Photos: Live Fire

From the Manila Standard Today (May 11): Photos: Live Fire



Filipino soldiers fire their weapons during a live fire exercise at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija on May 10, 2014. More than 5,000 US and Philippine troops are currently engaged in annual war games in the Philippines, with a focus on Maritime security. AFP

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/05/11/live-fire/

Marines gird for 'attacks' in war games

From the Manila Standard Today (May 11): Marines gird for 'attacks' in war games

Battle-tested Philippine marines and navymen will show to their American counterparts their capability ito respond to a crisis situation  today during the Balikatan ‘war games’ at the Philippine Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite.

The amphibious exercises or sea drills are designed for the US troops to observe and improve on how Filipino soldiers assault or defend themselves  during  a mock assault at an “enemy beach,” said
Col. Edgard Arevalo, commander of the Navy’s Civil Military Operations Group.

Earlier, both US and Philippine marines had “assaulted”  an enemy base in San Antonio, Zambales with both sides illustrating rapid maneuvers aboard high-speed rubber boats and riverine craft to test individual combat skills.
The naval scenario at the Cavite marine base would include rapid deployment of  Filipino marines aboard a Philippine logistic support vessel BRP Bacolod City (LC 551) in assaulting a fortified hostile beach front target.

Arevalo said the objective of the Balikatan at the Marine Base Gregorio Lim was to defeat the enemy while attaining the highest state of inter-operability through sharing of techniques, tactics and procedure that American and Filipinos sailors and marines performs their respective armed forces.

The exercises would have Marines Corps Operations Platoon aboard three newly acquired Small Unit Riverine craft seeing action.

The RP riverine contingent assaults a target while two vessels from BRP Dagupan City and BRP Abraham Camp, a Patrol Gunboat serves as support vessel.

Arevalo said this battle module during the exercise “will test the capability in the conduct of amphibious operation—that of being able to launch a seaborne force from the ship to the shore—is a competency unique to the Philippine Marine Corps as a type command under the Philippine Navy.”

For its part, the US will take note whether the conduct of the exercise by the Marines in the assault is appropriate or needing improvement.

The Philippine Marines had been describe as the frontline force by the government in any crisis situation particularly in Mindanao battling Abu Sayyaf Group and other muslim militants.

Arevalo said the employment of Philippine navy vessel during the exercise complements the marines operational needs to engage enemies in a critical situation.

“This competency of the Philippine Marine Corps is the umbilical cord, so to speak, that binds it with Philippine Fleet that provides he platforms or the ships from where the Marines are landed to some hostile beaches to engage the enemies entrenched inland, “ Arevalo said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/05/11/marines-gird-for-attacks-in-war-games/

ASEAN calls on China to speed up maritime security talks

From GMA News (May 10): ASEAN calls on China to speed up maritime security talks

Southeast Asian foreign ministers voiced "serious concerns" on Saturday over naval clashes between Vietnam and China as the regional group's top official urged Beijing to step up efforts to advance talks on maritime security.

Foreign ministers and heads of state of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are facing a test of unity at their summit this weekend as some members express alarm over China's growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea and push for a strong joint statement.

Tensions ratcheted up in the past week after China positioned a huge oil rig in an area also claimed by Vietnam, with each country accusing the other of ramming its ships in the region close to the disputed Paracel Islands.

ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh, who is Vietnamese, told Reuters the incident added urgency to concluding talks between ASEAN and China on agreeing a code of conduct in the resource-rich sea - a set of maritime rules to ease tensions.

But he pointedly said China's efforts to conclude the talks had fallen short of ASEAN's. Despite holding three rounds of talks since last year, the discussions had yet to focus on "substantive issues," he said.

"We need efforts on both sides," he said in an interview on the sidelines of the summit in Myanmar's capital, Naypyitaw.

"On ASEAN, we have made great efforts. We need efforts on the part of China."

Tensions over the sea, which is claimed in part by four ASEAN members as well as China and Taiwan, have strained the group's unity in recent years, resulting in an embarrassing breakdown of a summit in Cambodia in 2012.

In their statement, ASEAN foreign ministers on Saturday called for "an early conclusion" of the code of conduct and expressed concern about "increased tensions in the area".

At the summit, which ends on Sunday, countries including Vietnam and the Philippines are pushing for a strong statement, while others - mindful of China's economic weight - are reluctant to directly criticise Beijing, diplomats say.

