OPPAP's Ferrer: 'Significant differences' remain over Bangsamoro draft

From InterAksyon (Jul 21): OPPAP's Ferrer: 'Significant differences' remain over Bangsamoro draft



InterAksyon.com photograph by Eric Apolonio

The chief government negotiator to peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front admitted on Monday that "there continue to be significant points of differences" between the parties over the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.

At the same time, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, in a statement posted on the web site of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Statement of GPH chief negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on the status of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, said the government remained firm that the BBL should be able to “withstand political and legal scrutiny and be acceptable to various stakeholders, and the nation as a whole.”

Last month, following a "surprise meeting" between President Aquino and MILF chairman Haj Murad Ebrahim in Japan, the MILF's chief negotiator, Mohagher Iqbal, complained that a team created under the Office of the President to review the draft law submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission had "heavily diluted the original proposal coming from the BTC."

Iqbal also chairs the BTC.

An editorial on the MILF web site, Luwaran, blasted the review as being obsessed with legalities, and reiterated the MILF position that "the current Constitution would require an amendment to finally put to rest the conflict in Mindanao," even as it urged Aquino to "personally attend" to the snag.

Following this, Ferrer assured that the government was "not throwing in the towel" on the peace process and, earlier this month, the two panels met for four days in Kuala Lumpur, achieving only "modest progress."

Ferrer’s latest statement made clear that the government is not budging from its position that the BBL "will pass through regular legislation in Congress and therefore must fall within the parameters of the Constitution."

"We have been trying to stretch these parameters to accommodate the ideas that have been put in the BBL, in addition to what have been put in the signed documents. But it is very clear we cannot overstep the boundaries of the Constitution," she said.

"We will not and cannot move forward in the roadmap towards the establishment of the Bangsamoro unless we hurdle this crucial stage," she stressed.



This, she said, was "the basis for the comments made as part of the review process by the Office of the President."

While the BTC "has been given the mandate to recommend changes in the Constitution all those ideas that could not be accommodated now under this Constitution," she said, "the BBL must necessarily be constitutional."

Ferrer also stressed that the draft BBL retains the "key features that will distinguish the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) from the Bangsamoro," among these: the parliamentary form of government; an autonomous government that will enjoy high fiscal autonomy; and "a transition arrangement where the MILF’s brand of leadership will be tested."

"All of us want the BBL draft to be submitted to Congress as soon as possible. But we cannot substitute haste with prudence," Coronel said. "Whatever delay we are experiencing now is intended to avoid further difficulties after the bill is submitted to Congress."

The draft BBL was originally scheduled to be submitted by Malacanang to Congress before the legislature adjourned last month but the review delayed this.

The delays have raised concerns the BBL may not be passed in time for a referendum on the creation of the Bangsamoro to be held simultaneous with the 2016 elections. 

"We understand the apprehensions of people who have long fought the government and now entering a new stage where they can actually participate in the government," Ferrer said.

"But what we want is a mutually acceptable draft as the two panels have agreed to accomplish. We ask the MILF to reflect on how we can arrive at this," she added.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/91673/oppaps-ferrer-significant-differences-remain-over-bangsamoro-draft

GPH, MILF end four-day “workshop” in Manila; major issues unresolved

From MindaNews (Jul 21): GPH, MILF end four-day “workshop” in Manila; major issues unresolved

Hopes of crafting a “mutually acceptable” draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28 have dimmed as the government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels ended their four-day “workshop” in Manila on Monday with no major issues resolved, no joint press statement issued and no next meeting scheduled.

“Tapos na at maraming issues na hindi settled” (The meeting is over but many issues were not settled), MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said in a text message, in response to MindaNews’ query if the meeting was over and if they had accomplished anything.

He declined to say what issues were not settled.

Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer sent no reply to the same query but in a statement posted on the website of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) at 7:35 p.m. said “there continue to be significant points of differences between the Parties” in their review of the draft BBL.

Ferrer did not say what the “significant points of differences” were but said government “stands firm that we want a Bangsamoro Basic Law that can withstand political and legal scrutiny and be acceptable to various stakeholders, and the nation as a whole.”

“We will not and cannot move forward in the roadmap towards the establishment of the Bangsamoro unless we hurdle this crucial stage. We wish the MILF to understand the basis for the comments made as part of the review process by the Office of the President,” she said.

The MILF-led, 15-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the body tasked to draft the Basic Law submitted its 97-page draft to Malacanang on April 22. It took Malacanang two months to review the draft law that President Aquino would certify as “urgent,” handing over to the MILF a copy of the draft with its proposed revisions, on June 21.

“Fully support and endorse”

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Iqbal raised their “concerns” on Malacanang’s proposed revisions in a meeting with President Aquino at the Sheraton Hiroshima Hotel in Hiroshima, minutes before the President delivered his keynote address at The Consolidation for Peace (COP-6) seminar on June 24.

