US Navy rescues 5 Filipino fishermen in Philippine Sea

From Ang Malaya (Mar 27): US Navy rescues 5 Filipino fishermen in Philippine Sea

United States Navy sailors aboard the command ship of the US Seventh Fleet USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) assisted five Filipino fishermen who were in distress.

According to the official blog site of UN Navy, five Filipinos were fishing in Philippine Sea when their boat’s motor stalled out. Crew from USS Blue Ridge found them “adrift for three days with no food.”

“We thought it was strange to see something in the water, so we slowed down to get a better look. As we began looking for signs of distress, we noticed someone was waving a white t-shirt, while someone else was waving a flashlight,” officer of the deck on duty Ensign John Li said.

Blue Ridge then deployed a team on a rigid-hulled inflatable boat to rescue and safely brought the five men onboard the ship. While onboard, five Filipino nationals were given basic first aid. “The men were suffering from hypothermia and malnourishment among other ailments,” US Navy said.

“These are situations Navy medical professionals are trained for. Luckily, we were there at the right place and the right time to save a life,” USS Blue Ridge medical officer Lt. Cmdr. Omar Saeed said.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/03/27/9810-us-navy-rescues-5-filipino-fishermen-in-philippine-sea

Two rebels surrender

From the Mindanao Times (Mar 26): Two rebels surrender
 

TWO MEMBERS of the New People’s Army from the region surrendered separately over the weekend. Alias Makjie voluntarily surrendered without firearm to the 67th Infantry Battalion based in Brgy. Central, Cateel, Davao Oriental on March 21, Saturday. Col. Romeo Brawner, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the 22-year-old surrenderee left the organization after he experienced difficulties in the movement.

On the same day, alias Mike identified as an NPA medic, also voluntarily surrendered without firearm to the Troops of 60th Infantry Battalion at Sitio Palo, Brgy. Limbaan, New Corella, Davao del Norte.

According to Brawner, Mike approached the troops after he was convinced by the barangay official to leave the movement and return to the folds of the law.

The surrenderees will be enrolled in the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) to prepare them for reintegration into the society.

Eastern Mindanao had recorded around 36 rebels who have already surrendered in their area of responsibility for the 1^st Quarter of the year.

In his statement, Lt. General Aurelio Baladad, EastMinCom Head, welcomed the surrenderees as the NPA anniversary is approaching on March 29. “We are happy on the decision of our two brothers to be back in the folds of the law and live a peaceful life,” he said.

“We are encouraging others who are still with the NPA to come down, surrender their firearms and live a peaceful life with their family,” Baladad said.

http://mindanaotimes.net/two-rebels-surrender/

A year after peace deal signing: Prospects for Bangsamoro law

From Rappler (Mar 27): A year after peace deal signing: Prospects for Bangsamoro law

What are the prospects for the passage of the law implementing the peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front post-Mamasapano?



REMEMBERING PEACE. Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman; Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak; Philippine president Benigno Aquino III and Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process hold the documents following the signing of a final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the muslim rebel group inside the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, the Philippines, March 27, 2014. Dennis Sabangan/ EPA

What a difference a year makes.

Exactly a year ago in Malacañang, euphoria marked the signing of the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that was 17 years in the making.

 

In Kalayaan Grounds, some 500 MILF rebels trooped to the Palace in busloads to witness the event. Onstage, the backdrop was dominated by paper doves encircling the emblem of the President.

 

There was renewed sense of hope that peace was within reach. Back then, it seemed that the greatest hurdle to the next stage of the peace process - the passage of the proposed law based on the peace deal in Congress and ratification in a plebiscite - was the persistent issue on constitutionality.

 

No one could have anticipated the Mamasapano tragedy that has turned the peace process around.

 

In the aftermath, the trust and approval ratings of President Benigno Aquino III, whom proponents of the Bangsamoro Basic Law had counted on to rally support for its passage, has sunk to an all-time low. At the Senate, the committee report on the Mamasapano debacle was unforgiving to Aquino, the MILF and the peace process as a whole. At the House of Representatives, about 100 lawmakers clamored to reopen investigations on the incident as the Bangsamoro bill faces dilution in another committee.

