Thursday, August 14, 2014

CPP: Confront Aquino chacha, second term with intense resistance—CPP

Propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Aug 14): Confront Aquino chacha, second term with intense resistance—CPP

Logo.cpp
Communist Party of the Philippines
 
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today called on the Filipino people to confront “with intense resistance” moves to amend the 1987 constitution in order to set the stage for a second term or a term extension for Aquino and other perfidious measures that serve the interests of foreign big capitalists and the ruling clique. In an interview aired last night, Benigno Aquino III outrightly endorsed charter change (chacha) and said he “has to listen” to proposals for him to seek another term in office.

The CPP said Aquino’s interview last night saw him “openly endorsing authoritarianism” when he justified the proposal to amend the 1987 constitution in order to clip the powers of the Supreme Court to prevent it from curtailing the self-claimed powers to realign public funds according to his priorities. “This was an open statement of his ambition to bring back the Marcos-style rule where so-called democratic institutions served as mere facades to his dictatorship.”

“Aquino is, in fact, already largely exercising dictatorial powers in his use of pork barrel money, lump-sum funds and so-called savings to reward the political loyalties of senators, congressmen and local government officials, to ensure that crony businesses are granted government contracts and guaranteed profits and that the interests of foreign big capitalists and the US military are fully served.

“With the pork barrel and DAP, Aquino has practically reduced the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives to mere rubber stamps,” pointed out the CPP.

“Aquino is an indignant cacique intoxicated with power who is outraged that his prerogatives as the Pork Barrel King have been put to question by the Supreme Court,” said the CPP after Aquino confronted the Supreme Court over its decision against the DAP. “Like his tirades a month ago against the Supreme Court, Aquino is exhibiting his landlord intolerance against those who go against him. After having his taste of power, Aquino is becoming increasingly insatiable, seeking more powers under the false slogan of ‘matuwid na daan’,” said the CPP.

“Aquino’s endorsement of the chacha will pave the way for constitutional amendments to remove the few remaining restrictions against foreign control of the local economy and all-out foreign exploitation of Filipino labor and Philippine national patrimony,” added the CPP. “Aquino’s minions also seek to remove provisions that prohibit the establishment of foreign military bases and facilities.”

“Such constitutional amendments will practically trash Philippine national sovereignty and reduce the country into a wasteland for foreign plunder,” said the CPP.

“It is highly possible that Aquino’s minions will also seek to remove the provisions restricting the Philippine president to one six-year term or some other amendement that will allow him to extend his stay in office,” added the CPP. “Just like Marcos, Aquino claims he is ‘listening to the voice of his boss’ even if this is just a social-media campaign funded by Aquino, his sisters and their Yellow army of media manipulation specialists.”

“Despite maxxing out funding for such campaigns in response to Kris Aquino’s call for the so-called ‘silent majority’ to speak up, Aquino’s yellow army has only managed to attract a few thousand people on Facebook and Twitter, including the fake accounts generated by their paid hacks. They are having a hard time bringing this campaign out of the internet.”

“The truth is, among the peasants, workers, urban poor, students, ordinary employees and other marginalized sectors, there is no clamor for another Aquino term as they are confronted daily with rising prices, reduced income and increasingly intolerable socio-economic conditions under Aquino’s anti-people and pro-big business rule,” said the CPP.

“Without the possibility of a second or extended term, Aquino is faced with only two future possibilities: he will either be ousted or forced to resign from office; or confront a widespread clamor to hold him accountable and have him imprisoned for his anomalous diversion of billions of funds to favored politicians and businesses,” added the CPP.

“In the face of exposés of graft and the filing of impeachment charges against Aquino and possible criminal charges in the future, Aquino and his coterie of corrupt officials are utterly frightened of the possibility of ending up behind bars as the Filipino people demand accountability and punishment of the bureaucrat capitalists,” said the CPP.

