Decorated general assumes office as gov’t ceasefire chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26): Decorated general assumes office as gov’t ceasefire chief

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, MAGUINDANAO -- “I accept the challenge, your guidance and also your advice in pursuing the gains of the more than 14 years of legacy of the CCCH [Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities] for serving lasting peace for Mindanao,” Brigadier General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. told his predecessor Brigadier General Edmundo Pangilinan.

Galvez assumed last Monday the chairmanship of the government ceasefire mechanism. Pangilinan is now the commanding general of the 6th Infantry Kampilan Division based in Awang, Datu Odin Sinusat, Maguindanao.

In a simple ceremony witnessed by counterparts from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a contingent from the International Monitoring Team (IMT)-M9 headed by its Head of Mission Major Gen Dato’ Abd Samad Bin Hj Yaakub, military officials and nongovernment organizations, Pangilinan officially turned-over the reins of the Government of the Philippines (Government of the Philippines)-CCCH to Galvez.

“I will see myself now doing a very critical job of preserving peace,” Galvez said during the turnover rites.

Galvez served as Battalion Commander of the AFP’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion in Basilan and Sulu and managed his unit to become the best battalion for two consecutive years. At the age of 47, he became the country's youngest brigade commander when he was appointed commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade in Basilan.

He has been awarded four Gold Cross medals, the Distinguished Service Star (the third highest military award of the AFP), and other military merit medals. Galvez also holds a Master’s Degree in Project Management, which he earned from the University of South Wales in Australia.

Created in 2003, the CCCH is mandated to monitor the implementation of the GPH-MILF Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities and settle complaints on ceasefire violations to contain and prevent conflicts from escalating.

‎It is one of the ceasefire mechanisms established under the GPH - MILF‎ peace negotiations which has contributed to the success of the peace process. Since 2012, the CCCH has reported zero skirmishes between government and MILF forces.

The new CCCH chairman challenged his partners and counterparts from the MILF to “really expand our tasks not only to have a ceasefire mechanism that works, but to explore things proactively to prevent hostilities.”

“We can bring peace to Mindanao," Galvez said. "From now on we will have a progressive Mindanao because we will work together for lasting peace,” Galvez said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666557

No security threat detected for SONA - AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27): No security threat detected for SONA - AFP

With President Benigno S. Aquino III poised to give his fifth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it is still to detect any security threats for the annual event.

This was revealed by AFP Joint Task Force-National Region Region (JTF-NCR) commander Brig. Gen. Manuel Gonzales Sunday.

"Our office is still to detect any security threats. So far, the only word we are getting is that there will be protest actions but these things are normal and we do not classify them as threats. We expect the SONA to conclude peacefully," he said in Filipino.

JTF-NCR is the AFP unit augmenting the Philippine National Police (PNP) security efforts for the SONA.

Gonzales said that they will be supporting the PNP as the latter agency is the lead unit in peace and security operations for Monday's activities.

He added that all of their personnel (around three companies or more than 300 soldiers and officers), tasked to do SONA duty, are now on stand-by and awaiting for word or request from the PNP regarding their deployment or activation.

These soldiers include explosive and disposal experts, paramedics and group control specialists, Gonzales stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666713

Military movement in Maguindanao aimed at BIFF --CCCH chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27): Military movement in Maguindanao aimed at BIFF --CCCH chief
 
Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez, chief of the Government of the Republic-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), clarified on Sunday that the movement of military units in Datu Unsay and Datu Saudi towns, Maguindanao late this week was not aimed at the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

He said that this move was aimed at preventing members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) from harassing and attacking civilians in the two areas.

"The movement of troops (helicopter flights) was done as a show of strength against the BIFF so that they will not create trouble in those areas. The MILF misconstrued it (as a possible truce violation) as those areas are near their positions," Galvez said in Filipino.

He added that the troop movements in the above-mentioned towns were done "pre-emptively" so that the BIFF will have second thoughts about attacking, especially during President Benigno S. Aquino III's fifth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Galvez clarified that the area where the military positioned themselves is not under MILF control, hence the slight delay in relaying this information to the latter.

He also said that the commander of the military units have already visited the MILF positions and explained to the latter's leaders their reason for the movement.