 

Scenarios

 

Despite the challenges, peace panels of the government and the MILF have reiterated that they are not giving up on the fight for the passage of a good Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress under the Aquino administration. (READ: Is it time for Plan B for the peace process?)

 

But with time running out as the 2016 election nears, some peace observers have proposed pursuing ways to proceed with the peace process beyond the Aquino administration.

 

Former government chief peace negotiator Jesus Dureza wrote in Mindanews:

"I am of the view that if the conditions today are not conducive to pass an acceptable BBL, it may be best to wait for better times and not force the issue now, lest the consequence may be dire and irreversible," Dureza said.

 

For Ateneo School of Government Dean Antonio La Viña, there is still time and BBL proponents should take advantage of the window to pass the law up to June.

 

La Viña said parties involved should continue pushing for an improved version of the law and reassess the political climate when the June deadline arrives.

 

"It's all about politics. If the President is able to change the situation – he said (the other day) that he will make announcements in the next few weeks about pushing for the peace process – then yes, we should push for the BBL right now. But if the politics doesn't change, it might be better to leave this to the next administration, where there could a better chance of passing a good law," La Viña said.

 

"If they can not get a good law, why will you replace the ARMM with something even worse or weaker than the ARMM?" he added.

 

Amid the political fallout that has eroded support for the BBL, Congress is carrying the responsibility of ensuring that the BBL would stand legal scrutiny.

 

Some constitutional experts, including former Supreme Court Justice Vicente Mendoza, have called the BBL unconstitutional for creating a substate, while the original framers of the 1987 Constitutional have come out with a statement supporting the constitutionality of the measure.

 

The proposed law seeks to create a parliamentary form of autonomous government that is designed to have more teeth than the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

 

Due to legal questions, the House of Representatives is set to delete what it believes are unconstitutional provisions, including those creating branches of the auditing, civil service, human rights and elections bodies for the Bangsamoro.

 

But the MILF has said that it would be better for Congress not to pass the law at all if it would mean passing a watered down version of measure. 

 

In a Wednesday, March 25, interfaith forum in Cagayan de Oro, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal gave assurances that the rebel group would not disengage from the peace process no matter what happens to the BBL, Mindanews reported.

 

 

Protect the CAB

 

While most discussions are centered on the fate of the BBL, La Viña said protecting the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) must also be considered.

 

"It is a very good agreement, a great achievement – enough for this administration that you can leave the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to the next administration. In the end, that's what they might have to do," La Viña said.

 

"You have to protect the CAB. It the BBL is passed, then next administration might not even honor it because they feel like they don't own the process. They can say it's only for Aquino and not the nation. At least you give the next administration a major part of completing the agreement and then they will feel ownership," he added.

How constitutional issues would play out in relation to the political climate should also be considered, according to La Viña.

 

"Before Mamasapano, you can imagine Aquino had more influence on Congress. If BBL was passed by 90% of the Senate or the House, the SC will have a hard time voting against it. They can be considered as the roadblock. They can ask themselves 'Are we doing the right thing?' Now, they don't have to consider that. I don't think they will be restrained," La Viña said.

 

With varied opinions on the legality of the bill, even the peace panels anticipate that the law would be questioned in court no matter what comes out from Congress.

 

"One consideration is if there's a case filed before the SC questioning constitutionally, legality of the BBL, the case that will be filed will involve also the CAB. If that happens and the CAB is declared unconstitutional, then we are back to zero. The peace process can survive having no BBL but it can not survive the CAB being unconstitutional," La Viña said.

 

BBL only one part of the process

 

Alistair Macdonald, chair of the Third Party Monitoring Team on the Bangsamoro peace deal, said stakeholders should not forget that the BBL is only one part of the peace process.

 

Despite the volatile political climate, Macdonald said the CAB - if taken as a whole - still gives "the best prospect for peace" in Mindanao.

 

Under the peace deal between the government and the MILF, the establishment of the Bangsamoro autonomous region – to be implemented through the passage of the BBL - would entail a counterpart staggered decommisioning of firearms on the side of the MILF.

 

All these will be done in parallel with the gradual redeployment of government armed forces in the area, as well as the creation of socio-economic programs for the return of combatants to the mainstream.

 

"The BBL is only one part of the process, the process of legislation establishing the whole set up of the Bangsamoro," Macdonald said.

