China accuses Philippines of violating code of conduct in South China Sea

From InterAksyon (May 5): China accuses Philippines of violating code of conduct in South China Sea

China has accused the Philippines of violating a 13-year-old informal code of conduct in the South China Sea with its building work on disputed islets, firing back again after repeated criticism of China's own construction work.

China and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed an agreement in 2002 to refrain from occupying uninhabited reefs and shoals in the sea, and from building new structures that would complicate disputes.

In a statement just before midnight on Monday, China's Foreign Ministry urged the Philippines to stop its "malicious hyping and provocation" on the dispute, whose basis, it said, was Manila's illegal occupation of certain Chinese islands.

"The Philippines side has conducted large-scale construction of military and civil facilities, including airports, ports and barracks on those islands for many years," the ministry said.

The statement was issued after the Philippines Foreign Ministry said it was China that had violated the code with its construction, and was accusing Manila to justify and provide cover for Chinese reclamation work.

"China has never, ever taken actions that may complicate and deteriorate the disputes or affect regional peace and stability," the Chinese ministry said, urging Manila to stop all building work and evacuate its people.

The Philippine foreign minister denied China's accusations of recent massive reclamation, saying the country had done minor, but legal, repair and maintenance within its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone in the disputed area some years ago.

"We were doing some repairs and maintenance after the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) but repairs and maintenance is allowed," Albert del Rosario said.

"Massive reclamation is not. Building on features in terms of massive reclamation is not allowed. That is in violation of not only the DOC, but the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea."

Disputes over how to tackle an increasingly assertive stance by China - an ally of several Southeast Asian states - in the strategic South China Sea make the issue the region's biggest potential military flashpoint.

China last week accused Vietnam, the Philippines and others of carrying out their own illegal building work.

China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas, with overlapping claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Recent satellite images show China has made rapid progress in building an airstrip suitable for military use in the disputed Spratly Islands and may be planning another.

Those moves have caused alarm in the region, and Washington, too.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/110007/china-accuses-philippines-of-violating-code-of-conduct-in-south-china-sea

 

 
 
 



Kidnappers free 4 businessmen from GenSan; ransom paid

From MindaNews (May 5): Kidnappers free 4 businessmen from GenSan; ransom paid

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/05 May) — Kidnappers released unharmed the four businessmen from this city who were seized in Maguindanao province on March 29 after the payment of an undisclosed ransom.

Raulito Suyom Sr., father of kidnap victim architect Raulito Jr., said Tuesday his son and business partners Jayson Cababayao, Francis Wong Sepulvida and Rho Steven Bochurno were freed by their captors “somewhere in Maguindanao” last April 28.

He said the release, which was initially kept under wraps due to security reasons, came following a series of negotiations with the kidnappers that eventually led to the ransom payment.

“I will not deny that ransom was paid for their release. But it was just a minimal amount,” he said in an interview over dxES Bombo Radyo.

Suyom said the four victims were released at around 4 a.m. on April 28 and were abandoned at a portion of the Cotabato-Isulan highway.

He said they then boarded a van bound for this city and were reunited with their families several hours later.

“They were mainly in great shape and appeared to have been treated well during their ordeal,” he said.

The four, who were partners of a newly-formed construction business, were on their way to meet a prospective client in Cotabato City for a supposed construction project when they were abducted on March 29.

The victims were last seen leaving the city aboard a Mitsubishi Strada pickup, which was found abandoned several days later.

Victim Jayson Cababayao, whose family owns the J Trade Concrete Products and Construction Supply here, told reporters that a supposed wealthy businessman initially established contact with their partner architect Raulito Jr. in early March to seek assistance regarding a resort development project near Cotabato City.

He said the investor signified to commission Raulito Jr. and their firm for the development of the design and the construction of the project.

They later agreed to a meeting in Cotabato City to discuss the details of the project and visit the site later on, he said.

Cababayao said they left the city aboard his pickup at around 8 a.m. last March 29 along with a woman who was supposed to serve as their guide.

Upon reaching a portion of Dalican in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, he said they were met by a motorcycle-riding man who will reportedly guide them to the investor’s farm.

They followed the supposed guide to an unfamiliar area where they were met by a group of armed men who then declared the kidnapping, he said.

Cababayao said they were tied up and kept in the area for several days and later transferred to another location.

“They took all our belongings — our vehicle, laptops, cellphones and other valuables. They even asked for the passwords of our Facebook accounts,” he said

He said the suspects later told them that they would contact our parents for the ransom negotiations.

“They were updating us about the negotiations from time to time but always claimed that they were getting nowhere. So we were really surprised when they decided to release us last April 28,” he said.

Before they were abandoned along the national highway, he said the suspects gave P1,100 in cash for their passenger van fare to this city.

