MILF: Editorial -- Nothing is prejudiced

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Jun 9): Nothing is prejudiced

The Sabah Claim by the Sultanate of Sulu is not part of the agenda of the GPH-MILF peace negotiation; it has never been discussed officially by the parties during their 17 years of peace engagement.
  

Even the MNLF, which was led by Nur Misuari, a Tausog, never had this issue part of their peace negotiation with the government. The claim rests entirely with the Philippine government, being within the ambit of foreign relations. The Sultanate of Sulu, however, is free to pursue (or not to pursue) its claim, if any, because the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is totally silent on this issue.

However, we appeal to the heirs of the Sultanate to read the CAB carefully and not to interpret beyond its proper context and nuances. All legitimate rights of the Bangsamoro are upheld and enshrined. Nothing legitimate is prejudiced. The MILF has no right to foreclose any legitimate rights of the Bangsamoro people.

If the MILF differs sharply with other groups asserting for the same rights of the Bangsamoro people, it is because of two critical factors or approaches: First, it has a clear ideology on which basic principles and core values emanate; and second, as much as possible, it is pragmatic. It studies the cause and effect in historical or political events and adopts the most appropriate strategy and tactics. For instance, correct history would tell us that practically the whole of Mindanao and Sulu belongs to the Bangsamoro people. If the MILF insists on including all these areas in the territory of the Bangsamoro in the negotiation, would that be practical?  Would there be CAB at all, come to think of it?

The truth is that man, group, nation cannot rest on their laurels alone; because many of these past glories cannot be enforced effectively or achieved anymore. Any man or woman who relies on laurels alone is like dreaming for the rainbow where a cache of gold is stored. Sometimes, what is available or practical is always the best choice.

For the MILF, past history is very important but the future is more important. We cannot rely on reliving the past, because it is only in our minds. We must prepare for the future. This is where we are going and we cannot escape from it. We either succeed or we fail and the choice is ours to make.

The CAB is designed for the collective interests of the entire Bangsamoro people. It is neither pro-poor nor pro-elite. Whoever has the moral ascendancy and leadership qualities --- and accepted by the people --- will be given the chance to lead our people. In Islam, except by piety, everyone is equal before God.

We are open to holding dialogue with the Sultanate of Sulu, as we are open to any and all other groups. Hearing from the horses’ mouth, so to speak, is better than one’s own interpretations.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/1026-nothing-is-prejudiced

MILF: LGU of Pikit, Cotabato holds forum on Bangsamoro Government

From the MILF Website (Jun 10): LGU of Pikit, Cotabato holds forum on Bangsamoro Government



The Local Government Unit of Pikit, North Cotabato held a forum on the proposed Bangsamoro Government on June 7, 2014, held at Pikit Pilot Central Elementary School. It was attended by thousands of residents comprising Moros and settlers from Pikit and neighbouring municipalities of North Cotabato and Maguindanao province.
   

The big event was spearheaded by Pikit Mayor Muhyrin Sultan-Casi and members of the municipal council; former mayor Sumulong Sultan and his wife Dulia Sultan, Board Member of the province of Cotabato. Two Cotabato Board Members also attended.  Members of the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) served as peacekeepers/security during the duration of the event.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) delegation was headed by 1st Vice Chairman for Political Affairs, Ghazali Ja’afar. Members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) from Malaysia and Norway were also present.  

In her opening remarks, Board Member Dulia Sultan expressed her full support to the Bangsamoro government.  She called on all the participants to vote for “YES” to Bangsamoro during the plebiscite.

MILF !st Vice Chairman Ja’afar in his message narrated the  accurate history of Mindanao and the Moros. He said that Bangsamoro people fought for centuries against colonization and oppression that started when the Spaniards set foot on the shores of Mindanao up to the succeeding foreign and local colonizers.

He added that the real owners of all lands in Mindanao were the Bangsamoro and our brothers Lumads (indigenous people). All Christians in Mindanao were from Luzon and Visayas who settled to Mindanao through act of government and they didn’t bring with them even one foot square meter of land, Vice Chairman Ja’far said.  Many migrated to Mindanao, occupied Moro and Lumads lands and settled in the region permanently, until today.