“In endorsing chacha and opening the possibility of a second term, Aquino is stoking the fires of the people’s demand to oust him from power,” said the CPP. “In openly expressing his authoritarian ideas, Aquino is provoking broader resistance against his rule.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140814_confront-aquino-chacha-second-term-with-intense-resistance-cpp

(Update) 4 civilians hurt in BIFF bombing attack on Army soldiers in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): (Update) 4 civilians hurt in BIFF bombing attack on Army soldiers in Maguindanao

Suspected Moro militants, targeting a military convoy with a roadside bomb in Maguindanao Wednesday afternoon, instead hurt four civilians, the military said today.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, regional Army spokesperson, said the roadside bombing at a highway in Barangay Sambolawan, Datu Salibo town came a day after Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) simultaneously attacked Army detachments in nearby villages of Magaslong, Sharif Saydona town and Buayan, Datu Piang town, also in Maguindanao.

Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the bombers could have targeted a convoy of soldiers belonging to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion but missed, hitting another vehicle tailing the Army at past 4 p.m.

He blamed the BIFF as behind the roadside bombing due to its “signature make” of the IED, a mortar with mobile phone as trigger mechanism.

The Army spokesperson, citing report from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said it appeared the blasting mechanism of the IED which was fashioned from a 60 mm mortar malfunctioned.

On the bombers’ second try, the IED went off, hitting a civilian vehicle and wounded four individuals.

“The IED went off late so the convoy was spared. We are sad innocent civilians were hit,” Hermoso told reporters.Hermoso did not name the wounded civilians but they were rushed to the Maguindanao provincial hospital in nearby Shariff Aguak town.

On Tuesday night, four BIFF guerillas were reported killed after the military stationed in two detachments in Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona returned fire in response to BIFF attacks.

The BIFF, on several occasions, tried but failed to retake Barangay Ganta, a swampy village used to be the BIFF’s stronghold.

Jemaah Islamiyah bomb expert Basit Usman was cited in the village of Ganta but managed to escape with two other Indonesians during Army offensive in July, military officials here said.

His wife from Jolo, Sulu was captured but later released to government social welfare office.

Usman who carries a USD 5-million had been hiding in southern Philippines and in the company of BIFF rebels, a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which sealed a peace deal with Manila.

The BIFF camp fell into government hands in July after air and ground assaults. The camp surrounded by running trenches and fox holes with a bomb making factory nearby, was also seized by government forces.

About 2,000 civilians have fled to nearby villages since Tuesday due to sporadic Army-BIFF skirmishes. The Maguindanao social welfare office workers are now attending to their needs.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=672933

Maguindanao security officials refute IAP report

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): Maguindanao security officials refute IAP report

Security officials here refuted Thursday claims by the International Alert Philippines (IAP) that Maguindanao province accounts for most of the recorded cases of violence in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) the past two years.

Military officials assigned in Maguindanao were amazed at the IAP’s contention that political violence had cost 862 lives from 2011 to 2013.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said he found the claim as bothersome and appeared to be not well founded.

In its report, the IAP said political violence in the province during the period had caused the death of 862 persons, with 973 wounded, 58 missing or kidnapped.

It also said a total of 22,433 families in the province were displaced, as a result of violence in the area.

“I don’t know from where those statistics have come from. We had relatively peaceful local elections in 2010 and in 2013 and we have been seeing the influx of foreign investors putting up banana and oil palm plantations in Maguindanao since early 2011,” a visibly surprised Hermoso told reporters.

”We don’t deny there were evacuations as a result of harassment by Moro bandits and recurring floods in Maguindanao during that period, but not due to political violence," he said.

Hermoso admitted there were skirmishes involving Army and BIFF forces in Maguindanao but combined Army, rebel and civilian fatalities could not reach 862.

Maguindanao is the bastion of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which signed a peace deal with Manila since 1997 which also resulted in zero Army-MILF clashes.

Hermoso said foreign investors would not come to Maguindanao if the area is unsafe.

The ARMM’s regional peace and order council, chaired by Gov. Mujiv Hataman, said it has no record of the figures the IAP had used.

"Amazing," was all Hataman could say about the IAP's report.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu was equally surprised with the report and urged IAP to rectify is global report.

Both Mangudadatu and Hataman were surprised the IAP report did not quote the sources of its statistics.

IAP is a member of the International Alert, a global peace-building organization operating in 25 countries in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=672945

More M-4 rifles to be acquired for the AFP --President Aquino

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): More M-4 rifles to be acquired for the AFP --President Aquino

Citing proper and efficient bidding procedures, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will soon be getting additional Remington M-4 automatic rifles for its ground units.

