Soldier killed, 8 wounded in Basilan blast as Sulu cops foil Jolo bombing

From InterAksyon (Jun 16): Soldier killed, 8 wounded in Basilan blast as Sulu cops foil Jolo bombing

A soldier was killed and eight others wounded Tuesday when the vehicle they were riding was struck by a roadside bomb in an ambush authorities said was staged by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan province.

But in nearby Sulu province, another bombing was foiled when police discovered an improvised explosive device planted at a gasoline station in downtown Jolo, the provincial capital, around dawn.

Captain Roy Trinidad, chief of staff of Task Force Zambasulta commander Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, the troops of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion were being ferried by a KM450 truck when it was struck by the explosion in Barangay Limbungasani, Tipo-Tipo town around 8:15 a.m.

This was followed by a brief firefight between the troops and the gunmen who planted the explosive.

Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel John Paolo Perez, commander of the battalion said two of the wounded were in serious condition.

Perez said the lone fatality died as the casualties were being evacuated to Zamboanga City.

The officer said the uninjured troops engaged the Abu Sayyaf in a brief firefight but were unable to pursue the gunmen because they withdrew through an area controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, with whom the government has signed a peace agreement.

However, he added, they were in communications with the MILF who were cooperating by providing information.

Trinidad said intelligence reports indicate the bomb was planted by followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Furuji Indama.

A report reaching Camp Crame, meanwhile, said the Jolo bomb was found inside a bag left near the Island Petroleum gas station at the corner of Muralla and Marna streets in Barangay Walled City around 12:08 a.m.

Bomb experts from the police Special Action Force disarmed the explosive.

The Jolo police is still trying to identify who planted the bomb.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/112507/soldier-killed-8-wounded-in-basilan-blast-as-sulu-cops-foil-jolo-bombing

Chopper makes 'hard landing' after being fired at while evacuating Army wounded in Samar - Air Force

From InterAksyon (Jun 16): Chopper makes 'hard landing' after being fired at while evacuating Army wounded in Samar - Air Force



An Air Force Huey helicopter (InterAksyon.com file by Erwin Mascarinas)

A Philippine Air Force helicopter deployed to evacuate soldiers wounded in a clash with communist rebels was fired at and forced to make a “hard landing” in the hinterlands of Las Navas town in Samar on Monday.

Air Force spokesman Colonel Enrico Canaya confirmed the incident and said they were in the process of recovering the downed UH-1H Huey helicopter.

He said the chopper was one of two dispatched to airlift five soldiers wounded in the clash with New People’s Army guerrillas.

However, he said the helicopter came under fire around 5 p.m. and “made a forced landing.”

Major Glen Mark Cabalquinto, public information officer of the 2nd Air Division, said the downed chopper had been assigned to “pick up some equipment and things recovered from the encounter site” while the undamaged lead aircraft was the one that had picked up the wounded Army personnel as well as the crew of the damaged helicopter and evacuated them to Catarman.

Describing the damage to the chopper, Cabalquinto said the aircraft's skids, which support it while on the ground, had collapsed sideways during the hard landing and the helicopter's belly was resting on the ground. 

He said a maintenance and investigation team were at the site and trying to see if they could safely fly the aircraft out.

However, Cabalquinto said the team had not yet reported if it had been hit by ground fire.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/112512/chopper-makes-hard-landing-after-being-fired-at-while-evacuating-army-wounded-in-samar---air-force

DND mulls termination of P1.4B ballistic vest contract

From InterAksyon (Jun 16): DND mulls termination of P1.4B ballistic vest contract

The Department of National Defense (DND) is considering a move to terminate the P1.4 billion worth of ballistic vest (Force Protection Equipment) contract that it awarded to an Israel-based supplier if it fails to deliver the first batch of 20,000 units on June 29 based on its requested extension of 120 days to comply, according to Director Arsenio Andolong, public affairs chief of the DND.

Given the time left, according to defense insiders, there is no travel order yet for members of the Technical Inspection and Acceptance (TIAC) team to conduct a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) of the units.

The TIAC team is tasked to conduct inspection of the ballistic vests.