He added that the Bangsamoro people are not land squatters. He also delved and discussed clearly the proposed Bangsamoro government especially on the status of the Christians under the new region. He said that Christians will enjoy all their rights and privileges in the Bangsamoro.  The Bangsamoro is not an Islamic Region but rather a democratic one where everybody can enjoy their rights under the law and are protected by the government.

He asked all Christians that live in the proposed region “not to be afraid and worried of Bangsamoro saying they will be part of it”.  He cited Indonesia where about 98% of its populations are Muslims but the head of the Indonesian Armed Forces is a Christian.
 
In his speech, Vice Mayor Dong Mangansakan, called on the national government officials and President Benigno Aquino III to fast track the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law by Congress. He added that Moros are also trained in public administration and governance. He thanked the leadership of the MILF leadership in disseminating to the Christians of Pikit and all its residents of accurate information on the proposed Bangsamoro government.

The forum was organized by the MILF “Liguasan Province” where Pikit belong. Members of the MILF-Liguasan Provincial Police Force (PPF) also attended and served as security marshals.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1030-lgu-of-pikit-cotabato-holds-forum-on-bangsamoro-governmenrt

MILF: Nonviolent Peaceforce and BDA SouthMin collaborate for child protection advocacy

From the MILF Website (Jun 10): Nonviolent Peaceforce and BDA SouthMin collaborate for child protection advocacy



The Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) and Bangsamoro Development Agency Southern Mindanao Regional Management Office (BDA-SouthMin) agreed to collaborate in order to strengthen advocacy on child protection in Southern Mindanao region.
  

In a meeting held at BDA SouthMin Office on June 2, 2014, the two institutions came up with a mechanism to invite one another whenever there are orientations on child protection in their respective target communities.

NP is an international Non-Government Organization member of the International Monitoring Team under the Civilian Protection Component.

The IMT primarily monitors the compliance of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) -Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the observance of the ceasefire agreement.

NP is a non-partisan institution which also strongly advocates the protection of human rights and protection of children from grave child’s rights violation.

Bridgitt Sloan Mcmullen, NP International Civilian Peacekeeper, told the BDA SouthMin staff that their primary objective is to monitor and verify reports on abuses of rights of the civilians affected by conflict.

Reynaldo Patricion Sol, NP National Civilian Protection Monitor, related their activities on the ground educating both forces from the government and the MILF on human rights and child protection including the NP objectives.

BDA Regional Manager Mohalikin D. Piang said that through collaboration, more people will understand how BDA and NP work to serve the communities and how the stakeholders, especially the parents, can participate in the protection of their children.

NP also looks forward for BDA to help access support from its partners to assist communities on economic aspect.

Sol further related that there are some barangays of Sarangani Province which need livelihood assistance but NP cannot provide because economic assistance is not on their program.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1029-nonviolent-peaceforce-and-bda-southmin-collaborate-for-child-protection-advocacy

MILF: Three killed, two wounded in Moro farmers clash with Ilonggos

Posted to the MILF Website (Jun 10): Three killed, two wounded in Moro farmers clash with Ilonggos

Three  Ilonggo men were killed while two members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were injured in a clash between a group of Moro farmers and Ilonggo armed  men on Saturday, June 7 at the boundary of Sitio Nazareth, Amas  and East Patadon both barangays of Kidapawan City.
   

The dead bodies of  Ilonggos  who are members of Barangay Peace Keeping  Action Team (BPAT) of Barangay Amas were identified as Aurelio Calugmaton (30 yrs. Old), Bonie Vicente (23 yrs. Old) and civilian Ramboy  Palimba (26 yrs.old).

The three killed men served as guides of the two injured police men who rescued the group of Ilonggos during the clash while the two policemen who are members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) were identified as SPO4 Randy Apostol and SPO4 Edwin Maguate.

The clash is believed to be due to a land conflict between the Moro farmers and Ilonggos  in the boundary of Sitio Nazareth, Amas  and East Patadon in Kidapawan City.

Allegedly, the firefight was a retaliation by Moro farmers after the killing of a certain Moro farmer Kenti Diagao Matalam on May 30, 2014, a resident of West Patadon,  Matalam who is said to be killed by the Ilonggo men.