MILF officials accepted the reason for the move, Galvez added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666719

Release of 4 cops held by NPA in Mindanao set - DILG Chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27): Release of 4 cops held by NPA in Mindanao set - DILG Chief

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas announced on Sunday that four policemen held by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northeastern Mindanao will be released this week after he secured the commitment of the National Democratic Front (NDF) to free them once the military and police agree to a five-day ceasefire in six towns of Surigao del Norte.

In a statement, Roxas said he won the commitment of the NDF to release the policemen taken into custody by the NPA after a raid on the municipal hall of Alegria town on July 10 and notified Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas about it.

He revealed that he took the initiative of seeking the release of PO3 Vic Calubag Concon, PO1 Rey O’niel Morales, PO1 Joen B. Zabala and PO1 Edito F. Roquino from the NDF leadership in Mindanao under Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos.

“We have talked with the NDF about the release of the four policemen since the NDF scrubbed the turnover scheduled for June 25,” said Roxas, adding that “the NDF in North Eastern Mindanao Region (NDF-NEMR) has decided to reduce substantially their conditions for the safe release of the four police officers.”

Roxas said the NDFP-NEMR asked for a 10 day-ceasefire of military and police opetrations in Surigao City and 14 municipalities in the mainland of Surigao del Norte before the policemen are released.

Eventually, he noted, the NDF reduced the ceasefire period to six days covering only six municipalities in the mainland of Surigao del Norte.

“On Saturday, July 26, the NDF-NEMR informed Secretary Roxas through an emissary that the NPA units holding the four policemen are amenable in releasing their captives if government security forces will agree on a five-day ceasefire covering six towns in Surigao del Norte, namely Placer, Bacuag, Tubod, Gigaquit, Alegria and Claver,” said Matugas.

“Given these developments and in utmost regard of the overriding and paramount consideration on the life and security of the four captured policemen and the welfare of their respective families, the Provincial Crisis Management Committee (PCMC) poses no objection to a temporary ceasefire between government security forces and NPA units for five days covering the above-mentioned municipalities of Surigao del Norte,” she added.

“I am grateful that the timely intervention of Sec. Roxas, who has closely coordinated with the PCMC, has largely contributed to the resolution of the crisis situation in ensuring that the four police officers will be freed safely and reunited with their families the soonest time possible,” Matugas stressed.

“I expect the NDF to abide by their commitment to release the four policemen immediately after government security forces reciprocated the proposed temporary ceasefire,” she concluded.

Roxas and Matugas also appealed to the NDF to be committed to the pursuit of genuine peace and holistic development through a participative process and coordinated efforts.

They also reiterated they are committed to the peaceful means of resolving the issues that had hindered the negotiations between the NDF and the Aquino administration.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666720

Anniversary of terror attack in CDO recalled

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26): Anniversary of terror attack in CDO recalled

People in this premier capital of Northern Mindanao on Saturday commemorate the first anniversary of the bombing last year of a commercial hub that killed 9 people and wounded 48 others here.

Monsignor Elmer Abacahin, a Roman Catholic priest, who officiated an interfaith mass at the site of the bombing in Limketkai’s Commercial Complex, said in his homily that the Cagayanons were saddened of the bombing that shocked the entire country as well.

“Today, we commemorate one of the darkest history of terrors that shook the island of Mindanao with an optimism that justice be delivered to the victims and an ardent prayer that such inhumanity would never take place again,” Abacahin said.

The bombing that ripped through a crowd of professionals and visitors who were attending a national convention of doctors killed a medical practitioner and a member of the provincial board of Misamis Oriental.

Dan Lagbas, the eldest son of Misamis Oriental provincial board member Roldan Lagbas who died in the bomb explosion, said that his family is still craving for justice that led to the death of his father.

“There are times of the day that my mother cry for no reason at all. We know that she and us, the children, the excruciating pain of losing a husband and a father,” the young Lagbas said.

He said that the Lagbas family no longer heard updates of the bombing since the last time – two months after the bombing incident – that the family heard that the military and the police already identified the alleged suspects and perpetrators of the dastardly act.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have filed multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder against a certain “Usman Hapids” and five others in connection with the Limketkai bombing. However, the suspects have remained at large to this day.

The Limketkai bombing here occurred just as the city government was in the thick of preparing for the annual fiesta celebration in August.

City Councilor Ramon Tabor, chair of the city council committee on police, fire and public safety, on Monday expressed the concern on the city’s peace and order.