Suyom credited the release of the victims to the efforts of the Philippine National Police’s anti-kidnapping group and several “Muslim and Christian leaders.”

“They were released due to the concerted efforts of various parties and not just because of the ransom payment,” he said.

Chief Insp. Aldrin Martin Gonzales, public information officer of the Police Regional Office 12, told MindaNews that the operations are currently ongoing against the kidnappers.

But he declined to issue further details, noting the case is being handled by the Police Regional Office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM).

He said they are currently coordinating with the PRO-ARMM for the investigation of the case and for other necessary operations.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/05/05/kidnappers-free-4-businessmen-from-gensan-ransom-paid/

CAFGU wife seriously wounded by M203 shrapnel fired by NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): CAFGU wife seriously wounded by M203 shrapnel fired by NPA

A 43-year-old wife of a member of the Citizens Armed Forces and Geographical Unit (CAFGU) is now in critical condition after she was hit by a grenade shrapnel coming from an M203 grenade launcher lodged by New People's Army (NPA) rebels who attacked a camp of the Philippine Army/Citizens Armed Auxiliary at Barangay Mabini, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, Monday morning.

Rushed to the Bicol Medical Center was Marissa Corpuz, a resident of the village.

A police report said Corpuz was preparing breakfast for her husband inside a hut in the camp at about 6:05 a.m. when suddenly there was an explosion and a shrapnel from an M-203 grenade hit her.

The CAFGU detachment was 50 meters away from the unit’s main camp.

The soldiers immediately fought back to defend their camp and exchanged fire with the rebels for 20 minutes, after which the rebels withdrew towards an unknown direction.

The report said Corpuz was just visiting her CAFGU-husband when the rebels harassed the detachment.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=758939

22 of 32 towns, cities in Negros Occidental declared ‘peaceful, ready for further dev’t’

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): 22 of 32 towns, cities in Negros Occidental declared ‘peaceful, ready for further dev’t’

Twenty-two out of the 32 towns and cities in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, have already been declared “peaceful and ready for further development” by the Philippine Army.

The latest addition to the list is La Castellana town, whose officials signed the declaration on Monday, in the presence of Brig. Gen. Jon Aying, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade, and Lt. Col. Paulito Idul, commanding officer of 11th Infantry Battalion.

Other local government units already declared as “peaceful and ready for further development” are the cities of San Carlos and Escalante, and the towns of Calatrava and Toboso in the First District; cities of Sagay and Cadiz, and Manapla town, Second District;

Cities of Victorias, Silay and Talisay, and towns of E.B. Magalona and Murcia, Third District; Lone District of Bacolod; cities of La Carlota and Bago, and towns of Pulupandan, San Enrique, Pontevedra, and Valladolid, Fourth District; and Binalbagan, Isabela and Hinigaran, Fifth District.

Under the area of operations of the 303rd IB, only the municipalities of Salvador Benedicto and Moises Padilla have not yet been declared “peaceful and ready for further development.”

The Sixth District towns of Cauayan, Hinobaan, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan, and city of Sipalay also known as the CHICKS area is already under the operational control of the 302nd Infantry Brigade with headquarters in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.

The 3rd Infantry Division, which supervises the Army’s peace and development campaign in Panay and Negros, is hoping to declare Negros Occidental as “peaceful and ready for further development” by next month.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=758977

Newest US Navy ship USS Fort Worth makes refueling stop at Subic Bay

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): Newest US Navy ship USS Fort Worth makes refueling stop at Subic Bay

The United States Navy's newest littoral combat ship, the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3), made a brief refueling and resupply stop at Subic Bay, Zambales on Monday.

The U.S. embassy in Manila said in a statement on Tuesday that it proceeded to its 7th Fleet area of responsibility shortly after.

This was the first stop in the Philippines for USS Fort Worth, which is currently on her maiden 16-month rotational deployment in support of the Indo-Asia-Pacific Rebalance.

The USS Fort Worth is the second LCS to be deployed to the 7th Fleet as part of an initiative to simultaneously deploy up to four LCS in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region by 2018.

The third and fourth LCS deployments are planned in 2016, providing a simultaneous presence of two ships in the region.

“While this is a brief visit for Fort Worth, the ship will return to the Philippines later this summer to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2015 with the Republic of the Philippines Navy,” USS Fort Worth commanding officer Cmdr. Matthew Kawas said.

The ship will conduct routine patrols in the 7th Fleet area of operations before returning to Singapore for the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) 2015 just ahead of the next crew swap in late May.

Throughout the summer and fall, the USS Fort Worth will take part in most of the 2015 CARAT exercise series. In its 21st year, CARAT is an annual, bilateral exercise series with the US Navy, US Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations, including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

Fast, agile and mission-focused, littoral combat ships are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for surface warfare, mine countermeasures or anti-submarine warfare.

