Cops used gang member to locate Mindanao's most wanted man

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2): Cops used gang member to locate Mindanao's most wanted man

The arrest in April of one of the members of an extortion group led to the arrest of more gang members and one of the most wanted man who bolted and outsmarted government jail officers twice, officials said.

The arrest of Datukan Samad, also known as "Commander Lastikman," and a member of al-Khobar extortion gang, came a month after police agents nabbed Ogie Piang Kimbaw, a member of al-Khobar extortion gang that prey on passenger buses and public transport.

Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Maguindanao police chief, said Kimbaw was a companion of Samad when they bolted the Maguindanao provincial jail in Cotabato City on May 2, 2012.

Samad, who was facing kidnapping, extortion, multiple murder and highway robbery charges, was moved from Kidapawan City jail to Maguindanao where he bolted months later.

While in Kidapawan jail, Samad's followers tried but failed to rescue him. However, three persons were killed, including a Red Cross volunteer giving first aid to wounded civilians, when the attackers fired rocket propelled grenades.

Responding members of the Kidapawan City fire department forced the gunmen to flee toward Barangay Nungan.

Police and military agents believed Samad was a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. But the MILF disowned him.

A police intelligence officer said Samad's arrest on Wednesday night at a beer joint in Tacurong City was carried out after Kimbaw provided the police with information on Mindanao's most wanted man.

Before Samad's arrest in Tacurong City, Kimbaw also helped the police in locating Tahir Abubakar, al-Khobar gang member in Buluan, Maguindanao.

Chief Supt. Noel delos Reyes, police director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the arrest of Abubakar was carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-ARMM) by virtue of an arrest warrant for murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 11 in Digos City in 2012.

Abubakar who carries a P400,00 for his arrest, accordint to police intelligence officer, was also linked to bombings in Regions 11 and 12, including the bus terminal in Digos City.

Abubakar is now detained at the President Quirino Police Station Detention Facility. He will be moved to Taguig Detention Facility since authorities considered him to be a high profile inmate.

A day after Abubakar was arrested, Commander Lastikman was also cornered at a beer house in Tacurong City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=639882

108 new soldiers sworn in Nueva Ecija

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2): 108 new soldiers sworn in Nueva Ecija

One-hundred eight candidate soldiers have been sworn in as new regular members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The new privates’ rank insignias were pinned on their uniforms in a simple graduation ceremony held Wednesday at the covered court of the 7th Infantry Division here.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Col. Vicente Yordan, commander of the Philippine Army's 51st Engineering Brigade, Col. Ronald Villanueva, chief of staff, of the 7th Infantry Division and other officers and enlisted personnel of the command.

The soldiers underwent basic military training and engineer combat support operation orientation training that started in October last year.

Private Efren S. Cerino topped the class for earning the highest general average in academic proficiency with a rating of 90.03 percent and Private Roldan G. Lunang obtained the highest general average in physical fitness with a rating of 97.58 percent.

Villanueva congratulated the new graduates and urged them to be loyal and serve to protect and enhance the name of the AFP, particularly the Philippine Army.

He also underscored the role of the new privates as catalysts for peace and development in our country.

The new soldiers will be assigned to the different battalions under 7th Infantry Division to help boost the peace and development efforts.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=639935

Army soldiers in Negros seize firearms, ammunition after clash with rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2): Army soldiers in Negros seize firearms, ammunition after clash with rebels

Soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army seized guns and ammunition after another encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental Friday morning.

First Lt. Von Ryan Gomez, civil military operations officer of the 11th IB, said the Army soldiers were conducting security patrol operations in Barangay Amontay when the rebels fired upon them, resulting in a 20-minute firefight.

After the rebels fled, the soldiers recovered a .357 caliber revolver with six ammunition, a homemade 12-gauge shotgun with a magazine containing a live ammunition along with a backpack containing subversive documents and personal items.

They also found traces of bloodstains which could mean injuries or casualties among the rebels.

Gomez said no casualty was reported among the government troops.

