From the Business World (Aug 22): Palace to submit Bagsamoro law to Congress next week
MALACAÑANG is hoping to submit the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law to Congress next week, a Palace official said yesterday. President Benigno S.C. Aquino III is set to certify the bill as urgent to fast-track legislative action on the measure which will create a new political entity in Mindanao.
In an interview on Friday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin S. Lacierda said the President has started the review of the draft bill and “is going through it with close coordination” with government peace panel chairwoman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa who attended the talks between the peace panels in Davao last week.
“We hope to submit the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law within the month of August,” he said.
“Right now, he’s just going through it. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see his impression and if he still wants something done about the draft after the review. Between now and then, we are hoping that we will be able to submit the draft Bangsomoro Basic Law within the agreed timeline,” he added.
The Palace spokesman noted that should the Office of the President introduce any amendments to the draft law -- submitted by the peace panels to Malacanang on Wednesday night -- it would only involve few provisions.
“Well, whatever the Palace inputs are... my understanding from Chair Ferrer is that they were able to come up with at least a big percentage of the draft. So, if there are parts that needs to be studied... They defer to the President to take a look, one final review of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law. And... we’ll see,” Mr. Lacierda said.
“The bulk of it has already been agreed upon by both panels. More than 70% have been agreed upon so we are looking at a few provisions that would still need the President’s observation,” he added.
The Bangsamoro Basic Law -- the intended outcome of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed on March 27 -- serves to establish a new political region for the Bangsamoro people that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The draft law, among others, will embody provisions contained in the CAB particularly on wealth and power-sharing between the national government and the new Bangsamoro government.
The government earlier expressed optimism the draft law could still be passed within the year as earlier scheduled, to be followed by a plebiscite in 2015 and elections for officials to oversee the Bangsamoro government in 2016.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=palace-to-submit-bagsamoro-law-to-congress-next-week&id=93282
Friday, August 22, 2014
Militiaman killed, 2 wounded in clash
From the Business Mirror (Aug 22): Militiaman killed, 2 wounded in clash
A MILITIAMAN was killed while two others were wounded on Thursday in a firefight between two groups in North Cotabato, the military said.
Maj. Dante Gania, public affairs officer of the Army’s Sixth Infantry “Kampilan” Division, said members of the Barangay Peace and Action Team led by Ping Kolilong Pulalon clashed for 25 minutes with the group headed by Kagi Tadoy.
During the firefight, a member of Pulalong’s barangay militia was killed while two others were wounded.
Gania said casualties were also reported from the side of Tadoy during the gunbattle, which was reported to have been fueled by a personal grudge.
Pulalon is the barangay chairman of Tugal, Midsayap, North Cotabato. On the other hand, Tadoy is from Barangay Kapinpilan, also in Midsayap.
Gania said the military has already intervened in order to ensure that there would be no more clashes between the two groups. He said the police is currently investigating the incident.
Progressive payment scheme eyed for P18-billion frigate program
From the Business Mirror (Aug 22): Progressive payment scheme eyed for P18-billion frigate program
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/37550-progressive-payment-scheme-eyed-for-p18-billion-frigate-program
The
government is looking at the possibility of using the so-called progressive
payment scheme for the Department of National Defense’s (DND) P18-billion
frigate program.
This was
confirmed by Commodore Roland Mercado, Navy technical working group head, in a
text message to the Philippines News Agency.
“The issue
that has to be resolved is the progressive payment scheme because this will
affect proponents’ financial proposals,” he said.
Mercado
also stressed that the GPPB or Government Procurement Policy Board must also
give its go-ahead for this setup to speed up the frigate program.
Sources
earlier said that the DND is looking at the possibility of making eight
payments for the two ships, which will give the Navy a much-needed boost in
surveillance and firepower capability.
This can be
broken down into the following:
15 percent
during the awarding of the contract.
15 percent
for the finalization of the contract.
10 percent
for the laying of the keel of the ships.
10 percent
for the construction of the vessel.
15 percent
for installation of engines, weapons, communications, sensor systems, and
auxiliary machinery.
15 percent
during the acceptance trials.
10 percent
during the delivery of the frigates to the Philippines
10 percent
for the completion of the warranty period.
Building of
the two ships is expected to be completed within two years.
Technical
specifications of the DND’s P18-billion frigate program include a capability to
conduct air-to-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, antisubmarine warfare, and electronic
warfare.
Aside from
this, these naval vessels should be able to do extended maritime patrol with an
embarked helicopter and operating up to Sea State 6.
It must
also have a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 15 knots, endurance of 30 days in
tropical condition, and capable of running up to 25 knots of continuous speed.
Navigation
equipment of the two ships, at a minimum, must consist of two navigation
radars; GPS, depth sounding set, and vessel tracking system compatible to PN’s
existing system.
The
frigates’ weapon system, at a minimum, should consist of a 76-mili-meter gun;
stabilized secondary gun; four .50-caliber machine guns; surface-to-surface
missile launchers; surface-to-air missile launching system; and anti-submarine
torpedoes.