Myanmar, which is chairing ASEAN for the first time this year, signalled a softer approach to China.

Myanmar's government spokesman, Ye Ht, said ASEAN and China have a "very good relationship" and both recognize China's continued growth as a political and economic power should not be marred by conflict with its neighbours.

"China is not only big friends with Myanmar, but China is also the biggest trade partner with most of the ASEAN countries," he told reporters in Naypyitaw. "So China's peaceful rising is very important for the ASEAN region."

Territorial claims

Both Vietnam and staunch US ally the Philippines have insisted the South China Sea be discussed at the summit.

Philippine diplomats told Reuters some member states were opposed to issuing a separate statement on the latest South China Sea dispute or mentioning the tensions in the final communiqué due to be released on Sunday.

China says territorial disputes should be discussed on a bilateral basis. It claims the entire South China Sea, putting it in conflict with Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. The last four are ASEAN members.

Speaking to reporters in Manila, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III rejected calls from China for bilateral talks to resolve territorial issues and said dialogue will not resolve the issues that are also affecting other regional countries.

Tensions spiked in another part of the South China Sea over the past week when Beijing demanded the Philippines release a Chinese fishing boat and its crew seized on Tuesday off Half Moon Shoal (Hasa-Hasa Shoal) in the Spratly Islands, which both countries claim.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/360479/news/world/asean-calls-on-china-to-speed-up-maritime-security-talks

BIFF bandit killed in clash, group vows revenge

From ABS-CBN (May 9): BIFF bandit killed in clash, group vows revenge

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao - A member of the rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in an encounter with government soldiers in Datu Unsay town, Maguindanao last Wednesday.

Col. Gener del Rosario, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said the gunfight started when the soldiers sighted the bandits in the area.

The AFP also seized some firearms from the group.

"Mga .45-caliber 'yun, pati mga wirings ginagamit siguro sa paggawa ng IED (improvised explosive device). Meron ding granada," Del Rosario said.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama confirmed the death of one of his comrades and said the group will avenge the loss.

"Oo, isa sa mga kasama natin ang namatay, nakuha nila ang ilang armas natin," Mama said.

"Hindi tayo titigil hangga't hindi kami nakakaganti. Sila ang naunang umatake sa amin."

The group made true on its promise and harassed an Army detachment in Shariff Aguak the following day.

The exchange of fire lasted for almost half an hour. No casualties were reported in the attack.

Asiya Lindungan, a native resident of Shariff Aguak who lives with her family just in front of the military detachment, said she and her family will never relocate despite the danger of being caught in crossfire.

"Hindi kami aalis dito. Kasi wala pa ang kampo ng mga sundalo dito nandito na kami, nandito ang kabuhayan namin,'' she said.

Mama, meanwhile, said his group will continue to attack military camps.

The military said they are ready for further BIFF attacks.

"Nakahanda kami 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sana lang hindi nila madamay yung mga sibilyan,'' del Rosario said.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) founded by Ameril Umbra Kato. The group is mainly opposed to the peace talks between the MILF and Philippine government.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/09/14/biff-bandit-killed-clash-group-vows-revenge

Opinion: Why we have EDCA today

Opinion piece in the Philippine Star (May 11): Why we have EDCA today

Let’s face it, no amount of reasoning will ever convince those who have made up their minds against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the United States and the Philippines. But the fact is, majority of Filipinos agree we need to secure our alliances to strengthen our external defense capabilities especially with the maritime disputes we face today. China’s aggression continues, its bully tactics directed not only against the Philippines but other claimant-nations in the East and South China Seas – with all indications that the Chinese provocations will not stop.

The Chinese are now shooting water cannons against other vessels in the disputed territories —  causing more tension not only among ASEAN nations but others whose economy could suffer if the trade arteries in disputed maritime territories ever get controlled by one country. Our military defense capabilities are among the weakest in the region – and we have only ourselves to blame as the facts we gathered would indicate.

Fact No. 1: When the US bases were closed down because the Philippine Senate voted against their retention in 1991, the US was actually glad it happened because the operational costs for maintaining bases were getting higher, while advancements in technology were making it easier to sustain American presence overseas even without military bases.