The USS Fort Worth will employ the surface warfare (SUW) mission package for her entire deployment, augmenting her 57mm gun and rolling airframe missile launcher with two 30mm guns, two 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats, and two six-member maritime security boarding teams.

Enhancing the SUW mission package is the embarked aviation detachment from Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 35, the Navy's first composite expeditionary helicopter squadron, which consists of one MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and one MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system.

The Fire Scout complements the MH-60R by extending the HSM-35's range and endurance, enhancing maritime domain awareness.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=758807

NPA weapon seized during Davao Del Sur clash

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): NPA weapon seized during Davao Del Sur clash

Troopers from the 73rd Infantry Battalion have recovered New People's Army M-16 automatic rifle and a magazine during a 30-minute encounter in Sitio Busao, Barangay Mangulibas, Jose Abad Santos town, Davao Del Sur Monday afternoon.

Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson Col. Romeo Brawner said the clash took place at 12:30 p.m.

According to Brawner, the government soldiers were on security patrols amid reports that 30 rebels, under one alias "Yoyong," were conducting extortion activities in the locality.

The NPAs quickly retreated after taking an undetermined number of casualties.

No one among the government troopers were hurt nor killed. Pursuit operations are still ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=758777

Except for minor refinements, Peace Council finds BBL ‘overwhelming acceptable’

From InterAksyon (May 5): Except for minor refinements, Peace Council finds BBL ‘overwhelming acceptable’

Except for some minor refinements and clarifications, the Citizen Peace Council has found the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) "overwhelmingly acceptable".

”The BBL is overwhelming acceptable and deserves the support of all the Filipinos,” said Ateneo de Davao University president Rev. Fr. Joel Tabora on Tuesday at the resumption of the Senate hearing on the BBL.

Tabora represented Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, one of the five members of the Peace Council formed by President Benigno Aquino III almost a month ago to take a closer look at the draft BBL.

Before the hearing, the Citizen Peace Council submitted to the Senate its full report on the BBL where it recommended some minor refinements and sought clarifications on some provisions of the proposed law.

The council members led by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. handed to Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senate committee on local government chairman Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. a one-inch thick report at the Office of the Senate President.

Davide, who served as Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice from 1998 to 2005, was accompanied by former Ambassador Howard Dee, former education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, and peace advocate Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman.

”We are so happy that we have been given the chance to submit this report to the Senate. We can assure you, that we tried our very best to achieve some very constructive recommendations to ensure that the BBL will be able really promote justice, peace, not only in Mindanao, but also in the entire Philippines,” Davide told the media after the submission of the Peace Council report.

For his part, Drilon said: “I hope that the report of the Peace Council can clarify many of the doubts that will be raised based on a matter of principle, matters of law, in the course of the hearings conducted by Senator Bongbong Marcos.”

Marcos expressed optimism that the Peace Council report would “certainly clarifies certain matters.”

”This would help to assess the law, making it less and less likely necessary for us to think about the speeding up of the process,” Marcos said.

During the BBL hearing, Davide identified some major contentious issues and came out with the major findings made by the council.

The council concluded that the BBL does not make the Bangsamoro government a state.

”The provisions on people, territory and self-determination do not imply the creation of a separate state but are consistent with the constitutionally mandated creation of autonomous region,” the council stated in its nine-page summary report.

However, the peace council recommended to delete the references to the opt-in provisions of the proposed law, saying “the creation of an autonomous region is a sole function of Congress.

”The core of Bangsamoro territories should not be allowed to increase indefinitely by the periodic vote of 10 percent of registered voters in the outer territories,” Davide told the Senate panel.

The council also recommended that the phrase "ministerial form of government” in the BBL be dropped in favor of ‘parliamentary’ form for purposes of consistency and clarity.

It also suggested the refinements of the provision that allows new parliamentary elections upon a two-thirds of vote of no confidence of all members of parliament, saying “it run counter to the constitutionally mandated synchronization of national and local elections.”

The council also recommended that Article IV, Section 6 on Devolution and Subsidiarity be amended “to read “Principles of Devolution and Subsdiarity, and of Solidarity.”

The council found that the SC and the constitutional bodies will continue to maintain the powers that are given them under the Constitution.

However, the council suggested to Congress to make it clear that the judicial power remains with the SC while the BBL envisions the creation of special lower courts under the SC’s control and supervision.

”The BBL provision that states that the decisions of the Shari’ah High Court shall be final and executory invites controversy. In order to avert any confusion, the provision may be amended to include the clause, subject to the review powers of the SC,” Davide said.