The President made the announcement during the ceremonial distribution of new weapons to soldiers at the AFP canopy area in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

”Dahil sa patas na bidding, nakuha natin ang mga bagong baril na ito sa di-hamak na mas murang halaga. Sabi po ng BAC (Bidding and Awards Committee), ang dapat sana’y Php 63,000 kada unit -— na di-hamak na ngang mas mura sa dinatnan nating presyo noong tayo’y nag-umpisang manungkulan —- nakuha na lamang natin sa Php 38,402.13, kada isa po ‘yan," the Chief Executive said.

"Kung susumahin: Sa approved budget na Php 3.19 billion, nabili natin ito sa presyong Php 1.94 billion. Ang savings natin, umabot sa Php 1.2 billion. Gamit ang bahagi ng dagdag-pondo na ito, nakapag-procure ang ating Department of National Defense ng dagdag pang 12,657 units ng assault rifles para sa Philippine Army, na nagkakahalaga ng Php 486.06 milyon,” the President added.

The procurement and distribution of modern equipment to the AFP is done to match the courage and valor of its personnel, President Aquino stressed.

Fund for the purchase of the M-4 rifles was sourced from the AFP Capability Upgrade Program.

An initial 27,300 M-4 units were shipped last July and the remaining 23, 329 units will be delivered by December.

Total M-4 orders for the AFP is placed at 50,629 units.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=672730

M-4 distribution a morale boost to frontline troops - AFP chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): M-4 distribution a morale boost to frontline troops - AFP chief
 
Morale of the units serving in the frontlines definitely got a much needed boost with the distribution of the first batch of Remington M-4 automatic rifle, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said Thursday.

Total M-4 orders for the AFP is placed at 50,629 units.

The initial batch of 27,300 M-4 automatic rifles were ceremonially distributed Thursday morning.

While the remaining 23,329 units will be delivered by December.

Catapang made this statement after noting that the rifling of the older M-16 have become so worn that it was impossible to shoot accurately.

Rifling refers to helical grooves in the barrel of a gun or firearm, which imparts a spin to a projectile around its long axis.

This spin serves to gyroscopically stabilize the projectile, improving its aerodynamic stability and accuracy.

He added that he detected this fault when he was issued an M-16 automatic rifle when he was appointed as brigade commander some years back.

"And when I test fired the weapon, the round I fired was way off from my intended target," the AFP chief said in Filipino.

And with the M-4 now getting to frontline use, Catapang said our soldiers will be more confident in engaging the enemy.

"And this advantage will put to good use as our soldiers are good marksmen," he pointed out.

The old M-16s have a 1-in-12 twist while the M-4s have a 1-in-7 twist making it more powerful, military sources earlier said.

This makes the M-4 is a very versatile weapon and very ideal for close-quarter battle as it fires a more heavy shell than the M-16 automatic rifle it is replacing, thus ensuring greater damage to target.

Maximum range of the M-16 is placed at around 300 meters while the M-4 is at 500 meters.

Catapang said that another advantage of the M-4 is that it can be fired continuously.

"But I don't recommend that they do that frequently (as it can shorten the life cycle of the barrel and its rifling)," he added.

The AFP chief attributes the worn rifling of the then M-16s in service for the atrocious rounds fired for confirmed enemy kill of the Catbalogan-based 8th Infantry Division against the New People's Army (NPA).

"I was G-3 (operations officer) of the 8th Infantry Division (between 1999 to 2000s) and at that time we needed to fire 5,000 rounds just to kill one NPA per encounter," he recounted.

And with the M-4, Catapang is hoping that the rounds fired needed to neutralize one target will be lowered to just 500 rounds.

And due to its smaller size than the M-16, the M-4 is more easier to carry in foliage and inside vehicles.

With this characteristics, the weapon is more easier to fire and reload during engagements.

It fires the .223 caliber, or 5.56 mm NATO round.

Catapang said that he was able to test fire the new M-4s Saturday together with President Benigno S. Aquino III and ranking officials of the Philippine Marines.

"The President fired one shot and it hit the (a small) target balloon, dead center," he added.