The project, one of the "big-ticket items" in the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), was awarded through controversial public bidding to JV Archidatex and Colorado Shipping in 2013.

It comprises 44,080 FPE vests for individual soldiers.

Apparently, the DND, especially Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who was reportedly "well aware" of this, kept mum about the developments of the project when the supplier failed to deliver the first batch on February 26 as stipulated in the contract. That is, until defense insiders leaked the matter to the media.

Except for Andolong, who, declined to share more details, as he said he is not authorized to divulge anything about the project, other DND officials, who are supposed to be on the know, declined to be interviewed.

Aside from Archidatex, those that participated in the bidding included Kolon Global Corporation of South Korea, UM Merkata of Israel, and MKU of India.

During the post-qualification process, Kolon and UM Merkata were disqualified.

Kolon protested the disqualification even though it registered the lowest bid at slightly more than P800 million.

But despite its protest, the contract was eventually awarded to the JV of Archidatex and Colorado shipping.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/112517/dnd-mulls-termination-of-p1-4b-ballistic-vest-contract

British Embassy hails initial decommissioning of MILF weapons, fighters

From MindaNews (Jun 16): British Embassy hails initial decommissioning of MILF weapons, fighters

The British Embassy in Manila welcomed the first phase of decommissioning of weapons and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“The decommissioning of 50 high-powered and 25 crew-mounted weapons, and transition to civilian life of 145 Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, is a significant and welcome step in the peace process,” Charge d’ Affaires Trevor Lewis said in a statement Tuesday.

The initial decommissioning took place in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Tuesday and was witnessed by President Aquino himself.



An Independent Decommissioning Body member inspects the tag of one of the firearms belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front during a ceremonial turn-over on June 16, 2015 at the old Maguindanao provincial capitol in Sultan Kudarat. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

The move came amid uncertainties on the fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress.

The BBL will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao after its ratification through a plebiscite.

But some senators viewed the proposed measure as unconstitutional. Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said they would file substitute bills.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives adjourned their session last week without putting the BBL to a vote.

The MILF has declared it would not accept a BBL that is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

“With legislation still pending in Congress, this event underlines the continued commitment of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to pursue its objectives through political rather than violent means. As with any peace process, the process of normalization is linked to political milestones, the next of which will be the passage of legislation to make the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro a reality,” Lewis said.

“We commend the government of the Philippines led by President Aquino for its continued significant effort to bring peace and development to the peoples of Bangsamoro for the long term benefit of the Philippines as a whole,” he added.



Government Peace Panel chair Miriam Coronel Ferrer inspects decommissioned firearms of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front during a ceremony at the old Maguindanao provincial capitol in Sultan Kudarat town on June 16, 2015. Seventy five firearms are being turned over to the Independent Decommissioning Body by the MILF. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

In a statement Tuesday, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the symbolic decommissioning showed the government’s and MILF’s “commitment establishing a lasting peace in Mindanao”.

“This is the act of peace, the show of sincerity in the peace process, that we have all been waiting for from the MILF and the government.

“Beginning today, the MILF will beat swords to ploughshares as soldiers will begin to bring life to the land instead of taking from it. Today, mothers will begin to send their children to school again without fear, and welcome them home happily. Today, children will start learning to be children, and hope never to learn about war again,” Hataman said.

“We silence the guns today and our voices will drown the songs of war; our voice will echo the calls for peace. We have been doing so for the past 17 years, culminating in a document we now know as the Bangsamoro Basic Law. This Law, the fruit of many legal minds, both Moro and non-Moro, will be the rock on which lasting peace and eventual economic progress in Mindanao can be built,” he added.

Hataman noted the BBL was facing an “obstacle race” in the Senate. “We pray that this race will soon end and the BBL be hailed as victorious.”

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/06/16/british-embassy-hails-initial-decommissioning-of-milf-weapons-fighters/

Samar towns’ rebel-free status to draw investments - Army

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Samar towns’ rebel-free status to draw investments - Army

The insurgency-free declaration for the three island towns of Samar province will draw investments to cash-strapped areas, the Philippine Army said.

On June 12, the army and local government units formally declared the towns of Almagro, Sto Nino and Tagapul-an as free from threats of New People’s Army.