Fact No. 2: When the American troops finally left in 1992, we failed to preserve the integrity of the facilities they left. In fact we flew into Subic Airport with Manny Pangilinan last Thursday for the Ad Summit, and it was obvious that what was envisioned to be a flourishing and progressive Freeport Zone is far from actual reality. We saw it as a wasted opportunity to maintain the American facilities and transform it into something that would showcase our ability to modernize our military. In 1992, the Bases Conversion Development Authority was created primarily to boost the modernization program of the AFP. But to this day, we are just starting to develop a “minimum credible defense posture.”

People are asking, where did all the money from the sale of Fort Bonifacio and the other camps go? It is obvious the AFP is far from modernized, with military hardware and equipment needing serious upgrades. For sure, some of the funds remitted by the BCDA went towards “modernization,” but not everything was coursed through to where it was intended especially after the discovery of the massive corruption in the General Carlos Garcia case.

Fact No. 3: The Abu Sayyaf Group was becoming very strong in the South, sowing terror with kidnapping and extortion activities and it seemed the military was helpless in going after these terrorists. In May 2000, the ASG gained international notoriety because of the Sipadan kidnappings in Malaysia with 21 hostages brought to a terrorist camp in Jolo, Sulu. The following year, they kidnapped 20 tourists in Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan, among them Martin and Gracia Burnham. In September 2001, 9/11 took place. America was stunned, and launched the War on Terror that changed life in America and their ally countries.  Mindanao was identified as a training ground for al-Qaeda terrorists responsible for 9/11 — among them Khalid Sheikh Mohammed who said plans for the deadly 9/11 attacks against the US began in Manila in 1994, with his nephew Ramzi Yousef, the man tagged for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center — as his conspirator. Together, the two were running an al-Qaeda cell and were doing “test runs” in the Philippines.

Mindanao was becoming a hotbed of extremists and by this time, then-president Joseph Estrada had declared an all-out war against MILF rebels. The enhanced terrorist activities in the South convinced Estrada that the Visiting Forces Agreement was crucial, and we needed a strong ally like the United States to enhance our defense posture and confront the enemy – both external and internal – from a position of strength. No one can dispute that American military training and technology such as the Satellite Global Positioning System helped Philippine troops in locating ASG strongholds and rescuing hostages that include Gracia Burnham, and in subsequently capturing Galib Andang a.k.a. Commander Robot, notorious for beheading hostages.

Fact No. 4: China’s growing belligerence regarding maritime disputes prompted the US Asia pivot policy, aimed at maintaining balance in the Asia Pacific region. China however continuously refuses to submit itself to international arbitration to resolve territorial disputes, and contrary to accusations against Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario that he was too pro-American, the Secretary exhausted everything in reaching out to the Chinese — trying backdoor channeling and all kinds of channeling to no avail. Today, China continues to taunt us. Intelligence information also indicates that without the intervention of the United States, the Chinese military command calculates they can take Metro Manila in less than a week. I remember a Chinese merchant once boasted that if the 1.2 billion people in China all pissed at the same time – a tidal wave would drown the entire Philippines.

Clearly both President Aquino and Secretary Del Rosario did their best in insuring the integrity of the EDCA that we have today. If one would only take the time to carefully look at the facts — then easily the conclusion will be that EDCA is equally beneficial to both the United States and the Philippines. The agreement will actually help our Armed Forces strengthen our external defense and disaster relief capabilities. There is absolutely no truth to those who argue that ultimately US bases will be re-established in the country. The Pentagon has in fact cut down on US bases all over the world including within the continental United States.

[From BABE’S EYE VIEW By Babe Romualdez]

http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/05/11/1321691/why-we-have-edca-today

DVIDS: Balikatan volunteers paint school in Puerto Princesa

From DVIDS (May 10): Balikatan volunteers paint school in Puerto Princesa

PUERTA PRINCESA, Philippines -- At the Barangay Inagawan Elementary and High School, volunteers from the US Marine Corps, Navy, Army and the Royal Australian Navy painted the student health center, two student bus stop shelters and planted 20 eggplant seedlings in the school’s garden.

At the Barangay Inagawan Elementary and High School, volunteers from the US Marine Corps, Navy, Army and the Royal Australian Navy painted the student health center, two student bus stop shelters and planted 20 eggplant seedlings in the school’s garden.

“I hope our efforts today reflect our respect for the people of Palawan. Getting out here and working together builds even stronger bonds of cooperation and friendship,” said U.S. Marine Lt Col. Brian Lewis, officer-in-charge of the staff planning exercise for Balikatan 2014.