Earlier,
two more foreign shipbuilders have joined the Navy’s P18-billion frigate
program. These are Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. of India
They were
allowed to join in the bidding after their motions for reconsideration were
considered by the DND’s Special Bidding Awards Committee.
They were
earlier excluded from the project due to deficiencies in documentary
requirements.
These
companies now join Navantia Sepi (RTR Ventures) of Spain
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/37550-progressive-payment-scheme-eyed-for-p18-billion-frigate-program
PH rejects bilateral approach in resolving sea row
From ABS-CBN (Aug 22): PH rejects bilateral approach in resolving sea row
ThePhilippines is maintaining its position of
taking a multilateral approach in addressing territorial disputes with China over the South China
Sea amid reports on the presence of Chinese vessels in Recto Bank.
China lays claim to almost all of the South
China Sea , even up to the coasts of its neighbors. This conflicts
with the territorial claims of the Philippines
as well as Brunei , Malaysia , Taiwan
and Vietnam
The
"We cannot
have a bilateral discussion with them because it’s a dispute that involves more
than two parties so it makes no sense for us to negotiate bilaterally if the
claimants to those disputed seas or waters would comprise more than two
claimant countries. For that particular reason, it is not for us feasible to do
bilateral negotiations,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.
"I think the
Philippine government will not cease in filing and availing of the legal and
diplomatic means in resolving this dispute. We have filed a diplomatic protest.
It’s not a question of whether they will heed the diplomatic protest. What is
important is that the Philippine government continues to assert its right
against its neighbors. And we will continue to do so and for that particular
reason, we have availed of the diplomatic and arbitration channels in resolving
this dispute with China
The Philippines said Monday it would protest to China about what it called Beijing 's
increasing patrols in a disputed area of the South China
Sea believed to hold vast oil and gas resources.
Foreign
Department spokesman Charles Jose announced the protest a day after the airing
of a television interview in which President Benigno Aquino III raised the
alarm over the Chinese vessels at Reed Bank.
"The
frequent passage of Chinese vessels in Recto Bank is not an innocent exercise
of freedom of navigation but is actually done as part of a pattern of
illegitimate sovereign patrol in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone,
pursuant to China's unilateral effort to change the status quo in the South
China Sea," Jose told reporters, referring to Reed Bank by its Filipino
name.
He said Reed Bank
was about 85 nautical miles (157 kilometers) from the western Philippine island of Palawan
In contrast, Jose
said the bank was 595 nautical miles from the coast of China 's Hainan
island.
A day earlier,
Aquino expressed concern at the presence of Chinese government ships in the
disputed waters, questioning how far China
In an interview
with ABC-5 television network, transcripts of which were released by the
presidential palace, Aquino said: "They want to claim what is ours. How
far will we let this go? Are we going to be content to just tell them, 'Okay,
you can go this far'"?
"What are
they doing there? What studies are they doing? Hopefully this will not add to
the tensions between the two of us," Aquino said.
Defense
Department spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said Monday the ships were
"hydrological research vessels" capable of mapping the ocean floor,
adding they were first sighted in June but could remain at sea for over a
month.
In recent years,
tensions between the Philippines
and China have risen as China
Aquino joked that
China could eventually claim
all of the Philippines ,
citing the presence of Chinese migrants in Manila
Aquino's
spokesman Herminio Coloma said Monday the Philippines
would continue to rely mainly on a "strategy of finding a peaceful and
diplomatic solution" to the South China Sea
dispute.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/22/14/ph-rejects-bilateral-approach-resolving-sea-row
Video: Engkwentro ng militar at NPA, nakunan ng video
From ABS-CBN (Aug 22): Video: Engkwentro ng militar at NPA, nakunan ng video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY9ErVhjySg
Nakunan ng video ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Kapalong, Davao del Norte ang engkwentro sa pagitan ng militar at New People's Army noong ika-11 ng Agosto. Napatay ang isang tinyente at naipit naman ang ilang residente sa engkwentro. Nagpa-Patrol, Hernel Tocmo. TV Patrol, Agosto 22, 2014, Biyernes
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/08/22/14/watch-military-npa-clash-davao-del-norte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY9ErVhjySg
Nakunan ng video ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Kapalong, Davao del Norte ang engkwentro sa pagitan ng militar at New People's Army noong ika-11 ng Agosto. Napatay ang isang tinyente at naipit naman ang ilang residente sa engkwentro. Nagpa-Patrol, Hernel Tocmo. TV Patrol, Agosto 22, 2014, Biyernes
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/08/22/14/watch-military-npa-clash-davao-del-norte
Palawan high school students tour military camp
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 22): Palawan high school students tour military camp
High school students from the Palawan Adventist Academy (PAA) in the southern town ofNarra were given the unique
opportunity of touring the Western Command (WESCOM) camp Thursday
The tour of the facility was conducted as part of an ongoing educational trip of the students together with 12 of their teachers and principal, Elvira R. Tamparong.
"Our soldiers gave us a tour to their military facility, which allowed us to get a glimpse of their activities, plus letting us know that our role in nation building is important," said Tamparong. “It was very nice to have this opportunity.”
