Division in pursuing the New People's Army (NPA) rebels who fired at a security patrol in Barangay Lenneng, Licuan-Baay town, Abra Sunday night, wounding five soldiers.

One of those hurt is an officer, 1st Civil Relations Group commander Major Emmanuel Garcia said.

"Pursuit operations (are) now ongoing. Frustrated murder cases will be filed as soon as the NPA remnants are identified," he added.

The encounter took place at around 9 p.m. Sunday, Garcia said, adding that the wounded soldiers are all members of the 41st Infantry Battalion, a field unit of the 5th Infantry Division.

The firefight took place during a security patrol deployed in the wake of reports that heavily-armed NPA rebels were seen in the area.

Garcia said that three of the wounded military personnel are now in stable condition at a local hospital.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=617051

302nd Infantry Brigade personnel get free medical checkup

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 18): 302nd Infantry Brigade personnel get free medical checkup

As part of its commitment to ensure that all of its active duty personnel are fit for duty, the Negros Oriental-based 302nd Infantry Brigade conducted a free medical examination which benefited 181 of its troopers and auxiliaries.

In a belated reports, Capt. Crescencio Gargar, the unit's public information officer, said that the activity was conducted over the weekend at their headquarters in Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City.

He said that the medical teams were aided by contingents from Negros Oriental and Pharmaceuticals and Health Association of the Philippines who donated assorted medicines.

Services extended to the soldiers were free medical consultation and dental services, minor surgical operation, blood tests and blood pressure examination.

The reservists from 703rd Community Defense Company provided massage and haircuts to military personnel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=617166

CPP/Sine Proletaryo: Video -- Istatus: FMSR

Propaganda video posted to the CPP Website (Feb 16): Video: Istatus: FSMR (Far South Mindanao Region)



Sine Proletaryo presents "Istatus:FSMR". Istatus:FSMR is the fourth in a series of video features which present the situation and victories achieved by the CPP in the different regions, as well as the challenges confronting the revolutionary forces in further advancing the people's war. Istatus:FSMR presents an interview with Ka Efren, spokesman of the National Democratic Front in Far Southern Mindanao Region.

[Video: Istatus: FSMR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0aNARV6Jg4]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/