Soldier killed, 6 wounded in Sagada

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 2): Soldier killed, 6 wounded in Sagada

Suspected New People’s Army rebels ambushed on government troops Sunday evening in a remote village of Sagada town in Mountain Province resulting in the death of a soldier and six others wounded.

Capt. Randy Santa Maria, of the 5th Infantry Division said the identities of the casualties are being verified pending notification of relatives.

He said the military convoy led by Capt. Jefferson Somera and personnel of Alpha 5th Civil Military Office Battalion under 1Lt. Edelfred Mendoza and Cordillera Youth Leaders were attacked at Sitio Pogew in Barangay Teptep-an at 10:30 p.m. after conducting a Youth Leadership Summit at Sagada National High School.

The injured were brought for treatment at the Bontoc Provincial Hospital.
Santa Maria said teambuilding activities involved at least 72 participants “to further enhance the leadership skills, camaraderie and unity of the youth and prepare them to become responsible citizens and future leaders of the society.”

Lecturers included representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Department, National Youth Council and  non-government organizations.

Maj. Gen. Lysander Suerte, newly installed 5ID commander who replaced Maj. Gen. Benito De Leon, said “the remnants of the NPA are disrupting the strong cooperation among the government and the non-government organizations in the conduct of civil-military operations within Sagada.”

Recently, Governor Leonardo Mayaen and Vice Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. of Mountain Province have declared the locality as generally peaceful and ready for development.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/12/02/soldier-killed-6-wounded-in-sagada/

NPA asks Binay to join talks

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 2): NPA asks Binay to join talks

New People’s Army rebels holding Alegria policemen have sent feelers over the weekend that they wanted Vice President Jejomar Binay in the negotiating panel along with the suspension of military operations (SOMO).

Alegria, Surigao del Norte Mayor Dominador Esma Jr, said the twin demands followed the appeal of close relatives and wives of the officers who have been captive for weeks.

Suspected NPA members abducted PO3 Democrito Polvorosa and PO1 Marichel Unclara Contemplo in Barangay Pongtod along the national highway last November 16 bound for Barangay Pungtod aboard a patrol car for a meeting with staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and residents for the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program.

Earlier on November 12, PO1 Jonrey Amper was abducted  at 9:45 a.m. in Malimono, Surigao del Norte while riding his XRM Honda motorcycle in Barangay Bunyasan in Malimono town.

Acting spokesman 1st Lt. Patrick Martinez of the 4th Infantry Division confirmed ongoing joint military and police operations to recover the police officers.

Esma told Manila Standard by phone that the Surigao del Norte Provincial Crisis Committee headed by Governor Sol Folcadilla Matugas has been notified about the alleged NPA request to have Binay in the negotiations.

Last July, Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government, acted as negotiator together with Independiente Filipina Church or IFI priests and nuns that lead to the release by the NPA of four Surigao del Norte policemen.

When  asked  by newsmen and this writer at the Kitcharao Central elementary school in Agusan del Norte where the four lawmen  meet their loved ones, he said he was only a facilitator.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/12/02/npa-asks-binay-to-join-talks/

NPA officials keep silence

From the Sun Star-Cebu (Dec 2): NPA officials keep silence



NO PLEA FROM THE TIAMZONS.  Police escorts keep reporters from interviewing Wilma Tiamzon as she steps out of the Toledo City Palace of Justice, where she and husband Benito Tiamzon, the top two officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines, were arraigned. Story, A2. (SUN.STAR FOTOS/ARNI ACLAO)

TWO top communist officials and their five companions did not enter a plea during their arraignment before Toledo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 29 Judge Ruben Altubar yesterday morning.

Defense lawyer Rachel Pastores told reporters that Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) officials Benito Enriquez Tiamzon and his wife Wilma Austria Tiamzon, Joel Enano, Arlene Panea, Rex Villaflor, Nona Castillo and Jeosi Nepa kept silent when charges against them were read.

“They didn’t enter any plea because they believe the charges are fabricated and they won’t dignify these by entering any plea,” said Pastores after the arraignment.

The lawyer said it was the court that entered a not guilty plea for them, following Rule 116 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure.
 
