CPP/Ang Bayan: Wage all-out resistance against Aquino’s chacha and term extension scheme

Propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Aug 21): Wage all-out resistance against Aquino’s chacha and term extension scheme

CPP Ang Bayan

 

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) urgently calls on the Filipino people to meet the Aquino clique’s moves to extend its stay in power through Marcos-style measures.

 

The Aquino clique is targeting the amendment of the 1987 constitution (cha-cha) in order to clip the Supreme Court’s power to stop Aquino from doing as he pleases. Like Marcos, Aquino wants the other branches of the reactionary government to become his rubberstamps and mere facades to conceal his dictatorial conduct.

 

The Aquino clique, especially its minions in Congress, is likewise focused on amending the constitution to allow Aquino to extend his current term or run for a second term. Its members are now in a mad scramble to create the illusion of mass support for Aquino in order for him to stay in power after Aquino stated that he was open to such a possibility if it was in accordance with “his bosses’ wishes.”

 

Aquino’s backpedalling on the cha-cha issue demonstrates desperation in the face of the worsening political crisis faced by the ruling regime. He wants to consolidate his own power out of fear that he and his cohorts would be removed from power on or before 2016 and made to account for stealing, plunder and other crimes against the people.

 

Aquino’s statements blatantly manifest his dictatorial bent, his desire to monopolize political power and dismantle all obstacles and questions to his “righteous” rule. His statements have further stoked the fires of the people’s anger and spurred a blitz of brickbats from the people who have had enough of Aquino’s policies that have brought nothing but skyrocketing prices of goods and services, very low wages, widespread landlessness and landgrabbing, massive unemployment and unprecedented hunger and poverty. On top of these burdens is brutality militarization and other grave violations of human rights.

 

The people have long hated Aquino because of the stench of corruption that his regime has been reeking out. Bureaucrat capitalism has worsened under the Aquino regime because of its efforts to consolidate its power through the use of the nation’s coffers to favor cronies and contributors to Aquino’s election kitty.

 

They detest his use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), Development Acceleration Program and other pork barrel programs allotting billions of pesos of government funds according to Aquino’s prerogative and caprice. Aquino has arrogated the power to decide which programs or projects would suffer budget cuts or be deprived of funds altogether for the use of his businessman-cronies and politicians loyal to his clique.

 

Despite widespread criticism of the pork barrel, Aquino insists on maintaining tens of billions of pesos under Malacañang’s direct control. There have been recent exposés of how Aquino concealed from the public the system of providing funds for various government agency programs “nominated” by senators, congressmen and local officials as a means of buying their loyalty and support.

 

Thus, in realit, Aquino has long been running his government like a dictatorship. He is able to get everything he wants from Congress and the Senate which are both rules by his minions and apologists. Aquino now plans to obtain even greater power through cha-cha. When he is able to realize his avowed goal of clipping the powers of the Supreme Court, he will have enthroned himself as a dictator.

 

With the continuing exposés of corruption, repression and puppetry, Aquino has grown increasingly isolated from, and despised, by the people. It is no wonder that Malacañang officials and Aquino’s propagandists have been straining to portray the fiction of growing support for Aquino to justify measures to extend his power. All of Aquino’s gimmicks on the internet and in the media have been contemptuously ignored by the public.

 

Aquino’s statements baring his objective of attaining greater powers have likewise further driven various pettybourgeois forces, groups and personalities to join forces with entities opposed to the ruling regime. They have grown more active in expressing their opposition to Aquino’s rotten rule.

 

The struggles of the broad masses of the people to oust the Aquino regime must be fired up even more. Aquino must not be allowed to use cha-cha or any other political maneuver to extend his stay in power and the people’s verdict and punishment.

 

The Filipino people must likewise be vigilant of reactionary politicians who want to amend the constitution to do away with provisions that impose limits in foreign ownership and control of Philippine industries.

 

Driven by US imperialism, they are likewise targeting the removal of, or amendments to, provisions prohibiting the construction of foreign military bases and facility. This has no other purpose than to ratify the newly signed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which allows the US military to build facilities in various parts of the Philippines.