Meanwhile, members of the CCH-MILF and LMT, North Cotabato Governor Lala Mendoza, and Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista had a meeting to discuss the creation of a Joint Peace Keeping Force who will come from the Philippine Army and the MILF.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1028-three-killed-two-wounded-in-moro-farmers-clash-with-ilonggos

MILF: Third Party Monitoring Team meets Sarangani Governor and LMT members

From the MILF Website (Jun 9): Third Party Monitoring Team meets Sarangani Governor and LMT members



In order to get the feelings and observations of stakeholders on the peace process of the Government of the Philippines (GPH)-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the members of the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) met the Governor of Sarangani Province and members of the GPH-MILF Local Monitoring Team (LMT) for a caucus.
  

The gathering, attended by Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon with members of the LMT-Sarangani, was held at the Conference Room of the Provincial Capitol of Sarangani on June 6, 2014.

All members of the TPMT namely Huseyn Oruc, Karen Tanada, Steven Roods, and Rahib Kudto led by its Chairman Alistair Macdonald who recently retired from the European External Action Services were present.

Solon told the visitors about how the provincial government does its best in the delivery of basic services for the constituents of the province which are comprised of Christians, Lumads and Moros.

He added that his administration is creating a climate in province that can lure investors.

Solon related that there is an existing dedicated project for peace and development named Sulong Kapayapaan a component of a more comprehensive flagship program - Sulong Sarangani.

Sulong Kapayapaan primarily focus on peace advocacy works and other initiatives enabling the constituents to embrace peace and support the government’s socio-economic programs.

Expressing his support to the peace process, Solon further called the national government to fix the Mindanao problem because when backlash comes, “it is the local government units which always bear the brunt.”

He thanked the visitors for their support in finding the peaceful solution to end the problem in Southern Philippines.

Macdonald related that the TPMT is mandated to monitor, review and assess the implementation of signed agreements, primarily the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its annexes.

The TPMT shall also communicate to the public the progress and developments in the implementation of the agreements of the Parties.

He noted the need to focus on the positive views of the Bangsamoro government and that the religious channel can do a great help in the information dissemination initiatives.

Maasim Vice-Mayor and member of the LMT Uttoh Salem Cutan, also a prominent leader of the Moro National Liberation Front, expressed his support to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

He further enjoined other MNLF to rally behind in the quest for a peaceful solution to the Bangsamoro problem particularly the peace initiatives of the Aquino Administration.

The vice-mayor said the provincial and municipal governments of Sarangani are working hard for the attainment of economic prosperity of the province.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1025-third-party-monitoring-team-meets-sarangani-governor-and-lmt-members

Gov’t troops, BIFF clash anew in Maguindanao

From MindaNews (Jun 10): Gov’t troops, BIFF clash anew in Maguindanao

Four rebels were killed and several others were wounded as fighting erupted anew in Maguindanao between government troops and members of a breakaway Moro rebel group, the military said.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division said the encounter occurred in Barangay Libutan, Mamasapano town from 5:40-7:30 a.m. Tuesday between the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIFF) and 45th Infantry Battalion.

Hermoso said the encounter also led to the arrest of four suspected BIFF members.

Lt. Col. Donald Hongitan, commander of the 45IB, and Col. Gener del Rosario of the 1st Mechanized Brigade led pursuit operations against the BIFF under Commander Bongos.

Bongos reportedly staged the ambush last June 6 using an improvised explosive device that killed a soldier and wounded three others.

 

The soldiers were aboard a KM450 truck in barangay Maitumaig, Datu Unsay Ampatuan town when the ambush occurred.

Hermoso said that in Tuesday’s clash government troops recovered an HM 50 cal. Barret Sniper rifle, a 60mm mortar tube with base plate and bipod, several IEDs, and a Toyota Grandia van which was believed to be stolen.

The BIFF broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) over disagreements on the peace negotiation with the Philippine government.

The government and MILF signed on March 27 this year the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao by 2016.

The agreement needs a law passed by Congress. In a joint statement Tuesday, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Mohagher Iqbal said the draft of the law will be submitted to Congress when it resumes sessions on July 28.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/06/10/govt-troops-biff-clash-anew-in-maguindanao/

Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Congress by July 28

From MindaNews (Jun 10): Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Congress by July 28

Exactly seven weeks to the day it received the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law from the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), Malacanang is still conducting what a joint statement from Malacanang and the BTC describes as a “thorough, extensive and comprehensive review” of the draft that will be submitted to Congress seven weeks from now, when it resumes sessions on July 28.