The three areas were declared rebel-free during the commemoration of 117th Philippine Independence Day at a covered court in Tagapul-an town.

“The joint declaration of the three island towns may attract investors especially that these areas are tourist destinations and that many investors will establish their businesses in a secured area which will greatly improve the town’s economic and financial status,” said Col. Leoncio A. Cirunay, the army’s 801st brigade commander.

The signing of declaration was based on the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police joint letter directive which categorized the three island towns as “cleared” area.

“It will increase the influx of tourism in their locality. The populace of the said municipalities are enjoying peaceful environment away from extortion activities of the NPA,” the army official said in a statement.

Witnessing the declaration are top army and local government officials in Samar province.

All the three areas are categorized as fifth class towns, which means that their annual income from internal revenue share and local taxes is between PHP15 million to PHP25 million.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772942

Decommissioning is MILF firm commitment for peace in the Bangsamoro -- Murad

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Decommissioning is MILF firm commitment for peace in the Bangsamoro -- Murad

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Haj Murad today said the decommissioning of 75 firearms and 145 combatants is a firm manifestation of the MILF's commitment to peace and signals the transformation of their group into a political organization.

“Today we begin the long walk to transformation, not surrender. (This is) the start of transformation of MILF from armed organization to political organization ready to serve the Bangsamoro people,” Murad said during the decommissioning process held at the gymnasium of the old provincial capitol here Tuesday morning.

President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed the turn over as the guest of honor and speaker.

“Decommissioning has not been an easy one. This is expected because the struggle is an integral part of our Moro identity,” he said of the decommissioning, adding that “We cannot thank President Aquino enough for his unwavering commitment in our partnership.”

Murad said the the decommissioning also signals that start for the MILF to shift into self-governance.

“This symbolic decommissioning signals the start of an old arrangement and control toward partnership of autonomy,” he said.

“We proclaim our commitment to peace not by words but by action,” Murad stressed.

Murad said it was not a sign of weakness on the part of the MILF, as propagated by anti-peace groups, to decommission its firearms even as the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law is yet to be approved by Congress.

“It is not surrender,” he said in his message to his people. “This is to show the MILF is sincere in attaining peace for the Bangsamoro people.”

He also said the MILF position on the BBL is clear.

“We will accept the BBL which is in compliance with the FAB (Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro) and CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro), this is the official position of the MILF central committee,” he said.

He then thanked President Aquino and all those who contributed in the success of the Mindanao peace process.

“We thank the President for his continued support to the Mindanao peace process, third party facilitator, international communities and all who contributed to the success of the peace process,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772915

‘Strategic area’ for NIR Command eyed in Negros Occidental’s 5th district

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): ‘Strategic area’ for NIR Command eyed in Negros Occidental’s 5th district

A strategic area in the fifth district of Negros Occidental is being eyed as the regional command center of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Negros Island Region (NIR).

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the location is not necessarily in the border of the two Negros provinces, but on any strategic area in the province.

There is a number of strategic areas in the fifth district, and the choice would depend on Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr., AFP chief of staff, he said.

“It’s their choice and decision. What’s more important is that it’s accessible and there should be facilities like water, electricity and roads,” the governor said.

Marañon said it is good that the AFP will set up a regional island command in Negros so there will be one commander for the island.

Catapang had earlier said they will reconstitute their forces – the Army, the Air Force and the Navy – in the newly-formed Negros Island Region.

He added that the NIR command will be an inter-agency peace and order committee or organization to include all armed services, which will harness all resources of the government to address and maintain peace and security in the area.

New military camps will be put up in the middle of the two provinces to secure both sides, either in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental or in Mabinay, Negros Oriental.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772991

Hopes high as MILF turns over weapons of war, combatants

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Hopes high as MILF turns over weapons of war, combatants

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) turned over Tuesday, June 16, 75 weapons of war and 145 combatants, most of them having fought wars since the 1970s.

Other combatants are in their mid-20’s. They are only the first batch that will leave behind years of struggle to start a new life without waging wars.

Among them was 66-year-old deputy commander of the MILF’s Lawin unit, Jacob Palao, who enlisted with MILF a year after Martial Law was declared. He fought wars since 1974.