 

"All of that needs to be seen as a whole to be able to move forward on that basis and seize this opportunity for peace for the Philippines," he added.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/88119-bangsamoro-peace-deal-anniversary

Repair work in Pagasa Island could violate DOC -- DND chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 27): Repair work in Pagasa Island could violate DOC -- DND chief

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday said the country might not be able to repair existing facilities at Pagasa Island as doing so might violate the Declaration of Conduct which the Philippines is a signatory.

This is despite earlier announcements made by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

"That's okay but we need to bring the building materials (in Pagasa) and in order to (do) that, we need to built a pier where ships can unload their cargoes, and that is not allowed in the DOC," Gazmin said in Filipino.

The Philippines has an airstrip, which needs repair in the above-mentioned island.

As stated in the DOC between China and ASEAN which was signed in 2002, signatories are prohibited from constructing new facilities in the disputed areas and exercise self restraint.

 

Gazmin said constructing a pier will violate the DOC. And flying the materials needed for the upgrading and repairs of facilities in Pagasa Island is very expensive.

 

"We cannot repair because the construction materials will be coming from the outside, getting inside, will be by aircraft it will be very very expensive and very impractical," the DND chief noted.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=748423

EXCLUSIVE | DND used P800-M US fund for tanks to buy cheaper APCs - JV, Chiz

From InterAksyon (Mar 27): EXCLUSIVE | DND used P800-M US fund for tanks to buy cheaper APCs - JV, Chiz



News5 screenshot of US tanks.

Two senators want the Department of National Defense to explain why it used P800 million given by the United States to transport 100 units of donated tanks to buy instead cheaper armored personnel carriers from Belgium.

Senators JV Ejercito and Chiz Escudero said they learned the DND chose to defer receipt of the tanks donated in 2013; and then turned around and used P800 million provided by the US for the tanks' transport, to buy the "old-model" APCs at P30 million each.

The DND supposedly also booked from an Israeli supplier the arms and other key features that are supposed to be installed on the Belgian tanks.

Earlier, the defense establishment drew flak over the P1.2 billion purchase of 20 units of Huey helicopters. of which only nine have been delivered.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told News5 the DND had in fact already issued a notice of partial termination to the supplier for non-compliance with the terms of the contract.

However, Gazmin opted not to comment on the US tanks issue, saying they would rather respond to that before the Senate.

The controversy prompted Ejercito to wonder aloud how the vaunted, P75-billion, five-year AFP modernization could proceed as planned given controversies such as these. "What kind of modernization are we going to have, modernization in retreat?" asked Ejercito, in apparent reference to the decision to buy old-model APCs.
[Video report]

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107794/exclusive--dnd-used-p800-m-us-fund-for-tanks-to-buy-cheaper-apcs---jv-chiz

AFP ready for coming NPA 46th founding anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 27): AFP ready for coming NPA 46th founding anniversary

With the New People's Army (NPA) about to celebrates its 46th founding anniversary its March 29, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it is prepared to protect the country and people should the rebel group decide to commit atrocities on the said date.

This was announced Friday by the AFP public affairs office in a message to the PNA.

"The AFP is ready perform its mandated task to protect the people against any armed threats including the NPA bandits who (might) launch armed attacks during their founding anniversary," it added.

"We are working closely with the PNP in monitoring the NPA and in taking preemptive measures to thwart their evil plans such as mounting violent attacks against communities and government installations," the AFP said.

Earlier, AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said that units based in non-threat areas can grant leave to their personnel wanting to go home this Holy Week.

However, this condition cannot be applied to provinces and areas with intact threat groups like the NPA and other lawless elements.

Areas in the Philippines known to be hosting NPA groups include Masbate, Sorsogon in Southern Luzon and Kalinga in Northern Luzon, Leyte, Eastern and Northern Samar in the Visayas and CARAGA Regions and Compostela Valley in Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=748410

VIDEO, EXCLUSIVE | Know why some SAF men did not go to combat site at height of Mamasapano clash

From InterAksyon (Mar 27): VIDEO, EXCLUSIVE | Know why some SAF men did not go to combat site at height of Mamasapano clash



On the morning of January 25, while Philippine National Police-Special Action Force troopers from the 55^th Special Action Company and the 84^th Seaborne were fighting tooth and nail with Moro rebels in Maguindanao and badly needed help, their comrades from other SAF units, who were also part of Oplan Exodus, did not go to the combat site and stayed along the highway in Mamasapano.