The Puerto Princesa Mayor’s office suggested that the Balikatan participants volunteer in Inagawan to help with ongoing restoration efforts. The relationship with Barangay Ingawan is ongoing. In 2013, Balikatan volunteers painted several other buildings within the community.

“Inagawan is one of the adopted Barangays,” said Julie Blanco, coordinator with IReach, a popular non-governmental organization that helps out local schools in more than 63 Batangas in here. “We really appreciate the help from the Balikatan participants.”

The volunteers are here working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Western Command as part of Balikatan, an annual bilateral training exercise to improve the AFP and U.S. military force interoperability during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations.

The principle of the school, Norma Delacruz, expressed her appreciation for the volunteers. Her administration oversees the wellness and education of more than 300 children. She said the school administration has been overwhelmed with ongoing renovations. She was very appreciative that the volunteers donated all of the paint and supplies, allowing the school to put the funds toward other needs.

Most of the volunteers were first time visitors to the Philippines.

“The best part of volunteering is seeing the smiles on the faces of the residents,” said U.S. Marine Capt. Christopher Wiese, a communications advisor for the STAFFEX. “Lending a helping hand is a universal way to communicate because at some point in time we have all needed a little help ourselves and understand the basic principle that we are stronger together.”

Local villagers, school administrators and volunteers from IReach soon joined the Balikatan volunteers. When the students return to school they will see their Student Health Center and bus stops freshly painted with the school’s bold colors, green and yellow.

After a long day of work, the guest volunteers joined the Inagawan local volunteers for a “salu-salu” or picnic by the beach. The local residents and volunteers shared stories and snapped some photos as a reminder of the event.
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/129427/balikatan-volunteers-paint-school-puerto-princesa#.U27H8cZOWAI

MILF: Editorial -- Popular ratification of Bangsamoro

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (May 10): Popular ratification of Bangsamoro

Even before it reaches Congress, the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) has already been popularly ratified by the people. They have endorsed the BBL for adoption by the Office of the President (OP) without any diminution as crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).
  

More than 200,000 people have assembled in seven cities and four towns in Mindanao, as well as in Metropolitan Manila particularly in Taguig City where substantial Moro populations are domiciled to openly approve and ratify the BBL. They appealed to Congress, which will eventually take hold of the fate of the BBL either this month or in June, not to water down the proposed BBL as originally forwarded to the OP. They also appealed to President Benigno Aquino III to personally look at the proposed BBL and as much as possible to guard the pristine form as originally submitted by the BTC.

The BBL is crafted on the basis of the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and extra care and conscious deliberation have been adopted by the BTC so that everything therein will stand the test of any legal challenge. It has been sanitized of any virus so that it would not follow the sorrow fate of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in July 2008. This is why the BTC will propose in a separate document proposals to amend the Philippine Constitution to finally put to rest the Bangsamoro Question.

The reason for this separate proposal is well known. First, both the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and Executive Order No. 120 signed by President Aquino in 2012 creating the BTC mandated it to make proposals, if necessary, to amend the Constitution. And second, the Constitution is too limited and narrow to fully address the Bangsamoro Question and once and for all put to rest the armed conflict in Mindanao between the Bangsamoro and the Philippine state.

Clearly, this problem or question is too big and complex that the present Constitution cannot fully accommodate. Fundamentally, this problem is equivalent to Bangsamoro right to self-determination, which the late founder of the MILF, Sheikh Salamat Hashim, succinctly asserted that it can only be expressed in two ways namely, independence or meaningful autonomy.  With granting of an independent state to the Bangsamoro not in any signed document or not possible at all, therefore, the deliberation of the BBL versus the Constitution has to be stretched to the limit. After all, what is above the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which is no doubt an administrative region, and just below an independent state is so wide that creativity and flexibility in accommodating provisions of the BBL is the better part of judgment. Any conservative stance in applying the law into the provisions of the BBL will hardly get us somewhere and forward.

As above stated, the people, the source of sovereignty in this country, have already spoken in support of the BBL proposed by the BTC. It is only fair that these voices of the people must not leave unheeded to. We are sure that more voices in the form of rallies are in the offing.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/969-popular-ratification-of-bangsamoro-basic-law

MILF: Civil Society Organizations stage rally in front of Philippine Congress

From the MILF Website (May 10): Civil Society Organizations stage rally in front of Philippine Congress



More than a thousand rallyists led by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) gathered in front of the Congress of the Philippines on May 5, 2014, urging lawmakers to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) without delay. The BBL and the upcoming Bangsamoro Region are seen as the gateway towards attaining peace in volatile and undeveloped region of Mindanao.
  