Range was just 25 meters, Catapang disclosed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=672784

AFP to comply on whatever orders the court will give on Palparan case

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): AFP to comply on whatever orders the court will give on Palparan case

Aside from monitoring the status of retired Major Gen. Jovito Palparan's case at the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 14, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang on Thursday said that the military will comply with what ever order the court will give them.

"We will (just) follow (whatever) order the court will give," he added.

And regarding the retired major general's request for additional security regarding the threats against his life, the AFP chief said that Palparan has to inform them about it.

"He has to write us or inform us and then we will coordinate with the NBI or whatever government instrumentality, we cannot just come in as Gen. Palparan is now under the control of the courts," Catapang stressed.

The former official was arrested in a bakery in Teresa and Old Sta. Mesa, Manila Tuesday early morning, ending a three year flight from the law.

Palparan went into hiding after the Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 14 issued a warrant arrest for him, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado Jr., Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio and Master Sgt. Rizal Hilario in 2011 for the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan on June 26, 2006.

Anotado and Osorio voluntarily surrendered. Hilario remains at large.

Palparan's last assignment at the Army was being commander of the Nueva Ecija-based 7th Infantry Division. He retired from the service in Sept. 11, 2006.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=672812

BRP Ramon Alcaraz, 'Power' chopper to participate in Australia naval exercise

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): BRP Ramon Alcaraz, 'Power' chopper to participate in Australia naval exercise

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's most capable warship along with its embarked AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopter (PNH-431) will be participating in "Kakadu 2014," Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo said on Thursday.

Send-off ceremonies will be on Riviera Wharf, Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City this coming Aug. 17.

"Kakadu 2014" is hosted biennially by the Royal Australian Navy and will be held Northern Australia Exercise Area this coming Aug. 25 to Sept. 12.

The naval exercise represents an opportunity to promote and enhance regional interoperability and cooperation among the participating navies.

The participating countries with navy ships/aircraft are Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Pakistan and Australia.

On the other hand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vanuatu, South Korea and India will be sending personnel as observers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=672838

P5.46-B boosts housing program for military, police

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): P5.46-B boosts housing program for military, police

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P5.46 billion to the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the construction of 20,000 house-and-lot packages for the military, police, and other uniformed personnel in various regions of the country.

Sourced from the Budgetary Support to Government Corporations (BSGC) under the 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the P5.46-billion release will benefit personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

“From the very beginning, one of President Aquino's goals was to give uniformed personnel the opportunity to secure permanent housing. This latest release underscores the Administration's continuing commitment to provide safe, resilient, and quality homes to our men in uniform and their families,” DBM Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

“The fund release will go towards the construction of another 20,000 housing units this year, which will allow us to support more soldiers and police officers. Once the government has successfully built these houses, the total number of completed units will bump up to 66,852, ever since we started the housing program in 2011,” he added.

As of May 31, 2014, a total of 46,852 housing units have already been completed from the time the housing program was implemented in 2011. This is an accomplishment rate of 75 percent of the total target of 62,790 units set as of 2013.

Of the released P5.46 billion, Regions IV-A and III will get the biggest shares of P1.77 billion and P1.64 billion for 6,500 and 6,000 housing units, respectively.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=672892

AFP chief mulls cruise tours in PHL-owned features in Spratly Islands Group

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): AFP chief mulls cruise tours in PHL-owned features in Spratly Islands Group

In a bid to show to the world how beautiful and exotic the Philippine-owned features of the Spratly Islands Group, Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said on Wednesday the military is planning to set up cruise tours which will sail around six of such islands.

"Hopefully, we will be able to put up a cruise ship going around the six islands," he said.

However, Catapang could only give the names of four Philippines-owned areas which the proposed cruise tours would cover and these are Patag, Lawak, Pagasa Islands and Ayungin Shoal.

Aside from the four features, the Philippines also occupies Parola, Likas, Kota, and Panata Islands and Rizal Reef.

As this developed, Catapang urged the Palawan provincial government to make their area more prosperous.

"I challenge them to make Palawan as the next most prosperous province, to showcase it. Palawan has a lot of potentials, especially if we can develop the islands that we now posses as tourism destination," he said.

Catapang said he expects investors to come in for the project.