Tabor told the city council that prior to the bombing incident, there was a big event, which was the signing of the peace agreement between the MILF and the national government at that time.

He said that the bombing incidents also took place in Zamboanga, Cotabato and Maguindanao.

Tabor warned the local police to be vigilant for fear that some groups might also want their presence felt at times when people are busy for a big event.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=666552

Tacurong City hosts PMA entrance exam for SOCCSKSARGEN region on August 3

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27): Tacurong City hosts PMA entrance exam for SOCCSKSARGEN region on August 3

All is set for the entrance examination of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) for examinees coming from the SOCCSKSARGEN region on August 3.

Major Raul Verceles, PMA acting director of the Office of Cadet Admission, said the examinees will come from the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and Gen. Santos.

Mayor Lina Montilla lauded the PMA leadership for choosing her city as examination center for the region along with 29 other PMA examination centers in the country.

Montilla said the event would showcase Tacurong City as possible tourist destination from local tourists. It will also show the country that Tacurong is peaceful and progressive, emerging as the region’s economic hub.

Montilla said this is the third time that Tacurong City is hosting the annual entrance examination for the country’s premier military academy.

She expressed confidence a good number of examinees from Tacurong City and the region will make it to the country’s premier education institution for future military leaders.

In a statement, Verceles said the PMA entrance examination will measure the aspirants’ mental ability in the areas of Math, including algebra and geometry, English grammar, English composition, and Reading and Comprehension and their abstract reasoning ability, to include verbal, numerical reasoning and pattern analysis.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=666679

Army’s CMOs undergo training on news writing, broadcasting, social media utilization

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 23): Army’s CMOs undergo training on news writing, broadcasting, social media utilization

Pagadian City -- Civil Military Operations (CMO) officers from the 1st and 6th infantry battalions of the Philippine Army (PA) have attended the Public Affairs Seminar-Workshop held on July 16-18 at Farmer’s Haven in Dao, this city.

The training sought to develop the skills of CMO officers in handling public affairs programs in their respective areas of responsibility.

In his message, Colonel Thomas Sedano Jr., executive officer of the Ofice of the Assistant Chief of Staff for CMO-Manila, said the higher command sees the need for the CMOs to be trained in public affairs, as they play a very important role in the community.  

Sedano added the CMOs were taught how to write press releases , utilize social media, conduct media interview/press conferences with invited lecturers from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 and the private media.

“This kind of training has been conducted for the first time in the different brigades and battalions in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.  For Luzon-based units, the training was held in June at Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila, followed by the EastMincom in Davao City and WesternMindanao in Pagadian City, this July. While for the Visayas-based units, it will be held on last week of this month,” he added.

Lt. Leo Baloja, CMO of 55th Infantry Battalion, said he learned from the training the techniques in newswriting and proper procedures in conducting media interview. “With the knowledge that I’ve learned during the seminar, I will impart it to my fellow CMOs in the lower units for them also to effectively perform their duties,” stressed Baloja.

“I hope that this activity will be held annually to ehance our skills in public affairs,” Baloja suggested.

Lt. Mayven Prima, CMO of 53rd Infantry battalion, thanked the higher headquarters for implementing the program saying, “we have learned the proper techniques in writing news.”

“The training helped us develop our our skills in performing our tasks and duties. We need to keep our stakeholders informed of the programs and activities of Philippine Army through our good press releases,” Prima concluded.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1371406008710

Army reviews P350-M combat boots deal

From the Philippine Star (Jul 26): Army reviews P350-M combat boots deal

The Army has ordered a review of its contract to purchase combat boots after the boots were found to be unsuitable for combat operations.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri ordered the review of the P350-million contract following complaints of the elite Scout Ranger troops of the footwear’s flawed design.

Some 5,000 pairs have been delivered.

Iriberri ordered a stop to further delivery of Kubar combat boots and called for a review of the contract with supplier FilBoots.

Under the contract, FilBoots will supply the Army with 79,066 pairs of combat boots at P4,500 per pair.

The firm initially delivered some 5,000 pairs shortly after Iriberri assumed command of the Army, at a cost of more than P22 million out of the P350-million contract.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said field tests are still being conducted to further determine what should be done to improve the gear after the Army Scout Rangers complained of its flawed design.