A video obtained by News5 shows that past 8 a.m. of January 25, members of the Philippine Army, while on board an armored vehicle on their way to Mamasapano town, saw some SAF members from the First and Fourth Battalions of the 44^th Special Action Company staying on the roadside with their parked vehicles.

Among the SAF members in the video was Supt. Michael John Mangahis, operations officer of Oplan Exodus.

Mangahis was with other elite policemen, some seen in the footage sitting under the trees while their comrades are in Brgy. Tukanalipao, engaging in a bloody encounter with members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which later resulted in the death of 44 SAF members.

Mangahis admitted that it was him and his troops that the Army saw on the morning of January 25. He, however, declined to give a statement about the video.

Meanwhile, PNP Board of Inquiry head Benjamin Magalong defended Mangahis' troops, saying there was nothing questionable about what they were doing during the height of the Mamasapano encounter. They were given a different task in that mission.

According to Magalong, Mangahis' unit, which was part of the group assigned to secure the motion supply route during the mission, was also being harrassed by the enemy during the clash in Tukanalipao.

"Naka-prone position sila kasi ini-snipe sila d'yan eh...Akala mo lang nakahiga at nagre-relax sila pero hindi [They were in a prone position because they were being sniped at. You just thought that they were lying down and relaxing but they were not]," said Magalong.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO REPORT BY NEWS5’s KAYE IMSON.

 [Video report]

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107795/video-exclusive--know-why-some-saf-men-did-not-go-to-combat-site-at-height-of-mamasapano-clash

NPA gun down Army corporal, attack militia outpost in Cotabato

From InterAksyon (Mar 27): NPA gun down Army corporal, attack militia outpost in Cotabato



Members of an NPA 'Sparrow' unit (file photo)

New People's Army members gunned down an Army corporal while a rebel band tried but failed to overrun a militia outpost in Cotabato province on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Jose Rustia, commander of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said Corporal Ricardo Paghubasan, head of the unit's peace and development outreach program, was riding a motorcycle with a companion headed to Barangay Temporan in Magpet town when two men, onboard another motorcycle, overtook them and opened fire.

Paghubasan, said Rustia, was not in uniform and armed only with a .45 caliber pistol, which the killers took along with the slain soldier's motorcycle.

The battalion commander said the killers belonged to the NPA’s Front 53, led by a Commander Jazmin, and had targeted Paghubasan for his peace and development work among villagers in rebel-infiltrated communities.

Late Thursday afternoon, about 20 rebels attacked the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Barangay Villaflores, Makilala town but were repulsed by the outnumbered militiamen.

Government forces are pursuing the rebel band.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107804/npa-gun-down-army-corporal-attack-militia-outpost-in-cotabato

Iqbal: MILF will push for peace, no matter what

From InterAksyon (Mar 27): Iqbal: MILF will push for peace, no matter what



MILF negotiating panel chair Mohagher Iqbal speaks on a dialogue with audience from different sectors and religious background at the Bishop house in Cagayan de Oro City. Photographed by Erwin Mascarinas

During a dialogue early this week at the Bishop House at Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro City, MILF negotiating panel chair Mohagher Iqbal assured the audience and guests that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will push for peace no matter what happens with the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

"No matter what happens, the MILF will not disengage in the pursuit of peace in Mindanao. Even if Congress will not pass the law in this term, we will pursue it in the next," said Iqbal.

Iqbal acknowledged the problems that BBL is now facing, which was aggravated further after the Mamasapano incident where 67 persons were killed, including 44 commandos from the Special Action Force, 17 from the MILF and four civilians.

"We have compromised so much for the pursuit of peace. For years the MILF struggled to defend our position for the call of independence. From the start of the peace negotiation, we had conceded ground and opted for a more peaceful solution by working with the government on the peace process. Our appeal is that we hope and trust in the collective wisdom of Congress to pass the BBL," said Iqbal who is also the vice chairman of the MILF.

Iqbal pointed out the long years and process the BBL went through to get to the point where it is now.