"It can be a public-private partnership if we are able to develop the area," the AFP chief stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=672885

270 CAFGUs up for deployment

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 14): 270 CAFGUs up for deployment

The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade will soon deploy 270 Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit members in Negros Occidental, its commander, Col. Jon Aying, said yesterday.

The 270 CAFGU members graduated yesterday from the three-month basic military training in a ceremony held at Barangay La Granja, La Carlota City, with Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer as guest of honor and speaker.
 
Aying said the 270 CAFGUs will be deployed in insurgency-affected areas of Negros.
 
More than 1,000 CAFGUs are now deployed in Negros Occidental, and are supervised by the 12th Infantry (Cadre) Battalion, military records show.
 

AFP wants cruise ship tours to Spratly Islands

From GMA News (Aug 14): AFP wants cruise ship tours to Spratly Islands

The military hopes to organize cruises to disputed isles in the West Philippine Sea in response to similar efforts by other claimant countries, the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Thursday.

"Hopefully, we will be able to put up a cruise ship going around six islands," said AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang. These would include Patag, Lawak and Pagasa Islands and Ayungin Shoal, all part of the Spratly Islands.

The tours might be a public-private partnership project, "if we are able to develop the area," he said.

"We'll be able to hopefully have a cruise because that is also being done by other countries. They have a tourism effort to go around the islands that they possess," Catapang added.

Catapang said that the Chinese might also turn the islands they are currently occupying into tourist destinations. "This is a win-win situation if that will happen," he added.

The AFP chief said he was briefed on Wednesday by the AFP Western Command (WesCom), which oversees military operations in the disputed region.

"I challenged them to make Palawan the next most prosperous province, to showcase it," he said. "Palawan has a lot of potential, especially if we can develop the island that we now possess as a tourism destination."

Catapang, who assumed the top military post on July 18, on Wednesday installed Rear Adm. Alexander Lopez as new WesCom commander.  Lopez replaced Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, who will retire on Sunday.

5-6 Chinese ships in area

Catapang also said that five to six Chinese ships are regularly seen in the disputed areas, particularly at Mischief Reef (Panganiban Reef), Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal), and Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal).

"That's the usual.They are there in Ayungin Shoal, they are also here in Scarborough...And then they're also at Mischief Reef because that became their forward operating base," he said.

Mischief Reef and Panatag Shoal are controlled by China, with the Chinese building structures on the former. The Philippines has a presence on Ayungin Shoal.

Military report

The AFP has also submitted a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs about possible reclamation activities by the Chinese on some of the disputed islands.

"These are not that definite because these are just photo shots," Catapang said.

Catapang did not identify the islands on which the suspected activities are occurring, but recent news reports point to possible activity on five reefs, including Cuarteron Reef (Calderon Reef), Gaven Reef (Burgos Reef), and Johnson South Reef (Mabini Reef).

May visit Ayungin Shoal

Catapang also said he hopes to visit the troops on Ayungin Shoal.

"I want to, but it might become a sensitive issue. I don't want to unnecessarily make a visit that may not turn out well," he said.

Earlier this year, the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China for blocking Philippine vessels carrying supplies and personnel from going to the shoal.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/374819/news/nation/afp-wants-cruise-ship-tours-to-spratly-islands

Aquino: Filipinos no longer see soldiers as butchers

From Rappler (Aug 14): Aquino: Filipinos no longer see soldiers as butchers

The days of Jovito Palparan are over, says the President

NEW ASSAULT RIFLES: President Benigno Aquino III leads the ceremonial turnover of M4 assault rifles. Malacañang photo
NEW ASSAULT RIFLES: President Benigno Aquino III leads the ceremonial turnover of M4 assault rifles. Malacañang photo

President Benigno Aquino III said the military has changed since the time of retired Major General Jovito Palparan, who was the poster boy for the military's human rights abuses during the previous Arroyo administration.

"Masasabi na rin po natin ngayon: Kung dati, kinakatakutan ang inyong hanay bilang mga berdugo, ngayon, ginagalang at pinagkakatiwalaan kayo bilang mga tunay na kabalikat ng sambayanang Pilipino, (This we can say: If in the past people feared your ranks because of your reputation as butchers, you are are now respected and trusted as true partners of the people)," Aquino said in a speech before soldiers on Thursday, August 12.