“The participants of this peace rally came from different areas of Metro Manila, and they have participated voluntarily to show their strong support for the enactment of BBL as they believe  that only the realization of the Bangsamoro Government can finally put bloodsheds into closure in Mindanao,” Bobby Benito, Deputy Spokesperson of MAP, said.

“Similar gathering by peace advocates and other concerned residents shall continue here in Metro Manila and Mindanao until the BBL is enacted into law by Congress,” Benito also said.

Asked about the influence of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the said activity, Haji Murshid Mascud, Vice Chairman of the MAP, said: “This is purely Civil Society Organizations initiated activity.”

“...But the reality is we invited all Bangsamoro to participate as resolving the Mindanao question is everybody’s concern, because of this, there might be some MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members that participated without necessarily making any influence on the activity,” he clarified.

Mahdie Amella, Executive Director of the Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiative (MAPAD INITIATIVE), said that the said rally was successful as expected.

“The manifesto of the rally was submitted to Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Speaker of the House of Congress and Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, a Mindanaoan” he disclosed.

Kamim Makmod, Chairman of the United Youth for Peace and Development in the national capital region (UNYPAD-NCR) said that his officers and members from organized chapters in Metro Manila participated in the rally in full force.

“The UNYPAD has been supporting the GPH-MILF peace process from the start, and we will continue to extend our support until peace finally reigns in Mindanao,” Makmod stressed.

Benito said that United Youth of the Philippines (UNYPHIL), Filipino-Muslim Foundation (FilMus), Women Group (Ummahat), Muslim Youth Brotherhood (MYB), Anak Mindnao, Norul Salam, ICARE FOR BANGSAMORO, NORONISA, IIS, UMAT, NANGSA, CMAMA, PHILPAD, MINSUPALA, ICP are among other organizations that participated in the rally.

On May 4, simultaneous rallies were held in the different cities and towns in Mindanao to advance the call for congress to deliberate and enact the BBL, where hundreds of thousands of Bangsamoro and Indigenous Peoples (IP’s) participated.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/970-civil-society-organizations-stage-rally-in-front-of-philippine-congress

PHL jails Chinese fishermen for infringing wildlife law

From GMA News (May 10): PHL jails Chinese fishermen for infringing wildlife law



Policemen on Thursday, May 8, keep watch over 11 Chinese fishermen as they arrive in Puerto Princesa. The fishermen were arrested by the PNP Maritime Group at Hasa-Hasa Shoal west of Palawan on May 6. The Chinese were caught with seven Filipino fishermen transferring 350 marine turtles on their fishing vessel. The turtles are in the endangered specie list. Reuters/Liezel Chiu

The Philippines has jailed 11 Chinese fishermen caught with endangered sea turtles off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, officials said on Saturday, rejecting demands from China to free the men.

China has claims on the South China Sea, an area rich in energy deposits and an important passageway traversed each year by $5 trillion worth of ship-borne goods. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have claims on the area.

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday intercepted a Chinese fishing boat carrying about 350 marine turtles off Half Moon Shoal in the Spratlys, arrested its crew and took them to the southwestern province of Palawan to face charges of violating wildlife protection laws.

If found guilty, the fishermen, who were transferred to a provincial jail late on Friday, face prison terms ranging from 12 to 20 years. But each can post bail of 150,000 pesos ($3,400) to secure temporary liberty while facing trial.

"They will remain in detention until the office of the provincial prosecutor has determined whether there is probable cause for the filing of formal charges," said Allen Ross Rodriguez, a government lawyer.

China's embassy in Manila on Thursday sent a diplomat to Palawan to interview the fishermen and work for their early release. But authorities said they must go through the judicial process.

A panel of Philippine officials has to decide separately on charges of illegal entry after the fishermen were caught about 60 miles (95 km) off Palawan, but within the country's exclusive economic zone.

China has demanded the release of the vessel and its crew, saying it has undisputed sovereignty over the area and adjacent waters in the South China Sea.

Tension is also rising in the Paracel islands after China parked its biggest mobile oil rig 120 miles (193 km) off the coast of Vietnam, with each country accusing the other of ramming its ships in the area, in the worst setback for Sino-Vietnamese ties in years.