On the constitutional bodies, the peace council suggested to make sure that the Bangsamoro special bodies such as auditing body, civil service office, human rights commission, commission on elections should make sure that they “were created with the goal of supplementing, not supplanting , the work of their national counterparts.”

On the management of peace and order, the council said the security and maintenance of peace and order rests with the Bangsamoro police “which will remain part of the national police.”

The council also sought clarification on some potential issues and advised the Senate to address them such as management and control of natural resources, labor and legal framework, land registration and management, customs duties and tariffs within the Bangsamoro, investments and tax management.

The council also found that the draft of the BBL does fulfill its mandate on social justice and human development.

However, the council suggested some refinements such as inclusion of terms such as Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples and Fusuka Inged, “among others, to make the law more readable”; and, expansion of reserve seats for youth, women and the Indigenous Peoples.

On the decommissioning process, the council expressed concerns over the lack of a clear and specific timeframe for its implementation.

Davide, however, clarified that the BBL complies with the Constitution’s mandate for the creation of autonomous regions.

”While imperfect, it is a significant document that should serve as catalyst for building national consensus towards the realization of the long term aspiration, expressed by the country three decades ago, for justice , solidarity and peace, for Mindanao and for the entire Philippines,” Davide said.

Davide said it is still the Congress which has the sole power to decide whether to adopt the council’s recommendations.

Marcos and Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who also attended the BBL hearing, thanked the peace council members for their recommendations on how to make a better BBL that would serve as legal basis for the creation of the Bangsamoro government.

“We want to look closer into the findings and recommendations of the peace council, particular those that would help in our task of crafting a version of the BBL that would ensure peace in Muslim Mindanao,” Marcos said.

”We admire the council members for being honest with their recommendations and suggested refinements,” Escudero, for his part, said.

Marcos said his committee will conduct hearings in Zamboanga and Jolo on May 12 and 13 and then returned to Manila for at least two more hearings before making a committee report.

Marcos said the Senate will not pass the BBL as submitted by Malacanang to the House of Representatives and the Senate.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=758959

Ad Hoc committee on BBL members give "benefit of the doubt" on Usman's death

From InterAksyon (May 5): Ad Hoc committee on BBL members give "benefit of the doubt" on Usman's death

At least two party-list lawmakers on Tuesday are giving a favorable judgement despite the absence of proof that Basit Usman is dead as claimed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after encounter with their ground forces.

Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe said that although they have no concrete evidence that Usman is dead, they wanted to give the benefit of doubt on the MILF's allegation.

“I have information from our military friends that Usman was indeed killed together with his trusted aides when they refused to surrender to MILF who tried to effect an arrest,” Alejano told reporters at the weekly forum, Ugnayan sa Batasan.

Alejano admitted, however, that he had no information whether the picture of Usman that became viral in the social media was for real. He still wanted to believe that MILF was strengthening confidence measure.

“This is a good sign if indeed MILF is really showing that they want to end the more than four decades of fighting with government troops and put an end to atrocities,” Batocabe pointed out.

The veteran lawmaker said that this was a good sign that MILF were now showing confidence build up, who wanted to change Mindanao into a food basket of the country and centerpiece of investment.

According to Batocabe, once peace is restored in Mindanao, foreign and local investments will automatically flow for they knew that the promise land is very rich in natural resources like oil.

But he said, MILF needed to continue to show proof of sincerity and accept the expected constitutional Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and forget the original draft, which was expected to be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

For his part, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said in the same forum that they would pass BBL on schedule.

“We need to pass BBL on June 11 and voting will happened on May 11 and 12. After we get the needed number, we will immediately toss BBL to the plenary for closer scrutiny of all members of the House of Representatives,” Rodriguez, chairman of House Ad Hoc committee on BBL said.

This after Alejano and Batocabe made their individual suggestions that will need more time or extend the scheduled voting on May 11.

Batocabe urged the Department of Justice to release warrants of arrest against MILF who have murdered members of Special Action Force on Jan. 25 Mamasapano incident.

Alejano, former junior officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who have vast experience in Mindanao insurgency said, “we want to reward them passing the BBL” if MILF will show sincerity that they want peace by surrendering their men who will be accused of murder and assault upon persons in authority.

“Do not forget that the first beneficiaries of BBL are the MILF. This is why they do not want Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao because it is being controlled by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Now, this is also the reason why MNLF does not want BBL because they are not part of this transition. MILF does not represent the whole Muslim community,” Alejano said.

Still, Rodriguez said he was still confident that he could get the needed numbers when the voting comes on May 11 and 12 to pass BBL with or without warrants of arrest.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=758914

American combat ship USS Fort Worth stops in Subic for resupply, refueling

From InterAksyon (May 5): American combat ship USS Fort Worth stops in Subic for resupply, refueling



(photo from Jane's)

SUBIC BAY, Philippines - The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) made a stop in Subic Bay on May 4 to resupply and refuel before continuing routine operations in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

This is the first stop in the Philippines for Fort Worth, which is currently on her maiden 16-month rotational deployment in support of the Indo-Asia-Pacific Rebalance.