Ebrahim and Murad kept mum about what the “concerns” were but two days later, Iqbal would break his silence during a forum in Istanbul, Turkey, where he revealed that Malacanang’s proposed revisions had “heavily diluted” the BTC draft and, if that were to be the basis of the law, would be “worse than RA 9054,” the law governing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), as it would render the future Bangsamoro less autonomous than the ARMM that it seeks to replace.

“The position of the MILF on the proposed BBL is very simple and straight forward. All those explicitly expressed and provided for in the CAB will no longer be the subject of negotiations. They are finished and settled. It is therefore nonsensical to raise them anew. However, all those, which are not expressly provided but fleshed out by the BTC, as part of its mandate, could be the subjects of subsequent engagement between the Parties. If reasons and consistency prevail, there is no way this controversy cannot be settled,” Iqbal said.

In Iloilo on June 27, President Aquino told reporters that efforts are being undertaken to ensure that the draft BBL should be one that “both sides will fully support and endorse” to Congress.

Elevate to panels

The BTC on July 3 passed a resolution expressing “serious concerns over some major revisions, modifications and alterations that deviated from the significant contents of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro” and elevated their concerns to the panels for “clarification, discussion and resolution” of the issues affected by the proposed revisions “… in the higher interest of finding a lasting solution to the conflict in Mindanao.”

The parties met on July 8 to 11 in Kuala Lumpur for a “workshop” that Ferrer said in a statement before leaving for Kuala Lumpur on July 7, was meant to “thresh out the various substantive matters that have arisen from the BTC submission and the subsequent OP (Office of the President or Malacanang) review.

In her press statement on July 21, Ferrer acknowledged the need to submit the draft BBL to Congress as soon as possible but “we cannot substitute haste with prudence. Whatever delay we are experiencing now is intended to avoid further difficulties after the bill is submitted to Congress.”

“We understand the apprehensions of people who have long fought the government and now entering a new stage where they can actually participate in the government. But what we want is a mutually acceptable draft as the two panels have agreed to accomplish. We ask the MILF to reflect on how we can arrive at this. We believe with reason and goodwill, we will overcome this current difficulty,” she said.

Within parameters of Constitution

She explained that from the beginning, it was clear that the BBL would pass through Congress “and therefore must fall within the parameters of the Constitution.”

“We have been trying to stretch these parameters to accommodate the ideas that have been put in the BBL, in addition to what have been put in the signed documents.  But it is very clear we cannot overstep the boundaries of the Constitution,” she said.

Former GPH panel chair Marvic Leonen, now Supreme Court Associate Justice, under whose chairmanship the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed on October 15, 2012, had, at the time he was panel chair, repeatedly said that the asymmetrical relationship that the MILF had put forward for the future Bangsamoro can be worked out “within the flexibility of the 1987 Constitution.”

The Frequently Asked Questions on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro released by the OPAPP on October 11, 2012 also said that “in the spirit of accommodation and flexibility,” the Bangsamoro can be established without a Constitutional amendment because the terms of the Agreement “can be implemented without changing the present Constitution.”

Ferrer said the BBL “must necessarily be constitutional” but it does not mean that key features that will distinguish the ARMM from the Bangsamoro are not being put forward in the draft law “such as the parliamentary form of government, a parliament with more than 50 members made up of district, party list and reserved seats; an autonomous government that will enjoy high fiscal autonomy; a transition arrangement where the MILF’s brand of leadership will be tested.”

Ferrer also noted that the BTC “has been given the mandate to recommend changes in the Constitution all those ideas that could not be accommodated now under this Constitution. But the BBL must necessarily be constitutional.”

MindaNews learned from BTC sources that the 97-page draft BBL does not contain the recommendations of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments .

In letter and spirit

Iqbal declined to provide details on what provisions were “heavily diluted” but MindaNews sources who read the reviewed draft but requested not to be named said the Malacanang-proposed revisions have substantially changed the “letter and spirit” of the agreement, among them, that what had previously been agreed upon such as the delineation of powers as exclusive, concurrent and reserved, have been stricken out; that the “core territory” listed in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro can no longer be found in the revised version as the list is reportedly just for the purpose of determining where the plebiscite would be held; and that the term “asymmetric” to describe the relationship between the central or national government and the Bangsamoro government has also been stricken out.

A public discussion or debate on the matter cannot be had because the text of the 97-page draft and the Malacanang-proposed revised draft have not been made public.

Walkout?

Word went around Monday afternoon that the government peace panel had “walked out” of the meeting, that Ferrer and her team did not return after their 10:45 a.m. break and the MILF reportedly waited until 1 p.m. for the GPH panel to return.