After the guided tour, the students and their teachers were given a lecture showcasing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), while the 6th Civil Relations Group provided an audio-visual presentation and information drive.
At the end of the film showing, the students were encouraged to raise questions.
"They always asked interesting questions. The teenagers’ hunger for knowledge is inspiring," said Lt. Cherryl Tindog, chief of Wescom’s Public Affairs Office.
A former teacher, Tindog said she hoped the visit would enable the students to expand their horizons in the field.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=675698
High school students from the Palawan Adventist Academy (PAA) in the southern town of
The tour of the facility was conducted as part of an ongoing educational trip of the students together with 12 of their teachers and principal, Elvira R. Tamparong.
"Our soldiers gave us a tour to their military facility, which allowed us to get a glimpse of their activities, plus letting us know that our role in nation building is important," said Tamparong. “It was very nice to have this opportunity.”
After the guided tour, the students and their teachers were given a lecture showcasing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), while the 6th Civil Relations Group provided an audio-visual presentation and information drive.
At the end of the film showing, the students were encouraged to raise questions.
"They always asked interesting questions. The teenagers’ hunger for knowledge is inspiring," said Lt. Cherryl Tindog, chief of Wescom’s Public Affairs Office.
A former teacher, Tindog said she hoped the visit would enable the students to expand their horizons in the field.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=675698
P-Noy to review final draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law -- Deles
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 22): P-Noy to review final draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law -- Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles on Friday confirmed the submission of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.
"As agreed upon by the Parties, the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) submitted the final draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to the Office of the Executive Secretary yesterday evening," Deles said. The submission was witnessed by Atty. Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the President’s chief legal counsel, and Atty. Mike Musngi, the Assistant Executive Secretary.
According to Deles, "the latest draft (of the BBL) has been submitted to the President for his review" and "further discussions may be held based on the guidance of the President."
In a news release on Luwaran.net, the MILF noted that "the two parties are also in the same level of understanding that an "agreed version" of the BBL is the only way that would strengthen their partnership in jointly pushing for the early passage of the bill in Congress."
MILF peace panel and Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Mohagher Iqbal, in a letter accompanying the BBL submission, likewise committed to "adhere to our understanding to work on the final text of the proposed BBL after its review by the President."
With this, Deles says she is "confident that a mutually acceptable bill will be filed in Congress as a true demonstration of the parties' firm partnership for peace."
The draft BBL is expected to be submitted to Congress upon the instructions of the President. "We will await his signal. We are all aware it is an urgent matter," she said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=675549
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles on Friday confirmed the submission of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.
"As agreed upon by the Parties, the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) submitted the final draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to the Office of the Executive Secretary yesterday evening," Deles said. The submission was witnessed by Atty. Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the President’s chief legal counsel, and Atty. Mike Musngi, the Assistant Executive Secretary.
According to Deles, "the latest draft (of the BBL) has been submitted to the President for his review" and "further discussions may be held based on the guidance of the President."
In a news release on Luwaran.net, the MILF noted that "the two parties are also in the same level of understanding that an "agreed version" of the BBL is the only way that would strengthen their partnership in jointly pushing for the early passage of the bill in Congress."
MILF peace panel and Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Mohagher Iqbal, in a letter accompanying the BBL submission, likewise committed to "adhere to our understanding to work on the final text of the proposed BBL after its review by the President."
With this, Deles says she is "confident that a mutually acceptable bill will be filed in Congress as a true demonstration of the parties' firm partnership for peace."
The draft BBL is expected to be submitted to Congress upon the instructions of the President. "We will await his signal. We are all aware it is an urgent matter," she said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=675549
1 killed, 2 hurt in Midsayap
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 22): 1 killed, 2 hurt in Midsayap fighting
One person was killed while two others were wounded after barangay peacekeeping action team (BPATs) had a 25-minute firefight with a rival group in Barangay Tugal, Midsayap town,North Cotabato
Thursday afternoon.
This took place around 3:25 p.m. 6th Infantry Division public affairs officer Major Dante Gania said.
He added that the BPATs were assigned to Barangay Tugal chairman Ping Kolilong Pulalon.
Gania said that these men encountered armed men under one Kagi Kadoy who reportedly harbors a grudge against Pulalon.
In the issuing firefight, one BPAT member was killed while two others were wounded.
An undetermined number of injured/casualty were sustained by Kadoy's group.
Pursuit operations and investigations are now ongoing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=675578
One person was killed while two others were wounded after barangay peacekeeping action team (BPATs) had a 25-minute firefight with a rival group in Barangay Tugal, Midsayap town,
This took place around 3:25 p.m. 6th Infantry Division public affairs officer Major Dante Gania said.
He added that the BPATs were assigned to Barangay Tugal chairman Ping Kolilong Pulalon.
Gania said that these men encountered armed men under one Kagi Kadoy who reportedly harbors a grudge against Pulalon.
In the issuing firefight, one BPAT member was killed while two others were wounded.
An undetermined number of injured/casualty were sustained by Kadoy's group.