Castillo and Nepa are charged for violating Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Gun possession

The Tiamzons, Enano, Panea and Villaflor are accused of violating Section 1 of RA 9516 for illegal possession firearms and ammunition. Castillo and Nepa are on bail, while the rest are detained at the custodial center in Camp Crame in Manila.

The arraignment happened eight months after the accused were arrested by the police in Aloguinsan last March 22. The first arraignment was set last August, but it did not push through after the police failed to transport them.

“Fabricated case, planted evidence,” said Wilma. “Simple lang ang dahilan para supilin ang katarungang ipaglaban (These are simple grounds to suppress that rights we have been fighting for).”

The prosecution was represented by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Reynaldo Menchavez Jr. and Assistant State Prosecutor Niven Canlapan.
Pastores said they tried to convince Altubar to reschedule the arraignment because they will file a petition asking the Court of Appeals in Cebu City to review the judge's dismissal of the defense's motion for judicial determination of probable cause.

Security

Journalists were barred by the police from entering the court during the proceedings.

They were only allowed to observe through the glass door, which was guarded by two uniformed policemen.

Other police officers, some of them in civilian clothes, were inside the court.

A court employee, who requested anonymity, said the judge did not issue an order barring the media from covering the proceedings.

Toledo City Police Station Chief Ricky Delelis also denied issuing a similar order.

The compound of Toledo City Hall of Justice was heavily guarded yesterday with more than 100 personnel from the police and military.

Threat

Delelis said they are securing the place because there was a threat that communist rebels might rescue the accused.

Supporters, who were carrying posters printed demands of the accused's freedom, were blocked at the gate by anti-riot policemen.

Pastores criticized the tight security given by the military and the police.

“Masyado yung overkill ang ginawa nila sa isang gawa-gawang kaso (That was an overkill considering the charges were fabricated),” she said.

At 7:30 a.m., Delelis said three helicopters that carried the Tiamzons, Enano, Panea, and Villaflor landed in Barangay Tubod, about 700 meters from the hall of justice.

The accused were later transported to the court by military service vehicles.

When the proceeding ended around 9:40 a.m., the Tiamzons and Panea boarded an armored personnel carrier (APC), while Enano and Villaflor were separately ferried by two military trucks.

“Ang gobiyernong ito ay walang respeto sa karapatang pantao (This government does not respect human rights),” Villaflor told the crowd.

“Planted ang evidence laban sa amin (The evidence were planted),” Benito shouted later.

Delelis said the accused were brought to Tubod and the helicopters airlifted the accused to the Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase in Lapu-lapu City, before they were transported back to Camp Crame.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2014/12/02/npa-officials-keep-silence-379687

Civilian hurt by stray bullet during NPA attack in Albay

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 2): Civilian hurt by stray bullet during NPA attack in Albay

A civilian bystander was hit by a stray bullet when unidentified armed men, believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA), fired at a military vehicle in Guinobatan, Albay, Monday afternoon, the Army said.

The civilian identified as Rose Otilano was injured after around five communist rebels opened fire at a KM450 vehicle of the 2nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay (village) Morera, Guinobatan town, at 12:47 p.m., said Captain Mardjorie Panesa, public affairs officer of the 9th Infantry Division based in Pili, Camarines Sur.

Panesa said the vehicle was transporting six Army personnel to Legazpi City when the rebels fired more than 10 bullets at them. No one on board the vehicle was hurt.

Otilano, who was standing near the roadside, was found hit by a stray bullet after the rebels escaped from the area, said Panesa.

Otilano was immediately taken to the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital in Legazpi City by a civilian ambulance for medical treatment.

Panesa said troops of the 2IB with Guinobatan Municipal Police Office conducted an investigation. Pursuit operations were immediately conducted.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/654040/civilian-hurt-by-stray-bullet-during-npa-attack-in-albay

BIFF, military clash anew in Maguindanao; 3 rebels dead, 2 soldiers hurt

From InterAksyon (Dec 1): BIFF, military clash anew in Maguindanao; 3 rebels dead, 2 soldiers hurt

 

Three suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were killed and two soldiers injured in an encounter in Shariff Saidona Mustapha in Maguindanao early Monday morning, said a government report.