Ferrer sent no reply but Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles told MindaNews, “of course not!”

“As previously agreed upon, meeting was only up to today. MILF panel has to go back na daw to Cotabato, GPH also has to go to Malacanang, so (the end of the session) was mutually agreed upon,” Deles said.

Ferrer on Saturday evening told MindaNews in a text message that they had “covered most parts of the draft BBL in review and are looking for best to address concerns of all sides. Trying our best to move this forward to the next stage” which is for the President to submit it to Congress.

“Here’s hoping submission is done within the week of the opening. This depends on how soon we get to that ‘mutually acceptable’ proposed BBL,” she said.

The two panels completed the four annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro – power-sharing, wealth-sharing, normalization and transitional arrangements and modalities — between February 2013 and January 2014 and signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on March 27 in Malacanang.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2014/07/22/gph-milf-end-four-day-workshop-in-manila-major-issues-unresolved/

Homemade bomb disarmed in Sultan Kudarat

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jul 21): Homemade bomb disarmed in Sultan Kudarat

Philippine authorities on Monday disarmed an improvised explosive left near a creek in President Quirino town in the southern province of Sultan Kudarat, officials said.

Officials said the explosive was assembled from an 81mm mortar bomb recovered in the village of Katiku near where farmers were resting.

Village chieftain Sancho Salamanca said police and soldiers were sent to the area to disarm the explosive, but it was not immediately known who was behind the failed bombing. He said police are investigating the case.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/07/homemade-bomb-disarmed-in-sultan-kudarat.html

14 big-ticket defense items to be completed by 2014 - DND

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21): 14 big-ticket defense items to be completed by 2014 - DND

In line with its efforts to make the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) more credible in defending the country's vast territories, the Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday announced that 14 big-ticket defense items, worth Php6.2 billion, will be completely delivered by the end of 2014.

These include the delivery of assault rifles for the Army and Marines, additional UH-1H helicopters for the Air Force, close combat optics, and explosive ordnance disposal equipment.

"We are getting closer to our desired state in terms of capability and readiness with our recent acquisitions, and those we are expecting to be delivered in the next few months," Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin said.

A total of 37 projects have already been completed under the Aquino administration, amounting to Php9.2-billion.

As of July 8, 10 projects worth another Php17.3-billion are expected to be delivered in 2015.

The major equipment to be delivered include armored vehicles for the Army, attack helicopters, combat utility helicopters, light lift and medium lift aircrafts for the Air Force and naval helicopters for the Navy.

Gazmin said that the first two units of the 12 FA-50 lead-in fighter/trainers worth Php18.9-billion from South Korea are also expected to arrive next year.

The term “minimum credible defense posture” pertains to the establishment of an effective force presence inside the Philippines and its exclusive economic zone with exhibited competence to defend the country and protect its national interests if and when the need arises.

"This includes the ability to conduct wide surveillance and monitoring of developments within the country’s territory, and have an extensive command and control as well as the capacity to provide an expedient and efficient response to untoward incidents," Gazmin said.

He emphasized that most of the equipment and assets acquired can be used in humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The remaining projects in the modernization program are also in the advanced stages of procurement or are nearing completion.

These include the additional rifles for the Army, frigates and amphibious assault vehicle for the Navy, and air defense surveillance radar for the Air Force.

The revised AFP modernization program for 2013-2017 has a budget of Php85.3-billion which will be spread out over a five-year period.

From 2013-2017, Php8.6-billion will be allocated to the Army, P43.3-billion to the Air Force, P28.2-billion to the Navy and Php5.2 billion to AFP general headquarters.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=664701

18 killed as BIFF, Army clash anew in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21): 18 killed as BIFF, Army clash anew in Maguindanao

Eighteen people, 17 of them members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and one Army trooper, were killed following a series of clashes as the rebels tried to overrun military outposts in Maguindanao Monday.

The installations were located at Barangay Dumablas, Datu Piang town and Barangay Ganta, Sharif Saydona Mustapha, both in Maguindanao.

Also wounded were three soldiers, said 6th Infantry Division spokesperson Col. Dickson Hermoso.

Intense fighting broke out when the brigands attacked the outpost in Sharif Saydona Mustapha town around 12: 15 a.m.

This was followed by another attack in Datu Piang an hour later.

Return fire from government soldiers stationed there killed 17 BIFF men, Hermoso said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=664728

GPH, MILF to ensure Bangsamoro law will be constitutional

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21): GPH, MILF to ensure Bangsamoro law will be constitutional

The government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continue resolving significant points of differences in a bid to come up with Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that adheres to Constitution and acceptable to all stakeholders.

GPH chief negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer stressed this as the review of the draft BBL by the negotiating panels progresses.