Fort Worth is the second LCS to deploy to 7th Fleet as part of an initiative to simultaneously deploy up to four LCS in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region by 2018.  The third and fourth LCS deployments are planned in 2016, providing a simultaneous presence of two ships in the region.

“While this is a brief visit for Fort Worth, the ship will return to the Philippines later this summer to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2015 with the Republic of Philippines Navy,” said Cmdr. Matthew Kawas, Fort Worth Crew 103 commanding officer.

Fort Worth will conduct routine patrols in the 7th Fleet area of operations before returning to Singapore for the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference 2015 just ahead of the next crew swap in late May.

Throughout the summer and fall, Fort Worth will take part in most of the 2015 CARAT exercise series. In its 21st year, CARAT is an annual, bilateral exercise series with the US Navy, US Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations including, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

Fast, agile and mission-focused, littoral combat ships are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for surface warfare, mine countermeasures or anti-submarine warfare.

Fort Worth will employ the surface warfare mission package for her entire deployment, augmenting her 57mm gun and rolling airframe missile launcher with two 30mm guns, two 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats, and two six-member maritime security boarding teams.

Enhancing the SUW mission package is the embarked aviation detachment from Helicopter Maritime Squadron 35, the Navy's first composite expeditionary helicopter squadron, which consists of one MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and one MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system. The Fire Scout complements the MH-60R by extending the HSM-35's range and endurance, enhancing maritime domain awareness. 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/109968/american-combat-ship-uss-fort-worth-stops-in-subic-for-resupply-refueling

AFP insists Usman's men killed him, but 'welcomes' MILF claim

From InterAksyon (May 5): AFP insists Usman's men killed him, but 'welcomes' MILF claim



AFP handout photo purporting to show the dead Abdul Basit Usman

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is "welcome" to claim its men slew Abdul Basit Usman, but as far as the military is concerned, the wanted bomb maker was killed by his own men, who were supposedly fighting over the $1-million bounty offered by the United States and a separate P6.3-million reward from the Philippine government.

"Based on initial reports that we have, Usman was killed in a shootout between his men. Five others were killed in that incident. We welcome though the claim of the MILF that they were the ones who killed Usman," Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service chief Brigadier General Joselito Kakilala said in an interview with Interaksyon.com.

However, Kakilala also acknowledged that there is no conclusive evidence to establish whom to credit for the death of Usman, who escaped the disastrous January 25 Special Action Force operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. That mission left Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias "Marwan," dead, but at the cost of 44 police commandos, 17 MILF fighters and at least three civilians.

"General Catapang has ordered Major General (Edmundo) Pangilinan, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division to submit the soonest possible his special report about Usman’s death that would be the final report of the AFP. By then we will know who really killed Usman," Kakilala said.

Kakilala declined to say how the military was able to produce a photograph purporting to show Usman’s body except to point out that the military has a "very broad" intelligence network.

"I don't want to preempt the report of Major General Pangilinan that he will be submitting to General Catapang," he said.

Kakilala also said they had received reports Usman’s killers had left his body behind and that this could have been retrieved by MILF fighters who rushed to the area on hearing bursts of gunfire.

But in an earlier radio interview, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the responding MILF fighters reported that Usman’s body had been taken by his men.

In a separate radio interview, MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar claimed MILF fighters engaged Usman’s group in a firefight in which the bomber was killed.

A ranking intelligence officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to speak on the matter said fighters of the MILF’s 118th Base Command under Wahid Tundok retrieved the body of Usman and took it to Camp Darapanan, where MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim is based, for burial.

Kakilala said they too have received intelligence reports Usman’s body was retrieved by Tundok's men.

After Marwan’s death, Usman and his men were initially protected by the group of Muhammad Ali Tambako, a known commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter, which broke away from the MILF. However, Tambako and five aides were captured amid a military offensive against their group. 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/109971/afp-insists-usmans-men-killed-him-but-welcomes-milf-claim

B’laan Datu Antonio Kinoc, MILF peace panel member, passes away

From MindaNews (May 3): B’laan Datu Antonio Kinoc, MILF peace panel member, passes away

Antonio “Tony” Kinoc, a B’laan Datu who served as alternate member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel representing Indigenous Peoples, passed away shortly after midnight on Sunday, his daughter announced through Kinoc’s Facebook wall.

“I lost my daddy last nite at 12:36,” AnneQueen Kinoc wrote a little past 5 a.m. Sunday.