The incidents in the Paracel and Spratlys islands are likely to be taken up by Southeast Asian leaders who are due to hold an annual summit in Myanmar's capital on Sunday.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/360450/news/nation/phl-jails-chinese-fishermen-for-infringing-wildlife-law

Aquino to take up territorial row with China at ASEAN summit in Myanmar

From GMA News (May 10): Aquino to take up territorial row with China at ASEAN summit in Myanmar

President Benigno Aquino III will take up the Philippines' territorial dispute with China during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Myanmar.

Aquino Saturday urged fellow Southeast Asian leaders to face up to the threat posed by China's contentious claims to most of the South China Sea as they headed to a regional summit.

Aquino said the issue concerned the "security" of Southeast Asia.

A report by GMA News' Lei Alviz on GMA News TV's "News TV Live" said Aquino stressed the need for the rule of law in addressing such disputes.

Even though not all ASEAN members are involved in maritime territorial disputes with China, Aquino said the issue concerned the security of the region as a whole.

"We wish to emphasize, uphold and follow the rule of law in resolving these territorial issues so that the rights of all countries involved will be recognised and respected," Aquino said in a speech at Manila airport.

"This step mirrors our belief that an issue that affects all countries in the region cannot be effectively resolved merely through a dialogue between two countries," he added.

In his departure statement, Aquino also said he will push for unity among ASEAN countries while attending the summit in Myanmar, radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported.

The president will also thank the Philippines' ASEAN neighbors for their help in the wake of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

President Aquino boarded a Philippine Airlines PR-001 flight for Myanmar at 1:05 p.m.

Officials seeing him off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 included secretaries Leila de Lima (justice) and Proceso Alcala (agriculture), and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Aquino said he is to return to the Philippines before dawn Monday.

Southeast Asia as flashpoint

Manila filed a case at a UN tribunal in March challenging Chinese claims to most of the strategic sea. Aquino said he would discuss the case's regional implications with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders meeting in Myanmar.

Myanmar is hosting the two-day meeting amid a flare-up of high-seas tensions between ASEAN members Vietnam and the Philippines and regional superpower China, also one of their main economic partners.

China claims most of the South China Sea, including waters and rocks close to the shores of its neighbors, and the Philippines and Vietnam have both accused Beijing of increasingly aggressive moves to assert its claims.

These claims also overlap those of Taiwan, as well as ASEAN members Brunei and Malaysia.

The sea is crisscrossed by fishing and shipping lanes and is thought to contain huge oil and gas reserves.

Hanoi said this week that Chinese ships that had surrounded a Chinese deep-water oil rig in waters claimed by Vietnam had used water cannon against, as well as rammed, Vietnamese patrol vessels there.

Meanwhile, Manila said it arrested 11 crew members of a Chinese-flagged fishing boat Tuesday for poaching hundreds of protected marine turtles in waters that are part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

China has rejected arbitration in the Philippines' UN case, preferring to settle the issue through bilateral negotiations while insisting its sovereignty over these areas was "indisputable".

The other ASEAN members are Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.

The weekend summit in Naypyidaw follows a visit to Asia late last month by US President Barack Obama in which he restated support for Asian allies the Philippines and Japan, which is locked in its own maritime territorial dispute with China.

More than 5,000 US and Filipino troops are currently engaged in annual war games in the Philippines, with a focus on maritime security.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/360444/news/nation/aquino-to-take-up-territorial-row-with-china-at-asean-summit-in-myanmar

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Mamba fetes Army division men

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10): Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Mamba fetes Army division men

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela -- Secretary Manuel Mamba, the head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, has awarded 13 personnel of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division for their exemplary performances in the conduct of AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) through “Bayanihan” here.

Mamba, the guest speaker, was assisted by Maj. Gen. Benito Antonio De Leon, commander of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division in giving Military Merit Medals to 11 deserving personnel of the Command for their rendered meritorious services.

In his message to the Star troopers, Secretary Mamba urged the leadership of 5ID Commander to lead the soldiers through the straight and narrow path of justice, honor and service and guide them through the challenges that come hand in hand with the sacrifices each and every soldier has embraced in the service of God and country.

He said that the life of our Filipino soldiers is full of sacrifice because of limited resources as compared to soldiers of rich nations. However, “the plight of our soldiers has not gone unnoticed under the leadership of our Commander-In-Chief, His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III”, he added.

He further praised the new campaign strategy of the AFP which is the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan”.