“The GPH stands firm that we want a Bangsamoro Basic Law that can withstand political and legal scrutiny and be acceptable to various stakeholders, and the nation as a whole,” she said in a statement.

“We will not and cannot move forward in the roadmap towards the establishment of the Bangsamoro unless we hurdle this crucial stage,” she added.

Ferrer said the Aquino administration has been consistent in its commitment for a Bangsamoro law that conforms to what has been agreed upon in the signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

She said the BBL will pass through regular legislation in Congress and therefore must fall within the parameters of the Constitution.

Ferrer said both parties have been trying to stretch these parameters to accommodate the ideas that have been put in the BBL, in addition to what have been put in the signed documents.

“But it is very clear we cannot overstep the boundaries of the Constitution. That said, the BTC (Bangsamoro Transition Commission) has been given the mandate to recommend changes in the Constitution all those ideas that could not be accommodated now under this Constitution. But the BBL must necessarily be constitutional,” she said.

Ferrer reiterated both parties’ goal for the BBL draft to be submitted to Congress as soon as possible.

“But we cannot substitute haste with prudence. Whatever delay we are experiencing now is intended to avoid further difficulties after the bill is submitted to Congress,” she added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=664770

1 soldier killed, 3 wounded in BIFF ‘harrassment’ in Maguindanao

From GMA News (Jul 21): 1 soldier killed, 3 wounded in BIFF ‘harrassment’ in Maguindanao

An Army soldier was killed and three others were wounded in "harassment" attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom in Datu Piang and Shariff Saydona Mustapha towns in Maguindanao early Monday morning, the Army's 6th Infantry Division said.

According to Col. Dickson Hermoso, division spokesman, the attack against members of the 61st Reconnaissance Company in Shariff Saydona Mustapha happened past midnight while an attack on the 62nd Reconnaissance Company in Datu Piang happened at around 1:15 a.m.

Hermoso said in a later text message that 17 BIFF members were killed in the clashes.

"Lima ang identified na namin," he said.

According to a "24 Oras" report aired Monday evening, a separate clash between the military and the BIFF in Datu Salibo town left 8 rebels and a soldier dead. Ten others were wounded in the attack, which the report said, the BIFF launched late Sunday night.

[Video report: 24 Oras: Bakbakan sa Maguindanao]

The fighting prompted some residents to flee the area, the report said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/371339/news/regions/1-soldier-killed-3-wounded-in-biff-harrassment-in-maguindanao

PNoy, MILF chair to meet on proposed Bangsamoro law

From GMA News (Jul 21): PNoy, MILF chair to meet on proposed Bangsamoro law

President Benigno Aquino III and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Murad Ebrahim will meet again in the coming days to tackle the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which the separatist group acccused Malacañang of watering-down.

In a statement posted on its website on Monday, the MILF said the high-level meeting will take place "to save the peace process in the light of major alterations made by Malacañang legal team" on the draft Bangsamoro law.

"The meeting is necessary in threshing out issues confronting both sides on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law," the MILF added.

In 2011, Aquino and Murad met in Japan to boost and fast track peace talks between the government and the MILF.

The meeting was followed by peace negotiations between the two parties, which ultimately led to the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement last March. The agreement stipulated arrangements on wealth-sharing and power-sharing between the two parties, aiming to end the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao.

Differences

In a separate statement, government peace panel chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer appealed to the MILF to "reflect" on how both parties can hurdle "significant points of differences" on the proposed law.

"We understand the apprehensions of people who have long fought the government and now entering a new stage where they can actually participate in the government. But what we want is a mutually acceptable draft as the two panels have agreed to accomplish," Ferrer said on Monday night.

The chief government negotiator also enumerated some of the issues, which she earlier called "grey zones," in the proposed law. Among these issues are the parliamentary form of government in the proposed Bangsamoro political entity, fiscal autonomy and transition arrangements.

"All of us want the Bangsamoro Basic Law draft to be submitted to Congress as soon as possible, but we cannot substitute haste with prudence," Coronel-Ferrer said.

The MILF and government peace panels have been in a "workshop" these past days in an effort to settle the contentious issues in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Malacañang earlier committed to submitting the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law to Congress before sessions resume in July 28, in time with the President's State of the Nation Address, and to enact the law before yearend.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/371340/news/nation/pnoy-milf-chair-to-meet-on-proposed-bangsamoro-law

MNLF disowns Sabah attack, hits OPPAP for black props

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 21): MNLF disowns Sabah attack, hits OPPAP for black props

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) yesterday branded as “stupendous lie” and propaganda accusation by Malaysian authorities that Nur Misuari was responsible in the latest attack in Semporna, Sabah.

Lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, spokesman of the MNLF, said that the MNLF has nothing to do with the attack in Mabul Island, where a police officer was killed and another one was abducted Tuesday last week.