Palao was the highest ranked of the 145 MILF combatants who will be turning civilians for the decommissioning process.

Palao was happy that both MILF and the Philippine government are starting the normalization process. Palao was hopeful that the government will carry out the promise of socio-economic development in the Bangsamoro.

In his speech before the delegates led by President Benigno Aquino III, MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim said, “This occasion is not a story about statistics. This is something personal to us. They are the stories of struggle, of pain, of hopelessness, even death”.

During the ceremonial decommissioning of the combatants held at old capitol of in Maguindanao Province in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Murad said he also saw stories of hope and faith that indeed peace was near and that all sacrifices have been worth it.

He said it is his story as well and the majuhedeen who have given their life, intelligence to protect the Bangsamoro people.

“What we have today then are not only the stories of the 145 fighters…what we have are the stories of the whole.

Bangsamoro …oppression, tyranny, and yes liberation,” he added.

Admitting that the road to decommissioning was not easy even within the MILF, Murad however said it is expected because struggle is an integral part of their identity.

He emphasized that their decision is deeply rooted in their firm commitment to comply with the principled signed agreements with government.

Decommissioning of weapons and the MILF combatants is part of the normalization process to bring conflict-affected areas into a state of normalcy in terms of human security and economic stability while legislative mill for the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law continues.

The decommissioning program aims to put the arms and forces of the rebel group beyond use. The 75 weapons were turned over to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) headed by Turkey’s former ambassador to NATO, Haydar Berk.

The IDB is composed of members Jan Erik Wilhemsen from Norway, Maj. Muhammad Aiman Syazwi Bin Haji Abdul Rahim from Brunei, and local experts, AFP ret. Lt. Gen. Rey Ardor, Dr. Mario Aguja, MILF spokesperson Von Al-Haq and Janati Mimbantas.

The 145 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) were registered and given help to formally return to civilian lives.

Berk said the weapons were checked and verified.

The decommissioned guns will be kept will be brought to an agreed area, the Weapons Storage facility located inside Camp Iranun (Abubakar) in Sitio Bombaran, Barangay Tugaig in Barira, Maguindanao.

Camp Iranun, now home of the 603rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine military, used to be the biggest MILF homebase—Camp Abubakar, which fell to government hands in the year 2000 all-out war waged by former President Joseph Estrada.

About 30 members of the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) who will be supervised by the Joint Verification and Monitoring Team (JVMT) of the IDB will be backed by close circuit TV cameras.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=773211

Rebel killed, 5 troopers hurt in Northern Samar clash, 'Huey' helicopter also damaged

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Rebel killed, 5 troopers hurt in Northern Samar clash, 'Huey' helicopter also damaged

A New People's Army (NPA) rebel was killed while five soldiers assigned to the 8th Infantry Division were wounded during an encounter in Barangay L. Empon, Las Navas town, Northern Samar Monday.

And later in the day, a UH-IH "Huey" helicopter with tail number 494, attempting to evacuate the wounded troopers, was forced to land, damaging its skids in the process, after suffering a still unknown "discrepancy" at 5 p.m.

Capt. Andrew Linao, 8th Infantry Division deputy public affairs office chief, said the encounter between their 20th Infantry Battalion and the rebel band took place at 6 a.m.

He added that the troopers were conducting "Bayanihan" activities in Barangay L. Empon in an attempt to bridge the development gap when concerned residents reported the presence of heavily-armed NPA rebels nearby.

At this point, government soldiers went to engage the rebels, killing one.

In the same encounter that lasted for 25 minutes, five troopers were wounded by NPA fire.

Linao said that the rebels then retreated while 20th Infantry Battalion troopers recovered the body of the slain NPA and turned it over to barangay officials for identification and proper disposition.

Meanwhile, the escorting UH-IH, immediately landed and rescued the crew members of the stricken "Huey".

It also conducted the evacuation for the troopers wounded in the earlier firefight with the rebels.

Major Glen Mark Cabalquinto, 2nd Air Division public affairs office chief, said that an investigation team is now checking the down UH-IH helicopter to determine the exact cause of the mishap.