"The original draft that we wrote on the proposed BBL that was initially submitted to the office of the President was revised by about 60%. Then, time and again, several revisions were discussed and resolved until this, the current form. Our appeal is that we are open for improvement and enhancement of the BBL, but I hope Congress will not water it down," he said.

Adding that the BBL was designed to solve a problem, Iqbal said turning it down will not address the problem.

"The worst that could happen is that a BBL will be passed but diluted. I would prefer a BBL that is not passed than a BBL that is watered down.

"At least no one can blame us and we would have a chance to pass it in a future administration," said Iqbal.  

"In the past, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was offered to the MILF three times, but we turned it down for the fact that it was not a solution to the Bangsamoro problem. It never addressed the real problems of the people, that is why it was a failure," pointing to the problems the ARMM has created and not resolved since its conception.

But Iqbal reiterated that there would be certain problems out of the control of the MILF if it loses face and the trust of the people in the area.

"There is so much expectation of our people, and I believe that from this expectation, the people already established certain hopes that would be a huge frustration if they are not met. I am speaking of reality, if in case the BBL is not passed, then MILF will lose its grip and legitimacy, thus losing control over our people," Iqbal warned.  

"Nobody wants war, especially with people battered enough already. I’ve been in this struggle for more than 40 years. We hope that everything will still turn out fine and that the BBL will be passed," Iqbal concluded.

The guests that attended the interfaith gathering and dialogue were later made to understand certain parts of the BBL that raised issues among those who did not understand the law.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107812/iqbal-milf-will-push-for-peace-no-matter-what

WAR OF WORDS INTENSIFIES | Beijing hits Manila's 'hypocrisy' over dispute in South China Sea

From InterAksyon (Mar 27): WAR OF WORDS INTENSIFIES | Beijing hits Manila's 'hypocrisy' over dispute in South China Sea



South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) map

Beijing escalated its war of words with the Philippines over the South China Sea on Friday, decrying Manila as "hypocritical" for criticizing its land reclamation works in the area.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying's denunciation came one day after the Philippine foreign secretary accused Beijing of "accelerating its expansionist agenda" and maintained that Manila would resume its own construction in the South China Sea.

"The Philippines criticized China's normal construction on our own islands, but in the meantime it claims to resume its construction, such as airstrips on Chinese islands it has illegally occupied," Hua said at a regular briefing.

"This does not only violate China's territorial sovereignty but also reveals (the Philippines') hypocritical nature," she added.

Beijing insists it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the resource-rich sea, even areas approaching the coasts of the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, based on a 1940s Chinese map with segmented dashes outlining its territory.

But the dashes, now nine in number, are in some places more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from the nearest major Chinese landmass and well within the exclusive economic zones of its neighbors.

The dispute -- with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claiming parts of the sea -- has for decades been a source of deep regional tension and occasional military conflict.

Tensions have escalated sharply in recent years as China has moved to increase its presence and assert its authority in the waters.

On Thursday, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said China was trying to undermine a United Nations tribunal that is due to rule early next year on a challenge by Manila to Beijing's claims.

"China is accelerating its expansionist agenda and changing the status quo to actualize its nine-dash line claim and to control nearly the entire South China Sea before... the handing down of a decision of the arbitral tribunal on the Philippine submission," del Rosario said.

China maintains that it does not accept the UN's arbitration of the dispute, which it insists should be handled directly between Beijing and Manila.

"We once again ask the Philippines to withdraw all personnel and facilities from its illegally occupied Chinese islands and stop all wrong words and actions that violate Chinese territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Hua said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107817/war-of-words-intensifies--beijing-hits-manilas-hypocrisy-over-dispute-in-south-china-sea

Philippines to resume reconstruction works in disputed South China Sea

From InterAksyon (Mar 27): Philippines to resume reconstruction works in disputed South China Sea



Magdalo party-list Rep. Francisco Acedillo, a former Air Force pilot, shows a slide of China's reclamation work in the Spratlys as he called for a creative strategy to deal with the maritime territorial dispute during a Foreign Correspondent of the Philippines (FOCAP) meeting in Manila March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

The Philippines said on Thursday it would resume repair and reconstruction works in the disputed South China Sea after halting activities last year over concerns about the effect on an arbitration complaint filed against China.