Reports said that the Malaysian Home Ministry tagged Misuari as responsible in the recent “attack, invasion and kidnapping” in the island.

“That’s a very stupendous lie. That’s a blatant propaganda against the MNLF,” Fontanilla said.

The MNLF spokesman stressed that the Misuari-led MNLF will gain nothing in pulling off such act.

“What can we gain in doing that? We are currently focused on winning the hearts and minds of the people of Mindanao, and we are gaining support,” Fontanilla said.

Fontanilla pointed to the government, particularly the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), as having a hand in the propaganda against the MNLF.

“It’s government special operation overseen by OPAPP. It’s obvious the MNLF is growing stronger, the Christians supporting the group is growing in number,” Fontanilla said.

Malaysian authorities expressed belief that Misuari is trying to regain influence in the southern Philippines and, at the same time, raise funds to revive his military wings.

Fontanilla, however, was quick to counter the allegations made by Malaysians as he questioned their credibility.

“Credibility-wise, it’s hard to believe what Malaysia is saying kasi masyado na silang pre-judice sa MNLF...of the 57 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference, only Malaysia is not supporting MNLF,” Fontanilla told The Tribune.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/mnlf-disowns-sabah-attack-hits-oppap-for-black-props

Military downplays Negros clashes

From the Business World (Jul 20): Military downplays Negros clashes

BACOLOD CITY -- A brief fire fight occurred between government soldiers and communist rebels in Jimalalud town in Negros Oriental on Saturday, July 19 -- the third encounter on Negros Island within a week.

Two days earlier, two soldiers were killed and a third was wounded when rebels ambushed them in Brgy. Buenavista in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. On Monday, a suspected rebel was killed in Binalbagan, also in Negros Occidental.

Despite these encounters, military officials were confident that they were gaining ground against the New People’s Army and closer to achieving peace.

 

Major Ray C. Tiongson, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said they have identified rebel lairs and are intensifying efforts to capture them with the help of the local governments.

“With their help and that of the people of Negros Island, we are optimistic that we will be able to resolve the insurgency problems here and push for the development of Negros Occidental and Oriental provinces,” Mr. Tiongson said in a text message to BusinessWorld over the weekend.

 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Military-downplays-Negros-clashes&id=91216

AFP to attain minimum credible defense by 2016, drilling in West PH Sea protected

From AngMalaya (Jul 21): AFP to attain minimum credible defense by 2016, drilling in West PH Sea protected

“Within our capability we will be able to extend all the necessary protection for the [British firm Forum Energy],” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Monday.

“We are getting closer to our desired state in terms of capability and readiness with our recent acquisitions, and those we are expecting to be delivered in the next few months,” Gazmin noted.

“We are waiting for the decision of the arbitral court so we can determine who has the marine entitlement in the area,” the defense chief said. Gazmin emphasized that the government will not ask for permission from China, “when you seek permission, it means the area is theirs. It is clear that the area is ours.”

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is drawing closer to its projected minimum defense posture with the expected deliveries of more equipment under its modernization program,” he added.

The AFP will be receiving ordered fighter jets and attack helicopters starting late 2014 to 2015. Attack helicopters from AgustaWestland for Philippine Navy and Air Force are expected to be delivered before the year ends, while 2 FA-50 Philippine version will be arriving September 2015.

Forum Energy is expected to start drilling early 2016.

New AFP Chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Catapang, last week, vowed to protect Philippine territories including the Reed Bank.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/07/21/2460-afp-to-attain-minimum-credible-defense-by-2016-drilling-in-west-ph-sea-protected

Commentary: AFP revolving door swings into action

Commentary from the Reville column by Ramon Farolan in Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 2`): AFP revolving door swings into action
Easily the most famous door in the land is the one that leads to the office of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) chief of staff. It rotates with increasing regularity once a year to welcome the new occupant and just as he begins to warm his chair, the guessing game as to who will replace him starts immediately. My parish priest, the head of our barangay, and the chief of the local police force, stay at their posts longer than the commander of the 125,000-strong AFP, the organization tasked with the mission to defend the people and to guarantee our territorial integrity. But of the officials just mentioned, none is installed with more pomp, more color and ceremony, than the AFP chief of staff.

Last Friday, in Camp Aguinaldo, in rituals that may have lost some of their luster and meaning because of the frequency of similar events, the 44th, or maybe the 45th, AFP chief was ushered into office as his predecessor bade the troops farewell.