Elements of the 45th Infantry Battalion engaged the BIFF group, led by Commander Bisaya and Samad, for nearly two hours, according to the chief of the public affairs office of the 6th Infantry Division, Capt. Joan Petinglay.

The soldiers sustained minor injuries only.

The three BIFF members were identified only as Samsudin, Karim and Abdullah.

The firefight erupted as two military platoons were on patrol early Monday morning in Barangay Nabundas, and they encountered the BIFF.

The entire 6th ID remains on full alert.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100283/biff-military-clash-anew-in-maguindanao-3-rebels-dead-2-soldiers-hurt

2 soldiers wounded in BIFF clash at ‘SORA’ day in ARMM

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Dec 1): 2 soldiers wounded in BIFF clash at ‘SORA’ day in ARMM



A group of BIFF rebels lne up during a clandestine interview just this year with the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner and a few selected journalists in Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)

Two army soldiers were wounded in a clash with rebels in Maguindanao province that coincided on Monday’s State of the Region Address in the Muslim autonomous region.

Security officials confirmed the fighting and said patrolling troops were searching for improvised explosives in the town of Shariff Saydona when some 30 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters attacked them, sparking fierce clashes in the village of Nabundas.

Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, a spokeswoman for the 6th Infantry Division, said two soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion were wounded in the fighting and that also left a still undetermined number of rebel casualties.

“Two platoons of soldiers while conducting security patrol in the area – which was reported to have IEDs – were fired upon by some 30 members of the BIFF under (rebel commanders) Bisaya and Sanad. As a result, two members of the 45th Infantry Battalion were wounded and an undetermined (number of casualties) on the side of the enemy,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Petinglay said more troops were sent to the town to pursue the rebels, blamed by police and military authorities in the spate of terrorism in the restive region.

“The 6th Infantry Division condemns these attacks which create fear and terror among innocent civilians,” she said.

Petinglay also called on the local governments and former rebels groups Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front to keep watch over the security situation in their areas and help the government in stopping terrorism by providing information to authorities.

“We are working closely with the police authorities to trample these groups and we assure the public that the government will always be on top of the situation. We will never allow them to succeed,” she said.

The latest attack occurred just 2 days after two separate blasts left one civilian injured in Cotabato City, the seat of the Muslim autonomous region.

Earlier on Saturday, an explosion occurred along the highway in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao, one of five provinces under the autonomous region. No one was reported hurt or killed in the blast and the army said the explosion was not strong enough. But a grenade attack later in the day in Cotabato wounded a 22-year old civilian Raisma Baraquir. The attack targeted a dump truck that passed along Sinsuat Avenue, the military said.

The BIFF, which recently pledged allegiance with jihadist group ISIS, is fighting for Muslim independence in Mindanao.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/12/2-soldiers-wounded-in-biff-clash-at.html

Rebel attack kills 4 people in Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Dec 1): Rebel attack kills 4 people in Philippines



Communist insurgents opened fire on a civilian vehicle and killing four people in the southern Philippines, reports said Monday.

It said four civilians were also wounded in the weekend attack that occurred in the town of Rosario in Agusan del Sur province. The victims were returning home from a nearby church when about two dozen gunmen, believed to be members of the New People’s Army, ambushed the vehicle.

It was unclear what triggered the rebels to attack civilians, but reports said some of the passengers were village leaders and pro-government militias. More than a dozen people were in the vehicle.

There was no immediate statement from the rebel group or any of its leaders, but the province is a known stronghold of the NPA, which has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of their own communist state in the country.

The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command and the 4th Infantry Division also did not issue any statement about the latest attack by the NPA which previously boasted of mass support from villagers in the region.

Rebel forces are still holding two policemen they captured in nearby province of Surigao del Norte. The rebels seized PO3 Democrito Polvorosa and PO1 Marichel Contemplo on November 16 near the village of Pongtud where the NPA had set up a road block.

