Suspected NPA rebels abduct 2 soldiers in ComVal

From GMA News (Dec 2): Suspected NPA rebels abduct 2 soldiers in ComVal

Two soldiers were abducted by suspected New People's Army rebels in Compostela Valley on Tuesday, a military official said Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año, commander of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, said the two were kidnapped by about 15 communist rebels at a banana plantation in Barangay San Roque in New Corrella town at around 4 a.m. on Tuesday.

He, however, declined to identify the two soldiers, who are both members of the 60th Infantry Battalion.

Año said the rebels disguised as farmers when they abducted the soldiers.

"Hindi na sila nakalaban dahil nabigla na lang 'yung dalawa, biglang natutukan 'yung dalawa, so na-abduct 'yung dalawa," he said, noting that the two soldiers were disarmed by the rebels.

He said it seemed the soldiers were caught off guard, as they were easily disarmed by the rebels.

"May failure on the part of our soldiers, masyado silang naging confident, na caught sila off guard [sila], so this is also a reason na improve namin 'yung mga security protocols ng mga sundalo natin na tumutulong sa pagprotect ng vital installations and business interest," he said.

Meanwhile, members of the 60th Infantry Battalion are conducting pursuit operations to rescue the two soldiers.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390672/news/regions/suspected-npa-rebels-abduct-2-soldiers-in-comval

Army calls for probe in Agusan del Sur ambush staged by NPA

From the Philippine Star (Dec 2): Army calls for probe in Agusan del Sur ambush staged by NPA

The Army on Wednesday called on civilian sectors to investigate the ambush staged by communist rebels in Agusan del Sur that left four persons dead and seven others wounded.

Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, chief of the Army’s 4th division, said those behind the attack should be made accountable for their actions.

“I urge the PNP (Philippine National Police), the Commission on Human Rights, and the Church to investigate this terroristic attack,” Lactao said in a statement.

“These NPAs (New People’s Army rebels) must be placed behind bars. We cannot just let them roam around and threaten the peace-loving people of Mindanao,” he added.

Four persons were killed and seven others, including a child, were wounded after suspected NPA members waylaid an ambulance in Sitio Latay, Barangay Marfil in Rosario town Sunday afternoon.

According to military reports, the victims came from a thanksgiving mass in Wayside Baptist Church and were on their way back to their homes when they ambush by about 20 armed men.

Maj. Christian Uy, spokesman of the Army’s 4th division, said the perpetrators may have been members of the NPA Guerilla Front 14 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Lactao said the incident has proven that the NPA is “a terrorist group.”

“I strongly condemn this terroristic attack of the NPA that killed civilians and wounding others on board an ambulance,” he said.

Members of the 75th Infantry Battalion are now conducting pursuit operations against the rebels.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/12/02/1398301/army-calls-probe-agusan-del-sur-ambush-staged-npa

3 Zamboanga City siege suspects cry torture

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 2): 3 Zamboanga City siege suspects cry torture

Several detained suspects in the Sept. 9, 2013 Zamboanga Siege have claimed they were tortured by members of the government security forces.

The details of torture were included in the 63-page resolution of the Department of Justice’s reinvestigation report in connection with the rebellion and insurrection charges filed against those arrested.

The DOJ earlier recommended the dropping of cases against 60 of the 287 charged due to absence of gunpowder nitrate and testimonial evidence.

The victims alleged that their heads were wrapped in plastic bags, their feet hit by a baseball bat and their genitals and nipples stapled.

A Government trooper rests amidst the ruins at the site of a three-week intense fighting between Government forces and Muslim rebels who have taken nearly 200 people hostages and used them as human shields, Saturday Sept. 28, 2013 in Zamboanga city, southern Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO

The victims said they were tortured to force them to admit that they were members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). (Members of an armed MNLF faction staged a protest action in Zamboanga City with the intent, according to the government, to take over the city government facilities and declare their return to rebellion. Government immediately sent troops to arrest the armed MNLF members, resulting in the siege.)