Detoyato admitted to the possibility of scrapping the multimillion-peso contract with FilBoots but stressed the issue will be dependent on the official outcome of the field tests.

“We are still collating the findings of the tests and the outcome will determine whether we should recommend changes or rebid the contract,” Detoyato said.

The boots, some officials said, are copies of the gear used by US servicemen in the Middle East, according to sources.

“It’s only good for garrison duties on dry areas like deserts but not in muddy places of Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon, unlike those being used by the ground troops at present,” Detoyato said.

http://www.philstar.com/metro/2014/07/26/1350414/army-reviews-p350-m-combat-boots-deal

CPP: Step-up tactical offensives and mass struggles against the rotten, puppet and brutal Aquino regime

Propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Jul 25): Step-up tactical offensives and mass struggles against the rotten, puppet and brutal Aquino regime

Communist Party of the Philippines

 

On Monday, the Filipino people will again be subjected to a whole slew of lies and illusions to be churned out by Benigno Aquino III and his machinery of specialists in manipulating the media and public opinion.

Amid worsening crisis conditions, Aquino’s slated fifth state of the nation address is bound to fail in stopping the forward march of the Filipino people and their determination to put an end to his rotten, puppet and brutal rule.

The crisis of the ruling political system continues to worsen as widespread graft and corruption under the Aquino regime is exposed. Behind Aquino’s endless talk of clean government, he has arrogated the right to divert billions upon billions of pesos of public funds for political patronage in favor of his partymates, political supporters and big business cronies.

Aquino’s vain defense of his pork barrel Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) further isolates his regime from the toiling masses as well as from the middle class sectors who have been disillusioned with his façade of righteousness. To the broad masses of workers and peasants, Aquino’s claims that anomalous fund diversions committed under DAP have benefited the people are empty and baseless.

After four years under the Aquino regime, socio-economic conditions have deteriorated. Ordinary Filipinos continue to suffer daily from widespread unemployment, low wages, landlessness and landgrabbing and rising prices of food and basic commodities and services.

It is clear that Aquino’s claims of “inclusive growth” are one big lie. To the Filipino people, so-called “economic growth” is a meaningless pile of statistics that elates only the big foreign banks and portfolio capitalists whose financial investments are guaranteed quick profits. Aquino has made foreign finance capitalists from China and the US ever happier with the recent signing of the all-out bank liberalization law.

The state of Philippine national sovereignty is at its lowest in over two decades with Aquino’s acquiescence to every imposition of the US military in exchange for US support and military financing. The high point of Aquino’s all-out puppetry to the US imperialists was the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which paved the way for the reestablishment of US military bases around the country. Behind his anti-China rhetoric, Aquino continues to accommodate and allow big comprador capitalists from China and the US to dominate the Philippine economy.

Aquino’s peace rhetoric is a big fakery. Military brutality and abuses continue unabated as Aquino has ordered the AFP to step up its Oplan Bayanihan war of suppression in order to protect and advance the interests of foreign mining companies and big agri-corporations. The state’s armed forces continue to commit extrajudicial killings, massacres, abductions, illegal arrests, harassments and physical abuses. They subject people to hamletting by occupying their homes and preventing people from carrying out production and commerce through food and economic blockades.

Through words and deeds, the Aquino regime has worked hard to put an end to peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). It has refused to heed the clamor for a resumption of NDFP-GPH peace negotiations in order to address the outstanding problems at the root of the civil war. After making a big show of signing agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Aquino is reneging on his promises by mangling the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in order to make it conform to the GPH constitution.

To the Filipino people, it has become starkly clear that the Aquino regime is no different from the past regimes. They are ever determined to put an end to Aquino’s rule and advance their national and democratic struggles.

There is a swelling protest movement against the Aquino regime in school campuses, urban poor communities, factories, market places, offices and other places. Majority of the Filipino are dissatisfied with Aquino and are increasingly vocal and active in their demand against his continued rule.

Progressive members of the Philippine congress have filed several impeachment cases against Aquino reflecting the people’s demand for Aquino’s ouster. While majority of the members of congress are pork barrel recipients and beholden to Aquino, they could not ignore how the demand for Aquino’s impeachment is fast gaining ground among the broad masses of workers, peasants, youth, women and middle class sectors. The demand for Aquino’s impeachment can swell into a mass movement involving tens of thousands of people marching in the streets.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) supports the Filipino people in their effort to intensify their struggles to oust Benigno Aquino III from power and put an end to his regime of bureaucratic corruption, militarism and human rights abuses and foreign military presence and intervention.