The two policemen were on a prowl car when about two dozen rebels intercepted them. The fate of the prisoners was unknown, but their capture came barely four days after rebels snatched PO1 Junrie Amper in Malimono town in the neighboring Surigao del Sur province.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/12/rebel-attack-kills-4-people-in.html

Lumad students, teachers to protest military encampment in schools

From the Philippine Star (Dec 1): Lumad students, teachers to protest military encampment in schools

More than 50 Lumad students and teachers from community schools in Mindanao will start on Monday afternoon a vigil in front of the Department of Education central office in Pasig City to protest the continuous encampment of soldiers in their campuses.

Along with various non-government organizations led by Save Our Schools Network, the Lumad students and teachers called on Education Secretary Armin Luistro to scrap the memorandum which allows the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to use the schools in military operations.

The groups said that to date, there are around 214 Lumad community schools with military encampment in Mindanao.

The groups will try to seek a dialogue with Luistro to discuss the issues plaguing Lumad community schools.

On December 2, the group will also build a makeshift classroom to show the plight of Lumads every time they are forced to evacuate their communities when there are military operations in the area.

http://www.philstar.com/campus/2014/12/01/1397907/lumad-students-teachers-protest-military-encampment-schools

Education memo lets AFP encamp in schools

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 1): Education memo lets AFP encamp in schools

OPPOSITION lawmakers and children’s advocates on Sunday demanded that the Department of Education rescind its Memorandum 221 allowing soldiers to encamp in school premises and daycare centers, resulting in the trauma and displacement of indigenous schoolchildren.

In Mindanao alone, the Save our schools Network has documented 20 Education Department schools that were said to have been attacked or used by the Armed Forces, while 214 cases of military attacks on lumad community schools were listed.

Most of those cases took place in 2013 and 2014, the SOS Network said.

Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus slammed the Education Department for its alleged inaction on the complaints of indigenous children and their elders over the agency’s alleged complicity in allowing soldiers to harass and occupy their schools.

He call for the immediate military pullout from school premises was supported by her six other colleagues in the Makabayan bloc.

In a dialogue held at the Education Department’s headquarters in Pasig earlier this week, De Jesus chided Secretary Armin Luistro for not asserting his mandate to protect the right to education of children especially in the indigenous communities.

De Jesus said she was “very alarmed that the agency still has not made concrete actions for the immediate pullout of the military in the areas mentioned.”

Manobo children and village chiefs picketed the Education Department’s gates as De Jesus and the leaders of the child rights’ organizations under the Save Our School Network, with Salinlahi Children’s Alliance as its lead, held a meeting with Tonisito Umali, the  Assistant Secretary of Legal and Legislative Affairs.

After hours of pleading with the department s to rescind its Memorandum 221, De Jesus said Umali merely gave a bureaucratic promise of calling for a “continued review and study” of the conditions obtaining in alternative schools in the tribal communities.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/12/01/education-memo-lets-afp-encamp-in-schools/

“We are challenging Brother Luistro to uphold civilian authority over military command,” De Jesus said.

“It is his job to assert to President Aquino that, as commander in chief, he has the power to put a stop to the havoc being brought about by the militarization in the countrysides, particularly in schools and tribal communities.”

The SOS Network said the public schools (day care, elementary and high schools) located in the hinterlands, including the lumad community schools established by private groups and individuals, had been facing the terror brought about by the military operations under the counter-insurgency Oplan Bayanihan.

“One of the provisions of RA 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination, bans military from using schools, hospitals and rural health units for military purposes such as command posts, barracks, detachments and supply depots,” the network said.

“However, despite the prohibition stipulated under the law, elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines blatantly use/attack schools during military operations.
“Soldiers utilize schools as temporary military camps, barracks/shelter, storage of weapons and belongings and outposts.

“Students, teachers and community members live in an unprecedentedly harsh and dangerous environment with the presence of the military in schools and communities. Early exposure to violence is one of the alarming and threatening consequences of the military attacks on schools.”

In March 2012, the SOS Network said elements of the 85th Infantry battalion occupied an elementary school in Lopez, Quezon, where children were encouraged to watch films showing the bloody encounters of between the military armed groups.

The sounds of military operations and the mere presence of soldiers carrying high powered ammunitions in their schools were very disruptive, the group said.