He cited the military's role in responding to natural calamities.

The President was in Camp Aguinaldo for the ceremonial turnover of 50,000 brand new M4 Caliber 5.56mm assault rifles of the Army and the Marines.

In his speech, he vowed a fair trial for the detained Palparan, who was arrested August 12 after nearly 3 years in hiding. He faces charges of kidnapping and illegal detention for the disappearance of two UP student activists. (READ: People of the Philippines vs Jovito Palparan)

Palparan is praised by soldiers for his aggressive campaign against communist rebels, but human rights groups have blamed him for the spate of extrajudicial killings and disappearances in areas he was assigned. (WATCH: Fugitive General Palparan arrested in Manila)

Military chief's orders

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr said he issued clear instructions to the troops to strictly adhere to human rights. (READ: New AFP chief tells troops: Ignore politics, no HR violations)

"My marching order during the International Humanitarian Law day is: "Defeat the enemies of the state without violating human rights or having collateral damage. Our campaign now is: Kawal disiplinado. Bawal abusado. Dapat asintado. (Soldiers should be disciplined, shoud not be abusive, and should be sharp shooters)," Catapang told reporters.

Catapang dismissed allegations that there are soldiers who are following Palparan's notorious style.

The military chief said they continue to monitor the status of Palparan becaues of his request for security. But he said the military can only do much for him because he is already retired.

"The appeal of General Palparan is for his safety. If he wants additional security, he has to write us or inform us and then we will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation or whatever government instrumentatility we need to coordinate with," said Catapang.

Remington's M4 rifles


The acquisition of the new M4 assault rifles from US gun manufacturer Remington is part of the modernization of the Philippine military.

The President himself joined military generals when they tried shooting the rifles over the weekend at the Marines headquarters in Taguig.

"One shot, he got it. Before he fired, the President asked how the sighting worked. I said dead center, so he fired and he hit the target," Catapang narrated.

Catapang said he hopes that the excitement of the troops with their new M4 rifles would translate to better accuracy.

The M4 rifles arrived from the US last month. Its transport from the Manila South Harbor to the military headquarters fueled coup rumors because of the convoy of military tanks and vehicles.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/66213-aquino-professional-soldiers

5 to 6 Chinese ships patrolling West PH Sea – military

From Rappler (Aug 14): 5 to 6 Chinese ships patrolling West PH Sea – military

This has become the 'regular' situation in the West Philippine Sea, says Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr

DAVID VS GOLIATH. File photo of a much smaller Philippine ship arrives at the disputed Ayungin Shoal. Photo by AFP
DAVID VS GOLIATH. File photo of a much smaller Philippine ship arrives at the disputed Ayungin Shoal. Photo by AFP

Up to 6 Chinese coast guard ships are currently patrolling the West Philippine Sea, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr told reporters on Thursday, August 13.

"There are about 5 to 6....It's the usual. They're in Ayungin Shoal. They're also in Scarborough Shoal. The latest that we saw – we submitted this report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) – is the ongoing reclamation," Catapang said in an interview after the ceremonial turnover of the brand new M4 assault rifles of the Army and the Marines.

This has become the "regular" situation in the West Philippine Sea, Catapang said. More ships were reported in the past.

Most of the Chinese ships were sighted in Scarborough Shoal located off the coast of Zambales in Luzon, and Mischief Reef off the coast of Palawan.

The Chinese Coast Guard has been occupying Scarborough Shoal since a standoff with the Philippine Navy in 2012, where the Philippines withdrew its ship. This has affected the livelihood of Filipino fishermen who are being driven away from the shoal, a fertile fishing ground.

Mischief Reef is also a Philippine-claimed outcrop that China occupied in 1995. It has since served as China's forward operating base. Mischief Reef is located near Ayungin Shoal, where the Philippines grounded a ship in response to the occupation of the reef.

The BRP Sierra Madre now serves as a unconventional naval detachment, which China wants to be towed away.

[Video report: Up to 6 Chinese ships patrolling West PH Sea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6JUbeUHOZo]


The new Philippine military chief is not new to handling issues of territorial defense. A former chief of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), Catapang used to be responsible for Scarborough Shoal before the disputed maritime territory was transferred to Palawan's Westcom.