The CPP supports the call for the establishment of a democratic council comprised of morally righteous leaders and representatives of the democratic sectors.

In the face of the Filipino people’s heightening struggle for the ouster of Aquino, the CPP orders the New People’s Army (NPA) to step up tactical offensives across the country. The NPA must continue to seize and maintain the initiative and launch increasingly frequent tactical offensives. Work to completely defeat the Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan. There should be no letup in launching tactical offensives against Aquino’s armed forces in order to weaken it and provide the democratic mass movement further momentum in ousting the Aquino regime.

The NPA must take advantage of the worsening socio-economic crisis and isolation of the Aquino regime by aggressively recruiting new Red fighters and arming them with weapons seized from the enemy. The Filipino people need the NPA to grow severalfold in order to bring the people’s war to a new and higher level. Their struggle to oust the Aquino regime will serve as a dress rehearsal for the overthrow of the entire semicolonial and semifeudal system.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140725_step-up-tactical-offensives-and-mass-struggles-against-the-rotten-puppet-and-brutal-aquino-regime

CPP/NPA: NPA ambushes 68th IB troops in Quezon, Bukidnon

NPA propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Jul 25): NPA ambushes 68th IB troops in Quezon, Bukidnon

Alan Juanito
Spokesperson
NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Operations Command (Julito Tiro Command)

 

A unit of the New People’s Army under the South-Central Bukidnon Sub-regional Command met Benigno Aquino’s coming State of the Nation Address this Monday with a successful ambush against troops of the 68th IB -10th ID in Brgy. Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon last July 24, 2014, around 2:10 PM. The reactionary troops suffered more than 12 casualties, nine of which were killed and two wounded. The Red fighters also seized two firearms and other military equipment.

An NPA platoon ambushed 68th IB troops returning from combat operations which involved many other columns at the time. These 26 soldiers came from the neighboring municipality of San Fernando. The Red fighters employed a command-detonated explosive before firing started. The entire firefight lasted for almost 40 minutes.

The NPA operating unit seized an M16 rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, two back packs and other military equipment yet to be accounted. Meanwhile, the guerilla unit safely withdrew without any casualty.

The platoon of 68th IB was almost wiped out. The NPA field report confirmed that nine soldiers were killed in the actual firefight while the three others landed in the provincial hospital. Meanwhile, residents of the area saw the AFP loaded their casualties on a military truck that night.

The Red fighters first attacked another pursuing column of the 104th Division Reconnaissance Company-10th ID last July 23, around 11:30 AM in Brgy. Sta. Felomina, a neighboring barrio of Brgy. Cawayan.

Massive combat operations by the reactionary armed forces against the NPA still continue presently a week after the successful attack on an outgrower of Del Monte Pineapple Plantation in San Jose, Quezon.

These massive military operations are a preparation for Aquino’s coming SONA, with the aim of showcasing the alleged stability of his regime. But the people’s ire will not be doused after his involvement in the multi-billion Pork Barrel scam was exposed. At the same time, he will never be able to deny the advance of the Filipino people’s armed struggle against his inept and corrupt government.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140725_npa-ambushes-68th-ib-troops-in-quezon-bukidnon

CPP/NPA: NPA condemns AFP-PNP’s false accusations against civilians in Bukidnon

NPA propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Jul 24): NPA condemns AFP-PNP’s false accusations against civilians in Bukidnon

Ariel Magbanwag (Inda)
Spokesperson
NPA South Central Bukidnon Sub Regional Command

 

The New People’s Army of the South-Central Bukidnon Sub-regional Command condemns the AFP and PNP of Bukidnon for filing trumped-up charges against five civilians, detaining two of them. This clearly is a desperate step on the part of the reactionary armed forces to cover their failure and shame after successful NPA offensives in the province.

July 22, 2014, the Police Public Safety Company arrested three youngsters in Sitio Maynaga, Brgy. Iba, Cabanglasan, following the NPA’s attack on Sumifru’s pineapple plantation in the area.

P/Insp. Joan Galvez, Information Officer of the Bukidnon Provincial Office admitted on air that they filed arson charges against Melvin Anggumao, 20 y/o, and Joefrrey Ganancia, 18 y/o, both residents of Maynaga, Brgy. Iba. Cellphones and a motorcycle were confiscated from them. The other one was released on account of being a minor.