“We acknowledge the urgency behind the immediate passage of the BBL. However, we also recognize that a thorough, extensive and comprehensive review of the draft law’s numerous provisions is a necessary part of the process to ensure that these are consistent with what the parties agreed upon in the 17 years of peace negotiation,” the seven-paragraph joint statement issued Tuesday (June 10) by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal, said.

The statement, e-mailed to media outlets by the media bureau of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) at 1:10 p.m. on June 10 noted that efforts “have already been made to coordinate with the Senate and House leadership to ensure that the draft BBL is submitted to Congress when sessions resume in July.”

Congress goes on sine die adjournment on June 11 and will resume sessions on July 28, with the President delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles had hinted in her opening remarks at the International Conference of Cotabato at the Notre Dame University in Cotabato City on Friday that the 97-page draft will not be transmitted before Congress adjourns on June 11. She said it was still undergoing a “thorough process of review” by the Office of the President to ensure Congress gets a “more refined and strengthened” draft.

 

Senate President Franklin Drilon, in a message read for him by Cardinal Orlando Quevedo in the Cotabato conference, assured the Senate’s support to the peace process and their commitment to pass what he refers to as “unifying and integrating” Basic Law.

Drilon said they will “ensure that the Bangsamoro law falls within the four corners of the Constitution and that it can withstand judicial scrutiny.”
He vowed to pass the law “as early as possible.”

Deles urged hundreds of conference participants to “look at what’s going on from a glass-half-full perspective.”

“We have waited 17 long years for a mutually binding and acceptable peace process with the MILF; and yet that has been achieved within three years of this administration. We can be bold in taking a few more days, if not weeks, to ensure a more refined and strengthened draft BBL to be stewarded by the leadership of both Houses of Congress through the legislative process and thereafter for ratification through plebiscite,” she said.

In the revised roadmap of the GPH-MILF peace process – now constituting 11 steps from creation of the BTC to signing of the exit document — only Steps 1 and 2 have been completed: the BTC was created in February 2013 and the Basic Law was drafted and submitted to Malacanang on April 22.

The other steps: 3. Draft BBL submitted to Congress; 4. President certifies proposed Basic Law as urgent; 5. Congress passes BBL; 6. Plebiscite conducted to ratify law; 7. Basic law enacted; BTC ceases to exist; 8. ARMM is deemed abolished once the Basic Law is ratified; 9. Bangsamoro Transition Authority officials are appointed; 10. Election of officials of Bangsamoro Government by 2016; and Step 11, the signing of the exit document “officially terminating the peace negotiation may be crafted and signed by both Parties if and only when all agreements have been fully implemented.”

In last year’s SONA, the President urged Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law before end of 2014 to allow more time for the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the Bangasmoro, a new autonomous political entity with a ministerial form of governance.

Both parties are eyeing June 30, 2016, the end of the Aquino administration’s six-year term, as the inaugural of the regular Bangsamoro government and the proclamation of the first set of elected officials.

As of June 10, there are only 751 days left to June 30, 2016.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2014/06/10/draft-bangsamoro-basic-law-submitted-to-congress-by-july-28/

Notorious Filipino bomber wanted by US, Philippines wounded in clash

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner Website (Jun 10): Notorious Filipino bomber wanted by US, Philippines wounded in clash



MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE – A notorious rebel leader with links to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya and wanted both by the Philippines and the United States was wounded in a clash Tuesday with government troops in the Muslim province of Maguindanao, a Filipino army general said.

Brigadier General Edmundo Pangilinan said Abdul Basit Usman managed to escape a military dragnet, but two other suspected rebels were killed by soldiers who raided a hideout of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the village called Libutan in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town. 

Those slain were identified as the grandfather and uncle of Usman’s wife, who was also captured along with her two children who were turned over to social workers.

Three other women - two of them Indonesian nationals and a Filipina native of Sulu province - were also arrested and that one of them is the wife of Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, the leader of the Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia, who was reportedly killed in a US-backed airstrike in February 2012 in Sulu province, but his body had not been found or recovered.

The names of the four women were not released by the military, but all of them are being interrogated separately by authorities in an undisclosed location in Maguindanao province.