While designated as “alternate member,” the 66-year old Kinoc was a constant presence in the MILF peace panel’s negotiations under the Aquino administration, in Kuala Lumpur and in the Philippines, and in the public hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). He also served as consultant of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the 15-member joint Government-MILF body that drafted the BBL.

The BTC extended its “deepest sympathies and condolences” to Kinoc’s family. The MILF peace panel has yet to issue a statement on Kinoc’s demise.

“Datu Kinoc or Sir Tony as we fondly called him was a B’laan tribal leader, a member of the MILF Peace Panel and a consultant to the BTC. He was a champion of peace and a friend to the Bangsamoro people,” the BTC said.

Patricia Sarenas, chair of the Mindanao Coalition of Development NGOs (Mincode) and the Coalition of Development NGOs (Code-NGO), said they are “saddened by your passing.”

“Thank you for your valuable contribution to the peace talks!,” Sarenas said.

Kinoc was familiar with the Bangsamoro struggle as he worked as a staffmember of a brother who was a member of the Regional Consultative Commission (RCC), the body that drafted the proposed law that would govern what would be the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the late 1980s. He also served as a member of the Consultative Assembly of the Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD), set up after the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberaiton Front (MNLF).

Mary Ann Arnado of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus said Kinoc “will be a big loss to the peace process and especially for the Indigenous Peoples whom he had valiantly fought for, not only in words but with persistent, consistent and dedicated acts of service.”

Arnado recalled that just before Kinoc fell ill, “Datu Tony proudly told me he was able to have perfect attendance in the public and committee hearings on the BBL.”

She noted how Kinoc, during public consultations would often say: “I am a living witness of the fact that the MILF will not compel people to become Muslims. I have worked with them all these years in the negotiation and they have always respected and recognized my own identity and faith.”

Arnado said words are “not enough to honor and pay gratitude to this person.”

“We can only repay you Datu by working doubly hard to ensure that what you fought and worked for will become a reality for every Bangsamoro and indigenous people in Mindanao. Salamat Datu, we will miss you dearly,” she said.

Kinoc was articulate in narrating the Moro and IP struggles for self-determination.

His sense of humor helped ease tension in the peace negotiations. He never seemed to have run out of jokes.

Quel Valencia, who used to work with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and a member of the secretariat of the government panel during negotiations in Kuala Lumpur wrote on Kinoc’s Facebook wall that Kinoc was “One of — if not the most — cheerful figures in the peace process.”

Cess Nagtalon Kinoc posted on her father’s Facebook wall how he was “always ready with his jokes.”

“He was classy, well-versed, and he listened very well to what everyone had said before he made his speeches,” she said.

She also shared with her father’s Facebook friends that her father “taught us to speak English, he never tried to hurt us, he was always ready with his jokes which were always so witty. He wasn’t strict, but he always made sure we knew what was right. He turned us to movies and music and books because he said there was a lot to learn from these. He loved the classics so much he could quote every John Wayne film in John Wayne’s voice. I loved listening to his stories: he told the history of the world as bedtime stories, but never tarnishing the manner of how it was written. He told them as it is. He loved his people and fought for them each time. He was proud of us as his kids even though we failed so many times, he took them as his mistakes.”

“I could ask him almost about everything. He’s the reason why I never get lost anywhere in the Philippines. He may be Datu Kinoc, a leader to the Bla’ans, but to us you’ll just be that loving, humble and unselfish father,” she added.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2015/05/03/blaan-datu-antonio-kinoc-milf-peace-panel-member-passes-away/

UH-1 supplier uses PAF hangars for ‘free’

From the Manila Times (May 3): UH-1 supplier uses PAF hangars for ‘free’

BLACKLISTED helicopter supplier, the joint venture Rice Aircraft Services Inc. and Eagle Copter Ltd., has been using facilities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for the refurbishment of UH-1 helicopters since last year and the company has not paid the military a single centavo, a source said on Sunday.

The source codenamed “Joey” disclosed that PAF, through instructions of an official of the Department of National Defense (DND), allowed RASI to use three of its hangars at Clark Air Base in Pampanga province, north of Manila, without executing a contract.

“RASI has been using three bays in Clark Air Base Bay-1, Bay-2 and a fixed hangar since June last year for the refurbishment works on the UH-1 helicopters,” he said.

The choppers were part of the P1.2-billion UH-1 helicopter project, between the DND and RASI under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the acquisition of 21 refurbished UH-1D helicopters.

“Joey” said RICE started using the hangars on June 22, 2014 upon arrival of the first four helicopters in Manila.

The source noted that the use of hangars alone is already a violation of the helicopter contract because it was specifically stated in the agreement that it should be “delivery at place.”