Pursuit operations and investigations are now ongoing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=675578
PROTEST FRIDAY | Youth groups mount simultaneous actions vs pork barrel, graft, term extension
From InterAksyon (Aug 22): PROTEST FRIDAY | Youth groups mount simultaneous actions vs pork barrel, graft, term extension
UST Students, Yellow Jackets and other youth groups staged #MakeSomeNoise Against Corruption and All kinds of Pork and BS Aquino's term extension. Victor Villanueva, Spokesperson of Youth ACT Now and President of UST Civil Law Student Council, said: "Huwag natin hayaang manahin natin ang bulok na sistema, DAPat managot lahat ng sangkot!". | PHOTO by: Michael Francis Andrada, Pinoy Media Center
In the run-up to the first anniversary on Monday (Aug.25) of the massive anti-pork barrel movement's rally at Luneta, youth groups held simultaneous protests in various schools in Metro Manila Friday.
Taking part in the fight against what they called the “Yellow Dictatorship,” students and youth from various universities and communities along Mendiola, the University Belt, and Intramuros conducted noise barrage protests on Friday afternoon.
Participants used slogans, whistles and drums to demonstrate their rage against the deep-seated corruption perpetuated by the Aquino regime.
Among the activities was a noise barrage together with college drumbeaters at San Beda College on Mendiola; a noise barrage featuring UST drummers at the University of Sto. Tomas Gate 2; and a cultural march against pork barrel, with students of PLM, Mapua and Letran at the ASEAN Garden in Intramuros, Manila.
The youth and students dubbed the simultaneous protests “DAPat Mag-ingay” protests vs Aquino Dictatorship.
The League of Filipino Students’ (LFS) national spokesperson Charlotte Velasco, in a statement, assailed the Aquino government’s call for term extension and Charter Change (Cha-Cha).
The simultaneous actions dubbed as “DAPat Mag-ingay” were led by youth groups LFS, Anakbayan, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, Karatula, National Union of Students of the Philippines, College Editors Guild of the Philippines, and Kabataan Partylist. LFS invited the youth to participate in the upcoming rallies against DAP and the entire pork system.
“The administration’s solid persistence to protect the system stealing from the public trust must be confronted by more agitated and vigorous protests renouncing the corrupt regime. Aquino disgustingly extols the P250-billion DAP used for projects when it only fattened funds for corruption and brought more despair to the people,” Velasco said.
The groups urged onlookers to commemorate National Heroes’ Day on August 25 by joining the “Stand Up, Sign Up” protest at Luneta and signing the People’s Initiative Bill to abolish the pork barrel system.
“There would be no other way to put justice to the lives of our heroes and martyrs than combining our initiative to forge an act that would inhibit corruption. To enable broad participation in the battle against plunder and impunity is the foreground cause of our protest on August 25,” stated Velasco.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/93815/protest-friday--youth-groups-mount-simultaneous-actions-vs-pork-barrel-graft-term-extension
UST Students, Yellow Jackets and other youth groups staged #MakeSomeNoise Against Corruption and All kinds of Pork and BS Aquino's term extension. Victor Villanueva, Spokesperson of Youth ACT Now and President of UST Civil Law Student Council, said: "Huwag natin hayaang manahin natin ang bulok na sistema, DAPat managot lahat ng sangkot!". | PHOTO by: Michael Francis Andrada, Pinoy Media Center
In the run-up to the first anniversary on Monday (Aug.25) of the massive anti-pork barrel movement's rally at Luneta, youth groups held simultaneous protests in various schools in Metro Manila Friday.
Taking part in the fight against what they called the “Yellow Dictatorship,” students and youth from various universities and communities along Mendiola, the University Belt, and Intramuros conducted noise barrage protests on Friday afternoon.
Participants used slogans, whistles and drums to demonstrate their rage against the deep-seated corruption perpetuated by the Aquino regime.
Among the activities was a noise barrage together with college drumbeaters at San Beda College on Mendiola; a noise barrage featuring UST drummers at the University of Sto. Tomas Gate 2; and a cultural march against pork barrel, with students of PLM, Mapua and Letran at the ASEAN Garden in Intramuros, Manila.
The youth and students dubbed the simultaneous protests “DAPat Mag-ingay” protests vs Aquino Dictatorship.
The League of Filipino Students’ (LFS) national spokesperson Charlotte Velasco, in a statement, assailed the Aquino government’s call for term extension and Charter Change (Cha-Cha).
The simultaneous actions dubbed as “DAPat Mag-ingay” were led by youth groups LFS, Anakbayan, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, Karatula, National Union of Students of the Philippines, College Editors Guild of the Philippines, and Kabataan Partylist. LFS invited the youth to participate in the upcoming rallies against DAP and the entire pork system.
“The administration’s solid persistence to protect the system stealing from the public trust must be confronted by more agitated and vigorous protests renouncing the corrupt regime. Aquino disgustingly extols the P250-billion DAP used for projects when it only fattened funds for corruption and brought more despair to the people,” Velasco said.
The groups urged onlookers to commemorate National Heroes’ Day on August 25 by joining the “Stand Up, Sign Up” protest at Luneta and signing the People’s Initiative Bill to abolish the pork barrel system.