Friday’s encounter came two days after a squad-size unit of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit led by Corporal Galapin also clashed with suspected NPA rebels in Sitio Bulabog, Barangay Tanlad, Tayasan, Negros Oriental.

Gomez said the rebels fled towards Sitio Pagatanan and Lantad proper and left behind a caliber .45 pistol with six ammunition.

Lt. Col. Paulito Idul, commander of the 11th IB, said the two recent encounters in Tayasan, Negros Oriental, and Binalbagan, Negros Occidental proved that the rebels are no longer enjoying the support of the people, who even reported their presence to government troops.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=640073

Five soldiers wounded in separate encounters with NPAs

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2): Five soldiers wounded in separate encounters with NPAs

Five soldiers were hurt in two separate encounters with government troops and communist rebels

On Thursday (May 1) morning, four soldiers were injured when a landmine exploded at Sitio Bentu-in, Barangay Fatima, Paquibato District, this city.

Military reports from the Eastern Command identified the wounded soldiers as Sgt. James Cabang, PFC Rommel Castillo, PFC Ben Mondero, and PFC Emmanuel Sebastian, all members of the 69th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army operating in Paquibato District.

Reports said that at around 7 a.m., government troops were responding on information regarding the presence of an armed group at the boundary of Paquibato District and Calinan District, this city.

But on their way, the government troops sighted members of the New People's Army (NPA) which resulted in an armed confrontation between the two groups.

The gunfight which lasted at least 20 minutes, also reportedly resulted in a number of casualties on the side of the NPAs but, authorities are still confirming the report.

Meanwhile, another armed encounter between the government troops belonging to the Army’s 27th IB and NPAs also occurred in Maitum, Saranggani Province at around 8:00 a.m. on the same day.

The incident resulted in the wounding of another soldier whose identity has yet to be released as of press time. A member of the NPA was reportedly killed.

The NPAs have not yet issued a statement on these two incidents.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=640055

59 new 2nd lieutenants join PA

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2): 59 new 2nd lieutenants join PA

Fifty-nine newly-commissioned second lieutenants from the Officer Candidate Course (OCS) Class 42-2014 officially joined the Philippine Army after their graduation Friday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was the guest of honor and speaker at the graduation ceremonies that took place at Ricarte Hall, Philippine Army Officers Club House, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Gazmin was joined by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista and Army commander Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri.

The graduating class was composed of 51 male and eight female officers. Topping the class is 2nd Lt. Howell Jason Kirby A. Buhion from Cagayan de Oro City.

After one year of laborious training and discipline, the 59 young and dynamic individuals from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao who took their oaths as Candidate Officers in April 2013, now manifest stability under pressure and are fully equipped with the right training, knowledge and skills to become officers of the Philippine Army.

The new second lieutenants will be assigned to the different units of the PA.

In his speech, Gazmin congratulated the young and active lieutenants who shall form part of the dynamic Officer Corps of the PA.

"Today, they had made initial achievement as they join the Armed Forces of the Philippines in serving the people," he added.

Gazmin also commended Brig. Gen. Ivan Samarita, chief of the Training and Doctrine Command, for "maintaining the high academic standard of the premier academic institution of the Philippine Army."

He likewise exhorted the new officers to fulfill their constitutional duties and the social contract with the Filipino people.

Gazmin said they should be faithful to the Constitution and subordinate to the civilian authority.

Meanwhile, in its effort to further equip the Army organization with a pool of able officers and enlisted personnel, the PA continues to develop programs that would strengthen the personnel capability of the organization in furtherance of the Army Transformation Roadmap.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=639907

DND to recommend only 2 PHL military bases under EDCA

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2): DND to recommend only 2 PHL military bases under EDCA

Department of National Defense (DND) undersecretary and Philippine panel negotiation chair Pio Lorenzo Batino on Friday announced that they are looking at the possibility of offering only two Philippine military bases for American use under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

"The direction of the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is to recommend only the usage of only two military bases, (those) agreed locations as defined under the EDCA and we believe these number of locations will already be sufficient to implement the objectives of the EDCA," he said.