“This Bayanihan activity was immensely demonstrated by our Filipino soldiers together with American soldiers to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda which served as shining example to the whole world that if we stand united, there are no obstacles that cannot be hurdled, there are no tragedies that cannot be overcome,” he emphasized.

“As partner for peace and development, the combat soldier transformed themselves into developer who shared a genuine concern not only the security of our people but also for their general well-being,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=642475

AFP: BIFF uses drugs in attacking Army bases in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10): AFP: BIFF uses drugs in attacking Army bases in Maguindanao

Moro bandits who attacked military installations in Maguindanao were using prohibited drugs before firing at headquarters of the Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and a roadside Army base on Thursday, the Army today said.

Soldiers conducting clearing operations Saturday after the simultaneous attacks on Thursday and Friday encountered about 30 heavily armed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Barangay Sapakan, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao, according to Colonel Donald Hungitan.

Colonel Hungitan, commander of the 45th Infantry Battalion, said THE clash happened Saturday dawn while the military were clearing the area following the attacks carried out by BIFF on the former Maguindanao provincial capitol in nearby Shariff Aguak.

Hungitan said the BIFF led by a certain Commander Marocs first fired at the soldiers triggering a 30 minute firefight.

When the BIFF fled, they left one of its members, a certain Notali Sailila of Barangay Sapakan, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao.

As the rebels hurriedly left, they forgot to bring with them about five M-16 Armalite Rifles, hand held radios, BIFF military uniforms and methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.

Hungitan said the BIFF was clearly using shabu when they launched offensives against the military. He said it confirmed its earlier suspicion that the rebels were high on drugs when they fight it out with heavily and more powerful government forces.

Silila has been turned over by the soldiers to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for appropriate disposition.

Following the harassment carried by the BIFF, no civilian evacuation was reported, Mayor Zamsamin Ampatuan of Rajah Buayan told reporters.

Ampatuan stressed that Rajah Buayan is free from any BIFF camps or stronghold but admitted there were residents who have relatives with the BIFF rebel movement.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=642499

AFP on alert following foiled bombing attempt in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10): AFP on alert following foiled bombing attempt in Maguindanao

Soldiers and Army bomb experts here have been placed on heightened alert following a foiled bombing attempt at the town hall of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao, the military said.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said it is military standard operating procedure to place soldiers, especially members of the ordnance disposal team, to be on alert following the discovery of an improvised explosive device which investigators believed could be related to harassment by Moro bandits.

On Friday night, residents foiled what could be a bloody evening when they found a suspicious sack near the town hall.

Alert soldiers and bomb experts properly disposed the explosive.

Soldiers of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade said members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) could be behind the bombing attempt to retaliate the arrest of its members hours earlier.

One BIFF member was arrested and soldiers seized several high powered firearms guns during a raid which came after about 50 BIFF members attack two Army positions in Maguindanao Thursday.

Gunmen rained the old capitol compound of Maguindanao with rifle grenades and ambushed soldiers who responded in an earlier harassment against a roadside Army detachment.

Additional soldiers were deployed to secure the national highway linking Cotabato City and Isulan, Sultan Kudarat passing through Maguindanao province.

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Government will remain committed to resolving territorial spat with China diplomatically, says official

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10): Government will remain committed to resolving territorial spat with China diplomatically, says official

Malacanang said it remains committed to resolving the dispute in the West Philippines Sea despite the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US and other regional developments, a Palace official said on Saturday.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte was asked about the country's determination regarding the issue after it filed a case in the international arbitral tribunal.

As the Philippines and the US signed the EDCA in addition to the planned integration of the ASEAN next year, there are doubts that the government will no longer prioritize its case in the international tribunal.

"Magkakahiwalay na mga inisyatiba ‘yon. At ‘yung pagpirma ng EDCA, pati ang nalalapit na ASEAN integration in 2015, walang kinalaman doon sa ating mga kasong isinampa sa arbitral tribunal," Valte said in the interview.

The palace official also said there will be no changes in the planned modernization of the armed forces despite the signing of EDCA. She said the modernization budget will remain the same although the government forged a stronger military tie up with the US.

"Kahit wala ang EDCA nakaplano na ‘yan. Even without the negotiations for the EDCA, the main program really of the administration is the AFP modernization plan. That includes procurement of equipment, and capacity-building for our soldiers," she said.

Apart from the acquisition of helicopters, Hamilton class cutters and combat planes, Valte said there is still a need to upgrade the hardware of the military.