 

The people must go all-out in holding Aquino accountable for his sellout of national sovereignty, for raiding the nation’s coffers and for his onerous and repressive measures against the people.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140821_wage-all-out-resistance-against-aquino-s-chacha-and-term-extension-scheme

Police, military troops arrest 2 Abu Sayyaf brigands in Zamboanga City

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): Police, military troops arrest 2 Abu Sayyaf brigands in Zamboanga City

Combined police and military operatives have arrested two suspected Abu Sayyaf brigands and confiscated from them a grenade in two separate places in this city, a top police official disclosed Thursday.

Zamboanga City police director Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro identified the arrested suspects as Edwin Sawaldi with aliases Nur Hassan and Hassan, and Jemhar Allih who carries the aliases of Memay Alih, Ustadz Haepa and Ustadz Wahid.

Casimiro said Sawaldi was arrested around 6:10 p.m. Wednesday in the port area of this city.

Sawaldi has standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a Court in Isabela City, Basilan province, according to Casimiro.

He said that Allih was arrested around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday in Sitio Tawi-Tawi, Barangay Taluksangay, east of this city.

He said the arresting team of operatives recovered from the possession of Allih a fragmentation grenade.

He said Allih has standing warrants of arrest for violation of Republic Act 6593 otherwise known as the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972 and attempted murder issued by a Court in this city.

Casimiro said both arrested suspects were detained while appropriate cases for illegal possession of explosive is set to be filed against Allih.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=675274

NPA covering up for blunder: Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 21): NPA covering up for blunder: Army

The allegation of the Roselyn Pelle Command of the New People's Army Northern Negros Guerilla Front that those killed and injured in an encounter with the military recently in Brgy. Dian-ay, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, were not their members, is part of their alibi to cover up their blunder, Lt. Col. Rommel Cordova, 62 nd Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday said.

 

“They (NPA) are now suffering a major political setback because of what had happened,” Cordova said, in response to the statement of Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the Roselyn Pelle Command had issued to the media.

 

While they exploited their supporters, the NPA did not even extend any form of help to them, Cordova said, adding that, “In fact, it was the Army who extended humanitarian assistance those they had exploited”.

 

Estrella had disputed in a statement they issued, military claims of an encounter between them and the 62IB, and said that Danilo Amar, Francisco Zamora and a certain Robles are not affiliated with their group, much more as their guides.

 

The rebel spokespersons claimed it could have been a mis-encounter between the RPA-ABB under the leadership of Ka Remar, who are operating in the area, and the 62IB. She further said that the NPA is not operating in the area, where the encounter had taken place.

 

Cordova said the NPA unarmed supporters are now complaining of being used, and of being put in harm's way.

 

Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3 rd Infantry Division spokesman, also dismissed the rebel claims as mere propaganda. “The CPP-NPA in northern Negros did not only disown their members, they did not even extend assistance to the slain and injured ones,” Tiongson said.

 

Col. Jon Aying, 303 rd Infantry Brigade commander, had said earlier that, based on their assessment, Amar was killed and Romly Palotes was injured when they were hit by bullets from their own comrades. The two were alleged members of the NPA Yunit Militia.

 

The encounter also caused injury to Espinosa, 27, commander of the 62 nd Infantry Battalion Bravo Company. He is now confined at the Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City.

 

Estrella called on human rights advocates to conduct an impartial investigation of what she claims to be a “bogus encounter”.

 

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/August/21/topstory7.htm

Araw Force turns over newly-repaired schistosomiasis hospital

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): Araw Force turns over newly-repaired schistosomiasis hospital

The Joint Support Group of South Korean Military Force (Araw Forces) turned over to its management a newly repaired Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital Thursday that was damaged during the height of typhoon Yolanda.

The Araw Forces was supported by the Presbyterian Churches of Korea and the 546 Engineering Battalion of the Philippine Army in repairing the damaged facilities of the hospital that is located in the town of Palo.

It took a month for the Araw Forces and soldiers of AFP to finish the repair, according to Dr Charlemagne Escape, chief of hospital.

The facility that was used to focus on schistosomiasis cases has been upgraded into a general hospital is now equipped with pediatric and psychiatric wards.

It was established in the region after the outbreak of said disease after World War II. It is not only endemic disease in the province of Leyte but also in some parts of the region affecting mostly farmers and even farm animals.

It has been catering to at least two birthing moms daily thus, there is a need for the repair of its damaged facilities.

Also, it currently has 20 patients admitted at the psychiatric ward. Fifteen of them are mentally-ill patients with assisting families while five are vagrant mentally ill-patients, said Escape.