“There would be no other way to put justice to the lives of our heroes and martyrs than combining our initiative to forge an act that would inhibit corruption. To enable broad participation in the battle against plunder and impunity is the foreground cause of our protest on August 25,” stated Velasco.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/93815/protest-friday--youth-groups-mount-simultaneous-actions-vs-pork-barrel-graft-term-extension
Tribal groups' rep nabbed on his way to anti-pork congress, groups cry harassment
From InterAksyon (Aug 22): Tribal groups' rep nabbed on his way to anti-pork congress, groups cry harassment
Katribu party-list members behead chicken in front of Comelec to ensure clean 2013 polls in this file photo. The party-list's second nominee was arrested Friday in Surigao City as he prepared to attend a congress against pork barrel in Cebu. INTERAKSYON.COM FILE
A combined Army-police unit arrested in Surigao City Friday afternoon an official of a party-list for indigenous groups, on alleged frustrated murder cases, as he prepared to attend the People’s Congress to Abolish Pork through the People’s Initiative Bill in Cebu City.
The Congress is scheduled Saturday, August 23.
The human rights group Karapatan sent out an alert notice to media expressing concern over the fate of Genasque B. Enrique, a 41-year old father of 4 and Secretary General of Kasalo-Caraga and second nominee of KATRIBU Partylist.
Before his arrest, Enriquez had been repeatedly harassed by military units operating in Caraga, said Karapatan. "He has been among those in the forefront to demand the respect of human rights of the indigenous people (IP), expose human rights violations committed by operating troops of the AFP against the indigenous people and communities and protesting against the destruction of ancestral lands by large scale mining operations and plantations."
Officials and spokespersons of the AFP have "vilified" him on air during radio interviews and in face-to-face negotiations and dialogues, said Karapatan.
The alias warrant of arrest used as basis for his arrest was issued March 25, 2013 by the Regional Trial Court Branch 28 of Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Three counts of frustrated murder (Frustrated murder case no. L-2540) have been filed against him by the Philippine Army.
Enriquez was about to leave Dale’s Food House in Rizal St., Surigao City when members of the PNP-Surigao City, 30th IB PA and the CIDG arrested him.
He had just attended a press conference by the Abolish Pork Movement (APM) and representatives of people’s organizations in Caraga in the same restaurant. The group was scheduled to travel to Cebu City tonight to attend the People’s Congress to Abolish Pork through the People’s Initiative Bill on August 23.
The police-CIDG-military brought Enriquez to the CIDG detention center at the Surigao City Hall where he is currently detained.
According to Karapatan, Kasalo Caraga had been tagged by the military as a front of the CPP-NPA "because of its staunch support for grassroots IP organizations,its anti-largescale mining campaign and human rights work."
Enriquez himself "previously faced trumped up charges of murder and frustrated murder, associating him with known offensives of the NPA" But these were later dropped by the Office of the Prosecutor and Department of Justice, added Karapatan.
As with his experience in the previous case he faced, Enriquez did not receive any notice of complaints filed against him from the Surigao del Sur Prosecutor’s Office, thus depriving him of his right to respond to the complaint as per due process. They failed to inform him of the current cases that were the basis of the alias warrant that was served to him during his arrest, according to the rights group.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/93810/tribal-groups-rep-nabbed-on-his-way-to-anti-pork-congress-groups-cry-harassment
Katribu party-list members behead chicken in front of Comelec to ensure clean 2013 polls in this file photo. The party-list's second nominee was arrested Friday in Surigao City as he prepared to attend a congress against pork barrel in Cebu. INTERAKSYON.COM FILE
A combined Army-police unit arrested in Surigao City Friday afternoon an official of a party-list for indigenous groups, on alleged frustrated murder cases, as he prepared to attend the People’s Congress to Abolish Pork through the People’s Initiative Bill in Cebu City.
The Congress is scheduled Saturday, August 23.
The human rights group Karapatan sent out an alert notice to media expressing concern over the fate of Genasque B. Enrique, a 41-year old father of 4 and Secretary General of Kasalo-Caraga and second nominee of KATRIBU Partylist.
Before his arrest, Enriquez had been repeatedly harassed by military units operating in Caraga, said Karapatan. "He has been among those in the forefront to demand the respect of human rights of the indigenous people (IP), expose human rights violations committed by operating troops of the AFP against the indigenous people and communities and protesting against the destruction of ancestral lands by large scale mining operations and plantations."
Officials and spokespersons of the AFP have "vilified" him on air during radio interviews and in face-to-face negotiations and dialogues, said Karapatan.
The alias warrant of arrest used as basis for his arrest was issued March 25, 2013 by the Regional Trial Court Branch 28 of Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Three counts of frustrated murder (Frustrated murder case no. L-2540) have been filed against him by the Philippine Army.
Enriquez was about to leave Dale’s Food House in Rizal St., Surigao City when members of the PNP-Surigao City, 30th IB PA and the CIDG arrested him.
He had just attended a press conference by the Abolish Pork Movement (APM) and representatives of people’s organizations in Caraga in the same restaurant. The group was scheduled to travel to Cebu City tonight to attend the People’s Congress to Abolish Pork through the People’s Initiative Bill on August 23.