Manila had called on all countries last October to stop construction work on small islands and reefs in the South China Sea - called the West Philippine Sea by Manila - virtually all of which is claimed by China.

China itself is undertaking massive reclamation works in the area, while Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam have also been making improvements to their facilities.

"We are taking the position that we can proceed with the repair and maintenance," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told diplomats, military officers and foreign correspondents on Thursday.

He said the works, including repairs to an airstrip, did not violate an informal code of conduct in the South China Sea because they would not alter the status quo in the disputed area. The 2002 code was signed by China and 10 Southeast Asian states in Phnom Penh.

In 2013, Manila filed an arbitration case at The Hague questioning Beijing's "nine-dash-line" claims. Del Rosario said Manila expects a decision in February next year. China has elected not to participate in the case.

China claims almost the entire sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim the area, where about $5 trillion of seaborne trade pass every year.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107771/philippines-to-resume-reconstruction-works-in-disputed-south-china-sea

President Aquino forms council to study BBL thoroughly

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 27): President Aquino forms council to study BBL thoroughly

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday announced the creation of a council that will study thoroughly the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is being questioned by some lawmakers, particularly the constitutionality of the proposed law.

In an address to the nation he delivered one year after the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), President Aquino said he invited citizen leaders from different sectors to serve as independent convenors who will help the public understand the BBL and peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Those invited as member of the council include: Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Howard Dee, and Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman.

”They will bind with other responsible and respected leaders to lead a National Peace Summit that will scrutinize and discuss the BBL,” the President said.

”They will elaborate this proposed law in a prudent and reasonable way that will not ignite anger and hopelessness. In this way, the BBL will be improved,” he added.

President Aquino said the council will report to the people so that they will understand better the BBL which is presently being tackled by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

”I know that the recent events in Mindanao, including the Mamasapano incident, has resulted doubts to the minds of our people. The result: the discussion on the subject of evaluation of the BBL has been derailed,” the President explained.

The President described the BBL as the most important proposed law of his administration.

”It will address the two worst problems of our countrymen: poverty and violence. This (BBL) is a product of 17-year extensive study and negotiation,” he said.

President Aquino stressed that the solution to the long peace and order problem in Mindanao is not war but peace.

”There are some who said we should stop the peace talk. They said we need an all-out war. My question to them: What good thing can you gain from war? Now that we are growing economically, do we still have to push violence and road to poverty?,” the President asked.

”The previous leadership have tried all-out war. But what they have gained? Hundred thousands have lost their lives, livelihood and left so much anguish in Mindanao,” he added.

President Aquino urged the public to also examine the motivation of the individuals who opposed the peace process through the BBL.

”My decision (to pursue peace process) is not only for the rest of my term but for the sake of the next generations. I will continue to take the path towards peace,” the President promised.

”Today, I hope we will be reminded that we have now a golden opportunity to achieve peace and those who want war will be enlightened by the good result of ceasefire,” he added.

He challenged the BBL critics to think of the future of the people in Mindanao, asking them to unite with the government in achieving the lasting peace in Mindanao.

”I’m not pushing this peace process for my own legacy. We are pushing the true peace truly rooted from the problem that resulted in violence. At this point of our history, I’m telling you: The BBL will achieve this,” the President said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=748523

Military suspends operations in Maguindanao for smooth graduation ceremonies

From MindaNews (Mar 27): Military suspends operations in Maguindanao for smooth graduation ceremonies

The Armed Forces has implemented a three-day suspension of military operations (SOMO) in Maguindanao to allow smooth graduation ceremonies for internally displace persons (IDPs), an Army official said.

Now on its second day, the unilateral SOMO is in effect in Maguindanao’s 13 municipalities, according to Col. Melquiades Feliciano, 601st Infantry Brigade commander.

Feliciano, who was guest of honor and speaker during the commencement exercises Thursday of Mamasapano National High School, said the SOMO shows that the military supports education and wants to ensure that the ceremonies will go well.

“This SOMO will last until Sunday,” he said.

Lawyer Jamar Kulayan, education secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), lauded the military’s SOMO.

“It will allow safe and orderly graduation rites,” he said.