These five patients were turned over to them by the city government of Tacloban.

Aside from the repair undertaken by the Araw Forces, the national government through the Department of Health (DOH also provided P5 million funds to immediately repair the vital structures of the hospital.

The DOH will also provide fund for the construction of Comprehensive Emergency Management of New Born Care added Escape.

In Thursday's ceremony, pastors from Presbyterian Church of Korea also turned over three laptops to the management of the hospital.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=675340

8 soldiers wounded in Basilan ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): 8 soldiers wounded in Basilan ambush

Government forces have launched pursuit operation against the Abu Sayyaf bandits who staged an ambush that injured eight soldiers in the nearby island province of Basilan, officials disclosed Thursday.

Army’s 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer-in-Charge Capt. Franco Suelto said the subject of the pursuit operation is the group of Abu Sayyaf brigand leader Puruji Indama.

Suelto said the combined Army and militia forces were traversing from Barangay Sungkayut to Barangay Bohe-Suyak, Ungkaya Pukan when ambushed by the Abu Sayyaf brigands.

Suelto said the brigands also set-off an improvised explosive device (IED) when the troops returned fire triggering an exchange of gunfire.

Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista said the troops stood ground and repelled the Abu Sayyaf brigands following a 15-minute firefight.

Bautista disclosed that eight government troops were injured in the 15-minute firefight that ensued.

Both officers did not released the identities of the wounded troops except that five of them are troops of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion and three are militiamen.

The troops were ambushed while they were on the way to provide security to an ongoing government project in the area.

Suelto said the Abu Sayyaf brigands were also believed to have sustained injuries or casualties.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&sid=&nid=0&rid=675307

Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Palace --Deles

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Palace --Deles

Presidential Peace Process Secretary Teresita "Ging" Deles confirmed on Thursday that the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law has been submitted to Malacanang by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"As agreed upon by the parties (Philippine government and MILF peace panels), the MILF submitted the final draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to the Office of the Executive Secretary yesterday evening," said Deles in a statement.

Deles said President Benigno S. Aquino III will review the draft BBL and that further discussions may be held based on the guidance of the President before submitting it to Congress.

She also stated that the passage of the BBL "remains on top of the President’s legislative agenda" and the leadership of both Houses of Congress -- the Senate and the House of Representatives -- have indicated that they are prepared to work overtime to ensure the timely passage of the law.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law seeks to create a new political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It will embody the comprehensive peace agreement signed last March by the MILF and the government, which aims to end the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=675374

2 ASG members nabbed in Zamboanga

From the Philippine Star (Aug 21): 2 ASG members nabbed in Zamboanga

Government security forces captured two Abu Sayyaf militants, including a sub-leader tagged in the Lamitan siege in Basilan province, in separate law enforcement operations late Wednesday in this Zamboanga City.

The captured suspects were identified as Nur Hassan alias Hassan, a sub-leader wanted for his alleged participation in the string of kidnappings and the Lamitan siege, and Jemhar Halillula Alih with aliases of Memay Alih, Ustadz Haepa and Ustadz Wahid.

Hassan was captured inside the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) area at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday by joint elements of the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ), Army intelligence unit and the police. Meanwhile, Alih fell into the hands of the joint police intelligence unit about 11:15 p.m. during a raid at his safehouse in the coastal village of Taluksangay, east of this city.

Col. Andrelino Colina, chief of the TFZ, an anti-terror unit, said Hassan, a native of Basilan, was spotted by tracking military intelligence inside the vicinity of the port area prompting his unit and police forces to conduct the operation backed with the warrant of arrest issued by two courts in Isabela City, Basilan.

“The suspects have pending 12 cases of kidnapping with serious illegal detention with ransom based on the warrant of arrest issued by the local courts of Isabela City,” Colina said.

He said the cases against Hassan include the Lamitan siege incident last June 2001 and the abduction of plantation workers in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan town on the same year.

The suspect was brought to the Philippine Center for Transnational Crim inside the police headquarters for documentation and subsequently turned over to the custody of the police.

Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, city police director, said the joint police intelligence unit captured Alih who has a pending warrant of arrest for carnapping and attempted murder issued by Judge Catherine Fabian of Regional Trial Court Branch 16.

The apprehending forces recovered from Alih a fragmentation grenade and a pistol pouch.