Pangilinan, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said there were no casualties on the military side. “Usman was wounded, but he managed to escape and troops are tracking him down. Two other rebels were also killed in the fighting,” he told The Manila Times by phone from the town where he set up a command center to monitor the operations against the terrorist leader.

He said they recovered a cache of weapons and improvised explosives, including a 155mm howitzer and mortar bombs and munitions. Troops also recovered a van and 7 motorcycles before rebels could rig it with explosives and use to bomb military and civilian targets. A wallet with Usman’s picture was also recovered in the area.

“We have recovered so many weapons and explosives, and there is also a Barrett sniper rifle, blasting caps and cell phones that they use as detonators, and 155mm (howitzer) and mortar bombs. The recovery of these war materials has saved a lot of lives,” he said.

He said troops launched the raid after a long surveillance operations and intelligence provided by civilians about Usman, a bomb expert, and the BIFF. “This clearly shows that Usman has a connection with the BIFF which was behind the series of attacks and bombings in Maguindanao and nearby provinces,” he said.

He said troops clashed with about 2 dozen rebels and the fighting lasted 45 minutes.

Maguindanao is one of five provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where BIFF, the armed wing of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement founded by former Moro Islamic Liberation Front leader Ameril Umra Kato is actively operating.

Philippine authorities have blamed Usman, also a former MILF commander, for the spate of deadly bombings in Mindanao the past two decades. The MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which recently signed a peace deal with Manila, has previously ordered its forces to hunt down Usman after he was linked to terror attacks.

In 2010, Pakistan military reported that Usman was killed along with another foreigner and 10 al-Qaeda militants in a US drone strike in the restive South Waziristan region, but the reports turned out to be false with the Philippine military saying that the militant leader was in Mindanao.

The United States has put up a $1 million bounty for Usman’s capture under its Government Rewards Program after he was tagged by authorities as behind deadly bombings in the Philippines and has been considered by Washington as a threat to the country.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20140610021230

New NOLCOM Commander seeks continued collaboration with various stakeholders in pursuit of just, lasting peace

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 10): New NOLCOM Commander seeks continued collaboration with various stakeholders in pursuit of just, lasting peace

Newly-installed Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) head Major General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr. called on various stakeholders- from national and local government to civil society organizations and the private sector to continue supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Regions 1,2, 3, and Cordillera.

“Anchored on the whole of nation approach, we shall continue to collaborate with our stakeholders in the delivery of basic social services and other developmental programs and projects to the far-flung communities in order to improve the well-being of our kababayans thereby denying the remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) of issues to exploit on,” Trinidad said during Monday’s turn of command rites.

“Through our partners, we will collectively build social pressure on what remains of the NPA in this area and the other armed groups for them to shun the culture of arms and violence and to instead embrace a culture of peace and development,” Trinidad added.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, Trinidad previously served as Commander of the Army 1st Infantry Division.

He was the overall ground commander during the 2013 defense of Zamboanga City against rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front.

Trinidad replaced Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. who was promoted as Vice Chief of Staff.

Last January, AFP declared the entire Northern Luzon as insurgency-free with Pampanga becoming the 22nd and final province to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

The MOA delegated to the Philippine National Police the lead role in fighting remnants of insurgents with the support of the military that will remain primarily for stakeholder engagement programs.

This was likewise a way to accept and assert the local government's lead role in orchestrating the efforts of all stakeholders in the delivery of services designed to address the primary socio-economic issues.

Prior to this, other provinces in Regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera were declared peaceful and ready for further development from 2009 to 2013.

These are La union and Nueva Viscaya in 2009; Apayao, Aurora, Quirino, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Kalinga in 2010; Ilocos Norte and Benguet in 2011; Zambales, Abra and Bataan in 2012; and Batanes, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cagayan, Ifugao, Bulacan and Mt. Province in 2013.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2701402301080

Armed men raid Agusan town mayor’s house

From the Philippine Star (Jum 10): Armed men raid Agusan town mayor’s house

Eight suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas raided the house of Carmen town Mayor Ramon Calo in Agusan del Norte Sunday night.

Carmen Vice Mayor Wilfredo Taglucop said the assailants, armed with assault rifles, disarmed and hogtied the two security guards stationed at the gate of Calo’s house, located across the municipal hall in Barangay Poblacion.