"And number two, the direction of the DND and the AFP when identifying the agreed locations would be to limit and delineate only a limited portion or a limited area of the agreed AFP base which would be shared to the US, it will not be the whole AFP base identified as we need that AFP base," Batino pointed out.

The DND official also clarified that they will also study the areas that will be allocated for the EDCA before declaring it for that purpose.

He declined to comment on how many US soldiers will be deployed to camps as these are operational matters.

"These are operational details, (I) can't just talk about troops (as) these are operational details that differ every year depending on activities approved by the AFP and the Pacific Command through the Mutual Defense Board and the Security Board so we cannot (just give) definite numbers of US troops coming in and out our country," Batino added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=639950

Trooper killed, 6 wounded in NPA ambush in Ilocos Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2): Trooper killed, 6 wounded in NPA ambush in Ilocos Sur

A soldier was killed while six of his companions were wounded after 10 New People's Army (NPA) fighters ambushed them in Barangay Malideg, Quirino town, Ilocos Sur on Friday morning.

Major Emmanuel Garcia, 1st Civil Relations Group commander, said that the soldiers were aboard a KM-450 military vehicle heading towards Sitio Cayus, Barangay Remedios, Cervantes town to help in the construction of the one-kilometer road which will connect Sitio Tubtuba to Sitio Panananuman in Tuba, Abra when attacked by NPA fighters around 4:00 a.m.

In the exchange of gunfire, one soldier was killed and six others were wounded while the NPAs are believed to have also sustained an undetermined number of casualties/injuries.

He added that the troops are also helping in the rehabilitation of the Tubtuba Elementary School.

Pursuit operations are ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=639954

PH sets up Nat'l Coast Watch Center to deter intrusions

From Rappler (May 1): PH sets up Nat'l Coast Watch Center to deter intrusions

The Philippines will also set up radar stations. It is looking at areas in Palawan – El Nido, Rizal, and Sabang – as possible stations for the radar system

The Philippines has started constructing the National Coast Watch Center, a command post facility where different government agencies will work together to enhance the country's maritime border security.

US firm Raytheon bagged the contract to build it.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said construction started in April and will be completed by 2015.

The Philippines will also set up radar stations and it is in the initial stage of looking for strategic areas. It is looking at areas in Palawan – El Nido, Rizal, and Sabang – as possible stations for the radar system.

“We are proposing 96 nautical miles range [from the radar station toward the sea]. At least it can cover 200 EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” Isorena said.

The project has a budget of P792 million (about $18 million) to include support integration of data from various agencies into the coast watch center, maritime surveillance system, and radio communications.

Isorena said the National Coast Watch Center will help the coast guard monitor entry of foreign vessels and check if they are carrying weapons of mass destruction.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/56913-national-coast-watch-center-philippines

EDCA to boost defense posture, allow new joint activities

From Rapper (May 1): EDCA to boost defense posture, allow new joint activities

Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino gives the assurance that the Philippines will have the 'final say' on the activities of US troops here

The PH-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) allows the timely delivery and positioning of US defense equipment in the Philippines to help ensure maritime security, according to Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, chairman of the Philippine panel that negotiated the deal with the US.

Prepositioning of equipment is one of 2 new activities that EDCA allows as far as American troops in the Philippines are concerned. The other activity is the construction of new military facilities or the upgrade of existing ones.

"We need help in terms of our capability gaps right now in terms of disaster relief and maritime domain awareness. The timely prepositioning of equipment here, subject to agreement of parties, would more expeditiously address our concerns," Batino told Rappler executive editor Maria Ressa in a #TalkThursday interview on May 1.

"There is recognition that we still lack some modern defense equipment for our defense posturing," Batino added.

The 1951 PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), he said, allows these new activities. He is confident the new deal does not need Senate ratification and will survive legal challenges.

The threat of China

Batino welcomed the statement of US President Barack Obama on the "ironclad" commitment of the US to defend the Philippines.

"It is a strong message and we favor that message," he said.

The Philippines sought US military assistance in the wake of escalating tension in the South China Sea (West Philippines Sea). The request also coincides with the US strategy to rebalance to the Pacific.