The police-CIDG-military brought Enriquez to the CIDG detention center at the Surigao City Hall where he is currently detained.
According to Karapatan, Kasalo Caraga had been tagged by the military as a front of the CPP-NPA "because of its staunch support for grassroots IP organizations,its anti-largescale mining campaign and human rights work."
Enriquez himself "previously faced trumped up charges of murder and frustrated murder, associating him with known offensives of the NPA" But these were later dropped by the Office of the Prosecutor and Department of Justice, added Karapatan.
As with his experience in the previous case he faced, Enriquez did not receive any notice of complaints filed against him from the Surigao del Sur Prosecutor’s Office, thus depriving him of his right to respond to the complaint as per due process. They failed to inform him of the current cases that were the basis of the alias warrant that was served to him during his arrest, according to the rights group.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/93810/tribal-groups-rep-nabbed-on-his-way-to-anti-pork-congress-groups-cry-harassment
Kidnapped Zamboanga Sur school official freed after 7 months
From MindaNews (Aug 22): Kidnapped Zamboanga Sur school official freed after 7 months
A public school official kidnapped almost seven months ago in Zamboanga del Sur was finally released by his captors late Tuesday after payment of a P500,000 ransom, belated reports said.
Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre, Zamboanga del Sur police director, said the victim, Rudy Luna, was released around 11:51 p.m. at the fish port of Tukuran town in Zamboanga del Sur.
He said, however, that the release of Luna was not immediately announced since a follow-up investigation has been conducted.
Ecaldre said that Luna revealed during the debriefing conducted by the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) that he was made to board a motorized banca accompanied by two gunmen and left the place of his captivity around 7 p.m. Tuesday.
They were tailed by two other gunmen aboard another motorized banca as they sailed the high seas until they reached the fish port of Tukuran town where Luna’s captors abandoned him.
Being familiar with the place, Ecaldre said Luna walked until he reached the residence of his policeman-brother, Jun Luna, around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Ecaldre said Luna was brought by policemen to the hospital for medical treatment. Since then, Luna remained confined at the hospital.
“According to the investigation, the family gave their last pay-off in the amount of P500,000 before the victim was released. We still have to conduct further investigation to determine how much ransom the family of the victim paid to the kidnappers,” he disclosed.
Luna and his wife Tessie were kidnapped by gunmen who barged into their residence in Barangay Diplo, Kumalarang town in Zamboanga del Sur in the evening of January 27.
The gunmen brought the couple to the shore at Sitio Dacun in nearby Barangay Picanan aboard a family-owned sports utility vehicle. But Tessie managed to escape while they were being forced to board a motorized banca, so the gunmen took only Rudy as they sped to the high seas.
Both of them are school supervisors in the municipality of Kumalarang.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/08/22/kidnapped-zamboanga-sur-school-official-freed-after-7-months/
A public school official kidnapped almost seven months ago in Zamboanga del Sur was finally released by his captors late Tuesday after payment of a P500,000 ransom, belated reports said.
Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre, Zamboanga del Sur police director, said the victim, Rudy Luna, was released around 11:51 p.m. at the fish port of Tukuran town in Zamboanga del Sur.
He said, however, that the release of Luna was not immediately announced since a follow-up investigation has been conducted.
Ecaldre said that Luna revealed during the debriefing conducted by the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) that he was made to board a motorized banca accompanied by two gunmen and left the place of his captivity around 7 p.m. Tuesday.
They were tailed by two other gunmen aboard another motorized banca as they sailed the high seas until they reached the fish port of Tukuran town where Luna’s captors abandoned him.
Ecaldre said Luna was brought by policemen to the hospital for medical treatment. Since then, Luna remained confined at the hospital.
“According to the investigation, the family gave their last pay-off in the amount of P500,000 before the victim was released. We still have to conduct further investigation to determine how much ransom the family of the victim paid to the kidnappers,” he disclosed.
Luna and his wife Tessie were kidnapped by gunmen who barged into their residence in Barangay Diplo, Kumalarang town in Zamboanga del Sur in the evening of January 27.
The gunmen brought the couple to the shore at Sitio Dacun in nearby Barangay Picanan aboard a family-owned sports utility vehicle. But Tessie managed to escape while they were being forced to board a motorized banca, so the gunmen took only Rudy as they sped to the high seas.
Both of them are school supervisors in the municipality of Kumalarang.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/08/22/kidnapped-zamboanga-sur-school-official-freed-after-7-months/
Kidnappers free Zamboanga school supervisor
From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Aug 22): Kidnappers free Zamboanga school supervisor
Kidnappers have released a school supervisor after more than eight months in captivity in the southern Philippines, police said Friday.
Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman, said Rudy Luna was freed late Wednesday in the town of Tukuran in Zamboanga del Sur province.
Luna told police investigators that he was transported by four gunmen on two motorized boats and abandoned him at a local wharf and walked alone until he reached his brother’s house.
“The kidnapped victim was fetched by the members of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Group and Zamboanga Del Sur Provincial Police Office and subsequently brought to Pagadian City Medical Center where he is now confined,” he said.