Army troops are providing security to the crashed helicopter while the investigation is ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=773035

Army troops pursue NPA rebels after clashes in south Negros Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Army troops pursue NPA rebels after clashes in south Negros Oriental

Philippine Army troops continue to pursue suspected members of the rebel New People’s Army (NPA) following two sporadic clashes early this week at Barangay Talalak in Sta. Catalina town, Negros Oriental.

Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Siaton, Negros Oriental, disclosed that the brief encounters with at least seven suspected NPA rebels on Saturday and Sunday were an offshoot of a report from civilians in the area.

The tip received by the Army said there were armed men allegedly harassing local residents and who appeared to be trying to retrieve some rice and food stuff in a nearby sub-village, said Lt. Col. Pascua over the phone Tuesday afternoon.

Pascua said he deployed his men from the Kakha detachment immediately and at around 8:40 a.m. Saturday, while on patrol to verify the civilians’ report, they were fired upon by the small band of suspected rebels which resulted in an exchange of gunfire that lasted for about two minutes.

The following day, around noontime and during pursuit operations, the government troops once more engaged the alleged rebels in another firefight for about 10 minutes before the latter fled, said Pascua.

The armed men, led by a certain “Jimlan” are “remnants” of the NPA’s South East Front who are always on the run, according to Pascua.

There were no casualties on the government side while Pascua said they are still verifying reports of wounded or killed men on the side of the armed group.

The 79th IB commander has highlighted the fact that the populace now has have the confidence of “our local defense system”, particularly the detachments and in turn, “these detachments have now the capability and responsiveness to act on security concerns of the communities”.

The province of Negros Oriental was declared conflict manageable and development ready as of May last year and key Army officials are saying they are eyeing to declare the province insurgency-free any time this year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=773177

Western Mindanao Command turns over educational, toiletries items to local day center

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Western Mindanao Command turns over educational, toiletries items to local day center

In line with its community development and educational efforts, the Zamboanga City-based Western Mindanao Command handed over educational and toiletries items to a local day center Monday.

Donated were a mobile television set, educational tapes, books, toilet adjusters and rubber mats.

The items were handed to Amparo Toribio, Western Mindanao Command Day Center supervisor.

The facility is located at the Western Mindanao Command in Camp Navarro, Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City.

Incidentally, the Western Mindanao Command Day Center was also blessed Monday by Catholic Chaplain Reynaldo Narisma after repairs and renovation.

The items will benefit military and civilians dependents enrolled in the educational facility.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772846

Deles sees start of decommissioning process to have positive effect on BBL timeline

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Deles sees start of decommissioning process to have positive effect on BBL timeline

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles is confident that the start of the decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and weapons would have a positive effect on the legislative process surrounding the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“Inaantay na lang po natin ang tuluyang pagpapasa ng BBL, ang pagtatayo ng Bangsamoro at ang pagkakaroon nito ng mga sariling halal na lider upang makita natin ang tuluyang pagbababa ng armas ng MILF. Ito ang umpisa ng kapayapaan sa Bangsamoro at sa buong Mindanao (We are just awaiting the eventual passage of the BBL, the establishment of the Bangsamoro government, and the election of its leaders in order for the full decommissioning of the MILF to push through),” explained Deles.

Under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the government and the MILF, the decommissioning process will follow legislative milestones of the proposed basic law that will entrench a replacement to the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The CAB stipulates that 30% of MILF combatants and weapons will be decommissioned upon the passage of the BBL, to be followed by another 35% after the plebiscite and the appointment of members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). The remaining 35% will be decommissioned once the Bangsamoro government is established and its leaders are duly elected.

The June 16 ceremonial decommissioning of 145 MILF combatants and 75 crew-serve weapons and high-powered weapons is to signal the start of the process, also stipulated in the CAB.

“Masaya tayo na patuloy ipinapakita ng MILF na katuwang sila ng pamahalaan sa layunin na itigil ang pag-aarmas sa Mindanao sa kabila ng pagka-antala sa pagsasabatas ng BBL (We are happy the MILF continues to be a partner of the government in its objective to bring peace in Mindanao through the reduction of firearms in the area despite the delays in the BBL passage),” Deles added.