Neighbors Jeffrey Umandak, Makrin Manambahi and Botes Mahamud, residents of Barangay Santa Barbara here have told the DOJ they were tortured by government agents.

The three left their homes after government announced a forced evacuation on Sept. 14. With white cloth on sticks to signify they were civilians, they ran toward government soldiers’ location.

“However when they were within reach, soldiers hit them with the butts of their rifles, made to lie flat on the ground and their hands and necks tied with a rope,” the DOJ’s report, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, said.

During the interrogation, the report added, the three were “subjected to torture, questioning, forcing them to admit that they are members of the MNLF. They were repeatedly punched, kicked and their heads wrapped with plastic bags.”

“After hours of torture they were transported to Camp Batalla for another round of interrogation and later brought to Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO),” the report added.

“(At the ZCPO), police punched staple wires on their nipples, their feet bound together and their faces covered with plastic bags and their penises punched with staple wires,” the report said.

Umandak is a homeowner at the Ayer Village in Santa Barbara. His neighbor, Manambahi, is a utility worker of the Santa Barbara Elementary School, while Mahamud is a pedicab driver.

Lawyer Edylyn Santiago, head of the sub-regional Office of the ARMM’s Human Rights Commission, said that of the 60 whose cases were recommended for dismissal, 29 were from Basilan, eight from Sulu, 14 from Zamboanga City, two from Zamboanga del Norte and six from Zamboanga Sibugay.

Of those from Basilan, most are from Barangay Sulutan Matangal in Mohammad Ajul town.

Mohammad Ajul Mayor Talib Pawaki, in a phone interview, said those arrested “are innocent.”

“Most of them are poor fishermen and boat people who were just contracted by the MNLF to bring them to Zamboanga City,” he said.

He said more than 10 fishermen from his town were killed during the siege, while more than two dozens have been in jail since the siege.

But Commissioner Edilwasif Baddiri of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said freeing the suspects would go through a long process.

“It will go through the court process and the court will ask the other parties to comment and the judge will make his own assessment on an individual basis, so it will still take a long time,” Baddiri told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview.

Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar said she was surprised by the DOJ’s report.

“Nothing has been communicated to us,” Salazar said, adding that she might “make a letter of appeal.”

Salazar maintained that those arrested passed through a “process of screening” to ensure that innocent civilians were not deprived of their liberty.

Supt. Ariel Huesca, spokesperson of the Zamboanga City Police Office, said all material evidence gathered against the 287 accused, including more than a hundred firearms, were diligently collected by the police.

He, however, admitted that not all the firearms found and recovered from the sites of battle were in possession of those arrested.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/654190/3-zamboanga-city-siege-suspects-cry-torture

Artillery battalions with 155, 105mm howitzers move in Mindanao

From Ang Malaya (Dec 2): Artillery battalions with 155, 105mm howitzers move in Mindanao

Philippine Army Artillery Regiment’s 7th Field Artillery and the newly formed 8th Field Artillery Battalion will be supporting ground troops in Central Mindanao and ZamBaSulTa respectively. 7FAB is taking care of 155mm Howitzer while the 8FAB with 105mm Howitzer.

“We are seen as the deliverer of hope in winning this battle or any battles. If history may speak itself, indeed, we have helped won many battles. Thus, we have nowhere to go but forward and prove the worth of their trust and confidence in us,” AAR Regiment Commander Brigadier General Leandro A Loyao III told 7FAB Commander Lt Col Ferdinand Geminic P. Ramirez and 8FAB Commander Lt Col Jeffrey A. Cabansay in a simple ceremony at Zamboanga City.

“With the recent activation of 8FAB which primarily supports troops in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi (ZamBaSulTa), we can now focus our reinforcing fire support to units in Central Mindanao like the 1st and 6th Infantry Divisions and other government troops operating in the said areas,” 7FAB Commander Lt Col Ramirez said.