"When I was still with Nolcom and General Rustico Guerrero was with Westcom, he used to ask me: 'Mistah, I'm looking for 5 or 6 ships that I always see in Mischief Reef. They're missing. It might be in your area?'"

He said he replied, "Mistah, the two are with me," which showed that "the ships are just shuttling back and forth."

The Philippines is seeking regional support for its Triple Action Plan proposal that includes a moratorium on provocative activities in the West Philippines Sea. China has rejected it, however.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/66227-chinese-ships-west-philippine-sea

Rear Admiral Lopez takes over Westcom amid China tensions

From InterAksyon (Aug 14): Rear Admiral Lopez takes over Westcom amid China tensions




Amid tensions with China, the Western Command, which has jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea, on Wednesday welcomed its new commander during a turnover of command at Camp Ricarte in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Former WPS commander Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, who is retiring on Aug. 17, handed command responsibility to Rear Admiral Alexander Lopez, the current Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training (J8).

Besides the challenging task of maintaining security and defense of the Philippines’ sovereignty, Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang expects Lopez to develop more capabilities for his unit.

“I think he (Lopez) can look into developing more capabilities, indigenous (to the Western Command) and then of course, he can also look into developing further our Ulugan Bay (facilities),” Catapang said in Filipino during the change-of-command ceremonies.

This is in line with efforts of the military to improve its minimum credible deterrent capability.

Aside from this, the AFP chief stated Lopez can also do more on the security of the Malampaya oil separation platform.

“These are the things one must do when appointed to the Western Command,” he disclosed.

Besides this, Catapang said that the AFP is continuously monitoring reports of presence of Chinese fishing vessels in the area and for forwarding it to the Department of Foreign Affairs, who will then make representations to China.

Lopez is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982, while Deveraturda was a product of the Armed Forces of the PhilippinesOfficer Candidate School.

Lopez was earlier reported to be a strong contender for the Central Command based in Cebu City following the promotion of his “mistah” (classmate), Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, who will remain concurrent Cencom commander until President Benigno Aquino III appoints a replacement.

Deveraturda served Westcom for over eight months while Lopez will be leading the command for more than a year before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Lopez had played a major role in the search-and-retrieval operations for then Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo who died with two others when their plane crashed in Masbate waters two years ago.

Early this year, the Westcom commander has also been called WPS commander after the Department of Defense approved the AFP’s proposal to make the whole WPS territory under the jurisdiction of one commander.

Originally, the WPS territorial landscape was divided into two jurisdictional commands, the Northern Luzon Command which has jurisdiction over upper Luzon in the north and Westcom with lower Luzon in the south.

The Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which is part of Masinloc, Zambales is located in upper Luzon and the Kalayaan island Group in Palawan, which forms part of the disputed Spratly Islands, is in the south.

The whole maritime and territorial area is now under the sole command of the WPS commander.

With the aggressive actions of China using its military might to impose its claims on the WPS, Westcom has been transitioning into a territorial defense post with all the available air and naval -- mostly vintage -- assets of the AFP to conduct patrols in the disputed waters.

With an initial budget of P75 billon made available through the revised AFP Modernization Act, the country was able to purchase two former US Coast Guard Hamilton-class ships, which were renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, as well as a number of brand new transport and naval helicopters.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/93275/rear-admiral-lopez-takes-over-westcom-amid-china-tensions

Philippine troops to get new M4 rifles

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Aug 14): Philippine troops to get new M4 rifles





President Benigno Aquino during the ceremonial distribution of M4 rifles to soldiers. (Photo by Rey Baniquet)
President Benigno Aquino, assisted by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, led the ceremonial distribution Thursday of new M4 assault rifles to the Philippine Army and Marines at the  headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Quezon City.

Aquino said one of the major programs of the AFP Modernization is to upgrade the mission-essential capability requirements of the military in terms of firepower for ground troops.

Under the modernization program, the acquisition of 50,629 units of M4 assault rifles was prioritized to supplement and replace the early models of M-16 and M-16A1 assault rifles issued to troops.

He said the whole project will be delivered within the year and will be shipped in two batches

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/08/philippine-troops-to-get-new-m4-rifles.html