“In San Miguel Las Navas, Samar, military elements of the 34th Infantry battalion permanently used the day care center along with the barangay health center and church,” the group said.

“Children complained about the foul odor coming from the walls of the Day Care as the soldiers were using it as their urinal.  They also used parts of its wall as firewood leaving the infrastructure unsafe and unpleasant.”

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/12/01/education-memo-lets-afp-encamp-in-schools/

Explosive recovered from Army-NPA clash in Albay

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 30): Explosive recovered from Army-NPA clash in Albay

State forces recovered a landmine left behind by retreating communist rebels following a firefight with soldiers in Albay on Sunday morning, the military said.

Major Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) based in Lucena City, said the improvised explosive device, classified as a landmine, was found after a group of soldiers under the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion engaged a band of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a five-minute firefight in a forested area of Barangay (village) Bololo, Guinobatan, Albay around 6:40 a.m. Sunday.

He said the soldiers were on patrol when they clashed with about five unidentified armed men. No one was hurt in the encounter.

He said the suspected rebels might have unintentionally left the explosive as they withdrew. It was still unknown if the landmine was an anti-personnel or anti-vehicle type of explosive.

Lieutenant Colonel Perfecto Peñaredondo, commanding officer of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, immediately deployed other troops to pursue the rebels, Guzman said.

He added that the use of landmines by the suspected NPAs has been violating the Geneva Convention, the international law on the conduct of armed conflicts, and the Comprehensive Agreement for Respect to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, an agreement signed between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, whose peace negotiations with the government has been stalled.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/653688/explosive-recovered-from-army-npa-clash-in-albay

4 more NPA rebels yield

From the Sun Star Davao (Nov 30): 4 more NPA rebels yield

FOUR more members of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered Saturday to Mayor Domingo A. Lim of Lupon town in Davao Oriental.

Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) acting public information officer Major Ezra L. Balagtay identified the surrenderees as Jayson Mabaslay, alias Beboy, a vice team leader; Richard Mabaslay, alias Cocoy; Jennifer Mabaslay, alias Jena; and Jocel Tejano, alias Jenny, all were medics and political guides.

Balagtay said the four surrendered after Jomar Mabaslay, alias Gilbert, a brother of Jayson and Jennifer, surrendered to the government authorities at Sitio Yauri in Barangay Calapagan in Lupon last November 22.

"Accordingly, the rebels decided to surrender because of hardship and disillusionment in the NPA bandit organization that has targeted civilians and non-military objective. The surrenderees admitted that they were victims of the NPA’s deception," Balagtay said.

Eastmincom commander Major General Aurelio Baladad, meanwhile, lauded the rebel returnees and re-iterated his call for the other communist rebels to lay down their firearms, return to the folds of the law, and live a normal and peaceful life with their love ones.

The Eastmincom has recorded a total of 442 surrenderees wherein those who surrendered with firearms were enrolled with Guns for Peace of the Armed Forces while those without firearms were enrolled in the Integration Program of different LGUs.

Balagtay said that at present, the rebel surrenderees are undergoing a stress and psychological debriefing and processing by the government authorities.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/11/30/4-more-npa-rebels-yield-379426

4 dead, 4 wounded in suspected NPA attack in Agusan del Sur – Army

From GMA News (Dec 1): 4 dead, 4 wounded in suspected NPA attack in Agusan del Sur – Army

Four civilians were killed while four others were wounded following an attack by suspected communist New People's Army in Agusan del Sur province over the weekend, a statement from the military said.

A statement from the Army's 6th Infantry Division identified the fatalities as Neljoy Cerna, 27; Noni Mabong, 51; Alfredo Cerna, 51; and Vanessa Sabas, 30. 

Cerna and Mabong died on the spot while the two were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Those wounded were:
 

Liza Casilla, 47;  

Elmer Adonis, 37;  

Mae Roselyn Adonis, 8; and  

Barangay chairman Emillio Solidor Jr., 49.

The statement said the attack occurred around 5:30 p.m. Sunday along Road 2 at Sitio Latay in Barangay Marfil in Rosario town. 