Taglucop, who was the acting mayor, said Calo was in Manila when the raid occurred at around 7:30 p.m. He said the assailants hogtied one of the house helpers and ordered the other one to take them to Calo’s room, where the firearms were reportedly kept.

The gunmen allegedly took an Uzi submachine gun, a baby Armalite rifle, an M-14 rifle and two briefcases from the room.

Taglucop said he and the members of the Agusan del Norte police found the rooms in disarray.

“An inventory must be done as soon as Mayor Calo arrives home to determine the items taken by the gunmen,” he said.

In an interview yesterday morning, Calo blamed the absence of an Army detachment in the town proper for the attack on his house.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/06/10/1332896/armed-men-raid-agusan-town-mayors-house

Abu man nabbed for doctor’s kidnap

From the Philippine Star (Jun 10): Abu man nabbed for doctor’s kidnap

A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group tagged in the kidnap of a doctor and his family was arrested in Lantawan town in Basilan yesterday.

Moraham Ameng alias Ameng Alamsirul reportedly carries a P600,000 bounty on his head, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regional office here.

Ameng was arrested in Barangay Bulan-bulan for the kidnap of physician Nilo Barandino and his family in 1992.

Authorities said the suspect was also involved in the kidnapping of 16 public school teachers in 1994.

The suspect was taken to the CIDG headquarters in this city while awaiting possible transfer to a jail facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/06/10/1332892/abu-man-nabbed-doctors-kidnap

PNP dismisses reports of cops selling firearms to NPA as ‘hearsay,’ ‘speculation’

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 9): PNP dismisses reports of cops selling firearms to NPA as ‘hearsay,’ ‘speculation’
Is it just tittle-tattle?

The Philippine National Police (PNP) dismissed as “mere hearsay and speculations” on Monday, the allegations against ranking police officials implicated in the questionable sale of over P52 million worth of assault rifles to communist rebels.

PNP Director General Alan Purisima came to the defense of 19 police personnel, among them four active police generals, who were identified in the investigation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) as responsible for the alleged irregularity.

Purisima noted that businessman Isidro Lozada, who supposedly admitted facilitating the anomalous arms deal, had yet to submit a sworn affidavit to the CIDG.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP spokesperson, described as “premature” the statement of CIDG chief Director Benjamin Magalong linking the police officials in the purchase of 1,004 AK-47 rifles by the New People’s Army (NPA) from 2011 to 2013.

“In the absence of any hard evidence, these are mere speculations and hearsay,” Sindac quoted Purisima as saying.

“The information (the CIDG gathered) should be translated to evidence first before anyone makes any statement about this matter. Although he’s conducting the investigation, what we have are… just speculations of Magalong,” Sindac argued.

Speaking in a news briefing at Camp Crame last week, Magalong disclosed that several PNP personnel, including Chief Supt. Raul Petransanta, the Central Luzon police director, could be held liable for the sale of the high-powered firearms to NPA rebels.

The CIDG chief also admitted it was only Lozada who facilitated the importation and registration of the guns with the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office at Camp Crame and that he did not directly deal with any police official.

He, however, said the firearms could not have ended in the hands of the communist insurgents had the PNP officials examined the documents diligently.

Lozada’s admission was supported by the military’s recovery of AK-47 assault rifles from the NPA rebels during recent encounters in Mindanao, Magalong said.

He said the CIDG was preparing to file cases of graft and of violating the law against illegal firearms against Petrasanta et al. and 10 other private individuals.

But Sindac insisted that the CIDG had yet to conclude its investigation into the matter, saying some of the PNP personnel who had been identified by Magalong “may or may not be held liable” for Lozada’s anomalous transaction.

“The investigation is still on going. What we are looking into is the whole process (of firearms registration) and where the irregularities may have been committed,” he said.

Sindac, who was present at Magalong’s press conference, maintained the PNP was not trying to protect the supposed erring police officers, but “just want to put things in proper order.”

“It’s premature, it’s too early to make such pronouncement at this point in time,” Sindac said.