Samuddin did not say if ransom was paid by the family to the kidnappers in exchange for Luna’s safe release. Luna is the supervisor of the Kumalarang Central Elementary School.
He said Luna and his wife Tessie were both seized by eight gunmen inside their house in Zamboanga del Sur’s Kumalarang town in January, but the woman managed to escape and told authorities about the incident.
Police captured one of the alleged kidnappers Ryan Tumalas, 22, during a follow operation in Kumalarang’s Picanan village. Tumalas was tracked down by the police after a village councilman Virgilio Bayona spotted him acting suspiciously and phoned the authorities.
Luna’s wife has identified Tumalas – a native of Zamboanga del Norte’s Siayan town - as among 8 gunmen who barged in their house. It was unknown whether the man is a member of a rebel group or a kidnapping syndicate.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/08/kidnappers-free-zamboanga-school.html
Kidnappers have released a school supervisor after more than eight months in captivity in the southern Philippines, police said Friday.
Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman, said Rudy Luna was freed late Wednesday in the town of Tukuran in Zamboanga del Sur province.
Luna told police investigators that he was transported by four gunmen on two motorized boats and abandoned him at a local wharf and walked alone until he reached his brother’s house.
“The kidnapped victim was fetched by the members of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Group and Zamboanga Del Sur Provincial Police Office and subsequently brought to Pagadian City Medical Center where he is now confined,” he said.
Samuddin did not say if ransom was paid by the family to the kidnappers in exchange for Luna’s safe release. Luna is the supervisor of the Kumalarang Central Elementary School.
He said Luna and his wife Tessie were both seized by eight gunmen inside their house in Zamboanga del Sur’s Kumalarang town in January, but the woman managed to escape and told authorities about the incident.
Police captured one of the alleged kidnappers Ryan Tumalas, 22, during a follow operation in Kumalarang’s Picanan village. Tumalas was tracked down by the police after a village councilman Virgilio Bayona spotted him acting suspiciously and phoned the authorities.
Luna’s wife has identified Tumalas – a native of Zamboanga del Norte’s Siayan town - as among 8 gunmen who barged in their house. It was unknown whether the man is a member of a rebel group or a kidnapping syndicate.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/08/kidnappers-free-zamboanga-school.html
Thursday, August 21, 2014
100 Filipino Muslims join Isil in Iraq
From the Gulf News (Aug 20): 100 Filipino Muslims join Isil in Iraq
Former President Fidel Ramos says militants could come back to Philippines and spread terror
Some one hundred Filipino-Muslims who have joined Abu Bakr Baghdadi’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) could come back and spread violence in the Philippines, former President Fidel Ramos has said.
Former President Fidel Ramos says militants could come back to Philippines and spread terror
Some one hundred Filipino-Muslims who have joined Abu Bakr Baghdadi’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) could come back and spread violence in the Philippines, former President Fidel Ramos has said.
The militants have been trained, inspired, and recruited by 12 other Southeast Asian Islamists who were hiding in the southern Philippines for more than 10 years, sources told Gulf News.
“At least a hundred of our young Filipino-Muslims have infiltrated Iraq where they get training and they can launch jihad when they come back to the Philippines,” Ramos said.
“President Benigno Aquino should focus on an anti-terror plan,” recommended Ramos, the country’s first career military officer to become head of state. He held the office from 1992 to 1998.
Meanwhile, at least 12 members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) — the Southeast Asian conduit of Al Qaida — among them Malaysians, Indonesians, and Singaporeans — are still hiding in the Southern Philippines, a military source who requested anonymity told Gulf News.
Meanwhile, at least 12 members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) — the Southeast Asian conduit of Al Qaida — among them Malaysians, Indonesians, and Singaporeans — are still hiding in the Southern Philippines, a military source who requested anonymity told Gulf News.
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the armed wing of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, which broke away from the mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2008, have given sanctuary to the Southeast Asian Islamists in exchange for training in bomb-making and insurgent strategies, the same source said.
“They have been responsible for the recruitment of young members of the ASG and BIFF to Iraq and Syria,” said the source, without revealing the date when the Filipino-Muslims left the southern Philippines for jihad training abroad.
Only five of the 12 Southeast Asian Islamists hiding in the southern Philippines were identified — Malaysian Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as Marwan; Amin Buco, another Malaysian, a.k.a. Abu Jihad; Singaporean Muawiyah Anjala, a.k.a. Abdullah Ali; and two Indonesians, Qayi and Sa’ad.
Their presence in the south was confirmed when the wives of Marwan, Qayi and Sa’ad were arrested in Sulu province in 2013, the source said.
ASG commander Khair Mundos told investigators, after his arrest in Manila in June this year, that he saw Marwan in BIFF’s camp. He also said the ASG is divided with several factions.
Last week, a video-clip uploaded on YouTube showed members of ASG and BIFF expressing allegiance with Baghdadi’s ISIL.
In one video-clip, ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon read a statement declaring this alliance.
BIFF spokesman Abu Misry denied that BIFF members were sent to Iraq and Syria, but added they would be sent if they are needed there.
Misry also vowed that Southeast Asian Islamists would not follow the style of Bagdhadi, who is known for his resolve and brutality.