It means that the helicopters must already be operational and ready for test flight upon delivery, removing the need for the contractor to use the PAF hangars and conduct refurbishment works, “Joey” explained.

“Even if the units were semi-knockdown, it would only take the supplier two to seven days to assemble the units. However, RASI used the hangars for several months,” he said.

The worst part, “Joey” added, is that RASI was able to use the facilities for free because there was no contract executed regarding the use of the hangars.

According to him, the Air Force, upon the instructions of the DND official, entered into a deal with RASI, allowing the supplier to use the hangars for a fee.

For unknown reasons, however, no contract was signed.

Besides the hangars, RICE also used the machine shop and some equipment of PAF.

But when the Air Force tried to bill RASI for the use of the facilities, the supplier refused to pay.

“Since there was no contract, the PAF cannot oblige the RASI to pay. PAF could have earned P3 million to P5 million from rental fees,” “Joey” pointed out.

Even with the recent decision of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to terminate the helicopter contract with RASI, according to the source, the supplier still continues to use the hangars.

The source named Col. Florante Amano, Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Logistics (A4) as among those who knew about the deal and could shed light on the issue further.

“The absence of a contract on the hangar deal between PAF and RASI is highly suspicious and it should also be tackled in the Senate investigation. That is disadvantageous to the government, and a violation of existing laws,” “Joey” said.
 
The Senate blue ribbon committee will start its investigation of the controversial chopper deal on May 4 (Wednesday) in a bid to determine if procurement deals are in accordance with the AFP modernization program.

http://www.manilatimes.net/uh-1-supplier-uses-paf-hangars-for-free/180501/

Former AFP-CRS chief dies in Laguna car crash

From InterAksyon (May 4): Former AFP-CRS chief dies in Laguna car crash



Retired Major General Nestor Sadiarin. FROM THE CRS PHOTO GALLERY

A former general and chief of the Civil Relations Service (CRS) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) died Sunday in a car accident in Los Banos, Laguna, a report from the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) said Monday.

PMAAAI said Major General Nestor Sadiarin (retired) was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

“Maj. Gen. Nestor Sadiarin died in a vehicular accident at around 3 p.m. today (Sunday),” a text message sent by a member of the PMAAAI to InterAksyon.com said.

The remains of the general will be brought Monday afternoon to the Heritage morgue at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

Sadiarin was a member of the PMA Masikap Class 1977 and served as CRS chief during the latter part of the administration of former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Sadiarin became controversial when he made public his initiative in conducting a survey among soldiers what they thought about the candidacy of then detained Navy lieutenant junior grade Antonio Trillanes IV, who was elected senator in 2007.

The survey did not sit well with some members of the Commission on Appointments (CA) resulting in the deferment of the general’s one-star rank promotion.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/109916/former-afp-crs-chief-dies-in-laguna-car-crash

Panay Balikatan ends

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 4): Panay Balikatan ends

Roxas City, Capiz, May 4 (PIA) – The Balikatan Exercises in Panay Island has officially ended.

Public Affairs Office head Major Ray Tiongson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division disclosed that the month-long Philippines and United States Balikatan Exercises in Panay Island, particularly in Capiz culminated, April 27, with the turn-over of a school project.

Tiongson said that the PH-US Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Exercise here concluded with the formal turn-over of the completed two-classroom concrete school building at Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial School in Taft, Tapaz town.

He said that the ceremony was attended by top officials of the Armed Forced of the Philippines and United States, local government officials of Capiz, municipality and barangay as well as officials of the Department of Education, students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders.

Among those who graced the event were PH-US Balikatan 2015 Exercise Director Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, US Naval Facilities Engineering Command of the US Pacific Command Rear Admiral Bret Muilenberg,  AFP Central Commander Lt Gen Nicanor Vivar, 3ID Commander Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero,  Philippine Army’s 53rd Engineering Brigade Commander Colonel Arnold Rafael Depakakibo, Governor Victor Tanco, Tapaz Mayor Rosemarie Gardose and Capiz Schools Division Superintendent Miguel Mac Aposin, he said.

Tiongson said that aside from the construction of the school building in barangay Taft, the team likewise repaired and repainted the classrooms of San Nicolas National High School in San Nicolas, Tapaz town.

Part of the Balikatan exercise here was the conduct of disaster response and preventive health seminars in order to empower local communities in disaster preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation.

Earlier, some members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, military personnel from the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and reservists from the 6th Regional Community Defense were trained by the troop on Basic First Responders Training.

A similar training was likewise conducted for health personnel, social workers, barangay volunteers and some residents of barangays San Nicolas and Taft in Tapaz town.