The military said that prior to the attack, Solidor was invited to a celebration of the Wayside Bible Baptist Church at Sitio Latay earlier in the day.

Around 5 p.m., Solidor left the area using the barangay ambulance. Six other civilians and eight children rode with the barangay official.

Minutes later, the group was fired upon by more or less 20 insurgents believed to be under the command of Leonida Belarmino Sanchez a.k.a. Monik/Susay, Randy Dondon Subla a.k.a Nice, Ariel Conejar Ornales a.k.a. Charlie/Jorlan/Brylle and Renato Sayasat a.k.a. Friday.  

Government troops have since been deployed to pursue the attackers.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390491/news/regions/4-dead-4-wounded-in-suspected-npa-attack-in-agusan-del-sur-army

Technology connects one hope, one dream for peace

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 30): Technology connects one hope, one dream for peace



BRIDGES Through giant screens during EPIC (Empowerment for Peace through Information and Communication), the video conference held by the US Embassy in Manila and Philippine nongovernment organization PeaceTech Inc., “enemies” in Cotabato City and Zamboanga City are connected and begin to understand the opposing sides of war. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

While the sounds of soldiers’ gunfire fighting Islamic militants raged through parts of southern Mindanao on Nov. 14, there was an even louder sound echoing throughout Cotabato and Zamboanga cities: more than 3,000 voices singing for peace.

The voices belonged to war victims, former fighters, soldiers, high school students and out-of-school youth from the country’s conflict-affected regions, stretching from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) strongholds in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan provinces all the way to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communities in Central Mindanao.

What was interesting was that all these people singing for peace were sharing their dreams through giant screens in a massive video conference.

Called EPIC (Empowerment for Peace through Information and Communication), the video conference, held by the US Embassy in Manila and Philippine nongovernment organization PeaceTech Inc., was in stark contrast to the recent application of information communication technology (ICT) by the Islamic State (IS) and other groups using technology to destroy rather than build.

Connected by PLDT-Smart Foundation with a high-speed private line, the huge video conference used a variety of techniques to promote understanding, ranging from dialogues between guests from “opposing” sides of war to interactive games played through screens measuring 5.2 x 6.1 meters.

These were all done to connect the youth of Central and Western Mindanao, who had gathered in the gymnasiums of Notre Dame University in Cotabato City and Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City.

‘We are the same’

The purpose was to emphasize that whichever community these young people are from, they have more in common than what they have been taught.

Twenty-eight-year-old Anthony Jamid of Tawi-Tawi, who lost his home and an uncle during the course of a conflict as a young boy, was glad to be in Zamboanga City for EPIC.

“I think the video conference is a good idea. Before I saw the people from Cotabato on the screen, I thought that they were always engaged in war, as that is what I see in the news. I saw it as a city of war,” Jamid said.

“I [saw] their faces and now, I see we are the same. Interacting with them made me realize we have the same fears, questions and dreams,” he said.

On the other side of the video conference in Cotabato City was 22-year-old Noralyn Lumbatan of Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao province.

“I realized that if it [were] not for PeaceTech [and the US Embassy], my negative perception would not change—that the people of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi cannot be trusted. But then, when I participated in EPIC, I have learned that they are also joyful, that they can be trusted.”

Cyberhealing

Anizar Anapi, 22, was raised in conflict. He still suffers from the trauma he went through at the age of 12, when his family fled their home in order to save their lives while their town in Basilan was being bombed. But he recognizes the potential that ICT has for healing the wounds of the past.

“The Internet helps us to connect with other people so they can express what they want and share thoughts on peace. If people from other areas see they want peace, they will not fear,” he said.

These young people were joined by adult speakers who have experienced the horrors of the 40-year Mindanao conflict, which has taken as many as 150,000 lives and which the MILF and the Philippine government has vowed to end.

Master Sgt. Emilo Hemongala, who joined the video conference in Cotabato City, almost died in a MNLF ambush in Mindanao. “The moment we arrived at our assignment, the rebel forces immediately attacked us …. That was my first encounter where the field you trekked on was riddled with land mines,” he said.

Powerful moment

In a powerful moment, Hemongala was bridged through the screens with his “enemy”—Edmund Gumbahali—a MNLF member who comes from the community in Sulu where Hemongala was assigned.