Aside from prepositioned equipment that could be used to address concerns on maritime security, Batino said there will also be greater information sharing between the two allies. "We anticipate that there would be even greater information sharing between our 2 militaries to help each others mandate," he said.

Still, Batino said EDCA is supposedly the "natural progression" of military cooperation between the 2 countries even without the threat of China.

"After 15 year of joint training exercies, both parties recognize that we can still elevate the defense cooperation between the Philippines and US. And thus EDCA," Batino said.

PH will have 'final say'

EDCA imposes no limits on the number of troops who can visit, and it doesn't specify which types of assets Americans can bring in or the location of military activities. Batino explained that the deal has to be flexible to address the operational needs of the two militaries.

"The AFP and the Philippine govenrment would have a last say before any activites would be implemented," Batino said.

Batino added: "According to some critics, the whole Philippine territory has been transformed into one whole US facility. This is not true. We are only eyeing several AFP bases to sufficiently implement this program."

US may bring in fighter jets

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is acquiring assets – brand new fighter jets and frigates – to achieve minimum defense posture, but Batino said these assets will take years to be delivered.

If the Philippines will allow it, Batino said the US can bring in these assets while the AFP is waiting for new ones.

"While waiting for the delivery of these modern defense equipment, if the parties will agree, similar modern equipment will be prepositioned here so our future pilots could be trained prior to the delivery," Batino said.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/56924-edca-batino-talkthursday

Binay: PH-US military deal deters aggression

From Rappler (May 2): Binay: PH-US military deal deters aggression

Speaking before an American think-tank, Binay says the Philippine military agreement with the US is an important pillar of Manila's security policy



POLICY SPEECH. Vice President Jejomar Binay keynotes the Banyan Tree Leadership Forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC on Thursday. Philippine Embassy Photo

Vice President Jejomar Binay hailed the Philippines’ military deal with the US, saying it will prevent armed conflict and help boost economic growth.

In a speech in Washington DC outlining his economic agenda, Binay said the newly signed agreement is an important pillar of the Philippines’ security policy.

He addressed concerns that the deal will antagonize China, and harm Manila’s trade relationship with Beijing. The deal gives US troops greater access to Philippine bases and allows them to build facilities there.

“A stronger American military presence in the Philippines and greater interoperability between our respective armed forces dramatically increases our individual and collective defense capabilities, providing a dramatic deterrent against external aggression. This, in turn, will soothe and calm the investment climate in the Philippines,” said Binay on Thursday, May 1.

Delivering a keynote address at the Banyan Tree Leadership Forum of the American think-tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Binay said the agreement is also an “important response mechanism to humanitarian and natural disasters.”

The Vice President said the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) benefits both Philippine security and economy.

“In other words, through the EDCA, we have effectively upgraded our own security platform, without shifting a significant portion of our limited resources to support an arms race and procure weapons systems that exceed our normal defense requirements. It enables us to focus better on developing a solid economic base to combat poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and disease,” he said.

Binay said increased tensions between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) were a “potential downer” for Manila’s economic growth.

“[The] threat of war creates disincentives for long-term investments as well as shifts precious resources to unproductive defense spending,” he said.

 

INVESTMENT CLIMATE. Binay says the military deal with the US 'calms the Philippine investment climate.' Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato

 

No change in PH strategy

Binay said the agreement does not signal a shift in the Philippines’ “core strategy for regional security.”

“We have always believed and will continue to hold ourselves to the principle that the future of mankind lies not in conflict or war, but in dialogue, cooperation, development and peace. For our current disagreements in the South China Sea, we will continue to pursue a solution based on international law by going for arbitration as provided for in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

Binay said as a parallel effort to arbitration, the Philippines supports the conclusion of a binding Code of Conduct on the South China Sea between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which the Philippines is a member.

“We also seek to gain understanding of this issue in such regional fora as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asian Summit (EAS). The Philippines and its partners, including the United States, will continue these discussions.”