As a reminder for the Filipino people, this is the AFP chief of staff’s longevity record for the last 14 years under two presidents:

President Gloria M. Arroyo:

AFP Chief of Staff Length of service as AFP Chief

Diomedes Villanueva: One year, three months
Roy Cimatu: Four months
Benjamin Defensor: Three months
Dionisio Santiago: Four months
Narciso Abaya: One year, seven months
Efren Abu: Ten months
Generoso Senga: Eleven months
Hermogenes Esperon: One year, ten months
Alexander Yano: One year
Victor Ibrado: Ten months
Delfin Bangit: Three months
President Benigno Aquino III:
Ricardo David: Eight months
Eduardo Oban: Ten months
Jessie Dellosa: Thirteen months

Advertisement:Replay Ad

Emmanuel Bautista: One year, six months

Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. (Incumbent) Thirteen months (estimated)

The latest addition to the list is Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., a classmate of Gen. Emmanuel Bautista. Both are members of PMA class 1981.

An Inquirer story on the new AFP chief cites him as a “climate change buff” who believes that the greatest danger to the country is not the armed threat but “climate change and the disaster it brings.”  With the limited resources at his disposal and with only 12 months on the job, he may not be able to do much about the problem. Catapang retires on July 11, 2015, and the gossip now centers on who will succeed him. The line forms to the right.
Notes on the “change of command” ceremony.

• The three main speakers of the day—the outgoing chief, General Bautista, his replacement, General Catapang, and the guest of honor, President Aquino—spent  much time acknowledging the presence of so many officials and groups; almost every Juan de la Cruz in the bureaucracy was mentioned. I realize that is part of the culture, but we tend to overdo things and, perhaps, a simple line (“distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen”) should suffice to cover all those who believe in the importance of their presence.

• In remarks after signing his assumption orders, General Catapang lavished praise on his predecessor. In good humor, when it was Bautista’s turn at the podium, he started his speech by saying “after General Catapang’s remarks, I have nothing more to say.”

• It is not very often that a member of the same class turns over command of the AFP to a batch mate. In the history of the organization, this has happened only seven times.

1. In 1956, Lt. Gen. Alfonso Arellano received the command sabre from Lt. Gen. Jesus Vargas. Both belong to class 1929. The president was Ramon Magsaysay.

2. In  1967, Lt. Gen. Segundo Velasco succeeded Lt. Gen. Victor Osias. Both are members of class 1940. Ferdinand Marcos was the commander in chief.

3. In 1994, Gen. Arturo Enrile succeeded Gen. Lisandro Abadia, both members of class 1962. The commander in chief was Fidel V. Ramos. Incidentally, Enrile’s services were extended beyond age 56  on the basis of the legal opinions of the presidential legal counsel and the justice secretary.

4. In 2005, Gen. Efren Abu passed on the command sabre to Gen. Generoso Senga. Both are members of class 1972. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the chief executive.

5. In 2009, Gen. Victor Ibrado succeeded Gen. Alexander Yano. Both belong to class 1976. Gloria Arroyo was the president. 

6. In 2011, the command sabre passed from Gen. Eduardo Oban to Gen. Jessie Dellosa, both members of class 1979. President Aquino presided over this turnover.

7. Last week, Generals Bautista and Catapang went through the same rituals, with President Aquino also presiding.

Does this mean that certain classes have more brainpower in their membership than others? I can almost hear the howls of protest from classes who have not been favored similarly.

Perhaps, it is a measure of General Bautista’s standing in the foreign community that so many ambassadors attended his retirement ceremony. I have been witness to many of these events and the number of foreign envoys who troop to Camp Aguinaldo on such occasions can be counted on the fingers of one hand. According to the President, he is giving Bautista a monthlong vacation before his talents are once against harnessed in government service.  This is presidential recognition for “Manny Sundalo” who has made service to the nation a lifelong career.....

Easily the most famous door in the land is the one that leads to the office of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) chief of staff. It rotates with increasing regularity once a year to welcome the new occupant and just as he begins to warm his chair, the guessing game as to who will replace him starts immediately. My parish priest, the head of our barangay, and the chief of the local police force, stay at their posts longer than the commander of the 125,000-strong AFP, the organization tasked with the mission to defend the people and to guarantee our territorial integrity. But of the officials just mentioned, none is installed with more pomp, more color and ceremony, than the AFP chief of staff.

Last Friday, in Camp Aguinaldo, in rituals that may have lost some of their luster and meaning because of the frequency of similar events, the 44th, or maybe the 45th, AFP chief was ushered into office as his predecessor bade the troops farewell.