Alih was detained at the city police office while undergoing tactical interrogation.

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4004111469161356591&pli=1#editor/target=post;postID=4736745690656045763

No confirmation on Filipino Muslims joining Islamic State terror campaign in Iraq, Syria -- AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20): No confirmation on Filipino Muslims joining Islamic State terror campaign in Iraq, Syria -- AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday it is still to confirm reports that 100 Filipino Muslims have have joined the extremist group, Islamic State, in their ongoing campaign of terror in Iraq and Syria.

"As far as the AFP is concerned there are no reports of such. We checked with the Intelligence Services, and there are (still) no reports of such (activities)," AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

Earlier, former president Fidel V. Ramos claimed around 100 Filipino Muslims have joined the Islamic State (formerly known as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) in their ongoing battles with Iraqi, Syrian and Kurdish forces.

The former president added that these militants will return to the Philippines upon completing their "jihad".

However, Zagala stressed that they will coordinate with Ramos, who is also a former member of the Special Forces, to determine where he got his information, just to be on the safe side.

The AFP public affairs office chief also dismissed reports of Abu Sayyaf Group pledging alliance to the Islamic State in wake of video clips showing members of the bandit group expressing their support to the extremists.

"We have reports of the video of Abu Sayyaf showing their support for Islamic State, they took their oath, but these are mere propaganda materials," he said.

Zagala stated that the AFP sees no threat from the Islamic State.

But despite this, he added that they will continue to monitor for further developments.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation, especially that this is the interest of the AFP," the AFP public affairs chief said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=674873

Indian warship arrives in Manila for port visit

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20): Indian warship arrives in Manila for port visit

One of India's most modern surface combatants, the INS Sahyadri, arrived Wednesday in Manila South Harbor for a routine port call and visit which aims to strengthen the naval ties between the two countries.

The INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik class stealth multi-role frigate constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai, India.

Construction of the vessel began in 2003 and was completed by 2011.

Prior her arrival in Manila, she was one of the participants in Exercise RIMPAC 2014 in Hawaii last July.

INS Sahyadri steamed around 5,000 nautical miles (9,000 kilometers) to get to Manila.

She boasts of an array of weaponry in her arsenal. Long range anti-ship missiles, medium and short range surface to air missiles augmented by powerful guns of different calibers provide a formidable shield against all types of threats.

Two multi-role helicopters carried by the ship act as force multipliers in all maritime scenarios due to their versatility and long range.

Commissioned on July 2012, INS Sahyadri is commanded by Capt. Jyotin Raina and is manned by 25 officers and 255 sailors.

During her stay in Manila, the ship would undertake operational turn around while the ship's crew would participate in various events like professional interaction, sports events and social fixtures.

Manila is a regular port of all for Indian naval ships. INS Satpura, Ranvijay, Shakti, and Kirch visited Manila in 2013.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=674900

Australia-bound BRP Ramon Alcaraz makes 'meeting point procedure' with Japanese destroyer

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): Australia-bound BRP Ramon Alcaraz makes 'meeting point procedure' with Japanese destroyer

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's most capable and modern frigate, demonstrated the excellent seamanship skills of its officers and crew when it made "meeting point procedure" with the Japanese destroyer, JS Hatakaze, off Indonesian waters Wednesday.

The maneuver is also known as PASSEX (passage exercise in naval parlance).

The two ships are headed for Australia to participate in "Kakadu 2014" which is slated Aug. 25 to Sept. 12 at the Northern Australian Area.

While in PASSEX, the two ships conducted tactical maneuvers, visual, communication and publication exercises utilizing the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) developed and published by Western Pacific Naval Symposium as a means to facilitate communication when naval ships or naval aircraft encounter each other in an unplanned manner.

Capt. Ernesto O. Baldovino, BRP Ramon Alcaraz commanding officer, said the PASSEX did not only provide an opportunity to test the effectiveness of the CUES but also served as an avenue to enhance the ability and skills of the sailors and promote cooperation and interoperability between the two ships.

After the successful maneuvers, the two ships proceeded in convoy to Darwin, Australia for the opening ceremony of "Kakadu 2014".

PN public affairs officer for "Kakadu 2014" Ensign John Windy Abing said Australian naval exercise is the largest international maritime exercise hosted biennially by Royal Australian Navy.