He said the PNP would not tolerate the wrongdoings of any of its personnel, including Petrasanta who has been touted as the next chief of the 148,000-strong force after Purisima’s retirement in November 2015.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/609852/pnp-dismisses-reports-of-cops-selling-firearms-to-npa-as-hearsay-speculation

‘Majority’ of recovered AK-47s tampered, says Army

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 10): ‘Majority’ of recovered AK-47s tampered, says Army

An official of the Philippine Army on Tuesday said that “majority” of the high-powered rifles recovered from the New People’s Army were defaced of their serial numbers.

Captain Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command Public Affairs Chief, said that most of the recovered firearms from the NPA in the Caraga region were tampered and that five of them were from the 1,000 that the Philippine National Police purportedly sold to the communist rebels.

He said that with the tampering of the serial numbers, the rebels intended to mislead the authorities of the firearms’ origin.

“The user intends to mislead authorities on the source of the AK-47 rifles,” Caber said.
Caber, however, could not give the ballpark figure on the number of the tampered rifles, though he was sure that it was more than half of the recovered firearms.

“There are confirmed reports that the five were from the 1,000 rifles sold to the NPA,” Caber said.

He added that the serial numbers are usually found on the body of the rifle, though the Armed Forces of the Philippines are issued with M16 and M14 rifles, not AK-47′s.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/610013/majority-of-recovered-ak-47s-tampered-says-army

AFP: Rifles could arm Army brigade

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 10): AFP: Rifles could arm Army brigade



AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala: No joke FILE PHOTO

The reported sale of 1,004 AK-47 assault rifles to communist rebels has raised concerns in the Armed Forces of the Philippines even as the Philippine National Police defended ranking police officers implicated in the deal, saying the allegations were “mere hearsay and speculations.”

“One thousand firearms is no joke. Knowing there are 1,004 firearms with the enemy now is a real concern for us because these firearms will eventually kill our soldiers,” AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, who likened the supposed sale to arming an entire military brigade, told the Inquirer.

Zagala said the military had been “baffled” for sometime by its recovery of AK-47s from New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas after clashes. He said the military had recovered 48 AK-47s from the NPA since 2010.

Zagala said that while an AK-47 was not as accurate as an M-16 Armalite rifle, its design was “straightforward and low maintenance.”

“It is a long-lasting rifle,” Zagala said of the weapon that was designed by Russian Mikhail Kalashnikov. AK-47 stands for Avtomat Kalashnikova or “Kalashnikov’s Automatic” and the year it was designed, 1947.

But Zagala said the AK-47s seized from the NPA were believed to have been made in China.

Zagala said the AK-47 appeared to be the firearm of choice of the NPA. “It could be because it’s cheaper, it’s low maintenance, or because the AK-47 is a symbol of communism,” he said.

Last week, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced that 1,004 AK-47 rifles missing from the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division were discovered to have been sold to the NPA by a broker from 2011 to 2013 for over P52 million.

The CIDG said charges would be filed against 19 police officers and 10 civilians who were allegedly responsible for the illegal sale and licensing of the firearms.

But the PNP on Monday dismissed as “mere hearsay and speculations” the allegations against several ranking police officials, including Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Raul Petransanta.
 
No sworn affidavit yet

PNP Director General Alan Purisima came to the defense of the 19 police personnel, among them four active police generals who were identified by the CIDG as being responsible for the alleged irregularity.

Purisima noted that businessman Isidro Lozada, who supposedly admitted facilitating the anomalous arms deal, had yet to submit a sworn affidavit to the CIDG.

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP spokesman, described as “premature” the statement of CIDG chief Director Benjamin Magalong linking the police officials to the sale of 1,004 AK-47 rifles to the NPA from 2011 to 2013.

“In the absence of any hard evidence, these are mere speculations and hearsay,” Sindac quoted Purisima as saying.

“The information (the CIDG gathered) should be translated to evidence first before anyone makes any statement about this matter. Although he’s conducting the investigation, what we have are… just speculations of Magalong,” Sindac said.

Speaking in a news briefing at Camp Crame last week, Magalong disclosed that several PNP personnel, including Petrasanta, who is a former chief of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office, could be held liable for the sale of the high-powered firearms to NPA rebels.

But the CIDG chief admitted that it was only Lozada who facilitated the importation and registration of the guns with the PNP FEO at Camp Crame and that he did not directly deal with any police official.

He, however, said the firearms could not have ended up in the hands of the communist insurgents had the PNP officials diligently examined the documents.