Gumbahali himself was held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf in 2011 and 2012: “For three months, I suffered a lot of mental and emotional trauma, especially the feeling of longing for my family …. They kept on telling me: ‘Tomorrow, we will behead you.’”

Despite their differences, the guests realized that they have a common vision for Mindanao. Said Major Singagandal, a former MNLF fighter from Sultan Kudarat who was in Cotabato City for EPIC: “Jihad has a different meaning under the circumstances …. In our current status, it’s a jihad where we have to avoid violating human rights.

Instead, we help each other and unite to achieve peace and discuss the problems so our children and the next coming generation shall be educated.”

Educating youths

The video conference was part of a larger program the US Embassy is doing with PeaceTech, an organization that has pioneered using videoconferencing and ICT for peace-building in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Most of the three-month program focused on training 100 “at-risk” young people, like Jamid and Lumbatan, who are vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups or even radicalism because they are from conflict-affected communities without opportunities.

Seventeen-year-old Hamad Taisher Hashim of Sulu is another out-of-school youth who participated in EPIC, a son of an MNLF fighter who has spent much of his life fleeing one home for another. “It was so hard to live because of the constant uncertainty and always being scared,” he said.

He said young people often joined insurgents because of the money. “If they help in a kidnapping, they sometimes get a part of the ransom. They can’t finish school and they can’t get jobs and have nothing to do,” he said.

These concerns had motivated the US Embassy and PeaceTech to hold EPIC. US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg flew to Zamboanga City for the video conference to reach out to the thousands of people.

‘Amazing’

“It was amazing—1,500 kids here, 1,500 in Cotabato all coming together because they are optimistic and, like kids everywhere, they want a good future, they want to get together, they want to train, they want to know what possibilities there are in life and that’s a wonderful thing.”

“The whole idea is to reach out to young people, especially the Muslim youth who may not see a brighter future, so they don’t fall into the same traps and they see that there is a better way in trying to deal with other communities, to give them an idea that there’s hope for the future.”

Jamid of Tawi-Tawi understood the ambassador’s words. “I will go home and tell others like me that there are more important things in this world than revenge and violence. We will not attain anything positive with this,” he said.

No room for vengeance

Anapi returned to his native Basilan with a clear mission in mind: “I will tell religious leaders what I have learned. And I will tell other young people not to exact revenge because their fathers or brothers are one. You do not have to follow them.”

“Many people join rebel groups because of revenge, because they do not know who the enemy is,” he said.

For much of the three months, EPIC focused on training on conflict management and the benefits of peace.

Hashum of Sulu said he was learning quickly: “If I am going to make peace in our community, I will start it in myself. I believe if we do not have peace in our own self, we cannot give peace to others.”

The out-of-school youth also learned skills in videography and reporting, with which they make videos informing other young people about their communities.

There was also training on project development so the out-of-school youth can create and implement in their communities projects that they feel will help spread peace and sustain what they have learned from EPIC.

Anapi went home to Basilan with funding from EPIC, which would build the playground he never had for others: “They have no playground in my place. The youth are bored; they have no time to enjoy themselves. So there, they will join violence even though they don’t understand why it’s happening.”

“Conflict is not a situation they necessarily want to find themselves in. It’s just that they have never known any other way until now. And with technology dominating the lives of young people more and more, the possibilities for greater understanding are limitless,” said lawyer Gianna Montinola, cofounder and president of PeaceTech.

PeaceTech staff Jonathan Husain in Central Mindanao and Kishee Dawabi in Western Mindanao led the workshops.

Dawabi said: “Most had low self-esteem, some were aggressive and had difficulty expressing their ideas and problems in a peaceful and acceptable manner. Some were apathetic or aloof, having their own prejudices against other participants coming from other places.”

Self-expression

Dawabi said the opportunity to express their thoughts was of great help: “They drew their ideas on peace, conflict and other concepts—this let them also discover themselves. Fun games taught the importance of a win-win perspective, resolving conflict instead of a win-lose deal. And that although conflict is something natural and part of our daily lives, it does not need to always escalate to violence.”