According to reports, relatives, neighbors and barangay officials immediately went to the police station to vouch for the innocence of the arrested persons. They also sought help from municipal officials to revoke the false charges. The two youngsters, however, remain under police custody.

Meanwhile, Joven Yanggo, 31, Efren Yanggo, 29, and Ryan Daluniag were charged of murder in relation to the death of Mayor Mario Okinlay last July 2. Instead of conducting a thorough investigation, the Regional Task Group-Okinlay headed by CIDG regional director P/Sr. Superintendent Pedro Austria, merely relied on guesswork and randomly pointed their fingers at the first likely scapegoats. After only two days of investigation, they effortlessly filed charges against the three.

The AFP and PNP know that they have no genuine witnesses to prove their accusations. But they will not hesitate to make scapegoats out of civilians to fool the public into believing that they have not been idle in cases like this. In doing so, they are soiling their own image and alienating themselves all the more from the people.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140724_npa-condemns-afp-pnp-s-false-accusations-against-civilians-in-bukidnon

CPP/NPA: 8th IB suffers two casualties in NPA harassment in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon

NPA propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Jul 24): 8th IB suffers two casualties in NPA harassment in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon

Lorena Mangahas
Spokesperson
NPA Eastern Misamis Oriental - North Eastern Bukidnon Sub-regional Operations Command

 

One soldier was killed while another was wounded when 8th IB-PA troops were harassed by a unit of the New People’s Army under the Eastern Misamis Oriental-Northeastern Bukidnon Sub-regional Command. The attack was launched on July 23, 2014, at around 10 AM in Km. 30, Brgy. Calabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

The Red fighters met the combat operation of an 8th IB platoon with a harassment operation in return for its fascist crimes against the people. The 4th ID spokesperson confirmed that one among them was killed, but denied that another was wounded, while citing their own soldiers’ blood as evidence that the NPA also suffered casualties, which is certainly not the case, as the Red fighters were able to safely withdrew after the attack.

The 8th IB is actively pursuing and chasing off NPA units in the area to pave the way for the entry of landgrabbing plantations, as well as large-scale mining interests that have been eyeing the barrios of Impasug-ong for some time. With local government support, the 8th IB also carries out relentless psywar operations in these barrios under the pretext of “Hatud Serbisyo.”

The NPA will continue to protect the lands, environment and the people. This is a task for the people’s army, in contrast to the AFP’s task which is to protect the interests of foreign and local ruling classes.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140724_8th-ib-suffers-two-casualties-in-npa-harassment-in-impasug-ong-bukidnon

MILF: Japan IMT visits construction of Darapanan Youth and Children Center

From the MILF Website (Jul 25): Japan IMT visits construction of Darapanan Youth and Children Center



Takayuki Nakagawa, Head of the Japanese Contingent with the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT), visited the ongoing construction of the Darapanan Youth and Children Center (Darapanan YCC) at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao few days ago.
  

Nakagawa was joined by Rasid Ladiasan, Chief Secretariat of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), Toks Ebrahim, MILF CCCH Consultant and Administrative Chief of BIAF – MILF, Nomaire Mustapha, BTC – JICA Project Coordinator, and Sukarno Akmad, Chairman of the Kapagawida Development Services Association, Inc (KDSAI).

This visit was the first since the start of the construction last June 3, 2014. Visitation and ground monitoring of Official Development Assistance of Japan through the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) is one of the functions of the Japanese Contingent with the IMT.

Nakagawa hailed the unabated construction of the Darapanan YCC despite the observance of Fasting in Ramadhan by the skilled workers and project engineer, even as he said “this makes the assurance for the completion of the project as scheduled at the end of this year.”    

This Darapanan Youth and Children Center, which Nakagawa cited as one of the most important projects of Japan, is part of the eight projects under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) awarded by His Excellency Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe in an official ceremony in Manila last March 20, 2014.

The construction of the Center amounts to US$ 121,905 (approximately 5.4 million pesos), driven by the goal of developing the skills and knowledge of the youth with the progression of the GPH – MILF Peace Process capped by the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Various training equipment for technical / vocational skills development will also be provide the Center that envision to train more than 150 youth, including MILF youth / children and combatants, annually on technical / vocational know-how.