Army Artillery Regiment now has a total of eight battalion deployed in different strategic locations. Recent movement of artillery batallions is aimed to boost campaign against the terror group Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements in Mindanao.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/12/02/6360-artillery-battalions-with-155-105mm-howitzers-move-in-mindanao

MILF: ARMM projects to continue under Bangsamoro entity

From the Philippine Star (Dec 2): MILF: ARMM projects to continue under Bangsamoro entity

 
Flanked by Muhaquer Iqbal of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles (right), Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (center) raises a point during a press conference Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, in Cotabato City. John Unson

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday assured to be at par or even surpass the efficiency of the present administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao once the Bangsamoro political entity replaces the present regional government.

Muhaquer Iqbal, chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, told reporters at the office of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman in Cotabato City that they will continue the religious implementation of whatever costly unfinished projects the regional government shall turn over to the new entity once it is established via the draft Basic Bangsamoro Law.

The bill, which aims to replace the ARMM with an MILF-led Bangsamoro entity, is now in Congress, expected to be enacted into law by the first quarter of 2015.

“We will continue all the projects of the ARMM and all its programs benefiting all people in the region,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles were among the special guests on Monday’s state of the region address (SORA) of Hataman at the ARMM’s Sharif Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.

Hataman’s SORA delved on his administration’s accomplishments in introducing reforms in the graft-ridden regional government and in the implementation of some P2 billion worth of infrastructure projects from 2012 to November 2014.

Hataman, through his SORA, punctuated by impromptu acknowledgement of the gains of the Mindanao peace process, again gave a vote of confidence to the on-going diplomatic overture between Malacañang and the MILF.

In a press conference with Hataman and Deles after the SORA, Iqbal said the projects and humanitarian programs of the ARMM administration will hasten the efforts of the MILF to foster peace and development in the autonomous region and other areas inside the proposed territory of the Bangsamoro entity.

The ARMM covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“We can assure the public that the Bangsamoro will continue these projects and do its best to be at par if not surpass the performance of the present ARMM administration,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal said they find consoling Hataman’s assurance to relinquish his post and turnover to the incoming Bangsamoro entity whatever savings there are in all coffers of the ARMM’s line agencies and support offices under a transition process agreed by the MILF and government.

Hataman's administration had saved in the past two years more than P1 billion in state funds from the national government for the ARMM's education and public works departments, earmarked for projects and operating expenses of the two agencies, both touted as the region's most corrupt during the time of past regional governors.

Hataman said that his SORA last Monday could be his last owing to the possibility of the replacement of the ARMM government with a Bangsamoro entity next year.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/12/02/1398249/milf-armm-projects-continue-under-bangsamoro-entity

Sajahatra Bangsamoro to include Muslims and Christians in conflict affected areas

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 2): Sajahatra Bangsamoro to include Muslims and Christians in conflict affected areas

Representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government in the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program cited the inclusivity of rendering basic services to the communities even extending beyond the Bangsamoro areas.

Speaking at the Hermes Club press briefing at the Waterfront Insular Hote, Dr. Taugan Kikay, team leader of the project management of the MILF in the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program said the services of the program extend to both Christians and Muslims to ensure that they see and experience the caring hands of government especially in the once conflict-affected areas.

He said the Sajahatra Program simply puts to life its real meaning in the languages like Maguindanaowon, Malaysian and Arabic implying bracing for peace and development.

Kikay observed the program gets good acceptance even to the Muslim communities due to the basic services in education, health and livelihood assistance.

The Sajahatra Bangsamoro followed immediately following the dialogue between President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in Japan, two years ago and the subsequent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the peace panels of the MILF and the government.

“The program is enjoyed by both the Muslims and Christians in the once conflict-affected areas,” Kikay said.

Hadizer Birowa, director of the Sajahatra Program under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said under the program, a total of 11,000 now enjoy insurance coverages through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

He also said that the Cotabato City Sanitarium Hospital is undergoing repair in order to cater to the sick.

Birowa also said that more than 16,000 children are now placed under the supplementary feeding program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development while 639 students enjoy scholarship grants from the Commission on Higher Education.

He said that through the Department of Education, reading, writing and arithmetic are now integrated in the education system of the Madaris.