“Parents were overwhelmed by the graduation program that they appeared to have forgotten their difficult situation in the evacuation center,” Kulayan pointed out.

For pregnant Aina Camal, whose five-year-old daughter graduated Thursday in kindergarten at Dapiawan Elementary School in Datu Salibo town, said they will still prepare small thanksgiving or kanduli inside their tent together with relatives.

“It would have been better though had we celebrated in our house in Sitio Kapulan where we can cook our favorite local delicacies that we used to have during kandulis, but not this time. We have no harvest from the farm to cook. I hope peace will come soon,” she lamented.

Dapiawan Elementary School is hosting hundreds of evacuees, including Camal’s family.

Sakina Abdul Masukat, class valedictorian, said she would pursue an education course in college to help her fellow villagers.

“I want to be a teacher because I believe education is the key to peace and development, especially in our community where only few are educated,” she told MindaNews.

Mamasapano has been hitting the headlines since January 25 when police commandos killed Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan.”

But after “Oplan Exodus” was successfully carried out, a clash between PNP Special Action Force and armed groups – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – left 44 SAF commandos, 18 MILF fighters and 4 civilians dead.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/03/27/military-suspends-operations-in-maguindanao-for-smooth-graduation-ceremonies/

Philippines, US end joint naval exercises in Cebu

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Mar 27): Philippines, US end joint naval exercises in Cebu

THE Philippine Navy and the United States Navy have recently concluded a joint exercise that lasted two weeks along the Mactan Channel.

Part of the exercise was the Visit Board Search and Seizure where both navies simulated a hostage rescue mission involving 15 members of the US Navy and 14 from the Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Special Operations Unit. 

Lt. James Reyes, Naval Forces Central spokesman, said the exercise was aimed at developing the skills and capabilities of personnel in conducting special maritime operations and their ability in close quarter combat, marksmanship, and combat board and search. 

“We saw the need to develop the men’s special maritime operations, especially since Cebu and the Philippines are surrounded by water and this is one of the activities that we can undertake and help us become ready to respond to any situation,” Reyes told journalists.

He said the exercises also served as an exchange of knowledge between the US Navy and the Philippine Navy. “It was not only the Philippine Navy who learned from the US Navy, they also learned many things from us. It was an exchange of specialty and knowledge, a consolidated effort,” Reyes said. 

He said the annual joint military exercise is in accordance with the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/03/philippines-us-hold-joint-naval.html

Policeman wounded, governor unhurt in rebel ambush in Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Mar 27): Policeman wounded, governor unhurt in rebel ambush in Philippines

Communist insurgents attacked the convoy of a Filipino governor on Thursday and wounding one police officer in Agusan del Norte province in the restive southern region of Mindanao, officials said.

Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, a deputy spokesman for the 4^th Infantry Division, said at least 8 New People’s Army insurgents were involved in the ambush on the group of Governor Maria Angelica Matba, who was supposed to attend the handover of a school building in the village of Camagong in Nasipit town.

Matba was unhurt from the attack, but one of his escorts – whose name was not released by the army – has been shot. Media reports identified the policeman as PO1 Vincent Dubouzet.

Martinez said troops from the 29^th Infantry Battalion engaged the insurgents in a brief firefight, but the ambushers managed to escape.

Major General Oscar Lactao, the division commander, said: “Ang pag-atake ng NPA ay nag-iwan ng takot sa puso’t isipan ng bawat isa sa lokalidad lalong-lalo na sa mga bata na mag-aaral sa nasabing eskwelahan. Upang mapanatili ang mga isyu sa bawat lugar, mga isyu na nagagamit ng NPA upang paigtingin ang galit ng mga tao sa ating gobyerno gaya ng walang sapat na pasilidad para sa edukasyon, trabaho o hanap buhay para sa mamamayan, at programa para sa pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya.”

 “Kinakailangang harangin o isabotahe ng mga NPA ang mga programang ito upang mas madali silang maka rekrut ng bago nilang miyembro. Itoy patunay lamang ng kanilang hindi pagsang-ayon na magkaroon ng katahimikan at pag-unlad ang ating bayan.”

There was no immediate statement from the NPA which is fighting for a separate Maoist state in the country.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/03/policeman-wounded-in-rebel-ambush-in.html