Scholars focused on Islamists told Gulf News that members of Philippines’ ASG and the BIFF were known to be allied with Al Qaida’s former leader, the late Osama bin Laden.
“This is the reason why Philippine authorities were not afraid that they would be recruited to the ISIS in Iraq and Syria,” said the same analyst, adding that Baghdadi did not belong to Bin Laden’s direct line of succession in Al Qaida.
At the same time, the ASG and its direct link, the JI, have been reportedly weakened.
Top JI leader Umar Patek was captured before Bin Laden was killed by a US special operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan on March 10, 2010.
Another JI leader, Dulmatin, was killed in 2010.
Meanwhile, the group’s key strategist and fund-raiser Noordin Mohammad Top was killed in 2009; while JI founder Abu Bakir Bashir was imprisoned in Indonesia in 2003.
The JI is blamed for attacks in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore, including bombings in Bali in 2002 and 2005; a suicide car bombing outside the Australia Embassy in Jakarta in 2004; a car bombing of Marriott Hotel in Jakarta in 2003; and several bomb attacks in Metro Manila.
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/iraq/100-filipino-muslims-join-isil-in-iraq-1.1374342
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/iraq/100-filipino-muslims-join-isil-in-iraq-1.1374342
Basit Usman tagged in Cotabato bombing
From the Sun Star-Manila (Aug 20): Basit Usman tagged in Cotabato bombing
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday that there is a "big possibility" that terrorist bomb expert Basit Usman was behind the bombing in Cotabato City on Tuesday evening that injured four civilians.
The Army's 6th Infantry Division Public Information chief Dante Gania said the pieces of bomb recovered at the crime scene matches to the "bomb signature" of Usman.
A $1 million bounty is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Usman, who has alleged links with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Gania said they have received information that Usman is currently in the country to conduct bomb-making training to the BIFF members.
On the evening of August 20, a bomb planted in an wrangler-type jeep exploded causing injuries to three civilians and a soldier.
Gania said the hunt for Usman is ongoing.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2014/08/20/basit-usman-tagged-cotabato-bombing-360787
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday that there is a "big possibility" that terrorist bomb expert Basit Usman was behind the bombing in Cotabato City on Tuesday evening that injured four civilians.
The Army's 6th Infantry Division Public Information chief Dante Gania said the pieces of bomb recovered at the crime scene matches to the "bomb signature" of Usman.
A $1 million bounty is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Usman, who has alleged links with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Gania said they have received information that Usman is currently in the country to conduct bomb-making training to the BIFF members.
On the evening of August 20, a bomb planted in an wrangler-type jeep exploded causing injuries to three civilians and a soldier.
Gania said the hunt for Usman is ongoing.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2014/08/20/basit-usman-tagged-cotabato-bombing-360787
Procurement of 2 long range patrol aircraft not delayed
From AngMalaya (Aug 21): DND: Procurement of 2 long range patrol aircraft not delayed
Though first stage bidding for two long range patrol aircraft worth PhP5.9 billion failed, the Department of National Defense believes that there would be no delay in the procurement.
Opening and submission of bids for the second stage of the procurement process is scheduled on November.
Seven bidders joined the first stage bidding last August 11, however, after hours of deliberation these seven bidders were found not eligible to proceed with the bidding.
Motions for reconsideration were already submitted by the seven bidders.
EADS-CASA Airbus Defense and Space, Elta, Elbit, Saab Asia Pacific, PT Dirgantara Indonesia Indonesian Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and L3 Mission Integration are the seven bidders.
The DND-SBAC was not able to reach the stage of checking technical documents of five bidders. While Elta and Elbit did not reach DND’s expectation on technicalities.
Elta and Elbit “did not include in their proposal the fast-moving items and consumables in the list of minimum deliverables,” said DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, chairman of the DND Special Bids and Awards Committee 1 (DND-SBAC 1).
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/08/21/3529-dnd-procurement-of-2-long-range-patrol-aircraft-not-delayed
Though first stage bidding for two long range patrol aircraft worth PhP5.9 billion failed, the Department of National Defense believes that there would be no delay in the procurement.
Opening and submission of bids for the second stage of the procurement process is scheduled on November.
Seven bidders joined the first stage bidding last August 11, however, after hours of deliberation these seven bidders were found not eligible to proceed with the bidding.
Airbus Military C295 patrol aircraft. Photo by National Democratic Congress UK & Ireland
Motions for reconsideration were already submitted by the seven bidders.
EADS-CASA Airbus Defense and Space, Elta, Elbit, Saab Asia Pacific, PT Dirgantara Indonesia Indonesian Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and L3 Mission Integration are the seven bidders.
The DND-SBAC was not able to reach the stage of checking technical documents of five bidders. While Elta and Elbit did not reach DND’s expectation on technicalities.
Elta and Elbit “did not include in their proposal the fast-moving items and consumables in the list of minimum deliverables,” said DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, chairman of the DND Special Bids and Awards Committee 1 (DND-SBAC 1).
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/08/21/3529-dnd-procurement-of-2-long-range-patrol-aircraft-not-delayed
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