“We also cater to place outside the conflict-affected areas like Mati City, Davao Oriental, Munay, Lanao del Norte, Butig, Lanao del Sur, Tungaoan, Zamboanga Sibugay and in areas like Magcawa, Albarca, Basilan, Bongao, Tawi-tawi, Jolo, Sulu and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao,” Birowa said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2381417497443/sajahatra-bangsamoro-to-include-muslims-and-christians-in-conflict-affected-areas

Peacekeepers end Caballo Island quarantine

From InterAksyon (Dec 2): Peacekeepers end Caballo Island quarantine



Peacekeepers being quarantined at Caballo Island depart for a final medical checkup before being released to spend Christmas with their loved ones. Photographs from Armed Forces of the Philippines

The 108 soldiers, 24 police officers and a jail officer have finally finished their quantine after returning from their nine-month United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Ebola-stricken Liberia, finishing the mandatory 21-day isolation period on Caballo Island off Manila Bay, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced.

"Officially, on this day, their quarantine period ended," said Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, public affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.



At about 12 noon Tuesday, they boarded Philippine Navy vessels (in photo above) for the transfer to Sangley Point in Cavite, to be transported by military buses to the AFP Medical Center for routine medical screening.
Major Gerard Alvaran, one of the peacekeepers, said that he was very excited to come back home.

"I am eagerly waiting for this day that we finish this quarantine period. I can't wait to see my family during the Hero's Welcome that is scheduled for us," he said.

Alvaran said that they enjoyed their stay on Caballo Island.

"Our stay was never boring because we had lots of activities including fun games, environmental protection activities and also the rare opportunity to discover the historic spots there," he said.

The peacekeepers were formed into groups and were allowed to visit Battery Craighill and Battery Gillespied, where they experienced views of Metro Manila, Cavite and Corregidor island.

Master Sergeant Freddie Mercado, the group's first sergeant, said that he kept himself fit during his stay on the island.

"I jogged every morning around the island, during which I also had the chance to watch the beauty of the sunrise. I also participated in all the ball games to interact with my fellow peacekeepers," he said.

SPO4 Shirley B. Alonzo, a member of the police peacekeepers, said that the quarantine was not in vain.

"Our stay was very productive. It also gave us an opportunity to show our creativity by making the island a better place by planting trees and conducting coastal cleanup," she said.

One peacekeeper is confined at the AFP Medical Center for hypertension, although, Cabunoc said, "although we hope he will be able to join the group to receive the heroes' welcome" that will coincide with the lighting of the Christmas tree there.

AFP Chief of Staff, General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. will lead the welcome ceremony that will be held at 4:30 pm on Thursday.

"I am very happy that the peacekeepers have successfully finished the quarantine without any untoward incident. I am commending them for their self-sacrifices to make our country Ebola virus-free," he said.

Catapang has also prepared exciting prices for winners of the friendly competition such as essay writing, photo contest and sportsfest.

Catapang will award the UN Service Medal to the peacekeepers for their exemplary performance and services as members of the peacekeeping contingent in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the 24 peacekeepers from the Philippine National Police were given honors by the PNP top brass.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said the peacekeepers arrived at Camp Crame Tuesday afternoon after completing their mandatory 21-day quarantine.

"In honor of their sacrifice and courage in their missions, the PNP personnel who have served in UN peacekeeping operations in Ebola-stricken Liberia will be awarded letters of commendation, UN Service Medal and Glock 9mm Pistol to be witnessed by their families and other police officers," Mayor said.

"Since 1992, the PNP has been sending its peacekeeping contingents to UN peacekeeping operations and missions, first in Cambodia and subsequently in other countries torn by conflict to provide services and assistance," said Mayor.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100358/peacekeepers-end-caballo-island-quarantine

NPA leaders tagged as behind deadly attack in Agusan Sur

From the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 1): NPA leaders tagged as behind deadly attack in Agusan Sur



The Eastern Mindanao Command and the 4th Infantry Division have tagged New People’s Army leaders Leonida Sanchez, Randy Subla, Ariel Ornales and Renato Sayasat as behind the ambush in Rosario town in Agusan del Sur province that killed four people and injured 7 others, including a soldier and two pro-government militias. (Mindanao Examiner)

The Philippine military has tagged Monday four communist rebel leaders as behind a deadly ambush that killed four people and wounded seven more in the southern province of Agusan del Sur.