As a reminder for the Filipino people, this is the AFP chief of staff’s longevity record for the last 14 years under two presidents:

President Gloria M. Arroyo:

AFP Chief of Staff Length of service as AFP Chief

Diomedes Villanueva: One year, three months
Roy Cimatu: Four months
Benjamin Defensor: Three months
Dionisio Santiago: Four months
Narciso Abaya: One year, seven months
Efren Abu: Ten months
Generoso Senga: Eleven months
Hermogenes Esperon: One year, ten months
Alexander Yano: One year
Victor Ibrado: Ten months
Delfin Bangit: Three months

President Benigno Aquino III:

Ricardo David: Eight months
Eduardo Oban: Ten months
Jessie Dellosa: Thirteen months

Advertisement:Replay Ad

Emmanuel Bautista: One year, six months

Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. (Incumbent) Thirteen months (estimated)

The latest addition to the list is Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., a classmate of Gen. Emmanuel Bautista. Both are members of PMA class 1981.

An Inquirer story on the new AFP chief cites him as a “climate change buff” who believes that the greatest danger to the country is not the armed threat but “climate change and the disaster it brings.”  With the limited resources at his disposal and with only 12 months on the job, he may not be able to do much about the problem. Catapang retires on July 11, 2015, and the gossip now centers on who will succeed him. The line forms to the right.

Notes on the “change of command” ceremony.

• The three main speakers of the day—the outgoing chief, General Bautista, his replacement, General Catapang, and the guest of honor, President Aquino—spent  much time acknowledging the presence of so many officials and groups; almost every Juan de la Cruz in the bureaucracy was mentioned. I realize that is part of the culture, but we tend to overdo things and, perhaps, a simple line (“distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen”) should suffice to cover all those who believe in the importance of their presence.

• In remarks after signing his assumption orders, General Catapang lavished praise on his predecessor. In good humor, when it was Bautista’s turn at the podium, he started his speech by saying “after General Catapang’s remarks, I have nothing more to say.”

• It is not very often that a member of the same class turns over command of the AFP to a batch mate. In the history of the organization, this has happened only seven times.

1. In 1956, Lt. Gen. Alfonso Arellano received the command sabre from Lt. Gen. Jesus Vargas. Both belong to class 1929. The president was Ramon Magsaysay.

2. In  1967, Lt. Gen. Segundo Velasco succeeded Lt. Gen. Victor Osias. Both are members of class 1940. Ferdinand Marcos was the commander in chief.

3. In 1994, Gen. Arturo Enrile succeeded Gen. Lisandro Abadia, both members of class 1962. The commander in chief was Fidel V. Ramos.
Incidentally, Enrile’s services were extended beyond age 56  on the basis of the legal opinions of the presidential legal counsel and the justice secretary.

4. In 2005, Gen. Efren Abu passed on the command sabre to Gen. Generoso Senga. Both are members of class 1972. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the chief executive.

5. In 2009, Gen. Victor Ibrado succeeded Gen. Alexander Yano. Both belong to class 1976. Gloria Arroyo was the president.

6. In 2011, the command sabre passed from Gen. Eduardo Oban to Gen. Jessie Dellosa, both members of class 1979. President Aquino presided over this turnover.

7. Last week, Generals Bautista and Catapang went through the same rituals, with President Aquino also presiding.

Does this mean that certain classes have more brainpower in their membership than others? I can almost hear the howls of protest from classes who have not been favored similarly.

Perhaps, it is a measure of General Bautista’s standing in the foreign community that so many ambassadors attended his retirement ceremony. I have been witness to many of these events and the number of foreign envoys who troop to Camp Aguinaldo on such occasions can be counted on the fingers of one hand. According to the President, he is giving Bautista a monthlong vacation before his talents are once against harnessed in government service.  This is presidential recognition for “Manny Sundalo” who has made service to the nation a lifelong career.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/76735/afp-revolving-door-swings-into-action

4 rebels killed, 8 civilians hurt in Maguindanao clashes

From Rappler (Jul 21): 4 rebels killed, 8 civilians hurt in Maguindanao clashes

2 soldiers are also wounded after BIFF rebels attacked two military units in Maguindanao



 

Claiming it was a retaliation for the alleged abduction of two civilians, about 100 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked two military installations in Maguindanao Sunday evening, July 20.

The military said the rebels launched two simultaneous attacks targetting the 62nd Division Recon Company in Barangay Damabalas in Datu Piang town and the 61st Division Recon Company in Barangay Ganta in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama said 4 rebels were killed while 2 others were wounded in the firefight. He said 8 civilians were also wounded after an alleged government artillery fire fell and exploded near the house which they were hiding in.

At least 2 soldiers were also hurt in the gunfire and are now being treated in the hospital, according to the military.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the bigger Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has signed a peace agreement with the Aquino government. But process is fraught with challenges. A draft bill creating the Bangsamoro region is facing rough sailing in the executive branch as the MILF is apparently unhappy with some of its provisions.

Mama said the BIFF's latest attack is an act of "retribution" for the alleged abduction of Mohammad Abdulkarim and his 14-year-old son Mehad Mohammad in Shariff Aguak town last July 3.