He added that this represents an opportunity to promote and enhance regional interoperability and multilateral cooperation among the participating navies.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=675146

ASG member bagged in Zamboanga City operation

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): ASG member bagged in Zamboanga City operation

Operatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police on Wednesday night arrested an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member with numerous arrest warrants for kidnapping, serious illegal detention and other crimes during operations at the port area of Zamboanga City.

Capt. Franco Suelto, 1st Infantry Division spokesperson, identified the arrested ASG man as Nur Hassan.

Hassan's apprehension took place around 6: 10 p.m.

Hassan has several outstanding warrants for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by Isabela City Regional Trial Court Branch 1 and 2.

Aside from this, the suspect also took part in the June 2, 2001 Lamitan Siege.

In this attack, 40 ASG fighters stormed the Dr. Jose Torres Memorial Hospital and St. Peter's Church compound and took hostage 200 people, including medical staff of the above-mentioned hospital.

Dozens of people were killed in the efforts to retake the hospital and church.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=675174

Proficiency exercises to meet BRP Ramon Alcaraz in 'Kakadu 2014'

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): Proficiency exercises to meet BRP Ramon Alcaraz in 'Kakadu 2014'

A series of exercises await BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) and her crew upon arrival at the exercise area of "Kakadu 2014" this coming Aug. 24, the Philippine Navy (PN) said Thursday.

Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo said that the maneuvers, which are designed to improve proficiencies and efficiency of the ship and crew, are the following:

*Graduated harbor training;

*Mariner skills work-up;

*Force integration training;

*Structured live weapons practice;

*Collaborate planning;

*Structured tactical free play.

"Kakadu 2014" is slated this Aug. 25 to Sept. 12. It will be held at the Northern Australian Exercise Area.

Twelve countries will be participating in the biennial naval maneuvers hosted by the Royal Australian Navy.

The participating countries with navy ships/aircraft are Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Pakistan and Australia while Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vanuatu, South Korea, and India will be sending personnel as observers.

This is the second time the PN has sent its ship to participate since the exercise began way back in 1993.

The first time that the PN sent a ship was in 1999. PN observers were also sent in 2003, 2005, and 2007.

It can be recalled that in March 2014, Alcaraz’s sister ship, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) was also sent to Indonesia to participate for the first time in the Multilateral Naval Exercise codenamed “Komodo” which was participated by 16 countries.

The PN’s participation in multilateral exercises is an affirmation of its commitment in collaborating with other navies to promote peace and stability in the maritime region.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=675197

Police confirm planned terror attack: Zambo siege 2 looming

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 21): Police confirm planned terror attack: Zambo siege 2 looming

Eleven months after the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) September 2013 bloody siege here, the police confirmed another attack is looming even as half of about 120,000 evacuated residents have yet to return to their homes.

Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro, police chief, said “these threats include possible bombings of gasoline stations, restaurants  and other highly vulnerable areas as well as kidnappings of some prominent residents and businessmen” but asasured the city that security measures have been placed.

He said Abbu Sayaf member Abbo Jomar was arrested in Barangay Upper Calarian with components of  Improvised  Explosive Device about to be assembled.

Jomar’s group is allegedly networked with  cells operating in Sulu and Basilan with members deployed in several towns in North Cotabato.

Casimiro said another siege is meant to derail the on-going peace process that the  government is  undertaking with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“There are some sectors that are not satisfied with the ways this process is being done while others disagree with the government’s  effort  of reaching for peace in the entire Mindanao, the country’s second largest island region,” he said.

Meanwhile, he debunked the flurry of text messages since Monday about an alleged massing up of armed men in coastal villages of the city’s eastern area as part of the second MNLF assault on the City of Flowers.

“I call on all residents not to fall prey on this  kind of messages  because your police and military men of Task Force Zamboanga  (TFZ) are always on the guard,” Casimiro said.

He said Septemebr 9 has been designated “Memorial Day”  to honor members of the City Police Office who died to defend the city three week siege that also claimed the lives of  military officers from Camp Aguinaldo and some 150 MNLF insurgents who invaded and burned the semi-urban villages of Santa Catalina, Rio Hondo, Talon-Talon, Kasanyangan and Santa Barbara.