The Eastern Mindanao Command and the 4th Infantry Division have tagged New People’s Army leaders Leonida Sanchez, Randy Subla, Ariel Ornales and Renato Sayasat as behind the ambush in Rosario town.

The victims were returning home from a church service when some 20 rebels attacked Sunday the ambulance they were using in the village of Marfil. The ambulance was carrying 11people, according to the military.

The fatalities were identified as Neljoy Cerna, 27; Noni Mabong, 51, Alfredo Cerna, 51; and Vanessa Sabas, 30. And the injured as Liza Casilla, 47; Elmer Adonis, 37, village chieftain Emillio Solidor Jr., 49; and eight-year old Mae Roselyn Adonis, army soldier Diryun Mordeno and pro-government militias Expedito Sabado and Reynaldo Austral.

The military said the ambushers belong to the Guerilla Front 14 operating in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. The NPA has been fighting for a separate state in the country.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20141201093617

Two soldiers kidnapped by leftist rebels in S. Philippines

From the Global Times (Dec 2): Two soldiers kidnapped by leftist rebels in S. Philippines

Leftist rebels on Tuesday kidnapped two soldiers guarding a Japanese banana farm in southern Philippines, the authorities said.

Some 20 New People's Army guerrillas disguised as farm workers stormed the compound of the Sumitomo Fruits Philippines (Sumifru) in a village in New Corella town, in Mindanao's Davao del Norte province around 4 a.m., Senior Superintendent Samuel Gadingan, provincial police chief, said.

"The rebels were wearing white overall suits used by farm workers disarmed the guard of his shotgun and two communication radios and headed to the bunkhouse where the soldiers were staying, " Gadingan told Xinhua by text message. "The suspects then seized the troopers at gunpoint."

Gadingan said the kidnapped soldiers belong to the army's 60th Infantry Battalion and served as augmentation guards for the Japanese banana company.

The suspects took a truck owned by the firm and used this in fleeing.

Police and army troops were now conducting pursuit to locate and rescue the soldiers, the police officer added.

Tuesday's attack came just a day after alleged NPA gunmen ambushed an ambulance in a hinterland village in Surigao del Sur province, also in Mindanao, killing four civilians and wounding a village chief and four others.

The 4, 000-strong NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting a leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces since 1969.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/894573.shtml

IED found in South Cotabato town

From InterAksyon (Dec 2): IED found in South Cotabato town



Civilians and police authorities prevented another bombing in South Cotabato after they discovered an improvised explosive device in Banga town Monday morning, police said Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Jose Briones Jr., South Cotabato police provincial director, said the bomb was fashioned from an 81mm mortar shall with a mobile phone used as a triggering device.

The bomb, which was placed inside an unattended bag left at the provincial road in Purok Maligaya, Barangay Bangsa, was found by civilians around 9 a.m.

Village councilman Henry Puig said residents at first thought it was garbage but when he checked inside, he found the mortar round.

Police quickly cordoned off the area and bomb disposal teams removed the bomb.

Briones said whoever made the bomb may have planned to bring it elsewhere but abandoned it in Banga because of military and police checkpoints on major roads in the province.

He said the IED bore the signature of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which government has blamed for a series of bombings in North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Cotabato City recently.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100336/ied-found-in-south-cotabato-town

PH monitoring 4 groups ahead of Pope visit

From ABS-CBN (Dec 2): PH monitoring 4 groups ahead of Pope visit

Police intelligence agents have not monitored any threats to Pope Francis, who is scheduled to visit the Philippines next month, but military intelligence agents are monitoring at least four groups capable of harming the pope.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said yesterday “there are no threats” monitored by police officers, except for that posed by the New People’s Army (NPA).

He issued the statement following an announcement by Central Command spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Jim Alagao that the NPA may pose a threat during the pope’s visit in Cebu and Leyte.