“The training will significantly help the youth in harnessing technical skills and become more productive and this will be very helpful for the Normalization Process of the GPH – MILF CAB,” Nakagawa pointed out.

Training Compendium is now being developed by KDSAI, the project proponent, with the assistance of the Association of Bangsamoro Advocates Inc (ABAI) that focuses on skills development cum livelihood viability, agri-fisheries among others in collaboration with TESDA – ARMM and community extension services of academic and government institutions.

Nakagawa, for his part, committed to help in seeking Japan assistance for the training courses that will offered by the Center starting early next year.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1104-japan-imt-visits-construction-of-darapanan-youth-and-children-center

MILF: Bangsamoro Government would still be in place by 2016

From the MILF Website (Jul 26): Bangsamoro Government would still be in place by 2016



Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said Tuesday, July 22, that “Bangsamoro Government should still be in place before President Benigno Aquino III steps down in June 2016”, as quoted by Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  

This according to Chairman Iqbal will still happen despite no draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) would be sent to congress as its opens on July 28 it joint session at the Batasang Pambansa.

“Our timeline is still the Bangsamoro government shall be delivered within the term of (President) Aquino. That is the commitment of the President and we see it as the best situation that would happen,” Iqbal told the Inquirer in an interview.

GPH and MILF peace panels are still threshing out major differences on the diluted BBL and come up with “agreed version” of the craft law. The legal team of the Office of the President practically left nothing in the original version of the draft law untouched by its comments and proposed revisions.

The Office of the President’s comments rankled not a few members of the MILF negotiating panel and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, which drafted the law. Iqbal himself chaired the BTC.

The BTC signed a resolution elevating the review of the BBL draft to the peace panels.

The panels had workshops in Kuala Lumpur from July 8-11 and in Manila, which ended on Monday, July 21.

The source said it was not clear to the MILF panel when they would hold another special meeting with the government to finally complete the BBL draft.

Iqbal declined to comment on the allegedly abrupt ending of Monday’s meeting. Instead, he said, he was willing to work on the draft law, even if it would take both panel days, and even while all the Muslims involved in the special meeting were fasting during Ramadan, PDI further quoted him saying.

Iqbal, however, stressed the non-negotiables for the MILF at the special meetings to fine-tune the draft law.

“We registered our position in Kuala Lumpur: First,that all the issues that have been settled and signed documents will no longer be the subject of renegotiation… Second, all those languages that are settled in the signed documents will no longer be the subject of renegotiation,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal said that while both panels want to fast-track the completion of the agreed version of the draft BBL and submit it “immediately” after President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address, the MILF maintained that both panels would not “sacrifice the quality” of the draft law.
 http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1105-bangsamoro-government-would-still-be-in-place-by-2016

MILF: MILF hits government troops ceasefire violat(ions)

From the MILF Website (Jul 26): MILF hits government troops ceasefire violates



The MILF commanders hit government for blatant ceasefire violation as Philippine Army troops started uncoordinated massive movements at early morning in areas close to MILF forces in the towns of Datu Unsay and Datu Saudi, Maguindanao.
  

The MILF commanders reported that hundreds of Philippine Army troops clad in full battle gear backed with several tanks moved into Barangays Kitango, Tatapan, Kitapok, Maitem a Ig, and Pagatin.

However, the government and MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) were not aware or coordinated of these provocative uncoordinated massive deployment and movement of Philippine Army troops.

“This nature of uncoordinated movement can trigger untoward incident and worst fierce encounter between the government and MILF forces,” Rasid Ladiasan, Head of the MILF CCCH Secretariat, told Luwaran.Com when asked for comment.

“We do not want any tension or confrontational situation to grip in between MILF and government forces otherwise we are being remiss with our responsibility,” he said.

“Clearly any movement which are not normal administrative functions like the case that transpired early morning today in that areas constitute ceasefire violations when the CCCHs were not coordinated. The government forces know this very well but unfortunately they acted in contravention,” Ladiasan said.

He appealed to the government counterpart to enhance coordination especially at this time when the government and MILF are confronting major challenges on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) following the review and changes made by the government review team on the BBL as drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

“The MILF CCCH is going to file a strong protest on this incident as the proper way to address this situation,” he said.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1107-milf-hits-government-troops-ceasefire-violates