The MILF is expected to turn in their weapons to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), which in turn will place the said weapons in a secured area. The combatants, on the other hand, will receive socio-economic packages to help them jumpstart their return to normal, civilian lives.

Both Houses of Congress adjourned sine die last week, with both vowing to continue working on the BBL once session resumes in late July. The House of Representatives is in the middle of plenary interpellation while Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, has committed to presenting a substitute bill.

The leadership of both Houses is looking at September or October as the new deadline for the BBL passage, in time for the filing of candidacies for the 2016 elections.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772860

PAF conducts first ever 'PAF SAR Challenge 2015'

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): PAF conducts first ever 'PAF SAR Challenge 2015'

In line with its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday announced that it will be conducting its first ever "PAF SAR Challenge 2015" from June 17 to 18.

The activity will be held at Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas.

PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said eight Air Force search-and-rescue units will be participating in this two-day activity.

These units will be coming from different PAF units in Pampanga, Cavite, Cebu, Palawan, Zamboanga and Manila.

Canaya said a total of 160 PAF personnel will compete with one another during the exercise.

The 505th Search and Rescue Group Rescue, who were the mentors of the trained personnel, will provide rescue helicopters, equipment and support personnel for the contest.

Canaya said this undertaking is different from the usual military field training exercises done to prepare soldiers for combat operations.

This time, the objective is to save lives in the water and land environment in the event of a tsunami and earthquake scenario.

He added that the event, which was spearheaded by Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Education and Training, Col. Augustine Malinit, which also served as a pre-anniversary activity as the PAF celebrates its 68th founding anniversary this coming July 1.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772970

1 killed, 8 wounded in ASG landmine attack in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): 1 killed, 8 wounded in ASG landmine attack in Basilan

A trooper from the 18th Infantry Battalion was killed while eight of his companions were wounded in a landmine attack perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in the borders of Tipo-Tipo and Al-Barka towns, Basilan Tuesday morning.

All of the government casualties were aboard a KM-450 military truck, on their way to market, when the blast took place at 8:05 a.m.

Lt. Col. John Paolo Perez, 18th Infantry Battalion commander, said the incident took place at the vicinity of Barangays Magkawa, Albarka and Tipo-Tipo Proper, Tipo-Tipo.

Initially, nine troopers were reported wounded, three of them seriously.

He added that the landmine seems to command detonated as it exploded while the KM-450 was passing by, showering its occupants with shrapnel.

However, one of the seriously hurt trooper expired before reaching the nearest medical facility, Perez said.

Pursuit operations are now ongoing as of this posting.

Around seven to 10 ASG bandits were believed to have laid the explosive.

Responding government troopers engaged the brigands in a brief firefight, scattering the ASGs and leading to the recovery of some of the group's equipment.

Perez did not specify the exact equipment recovered but said that some of the shrapnel they have recovered seems similar to the ones they recovered in Barangay Tuburan, Mohammad Ajul town, Basilan last May 17.

"The IEDs (improvised explosive devices) we recovered there appears to be made by a Malaysian member of the Jemaah Islamiyah," he said.

Around 76 IEDs were recovered in that operation.

The 18th Infantry Battalion commander also said that the bandits passed some two kilometers from a Moro Islamic Liberation Front area but stressed that the ASGs did not enter the place.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772994

60-year-old man killed in rebel attack in Camarines Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): 60-year-old man killed in rebel attack in Camarines Norte

A 60-year-old man was killed when three unidentified New People's Army (NPA) rebels fired at a temporary patrol base at Barangay Alayao, Capalonga, Camarines Norte Tuesday morning.

Capt. Mardjorie Paimela Panesa, 9th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the incident, which took place at 9 a.m., lasted for five minutes.

No one among the troops manning the base was hurt, but a civilian identified as Mandy Retiro was hit by an apparent stray bullet and died while undergoing treatment at the Capalonga Medicare Hospital.

The victim was a utility worker at the nearby Capalonga College and a resident of Barangay Bagong Bayan, Daet, Camarines Norte.

"The 9th ID condemns such acts by the New People’s Army which just denote that the rebels do not care of the innocent civilians that may be hit. They merely resort to criminal acts just to sow fear and terror," Panesa said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=773170