Valmoria said no major problem has cropped up in their security preparations, particularly for a mass at the Quirino Grandstand that the pope will officiate.

The Catholic Church said it is expecting six million devotees to attend the mass.

Meanwhile, the military intelligence community is watching the NPA, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the emerging terror group Khalifa Islamiya Mindanao and the Abu Sayyaf.

“We have been preparing for this for several months now, with our efforts focused on any possible plot coming from any of these threat groups against the pope,” a source privy to the security preparations said.

On the other hand, the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies said the government must also look out for “lone wolves,” individuals who could have embraced the teachings for Muslim fundamentalists and be plotting on their own to harm the pope.

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said the military is “war gaming,” using “scenario-building tabletop exercises” to check for loopholes in the government’s security measures for the papal visit.

He declined to say what threats are being addressed during the exercises.
http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/02/14/ph-monitoring-4-groups-ahead-pope-visit

Chinese websites hacked over poaching, Spratlys reclamation

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 1): Chinese websites hacked over poaching, Spratlys reclamation



The hacktivist group Blood Security International has defaced several Chinese websites over their reclamation and poaching activities in the West Philippine Sea

Several Chinese websites were hacked by hacktivist group Blood Security International on Monday to protest China’s poaching and reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea.

The website of the Chinese Forestry Bureau and two university websites were defaced.

As of Monday afternoon, the homepage of a university website bore the message “Greetings China! We are here to deliver you the people’s message from the Philippines.”

“Stop claiming what doesn’t belong to you! Stop the hunting of our marine endangered species! Go build your own island! Leave Philippines!” the message on the defaced site said.

On the Forestry Bureau site, the Blood Hackers Security inserted the message: “Leave Philippines Alone. The Spratly Islands belongs to the people of the Philippines.”

The university websites were http://morus.swu.edu.cn and http://vpa.tju.edu.cn. Another unidentified site http://leeking.cn was also defaced.

Last May 2014, 11 Chinese fishermen were apprehended off the coast of Palawan with at least 500 sea turtles onboard their fishing vessel.

After being charged in court for violating Philppine fishing laws, nine of the 11 fishermen were fined $102,000 each by a Philippine court in November. China has demanded that the fishermen be released unconditionally insisting they were within China’s territory.

China has been widely criticized for its territorial claim on the South China Sea and its reclamation activities in the Spratly Islands.



China’s reclamation on Johnson Reef in the Spratly Group of Islands

Tensions rose in the Southeast Asian region due to the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China and several other countries claiming Spratly Islands.

The Philippines has already filed a case before the international tribunal on the law of the sea to protest China’s nine-dash line claim. China has refused to participate in the proceedings.

The hacktivist group Blood Security Hackers previously defaced the website of Globe Telecommunications, protesting their poor internet connection service.

http://technology.inquirer.net/39636/chinese-websites-hacked-over-poaching-spratlys-reclamation

16-year-old girl accuses 3 soldiers of gang-rape in Mindoro Occidental

From GMA News (Dec 1): 16-year-old girl accuses 3 soldiers of gang-rape in Mindoro Occidental

A 16-year-old girl in Mindoro Occidental has accused three soldiers of raping her, a report on “24 Oras” Monday.

The report said the incident happened in May last year after the victim and her mother attended an event at a military base in Paluan town.

The victim's mother, “Aling Ester,” said her daughter went missing during the party and they searched for her for two hours.

It was later learned that a soldier brought the victim, “Siena,” near the sea where she was raped, after which she was brought home where two other soldiers raped her.

"Hinila po siya sa braso, dinala siya sa aplaya [kung saan] isa ang gumamit sa kanya. Tapos dinala po sya sa bahay, tapos yung dalawa naman po [ang gumamit sa kanya]," said Aling Ester in the report.

Aling Ester, who later on arrived at their house, said she found her daughter crying in one corner. She also saw the two soldiers there.

“Tinaas daw po yung kanyang, binuksan daw po yung zipper ng short pants niya at sinandal daw po siya sa dingding ng bahay namin,” she said.