Casimiro said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been asked to designate a one-hectare lot as site for a memorial for the fallen heroes to honor their bravery and  gallantry in championing peace in Mindanao.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines, Luiza Carvalho, said many evacuees are still away from their homes.

“Almost 17,000 people are still living in extremely difficult conditions in overcrowded evacuation centers with inadequate sanitation at the Cawa-Cawa shoreline and in and around Zamboanga’s nearby sports complex,” ahe said.

“These people remain most vulnerable to disease and exploitation, while other families now living in temporary housing in transition sites or being hosted by relatives or friends also require humanitarian support.”

Mored than 10,000 homes destroyed or damaged in the Sept. 9 siege and the government did not expect to complete the return or permanent relocation of the pdisplaced families until mid-2015.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/08/21/police-confirm-planned-terror-attack-zambo-siege-2-looming/

Philippine Army to get 28 upgraded APCs by Q1 of 2015

From the Manila Times (Aug 21): Philippine Army to get 28 upgraded APCs by Q1 of 2015

The Philippine Army (PA) announced that the delivery of its 28 Israeli upgraded APCs (armored personnel carriers) is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015.

This was revealed by Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato Thursday.

“Delivery of all APCs is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015,” he added.

The Department of National Defense (DND) earlier announced that the payment for the PHP 882 million upgraded armored personnel carrier (APC), bagged by Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd., will be done in three tranches.

Dr. Peter Paul Galvez, Defense spokesperson, said first payment will be pegged at P405 million, the second will be PHP 335 million and the third at PHP 142 million.

Elbit Systems Ltd., formally announced the signing of the PHP 882 million deal (roughly USD20 million) last June 22.

Upgrades include 25 mm unmanned turrets, 12.7 mm remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS) and fire control systems (FCS) for 90 mm turrets.

The APCs, 28 in all, will be supplied over a one-year period.

The contract marks a significant breakthrough for Elbit Systems, as it is the first one awarded to the company in the Philippines.

“We are very pleased to be awarded our first contract for the Philippines Armed Forces, which we hope will be followed by others. Our extensive portfolio and our vast experience enable us to offer our customers advanced solutions, answering the specific requirements of various combat vehicles, and this award further positions us as world leaders in the field of ground vehicle upgrades,” Elbit Systems’ Land and C41 general manager Udi Vered said.

The APCs are for the use of the Philippine Army.

The latter operates around 343 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) and APCs.
Around 85 percent of these AFVs are on green status (fully mission capable) while another 10 percent are on yellow status (undergoing repair) and five percent are on red (beyond repair)

150 of these are the United Kingdom-built GKN “Simba” with the remaining AFVs consisting of US designed V-150 and V-200 APCs, M-113 “Bradley”, Turkish made ACV-300s and British Scorpion CVRTs.

These vehicles give the PA its armor capability and are organized into a 14-vehicle mechanized infantry companion for deployment with regular units.

http://www.manilatimes.net/philippine-army-to-get-28-upgraded-apcs-by-q1-of-2015/120484/

Alleged Abu Sayyaf leader captured in Zamboanga City

From InterAksyon (Aug 21): Alleged Abu Sayyaf leader captured in Zamboanga City

An alleged leader of the Abu Sayyaf wanted for a string of kidnapping charges was arrested Wednesday evening at the port area of Zamboanga City, the Army said Thursday.

A joint police and military team served Nur Hassan Jamiri warrants of arrest issued by Judges Leo Jay Princepe and Danilo M. Bucoy of the regional trial court in Isabela City, Basilan, said Captain Frank Suelto, spokesman of the 1st Infantry Division.

Many of the cases involve kidnapping, and at least one involves the 2001 Lamitan siege, when Abu Sayyaf gunmen holding several local and foreign hostages battled government troops in the Basilan town.

Suelto said Jamiri, who was taken to Camp Batalla in Barangay Cawa-Cawa, Zamboanga City following his arrest, usually operates with fellow Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf commanders Puruji Indama and Isnilon Hapilon.

Among their more recent victims was former Australian Army soldier Warren Rodwell, who was seized December 2011 and released in March 2013.

Fighters under the three commanders were also linked to the beheading of 10 Marines in 2007, the attack on Isabela City in April 2010 that left 13 people dead, and the ambush and killing of 19 Amy Special Forces troops in Al-Barka in October 2011.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/93696/alleged-abu-sayyaf-leader-captured-in-zamboanga-city