The Philippines is locked in a territorial dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea. With China’s increasing assertiveness, analysts saw the signing of the EDCA as Manila’s effort to seek a security blanket from the United States, its longtime treaty ally.

Widely seen as the leading frontrunner in the 2016 presidential race, Binay laid out his economic agenda and views on Philippine foreign policy in a speech that foreign correspondents said would “suit the campaign trail.”

His political rivals including Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano have criticized Binay for supposedly dodging controversial issues like the territorial row with China.

Yet as of late, Binay issued stronger statements on the row, saying the Philippines is “no pushover” and will defend its territories “up to the last blood” but resort to peaceful means “as much as possible.”

Trade key component of PH-China ties

In his CSIS speech, Binay said the maritime row with China is not the sole component of Manila’s ties with Beijing, echoing the position of President Benigno Aquino III.

“Let me stress, nonetheless, that our support for EDCA does not reflect a freezing of ties with China. Nor do we view the disputes in the South China Sea as the totality of our bilateral relations with China.”

“Philippine trade with China continues to rise at a dramatic pace. In 2013, China has become the Philippine’s largest trading partner, a distinction previously held alternately by the United States and Japan.”

Besides trade, Binay said ancestry and Chinese participation in various sectors of Philippine economy and politics form part of the Philippines’ relations with China.

“In the end, trade, as well as the deep filial ties that bind our peoples, will prevail over the issues of territory and boundaries that are currently threatening our relationship.”

The Vice President is in the US for the CSIS forum, and to meet with US Vice President Joe Biden, and other American leaders and businessmen.
Earlier this week, Binay and President Benigno Aquino III welcomed US President Barack Obama during his state visit to Manila.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/57023-binay-military-deal-deters-aggression

3 to 5 PH military bases eyed for US use

From Rappler (May 2): 3 to 5 PH military bases eyed for US use



PHILIPPINE PANEL CHAIRMAN: Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino. Rappler

Three to 5 Philippine military bases are being eyed for the use of US troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), according to Philippine panel chairman Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino.

"It is ranging from 3 to 5 AFP bases. That is not final, that is the starting discussion," Batino said.

Among the 5 locations being studied is Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, a natural choice because it is where Philippines-US Balikatan exercises are often held.

"Fort Magsaysay is an ideal location. It is a big area. We hold Balikatan exercises there. We are still studying it. It is for recommendation," Batino said.

Why Fort Magsaysay?

Fort Magsaysay is the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 7th Infantry Division (ID) and the Special Operations Command (Socom). The area is under the control of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

The Dingalan Bay, which merges with the Pacific Ocean east of the country, is also owned by the 7th ID. It's a 6-kilometer frontage that AFP owns. It can serve as a training ground from naval maneuvers.

Fort Magsaysay is also near the disputed Panatag Shoal (Panatag) in the West Philippine Sea, currently occupied by the Chinese Coast Guard. The shoal is a territory of Zambales province, which is separated from Nueva Ecija by the province of Tarlac.

Subic?

The Philippines used to host a large US naval base in Subic, Zambales until the Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to evict the Americans.

Batino refused to confirm if it is one of the 5 bases being considered.

"The Subic project, I must emphasize, is an AFP project. The AFP is requesting for limited portions of Subic so that it can strategically locate Philippine Air Force equipment and Philippine Navy equipment," Batino said.

Batino said Subic will serve as the home base of the two warships of the Philippines acquired from the US Coast Guard and the fighter jets that the country is acquiring.

The final locations will be identified in annexes that the panels are yet to complete. Batino said they have started consultations.

The locations will be chosen based on the key mission areas identified by the panels – maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Watch this earlier interview with Batino on #TalkThursday:

On top of the regular training exercises between the US and Filipino troops, the newly-signed EDCA allows two new joint activities – the construction and upgrade of military facilties and the prepositioning of defense equipment.

Batino said the US will only be allowed to use agreed-upon portions of identified military bases.

No rental fees

The US will not pay rental fees for the use of the military bases.

Batino said this issue has been resolved in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which was ratified by the Senate.