On the other hand, government and school officials, including the parents and students have expressed profound gratitude to the US and Philippine military troops their humanitarian assistance for the people here.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/991430294965/panay-balikatan-ends

45% of Filipinos prefer peace talks than war with MILF

From Rappler (May 4): 45% of Filipinos prefer peace talks than war with MILF

In contrast, a survey shows 20% of Filipinos believe that the government should undertake military operation against the MILF



PUBLIC SENTIMENT. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak witness the exchange of documents following the signing of a final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on March 27, 2014. File photo by Dennis Sabangan/EPA

Months after the Mamasapano tragedy, many Filipinos still believe that talking peace rather than waging war is a "more effective" way of dealing with rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey finding released Sunday, May 3, found that nearly 5 in 10 or 45% of Filipinos prefer peace negotiations with the MILF while only 20% believe that the government should undertake military operations against the group.

Meanwhile, nearly 4 in 10 or 35% of those surveyed said military operations and peaceful negotiations are "equally effective."

While the survey showed that more Filipinos continue to back the peace process, support for the peace negotiations took a hit after the Mamasapano tragedy that killed at least 66 Filipinos.

SWS found that those who believe in talking peace with the rebel group went down by 17 points from 62% in March 2014, the same month when the peace agreement between the MILF and the government was signed.

Meanwhile, war drums beat louder, the survey showed, as those who said that military offensives were more effective rose by 11 points from 9% in March 2014.

Those who believe that talking peace and conducting military offensives also increased – by 6 points from 19%.

Survey timing

The survey was conducted among 1,200 adults nationwide on March 20 to March 23, days after the police Board of Inquiry and the Senate released their respective reports on the botched police raid in Mamasapano to capture 3 high-value targets.

The Senate cast the "first sin" on the MILF for allegedly coddling terrorists while the BOI report found that the 44 elite cops who died in the clash were shot at close range. The MILF, meanwhile, said the clash was a "misencounter" and maintained it denounces terrorism as an organization. At least 17 Moro rebels and 5 civilians also died in the incident.

The bloody outcome of the operation caused public outrage that threatened to derail the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress. (READ: Senate, House leaders differ on key BBL provisions)

SWS said the question on how MILF should be dealt with is part of a more comprehensive survey on Mamasapano and the BBL conducted in partnership with international non-governmental organization, The Asia Foundation. Full results of the survey will be released on May 15, SWS said.

The Asia Foundation country representative Steven Rood is part of the Third Party Monitoring Team on the government-MILF peace deal. Prior to joining the group, he was part of the International Contact Group, a team of foreign observers to the peace talks.

Months after the Mamasapano tragedy, many Filipinos still believe that talking peace rather than waging war is a "more effective" way of dealing with rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey finding released Sunday, May 3, found that nearly 5 in 10 or 45% of Filipinos prefer peace negotiations with the MILF while only 20% believe that the government should undertake military operations against the group.

Meanwhile, nearly 4 in 10 or 35% of those surveyed said military operations and peaceful negotiations are "equally effective."

While the survey showed that more Filipinos continue to back the peace process, support for the peace negotiations took a hit after the Mamasapano tragedy that killed at least 66 Filipinos.

SWS found that those who believe in talking peace with the rebel group went down by 17 points from 62% in March 2014, the same month when the peace agreement between the MILF and the government was signed.

Meanwhile, war drums beat louder, the survey showed, as those who said that military offensives were more effective rose by 11 points from 9% in March 2014.

Those who believe that talking peace and conducting military offensives also increased – by 6 points from 19%.

Other surveys

Peace negotiations between the government and the MILF started in 1996 – the same year when the Ramos administration signed a peace accord with MILF's rival group, the Moro National Liberation Front.

Talks would go on for another 18 years. Before a peace accord was signed in March 2014, the process was interrupted by the Estrada administration's all-out war policy and the declaration of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain with the Arroyo administration as unconstitutional.

The peace process in Southern Philippines is now in its second stage - the passage of the proposed law implementing the peace deal in Congress and in a plebiscite.

In March, Pulse Asia released a survey that asked a related question and found a different response. The survey found that 44% of Filipinos are opposed to the passage of the BBL, with 62% of those surveyed in Mindanao sharing the same sentiment.

Meanwhile, an April SWS survey found that the satisfaction rating of President Benigno Aquino III plunged to its lowest after Mamasapano.

The SWS media release publicized on Sunday included more details on the satisfaction rating survey. It showed that the largest declines in satisfaction with the President were on aspects that were related to the peace process:

Defending the country's territorial rights: +22, down from +40

Reconciliation with Muslim rebels: -3, down from +15

Reconcliiation with Communist rebels: +17, down from -3

Fighting terrorims: +6, down from +15

Resolving the Maguindanao massacre case with justice: -50 from -41

http://www.rappler.com/nation/92065-sws-survey-peace-war-milf