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Frigates undergoing bidding to be PN's most capable warships

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10): Frigates undergoing bidding to be PN's most capable warships

The two frigates, with a contract of P18 billion and now being bidded out by the Department of National Defense (DND), will be the most capable and versatile ships of the Philippines (PN) once commissioned.

And to live with this billing, these ships will be armed with a variety of sensors and weapons capable of detecting and neutralizing air, surface, and submarine threats.

The brand-new frigates will also be capable of electronic warfare.

Aside from this, the frigates, according to their technical specifications, must be capable of performing of extended maritime patrol with an embarked naval helicopter and extended maritime surveillance capability through air-and-surface-search radar, and sound navigation and ranging (sonar) for sub-surface search.

In addition, the frigates must be able to have the capability to perform exclusive economic zone protection roles while being able to operate up to Sea State 6 (wave height maximum of six meters) in accordance with the World Meteorological Organization Sea State Code.

The ships must be capable of covering a minimum of 4,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots and a maximum continuous speed that should be, at the minimum, of 25 knots.

It must be able to sustain operational presence at sea for a minimum of 30 days in tropical conditions.

The vessels must able to quickly launch and recover, in a maximum of 10 minutes, while underway a minimum of two rigid-hull inflatable boats that can carry at least ten persons each.

In addition, it has to accommodate in an onboard hangar at least a medium-sized naval helicopter that weighs up to 10 tons.

The specifications also requires the ships to be designed, constructed, and fitted out with a steering arrangement compliant with applicable conventions to ensure the safety of the crew while fitted with twin rudders of suitable size and shape sufficient to effect a complete turn five times the length of the ship as the minimum tactical diameter for manoeuvrability.

These new ships should be controllable and capable of performing maneuvers essential to its safe operation up to critical design conditions.

The frigates shall have a tactical diameter not longer than five ship lengths in either direction at an initial speed corresponding to the maximum speed.

For its navigation systems, the ships must have two navigational radars, one X-band and one S-band, and at least one radar should be of solid state design and make.

The system must be capable of automatic radar plotting aid, automatic identification system, and automatic tracking aid.

The vessel must also be provided with a GPS with electronic chart display and information system, depth sounding set, magnetic compass, and a navigational gyro system with appropriate numbers of repeaters located at the bridge, emergency steering room, navigational telex, and combat information center that can be interfaced with the necessary systems.

The navigational telex must be must be capable to display and generate data weather forecast information.

For search-and-rescue communications, an emergency position indicating radio beacon and a search-and-rescue-radar transponder are required as a minimum.

Aside from this, the frigates must be fitted with naval guns that will provide a 360 degree sector of fire.

This includes a 76mm main naval gun at the forward section and capable of engaging both air and surface targets, one stabilized secondary gun for close-in-weapon systems (CIWS), and four .50 caliber heavy machine guns.

These weapons must be installed and integrated to a combat management system to ensure a common operating picture among sensors tracks, weapons availability and responsive battle management.

The DND requires that the vessels must have surface-to-air and surface-to-surface capabilities.

The surface-to-surface missile system should be a capable of launching surface-to-surface missiles with two double launchers, cover a minimum range of 50 kilometers, possess minimum subsonic speed, be a fire-and-forget type, all-weather, and have an active homing seeker with an electronic-counter-counter measures capability.

In addition, the surface-to-air missile system is required to be capable of launching surface-to-air missiles with a minimum quadruple launcher; it must also have a minimum range of six kilometers.

The frigates must also have a torpedo system that is capable of launching a torpedo that is capable to engage sub-surface targets at a minimum range of 2,000 meters and a minimum depth of 500 meters

The torpedo provided should be able to operate at a depth from 22 meters to 100 meters in shallow waters, and 100 meters to 500 meters in deep waters and should have acoustic countermeasures capability.

Once the bidding process is completed within this year, the two frigates are expected to be delivered by 2017.

"The frigates (now undergoing bidding) will be the most capable vessels in the PN inventory once constructed and commissioned into service," PN spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic earlier said.

At the moment, the two most capable ships in the PN are the two Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates acquired from the US Coast Guard.

These vessels are armed with 76mm Oto Melara auto-cannon, a variety of light weapons and capable of handling, launching, and maintaining a helicopter, in this case, the three brand-new AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters, and capable of speeds up to 29 knots.

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