"VFA provides that landing charges and port charges shall not be imposed on visiting forces of the US. This agreement will be mutually beneficial for both parties. Thus, it is justifiable that there is no rent," Batino said.

The Philippines sought US military assistance in the wake of escalating maritime disputes with China. The request coincides with the US rebalancing to the Pacific.

Philippine panel member Ambassador Ed Malaya also noted that the US does not pay Japan and South Korea rental fees for the US bases there.

US to operate own telecommunications system

EDCA also allows the US to use its own telecommuncations system.

He said the AFP will be allocating to the US a certain portion of the radio spectrum assigned to the military. Operation of telecommunications system usually requires congressional franchise. Batino said it will not be needed under EDCA.

The Philippines may be able to use modern telecommunication equipment of the US, said Batino.

"All of these could be discussed on the ground. Their equipment, including possibly their telecommunication equipment, could be used for the furtherance of our defense and security services," he said.

Batino said the panel is ready to face legal questions raised against EDCA.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/57038-philippines-military-bases-edca

NDF on EDCA: A 'flagrant trampling on Philippine sovereignty'

From InterAksyon (May 2): NDF on EDCA: A 'flagrant trampling on Philippine sovereignty'



The leadership of the National Democratic Front on Friday condemned the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, calling it a “flagrant trampling on Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and called on “the Filipino people to launch a powerful campaign to abrogate” the pact.

The NDF is the umbrella organization of underground organizations allied with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

In a statement, the NDF’s national executive committee also called on Americans to “stand up in solidarity with the Filipino people” against “escalating US military intervention in the Philippines” the way they did against the Vietnam War.

Noting that the pact was “negotiated in secrecy, preventing the Filipino people from knowing its contents” until after its signing on April 28, the day US President Barack Obama arrived in the country for a two-day visit, the NDF called the EDCA “a shameless surrender of national sovereignty by the Aquino regime.”

It cited provisions of the agreement that they said gave the US an “indecent extent of privilege(s)” such as Article IV, which states: “The prepositioned materiel shall be for the exclusive use of United States forces. United States forces shall have control over the access to and disposition of such prepositioned materiel and shall have the unencumbered right to remove such prepositioned materiel at any time from the territory of the Philippines.”

The article also gives US forces and contractors “unimpeded access to Agreed Locations for all matters relating to the prepositioning and storage of defense equipment, supplies, and materiel, including delivery, management, inspection, use, maintenance, and removal of such equipment, supplies and materiel.”

“From such provisions in EDCA, it is clear that the US forces can undertake numerous activities which can amount to using the Philippines as a launching pad for US wars of aggression, which the US had carried out in the past against the peoples of Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries,” the NDF said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/85930/ndf-on-edca-a-flagrant-trampling-on-philippine-sovereignty

Balikatan 2014 begins in Visayas

From InterAksyon (May 2): Balikatan 2014 begins in Visayas



Balikatan 2014 opening ceremonies at AFP Central Command in Cebu. (photo courtesy of Centcom)

Two weeks of activities under this year’s Balikatan joint military exercises opened on Friday with US troops arriving in Cebu and Leyte, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Central Command said.

Navy Lieutenant Jim Alagao, Centcom spokesman, said 25 members of the Hawaii National Guard, who will train 151 military and civilian urban search and rescue teams from Cebu and Bohol, were welcomed in ceremonies at Camp Lapulapu.

Troops assigned to Leyte, on the other hand, will conduct Humanitarian Civic Assistance activities, including free healthcare services in Tacloban City

Among the civilian rescue groups participating in the training are the Philippine Red Cross, Bohol's TARSIER or Telephone and Radio System Integrated Emergency Response 117 Team, and Cebu’s Emergency Response Unit Foundation.

"Balikatan is the most evident manifestation of a shared commitment between the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces to move and act shoulder-to-shoulder, or balikatan in our local language, for stability, security and development," Centcom deputy commander Brigadier General Romeo Labador said in his message.