Jamid said he had seen himself change as a result of what he has learned in EPIC.

“I did not believe in the peace process nor peace; I did not think the world would get better. I was just concerned with my own world. I did not care about anything else. Now, I think peace is attainable if we all unite, if the groups involved will understand each other.”

Anapi now dreams of going back to school and becoming a professional. “I learned about respect, leadership and friendship, and to be true to yourself and to do good things …. Peace for me is all about understanding individuals despite cultural differences.”

Singing song of unity

PeaceTech founder Robin Pettyfer spent time with the participants of EPIC: “I like them all! And I am glad that EPIC seems to have the impact we aimed for. But what we are doing here is not difficult. We’re leveraging basic technology to empower those young people who are otherwise separated from one another and excluded from the mainstream. If we can do that—if we can use ICT to reduce ignorance, to show young people that what they are told about the other group is not true—then we can help reduce conflict.”

Jamid and Anapi listened quietly. But when Jamid was asked about his favorite moment during the video conference, he answered without hesitation: “I liked singing the PeaceTech song—it says ‘One Hope, One Dream.’”

His new friend Anapi agreed: “With peace,” he said, “We can dream again.http://technology.inquirer.net/39618/technology-connects-one-hope-one-dream-for-peace

Sayyaf leader arrested at NAIA

From the Philippine Star (Dec 1): Sayyaf leader arrested at NAIA



A suspected Abu Sayyaf leader has been arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), officials said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Fernando Mendez, director of the Intelligence Group (IG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Ustadz Burhan Malban Mundos, alias Burhan Mundos, was arrested on Nov. 20 after arriving from Zamboanga City.

Mundos was tagged by police and military intelligence as the solicitor of foreign funds and armaments for the Abu Sayyaf.

Mendez clarified Mundos went to Metro Manila to attend a hearing of one of his bombing cases in Taguig City, not to continue soliciting funds for the Abu Sayyaf from foreign sources.

Senior Superintendent Ronald Lee, head of the PNP-IG’s Counter-Intelligence Division, said Mundos kept silent on his role in the Abu Sayyaf.

“He ignored questions thrown at him by our anti-terrorist investigators,” Lee said.

A local official said the Abu Sayyaf is receiving funds from abroad to support its operation in Basilan.

Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan Vice Mayor Joel Maturan said the Abu Sayyaf group was monitored recruiting new members and promising allowances up to P15,000 each.

“We heard this information that they are receiving financial support from abroad and we are verifying the information,” Maturan said.

Maturan doubted reports that the Abu Sayyaf used talk of foreign support to lure new members. He believes the bandit group is actually sourcing its funds from the ransom paid by people its members kidnapped and the extortion money paid by local officials, business owners and teachers.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/12/01/1397756/sayyaf-leader-arrested-naia

Abu Sayyaf financing leader arrested at NAIA

From Ang Malaya (Dec 1): Abu Sayyaf financing leader arrested at NAIA

Ustadz Burhan Malban Mundos, alias Burhan Mundos was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Sunday, November 20 arriving from Zamboanga City.

Mundos is believed to be a sponsorship operator for the Abu Sayyaf terror group.

The arrest was confirmed by Intelligence Group of the Philippine National Police Director Chief Superintendent Fernando Mendez yesterday November 30. “He ignored questions thrown at him by our anti-terrorist investigators,” the PNP-IG director said.

In late 1990s and early 2000s, Mundos helped construct mosques and Arabic schools and Koranic circles in Basilan, Zamboanga and Sulu through the foundation Ship of Salvation to channel funds for Abu Sayyafs. Said funds were from Saudi Arabian nationals. Funds were used to bomb Central Mindanao and Zamboanga City, as confessed by arrested ASG members.

Burhan Mundos traveled to KSA in late 1997 to take up Islamic propagation course. Burhan Mundos has a brother named Khair. Khair was again arrested early June this year after escaping jail in 2007.

At present, the terror group is sourcing its funds to operate from ransom and extortion money collected from kidnap victims’ families, local officials and businessmen.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/12/01/6258-abu-sayyaf-financing-leader-arrested-at-naia