She described the suspects as armed and wearing Army uniforms.

Trauma

After the incident, Siena became introverted, Aling Ester said.

“Hindi na po siya nagsasalita, hindi na po naimik,  hindi na marunong maligo, madalang na ring kumain sa isang araw,” she said.

The victim's mother said they didn't report the incident to authorities because the soldiers had threatened them.

Aling Ester said she instead focused her attention on taking care of Siena, who was traumatized by the incident.

File a complaint

The Philippine Army, meanwhile, urged the victim to file a complaint so it could start an investigation.

“Wala kaming ma-find out na information na something like that happened, so we're encouraging na kung may complainant, file a formal complaint on any person of authority so it will be the basis of our investigation,” said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato in the same “24 Oras” report.

The report said Siena is being assisted in her case by Gabriela party-list, which is advocating women's rights.

According to Gabriela, 30 rape victims by soldiers have already approached them since 2010. On the other hand, another 42 victims said they were raped by policemen.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390553/news/regions/16-year-old-girl-accuses-3-soldiers-of-gang-rape-in-mindoro-occidental

22 PAF personnel detained over hazing

From GMA News (Dec 2): 22 PAF personnel detained over hazing

At least 22 Philippine Air Force personnel are currently detained at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for their alleged involvement in a hazing incident last August, according to a television report.

 

Quoting PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya, a report on GMA News TV's News To Go said nine of the personnel were recommended to be dismissed from service, while the other 13 will undergo preliminary investigation.

 

Canaya, however, declined to name the 22 personnel linked to the incident while an investigation is ongoing.

 

The report said the alleged hazing occurred during training at Lipa City in Batangas last August.

 

Meanwhile, Canaya condemned the incident, saying the PAF does not tolerate such behavior.

 

Earlier in November, a video, titled "Ultimate Military Training of the Philippines," went viral on the Internet, showing men in camouflage uniform being harassed and beaten by men also in military uniforms, and some in civilian clothing.
 

However, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc had said the military has long removed hazing in their training.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390633/news/nation/22-paf-personnel-detained-over-hazing

MILF: Primer on draft Basic Law launched

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 2): Primer on draft Basic Law launched



A handy, reader-friendly primer on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was formally launched on November 28 at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City in a bid by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to make the draft law easily understandable.
  

The 55-page primer seeks “to explain, expound and clarify the provisions of the proposed BBL,” said BTC Chairman Mohagher Iqbal in his message.

Solidarity statements were also given by OPAPP Secretary Teresita Q. Deles, Malaysian Facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Bin Tengku Mohamed and Ali Saleem, Country Representative of Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue – Philippines.

Deles said the “primer will be even more crucial as we anticipate the passage of the proposed law and as the plebiscite for its popular ratification draws near.”

The Malaysian Facilitator said the primer can be used to “assuage any doubts in people’s minds and explain exactly what the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law contains” while Saleem, whose office was greatly helpful to the BTC in the making of the primer, described the reading material as “BTC's own product and seeks to respond and clarify questions and concerns raised at different fora by stakeholders.”

 A talk-show type of forum with Iqbal and NCMF Secretary Yasmin Busran-Lao serving as discussants preceded the simple public presentation for the primer in the event that was well attended by diplomats, legal luminaries, media, academicians, BTC commissioners and key government officials.

Iqbal and Busran-Lao, who also served in the GPH Peace Panel, discussed the historical context of the Bangsamoro, salient features of the proposed BBL, and issues and concerns regarding the said bill.

Written questions from the audience were also entertained during segment breaks.

Ambassador Guy Ledoux, Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines, remarked that the “primer on the Bangsamoro Basic Law is a tool which can be used to organise conversation, debate and dialogue with all the stakeholders.”

Ledoux also expressed pleasure that “EU funds have enabled the production of this key publication.”

The primer has been printed initially in 10,000 copies and will be translated into Magindanawn, Sinug, M’ranaw, Kagan, Cebuano, Ilongo and Filipino languages.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1378-primer-on-draft-basic-law-launched