"The joint and combined training we conducted in the past Balikatan exercises, coupled with the resiliency of us Filipinos and the selfless commitment of foreign support, particularly from the United States helped us overcome overwhelming challenges left by the recent disasters," he added.

Hawaii National Guard Staff Sergeant Cory Ito, an expert on rope rescue operations, said they are looking forward to hearing the experiences of rescue teams who responded to the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda, which struck the Visayas one after the other last year.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/85936/balikatan-2014-begins-in-visayas

Notorious bandit leader arrested in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (May 1): Notorious bandit leader arrested in Southern Philippines

Philippine police have captured Thursday a notorious bandit leader linked to many kidnappings and murders in the southern city of Tacurong.

Police said Datukan Samad, who escaped from jail along with 10 hardened criminals in July 2012, was captured inside a bar drinking with his friends.

Samad, who uses the alias Lastik man, was arrested by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and police operatives from Sultan Kudarat province following a tip off.

A former rebel leader, Samad escaped from jail after sawing off iron grills in his cell at the Maguindanao provincial prison. His escape came five months after his followers, armed with grenade launchers and automatic weapons, stormed a jail facility in Kidapawan City and tried to rescue him, but failed.

Three people were killed in the raid after gunmen fired their weapons on the jail, but guards repulsed the attackers.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/05/notorious-bandit-leader-arrested-in.html

‘Psy-ops at Psy-war’ ni Al Jacinto

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (May 2): ‘Psy-ops at Psy-war’ ni Al Jacinto



PSY-OPS...PSY-WAR...pero hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit palaging sinasabi ng militar na mayroong casualties ang Abu Sayyaf o NPA sa tuwing may labanan...lalo na kung maraming sundalo ang sugatan o nasawi? Kahit walang nakuhang mga bangkay ng kalaban eh sasabihin ng militar na marami ang napatay at naitakas lamang diumano ng kalaban ang mga bangkay! At sasabihin pa na galing ang impormasyon sa mga sibilyan, sa mga tao...Mayroon pang linya ang militar o ang kanilang mga tagapagsalita na 'may bloodstains sa withdrawal route ng kalaban' kung kaya't mayroong enemy casualties...

Eh kung ang mga sibilyan o populace ang nagsasabi o nagsusumbong sa militar kung ilan ang nasawi sa kalaban eh bakit hindi mailigtas ng militar ang mga kidnapped victims? Bakit hindi matunton ng militar ang mga lider ng kalaban kung totoong may mga sibilyan na nagsusumbong sa kanila kung ilan ang namamatay sa kalaban na para bagang naroon ang mga sibilyan sa tuing may giyera at nanood sa labanan?

Pero ang ganitong pahayag ay saklaw ng mga pinuno ng militar...psy-war ika nga! Pero sino ba ang naloloko sa mga maling pahayag upang masabi na maraming kalaban ang napatay ng mga sundalo? Ang unang naloloko nito ay ang Armed Forces of the Philippines...pangalawa ang media na malimit kumagat sa mga ganitong pahayag...at pangatlo ang publiko sa kadahilanang nababasa, napapanood at napapakinggan nito ang maling balita...

Dapat sigurong maging mas makatotohanan ang militar at kung walang napatay at hindi sigurado ang ground commander na may casualties sa kalaban ay mas mabuting sabihin ito kaysa lokohin at papaniwalain nila ang kanilang sarili sa maling paraan. Ano ang mararamdaman ng sundalo kung mabasa ang balita na maraming silang napatay na kalaban gayun wala naman? Ito ay pagsisinungaling at binubuksan ng militar ang isipan ng sundalo sa maling pamamahayag.

Body counts ang batayan sa casualty reports at hindi propaganda, gayun may mga commander na talagang sinasabi kung may napatay na kalaban o wala... Ito rin ang dapat isaisip ng NPA na madalas magsabi sa media na maraming mga napatay na sundalo o parak sa bawat enkuwentro nila.

At ang mas mabuti para sa lahat ay matigil na ang patayan at labanan at sa halip ay pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagpapalaganap sa kapayapaan!

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/05/psy-ops-at-psy-war-ni-al-jacinto.html