Lozada’s admission was supported by the military’s recovery of AK-47 rifles from NPA rebels following recent encounters in Mindanao, Magalong said.

Magalong said the CIDG was preparing to file cases of graft and violation of the anti-illegal firearms law against the 19 police officials and 10 private individuals.

But Sindac insisted that the CIDG had yet to conclude its investigation into the matter, saying that some of the PNP personnel identified by Magalong “may or may not be held liable” for Lozada’s anomalous transaction.

“The investigation is still ongoing. What we are looking into is the whole process (of firearms registration) and where the irregularities may have been committed,” he said.

Sindac, who was present at Magalong’s press conference, maintained the PNP was not trying to protect the supposed erring police officers, but we “just want to put things in proper order.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/609939/afp-rifles-could-arm-army-brigade

Another CPP-NPA Leader Falls Karapatan Cries Foul

From the Negros Daily Bulletin (Jun 9): Another CPP-NPA Leader Falls Karapatan Cries Foul



"REBEL LEADER alias Pediong/Nasyo" nabbed by a joint Army and Police team in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, Friday night.* (302nd Brigade photo)

Combined elements of Tanjay City PNP and the Army’s 302nd Brigade and 79th Infantry "Masaligan" Battalion arrested alias Pediong/Nasyo, Secretary of the Southeast Front, Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros (SEF, KR-N) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) Friday night.

A report from the Philippine Army (PA) said Alias Pediong/Nasyo was arrested through a joint checkpoint in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Philippine National Police (PNP) Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC) in Barangay Tugas, Tanjay.

"The NPA leader was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant for the case of murder under Criminal Case No. 2014-22242, filed at Regional Trial Court (RTC) 7th Judicial Region Branch 41 in Dumaguete City," the Army report said.

"Former rebels in Negros Oriental who are now in mainstream society identified alias Pediong/Nasyo as the secretary of the SEF, KR-N who once led in carrying out various atrocities of the NPA operating in southeastern part of Negros, victimizing innocent civilians, and destroyed properties in the area," the Army report added.

Confiscated from the rebel leader were, a hand grenade, an ATM card and identification cards with different identities such as Jose Rene H. Bustamante, Jade B. Herevias, and Jury Merecido, the Army also said.

The NPA leader is detained at Tanjay City PNP station.

"This development is certainly a big blow to the CPP-NPA in Negros Oriental as its organizational structure has been dismantled. This is the result of the Bayanihan among the people of the province who are eager to attain lasting peace and live in a place that is conducive for uninterrupted economic development," Brig. Gen. Francisco M. Patrimonio, Commander of 302nd Brigade, said.

Alias Pediong/Nasyo’s murder case involves the killing of the late Narciso Bantoto, Jr. in an ambush perpetrated by the NPA last January 17, 2014 in Brgy. Tayak, Siaton, Negros Or.

Bantoto, a farmer and resident of the barangay was killed in the presence of his wife, three children and a niece while on their way to a benefit dance at Sitio Mainit.

"The death of Bantoto was strongly condemned by the hinterland residents together with the officials of Tayak who openly rejected the CPP-NPA movement and expressed support to the government’s program for peace and development," the Army statement also said.

"The successful arrest can be attributed to the convergence of efforts among the Army, PNP, other stakeholders involved in the security sector and the civilians. It is a clear manifestation that the people have realized the futility of the armed struggle and strongly desire to have an insurgency-free community," the Army added.

Major General Aurelio B. Baladad, 3rd Army Infantry Division commander lauded the efforts of the Army and the PNP "for their perseverance and sacrifices which led to the arrest of the NPA leader."

"Your Army is strongly committed to bring lasting peace. It is through Bayanihan or working together where we can find peaceful solution to our problems," Balabad said.

"We reiterate our call on the CPP-NPA to come down and talk peace. Abandon the armed struggle for it is not the solution to our societal issues. Let us work together in the spirit of Bayanihan to finally put an end to the insurgency problem," said Baladad.

KARAPATAN.

Yesterday, militant cause-oriented group KARAPATAN’s spokespersons condemned the arrest, saying "soldiers and policemen cannot just simply arrest anyone using John Does or aliases... this is another human rights violation that must be condemned."

http://ndb-online.com/june0914/another-cpp-npa-leader-falls-karapatan-cries-foul