Earlier, the Mindanao Human Rights Action Center posted an alert about the incident, stating that the victims were on a motorcycle when they were accosted by suspected government forces. MinHRAC quoted the family of the victims as saying that they went to the military to look for them but were told that both were allowed to leave.

The military said the accusations are desperate moves of the BIFF.

"We know that we have not wounded civilians because the initiative of the attack came from the BIFF," said Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/63928-rebels-killed-civilians-hurt-maguindanao-clash

PH dismisses new China protest over drilling in Recto Bank

From Rappler (Jul 21): PH dismisses new China protest over drilling in Recto Bank

'Within our capability, we will be able to extend all the necessary protection for them,' says Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin



Maintaining that Recto (Reed) Bank is a territory of the Philippines, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin dismissed China's protest against the extension of Forum Energy's permit to conduct oil drilling activities there.

Gazmin gave an assurance that the British company led by businessman Manuel V Pangilinan will be given protection. The Recto bank is located in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), which China claims almost in its entirety.

"Within our capability, we will be able to extend all the necessary protection for them," Gazmin told reporters on Monday, July 21.

China last week, July 11, hit the Philippines over the extension of the permit. China said the permit is "illegal and invalid" because its permission was not sought. (READ: China hits Philippines over extended oil drilling)

"'Yung magpapaalam sa kanila, ibig sabihin sa kanila yung area. E maliwanang namang sa atin yung area. Ngayon, inaantay na lang natin yung decision ng arbitral court para malaman natin kung sino ang may marine entitlement in this area. Malalaman natin," Gazmin told reporters.

(If we ask them for permission, it means the area belongs to them. But it's clear that it is ours. Now, we are just waiting for the decision of the arbitral court to determine which country has marine entitlement in this area. We will know.)

The new permit to Forum Energy grants the extension of the operations to the second sub-phase of Service Contract 72 (SC72). In its statement, Forum Energy added that the deadline to complete the second sub-phase, which involves the drilling of two appraisal wells, “has now been extended by one year to August 15, 2016.”

Forum Energy conducts its drilling activities in the contested Recto (Reed) Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

SC72 covers an 8,800-square-kilometer area – which, as previously revealed by Forum Energy consultant Weatherford Petroleum, possibly contains as much as 16.6 trillion cubic feet of gas and 416 million barrels of oil.

In January 2013, the Philippine government already extended Forum Energy's permit to August 14, 2015.

The Philippine government awarded SC72 to Forum Energy in 2010 to help assert the Southeast Asian country's sovereign rights over parts of the South China Sea, claimed by the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines previously accused Chinese vessels of harassing a Philex-contracted exploration vessel at Recto Bank in 2011.

Despite this, Pangilinan earlier said Forum Energy was negotiating with the state-run China National Offshore Oil Corp for the joint exploration of Recto Bank.

His only condition, Pangilinan said, was for CNOOC to respect the Philippines' rights over Recto Bank.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has said he is willing to jointly develop Recto Bank as long as the Philippine claim is respected.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/63930-gazmin-dismiss-protest-recto-bank

1 soldier dead as Muslim rebels raid army outposts

Posted to InterAksyon (Jul 21): 1 soldier dead as Muslim rebels raid army outposts

Muslim guerrillas opposed to peace talks with the Philippine government tried to overrun army outposts in the strife-torn south Monday, killing one soldier and wounding a number of civilians, the military said.

The violence occurred in the towns of Datu Piang, Datu Salibo and Shariff Saidona Mustapha a day after the start of the holy period of Ramadan.

Three rebels of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group were also killed following the attack on Mindanao island, said Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the military unit in the area.

The army deployed helicopter gunships to send the guerrillas fleeing following the audacious midnight attack which left one soldier dead, a separate military statement said.

Hermoso said two soldiers and an unknown number of civilians were also wounded.

He said such an attack was not unexpected after the BIFF began instigating the local public against the military, accusing soldiers of kidnapping a Muslim father and son.

"They resorted to absurd propaganda to discredit the military," he said, adding that the military was alert for more such raids.

"The BIFF is using radio and the social media for its propaganda. These are baseless allegations."

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama said the assault was in retaliation for the alleged kidnapping on July 3.

The BIFF split from the main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in 2008.

The 10,000-strong MILF has entered into a ceasefire and peace talks with the government for the creation of an autonomous region for Muslim-dominated areas in the south.

However the BIFF, which is believed to have just a few hundred fighters, has rejected the negotiations and still demands a separate Islamic state in the southern Philippines.

It has previously launched attacks in Mindanao in efforts to disrupt the peace efforts.

In late-January, the military launched an offensive on BIFF strongholds, overrunning their bases and killing at least 53 of their fighters.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/91667/1-soldier-dead-as-muslim-rebels-raid-army-outposts